start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=67 cd-vols= no-issue=4 article-no= start-page=538 end-page=549 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=Enhancement of antioxidant function in various organs in mice using combined thermal and radon inhalation treatment en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Enhancing antioxidant function is a key strategy for preventing and treating oxidative stress-related diseases. Radon inhalation and thermal treatment (TT) increase the levels of antioxidant enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD). The positive effects of this combination on pain-related diseases have been reported; however, few studies have elucidated the underlying mechanisms. In this study, we examined the enhancement of antioxidant function in various organs of mice subjected to combined TT and radon inhalation. The mice were placed in an incubator once daily for 40 min at 38.5 ± 0.5°C and treated for 1, 3 and 7 days. The mice then inhaled radon at a concentration of 2000 Bq/m3 for 24 h. The characteristic changes in antioxidant function following combined TT and radon inhalation could be categorized into four groups: (i) increased antioxidant function in the brain and colon; (ii) increased or decreased antioxidant function, as observed in the kidney; (iii) decreased antioxidant function, such as in the lungs and (iv) no changes, such as in the small intestine, spleen, pancreas, heart, liver and stomach. Additionally, SOD may be the antioxidant enzyme most sensitive to combined TT and radon treatment. Collectively, the combined treatment may be the most effective in activating antioxidative functions in the brain and colon. This study provides new insights into the effects of combined TT and radon inhalation. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MiyanagaShogo en-aut-sei=Miyanaga en-aut-mei=Shogo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=TanakaAyumi en-aut-sei=Tanaka en-aut-mei=Ayumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakenakaReiju en-aut-sei=Takenaka en-aut-mei=Reiju kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=NaoeShota en-aut-sei=Naoe en-aut-mei=Shota kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=GotoShuna en-aut-sei=Goto en-aut-mei=Shuna kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=NaganoMitsuki en-aut-sei=Nagano en-aut-mei=Mitsuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=TanoKotaro en-aut-sei=Tano en-aut-mei=Kotaro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=KanzakiNorie en-aut-sei=Kanzaki en-aut-mei=Norie kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=SakodaAkihiro en-aut-sei=Sakoda en-aut-mei=Akihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamaokaKiyonori en-aut-sei=Yamaoka en-aut-mei=Kiyonori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=KataokaTakahiro en-aut-sei=Kataoka en-aut-mei=Takahiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Ningyo-toge Environmental Engineering Center, Japan Atomic Energy Agency kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Ningyo-toge Environmental Engineering Center, Japan Atomic Energy Agency kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Ningyo-toge Environmental Engineering Center, Japan Atomic Energy Agency kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Faculty of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Faculty of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=radon kn-keyword=radon en-keyword=thermal treatment kn-keyword=thermal treatment en-keyword=antioxidant function kn-keyword=antioxidant function en-keyword=oxidative stress kn-keyword=oxidative stress 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=65 cd-vols= no-issue=5 article-no= start-page=104504 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=Association of initial interface formation time with CD34+ collection efficiency in continuous mononuclear cell collection: A retrospective study en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background: Factors influencing CD34+ cell collection efficiency (CE) during peripheral blood stem cell harvesting have been investigated; however, the impact of procedural management remains unclear. In continuous mononuclear cell (CMNC) collection, a stable cell–plasma interface (IF) is formed through channel priming, initial IF establishment, and mononuclear cell (MNC) collection. Although IF instability is known to impair CE, the adequacy of initial IF formation has not been examined as an independent factor. Therefore, we focused on the time required for initial IF formation and its association with CE.
Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 291 Spectra Optia CMNC procedures (52 autologous and 239 allogeneic) performed between 2016 and 2025. Initial interface formation time (IFT) was defined as the interval from the start of the procedure to transition to MNC collection. CE2 was defined as the ratio of collected CD34+ cells to the product of pre-apheresis peripheral blood CD34+ cell concentration and processed blood volume. Results: CE2 was lower in autologous than in allogeneic collections (41.3% vs. 59.2%) and was associated with longer IFT (median, 18 vs. 15 min). CE2 correlated with white blood cell count (r = −0.24), hematocrit (r = 0.36), and IFT (r = −0.23; all p < 0.001). In multivariable analysis, these factors remained independently associated with CE2, and IFT was inversely correlated with hematocrit (r = −0.44, p < 0.001).
Conclusion: IFT is independently associated with CE2 and provides insight into the early dynamics of IF formation during leukapheresis, highlighting an underexplored procedural aspect of CE. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MurakamiHiroyuki en-aut-sei=Murakami en-aut-mei=Hiroyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiiKeiko en-aut-sei=Fujii en-aut-mei=Keiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KitamuraWataru en-aut-sei=Kitamura en-aut-mei=Wataru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=IkeuchiKazuhiro en-aut-sei=Ikeuchi en-aut-mei=Kazuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShimonoJoji en-aut-sei=Shimono en-aut-mei=Joji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=OtsukaFumio en-aut-sei=Otsuka en-aut-mei=Fumio kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 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=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiiNobuharu en-aut-sei=Fujii en-aut-mei=Nobuharu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Hematology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Hematology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Hematology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Hematology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Hematology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Division of Clinical Laboratory, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Hematology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Hematology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= en-keyword=CD34+CE2 kn-keyword=CD34+CE2 en-keyword=Continuous mononuclear cell collection kn-keyword=Continuous mononuclear cell collection en-keyword=Spectra Optia kn-keyword=Spectra Optia en-keyword=Interface formation time kn-keyword=Interface formation time en-keyword=Leukapheresis kn-keyword=Leukapheresis END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=14 cd-vols= no-issue=7 article-no= start-page=1527 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=Upregulation of the Outer Membrane Protein OmpV and Its Role in Polymyxin B Stress Adaptation in Vibrio mimicus en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=OmpV is an outer membrane protein found in a variety of Gram-negative bacteria. In this study, we demonstrated that V. mimicus strain CS-66, isolated from a patient with diarrhea, was resistant to polymyxin B (PL-B) and colistin (CL) but susceptible to chloramphenicol and ciprofloxacin. When strain CS-66 was cultured in Luria–Bertani broth containing a sub-minimal inhibitory concentration of each antibiotic used for the susceptibility tests, ompV expression as assayed by reverse transcription-qPCR, significantly increased regardless of the antibiotic tested. In contrast, cell aggregation during the early log phase was observed only when the strain was grown in the broth supplemented with PL-B or CL. A space-filling model of V. mimicus OmpV was generated. The model showed that, although OmpV adopted a β-barrel conformation, it had closed top and bottom ends and possessed a lateral cavity. Structural analysis further indicated that the interior of this lateral cavity was negatively charged and sufficiently large to accommodate PL-B. These results suggest that V. mimicus may adapt to PL-B stress through physical sequestration within the negatively charged cavity of OmpV. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MiyoshiShin-ichi en-aut-sei=Miyoshi en-aut-mei=Shin-ichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=OnoderaYuta en-aut-sei=Onodera en-aut-mei=Yuta kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=AnnoiShunki en-aut-sei=Annoi en-aut-mei=Shunki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=MuzemboBasilua Andre en-aut-sei=Muzembo en-aut-mei=Basilua Andre kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=ImamuraDaisuke en-aut-sei=Imamura en-aut-mei=Daisuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Research Center for Intestinal Health Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Research Institute of Nursing Care for People and Community, University of Hyogo kn-affil= en-keyword=Vibrio mimicus kn-keyword=Vibrio mimicus en-keyword=polymyxin B kn-keyword=polymyxin B en-keyword=OmpV kn-keyword=OmpV en-keyword=β-barrel protein kn-keyword=β-barrel protein en-keyword=antibiotic sequestration kn-keyword=antibiotic sequestration 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=541 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=113868 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=202506 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Development of a novel histidine-rich glycoprotein measurement system as a biomarker for sepsis en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The plasma histidine-rich glycoprotein concentration is a marker of sepsis severity. In this study, we generated selective and specific monoclonal antibodies against histidine-rich glycoprotein for use in a prototype enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay-based in vitro diagnostic system. First, we investigated the properties of monoclonal antibodies produced by 21 hybridomas that we developed using immunized mice, and we identified monoclonal antibodies 69-1A and 75-2D to be the most suitable combination for use in the sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Wild-type histidine-rich glycoprotein (Form-1, 75 kDa) with a proline residue at amino acid position 204 is the most common isoform of the protein in humans, followed by its variant (Form-2, 77 kDa), which has a serine residue at position 204.
The epitope mapping was examined for the HRG amino acid sequence with 69-1A and 75-2D mAbs to achieve the identification of respective specific binding domains, though the other kinds of mAbs showed considerably complex domains. The identified epitopes recognized by 69-1A and 75-2D monoclonal antibodies did not span position 204. Furthermore, immunoprecipitation-immunoblotting analysis showed that the 69-1A and 75-2D monoclonal antibodies could bind to both Form-1 and Form-2 in human plasma samples. Thus, these two new antibodies can be used to clearly detect both forms of histidine-rich glycoproteins in human plasma samples. In our analysis of clinical samples by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays using various combinations of our newly synthesized antibodies, we found that the histidine-rich glycoprotein concentration was significantly lower in plasma samples from septic patients than in those from healthy volunteers (p < 0.01). Thus, our novel analysis system using the new antibodies is expected to be a useful tool for sepsis research, and it may be adapted as an in vitro diagnostic tool for many other kinds of diseases in the future. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=UchiumiTakaoki en-aut-sei=Uchiumi en-aut-mei=Takaoki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishiboriMasahiro en-aut-sei=Nishibori en-aut-mei=Masahiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MorimatsuHiroshi en-aut-sei=Morimatsu en-aut-mei=Hiroshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=InoueYoko en-aut-sei=Inoue en-aut-mei=Yoko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishiHiroshi en-aut-sei=Nishi en-aut-mei=Hiroshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=OtaNorio en-aut-sei=Ota en-aut-mei=Norio kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Diagnostic Drug Office, Shionogi & Co., Ltd. kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Translational Research and Drug Development, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Anesthesiology and Resuscitology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Diagnostic Drug Office, Shionogi & Co., Ltd. kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Diagnostic Drug Office, Shionogi & Co., Ltd. kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Diagnostic Drug Office, Shionogi & Co., Ltd. kn-affil= en-keyword=Histidine-rich glycoprotein kn-keyword=Histidine-rich glycoprotein en-keyword=Sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kn-keyword=Sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay en-keyword=In vitro diagnostics kn-keyword=In vitro diagnostics en-keyword=Sepsis kn-keyword=Sepsis en-keyword=Anti-human histidine-rich glycoprotein mouse monoclonal antibody kn-keyword=Anti-human histidine-rich glycoprotein mouse monoclonal antibody 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=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=16 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=16760 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=20260409 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Asthma-like bronchodilator responsiveness in patients with neuronal intranuclear inclusion disease en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Neuronal intranuclear inclusion disease (NIID) is a neurodegenerative condition characterized by the presence of intranuclear inclusions in neuronal and visceral cells. Patients with NIID can present respiratory symptoms; however, data on pulmonary functions in NIID are lacking. This study investigated the respiratory conditions in NIID patients diagnosed with histopathological and genetic studies. We conducted two spirometries before and after administrating the bronchodilator in NIID patients with asthmatic histories or symptoms. We statistically compared pre- and post-measured values including forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), and peak expiratory flow (PEF). Before two spirometries, we also measured fractional concentration of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), if possible. Of the 51finally enrolled patients, 17 (33.3%, 95% CI 20.8% to 47.9%) patients had asthmatic histories or symptoms, and 14 patients received two spirometries. After administrating the bronchodilator, FEV1 and PEF significantly increased by 150 mL (6.01%, p = 0.002) and 260 mL/s (6.72%, p = 0.017), respectively. The median (interquartile range) of FeNO measured in nine patients was 15 (10–21) ppb. Patients with NIID have airflow reversibility like asthma. This condition appears to be less associated with airway inflammation and may be related to autonomic dysfunction. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=TaharaDaisuke en-aut-sei=Tahara en-aut-mei=Daisuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=TaharaNao en-aut-sei=Tahara en-aut-mei=Nao kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=TamaiChisato en-aut-sei=Tamai en-aut-mei=Chisato kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=AkagiAkio en-aut-sei=Akagi en-aut-mei=Akio kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=RikuYuichi en-aut-sei=Riku en-aut-mei=Yuichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyaharaHiroaki en-aut-sei=Miyahara en-aut-mei=Hiroaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=KobayashiRei en-aut-sei=Kobayashi en-aut-mei=Rei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkadaHisashi en-aut-sei=Okada en-aut-mei=Hisashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=KawamotoMichi en-aut-sei=Kawamoto en-aut-mei=Michi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=IshiiJunko en-aut-sei=Ishii en-aut-mei=Junko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamazakiHiroki en-aut-sei=Yamazaki en-aut-mei=Hiroki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=KurashigeTakashi en-aut-sei=Kurashige en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=SugiyamaAtsuhiko en-aut-sei=Sugiyama en-aut-mei=Atsuhiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= en-aut-name=NagaishiAkiko en-aut-sei=Nagaishi en-aut-mei=Akiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=14 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishidaKatsuya en-aut-sei=Nishida en-aut-mei=Katsuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=15 ORCID= en-aut-name=SugieKazuma en-aut-sei=Sugie en-aut-mei=Kazuma kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=16 ORCID= en-aut-name=FukudomeTakayasu en-aut-sei=Fukudome en-aut-mei=Takayasu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=17 ORCID= en-aut-name=HasegawaKazuko en-aut-sei=Hasegawa en-aut-mei=Kazuko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=18 ORCID= en-aut-name=IshiuraHiroyuki en-aut-sei=Ishiura en-aut-mei=Hiroyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=19 ORCID= en-aut-name=KoikeHaruki en-aut-sei=Koike en-aut-mei=Haruki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=20 ORCID= en-aut-name=KasaiTakashi en-aut-sei=Kasai en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=21 ORCID= en-aut-name=MizunoToshiki en-aut-sei=Mizuno en-aut-mei=Toshiki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=22 ORCID= en-aut-name=AndoMasahiro en-aut-sei=Ando en-aut-mei=Masahiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=23 ORCID= en-aut-name=HiguchiYujiro en-aut-sei=Higuchi en-aut-mei=Yujiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=24 ORCID= en-aut-name=TanakaFumiaki en-aut-sei=Tanaka en-aut-mei=Fumiaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=25 ORCID= en-aut-name=IzumiYuishin en-aut-sei=Izumi en-aut-mei=Yuishin kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=26 ORCID= en-aut-name=SobueGen en-aut-sei=Sobue en-aut-mei=Gen kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=27 ORCID= en-aut-name=IwasakiYasushi en-aut-sei=Iwasaki en-aut-mei=Yasushi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=28 ORCID= en-aut-name=ItoSatoru en-aut-sei=Ito en-aut-mei=Satoru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=29 ORCID= en-aut-name=SoneJun en-aut-sei=Sone en-aut-mei=Jun kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=30 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Neuropathology, Institute for Medical Science of Aging, Aichi Medical University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Neuropathology, Institute for Medical Science of Aging, Aichi Medical University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Neuropathology, Institute for Medical Science of Aging, Aichi Medical University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Neuropathology, Institute for Medical Science of Aging, Aichi Medical University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Neuropathology, Institute for Medical Science of Aging, Aichi Medical University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Neuropathology, Institute for Medical Science of Aging, Aichi Medical University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Neurology, NHO Nagoya Medical Center kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Neurology, NHO Nagoya Medical Center kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Neurology, Kobe City Medical Center General Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Neurology, Kobe City Medical Center General Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Neurology, Tokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical Science kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Department of Neurology, NHO Kure Medical Center and Chugoku Cancer Center kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Department of Neurology, Chiba University kn-affil= affil-num=14 en-affil=Department of Neurology, NHO Nagasaki Kawatana Medical Center kn-affil= affil-num=15 en-affil=Department of Neurology, NHO Hyogo Chuo National Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=16 en-affil=Department of Neurology, Nara Medical University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=17 en-affil=Department of Neurology, NHO Nagasaki Kawatana Medical Center kn-affil= affil-num=18 en-affil=Department of Neurology, NHO Sagamihara National Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=19 en-affil=Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=20 en-affil=Department of Neurology, Saga University kn-affil= affil-num=21 en-affil=Department of Neurology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=22 en-affil=Department of Neurology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=23 en-affil=Department of Neurology and Geriatrics, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=24 en-affil=Department of Neurology and Geriatrics, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=25 en-affil=Department of Neurology and Stroke Medicine, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=26 en-affil=Department of Neurology, Tokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical Science kn-affil= affil-num=27 en-affil=Aichi Medical University kn-affil= affil-num=28 en-affil=Department of Neuropathology, Institute for Medical Science of Aging, Aichi Medical University kn-affil= affil-num=29 en-affil=Division of Respiratory Medicine and Allergology, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Aichi Medical University kn-affil= affil-num=30 en-affil=Department of Neuropathology, Institute for Medical Science of Aging, Aichi Medical University kn-affil= en-keyword=Asthma kn-keyword=Asthma en-keyword=Autonomic dysfunction kn-keyword=Autonomic dysfunction en-keyword=Cough kn-keyword=Cough en-keyword=Neuronal intranuclear inclusion disease kn-keyword=Neuronal intranuclear inclusion disease en-keyword=NOTCH2NLC kn-keyword=NOTCH2NLC en-keyword=Pulmonary function kn-keyword=Pulmonary function 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=47 cd-vols= no-issue=12 article-no= start-page=2058 end-page=2064 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241213 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Staphylococcus aureus δ-Toxin Induces Ca2+ Influx-Independent Degranulation of Murine Cultured Mast Cells en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Cutaneous colonization with Staphylococcus aureus (SA) is frequently observed in patients with atopic dermatitis. SA produces a wide variety of bacterial toxins, among which δ-toxin was found to induce degranulation of mast cells. Degranulation of mast cells could enhance bacterial clearance and protection from future SA infection but lead to exacerbation of atopic dermatitis. Because it remains to be determined how δ-toxin triggers degranulation, we investigated δ-toxin-induced changes in murine bone marrow-derived cultured mast cells in this study. We found that δ-toxin-induced degranulation could be classified into two phases, an early Ca2+-independent and a late Ca2+-dependent phase. Recent studies suggest that NOD-like receptor family, pyrin domain containing 3 is involved in the degranulation of mast cells, raising a possibility that leakage of K+ induced by δ-toxin is involved in the Ca2+-independent phase. However, Ca2+-independent degranulation remains unchanged although Ca2+-influx and degranulation induced by δ-toxin were significantly suppressed in the presence of high concentrations of K+. Because actin depolymerization was reported to induce degranulation in the absence of Ca2+ in the permeabilized rat peritoneal mast cells, a slow but steady decrease in the amount of filamentous actin observed here may be involved in Ca2+-independent degranulation induced by δ-toxin. Although Mas-related G protein-coupled receptor (MRGPR) X2 in humans and Mrgprb2 in mice are regarded as the receptors responsible for immunoglobulin E-independent degranulation, δ-toxin-induced degranulation remained unchanged in Mrgprb2−/− mast cells. Our findings pave the way for identification of the target receptors of δ-toxin. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=LiuKang en-aut-sei=Liu en-aut-mei=Kang kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KatayamaTomoaki en-aut-sei=Katayama en-aut-mei=Tomoaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=SatoHitomi en-aut-sei=Sato en-aut-mei=Hitomi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=Hamaoka-TamuraYuho en-aut-sei=Hamaoka-Tamura en-aut-mei=Yuho kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=SaitoMichiko en-aut-sei=Saito en-aut-mei=Michiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=FurutaKazuyuki en-aut-sei=Furuta en-aut-mei=Kazuyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=TanakaSatoshi en-aut-sei=Tanaka en-aut-mei=Satoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Laboratory of Pharmacology, Division of Pathological Sciences, Kyoto Pharmaceutical University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Laboratory of Pharmacology, Division of Pathological Sciences, Kyoto Pharmaceutical University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Bioscience Research Center, Kyoto Pharmaceutical University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Laboratory of Pharmacology, Division of Pathological Sciences, Kyoto Pharmaceutical University kn-affil= en-keyword=mast cell kn-keyword=mast cell en-keyword=δ-toxin kn-keyword=δ-toxin en-keyword=degranulation kn-keyword=degranulation en-keyword=inflammation kn-keyword=inflammation en-keyword=Mas-related G protein-coupled receptor kn-keyword=Mas-related G protein-coupled receptor END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=206 cd-vols= no-issue=10 article-no= start-page=e00307-24 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241024 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Overexpression of diglucosyldiacylglycerol synthase leads to daptomycin resistance in Bacillus subtilis en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The lipopeptide antibiotic daptomycin exhibits bactericidal activity against Gram-positive bacteria by forming a complex with phosphatidylglycerol (PG) and lipid II in the cell membrane, causing membrane perforation. With the emergence of daptomycin-resistant bacteria, understanding the mechanisms of bacterial resistance to daptomycin has gained great importance. In this study, we aimed to identify the genetic factors contributing to daptomycin resistance in Bacillus subtilis, a model Gram-positive bacterium. Our findings demonstrated that overexpression of ugtP, which encodes diglucosyldiacylglycerol synthase, induces daptomycin resistance in B. subtilis. Specifically, overexpression of ugtP resulted in increased levels of diglucosyldiacylglycerol (Glc2DAG) and decreased levels of acidic phospholipids cardiolipin and PG, as well as the basic phospholipid lysylphosphatidylglycerol. However, ugtP overexpression did not alter the cell surface charge and the susceptibility to the cationic antimicrobial peptide nisin or the cationic surfactant hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide. Furthermore, by serial passaging in the presence of daptomycin, we obtained daptomycin-resistant mutants carrying ugtP mutations. These mutants showed increased levels of Glc2DAG and a >4-fold increase in the minimum inhibitory concentration of daptomycin. These results suggest that increased Glc2DAG levels, driven by ugtP overexpression, modify the phospholipid composition and confer daptomycin resistance in B. subtilis without altering the cell surface charge of the bacteria. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=YamamotoRyogo en-aut-sei=Yamamoto en-aut-mei=Ryogo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=IshikawaKazuya en-aut-sei=Ishikawa en-aut-mei=Kazuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyoshiYusuke en-aut-sei=Miyoshi en-aut-mei=Yusuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=FurutaKazuyuki en-aut-sei=Furuta en-aut-mei=Kazuyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyoshiShin-Ichi en-aut-sei=Miyoshi en-aut-mei=Shin-Ichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=KaitoChikara en-aut-sei=Kaito en-aut-mei=Chikara kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=diglucosyldiacylglycerol kn-keyword=diglucosyldiacylglycerol en-keyword=daptomycin kn-keyword=daptomycin en-keyword=phospholipid kn-keyword=phospholipid 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 Péclet 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=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=207 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=106961 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=Effects of secondary hydrothermal fluids on gallium distribution and coordination in hot springs silica using Ga K-edge XANES en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Gallium (Ga), a critical element in the electronics industry, is enriched in hot spring silica deposits (sinter) at concentrations comparable to, and in some cases greater than, bauxite, coal, and sphalerite deposits from which it is currently extracted. Focusing on well characterized Holocene and Pleistocene New Zealand sinters, we utilize synchrotron-X-ray fluorescence (sXRF) and Ga K-edge X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy to examine the spatial distribution of Ga as well as its changing coordination number. Ga+3 is the only observed oxidation state in the analyzed sinters. Gallium is predominantly found in tetrahedral coordination in sinter deposited from alkali chloride fluids, with analyses best matching Ga-aluminosilicate standards. However, Ga coordination is octahedral in sinter samples that have undergone alteration by acidic fluids/gases, associated with a change in hydrology from alkali-chloride to acid-sulfate fluid conditions. High Ga concentrations are found associated with both these coordination environments, with a heterogeneous distribution. Octahedral Ga is observed both as particles and in larger regions affected by Fe-rich fluid overprinting. The combined use of sXRF and XANES demonstrates an ability to fingerprint diagenesis and alteration in these complex geothermal settings where tetrahedral and octahedral Ga co-exist. The transition from tetrahedral to octahedral Ga also appears to mimic the inferred natural process forming lateritic bauxite deposits, where remobilized tetrahedral Ga is reconcentrated and adsorbed to oxides. A similar process may occur for sinter Ga enrichment, whereby introduced Ga in acidic conditions is adsorbed to oxide phases as the Fe-rich secondary fluids infiltrate porous sinter material. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=RoweM.C. en-aut-sei=Rowe en-aut-mei=M.C. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=CampbellK.A. en-aut-sei=Campbell en-aut-mei=K.A. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=StallardD.A. en-aut-sei=Stallard en-aut-mei=D.A. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=LyonB. en-aut-sei=Lyon en-aut-mei=B. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=LangendamA. en-aut-sei=Langendam en-aut-mei=A. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=KalininaE. en-aut-sei=Kalinina en-aut-mei=E. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamanakaM. en-aut-sei=Yamanaka en-aut-mei=M. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=TanakaR. en-aut-sei=Tanaka en-aut-mei=R. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=ChristopherT. en-aut-sei=Christopher en-aut-mei=T. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=RuffS.W. en-aut-sei=Ruff en-aut-mei=S.W. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=NersezovaE. en-aut-sei=Nersezova en-aut-mei=E. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=OtaT. en-aut-sei=Ota en-aut-mei=T. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=HamiltonA. en-aut-sei=Hamilton en-aut-mei=A. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=School of Environment, University of Auckland kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=School of Environment, University of Auckland kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=School of Environment, University of Auckland kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=School of Environment, University of Auckland kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Australian Synchrotron Facility (Ansto) kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=The Pheasant Memorial Laboratory for Geochemistry and Cosmochemistry, Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=The Pheasant Memorial Laboratory for Geochemistry and Cosmochemistry, Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=The Pheasant Memorial Laboratory for Geochemistry and Cosmochemistry, Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=School of Chemical Sciences, University of Auckland kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Arizona State University, School of Earth And Space Exploration kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=School of Environment, University of Auckland kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=The Pheasant Memorial Laboratory for Geochemistry and Cosmochemistry, Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=School of Environment, University of Auckland kn-affil= en-keyword=Hot springs kn-keyword=Hot springs en-keyword=New Zealand kn-keyword=New Zealand en-keyword=Gallium kn-keyword=Gallium en-keyword=Sinter kn-keyword=Sinter en-keyword=Synchrotron radiation kn-keyword=Synchrotron radiation en-keyword=Coordination number kn-keyword=Coordination number 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 µL) 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=80 cd-vols= no-issue=3 article-no= start-page=195 end-page=202 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=HIP COMPASS®: A Mechanical Intraoperative Navigation Guide Associated with Improved Revision-Free Implant Survivorship after Ceramic-on-Ceramic Total Hip Arthroplasty at Minimum 10-Year Follow-up en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=HIP COMPASS® has demonstrated improved accuracy in intraoperative support for the acetabular component insertion angle. We assessed long-term revision-free implant survivorship following total hip arthroplasty (THA) using HIP COMPASS, with ≥10 years of follow-up. We retrospectively analyzed 210 hips of 186 patients who underwent cementless THA with ceramic-on-ceramic bearing couples, with or without HIP COMPASS. The mean follow-up duration was 10.8 years in the HIp COMPASS group and 12.7 years in the control group. Overall, 86.0% and 78.2% of cups were placed within Lewinnek’s safe zone with and without HIP COMPASS, respectively. Variability in radiographic inclination and anteversion was greater in the control group than in the HIP COMPASS group. Dislocation rates were 3.2% in the control group and 1.2% in the HIP COMPASS group, with no significant difference between groups. The control group had a significantly higher revision rate than the HIP COMPASS group (7.3% vs. 1.2%). Use of HIP COMPASS was associated with improved long-term revision-free implant survivorship over ≥ 10 years and more consistent acetabular component positioning at an appropriate insertion angle, which may contribute to stable initial fixation. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=TeiYoshiaki en-aut-sei=Tei en-aut-mei=Yoshiaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=ImaiNorio en-aut-sei=Imai en-aut-mei=Norio kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KimuraKeishi en-aut-sei=Kimura en-aut-mei=Keishi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=HiranoYuki en-aut-sei=Hirano en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=HorigomeYoji en-aut-sei=Horigome en-aut-mei=Yoji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=SudaKen en-aut-sei=Suda en-aut-mei=Ken kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=KawashimaHiroyuki en-aut-sei=Kawashima en-aut-mei=Hiroyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Division of Orthopedic Surgery, Department of Regenerative and Transplant Medicine, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Division of Comprehensive Musculoskeletal Medicine, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Division of Orthopedic Surgery, Department of Regenerative and Transplant Medicine, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Division of Orthopedic Surgery, Department of Regenerative and Transplant Medicine, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Division of Comprehensive Musculoskeletal Medicine, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Division of Orthopedic Surgery, Department of Regenerative and Transplant Medicine, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Division of Orthopedic Surgery, Department of Regenerative and Transplant Medicine, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=HIP COMPASS® kn-keyword=HIP COMPASS® en-keyword=survivorship kn-keyword=survivorship en-keyword=total hip arthroplasty kn-keyword=total hip arthroplasty en-keyword=ceramic-on-ceramic kn-keyword=ceramic-on-ceramic END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=17 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=1774957 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=20260430 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Hochuekkito attenuates anxiety-like behavior associated with pulmonary inflammation induced by intratracheal lipopolysaccharides in mice en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Introduction: We have previously demonstrated that intratracheal lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection induces significant pulmonary inflammation accompanied by hippocampal microglial activation, indicative of neuroinflammation. Hochuekkito (HET) is a traditional Japanese herbal medicine used to treat various conditions, including mental disorders and physical weakness. We have previously reported that HET ameliorates anxiety-like behaviors induced by intraperitoneal LPS injections in mice. However, its anxiolytic effects on anxiety-like behaviors due to pulmonary inflammation remain poorly understood. Therefore, in the present study, we aimed to investigate the effects of HET on anxiety-like behaviors induced by intratracheal LPS injection in mice.
Methods: Mice received HET (1.0 g/kg) once daily for 2 weeks through oral gavage prior to LPS treatment. The light-dark box test was conducted 24 h following LPS injection to assess anxiety-like behaviors. Diazepam, a clinically used anxiolytic, served as a positive control. The lung wet-to-dry weight ratio was determined, and the concentrations of interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the lungs and serum were assessed.
Results: Repeated administration of HET prevented the development of anxiety-like behaviors and reduced serum IL-6 concentrations and hippocampal Il6 mRNA expression levels in LPS-treated mice. Diazepam failed to exert significant effects in LPS-treated mice, whereas HET remained effective under inflammatory conditions. Moreover, LPS injections significantly increased the number of Iba-1-immunoreactive microglial cells in the CA1 region of the hippocampus, whereas this effect was suppressed by treatment with HET. In the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), the LPS-induced increase in white blood cell count was significantly reduced by treatment with HET. Furthermore, HET alleviated LPS-induced pulmonary inflammation, as evidenced by decreased lung wet-to-dry weight ratios.
Conclusion: This study suggests that inflammation induced by intratracheal LPS injection contributes to anxiety-like behaviors in mice and that IL-6 may play a key role in linking peripheral inflammation to neuroinflammatory responses. The anxiolytic effects of HET appear to be associated, at least in part, with the suppression of IL-6 elevation in both the periphery and the hippocampus, along with attenuation of microglial activation. Our findings suggest that HET may serve as a potential therapeutic agent for anxiety-like behaviors associated with pulmonary inflammation. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=IzushiYasuhisa en-aut-sei=Izushi en-aut-mei=Yasuhisa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=UshioSoichiro en-aut-sei=Ushio en-aut-mei=Soichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=UedaTeppei en-aut-sei=Ueda en-aut-mei=Teppei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=TasakaYuichi en-aut-sei=Tasaka en-aut-mei=Yuichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyazakiIkuko en-aut-sei=Miyazaki en-aut-mei=Ikuko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=AsanumaMasato en-aut-sei=Asanuma en-aut-mei=Masato kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=KitamuraYoshihisa en-aut-sei=Kitamura en-aut-mei=Yoshihisa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Pharmacotherapy, Graduate School of Pharmacy, Shujitsu University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences for Health Crisis Management, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Fukuoka University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Pharmacotherapy, Graduate School of Pharmacy, Shujitsu University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Shujitsu University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Medical Neurobiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Medical Neurobiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Pharmacotherapy, Graduate School of Pharmacy, Shujitsu University kn-affil= en-keyword=anxiety kn-keyword=anxiety en-keyword=hochuekkito kn-keyword=hochuekkito en-keyword=inflammation kn-keyword=inflammation en-keyword=interleukin-6 kn-keyword=interleukin-6 en-keyword=lipopolysaccharide kn-keyword=lipopolysaccharide en-keyword=lung kn-keyword=lung en-keyword=traditional Japanese herbal medicine kn-keyword=traditional Japanese herbal medicine 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=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=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=130 cd-vols= no-issue=8 article-no= start-page=e2025JB031715 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=202508 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Linking the Spin Transition of Ferric Iron in δ‐(Al,Fe)OOH to Water Storage in the Lower Mantle en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=As the most massive geochemical reservoir, the lower mantle affects the Earth's budget of volatile elements, including hydrogen or H2O. The properties of minerals in the lower mantle are further affected by changes in the electronic configurations of iron cations, that is, by spin transitions. The feedback between spin transitions and potential storage of H2O in solid hydrous phases in the lower mantle, however, remains unexplored. By combining high-pressure nuclear resonant inelastic X-ray scattering and high-pressure high-temperature X-ray diffraction experiments, we constrained the thermal equation of state of δ-(Al,Fe)OOH, a member of the phase H solid solution. Based on the derived thermal equation of state of δ-(Al,Fe)OOH and the underlying thermodynamic model, we calculate the excess Gibbs free energy that arises from the spin transition of ferric iron in this compound and evaluate the effect on phase equilibria. The results of our analysis show that the spin transition of ferric iron in phase H may significantly reduce the thermodynamic activity and hence the concentration of H2O in a coexisting hydrous melt. As a consequence, nominally anhydrous minerals of the lower mantle may become dehydrated in the presence of phase H. Our analysis further suggests that, under certain conditions, the spin transition may expand the thermal stability of Fe3+-bearing phase H and create a geochemical link between the storage of H2O in phase H and ferric iron in the lower mantle. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=BuchenJohannes en-aut-sei=Buchen en-aut-mei=Johannes kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=PardoOlivia S. en-aut-sei=Pardo en-aut-mei=Olivia S. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=DobrosavljevicVasilije V. en-aut-sei=Dobrosavljevic en-aut-mei=Vasilije V. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=SturhahnWolfgang en-aut-sei=Sturhahn en-aut-mei=Wolfgang kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 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=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=CharitonStella en-aut-sei=Chariton en-aut-mei=Stella kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=GreenbergEran en-aut-sei=Greenberg en-aut-mei=Eran kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=ToellnerThomas S. en-aut-sei=Toellner en-aut-mei=Thomas S. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=JacksonJennifer M. en-aut-sei=Jackson en-aut-mei=Jennifer M. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Bayerisches Geoinstitut, Universität Bayreuth kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Seismological Laboratory, California Institute of Technology kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Seismological Laboratory, California Institute of Technology kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Seismological Laboratory, California Institute of Technology kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Now at Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=GSECARS, The University of Chicago kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=GSECARS, The University of Chicago kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Laboratory kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Seismological Laboratory, California Institute of Technology kn-affil= en-keyword=spin transition kn-keyword=spin transition en-keyword=phase H kn-keyword=phase H en-keyword=lower mantle kn-keyword=lower mantle en-keyword=high pressure kn-keyword=high pressure en-keyword=equation of state kn-keyword=equation of state en-keyword=phonon density of states kn-keyword=phonon density of states 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=20260325 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title=DIN(DNA integrity number)と濃度は、ホルマリン固定パラフィン包埋(FFPE)組織を用いた包括的ながんゲノムプロファイリング検査を成功させるための有用な指標である kn-title=The DNA integrity number and concentration are useful parameters for successful comprehensive genomic profiling test for cancer using formalin-fixed paraffin embedded tissue en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract= en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MATSUOKAEmii en-aut-sei=MATSUOKA en-aut-mei=Emii kn-aut-name=松岡絵美衣 kn-aut-sei=松岡 kn-aut-mei=絵美衣 aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil=岡山大学大学院医歯薬学総合研究科 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=20260512 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Effect of caffeine on life-history traits on the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Nowadays, addressing insect pest infestation effectively requires environmentally sound and sustainable pest control methods that minimize environmental pollution. Caffeine (1, 3, 7-trimethylxanthine), a plant-derived secondary metabolite, has insecticidal, hormonal and antifeedant properties, making it a promising and more sustainable alternative for pest management. In this study, the red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum Herbst (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), a serious stored pest, was used to investigate the effects of different caffeine concentrations on life-history traits. We applied two delivery methods: 1) oral exposure through a caffeine–sucrose solution for adults, and 2) dietary incorporation of caffeine powder mixed with wheat flour and brewer’s yeast for adults and their larvae. To evaluate the effect of caffeine on life-history traits, adult longevity, pupation rate, larval period, pupal weight, adult body size and food consumption were examined. Results revealed higher caffeine concentrations (> 1%) significantly reduced longevity, delayed pupation, decreased pupal number, pupal weight and adult body size in both males and females. Lower caffeine concentration (0.01%) increased pupal number but resulted in lower offspring quality, such as smaller pupal weight and adult size. The results show that caffeine has negative effects on life-history traits of T. castaneum, suggesting its potential use as a natural pesticide in caffeine-based sustainable pest-management programs and integrated pest management (IPM). en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NaingShine Shane en-aut-sei=Naing en-aut-mei=Shine Shane kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsuuraTeruhisa en-aut-sei=Matsuura en-aut-mei=Teruhisa 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=Okayama University (Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology) kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Okayama University (Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology) kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Okayama University (Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology) kn-affil= en-keyword=Insect growth kn-keyword=Insect growth en-keyword=Life-history trait kn-keyword=Life-history trait en-keyword=Longevity kn-keyword=Longevity en-keyword=Pupal weight kn-keyword=Pupal weight en-keyword=Body size kn-keyword=Body size 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=20260511 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Comparative study of Ni–CeO2 catalysts prepared by impregnation and coprecipitation for CO2 methanation en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=This study explores how synthesis methods affect the structure and CO2 methanation performance of Ni–CeO2 catalysts prepared by coprecipitation and impregnation under identical conditions. Coprecipitation generated particles below 100 nm with uniform elemental distribution, together with large bulk-like particles exhibiting locally concentrated Ni species, attributed to differences in hydroxide solubility. Impregnation, by contrast, produced very large particles (> 500 nm) with smaller particles attached, while maintaining relatively homogeneous elemental distribution. Coprecipitated catalysts showed slightly higher surface area and oxygen vacancy concentration, resulting in higher apparent turnover frequencies (TOFapp) below 300 °C due to enhanced CO2 adsorption and high Ni site density. However, at temperatures above 350 °C, impregnated catalysts displayed higher CH4 selectivity and TOFapp, indicating reduced kinetic limitations and more efficient active-site utilization. These results provide insights for rational design of efficient CO2 methanation catalysts. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=FukudaNobuko en-aut-sei=Fukuda en-aut-mei=Nobuko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=ImanoShuichi en-aut-sei=Imano en-aut-mei=Shuichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakaharaNozomi en-aut-sei=Nakahara en-aut-mei=Nozomi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=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=9 cd-vols= no-issue=14 article-no= start-page=6176 end-page=6185 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=Reversible Droplet Bridging and Tunable Viscoelasticity in Emulsions Using Biocompatible PLA-b-PEO-b-PLA Telechelic Block Copolymers: Implications for Injectable Emulsion Gels en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Telechelic polymers are known to form reversible networks through end-group association; however, their application as structuring agents in emulsion-based soft materials remains underexplored. Herein, we systematically investigate the biocompatible amphiphilic triblock copolymer poly(d,l-lactic acid)-block-poly(ethylene oxide)-block-poly(d,l-lactic acid)(PLA-b-PEO-b-PLA) as a rheology modifier in toluene-in-water model emulsions. Owing to the selective adsorption of PLA end blocks at the oil–water interface and the solvation of the PEO midblock in the aqueous phase, this polymer is expected to form reversible droplet-bridging networks. During the process, the polymer concentration, molecular weight of the mid and end blocks, and the dispersed phase volume fraction were adjusted, and the factors governing network formation were elucidated using oscillatory rheology and stress-relaxation measurements. The results show that anchoring of the PLA end blocks and PEO-mediated bridging predominantly control the strength and dynamic reversibility of the network. Step-strain experiments further reveal that the droplet-bridging interactions can be disrupted under large deformation and partially recover when small-strain conditions are restored, confirming the presence of reversible physical associations. These findings establish a molecular design strategy for biodegradable telechelic copolymers as effective and reprocessable structuring agents in emulsion gels. The shear-responsive, tunable, and reversible nature of the droplet-bridging network makes this material platform particularly suitable for injectable emulsion gels for advanced soft matter and biomedical engineering applications. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NakayamaHinako en-aut-sei=Nakayama en-aut-mei=Hinako kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsumotoAtsushi en-aut-sei=Matsumoto en-aut-mei=Atsushi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=IidaYuya en-aut-sei=Iida en-aut-mei=Yuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=OnoTsutomu en-aut-sei=Ono en-aut-mei=Tsutomu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=WatanabeTakaichi en-aut-sei=Watanabe en-aut-mei=Takaichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 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 and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, University of Fukui 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= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science, and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=PLA-b-PEO-b-PLA kn-keyword=PLA-b-PEO-b-PLA en-keyword=telechelic polymer kn-keyword=telechelic polymer en-keyword=rheology kn-keyword=rheology en-keyword=emulsion gel kn-keyword=emulsion gel en-keyword=viscoelasticity kn-keyword=viscoelasticity 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=20260506 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Feasibility of Comprehensive Genomic Profiling for Biliary Tract Cancer Using Transpapillary Biopsy Samples: A Prospective Study en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background: Patients with biliary tract cancer (BTC) often have actionable mutations, and comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) plays an important role. However, the feasibility of CGP using transpapillary biopsy (TPB) samples remains unclear.
Methods: Thirty patients with suspected BTC based on radiographic imaging were enrolled. Pre-analytical criteria for CGP suitability were based on the OncoGuide NCC Oncopanel System (NCCOP) and FoundationOne CDx (F1CDx). Each patient underwent six biopsies using an endoscopic introducer: five biopsy samples were preserved as formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) samples and one as a fresh frozen (FF) sample. DNA quality indicators were compared between the two groups.
Results: Malignancy was confirmed in 29 patients, and one had a benign biliary stricture. Suitability rate was 31% (9/29) for NCCOP and 3.4% (1/29) for F1CDx. Compared to FFPE samples, FF samples demonstrated significantly higher DNA concentration [ng/μL, interquartile range (IQR)], [0.34 (0.16–0.95) vs. 37.8 (11.6–67.6), p < 0.001] and DNA integrity number (IQR) [7.1 (6.8–7.3) vs. 8.9 (8.3–9), p = 0.021].
Conclusions: Introducer-assisted multipass TPB may increase the rate of obtaining adequate CGP specimens, but its suitability remains limited and strongly panel dependent. Since FF samples have better DNA quality, establishing a system detailing their use is desirable.
Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: UMIN 000049826 en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MiyamotoKazuya en-aut-sei=Miyamoto en-aut-mei=Kazuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsumotoKazuyuki en-aut-sei=Matsumoto en-aut-mei=Kazuyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=OharaToshiaki en-aut-sei=Ohara en-aut-mei=Toshiaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujisawaMasayoshi en-aut-sei=Fujisawa en-aut-mei=Masayoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=InoueHirohumi en-aut-sei=Inoue en-aut-mei=Hirohumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=SatoRyosuke en-aut-sei=Sato en-aut-mei=Ryosuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsumiAkihiro en-aut-sei=Matsumi en-aut-mei=Akihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiiYuki en-aut-sei=Fujii en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=UchidaDaisuke en-aut-sei=Uchida en-aut-mei=Daisuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=OtsukaMotoyuki en-aut-sei=Otsuka en-aut-mei=Motoyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Endoscopy, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Pathology and Experimental Medicine, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Pathology and Experimental Medicine, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Medical Support, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Endoscopy, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Endoscopy, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= en-keyword=biliary tract cancer kn-keyword=biliary tract cancer en-keyword=biopsy kn-keyword=biopsy en-keyword=DNA kn-keyword=DNA en-keyword=endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography kn-keyword=endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography en-keyword=genetic profile kn-keyword=genetic profile END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=16 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=13650 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=20260316 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Sex-related differences in blood concentrations and emergence profiles following total intravenous anesthesia with remimazolam and remifentanil en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Remimazolam is a novel, short-acting benzodiazepine, which is characterized by rapid onset and quick recovery. The clinical efficacy and metabolism of many intravenous anesthetics are known to be influenced by sex; however, the effects of sex on the anesthetic efficacy and metabolism of remimazolam remain unclear. This prospective observational study examined sex-related differences in pharmacokinetics and emergence profiles after total intravenous anesthesia was induced with remimazolam and remifentanil in patients undergoing oral and maxillofacial surgery. Thirty-five American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status 1 adults (19 females, 16 males), aged 18–49 years, received standardized dosing based on their actual body weights. Serum remimazolam concentrations were measured at the end of administration and immediately before extubation using high-performance liquid chromatography. Although the emergence time did not differ significantly between the sexes, the mean emergence time of the females was approximately 80 s shorter. Serum remimazolam concentrations were significantly lower in females at both measurement time points (p < 0.001). This may suggest that remimazolam is metabolized more rapidly in women. Although these sex-related pharmacokinetic differences did not affect the time to awakening under combined remimazolam and remifentanil anesthesia, clinicians should be aware of potential sex differences in the pharmacokinetics of remimazolam. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=SatoRiko en-aut-sei=Sato en-aut-mei=Riko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=HiguchiHitoshi en-aut-sei=Higuchi en-aut-mei=Hitoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishiokaYukiko en-aut-sei=Nishioka en-aut-mei=Yukiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyakeSaki en-aut-sei=Miyake en-aut-mei=Saki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyawakiTakuya en-aut-sei=Miyawaki en-aut-mei=Takuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Dental Anesthesiology and Special Care Dentistry, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Dental Anesthesiology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Dental Anesthesiology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Dental Anesthesiology and Special Care Dentistry, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Dental Anesthesiology and Special Care Dentistry, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=67 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=170 end-page=181 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=20260205 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Development of Linear Interpolation System for SMK Model Parameters Evaluated from Cellular-Scale Simulation (LISMEC) and its application to BNCT dosimetry en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) utilizes high linear energy transfer (LET) α-particles and 7Li ions generated through the 10B(n, α)7Li reaction. Precise dosimetry is essential for maximizing therapeutic efficacy while minimizing normal tissue adverse events, considering the microscopic distribution of 10B and cellular structures. Recently, the photon isoeffective dose (DisoE) has been proposed as a more appropriate metric for BNCT treatment planning and can be evaluated using the stochastic microdosimetric kinetic (SMK) model. However, clinical implementation of the SMK model remains challenging due to the difficulty of evaluating its input parameters, which requires computationally intensive radiation transport simulations at the cellular scale. To address this issue, we developed LISMEC (Linear Interpolation System for Stochastic Microdosimetric Kinetic model parameters Evaluated from Cellular-scale simulation), a rapid estimation framework based on precomputed cellular-scale PHITS (Particle and Heavy Ion Transport code System) simulations covering various cell geometries and boron distributions. By applying a linear interpolation algorithm, LISMEC enables the retrieval of SMK model parameters without the need for computationally intensive cellular-scale simulations. The utility of LISMEC, in conjunction with PHITS, was demonstrated through simulations of various irradiation scenarios in reactor-based BNCT. The results showed that DisoE values ranged from 7.4 to 32.7 Gy, even under a fixed macroscopic 10B concentration of 60 ppm. These findings emphasize the importance of incorporating a microscopic distribution of 10B and cellular structures into BNCT treatment planning. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=ShigehiraTakafumi en-aut-sei=Shigehira en-aut-mei=Takafumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=WatanabeTubasa en-aut-sei=Watanabe en-aut-mei=Tubasa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=SuzukiMinoru en-aut-sei=Suzuki en-aut-mei=Minoru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=HirataYuho en-aut-sei=Hirata en-aut-mei=Yuho kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=OgawaTatsuhiko en-aut-sei=Ogawa en-aut-mei=Tatsuhiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujimuraAtsushi en-aut-sei=Fujimura en-aut-mei=Atsushi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=SakuraiYoshinori en-aut-sei=Sakurai en-aut-mei=Yoshinori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=SatoTatsuhiko en-aut-sei=Sato en-aut-mei=Tatsuhiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Particle Radiation Oncology Research Center, Institute for Integrated Radiation and Nuclear Science, Kyoto University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Particle Radiation Oncology Research Center, Institute for Integrated Radiation and Nuclear Science, Kyoto University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Particle Radiation Oncology Research Center, Institute for Integrated Radiation and Nuclear Science, Kyoto University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Research Group for Radiation Transport Analysis, Nuclear Science and Engineering Center , Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Research Group for Radiation Transport Analysis, Nuclear Science and Engineering Center , Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Cellular Physiology, Neutron Therapy Research Center, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Particle Radiation Oncology Research Center, Institute for Integrated Radiation and Nuclear Science, Kyoto University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Research Group for Radiation Transport Analysis, Nuclear Science and Engineering Center , Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) kn-affil= en-keyword=BNCT kn-keyword=BNCT en-keyword=microdosimetry kn-keyword=microdosimetry en-keyword=borondistribution kn-keyword=borondistribution en-keyword=cellmorphology kn-keyword=cellmorphology END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=306 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=129728 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=Instrument-free quantitative colorimetric analysis using adsorption-band length in a packed silica gel column en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=A simple and instrument-free colorimetric method for quantitative analysis is reported, in which analyte concentration is determined by measuring the length of a colored adsorption band formed in a packed silica gel column. The proposed method employs a miniature silica gel column that acts as a signal transducer after it adsorbs the colored compound from a solution during its flow in the column. The length of this band increases proportionally with analyte concentration, which enables quantitative detection via simple distance measurement. A theoretical model was developed to describe the relationship between solute concentration, adsorption behavior, and band propagation along the column. The principle was validated via the detection of both iron ions and enzyme-mediated glutamic acid. For Fe2+ analysis, the o-phenanthroline complexation method shows a level of sensitivity comparable to that of conventional spectrophotometry, which enables an almost quantitative recovery of trace iron in tap water. The limit of detection (LOD) and the limit of quantification (LOQ) were estimated to be 0.20 μM and 0.60 μM for the proposed method and 0.23 μM and 0.70 μM for spectrophotometry, respectively. The approach was further extended to glutamate detection using a cascade reaction involving glutamate oxidase and horseradish peroxidase with N-benzoyl leucomethylene blue as the chromogenic substrate. The LOD and the LOQ of the proposed method were 0.08 and 0.25 μM, and both values are superior to the 0.24 μM and 0.73 μM obtained using a microplate reader. By integrating preconcentration with a distance-based readout, this method provides a simple yet highly sensitive analytical platform and establishes distance as a quantitative signal for colorimetric detection. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=PhonxayxiongSychanh en-aut-sei=Phonxayxiong en-aut-mei=Sychanh 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= kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Colorimetry kn-keyword=Colorimetry en-keyword=Distance-based detection kn-keyword=Distance-based detection en-keyword=Silica gel kn-keyword=Silica gel en-keyword=Adsorption kn-keyword=Adsorption END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=276 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=104642 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=Determination of picomolar to sub-nanomolar trace metals in seawater using an alternative chelating resin en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=In this study, we investigated the potential use of a chelating resin that immobilizes an amine with an iminodiacetic acid group (InertSep ME-2) for trace-metal analysis in natural seawater. Seven trace metals (Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, and Pb) were quantitatively preconcentrated onto the InertSep ME-2 chelating resin, eluted with nitric acid, and analyzed using high-resolution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The blank values and detection limits obtained using our method were at the sub-nanomolar level for most trace metals. These blank values were generally comparable to, or lower than, those previously reported for other chelating resins, including NOBIAS Chelate PA-1 and Toyopearl AF-Chelate-650 M. The accuracy and precision of our method were confirmed by analyzing reference seawater samples, and the results for the open-water samples were consistent with those obtained in an independent laboratory. The established preconcentration procedure was successfully applied to determine trace metal concentrations in natural seawater collected from the northwestern Pacific Ocean. Our method, which employs the InertSep ME-2 chelating resin, is sufficiently accurate for studying trace metals in open-ocean water at picomolar- to sub-nanomolar-level concentrations. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KannaNaoya en-aut-sei=Kanna en-aut-mei=Naoya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=ObataHajime en-aut-sei=Obata en-aut-mei=Hajime kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KondoYoshiko en-aut-sei=Kondo en-aut-mei=Yoshiko 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=Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, The University of Tokyo kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Fisheries and Environmental Sciences, Nagasaki University kn-affil= en-keyword=Trace metals kn-keyword=Trace metals en-keyword=Solid-phase extraction kn-keyword=Solid-phase extraction en-keyword=Chelating resin kn-keyword=Chelating resin en-keyword=InertSep ME-2 kn-keyword=InertSep ME-2 END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=80 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=131 end-page=139 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=202604 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Impact of Proteinuria on Postoperative Complications Following Colorectal Cancer Surgery en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Colorectal surgery is associated with a high incidence of postoperative complications regardless of the advances in surgical techniques and multidisciplinary treatment. Proteinuria is common in patients with malignancies, but few studies have investigated the association between preoperative proteinuria and patient prognoses, especially postoperative complications. We investigated the impact of proteinuria on patients undergoing colorectal surgery in a single-center, retrospective cohort study of 767 patients who underwent surgical resection for colorectal cancer between January 2016 and December 2022 at the National Hospital Organization Shikoku Cancer Center. Among them, 81 patients with preoperative proteinuria were compared with the control group of 686 patients without proteinuria. Our analyses revealed that the patients with proteinuria had malnutrition with a significantly lower prognostic nutritional index compared to the no-proteinuria control group (p<0.001). The proteinuria group had a significantly advanced tumor stage (p=0.005), experienced more bleeding during the surgery (p=0.002), and required more transfusions (p<0.001). Postoperative complications were significantly more frequent in the proteinuria group (p=0.03), thus demonstrating that proteinuria was independently associated with postoperative complications (p=0.045). Proteinuria in patients undergoing colorectal cancer surgery can therefore be considered a risk factor for postoperative complications. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NakataShunsuke en-aut-sei=Nakata en-aut-mei=Shunsuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakatsuFumiaki en-aut-sei=Takatsu en-aut-mei=Fumiaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MikuriyaYoshihiro en-aut-sei=Mikuriya en-aut-mei=Yoshihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=KakishitaTomokazu en-aut-sei=Kakishita en-aut-mei=Tomokazu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=HatoShinji en-aut-sei=Hato en-aut-mei=Shinji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=OhtaKoji en-aut-sei=Ohta en-aut-mei=Koji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=KobatakeTakaya en-aut-sei=Kobatake en-aut-mei=Takaya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, National Hospital Organization Shikoku Cancer Center kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, National Hospital Organization Shikoku Cancer Center kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, National Hospital Organization Shikoku Cancer Center kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, National Hospital Organization Shikoku Cancer Center kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, National Hospital Organization Shikoku Cancer Center kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, National Hospital Organization Shikoku Cancer Center kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, National Hospital Organization Shikoku Cancer Center kn-affil= en-keyword=colorectal cancer kn-keyword=colorectal cancer en-keyword=surgery kn-keyword=surgery en-keyword=proteinuria kn-keyword=proteinuria en-keyword=complication kn-keyword=complication en-keyword=malnutrition kn-keyword=malnutrition END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=49 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=364 end-page=370 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=20260221 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Functional Transport Properties of Human Zinc Transporter 1: Kinetics and pH-Dependency en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Intracellular zinc (Zn2+) homeostasis is essential for physiological and pathological processes and is strictly regulated by Zn2+ transporters. Zinc transporter 1 (ZnT1) is a ubiquitously expressed plasma membrane-localized Zn transporter that exports Zn2+ from the cytoplasm to the extracellular space. However, the functional transport properties regarding kinetics and driving forces of ZnT1 remain debatable. In this study, we established a cell-free proteoliposome assay system and demonstrated that ZnT1 transports Zn2+ with high affinity in pH-dependent and pH-independent manners. The Km and Vmax of pH-dependent Zn2+ transport were 0.40 μM and 15.13 nmol/min/mg protein, and those of pH-independent Zn2+ transport were 0.52 μM and 8.88 nmol/min/mg protein (low concentrations of Zn2+), 3.02 μM and 17.59 nmol/min/mg protein (high concentrations of Zn2+), respectively, suggesting biphasic kinetic components of Zn2+ transport. Even without pH gradient formation, ZnT1 exhibits potent Zn2+ transport activity. In pH dependency, Zn2+ transport activity was higher at an inside pH of 6.0 than at 6.5–7.5 for proteoliposomes, despite the same ΔpH of 0.5–1.5. The Zn2+ transport activity decreased at an outside pH of 8.0, despite an increase in ΔpH. Although previous studies have proposed that ZnT1-mediated Zn2+ transport activity is driven by a calcium (Ca2+) gradient and not by a pH gradient, Ca2+ does not enhance Zn2+ transport activity in the presence or absence of a pH gradient. These results strongly suggest that ZnT1 protein transports Zn2+ optimally at a specific pH and exports excess intracellular Zn2+ even without ΔpH. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=YoshiokaYuma en-aut-sei=Yoshioka en-aut-mei=Yuma kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyajiTakaaki en-aut-sei=Miyaji en-aut-mei=Takaaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Molecular Membrane Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Molecular Membrane Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=zinc transporter 1 kn-keyword=zinc transporter 1 en-keyword=SLC30A1 kn-keyword=SLC30A1 en-keyword=zinc kn-keyword=zinc en-keyword=pH kn-keyword=pH en-keyword=proteoliposome kn-keyword=proteoliposome END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=57 cd-vols= no-issue=3 article-no= start-page=11 end-page=40 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=20260318 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title=Network Analysis of Interregional Information Exchange: A Study in the Takahashi River Basin Area kn-title=地域間での情報交流に関するネットワーク分析:高梁川流域圏での調査による en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= This paper conducted network analysis focusing on information exchange among participating entities in the "Takahashi River Basin Economic Growth Strategy Council," operating within Okayama Prefecture's "Takahashi River Basin Core City Area." The Takahashi River Basin Collaborative Core City Area( Takahashi River Basin Area)is a collaborative core city area encompassing ten municipalities located around the Takahashi River in Okayama Prefecture: Niimi City, Takahashi City, Soja City, Hayashima Town, Kurashiki City, Yakage Town, Ibara City, Asakuchi City, Satosho Town, and Kasaoka City. For the network analysis within the Takahashi River Basin Area, projects implemented within the area were classified into eight categories. A questionnaire survey was conducted regarding information exchange among participating entities for each project. Network metrics included calculating centrality indices( degree centrality and betweenness centrality) for each project, along with density, transitivity, and reciprocity. By project type, tourism projects exhibited the densest network structure for information exchange. From a network perspective, tourism projects can be considered the most actively pursued initiative within the Takahashi River Basin area. Furthermore, across all projects, centrality indicators for specific administrative bodies and regional economic organizations, such as chambers of commerce and industry, generally showed high values. This clearly indicates their function as hubs for information exchange and as entities concentrating or dispersing information within the network. Based on the results of network analysis, two recommendations for future regional development in the Takahashi River Basin were proposed from a network perspective. The first is to aim for dense networks across all businesses by sharing the roles of information exchange hubs and information concentration/distribution entities among the entities involved, depending on the business. The second is to aim for a dense network overall by eliminating entities that are not participating at all in the Takahashi River Basin's information exchange network. kn-abstract= 本稿では,岡山県の「高梁川流域連携中枢都市圏」で2014年から開催されている「高梁川流域経済成長戦略会議」における参加主体間の情報交流についてのネットワーク分析を行った。高梁川流域連携中枢都市圏(高梁川流域圏)とは,岡山県高梁川周辺に位置する現在の新見市,高梁市,総社市,早島町,倉敷市,矢掛町,井原市,浅口市,里庄町,笠岡市の10自治体が参加している連携中枢都市圏である。高梁川流域圏におけるネットワーク分析に際しては,同圏域内で展開されている事業を8つに分類し,それぞれの事業に関する参加主体間の情報交流についてアンケート調査を行った。ネットワーク指標については事業ごとに次数中心性と媒介中心性の中心性指標を,また事業別に密度,推移性,相互性を算出した。事業別にみると,観光事業についての情報交流が最も密なネットワーク構造をしており,ネットワークの視点では観光事業が高梁川流域圏内で最も勢力的に行われている事業といえる。また全事業において特定の行政主体や商工会議所をはじめとする地域経済団体等の中心性指標が全体的に大きな値をとっており,ネットワークにおいて情報交流のハブや情報の集中・分散主体として機能していることが明らかになった。分析結果を踏まえ,ネットワークの視点から高梁川流域圏の今度の地域振興について2点提言した。1つは事業によって情報交流のハブや情報の集中・分散主体を主体間で分担することによって,すべての事業で密なネットワークを築くことを目指すことである。もう1つは高梁川流域圏の情報交流ネットワークに全く参加していない主体をなくすことで,全体的に密なネットワークを目指すことである。 en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NakamuraRyohei en-aut-sei=Nakamura en-aut-mei=Ryohei kn-aut-name=中村良平 kn-aut-sei=中村 kn-aut-mei=良平 aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=YokotaNatsumi en-aut-sei=Yokota en-aut-mei=Natsumi kn-aut-name=横田夏実 kn-aut-sei=横田 kn-aut-mei=夏実 aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil= kn-affil=岡山大学 affil-num=2 en-affil= kn-affil=下関市役所 END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=16 cd-vols= no-issue=5 article-no= start-page=2339 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=20260228 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Concentration-Dependent Synergistic Interfacial Interactions Between Multifunctional Acrylate and Silane Coupling Agents in an Organic–Inorganic Nanohybrid Material en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Synergistic effects of a multifunctional acrylate and a long-chain silane coupling agent were investigated in an organic–inorganic nanohybrid material. We tested the bond strength of nanohybrid composites treated with experimental primers containing silane coupling agents—3-methacryloxypropyl trimethoxysilane (γ-MPTS) or 8-methacryloxyoctyl trimethoxysilane (8-MOTS)—with or without multifunctional acrylates—trimethylolpropane triacrylate (A-TMPT) or dipentaerythritol hexaacrylate (A-DPH). Shear bond strength was evaluated after 24 h of water storage at 37 °C. Untreated control and silane-only groups exhibited low shear bond strengths (e.g., control: 2.4 ± 2.0 MPa) and failed exclusively at the adhesive interface. While addition of A-TMPT did not significantly improve bond strength, addition of A-DPH produced significantly higher shear bond strengths. Highest strength was achieved with 30% 8-MOTS and A-DPH (22.4 ± 6.1 MPa), followed by 20% γ-MPTS and A-DPH (19.0 ± 7.0 MPa), and A-DPH groups produced cohesive failures. Regardless of the silane used (γ-MPTS or 8-MOTS), incorporating A-DPH in the primer consistently yielded superior bond strengths, indicating a promising strategy for improved adhesion for such nanohybrid systems. These findings provide new insights into optimizing resin–filler interfacial interactions and may contribute to the development of restorative materials with improved long-term clinical durability. 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=YoshizaneMai en-aut-sei=Yoshizane en-aut-mei=Mai kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 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=7 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=Department of Biomaterials, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Advanced Research Center for Oral and Craniofacial Sciences, Dental School, Okayama University 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, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Occlusal and Oral Functional Rehabilitation, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=silane coupling kn-keyword=silane coupling en-keyword=multifunctional acrylate kn-keyword=multifunctional acrylate en-keyword=bond strength kn-keyword=bond strength en-keyword=resin kn-keyword=resin END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=115 cd-vols= no-issue=3 article-no= start-page=117345 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=Investigation of the cefazolin inoculum effect in blood culture-isolated methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus strains: A Japanese multicenter study en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background: Cefazolin inoculum effect (CInE) is a microbiological phenomenon where the MIC of cefazolin against methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) strains increases with higher bacterial volumes.
Method: We retrospectively investigated the prevalence and characteristics of the CInE among MSSA strains isolated from blood cultures at three Japanese hospitals. The collected isolates were screened for blaZ using PCR, and the cefazolin minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for the blaZ-positive MSSA isolates was measured at standard and high inoculum volumes. CInE-positive MSSA strains were defined as those with a cefazolin MIC ≥16 μg/mL at 107 CFU/mL and ≤8 μg/mL at 105 CFU/mL. In these blaZ-positive strains, we performed blaZ typing and tested a modified nitrocefin-based rapid examination to detect the CInE.
Results: We collected 329 MSSA strains isolated from blood cultures. Of these, 96 (29.2%) were positive for the blaZ gene, with the following genotypes: type A (15, 15.6%), type B (3, 3.1%), type C (77, 80.2%), type D (0, 0.0%), and non-type (1, 1.0%). Among 96 blaZ-positive MSSA isolates, 11 exhibited the CInE, all of which harbored blaZ type A. The rapid nitrocefin test detected CInE positivity with high sensitivity (100%), specificity (94.1%), and diagnostic accuracy (94.8%).
Conclusion: This study highlighted the low prevalence of CInE-presenting MSSA isolates in Japan. When the cefazolin MIC is ≥1 μg/mL or the penicillin G MIC is ≥0.25 μg/mL, the rapid nitrocefin test may be useful for considering the CInE in patients with high bacterial volume MSSA infections. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=FukushimaShinnosuke en-aut-sei=Fukushima en-aut-mei=Shinnosuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=TsujiShuma en-aut-sei=Tsuji en-aut-mei=Shuma kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=GotohKazuyoshi en-aut-sei=Gotoh en-aut-mei=Kazuyoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=IioKoji en-aut-sei=Iio en-aut-mei=Koji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=OgawaSakura en-aut-sei=Ogawa en-aut-mei=Sakura kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=KoyanagiNorihito en-aut-sei=Koyanagi en-aut-mei=Norihito kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=ItoYuji en-aut-sei=Ito en-aut-mei=Yuji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=KoganemaruHiroshi en-aut-sei=Koganemaru en-aut-mei=Hiroshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=YoshidaAtsushi en-aut-sei=Yoshida en-aut-mei=Atsushi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=HagiyaHideharu en-aut-sei=Hagiya en-aut-mei=Hideharu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Okayama University Graduate School of Health Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Okayama University Graduate School of Health Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Microbiology Division, Clinical Laboratory, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Clinical Laboratory, Chutoen General Medical Center kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of General Internal Medicine, Chutoen General Medical Center kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Geriatrics and Gerontology kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Geriatrics and Gerontology kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Infectious Diseases, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= en-keyword=blaZ kn-keyword=blaZ en-keyword=Cefazolin inoculum effect kn-keyword=Cefazolin inoculum effect en-keyword=Methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus kn-keyword=Methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus en-keyword=Nitrocefin rapid test kn-keyword=Nitrocefin rapid test en-keyword=β-lactamase kn-keyword=β-lactamase END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=18 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=123 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=20260119 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Streamlined Radiosynthesis of [18F]Fluproxadine (AF78): An Unprotected Guanidine Precursor Enables Efficient One-Step, Automation-Ready Labeling for Clinical Use en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background/Objectives: [18F]Fluproxadine (formerly [18F]AF78) is a PET radiotracer targeting the norepinephrine transporter (NET) with potential applications in cardiac, neurological, and oncological imaging. Its guanidine moiety, while essential for NET binding, presents major radiosynthetic challenges due to high basicity and the harsh deprotection conditions required for protected precursors. Previous methods relied on multistep procedures, strong acids, and complex purification, limiting clinical translation. This study aimed to develop a practical one-step radiosynthesis suitable for routine and automated production. Methods: A direct SN2-type nucleophilic [18F]fluorination was performed using an unprotected guanidine precursor to eliminate deprotection steps. Reaction parameters, including the base system, solvent composition, precursor concentration, and temperature, were optimized under conventional and microwave heating. Radiochemical conversion (RCC) and operational robustness were evaluated, and purification strategies were assessed for automation compatibility. Results: Direct [18F]fluorination using the unprotected precursor reduced the total synthesis time to 60–70 min. Optimal conditions employed a tert-butanol/acetonitrile (4:1) solvent system with K2CO3/Kryptofix222, affording RCC up to 33% under conventional heating. Microwave irradiation further improved efficiency, achieving RCC of up to 64% within 1.5 min at 140 °C. The method showed broad tolerance to variations in the base molar ratio and precursor concentration and enabled isocratic HPLC purification. Conclusions: This one-step radiosynthesis overcomes longstanding challenges in [18F]fluproxadine production by eliminating harsh deprotection and enabling high-yield, automation-ready synthesis, thereby improving clinical feasibility. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=ChenXinyu en-aut-sei=Chen en-aut-mei=Xinyu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=OhtaKaito en-aut-sei=Ohta en-aut-mei=Kaito kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KimuraHiroyuki en-aut-sei=Kimura en-aut-mei=Hiroyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=YagiYusuke en-aut-sei=Yagi en-aut-mei=Yusuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 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=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=NoseNaoko en-aut-sei=Nose en-aut-mei=Naoko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=AkehiMasaru en-aut-sei=Akehi en-aut-mei=Masaru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamaneTomohiko en-aut-sei=Yamane en-aut-mei=Tomohiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=WernerRudolf A. en-aut-sei=Werner en-aut-mei=Rudolf A. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=HiguchiTakahiro en-aut-sei=Higuchi en-aut-mei=Takahiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Nuclear Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Augsburg kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Agency for Health, Safety and Environment, Kyoto University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Molecular Imaging Research, Kobe City Medical Center General Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Nuclear Medicine, LMU Hospital, and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Munich, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=norepinephrine transporter kn-keyword=norepinephrine transporter en-keyword=positron emission tomography kn-keyword=positron emission tomography en-keyword=[18F]AF78 kn-keyword=[18F]AF78 en-keyword=[18F]fluproxadine kn-keyword=[18F]fluproxadine en-keyword=radiolabeling kn-keyword=radiolabeling END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=28 cd-vols= no-issue=9 article-no= start-page=113274 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=202509 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Extensive urine production in euryhaline red stingray for adaptation to hypoosmotic environments en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Maintaining water balance is a prerequisite for all organisms. Euryhaline elasmobranchs face the severest water-influx potential in fresh water (FW), as they retain high concentrations of urea even in hypotonic environments. To elucidate how they overcome this osmotic challenge, we assessed urine output in conscious euryhaline red stingrays (Hemitrygon akajei). Following acclimation to 5% diluted seawater, the stingrays increased urinary output by 87-fold—the greatest change observed in vertebrates—partly due to 6.8-fold increase in glomerular filtration rate (GFR). In the nephron, expressions of Aquaporin-1 (Aqp1), Aqp3, and Aqp15 were strongly downregulated in FW, indicating that tubular diuresis bridges the gap between GFR and final urine volume. Meanwhile, FW-acclimation upregulated Aqp1 and Aqp4 in the distinct bundle structure, which promotes urea reabsorption. Euryhaline elasmobranchs resolve the huge osmotic challenge of FW by excreting massive amounts of water and retaining osmolytes including urea through coordinated regulation of GFR and Aqp expressions. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=AburataniNaotaka en-aut-sei=Aburatani en-aut-mei=Naotaka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakagiWataru en-aut-sei=Takagi en-aut-mei=Wataru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=WongMarty Kwok-Shing en-aut-sei=Wong en-aut-mei=Marty Kwok-Shing kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=OgawaNobuhiro en-aut-sei=Ogawa en-aut-mei=Nobuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=KurakuShigehiro en-aut-sei=Kuraku en-aut-mei=Shigehiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=SatoMana en-aut-sei=Sato en-aut-mei=Mana kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=SaitoKazuhiro en-aut-sei=Saito en-aut-mei=Kazuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=GodoWaichiro en-aut-sei=Godo en-aut-mei=Waichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 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=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=HyodoSusumu en-aut-sei=Hyodo en-aut-mei=Susumu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, The University of Tokyo kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, The University of Tokyo kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, The University of Tokyo kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, The University of Tokyo kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Genomics and Evolutionary Biology, National Institute of Genetics kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Genomics and Evolutionary Biology, National Institute of Genetics kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Ushimado Marine Institute, Faculty of Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Ushimado Marine Institute, Faculty of Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Ushimado Marine Institute, Faculty of Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, The University of Tokyo kn-affil= en-keyword=Zoology kn-keyword=Zoology en-keyword=Biochemistry kn-keyword=Biochemistry en-keyword=Animal Physiology kn-keyword=Animal Physiology END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=779 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=110775 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=Comparison of bioavailability of quercetin and its structural analogs in mice en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Flavonoids are thought to provide beneficial effects on health. However, there are still uncertainties regarding their bioavailability. In this study, we investigated the bioavailability of 6 flavonoids, galangin, kaempferol, quercetin, myricetin, fisetin, and luteolin, by oral administration to mice. Analysis of plasma concentrations of free flavonoids after deconjugation by LC-MS/MS revealed that all flavonoids were rapidly absorbed after administration. Among 6 flavonoids, kaempferol and fisetin showed high absorbed amounts in blood plasma. With the LogP value of the two flavonoids as the maximum value, the amount absorbed decreased for both lower and higher LogP values. The results of the tissue distribution of galangin, kaempferol, and quercetin suggested that the order of fastest movement from the stomach to the small intestine was kaempferol > quercetin > galangin. In addition, the amount of kaempferol and quercetin distributed in the liver was greater than that of galangin. These results suggest that the bioavailability of flavonoids varies with the slight structural differences, possibly due to differences in their rapid accessibility to the small intestine that is the primary site of absorption and metabolism within the body. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MaedaNozomi en-aut-sei=Maeda en-aut-mei=Nozomi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=HashimotoAtsushi en-aut-sei=Hashimoto en-aut-mei=Atsushi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MoritaRyosei en-aut-sei=Morita en-aut-mei=Ryosei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 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=4 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=5 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=6 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=7 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=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 Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Flavonoid kn-keyword=Flavonoid en-keyword=Bioavailability kn-keyword=Bioavailability en-keyword=Distribution kn-keyword=Distribution END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=80 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=69 end-page=74 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=Effective Treatment of Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Extensive Peritoneal Dissemination Using Lenvatinib en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and extensive peritoneal dissemination generally have a poor prognosis and are often resistant to systemic therapy. We report the case of a 47-year-old woman with HCC and massive peritoneal dissemination who presented with malignant ascites requiring repeated cell-free and concentrated ascites reinfusion therapy and peritoneovenous shunt placement, as well as malignant pleural effusion requiring pleurodesis. Combined immunotherapy with durvalumab/tremelimumab was initiated;however, disease progression was observed after three treatment courses, prompting a switch to lenvatinib therapy. Two months after initiation of lenvatinib, CT imaging demonstrated complete disappearance of arterial enhancement in the primary hepatic lesion, along with reduction in the size of peritoneal dissemination nodules. Thirteen months after switching to lenvatinib (16 months after the initial diagnosis), the alpha-fetoprotein level continued to decrease, and the disease remained stable under treatment. Despite the extremely high tumor burden, lenvatinib achieved disease stabilization and symptomatic improvement. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=WakatsukiShinya en-aut-sei=Wakatsuki en-aut-mei=Shinya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=SakamotoShinya en-aut-sei=Sakamoto en-aut-mei=Shinya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=UenoAkiko en-aut-sei=Ueno en-aut-mei=Akiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=NambaTakaomi en-aut-sei=Namba en-aut-mei=Takaomi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamamotoYorito en-aut-sei=Yamamoto en-aut-mei=Yorito kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsumotoManabu en-aut-sei=Matsumoto en-aut-mei=Manabu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=IwataJun en-aut-sei=Iwata en-aut-mei=Jun kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkabayashiTakehiro en-aut-sei=Okabayashi en-aut-mei=Takehiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kochi Health Sciences Center kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Kochi Health Sciences Center kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kochi Health Sciences Center kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kochi Health Sciences Center kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kochi Health Sciences Center kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Kochi Health Sciences Center kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Kochi Health Sciences Center kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Kochi Health Sciences Center kn-affil= en-keyword=diagnostic laparoscopy kn-keyword=diagnostic laparoscopy en-keyword=hepatocellular carcinoma kn-keyword=hepatocellular carcinoma en-keyword=peritoneal dissemination kn-keyword=peritoneal dissemination en-keyword=lenvatinib kn-keyword=lenvatinib END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=178 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=e70775 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=Reactive Carbonyl Species Mediate Isothiocyanate Signaling Pathway in Arabidopsis thaliana Guard Cells en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Our previous results demonstrated that depletion of glutathione (GSH) rather than elevation of levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is highly correlated with the decrease in stomatal aperture induced by isothiocyanates (ITCs), although ROS is considered a key second messenger in stomatal closure, suggesting that another signal component regulates stomatal apertures along with GSH depletion. This study, using Arabidopsis, clarified that reactive carbonyl species (RCS), especially acrolein and 4-hydroxy-(E)-2-nonenal, are determinants of stomatal aperture responses to ITCs. All tested ITCs, allyl isothiocyanate (AITC), sulforaphane (SFN), benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC), and phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC), significantly induced stomatal closure, which was inhibited by the RCS scavengers, carnosine and pyridoxamine. The RCS scavengers suppressed ITC-induced depletion of GSH but not elevation of ROS levels. All tested ITCs (AITC, SFN, BITC, and PEITC) increased levels of RCS and non-RCS aldehydes in the epidermal tissues. However, acrolein, 4-hydroxy-(E)-2-nonenal, crotonaldehyde, and (E)-2-pentenal induced stomatal closure at 10 and 100 μM, whereas propionaldehyde, butyraldehyde, and n-pentanal did not at concentrations up to 100 μM. Acrolein and 4-hydroxy-(E)-2-nonenal more effectively induced stomatal closure and GSH depletion than crotonaldehyde and (E)-2-pentenal did. The contents of RCS were more strongly correlated with GSH levels and stomatal closure than with ROS levels. These results suggest that RCS, especially acrolein and 4-hydroxy-(E)-2-nonenal, acts as key regulators of stomatal closure in guard cells in response to ITCs. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=FarzanaSumaiya en-aut-sei=Farzana en-aut-mei=Sumaiya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=IslamMd. Moshiul en-aut-sei=Islam en-aut-mei=Md. Moshiul kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 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=3 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=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=ManoJun'ichi en-aut-sei=Mano en-aut-mei=Jun'ichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=MurataYoshiyuki en-aut-sei=Murata en-aut-mei=Yoshiyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Science Research Center, Yamaguchi University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=arabidopsis kn-keyword=arabidopsis en-keyword=GSH depletion kn-keyword=GSH depletion en-keyword=isothiocyanate kn-keyword=isothiocyanate en-keyword=reactive carbonyl species kn-keyword=reactive carbonyl species en-keyword=reactive oxygen species kn-keyword=reactive oxygen species END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=18 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=9 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=20260105 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Sodium butyrate augments the antibacterial activity of tetracycline against clinical isolates of multidrug-resistant Vibrio cholerae en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background Antibiotic resistance poses a major challenge in treating Vibrio cholerae infections. One promising method to counter resistance is the co-administration of antibiotics with non-antibiotic adjuvants to enhance their efficacy. This study investigated the combined action of sodium butyrate (SB) and tetracycline on tetracycline-resistant V. cholerae strains.
Results The combined activity of SB and antibiotics was assessed on eight V. cholerae clinical isolates using the Fractional Inhibitory Concentration Index (FICI), with SB-Tetracycline showing strong synergy (FICI: 0.09–0.5). Functional and mechanistic studies, including time-kill kinetics, live/dead staining, SEM-based morphological analysis, and fluorometric assays, demonstrated a synergistic antibacterial effect of SB and Tetracycline. This effect was associated with increased membrane permeability, disruption of membrane integrity, dissipation of the proton motive force, and suppression of efflux activity. These changes collectively led to membrane damage, enhanced intracellular accumulation of Tetracycline, decreased intracellular ATP levels, and ultimately, bacterial cell death. Moreover, GM1-CT ELISA and fluorescence microscopy revealed the synergistic anti-virulence activity of the SB- Tetracycline combination. Finally, the combination of SB and Tetracycline showed enhanced efficacy in animal models compared with monotherapy.
Conclusion: The observed SB-Tetracycline synergy provides a promising therapeutic approach to overcome tetracycline resistance in V. cholerae, offering a potential adjunct strategy for the management of antibiotic-resistant cholera infections. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KunduSushmita en-aut-sei=Kundu en-aut-mei=Sushmita kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=AluSourin en-aut-sei=Alu en-aut-mei=Sourin kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=SinghAbhishek en-aut-sei=Singh en-aut-mei=Abhishek kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=GopeAnimesh en-aut-sei=Gope en-aut-mei=Animesh kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=NandyRanjan Kumar en-aut-sei=Nandy en-aut-mei=Ranjan Kumar kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=MukhopadhyayAsish K. en-aut-sei=Mukhopadhyay en-aut-mei=Asish K. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyoshiShin-ichi en-aut-sei=Miyoshi en-aut-mei=Shin-ichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=ChatterjeeNabendu Sekhar en-aut-sei=Chatterjee en-aut-mei=Nabendu Sekhar kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=BhattacharyaSushmita en-aut-sei=Bhattacharya en-aut-mei=Sushmita kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Division of Biochemistry, ICMR- National Institute for Research in Bacterial Infections kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Division of Biochemistry, ICMR- National Institute for Research in Bacterial Infections kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Division of Biochemistry, ICMR- National Institute for Research in Bacterial Infections kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Division of General Medicine, ICMR- National Institute for Research in Bacterial Infections kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Division of Bacteriology, ICMR- National Institute for Research in Bacterial Infections kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Division of Bacteriology, ICMR- National Institute for Research in Bacterial Infections kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Division of Biochemistry, ICMR- National Institute for Research in Bacterial Infections kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Division of Biochemistry, ICMR- National Institute for Research in Bacterial Infections kn-affil= en-keyword=V. cholerae kn-keyword=V. cholerae en-keyword=Sodium butyrate kn-keyword=Sodium butyrate en-keyword=Tetracycline kn-keyword=Tetracycline en-keyword=Synergy kn-keyword=Synergy en-keyword=Antibiotic adjuvant kn-keyword=Antibiotic adjuvant END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=123 cd-vols= no-issue=6 article-no= start-page=e2518136123 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=20260204 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=A nuclear CobW/WW-domain factor represses the CO2-concentrating mechanism in the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Microalgae induce a CO2-concentrating mechanism (CCM) to maintain photosynthesis when CO2 is limited. Because this system consumes a substantial portion of photosynthetically generated ATP, its suppression when CO2 levels rise is critical for energy balance, yet the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Here, we identify a nuclear repressor of the CCM in the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. A pull-down screen for interacting partners of the master activator CCM1/CIA5 revealed an uncharacterized protein that tightly associates with CCM1. This protein, CCM1-binding protein 1 (CBP1), combines a CobW/CobW_C GTP-binding metallochaperone module with a WW-domain characteristic of protein–protein interactions. CBP1 colocalizes and interacts with CCM1 in the nucleus regardless of CO2 conditions. Disruption of CBP1 does not affect growth or CCM induction under CO2 limitation but derepresses 27 of 41 CCM1-dependent low-CO2 inducible genes under high-CO2 conditions. These include the periplasmic and intracellular carbonic anhydrases (CAH1 and LCIB) and inorganic carbon transporters/channels (LCIA, LCI1, BST1, and BST3). Consistently, cbp1 mutants accumulate CAH1 and LCIB proteins and exhibit 40% higher inorganic carbon affinity under high-CO2 conditions; this phenotype is rescued by CBP1 complementation or by acetazolamide treatment. Crucially, cbp1 mutants exhibit significant growth delays under high-CO2 conditions, especially when light is limiting, providing direct evidence that CBP1-mediated repression is essential for energy conservation. Thus, CBP1 prevents unnecessary CCM activity when CO2 is abundant, acting upstream of both transporter/channel and carbonic anhydrase modules. Our findings suggest a regulatory mechanism potentially linking zinc-dependent protein chemistry to CCM gene repression, providing insights into energy-efficient CO2 sensing in aquatic photosynthetic organisms. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=ShimamuraDaisuke en-aut-sei=Shimamura en-aut-mei=Daisuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=YasudaJunko en-aut-sei=Yasuda en-aut-mei=Junko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamaharaYosuke en-aut-sei=Yamahara en-aut-mei=Yosuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakanoHirobumi en-aut-sei=Nakano en-aut-mei=Hirobumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=OzawaShin-Ichiro en-aut-sei=Ozawa en-aut-mei=Shin-Ichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=TokutsuRyutaro en-aut-sei=Tokutsu en-aut-mei=Ryutaro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamagamiAyumi en-aut-sei=Yamagami en-aut-mei=Ayumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsushitaTomonao en-aut-sei=Matsushita en-aut-mei=Tomonao kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakahashiYuichiro en-aut-sei=Takahashi en-aut-mei=Yuichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakanoTakeshi en-aut-sei=Nakano en-aut-mei=Takeshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=FukuzawaHideya en-aut-sei=Fukuzawa en-aut-mei=Hideya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamanoTakashi en-aut-sei=Yamano en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Biostudies, Division of Integrated Life Science, Kyoto University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Biostudies, Division of Integrated Life Science, Kyoto University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Biostudies, Division of Integrated Life Science, Kyoto 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=Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Graduate School of Science, Division of Biological Sciences, Kyoto 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 Science, Division of Biological Sciences, Kyoto University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Graduate School of Biostudies, Division of Integrated Life Science, Kyoto University kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Graduate School of Biostudies, Division of Integrated Life Science, Kyoto University kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Graduate School of Biostudies, Division of Integrated Life Science, Kyoto University kn-affil= en-keyword=carbonic anhydrase kn-keyword=carbonic anhydrase en-keyword=Chlamydomonas reinhardtii kn-keyword=Chlamydomonas reinhardtii en-keyword=CO2-concentrating mechanism kn-keyword=CO2-concentrating mechanism en-keyword=photosynthesis kn-keyword=photosynthesis en-keyword=pyrenoid kn-keyword=pyrenoid 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=20260202 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Pediatric autologous peripheral blood stem cell collection without heparin using a highly concentrated sodium citrate anticoagulant: A retrospective comparison with standard ACD-A en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background: Heparin combined with sodium citrate has been used in leukocytapheresis for pediatric patients. Since 2022, we have performed leukocytapheresis using a highly concentrated sodium citrate solution (HSC, 5.32%) instead of acid citrate dextrose solution A (ACD-A). We conducted this study to determine whether HSC use reduces run time and the total amount of anticoagulant solution in children.
Study Design and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data from consecutive autologous peripheral blood stem cell harvests (auto-PBSCHs) between June 2012 and May 2025, including patient characteristics, mobilization methods, protocol used, anticoagulant type, run time, total anticoagulant solution volume, and collection efficiency.
Results: Auto-PBSCH was performed using the mononuclear cell collection (MNC) protocol in 28 procedures and the continuous MNC protocol in 20 procedures. ACD-A was used in 35 procedures and HSC in 13. The run time was significantly shorter (204 [range, 117–302] vs. 157 min [range, 103–227], p = .02) in the HSC group and also confirmed in multivariable regression analysis (coefficient, −55.6; 95% confidence interval, −106.2 to −5.04; p = .03). In a subgroup analysis of cMNC procedures, CD34+ collection efficiency showed a strong negative correlation with the proportion of run time devoted to establishing the initial interface (r = −.73, p = .0003).
Conclusion: Delays in establishing the initial interface can reduce the duration of the effective MNC collection phase and may negatively affect collection efficiency. Careful attention to the initial interface phase is therefore warranted when using HSC. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=FujiiKeiko en-aut-sei=Fujii en-aut-mei=Keiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KitamuraWataru en-aut-sei=Kitamura en-aut-mei=Wataru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=WashioKana en-aut-sei=Washio en-aut-mei=Kana kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=IkeuchiKazuhiro en-aut-sei=Ikeuchi en-aut-mei=Kazuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShimonoJoji en-aut-sei=Shimono en-aut-mei=Joji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=MurakamiHiroyuki en-aut-sei=Murakami en-aut-mei=Hiroyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=OtsukaFumio en-aut-sei=Otsuka en-aut-mei=Fumio kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=MaedaYoshinobu en-aut-sei=Maeda en-aut-mei=Yoshinobu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiiNobuharu en-aut-sei=Fujii en-aut-mei=Nobuharu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Hematology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Hematology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Pediatrics, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Hematology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Hematology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Hematology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Division of Clinical Laboratory, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Hematology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Hematology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= en-keyword=acid citrate dextrose solution kn-keyword=acid citrate dextrose solution en-keyword=autologous kn-keyword=autologous en-keyword=continuous mononuclear cell collection kn-keyword=continuous mononuclear cell collection en-keyword=highly concentrated sodium kn-keyword=highly concentrated sodium en-keyword=pediatric kn-keyword=pediatric en-keyword=peripheral blood stem cells kn-keyword=peripheral blood stem cells END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=54 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=19 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=20260116 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Mycobacterium mageritense-associated refractory cutaneous infection and lymphadenitis in an immunocompetent adult: insights from genomic sequencing en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background Nontuberculous mycobacteria are increasingly recognized as causes of chronic and refractory skin and soft tissue infections, even in individuals without immunodeficiency. Among them, Mycobacterium mageritense is a rare, rapidly growing species that can lead to persistent lesions requiring prolonged antimicrobial therapy. Reports of M. mageritense infections involving both the skin and regional lymph nodes are limited, and this case adds new clinical and genomic insights.
Case presentation A 48-year-old previously healthy man presented with a slowly enlarging cutaneous lesion on his lower leg and ipsilateral inguinal lymphadenitis. Empirical antibacterial therapy with β-lactams and macrolides was ineffective. Wound cultures subsequently grew M. mageritense, confirmed by whole-genome sequencing. Several antimicrobial regimens were attempted, and the final successful therapy consisted of oral levofloxacin and minocycline for 4 months, leading to complete clinical resolution. Genomic analysis identified resistance-related genes, including erm(40), aac(2′)-Ib, tet(V), and RbpA, although in vitro minimum inhibitory concentrations showed variable susceptibility. Phylogenetic comparison revealed that the isolate was closely related to previously reported M. mageritense strains from Japan.
Conclusions This case demonstrates that M. mageritense can cause cutaneous infection with secondary lymphadenitis in an immunocompetent host. Accurate species identification using molecular or genomic methods and selection of appropriate combination antibiotic therapy based on susceptibility testing are crucial for successful management of such infections. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=FukushimaShinnosuke en-aut-sei=Fukushima en-aut-mei=Shinnosuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=UchiyamaJumpei en-aut-sei=Uchiyama en-aut-mei=Jumpei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KawakamiYoshio en-aut-sei=Kawakami en-aut-mei=Yoshio kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsuuraYoshiko en-aut-sei=Matsuura en-aut-mei=Yoshiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=SugiharaSatoru en-aut-sei=Sugihara en-aut-mei=Satoru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=MorizaneShin en-aut-sei=Morizane en-aut-mei=Shin kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=MuenrayaPoowadon en-aut-sei=Muenraya en-aut-mei=Poowadon kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=HagiyaHideharu en-aut-sei=Hagiya en-aut-mei=Hideharu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Bacteriology, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Bacteriology, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Dermatology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Konohana Dermatology Clinic kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Dermatology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Dermatology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Bacteriology, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Infectious Diseases, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= en-keyword=Genome sequence kn-keyword=Genome sequence en-keyword=Lymphadenitis kn-keyword=Lymphadenitis en-keyword=Mycobacterium mageritense kn-keyword=Mycobacterium mageritense en-keyword=Skin and soft tissue infections kn-keyword=Skin and soft tissue infections en-keyword=Rapidly growing mycobacteria kn-keyword=Rapidly growing mycobacteria END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=74 cd-vols= no-issue=11 article-no= start-page=1023 end-page=1032 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=Bioconversion and Metabolic Fate of the n-1 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids, 6,9,12,15- Hexadecatetraenoic (C16:4 n-1) and 8,11,14,17- Octadecatetraenoic (C18:4 n-1) Acids, in HepG2 Cells en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Fish oil contains not only major fatty acids with double bonds at the n-3, n-6, n-7, and n-9 positions but also those with a double bond at the n-1 position, such as 6,9,12,15-hexadecatetraenoic acid (C16:4 n-1; HDTA). However, intracellular bioconversion and metabolic fate of n-1 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) remain unclear. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to assess the intracellular bioconversion and metabolic fate of HDTA and its metabolite, 8,11,14,17- octadecatetraenoic acid (C18:4 n-1; ODTA), using HepG2 cells. Based on the results of cell viability and cytotoxicity assays for HDTA and ODTA, the concentration of each fatty acid supplemented in the experiments was set at 10 μM. HepG2 cell culture with HDTA revealed C20:4 n-1 as a new HDTA metabolite, along with previously reported ODTA. Our findings suggest that the HDTA taken up by HepG2 cells undergoes elongation to form ODTA and C20:4 n-1. Following supplementation with HDTA, ODTA, and 5,8,11,14,17-eicosapentaenoic acid (C20:5 n-3; EPA), fatty acids disappeared from the culture medium within 24 h. Notably, the total relative level of HDTA and its metabolites, including ODTA and C20:4 n-1 in HDTA- and ODTA-supplemented cells were significantly lower than the total relative level of EPA and its metabolites, including 7,10,13,16,19-docosapentaenoic acid (C22:5 n-3), C24:6 n-3, and 4,7,10,13,16,19-docosahexaenoic acid (C22:6 n-3) in the EPA-supplemented cells. Except for a portion that was intracellularly elongated, most HDTA was taken up by HepG2 cells and may undergo rapid fatty acid β-oxidation. However, RNA-sequencing and real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed no significant changes in fatty acid β-oxidation–related gene expression levels in HDTA-supplemented cells. Collectively, these results provide novel insights into the intracellular bioconversion mechanisms and metabolic fate of HDTA and ODTA in HepG2 cells, suggesting that the metabolic fate of n-1 PUFA is distinct from that of common PUFA. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=SugimotoKoki en-aut-sei=Sugimoto en-aut-mei=Koki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishiguchiHideto en-aut-sei=Nishiguchi en-aut-mei=Hideto kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=HosomiRyota en-aut-sei=Hosomi en-aut-mei=Ryota kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=TanizakiToshifumi en-aut-sei=Tanizaki en-aut-mei=Toshifumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=TsushimaTadahiro en-aut-sei=Tsushima en-aut-mei=Tadahiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=BabaNaomichi en-aut-sei=Baba en-aut-mei=Naomichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=MisawaYoshihisa en-aut-sei=Misawa en-aut-mei=Yoshihisa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 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=8 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=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=MurakamiYuki en-aut-sei=Murakami en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=KandaSeiji en-aut-sei=Kanda en-aut-mei=Seiji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=FukunagaKenji en-aut-sei=Fukunaga en-aut-mei=Kenji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Faculty of Food and Nutritional Sciences, Toyo University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Faculty of Chemistry, Materials, and Bioengineering, Kansai University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Faculty of Chemistry, Materials, and Bioengineering, Kansai University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Bizen Chemical Co., Ltd. kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Bizen Chemical Co., Ltd. kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Bizen Chemical Co., Ltd. kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Bizen Chemical Co., Ltd. kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, 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 Hygiene and Public Health, Kansai Medical University kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Hygiene and Public Health, Kansai Medical University kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Faculty of Chemistry, Materials, and Bioengineering, Kansai University kn-affil= en-keyword=n-1 polyunsaturated fatty acids kn-keyword=n-1 polyunsaturated fatty acids en-keyword=hexadecatetraenoic acid kn-keyword=hexadecatetraenoic acid en-keyword=octadecatetraenoic acid kn-keyword=octadecatetraenoic acid en-keyword=HepG2 kn-keyword=HepG2 END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=23 cd-vols= no-issue=5 article-no= start-page=101 end-page= 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=Prolonged exposure to axitinib alters the molecular profile of Caki‑2 renal cell carcinoma cells en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Axitinib, an oral second‑generation multitargeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor, is used as a second‑line treatment for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC). However, patients often develop resistance after initial responsiveness, necessitating the elucidation of the underlying resistance mechanisms. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the mechanisms underlying axitinib resistance using the Caki‑2 human papillary RCC model cells. Cells tolerating 0.1 µM axitinib were designated as Caki/AX cells. Cell viability was assessed using the water‑soluble tetrazolium salt assay. Notably, the 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of axitinib and sunitinib were significantly higher in Caki/AX cells than those in Caki‑2 cells, indicating 2.83‑ and 1.2‑fold resistance, respectively. By contrast, the IC50 values of sorafenib and erlotinib were decreased in Caki/AX cells. Moreover, Caki/AX cells showed resistance to everolimus, temsirolimus and rapamycin, and decreased sensitivity to vinblastine, vincristine, paclitaxel, doxorubicin and SN‑38 compared with Caki‑2 cells. Notably, etoposide, 5‑fluorouracil, cisplatin and carboplatin sensitivities were comparable in both cell types. Reverse transcription‑quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis revealed that the mRNA levels of the ATP‑binding cassette subfamily B member 1 and subfamily G member 2 were significantly higher in Caki/AX cells than those in Caki‑2 cells. A PCR array related to vascular endothelial growth factor signalling showed that the mRNA levels of FIGF (also known as vascular endothelial growth factor D) and sphingosine kinase 1 were upregulated, whereas those of Rac family small GTPase 2 were downregulated in Caki/AX cells. Overall, these findings suggested that the upregulation of the ATP‑binding cassette subfamily B member 1, FIGF and sphingosine kinase 1 mRNA levels, and downregulation of the Rac family small GTPase 2 mRNA levels may contribute to acquired resistance in Caki/AX cells. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NakayamaYuko en-aut-sei=Nakayama en-aut-mei=Yuko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=InoAya en-aut-sei=Ino en-aut-mei=Aya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 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=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakaraKohji en-aut-sei=Takara en-aut-mei=Kohji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Clinical Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Himeji Dokkyo University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hyogo Medical University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Integrated Clinical and Basic Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hyogo Medical University kn-affil= en-keyword=axitinib kn-keyword=axitinib en-keyword=renal cell carcinoma kn-keyword=renal cell carcinoma en-keyword=drug resistance kn-keyword=drug resistance en-keyword=ABC transporter kn-keyword=ABC transporter END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol= cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page= end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250923 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Hospital-acquired pneumonia caused by multidrug-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 15A en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background Streptococcus pneumoniae remains a common cause of community-acquired pneumonia but is an infrequent pathogen in hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP). Non-vaccine serotypes of multidrug-resistant (MDR) S. pneumoniae strains have been emerging globally, posing an increased risk of nosocomial infection.
Case A 71 year-old man developed pneumonia on postoperative day 4 following spinal fusion surgery. Despite initial treatment with ampicillin/sulbactam, his condition deteriorated, requiring ICU admission and mechanical ventilation. Microbiological testing confirmed S. pneumoniae as a causative pathogen, and ceftriaxone was empirically administered based on the local antibiogram. However, antimicrobial susceptibility testing revealed resistant profiles to penicillin (minimum inhibitory concentration [MIC], 8 µg/mL), ceftriaxone (MIC, 16 µg/mL), meropenem (MIC, 1 µg/mL), macrolides, and clindamycin, while demonstrating susceptibility to levofloxacin and vancomycin. The therapeutic regimen was subsequently adjusted to levofloxacin, resulting in clinical improvement. The isolate was later identified as serotype 15A, sequence type 63 (ST63).
Conclusion This case highlights that MDR S. pneumoniae can cause early-onset HAP and may not be covered by standard empiric therapies, emphasizing the need for careful evaluation of treatment response. Continued surveillance of infections caused by vaccine-escape clones like MDR serotype 15A is essential, given their increasing clinical relevance. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=AkazawaHidemasa en-aut-sei=Akazawa en-aut-mei=Hidemasa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=FukushimaShinnosuke en-aut-sei=Fukushima en-aut-mei=Shinnosuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakamotoKenta en-aut-sei=Nakamoto en-aut-mei=Kenta kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=OguniKohei en-aut-sei=Oguni en-aut-mei=Kohei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShimbeMadoka en-aut-sei=Shimbe en-aut-mei=Madoka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=ChangBin en-aut-sei=Chang en-aut-mei=Bin kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=AkedaYukihiro en-aut-sei=Akeda en-aut-mei=Yukihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=HagiyaHideharu en-aut-sei=Hagiya en-aut-mei=Hideharu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Infectious Diseases, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Infectious Diseases, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Infectious Diseases, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Infectious Diseases, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Infectious Diseases, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Bacteriology I, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Japan Institute for Health Security kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Bacteriology I, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Japan Institute for Health Security kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Infectious Diseases, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= en-keyword=Antimicrobial resistance kn-keyword=Antimicrobial resistance en-keyword=Multidrug-resistant kn-keyword=Multidrug-resistant en-keyword=Nosocomial infection kn-keyword=Nosocomial infection en-keyword=Sequence type 63 kn-keyword=Sequence type 63 en-keyword=Serotype 15A kn-keyword=Serotype 15A en-keyword=Streptococcus pneumoniae kn-keyword=Streptococcus pneumoniae END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=16 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=100718 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=202509 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Should Japanese athletes undergo booster vaccination for pertussis? en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Pertussis, a highly contagious respiratory infection caused by Bordetella pertussis, has demonstrated a global resurgence in the post–COVID-19 era, with the emergence of macrolide-resistant strains. In Japan, the routine immunization schedule for pertussis remains limited compared with international standards, leaving young populations under-immunized and at elevated risk of infection. Despite international recommendations for booster vaccinations during adolescence, Japan currently provides only a four-dose primary series during infancy, without subsequent boosters. This immunization gap possibly increases the vulnerability of Japanese athletes to pertussis. Persistent cough can significantly impair athletic performance for weeks to months, posing substantial challenges to professional sports teams. To protect athletes’ health and performance capacity and prevent team-wide outbreaks, it is imperative to consider pertussis booster immunizations in Japan, especially for elite athletes. However, DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis) (TRIBIKⓇ) is the only available vaccine in Japan, which contains higher antigen concentrations than the internationally used Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccines (ADACEL™ and BOOSTRIXⓇ): the antigen contents of pertussis toxin, filamentous hemagglutinin, and diphtheria toxin in TRIBIKⓇ, ADACEL™, and BOOSTRIXⓇ are 23.5 µg/23.5 µg/≤15 µg, 2.5 µg/5 µg/2 µg, and 8 µg/8 µg/2.5 µg, respectively. These differences result in more severe local adverse effects in vaccinees and would complicate booster strategies in Japan. Aligning Japan’s immunization policies with international practices represents a critical step toward ensuring individual health and public safety in increasingly globalized sports environments. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=HagiyaHideharu en-aut-sei=Hagiya en-aut-mei=Hideharu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Infectious Diseases, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= en-keyword=Bordetella pertussis kn-keyword=Bordetella pertussis en-keyword=Vaccination kn-keyword=Vaccination en-keyword=Immunization kn-keyword=Immunization END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=695 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=123031 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=202511 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Flash vaporization and migration of iodine in the oceanic plate subduction zone en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Crustal fluids in subduction zones, such as subsurface aquifers, submarine seeps, and gas hydrate waters, are often rich in iodine (I2) and methane (CH4). Large-scale aquifers in the Kanto subduction zone, where the Pacific Plate (PAC) and the Philippine Sea Plate (PHS) are subducting, also exhibit high concentrations of I2 and CH4. However, the origin and behavior of I2 in the subduction zone are unclear, and its coexistence with CH4 remains unresolved. To investigate this, we compiled the I2 phase diagram under high-pressure and high-temperature (P–T) conditions to predict its physicochemical properties in the subduction zone. We then applied the P–T paths of subducted PAC and PHS sediments to the I2 phase diagram. Our findings reveal that I2 can exist as a liquid in the young and hot PHS subduction zone. Transient decompressions during earthquake ruptures can cause liquid iodine to flash-vaporize and be expelled from subducted sediments. Along with I2, thermogenic CH4 and hydrogen (H2) generated in the subducted sediments are also released and transported upward, likely by slab-dehydrated fluids. Additionally, H2 may enhance microbial CH4 production through hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis. In subduction zones of young and hot oceanic plates such as the PHS, crustal fluids are enriched in I2 and coexist with CH4 owing to the simultaneous expulsion of I2, CH4, and H2 from the same subducted sediments and their migration via deep fluids. Large subsurface aquifers can act as traps and reservoirs for migrating I2 and CH4, forming large-scale I2 and CH4 deposits. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=SuzukiNoriyuki en-aut-sei=Suzuki en-aut-mei=Noriyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KamedaJun en-aut-sei=Kameda en-aut-mei=Jun kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=AmoMiki en-aut-sei=Amo en-aut-mei=Miki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Faculty of Science, Hokkaido University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Geology and Geophysics Division, Technology Department, Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security kn-affil= en-keyword=Iodine circulation kn-keyword=Iodine circulation en-keyword=Flash vaporization kn-keyword=Flash vaporization en-keyword=Microbial methane kn-keyword=Microbial methane en-keyword=Thermogenic methane kn-keyword=Thermogenic methane en-keyword=Thermogenic hydrogen kn-keyword=Thermogenic hydrogen en-keyword=Subducted sediments kn-keyword=Subducted sediments END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=64 cd-vols= no-issue=12 article-no= start-page=1811 end-page=1825 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250926 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Evaluation of Fentanyl-Emerged Adverse Events and Pharmacokinetics in Neonates: A Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic Modeling Approach en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background Despite its common use for analgesia in neonatal intensive care units, the optimal dosing and safety profile of fentanyl, particularly regarding suspected fentanyl-emerged adverse events (FEAEs), such as hypotension, desaturation, and oliguria, are not well-defined.
Objective This study aimed to develop an optimal therapeutic monitoring and dosing strategy for fentanyl for neonates. A physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model for predicting fentanyl pharmacokinetics across various populations, including preterm and term neonates, was developed, and the relationship between predicted fentanyl exposure and FEAE incidence in neonates was assessed.
Methods A PBPK model was developed and validated against the observed values in the literature. The model’s predictive accuracy for fentanyl pharmacokinetics and association with FEAE incidence in an external retrospective cohort of Japanese neonates was evaluated using the predicted concentrations and pharmacokinetic parameters estimated by PBPK simulation.
Results The PBPK model exhibited reasonable predictive performance for serum fentanyl concentrations in actual neonatal patients (mean error: 9.27% [standard error: 5.06%], root mean squared error: 54.7%). The incidence of any FEAE, particularly oxygen desaturation, was associated with the fentanyl concentration-to-dose ratio, but not with some exposure parameters, such as the area under the curve and maximum concentration. The recommended reduced infusion rate allowed serum fentanyl concentrations to fall within the ranges established by the reported values and our data.
Conclusions Our PBPK model and proposed dosing strategy may contribute to safer and more effective fentanyl use in neonates. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MahdyWalaa Yousef Bassyouni en-aut-sei=Mahdy en-aut-mei=Walaa Yousef Bassyouni kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 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=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=JojiRisa en-aut-sei=Joji en-aut-mei=Risa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=HashimotoMari en-aut-sei=Hashimoto en-aut-mei=Mari kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakasoneRuka en-aut-sei=Nakasone en-aut-mei=Ruka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiokaKazumichi en-aut-sei=Fujioka en-aut-mei=Kazumichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 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=7 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=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=OmuraTomohiro en-aut-sei=Omura en-aut-mei=Tomohiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 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=10 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Pharmacy, Kobe University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Integrated Clinical and Basic Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University 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 Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Pharmacy, Kobe University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Pharmacy, Kobe University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Pharmacy, Kobe University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Pharmacy, Kobe University Hospital kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=134 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=24 end-page=30 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=20260101 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Preparation of brookite-type titanium dioxide particle layer on titanium surfaces via hydrothermal treatment and evaluation of in vitro apatite-forming ability en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=In this study, we prepared a brookite-type titanium dioxide particle layer on the surface of titanium substrates via hydrothermal treatment in aqueous urea solutions containing sodium chloride (NaCl) and examined its in vitro apatite-forming ability. Increasing the urea concentration suppressed the formation of anatase-type titanium dioxide on the titanium substrate, forming a particle layer composed of pure brookite-type titanium dioxide. The size and packing density of brookite-type titanium dioxide particles formed on the titanium substrate increased with the NaCl concentration in a 7.0 mol·dm−3 urea solution. When titanium substrates hydrothermally treated in aqueous solutions of 7.0 mol·dm−3 urea and 2.0 mol·dm−3 NaCl were soaked in a simulated body fluid for various periods up to 7 d, the substrate surface was densely covered with hemispherical apatite particles (5.3 µm in diameter) within 3 d, indicating that the brookite-type titanium dioxide particle layer had an excellent apatite-forming ability comparable to that of the anatase-type titanium dioxide particle layer. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=HayakawaSatoshi en-aut-sei=Hayakawa en-aut-mei=Satoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakamotoYushi en-aut-sei=Nakamoto en-aut-mei=Yushi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KojimaSeiya en-aut-sei=Kojima en-aut-mei=Seiya 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=KataokaTakuya en-aut-sei=Kataoka en-aut-mei=Takuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 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=6 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=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University 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=Faculty of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Faculty of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Brookite-type titanium dioxide kn-keyword=Brookite-type titanium dioxide en-keyword=Hydrothermal treatment kn-keyword=Hydrothermal treatment en-keyword=Urea kn-keyword=Urea en-keyword=Sodium chloride kn-keyword=Sodium chloride en-keyword=Apatite-forming ability kn-keyword=Apatite-forming ability END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=445 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=134071 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2026 dt-pub=20260215 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Cardiac characteristics of Fabry disease from baseline enrolment data in a nationwide prospective Japanese registry en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background: Fabry disease (FD) is an important disease in the cardiovascular field because a significant proportion of patients with FD die from cardiac lesions.
Methods: A multicenter prospective registration study of patients with FD throughout Japan was designed. The baseline clinical characteristics of 175 patients are presented here.
Results: The mean ages at enrolment and at diagnosis were 52 ± 16 and 43 ± 18 years, respectively, with men accounting for 38 % of the patients. In the cohort, 24 % of the patients had the classical hemizygote male type, whereas 14 % had the late-onset male type, and 62 % had the heterozygote female type. On electrocardiography data at enrolment in 92 patients with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) (maximum LV wall thickness > 12 mm), 12 % showed a short PQ interval (< 120 msec), and 33 % had a short PendQ interval (≤ 40 msec). The Sokolow-Lyon voltage was high (6.1 ± 13.1 mv). Regarding the distribution of LVH patterns, 77 % of the patients showed concentric diffuse LVH, 16 % of the patients had asymmetric septal hypertrophy, and 1 % of the patients had hypertrophy confined to the LV apex. With regard to implantation of cardiac devices, permanent pacemakers had been implanted in 5 % of the patients and defibrillators had been implanted in 12 patients (7 %), for primary prevention in nine patients and for secondary prevention in three patients.
Conclusion: As the first large-scale prospective registry of FD patients in Japan, this study has provided valuable baseline data for the cardiac features and management of FD. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KuboToru en-aut-sei=Kubo en-aut-mei=Toru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MaekawaYuichiro en-aut-sei=Maekawa en-aut-mei=Yuichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=HongoKenichi en-aut-sei=Hongo en-aut-mei=Kenichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamamotoSaori en-aut-sei=Yamamoto en-aut-mei=Saori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=IzumiyaYasuhiro en-aut-sei=Izumiya en-aut-mei=Yasuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamakawaHiroyuki en-aut-sei=Yamakawa en-aut-mei=Hiroyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=YanoToshiyuki en-aut-sei=Yano en-aut-mei=Toshiyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=HiguchiKoji en-aut-sei=Higuchi en-aut-mei=Koji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=KuramotoYuki en-aut-sei=Kuramoto en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakagawaNaoki en-aut-sei=Nakagawa en-aut-mei=Naoki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=AmanoMasashi en-aut-sei=Amano en-aut-mei=Masashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamadaYu en-aut-sei=Yamada en-aut-mei=Yu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=OikawaMasayoshi en-aut-sei=Oikawa en-aut-mei=Masayoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= en-aut-name=IidaYuichiro en-aut-sei=Iida en-aut-mei=Yuichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=14 ORCID= en-aut-name=TsujitaKenichi en-aut-sei=Tsujita en-aut-mei=Kenichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=15 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsueYuya en-aut-sei=Matsue en-aut-mei=Yuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=16 ORCID= en-aut-name=IzawaHideo en-aut-sei=Izawa en-aut-mei=Hideo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=17 ORCID= en-aut-name=SuzukiAtsushi en-aut-sei=Suzuki en-aut-mei=Atsushi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=18 ORCID= en-aut-name=NagatomoYuji en-aut-sei=Nagatomo en-aut-mei=Yuji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=19 ORCID= en-aut-name=NagaiToshiyuki en-aut-sei=Nagai en-aut-mei=Toshiyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=20 ORCID= en-aut-name=KidaKeisuke en-aut-sei=Kida en-aut-mei=Keisuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=21 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakamuraKazuto en-aut-sei=Nakamura en-aut-mei=Kazuto kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=22 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=23 ORCID= en-aut-name=IkenagaHiroki en-aut-sei=Ikenaga en-aut-mei=Hiroki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=24 ORCID= en-aut-name=KandaTakahiro en-aut-sei=Kanda en-aut-mei=Takahiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=25 ORCID= en-aut-name=KinugasaYoshiharu en-aut-sei=Kinugasa en-aut-mei=Yoshiharu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=26 ORCID= en-aut-name=ItoHiromasa en-aut-sei=Ito en-aut-mei=Hiromasa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=27 ORCID= en-aut-name=OnoueKenji en-aut-sei=Onoue en-aut-mei=Kenji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=28 ORCID= en-aut-name=KanamoriHiromitsu en-aut-sei=Kanamori en-aut-mei=Hiromitsu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=29 ORCID= en-aut-name=KitaokaHiroaki en-aut-sei=Kitaoka en-aut-mei=Hiroaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=30 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Cardiology and Geriatrics, Kochi Medical School, Kochi University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Division of Cardiology, Internal Medicine III, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Jikei University School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Osaka Metropolitan University, Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Cardiology, Keio University School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolic Medicine, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine and Hypertension, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The University of Osaka Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Division of Cardiology and Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Asahikawa Medical University kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Heart Failure and Transplantation, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Department of Cardiology, Institute of Medicine, University of Tsukuba kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Fukushima Medical University kn-affil= affil-num=14 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Kitasato University School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=15 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University kn-affil= affil-num=16 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Biology and Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=17 en-affil=Department of Cardiology, Fujita Health University kn-affil= affil-num=18 en-affil=Department of Cardiology, Tokyo Women's Medical University kn-affil= affil-num=19 en-affil=Department of Cardiology, National Defense Medical College kn-affil= affil-num=20 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University kn-affil= affil-num=21 en-affil=Department of Pharmacology, St. Marianna University School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=22 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Faculty of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=23 en-affil=Center for Advanced Heart Failure, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=24 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Hiroshima University Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=25 en-affil=Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Hamamatsu Red Cross Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=26 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine and Endocrinology and Metabolism, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University kn-affil= affil-num=27 en-affil=Department of Cardiology, Mie University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=28 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Nara Medical University kn-affil= affil-num=29 en-affil=Department of Cardiology, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=30 en-affil=Department of Cardiology and Geriatrics, Kochi Medical School, Kochi University kn-affil= en-keyword=Fabry disease kn-keyword=Fabry disease en-keyword=Prospective study kn-keyword=Prospective study en-keyword=Left ventricular hypertrophy kn-keyword=Left ventricular hypertrophy en-keyword=Treatment kn-keyword=Treatment END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=468 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=109497 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=202501 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Surface exposure ages of middle–late Pleistocene marine and fluvial terraces along the northern and southern Sanriku coasts, Northeast Japan en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=To estimate long-term rates of coastal uplift along the northern Pacific coast of Northeast Japan, we determined the surface exposure ages of marine and fluvial terraces based on terrestrial in situ cosmogenic radionuclide dating of exposed bedrock surfaces. Based on reinterpretation of marine and fluvial terraces, we collected samples from the northern and southern Sanriku coast. The surface exposure ages from 10Be concentrations in quartz calculated from the measured 10Be/9Be ratios commonly suggest MIS 5 and MIS 7 for the marine and fluvial terraces and averaged coastal uplift rates of ca. 0.25 ± 0.15 and 0.4 mm/yr along the northern and southern Sanriku coast at intermediate timescales. The results may demonstrate different styles of crustal strain accommodation in the northern Northeast Japan arc above the subducting Pacific plate. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=WakasaSachi en-aut-sei=Wakasa en-aut-mei=Sachi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=IshiyamaTatsuya en-aut-sei=Ishiyama en-aut-mei=Tatsuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=HirouchiDaisuke en-aut-sei=Hirouchi en-aut-mei=Daisuke 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= en-aut-name=FujitaNatsuko en-aut-sei=Fujita en-aut-mei=Natsuko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=EchigoTomoo en-aut-sei=Echigo en-aut-mei=Tomoo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Institute of Regional Innovation, Hirosaki University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Earthquake Research Institute, University of Tokyo kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Faculty of Education, Shinshu University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Faculty of Education, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Tono Geoscience center, Japan Atomic Energy Agency kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Kankyo Chisitsu, Co. kn-affil= en-keyword=Marine terrace kn-keyword=Marine terrace en-keyword=Exposure age kn-keyword=Exposure age en-keyword=10Be kn-keyword=10Be en-keyword=Coastal uplift kn-keyword=Coastal uplift END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=198 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=kiaf196 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250430 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Role of polar localization of the silicon transporter OsLsi1 in metalloid uptake by rice roots en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Low silicon (Si) rice 1 (OsLsi1) is a key transporter mediating Si uptake in rice (Oryza sativa). It is polarly localized at the distal side of the root exodermis and endodermis. Although OsLsi1 is also permeable to other metalloids, such as boron (B), germanium (Ge), arsenic (As), antimony (Sb), and selenium (Se), the role of its polar localization in the uptake of these metalloids remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the role of OsLsi1 polar localization in metalloid uptake by examining transgenic rice plants expressing polarly or nonpolarly localized OsLsi1 variants. Loss of OsLsi1 polar localization resulted in decreased accumulation of Ge, B, and As in shoots but increased Sb accumulation, while Se accumulation remained unaffected under normal conditions. Experiments with varying B concentrations revealed that B uptake is significantly lower at low B concentrations (0.3 to 3 μm) but higher at high B concentrations (300 μm) in plants expressing nonpolarly localized OsLsi1, despite the similar B permeability of both OsLsi1 variants in Xenopus oocytes and their comparable protein abundance in roots. Additionally, the loss of OsLsi1 polarity did not affect the abundance, localization, or high B-induced degradation of the borate transporter 1 (OsBOR1), an efflux transporter that cooperates with OsLsi1 for B uptake. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that the polar localization of OsLsi1 plays a critical role in regulating metalloid uptake, depending on the presence or absence of efflux transporters cooperating with OsLsi1. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KonishiNoriyuki en-aut-sei=Konishi en-aut-mei=Noriyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=Mitani-UenoNamiki en-aut-sei=Mitani-Ueno en-aut-mei=Namiki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 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=3 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= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=79 cd-vols= no-issue=6 article-no= start-page=421 end-page=429 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=Effects of Thoron Inhalation and Cyclosporin A Treatment on Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Oxidative Damage in Mice en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Radon (222Rn; Rn) and thoron (220Rn; Tn) inhalation have been reported to enhance antioxidant activity in various organs. However, the effects of Tn on the colon have not been investigated. This study aimed to clarify the effects of Tn inhalation, alone and in combination with cyclosporin A (CsA), on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis, and the accompanying oxidative stress, in mice. Male BALB/c mice were subjected to continuous 8-day Tn inhalation (c-Tn, 533±128 Bq/m3) or alternate-day Tn inhalation over the same period (f-Tn, 577±63Bq/m3), followed by treatment with 3% DSS and either CsA or vehicle for 7 days. Although the disease activity index (DAI) decreased significantly by day 2 in the c-Tn group, scores remained significantly higher than those in the f-Tn group. In the c-Tn group, superoxide dismutase and catalase activity in the colon were significantly elevated compared with those in sham controls. Thus, DSS-induced damage was effectively inhibited in the earlier stages by the c-Tn mode of inhalation than by the f-Tn mode. These findings suggest that continuous Tn inhalation more effectively attenuated early colitis symptoms than alternate-day inhalation, potentially through upregulation of antioxidant defenses. Tn and CsA showed no combined effects. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=TanakaAyumi en-aut-sei=Tanaka en-aut-mei=Ayumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=NaoeShota en-aut-sei=Naoe en-aut-mei=Shota kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakenakaReiju en-aut-sei=Takenaka en-aut-mei=Reiju kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=KanzakiNorie en-aut-sei=Kanzaki en-aut-mei=Norie kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=SakodaAkihiro en-aut-sei=Sakoda en-aut-mei=Akihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamaokaKiyonori en-aut-sei=Yamaoka en-aut-mei=Kiyonori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=KataokaTakahiro en-aut-sei=Kataoka en-aut-mei=Takahiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Ningyo-toge Environmental Engineering Center, Japan Atomic Energy Agency kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Ningyo-toge Environmental Engineering Center, Japan Atomic Energy Agency kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Faculty of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Faculty of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=thoron kn-keyword=thoron en-keyword=DSS kn-keyword=DSS en-keyword=antioxidant activity kn-keyword=antioxidant activity en-keyword=CsA kn-keyword=CsA en-keyword=colon kn-keyword=colon END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=5 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=101482 end-page= 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=Amelioration of Cd-induced bone deterioration by orally administered calcium phosphate en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Cadmium (Cd) is a heavy metal that accumulates in the body, primarily through daily grain intake, and has a high affinity for bone, leading to skeletal diseases such as osteomalacia and fractures. Hydroxyapatite (HAp), a major bone mineral component, is highly pH-sensitive and is known to incorporate Cd, as observed in studies of Itai-itai disease. Based on these findings, we hypothesized that HAp could serve as an effective oral detoxification material for heavy metals. This study investigated the efficacy of orally administered HAp in inhibiting Cd-induced changes in bone physical and chemical properties, comparing its effects to those of activated charcoal (AC), a common detoxifying agent. Six-week-old male ICR mice were exposed to cadmium via drinking water containing CdCl2 and subsequently given diets containing either HAp or AC for four weeks. Three-point bending tests, micro-CT analysis, and histological observations of the femurs demonstrated that mice receiving HAp exhibited improved mechanical strength and enhanced bone quality protection compared to the control and other Cd-treated groups. Activated charcoal also contributed to bone quality improvement at low concentrations, but its effect diminished at high concentrations. These results suggest that the oral administration of HAp may be a promising therapeutic strategy for suppressing cadmium-induced osteomalacia. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=SungPing-chin en-aut-sei=Sung en-aut-mei=Ping-chin kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=BikharudinAhmad en-aut-sei=Bikharudin en-aut-mei=Ahmad kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 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=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=MusaRanda en-aut-sei=Musa en-aut-mei=Randa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=UchidaKenta en-aut-sei=Uchida en-aut-mei=Kenta kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=OtakaAkihisa en-aut-sei=Otaka en-aut-mei=Akihisa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsusakaTadaaki en-aut-sei=Matsusaka en-aut-mei=Tadaaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsugakiAira en-aut-sei=Matsugaki en-aut-mei=Aira kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakanoTakayoshi en-aut-sei=Nakano en-aut-mei=Takayoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 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=10 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Biomaterials, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Biomaterials, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Biomaterials, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Biomaterials, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Biomaterials, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Biomaterials, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Division of Materials and Manufacturing Science, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Division of Materials and Manufacturing Science, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Division of Materials and Manufacturing Science, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Biomaterials, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Cadmium kn-keyword=Cadmium en-keyword=Bone deterioration kn-keyword=Bone deterioration en-keyword=Calcium phosphate kn-keyword=Calcium phosphate en-keyword=Bone quality kn-keyword=Bone quality END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=163 cd-vols= no-issue=22 article-no= start-page=224312 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=Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy of hydrogen fluoride dimers in solid parahydrogen en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=We investigate the Fourier-transform infrared spectra of hydrogen fluoride dimers in solid parahydrogen, the detailed analysis of which has remained unexplored. We propose a plausible analysis based on concentration dependence, light polarization, annealing, and time evolution. The absorption lines exhibited multiple peaks, with intensity ratios significantly altered by annealing and by time evolution at a constant temperature. The spectral patterns and isotopic effects suggest that the dimers do not rotate freely in solid parahydrogen, while multiple peaks arise from different stable structures, including single and double substitution sites. Unlike in the gas phase and helium droplets, no tunneling splitting was observed. The broad ν1 band suggests that some dimer structures may exhibit axial rotation. Spectral changes due to annealing likely result from site conversion, while observed IR-induced changes indicate preferential dissociation of dimers in double substitution sites. These findings still remain tentative, necessitating further experimental and theoretical studies. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MiyamotoYuki en-aut-sei=Miyamoto en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=OoeHiroki en-aut-sei=Ooe en-aut-mei=Hiroki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KumaSusumu en-aut-sei=Kuma en-aut-mei=Susumu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Physics, Rikkyo University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=8 cd-vols= no-issue=6 article-no= start-page=3541 end-page=3552 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250311 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Effects of Metal-Cation Doping on Photocatalytic H2 Evolution Activity of Layered Perovskite Oxynitride K2LaTa2O6N en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Aliovalent cation doping into a heterogeneous photocatalyst affects several of its physicochemical properties, including its morphological characteristics, optical absorption behavior, and charge carrier dynamics, causing a drastic change in its photocatalytic activity. In the present work, we investigated the effects of aliovalent cation doping on the visible-light H2-evolution photocatalytic activity of the Ruddlesden–Popper layered perovskite oxynitride K2LaTa2O6N. The photocatalytic activity toward H2 evolution from an aqueous NaI solution was found to be enhanced by an increase in the specific surface area of the K2LaTa2O6N photocatalyst, which could be realized upon doping with lower-valence cations (e.g., Mg2+, Al3+, and Ga3+). Among the dopants examined at 1 mol % doping, Ga resulted in the highest activity. The activity of the Ga-doped specimen was further improved with increasing Ga concentration, where the maximal activity was obtained at 10 mol %, corresponding to an apparent quantum yield of 2.7 ± 0.4% at 420 nm from aqueous methanol. This number is the highest reported for a layered oxynitride photocatalyst. In the Ga-doped K2LaTa2O6N, a trade-off was observed between the Ga concentration and the photocatalytic activity. Although doping with Ga reduced the particle size of K2LaTa2O6N and suppressed undesirable charge recombination, it led to an enlarged bandgap, unsuitable for visible-light absorption. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=TsuchikadoHideya en-aut-sei=Tsuchikado en-aut-mei=Hideya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=AnabukiShuji en-aut-sei=Anabuki en-aut-mei=Shuji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=CretuOvidiu en-aut-sei=Cretu en-aut-mei=Ovidiu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=KinoshitaYuki en-aut-sei=Kinoshita en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=HattoriMasashi en-aut-sei=Hattori en-aut-mei=Masashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShiromaYuta en-aut-sei=Shiroma en-aut-mei=Yuta kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=FanDongxiao en-aut-sei=Fan en-aut-mei=Dongxiao kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkazakiMegumi en-aut-sei=Okazaki en-aut-mei=Megumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=SomaTakuto en-aut-sei=Soma en-aut-mei=Takuto kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=IshiwariFumitaka en-aut-sei=Ishiwari en-aut-mei=Fumitaka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=NozawaShunsuke en-aut-sei=Nozawa en-aut-mei=Shunsuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=YokoiToshiyuki en-aut-sei=Yokoi en-aut-mei=Toshiyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=HaraMichikazu en-aut-sei=Hara en-aut-mei=Michikazu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= en-aut-name=KimotoKoji en-aut-sei=Kimoto en-aut-mei=Koji 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=SaekiAkinori en-aut-sei=Saeki en-aut-mei=Akinori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=16 ORCID= en-aut-name=MaedaKazuhiko en-aut-sei=Maeda en-aut-mei=Kazuhiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=17 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, School of Science, Institute of Science Tokyo kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Electron Microscopy Group, National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS) kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Chemical Science and Engineering, School of Materials and Chemical Technology, Institute of Science Tokyo kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Institute of Integrated Research, Institute of Science Tokyo kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, School of Science, Institute of Science Tokyo kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Institute of Materials Structure Science High Energy Accelerator Research Organization kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, School of Science, Institute of Science Tokyo kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Chemical Science and Engineering, School of Materials and Chemical Technology, Institute of Science Tokyo kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Institute of Materials Structure Science High Energy Accelerator Research Organization kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Institute of Integrated Research, Institute of Science Tokyo kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Institute of Integrated Research, Institute of Science Tokyo kn-affil= affil-num=14 en-affil=Electron Microscopy Group, National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS) 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, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University kn-affil= affil-num=17 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, School of Science, Institute of Science Tokyo kn-affil= en-keyword=artificial photosynthesis kn-keyword=artificial photosynthesis en-keyword=heterogeneous photocatalysis kn-keyword=heterogeneous photocatalysis en-keyword=mixed-anion compounds kn-keyword=mixed-anion compounds en-keyword=topochemical reaction kn-keyword=topochemical reaction en-keyword=visible light kn-keyword=visible light END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=90 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=104413 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20251215 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Species-specific sensitivity of marine phytoplankton to selected herbicides and antibiotics en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The toxicity of two herbicides (diuron and bromacil) and three antibiotics (clarithromycin, azithromycin, and clindamycin) was evaluated for on four marine phytoplankton species: two diatoms, Skeletonema costatum and Chaetoceros lorenzianus, a dinoflagellate, Prorocentrum shikokuense, and a raphidophyte, Heterosigma akashiwo. The 50 % effective concentrations (EC50-μ) for growth of the herbicides (approximately 2.3–24.3 μg L−1) were lower than those of the antibiotics, indicating their higher toxicity. The EC50-μ of diuron was close to its reported environmental concentrations. The EC50-μ values for the antibiotics substantially differed by species, ranging from 19.5 to > 1000 μg L−1, with diatoms showing higher sensitivity than flagellates. Herbicides inhibited the photosynthetic yield (φII) of all tested species at concentrations similar to or lower than those affecting growth, while antibiotics affected φII at higher concentrations. Under high-light conditions, photosynthesis in S. costatum was substantially inhibited by all chemicals except clindamycin, suggesting enhanced chemical toxicity under intense light. Overall, these findings indicate that these herbicides and antibiotics can alter phytoplankton abundance and composition in coastal areas and that environmental factors, such as increased solar radiation, can potentially enhance their toxicity. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=OharaShizuka en-aut-sei=Ohara en-aut-mei=Shizuka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=OndukaToshimitsu en-aut-sei=Onduka en-aut-mei=Toshimitsu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=UekiShoko en-aut-sei=Ueki en-aut-mei=Shoko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=NaruseShotaro en-aut-sei=Naruse en-aut-mei=Shotaro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=KoikeKazuhiko en-aut-sei=Koike en-aut-mei=Kazuhiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Integrated Science for Life, Hiroshima University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Hatsukaichi Field Station, Fisheries Technology Institute, Japan Fisheries Research and Education Agency kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Integrated Science for Life, Hiroshima University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Integrated Science for Life, Hiroshima University kn-affil= en-keyword=Herbicides kn-keyword=Herbicides en-keyword=Antibiotics kn-keyword=Antibiotics en-keyword=Growth rate kn-keyword=Growth rate en-keyword=Effective quantum yield kn-keyword=Effective quantum yield en-keyword=Non-photochemical quenching kn-keyword=Non-photochemical quenching en-keyword=High light kn-keyword=High light END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=26 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=166 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20251015 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=PEGylation of liposome-encapsulated midazolam does not improve the bioavailability of midazolam when administered orally en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background Liposomes are closed vesicles made of the same phospholipid bilayer as biological membranes and are capable of containing drugs, and so they have been investigated as useful drug carriers for drug delivery. We previously developed liposome-encapsulated midazolam (LE-midazolam) for oral administration, but midazolam is metabolized in the liver, and for clinical use the encapsulation of the liposomes needed to be improved to increase the bioavailability of midazolam. The surfaces of pharmaceutical liposomes are generally coated with polyethylene glycol (PEGylation) because it prevents their capture by phagocytes and helps them to avoid the reticuloendothelial system. Therefore, we considered that PEGylation could reduce the metabolism of orally administered encapsulated midazolam in the liver.
Methods Midazolam solution, LE-midazolam solution, and PEGylated liposome-encapsulated midazolam (PEG-LE-midazolam) solution were prepared, and the characteristics of the liposomes in these solutions were evaluated. Furthermore, these solutions were orally administered to rabbits, and the resultant plasma midazolam concentrations were measured. The effects of the PEGylation of LE-midazolam on the plasma concentration and bioavailability of orally administered midazolam were also evaluated.
Results The PEG-LE-midazolam solution contained a higher percentage of larger liposomes than the LE-midazolam solution. The area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) of the LE-midazolam solution was significantly higher than that of the midazolam solution, but there was no difference between the AUC values of the PEG-LE-midazolam and midazolam solutions.
Conclusions These findings suggest that liposome encapsulation may reduce the first-pass effect following oral administration, but PEGylation is not expected to improve the bioavailability of orally administered midazolam. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NishiokaYukiko en-aut-sei=Nishioka en-aut-mei=Yukiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=LuYanyin en-aut-sei=Lu en-aut-mei=Yanyin kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=HiguchiHitoshi en-aut-sei=Higuchi en-aut-mei=Hitoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyakeSaki en-aut-sei=Miyake en-aut-mei=Saki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujimotoMaki en-aut-sei=Fujimoto en-aut-mei=Maki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=Hamaoka-InoueMidori en-aut-sei=Hamaoka-Inoue en-aut-mei=Midori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=TanimuraHiroshi en-aut-sei=Tanimura en-aut-mei=Hiroshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=UjitaHitomi en-aut-sei=Ujita en-aut-mei=Hitomi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=MaedaShigeru en-aut-sei=Maeda en-aut-mei=Shigeru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyawakiTakuya en-aut-sei=Miyawaki en-aut-mei=Takuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Dental Anesthesiology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Dental Anesthesiology and Special Care Dentistry, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Dental Anesthesiology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Dental Anesthesiology and Special Care Dentistry, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Dental Anesthesiology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Dental Anesthesiology and Special Care Dentistry, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Dental Anesthesiology and Special Care Dentistry, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Dental Anesthesiology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Dental Anesthesiology and Special Care Dentistry, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Dental Anesthesiology and Special Care Dentistry, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=PEGylation kn-keyword=PEGylation en-keyword=Liposome kn-keyword=Liposome en-keyword=Midazolam kn-keyword=Midazolam en-keyword=Oral administration kn-keyword=Oral administration en-keyword=Bioavailability kn-keyword=Bioavailability END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=64 cd-vols= no-issue=6 article-no= start-page=104265 end-page= 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=Novel leukocytapheresis method using highly concentrated sodium citrate solution for the manufacturing of tisagenlecleucel en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=For the manufacturing of tisagenlecleucel (tisa-cel) requires the non-mobilized mononuclear cell collection (MNC). CD3+ cell collection is performed using the same protocol as autologous peripheral blood stem cell harvest (auto-PBSCH), but this procedure necessitates the same target CD3+ cell yields regardless of age or body weight, which may take several days especially in pediatric and small female patients with low white blood cell counts. We previously demonstrated a novel method using highly concentration sodium citrate (HSC), which reduced the need for an anticoagulant (AC) solution and shortened the procedure time in auto-PBSCH. This novel method was expected to offer advantages for smaller patients, prompting us to investigate its application in leukocytapheresis for the manufacturing of tisa-cel. We retrospectively analyzed consecutive leukocytapheresis data obtained using Spectra Optia continuous MNC mode between November 2022 and June 2024 at our institution (n = 9). In six of nine patients, pre-leukocytapheresis CD3+ cell counts were less than 500 /μL, but all could obtain the target CD3+ cell yields in one day upon processing blood volume adjustment. When we compared patients who had received CD3+ cell collection using normal-concentration sodium citrate (NSC) as our previously reported using propensity score-matched pair analysis, the total AC solution volume was significantly lower (1168 vs. 316 mL, p < 0.001) and procedure time was significantly shorter (254 vs. 228 min, p = 0.04) in the HSC group compared to the NSC group. In conclusion, this procedure was also useful for non-mobilized MNC. Our findings warrant validation in a larger patient cohort. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KitamuraWataru en-aut-sei=Kitamura en-aut-mei=Wataru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiiKeiko en-aut-sei=Fujii en-aut-mei=Keiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=AbeMasaya en-aut-sei=Abe en-aut-mei=Masaya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=IkeuchiKazuhiro en-aut-sei=Ikeuchi en-aut-mei=Kazuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=WashioKana en-aut-sei=Washio en-aut-mei=Kana kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=OtsukaFumio en-aut-sei=Otsuka en-aut-mei=Fumio kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 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=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiiNobuharu en-aut-sei=Fujii en-aut-mei=Nobuharu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Hematology and Oncology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Hematology and Oncology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Hematology and Oncology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Hematology and Oncology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Pediatrics, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Division of Clinical Laboratory, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Hematology and Oncology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Hematology and Oncology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= en-keyword=Chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy kn-keyword=Chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy en-keyword=Anticoagulant kn-keyword=Anticoagulant en-keyword=Acid citrate dextrose solution A kn-keyword=Acid citrate dextrose solution A en-keyword=Highly concentrated sodium citrate kn-keyword=Highly concentrated sodium citrate END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=65 cd-vols= no-issue=9 article-no= start-page=1662 end-page=1672 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250725 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Novel method for autologous peripheral blood stem cell harvest using highly concentrated sodium citrate solution replacing acid citrate dextrose solution A en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background: As the processed blood volume increases, a larger amount of anticoagulant (AC) is required, which leads to a serious issue of fluid dilution in large-volume leukocytapheresis (defined as ≥3-fold total blood volume). We previously reported a novel method for allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell harvest (PBSCH) using highly concentrated sodium citrate (HSC; 5.32%), which shortened the procedure time and reduced the need for an AC solution without heparin. In this study, we extended this novel method to autologous PBSCH (auto-PBSCH) and compared it with patients who received auto-PBSCH using normal concentrated sodium citrate (NSC; 2.2%).
Study Design and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed consecutive auto-PBSCH data obtained using the Spectra Optia continuous mononuclear cell collection mode between May 2017 and May 2025 at our institution.
Results: Leukocytapheresis was performed using NSC in 36 patients and HSC in 22. In the HSC group, patients tended to be younger, had significantly lower body weight, and had significantly fewer hematopoietic tumors as primary diseases compared to the NSC group. After propensity score-matched cohort adjusted for patient background, the total amount of AC solution was significantly lower (694 [range, 77–1648] vs. 298 mL [range, 64–797], p = .02), and procedure time was significantly shorter (224 [range, 117–395] vs. 181 min [range, 103–309], p = .048) in the HSC group. Furthermore, the loss rates of magnesium and potassium were lower in the HSC group.
Conclusion: This novel leukocytapheresis method demonstrated the efficacy and safety in auto-PBSCH, while minimizing the patient burden. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KitamuraWataru en-aut-sei=Kitamura en-aut-mei=Wataru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiiKeiko en-aut-sei=Fujii en-aut-mei=Keiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=AbeMasaya en-aut-sei=Abe en-aut-mei=Masaya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=IkeuchiKazuhiro en-aut-sei=Ikeuchi en-aut-mei=Kazuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShimonoJoji en-aut-sei=Shimono en-aut-mei=Joji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=WashioKana en-aut-sei=Washio en-aut-mei=Kana kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=OtsukaFumio en-aut-sei=Otsuka en-aut-mei=Fumio kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=MaedaYoshinobu en-aut-sei=Maeda en-aut-mei=Yoshinobu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiiNobuharu en-aut-sei=Fujii en-aut-mei=Nobuharu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Hematology and Oncology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Hematology and Oncology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Hematology and Oncology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Hematology and Oncology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Hematology and Oncology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Pediatrics, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Division of Clinical Laboratory, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Hematology and Oncology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Hematology and Oncology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= en-keyword=acid citrate dextrose solution A kn-keyword=acid citrate dextrose solution A en-keyword=anticoagulant kn-keyword=anticoagulant en-keyword=autologous kn-keyword=autologous en-keyword=highly concentrated sodium citrate kn-keyword=highly concentrated sodium citrate en-keyword=peripheral blood stem cell kn-keyword=peripheral blood stem cell END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=14 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=27481 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241111 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Association between proteinuria and mineral metabolism disorders in chronic kidney disease: the Japan chronic kidney disease database extension (J-CKD-DB-Ex) en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Chronic kidney disease-mineral and bone disorder (CKD-MBD) are recognized as a systemic disease affecting the prognosis of patients with CKD. Proper management of CKD-MBD is important to improve the prognosis of patients with CKD. Although proteinuria is recognized as a poor prognostic factor in these patients, few reports have examined its association with CKD-MBD. We examined the association between proteinuria and CKD-MBD using data from the Japan Chronic Kidney Disease Database Extension (J-CKD-DB-Ex). Among the patients registered in the J-CKD-DB-Ex, 30,977 with CKD stages G2–G5 who had serum creatinine, albumin, calcium, and phosphate concentrations measured at least once and urinalysis performed were included. The patients were divided into four groups (negative, 1+, 2+, and 3+) according to the degree of proteinuria. The association between proteinuria and CKD-MBD was examined by a logistic regression analysis. In a model adjusted for age, sex, diabetes, and the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), the odds ratio of the 3 + group compared with the negative group significantly increased to 2.67 (95% confidence interval, 2.29–3.13) for hyperphosphatemia, 2.68 (1.94–3.71) for hypocalcemia, and 1.56 (1.24–1.98) for hypomagnesemia. Proteinuria is associated with hyperphosphatemia, hypocalcemia, and hypomagnesemia in patients with CKD independently of eGFR. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=ShimamotoSho en-aut-sei=Shimamoto en-aut-mei=Sho kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakaharaTakako en-aut-sei=Nakahara en-aut-mei=Takako kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamadaShunsuke en-aut-sei=Yamada en-aut-mei=Shunsuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=NagasuHajime en-aut-sei=Nagasu en-aut-mei=Hajime kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=KishiSeiji en-aut-sei=Kishi en-aut-mei=Seiji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakashimaNaoki en-aut-sei=Nakashima en-aut-mei=Naoki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=TsuruyaKazuhiko en-aut-sei=Tsuruya en-aut-mei=Kazuhiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkadaHirokazu en-aut-sei=Okada en-aut-mei=Hirokazu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=TamuraKouichi en-aut-sei=Tamura en-aut-mei=Kouichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 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=10 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=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=YanoYuichiro en-aut-sei=Yano en-aut-mei=Yuichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=YokooTakashi en-aut-sei=Yokoo en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 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=14 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=15 ORCID= en-aut-name=KandaEiichiro en-aut-sei=Kanda en-aut-mei=Eiichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=16 ORCID= en-aut-name=KataokaHiromi en-aut-sei=Kataoka en-aut-mei=Hiromi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=17 ORCID= en-aut-name=NangakuMasaomi en-aut-sei=Nangaku en-aut-mei=Masaomi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=18 ORCID= en-aut-name=KashiharaNaoki en-aut-sei=Kashihara en-aut-mei=Naoki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=19 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakanoToshiaki en-aut-sei=Nakano en-aut-mei=Toshiaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=20 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Medicine and Clinical Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Medical Technology, Faculty of Health Science and Technology, Kawasaki University of Medical Welfare kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Medicine and Clinical Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Nephrology and Hypertension, Kawasaki Medical School kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Nephrology and Hypertension, Kawasaki Medical School kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Medical Informatics, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyushu University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Nephrology, Nara Medical University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Nephrology, Faculty of Medicine, Saitama Medical University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Medical Science and Cardiorenal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama City University kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Division of Clinical Nephrology and Rheumatology, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Nephrology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Division of Kidney and Hypertension, Department of Internal Medicine, Jikei University School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=14 en-affil=Department of Nephrology and Rheumatology, Kanazawa University kn-affil= affil-num=15 en-affil=Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=16 en-affil=Department of Health Data Science, Kawasaki Medical School kn-affil= affil-num=17 en-affil=Department of Medical Technology, Faculty of Health Science and Technology, Kawasaki University of Medical Welfare kn-affil= affil-num=18 en-affil=Division of Nephrology and Endocrinology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=19 en-affil=Department of Nephrology and Hypertension, Kawasaki Medical School kn-affil= affil-num=20 en-affil=Department of Medicine and Clinical Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University kn-affil= en-keyword=CKD-MBD kn-keyword=CKD-MBD en-keyword=Proteinuria kn-keyword=Proteinuria en-keyword=Hyperphosphatemia kn-keyword=Hyperphosphatemia en-keyword=Hypocalcemia kn-keyword=Hypocalcemia en-keyword=Hypomagnesemia kn-keyword=Hypomagnesemia en-keyword=J-CKD-DB-Ex kn-keyword=J-CKD-DB-Ex END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=17 cd-vols= no-issue=11 article-no= start-page=1446 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20251109 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Development of Propofol-Encapsulated Liposomes and the Effect of Intranasal Administration on Bioavailability in Rabbits en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background/Objectives: Propofol is frequently used as an intravenous anesthetic and is rapidly metabolized. Therefore, if it could be administered non-invasively (e.g., orally) as premedication, it might hasten emergence from anesthesia, thereby improving patient safety. However, it undergoes extensive first-pass metabolism in the liver and intestines, limiting the route for premedication. We evaluated whether intranasal delivery of a propofol-encapsulated liposome solution improves systemic exposure and bioavailability in rabbits. Methods: A propofol-encapsulated liposome solution was administered to rabbits via the intravenous, oral, and intranasal routes. Blood propofol concentrations were measured for up to 60 min after administration and the area under the concentration–time curve (AUC0–60) and bioavailability of the propofol-encapsulated liposome solution were compared with those of the non-encapsulated propofol formulation. The differences were tested by two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Šidák’s post hoc multiple-comparisons test and the Mann–Whitney test (α = 0.05). Results: The AUC0–60 for blood propofol concentrations after intravenous administration was significantly higher with the propofol-encapsulated liposome solution than with the non-encapsulated propofol formulation (3038.8 ± 661.5 vs. 1929.8 ± 58.2 ng·min/mL; p = 0.0286). By contrast, no increase in blood propofol concentrations was observed after oral administration, whereas intranasal administration increased blood propofol concentrations and yielded significantly higher bioavailability compared with the non-encapsulated propofol formulation (16.4 ± 7.3% vs. 2.0 ± 1.2%; p = 0.0286). Conclusions: The findings of the present study suggest that intranasal liposomal propofol increased systemic availability compared with a non-encapsulated formulation, supporting further evaluation as a candidate premedication approach for propofol. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=UjitaHitomi en-aut-sei=Ujita en-aut-mei=Hitomi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=HiguchiHitoshi en-aut-sei=Higuchi en-aut-mei=Hitoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishiokaYukiko en-aut-sei=Nishioka en-aut-mei=Yukiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyakeSaki en-aut-sei=Miyake en-aut-mei=Saki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=SatoRiko en-aut-sei=Sato en-aut-mei=Riko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyawakiTakuya en-aut-sei=Miyawaki en-aut-mei=Takuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Dental Anesthesiology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Dental Anesthesiology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Dental Anesthesiology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Dental Anesthesiology and Special Care Dentistry, Okayama University Graduate of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Dental Anesthesiology and Special Care Dentistry, Okayama University Graduate of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Dental Anesthesiology and Special Care Dentistry, Okayama University Graduate of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=liposome kn-keyword=liposome en-keyword=propofol kn-keyword=propofol en-keyword=bioavailability kn-keyword=bioavailability en-keyword=intranasal administration kn-keyword=intranasal administration END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol= cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page= end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250909 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Current Status of Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy in Japanese Intensive Care Units: A Multicenter Retrospective Observational Study en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Introduction: Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) is often performed for critically ill patients in intensive care units (ICUs), but its optimal indication and settings have yet to be determined. Thus, we aimed to describe the current status of CRRT in Japan through a multicenter retrospective observational study. Methods: Adult ICU patients receiving CRRT at 18 tertiary hospitals in Japan (up to 100 patients from each hospital over the past year) were retrospectively enrolled. Patients receiving CRRT for <24 h or intermittent renal replacement therapy together with CRRT were excluded. The primary outcomes were the temporal changes in the electrolyte levels, acid-base balance, and uremia-related small solute concentrations. The secondary outcomes included potassium (K) and phosphate (P) supplementations during CRRT. Results: Altogether, 1,045 patients were enrolled. The median CRRT duration and dose were 4.4 days and 17.3 mL/kg/h, respectively. The electrolyte levels, acid-base balance, and uremia-related small solute concentrations returned to normal by day 4 of treatment. A total of 732 (70.0%) patients received K supplementation, and only a few patients had hypokalemia until day 5. Moreover, 414 (39.6%) patients received P supplementation, and approximately 30%–50% of the patients had hypophosphatemia until day 5. Conclusion: The CRRT dose in Japan was lower than that was recommended by the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes guideline. The electrolyte level abnormalities and acid-base imbalances of the studied patients were improved within 72–96 h of CRRT. Contrarily, K and P supplementations were common, indicating that the current CRRT solutions need to be modified. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NakanoHidehiko en-aut-sei=Nakano en-aut-mei=Hidehiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=InokuchiRyota en-aut-sei=Inokuchi en-aut-mei=Ryota kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=InoueYutaro en-aut-sei=Inoue en-aut-mei=Yutaro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=SekinoMotohiro en-aut-sei=Sekino en-aut-mei=Motohiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=KakihanaYasuyuki en-aut-sei=Kakihana en-aut-mei=Yasuyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=HattoriNoriyuki en-aut-sei=Hattori en-aut-mei=Noriyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyazakiMariko en-aut-sei=Miyazaki en-aut-mei=Mariko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=TokuhiraNatsuko en-aut-sei=Tokuhira en-aut-mei=Natsuko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujitaniShigeki en-aut-sei=Fujitani en-aut-mei=Shigeki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 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=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=OhchiYoshifumi en-aut-sei=Ohchi en-aut-mei=Yoshifumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=MorimatsuHiroshi en-aut-sei=Morimatsu en-aut-mei=Hiroshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=IchibaShingo en-aut-sei=Ichiba en-aut-mei=Shingo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= en-aut-name=MasudaYoshiki en-aut-sei=Masuda en-aut-mei=Yoshiki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=14 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishidaOsamu en-aut-sei=Nishida en-aut-mei=Osamu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=15 ORCID= en-aut-name=AbeTakaya en-aut-sei=Abe en-aut-mei=Takaya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=16 ORCID= en-aut-name=MoriguchiTakeshi en-aut-sei=Moriguchi en-aut-mei=Takeshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=17 ORCID= en-aut-name=SatohKasumi en-aut-sei=Satoh en-aut-mei=Kasumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=18 ORCID= en-aut-name=IdeiMasafumi en-aut-sei=Idei en-aut-mei=Masafumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=19 ORCID= en-aut-name=NagataHiromasa en-aut-sei=Nagata en-aut-mei=Hiromasa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=20 ORCID= en-aut-name=DoiKent en-aut-sei=Doi en-aut-mei=Kent kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=21 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, The University of Tokyo Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, The University of Tokyo Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, The University of Tokyo Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Emergency and Intensive Care Medicine, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Nephrology, Tohoku University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Intensive Care, Osaka University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, St. Marianna University School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Kawasaki Medical School kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Oita University Faculty of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Department of Anesthesiology and Resuscitology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Tokyo Women’s Medical University kn-affil= affil-num=14 en-affil=Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=15 en-affil=Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, School of Medicine, Fujita Health University kn-affil= affil-num=16 en-affil=Department of Urology, Iwate Medical University kn-affil= affil-num=17 en-affil=Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, University of Yamanashi Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=18 en-affil=Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Akita University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=19 en-affil=Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Yokohama City University kn-affil= affil-num=20 en-affil=Department of Anesthesiology, Keio University School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=21 en-affil=Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, The University of Tokyo Hospital kn-affil= en-keyword=Acute kidney injury kn-keyword=Acute kidney injury en-keyword=Renal failure kn-keyword=Renal failure en-keyword=Continuous renal replacement therapy kn-keyword=Continuous renal replacement therapy en-keyword=Electrolytes kn-keyword=Electrolytes END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=23 cd-vols= no-issue=5 article-no= start-page=234 end-page=249 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=Biochar-amended Sediment Microbial Fuel Cells for Water Quality Improvement in Intensive and Extensive Pond Drainages in Central Vietnam en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The use of nutrient-rich feed in shrimp farming in Central Vietnam has led to high nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) contents in the pond sediment. The objectives of the study were to assess the effectiveness of biochar-sediment microbial fuel cells (BC-SMFCs) in suppressing P and N release from two types of sediment in intensive (Int) and extensive (Ext) pond drainages in Central Vietnam. Single chamber SMFCs were set up and operated under open or closed-circuit (no SMFC or SMFC) conditions. Coconut shell biochar (BC) was amended to sediments at 1%. For Int-sediment, total phosphorus (TP) release was reduced by no BC-SMFCs through co-precipitation with Fe. On the other hand, BC-SMFCs did not suppress TP release because P was released from BC and organic matter decomposition was enhanced in the sediment. Application of BC enhanced organic N mineralization in the sediment. Nitrification and denitrification occurred in the overlying water, reducing mineral N concentrations. For Ext-sediment, BC addition and SMFC conditions did not affect TP and total nitrogen (TN) release because of low initial organic matter content, and less reductive condition. Our study suggested that the effect of SMFCs was masked by BC which released more P from Int-sediment to the water. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NguyenUyen Tu en-aut-sei=Nguyen en-aut-mei=Uyen Tu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MaedaMorihiro en-aut-sei=Maeda en-aut-mei=Morihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=SomuraHiroaki en-aut-sei=Somura en-aut-mei=Hiroaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakaharaNozomi en-aut-sei=Nakahara en-aut-mei=Nozomi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=PereraGamamada Liyanage Erandi Priyangika en-aut-sei=Perera en-aut-mei=Gamamada Liyanage Erandi Priyangika kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakanoChiyu en-aut-sei=Nakano en-aut-mei=Chiyu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=LeHuu Tien en-aut-sei=Le en-aut-mei=Huu Tien kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 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=8 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=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 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=Department of Education, Science and Technology Quang Tri Branch, Hue University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=biochar kn-keyword=biochar en-keyword=Central Vietnam kn-keyword=Central Vietnam en-keyword=electricity generation kn-keyword=electricity generation en-keyword=redox potential kn-keyword=redox potential en-keyword=shrimp farming kn-keyword=shrimp farming END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=36 cd-vols= no-issue=10 article-no= start-page=105028 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=202510 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Evaluating the effects of electrolytes on the interaction forces between alumina surfaces in polyacrylic acid solutions using atomic force microscopy en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Evaluation and control of ceramic slurry at the microscopic level are critical to ensure consistent quality in manufactured ceramics. Notably, metal ions such as Mg2+ and Al3+ are common in ceramic slurries and significantly influence the stability of particle. This study applied atomic force microscopy to investigate the interaction forces between alumina particle surfaces in the presence of different concentrations of three metal ions and polyacrylic acid (PAA), a widely used dispersant.
The attractive forces observed at low PAA concentrations were attributed to polymer bridging between alumina surfaces, whereas the repulsive forces observed at high PAA concentrations were attributed to the domination of steric repulsion between adsorbed PAA molecules. The presence of multivalent metal ions, such as Mg2+ and Al3+, modulated these interactions; an increasing ion valence induced a transition from repulsive to attractive force, primarily owing to electrostatic screening, which caused conformational collapse of the PAA chains and diminished the range of steric repulsion. Similarly, increasing the concentration of these metal ions decreased the range of repulsive forces, eventually resulting in a net attraction driven by the same electrostatic and polymer conformation mechanisms. Notably, the addition of 0.1 M AlCl3 produced an anomalous long-range attraction between surfaces that could not be explained by conventional mechanisms, such as polymer bridging or electrostatic interactions between charge domains. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KishimotoNaoto en-aut-sei=Kishimoto en-aut-mei=Naoto kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KajiRyota en-aut-sei=Kaji en-aut-mei=Ryota kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=TsuchiyaKatsumi en-aut-sei=Tsuchiya en-aut-mei=Katsumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 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=4 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=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Faculty of Science and Engineering, Doshisha University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Faculty of Science and Engineering, Doshisha University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Faculty of Science and Engineering, Doshisha University kn-affil= en-keyword=Interaction force kn-keyword=Interaction force en-keyword=Alumina surface kn-keyword=Alumina surface en-keyword=Anionic polyelectrolyte kn-keyword=Anionic polyelectrolyte en-keyword=Coexisting electrolyte kn-keyword=Coexisting electrolyte en-keyword=Atomic force microscopy kn-keyword=Atomic force microscopy END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=108 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=104508 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=202506 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Introduction to the “Japanese and Western approaches to psychotrauma” symposium en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Understandings of psychotrauma have changed throughout medical history, shaped by cultural and social factors. Reviewing transcultural perspectives of psychotrauma helps understand its complexities and contextual impacts. This paper summarizes the Japan–Netherlands symposium on psychotrauma held on March 1, 2024. Despite experiencing psychological trauma from World War II and numerous natural disasters, Japan did not actively research post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) for nearly 50 years after the war. The Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake and the Tokyo subway Sarin gas attack (1995) popularized the term PTSD in Japan and triggered related research. The absence of psychotrauma research in Japan may reflect a form of state-level PTSD, characterized by avoidance. Japan’s collectivist culture, stigma against seeking psychological help, view of patience as a virtue, survivor guilt, and moral injury were potential related factors. Additionally, sociocultural factors (e.g., insufficient collective grieving and focusing on post-war reconstruction) were discussed as potential hinderances to discussing war experiences. From a European perspective, we examined how “Konzentrationslager” (KZ) syndrome, a trauma-related disorder, evolved independently into diverse conceptual frameworks, ultimately contributing to the acceptance of PTSD following its introduction in 1980. Beyond state compensation for concentration camp survivors, advocacy by feminist movements and veterans' groups increased awareness of psychotrauma across Europe, fostering scholarly research and public discourse. Both PTSD and KZ syndromes are diagnostic categories shaped by specific historical and cultural contexts and should not be regarded as simple, universally applicable medical conditions. They reflect how trauma is interpreted and responded to differently depending on cultural, political, and historical factors. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NagamineMasanori en-aut-sei=Nagamine en-aut-mei=Masanori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakaoTomoyo en-aut-sei=Nakao en-aut-mei=Tomoyo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=van BergenLeo en-aut-sei=van Bergen en-aut-mei=Leo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShigemuraJun en-aut-sei=Shigemura en-aut-mei=Jun kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=SaitoTaku en-aut-sei=Saito en-aut-mei=Taku kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=van der DoesFlorentine H.S. en-aut-sei=van der Does en-aut-mei=Florentine H.S. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=KitanoMasato en-aut-sei=Kitano en-aut-mei=Masato kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=GiltayErik J. en-aut-sei=Giltay en-aut-mei=Erik J. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=van der WeeNic J. en-aut-sei=van der Wee en-aut-mei=Nic J. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=VermettenEric en-aut-sei=Vermetten en-aut-mei=Eric kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Division of Behavioral Science, National Defense Medical College Research Institute kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Freelance Medical Historian kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Faculty of Health Sciences, Mejiro University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Division of Behavioral Science, National Defense Medical College Research Institute kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Psychiatry, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC) kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Division of Behavioral Science, National Defense Medical College Research Institute kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Psychiatry, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC) kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Psychiatry, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC) kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Psychiatry, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC) kn-affil= en-keyword=Psychotrauma kn-keyword=Psychotrauma en-keyword=World War II kn-keyword=World War II en-keyword=Japan kn-keyword=Japan en-keyword=Europe kn-keyword=Europe en-keyword=KZ syndrome kn-keyword=KZ syndrome en-keyword=Post-traumatic stress disorder kn-keyword=Post-traumatic stress disorder END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=79 cd-vols= no-issue=5 article-no= start-page=381 end-page=385 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=202510 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Immunoglobulin G4-related Disease Mimicking Portal Vein Tumor Thrombus en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=We report the case of a 72-year-old Japanese man with an incidental portal vein mass that was surgically resected and diagnosed as immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4)-related disease. The mass was discovered during an atrial fibrillation examination. The patient had a history of gastric cancer and was also diagnosed with rectal cancer, raising concerns about metastasis. Due to technical challenges, a biopsy was not feasible. Imaging findings suggested portal vein tumor thrombosis, complicating the diagnosis. This case highlights a rare presentation of IgG4-related disease mimicking portal vein tumor thrombus. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=SakuraiAtsunobu en-aut-sei=Sakurai en-aut-mei=Atsunobu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=YabukiTakayuki en-aut-sei=Yabuki en-aut-mei=Takayuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=AokiHideki en-aut-sei=Aoki en-aut-mei=Hideki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=IsekiAkiko en-aut-sei=Iseki en-aut-mei=Akiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Radiology, NHO Iwakuni Clinical Center kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Radiology, NHO Iwakuni Clinical Center kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, NHO Iwakuni Clinical Center kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Pathology, NHO Iwakuni Clinical Center kn-affil= en-keyword=immunoglobulin G4-related disease kn-keyword=immunoglobulin G4-related disease en-keyword=inflammatory pseudotumor kn-keyword=inflammatory pseudotumor en-keyword=mass kn-keyword=mass en-keyword=portal vein kn-keyword=portal vein en-keyword=pericarditis kn-keyword=pericarditis END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=16 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page= end-page= 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=The response to thermospermine is fine-tuned by the balance between SAC51 and LHW family proteins in Arabidopsis thaliana en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Thermospermine negatively regulates xylem formation. In Arabidopsis, SAC51 and SACL3, members of the SAC51 gene family encoding basic loop-helix-loop (bHLH) proteins play a key role in this regulation. These mRNAs contain an upstream open-reading-frame (uORF) that is highly conserved across species, and its inhibitory effect on the main ORF translation is alleviated by thermospermine. A double knockout of SAC51 and SACL3 results in thermospermine insensitivity at high concentrations that normally inhibit xylem formation and shoot growth in the wild type. Conversely, uORF mutants of SAC51, SACL3, and SACL1 suppress the excessive xylem formation and dwarf phenotype of acl5, a mutant defective in thermospermine biosynthesis. In this study, we generated genome-edited uORF mutants of SACL2 and confirmed that they partially recover the acl5 phenotype. All uORF mutants exhibited increased sensitivity to thermospermine. SACL3 represses the function of LHW, a key bHLH transcription factor required for xylem proliferation, through direct interaction. We found that the lhw mutant is also hypersensitive to thermospermine, while this sensitivity was suppressed by the sac51 sacl3 double knockout. Yeast two-hybrid assays demonstrated that all four SAC51 family members interact with LHW and its family members. These findings suggest that overaccumulation of SAC51 family proteins leads to thermospermine hypersensitivity by repressing the function of LHW family proteins, whose activity must be fine-tuned to ensure proper xylem development. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=XuYao en-aut-sei=Xu en-aut-mei=Yao kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 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=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=ToyoshimaTomohiko en-aut-sei=Toyoshima en-aut-mei=Tomohiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=MotoseHiroyasu en-aut-sei=Motose en-aut-mei=Hiroyasu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 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=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=Arabidopsis thaliana kn-keyword=Arabidopsis thaliana en-keyword=LHW family kn-keyword=LHW family en-keyword=SAC51 family kn-keyword=SAC51 family en-keyword=thermospermine kn-keyword=thermospermine en-keyword=xylem kn-keyword=xylem END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=76 cd-vols= no-issue=9 article-no= start-page=4815 end-page=4837 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=202511 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Spatiotemporal evolution of ecosystem carbon storage under land use/land cover dynamics in the coastal region of Central Vietnam en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Ecosystem carbon storage is a cost-effective strategy for global climate change mitigation, and its fluctuation is markedly shaped by land use/land cover (LULC) dynamics. Taking Danang city as an example of Central Coastal Vietnam, this study aims to assess LULC changes and analyze the spatiotemporal evolution of carbon storage from 2023 to 2050 under four LULC change scenarios, including natural trend scenario (NTS), ecological protection scenario (EPS), economic development scenario (EDS), and cropland protection scenario (CPS), by integrating the support vector machine-cellular automata-Markov (SVM-CA-Markov) model and the InVEST model. The Optimal Parameters-based Geographical Detector (OPGD) model was subsequently employed to elucidate the impacts of driving factors on the spatial distribution of carbon storage. The results showed that, from 2007 to 2023, Danang city experienced a dramatic back-and-forth transformation between LULC types, with the predominant transitions being from natural forest to acacia tree-dominated plantation forest (6492.31 ha), and from cropland to settlements, acacia tree-dominated plantation forest, and other land (5483.05 ha, 3763.66 ha, 2762.35 ha, respectively). Between 2023 and 2050, LULC transformations in Danang city are projected to yield varying degrees of carbon storage levels across different scenarios. Specifically, carbon storage is anticipated to dwindle by 0.221 Mt, 0.223 Mt, and 0.298 Mt under NTS, EDS, and CPS, respectively, while enhancing by 0.141 Mt under EPS. Regarding the spatial distribution of carbon storage, high values will be chiefly found in the western high-elevation mountainous region, while low values will be concentrated mostly in the eastern lower-lying areas of the city. Additionally, elevation and temperature acted as the two most significant driving factors influencing the spatial distribution of carbon storage, with Q values of 0.88 and 0.86 (p-value < 0.05), respectively. For interaction detection, the combination of elevation and soil exhibited a synergistic reinforcement effect on the spatial partitioning of carbon storage, with a high Q value of 0.9566 (p-value < 0.05). Our study highlights the necessity of ecological conservation measures in Danang city in the on-track pursuit of national net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=HoViet Hoang en-aut-sei=Ho en-aut-mei=Viet Hoang kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MoritaHidenori en-aut-sei=Morita en-aut-mei=Hidenori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=HoThanh Ha en-aut-sei=Ho en-aut-mei=Thanh Ha kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=BachoferFelix en-aut-sei=Bachofer en-aut-mei=Felix kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 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=University of Agriculture and Forestry, Hue University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=German Aerospace Center (DLR), Earth Observation Center kn-affil= en-keyword=Carbon sequestration kn-keyword=Carbon sequestration en-keyword=Scenario-based modeling kn-keyword=Scenario-based modeling en-keyword=Remote sensing kn-keyword=Remote sensing en-keyword=Spatial autocorrelation analysis kn-keyword=Spatial autocorrelation analysis END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=19 cd-vols= no-issue=5 article-no= start-page=939 end-page=948 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250905 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Study on an Effective Coolant Supply Method in the Side Plunge Grinding Process en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Grinding is widely used for finishing components with journal and thrust surfaces, such as crankshafts. Side-plunge grinding enables the simultaneous finishing of thrust and cylindrical surfaces in a single plunge. However, compared to cylindrical grinding, it involves a larger contact area between the grinding wheel and the workpiece, leading to increased heat generation. In particular, poor coolant penetration near internal corners can degrade surface quality, potentially causing stress concentrations and cracks. To enhance coolant effectiveness in side-plunge grinding, this study installs a high-pressure nozzle that supplies coolant from the side of the grinding wheel. The effectiveness of this setup is experimentally verified. Additionally, the distribution of coolant flow within the contact area between the grinding wheel and the workpiece is measured to determine the optimal nozzle position for efficient coolant delivery. The nozzle’s performance is evaluated by measuring the workpiece surface temperature using a wire/workpiece thermocouple, the amount of coolant discharged from the grinding wheel, and the residual stress distribution. The results show that coolant penetrates the grinding wheel and effectively reaches the grinding zone, enhancing the cooling effect. This study clarifies the relationship between effective coolant supply and the position of the side nozzle. Considering physical constraints, such as potential interference during grinding, the optimal nozzle location is as close as possible to both the edge of the grinding wheel and the workpiece. This positioning ensures maximum coolant delivery, reduces grinding temperature, and helps suppress drastic variations in residual stress. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=GaoLingxiao en-aut-sei=Gao en-aut-mei=Lingxiao kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujimotoTaichi en-aut-sei=Fujimoto en-aut-mei=Taichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KodamaHiroyuki en-aut-sei=Kodama en-aut-mei=Hiroyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 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=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=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= en-keyword=grinding kn-keyword=grinding en-keyword=thrust surface kn-keyword=thrust surface en-keyword=grinding temperature kn-keyword=grinding temperature en-keyword=coolant flow kn-keyword=coolant flow en-keyword=residual stress kn-keyword=residual stress END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=25 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=1333 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250816 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Phosphorylated pullulan as a local drug delivery matrix for cationic antibacterial chemicals to prevent oral biofilm en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background Preventing oral infections, such as oral caries and periodontal disease, helps reduce the risks of various systemic diseases. In this study, the polysaccharide pullulan produced by the black yeast Aureobasidium pullulans was modified in combination with the cationic surfactant cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) to create a local drug delivery system, and its antibacterial potential on oral bacteria was examined in vitro.
Methods Pullulan was phosphorylated at the CH2OH residue of α6 in the maltotriose structure and mixed with CPC. Bacterial attachment of cariogenic Streptococcus mutans on hydroxyapatite plates (HAPs) treated with the phosphorylated pullulan (PP) and CPC compound (0.01% PP and 0.001– 0.03% CPC, and vice versa) was assessed by observing bacteria using a field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) and quantified through 16 S rRNA amplification via real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Additionally, the quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) method was employed to evaluate the sustained release of CPC.
Results PP-CPC compound maintained significant bactericidal activity even at 0.01%, which is one-fifth of the conventional applicable concentration of CPC. Additionally, a residual mixture was detected by the hydroxyapatite sensor of the crystal oscillator microbalance detector, suggesting an unknown molecular interaction that enables the sustained release of CPC after attachment to hydroxyapatite.
Conclusions The combination of PP and CPC may contribute to the low concentration and effective prevention of oral infections, such as dental caries. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=Namba-KoideNaoko en-aut-sei=Namba-Koide en-aut-mei=Naoko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=YoshidaYasuhiro en-aut-sei=Yoshida en-aut-mei=Yasuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 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=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkiharaTakumi en-aut-sei=Okihara en-aut-mei=Takumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=KawataYusuke en-aut-sei=Kawata en-aut-mei=Yusuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=ItoMasahiro en-aut-sei=Ito en-aut-mei=Masahiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=ItoTakashi en-aut-sei=Ito en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=Takeuchi-HatanakaKazu en-aut-sei=Takeuchi-Hatanaka en-aut-mei=Kazu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=Shinoda-ItoYuki en-aut-sei=Shinoda-Ito en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=OmoriKazuhiro en-aut-sei=Omori en-aut-mei=Kazuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamamotoTadashi en-aut-sei=Yamamoto en-aut-mei=Tadashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakashibaShogo en-aut-sei=Takashiba en-aut-mei=Shogo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Periodontics and Endodontics, Division of Dentistry, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Biomaterials and Bioengineering, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Hokkaido University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Advanced Research Center for Oral and Craniofacial Sciences, Okayama University Dental School kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Division of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Periodontics and Endodontics, Division of Dentistry, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Periodontics and Endodontics, Division of Dentistry, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Center for Innovative Clinical Medicine, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Periodontics and Endodontics, Division of Dentistry, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Pathophysiology - Periodontal Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Pathophysiology - Periodontal Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Pathophysiology - Periodontal Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Department of Pathophysiology - Periodontal Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Phosphorylated Pullulan kn-keyword=Phosphorylated Pullulan en-keyword=Local drug delivery system kn-keyword=Local drug delivery system en-keyword=Cationic antimicrobial agents kn-keyword=Cationic antimicrobial agents en-keyword=Cetylpyridinium chloride kn-keyword=Cetylpyridinium chloride en-keyword=Oral biofilm kn-keyword=Oral biofilm END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=142 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=104967 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=202506 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Cross-feeding between beneficial and pathogenic bacteria to utilize eukaryotic host cell-derived sialic acids and bacteriophages shape the pathogen-host interface milieu en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Under an inflamed-intestinal milieu, increased free sialic acids are associated with the overgrowth of some pathogenic bacterial strains. Recently, the protective immunomodulatory activity of gut bacteriophages (phages) has also been highlighted. However, the role of phages in triple reciprocal interactions between pathogenic bacteria, beneficial bacteria, and their host cell sialic acids has not been studied so far. We established a sialidase-explicit model in which beneficial and pathogenic bacteria interact through cross-feeding and competition for free sialic acid using a human triple co-culture cell model incorporating colonocytes (T84 cells), monocytes (THP-1 cells), and hepatocytes (Huh7 cells). Triple co-cultured cells were challenged with Gram-positive Bifidobacterium bifidum (B. bifidum) and Gram-negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 (P. a PAO1) in the absence or presence of its KPP22 phage in two different cell culture mediums: 1) standard Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM) and 2) DMEM with 2,3-dehydro-2-deoxy-N-acetylneuraminic acid (DANA). Changes in physiological, functional, and structural health markers of stimulated cocultured cells were evaluated. The concentrations of sialic acid and pro-inflammatory cytokines in the cell culture supernatants were quantified. P. a PAO1 triggered the release of interleukin 6 and 8 (IL-6 and IL-8), accompanied by increased levels of free sialic acid, reduced viability of co-cultured cells, and disrupted the integrity of the cellular monolayer. These disruptive effects were markedly attenuated by KPP22 phage and B. bifidum. In addition to well-documented differences in the structure and composition of the bacterial cell walls of Gram-negative pathogenic bacteria and bifidobacteria, two distinct factors seem to be pivotal in modulating the pathogen-host interface milieu: (i) the presence of phages and (ii) the utilization of free sialic acids secreted from host cells by bifidobacteria. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=GhadimiDarab en-aut-sei=Ghadimi en-aut-mei=Darab kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=Fölster-HolstRegina en-aut-sei=Fölster-Holst en-aut-mei=Regina kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=BlömerSophia en-aut-sei=Blömer en-aut-mei=Sophia kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=EbsenMichael en-aut-sei=Ebsen en-aut-mei=Michael kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=RöckenChristoph en-aut-sei=Röcken en-aut-mei=Christoph 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=MatsuzakiShigenobu en-aut-sei=Matsuzaki en-aut-mei=Shigenobu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=BockelmannWilhelm en-aut-sei=Bockelmann en-aut-mei=Wilhelm kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Max Rubner-Institut kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Clinic of Dermatology, Venerology und Allergology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Clinic of Dermatology, Venerology und Allergology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Städtisches MVZ Kiel GmbH (Kiel City Hospital), Department of Pathology kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Institute of Pathology, Kiel University, University Hospital, Schleswig-Holstein kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Bacteriology, Graduate School of Medicine Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, Kochi Gakuen University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Max Rubner-Institut kn-affil= en-keyword=Bacterial sialidase kn-keyword=Bacterial sialidase en-keyword=Inflammation kn-keyword=Inflammation en-keyword=Cytokines kn-keyword=Cytokines en-keyword=Infection kn-keyword=Infection en-keyword=Bifidobacteria kn-keyword=Bifidobacteria en-keyword=Phages kn-keyword=Phages END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=23 cd-vols= no-issue=5 article-no= start-page=209 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250514 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Novel Anti-MRSA Peptide from Mangrove-Derived Virgibacillus chiguensis FN33 Supported by Genomics and Molecular Dynamics en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global health threat, with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) being one of the major resistant pathogens. This study reports the isolation of a novel mangrove-derived bacterium, Virgibacillus chiguensis FN33, as identified through genome analysis and the discovery of a new anionic antimicrobial peptide (AMP) exhibiting anti-MRSA activity. The AMP was composed of 23 amino acids, which were elucidated as NH3-Glu-Gly-Gly-Cys-Gly-Val-Asp-Thr-Trp-Gly-Cys-Leu-Thr-Pro-Cys-His-Cys-Asp-Leu-Phe-Cys-Thr-Thr-COOH. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) for MRSA were 8 µg/mL and 16 µg/mL, respectively. FN33 AMP induced cell membrane permeabilization, suggesting a membrane-disrupting mechanism. The AMP remained stable at 30–40 °C but lost activity at higher temperatures and following exposure to proteases, surfactants, and extreme pH. All-atom molecular dynamics simulations showed that the AMP adopts a β-sheet structure upon membrane interaction. These findings suggest that Virgibacillus chiguensis FN33 is a promising source of novel antibacterial agents against MRSA, supporting alternative strategies for drug-resistant infections. 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=BoonruamkaewPhetcharat en-aut-sei=Boonruamkaew en-aut-mei=Phetcharat kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 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=4 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=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=YingchutrakulYodying en-aut-sei=Yingchutrakul en-aut-mei=Yodying kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 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=8 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=School of Pharmacy, Walailak 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=Center of Excellence in Natural Products Chemistry (CENP), Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Bacteriology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, National Science and Technology Development Agency kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=School of Pharmacy, Walailak University kn-affil= en-keyword=anionic AMP kn-keyword=anionic AMP en-keyword=AMP kn-keyword=AMP en-keyword=antimicrobial peptide kn-keyword=antimicrobial peptide en-keyword=antimicrobial resistance kn-keyword=antimicrobial resistance en-keyword=FN33 kn-keyword=FN33 en-keyword=genome kn-keyword=genome en-keyword=molecular dynamics simulations kn-keyword=molecular dynamics simulations en-keyword=MRSA kn-keyword=MRSA en-keyword=Virgibacillus chiguensis kn-keyword=Virgibacillus chiguensis END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol= cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=2500368 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250629 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Integration of Cholesterol Oxidase‐Based Biosensors on a Smart Contact Lens for Wireless Cholesterol Monitoring from Tears en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Cholesterol plays a critical role in physiological functions, but elevated levels increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Regular cholesterol monitoring is essential for elderly or obese individuals. Current methods, such as blood tests, are invasive, inconvenient, and require a professional operator. In contrast, tears, as an accessible body fluid, offer a promising alternative for noninvasive monitoring due to their correlation with blood cholesterol levels. Herein, a noninvasive approach for monitoring cholesterol levels in tears using a biosensor integrated into a smart contact lens is reported. The biosensor employs cholesterol oxidases as the biocatalyst, coupled with an osmium-based mediator, to detect cholesterol concentrations ranging from 0.1 mM to 1.2 mM in artificial tears. A key challenge is the extremely low cholesterol concentration in tears, which is addressed using a parity-time (P-T) symmetry-based magnetic resonance coupling system. This system enables wireless signal reading and achieves high sensitivity due to its high-quality (Q) factor, which can achieve a detection limit of 0.061 mM. This portable, high-sensitivity smart contact lens demonstrates significant potential as a wearable device for continuous, noninvasive cholesterol monitoring. The findings contribute to advancing tear-based diagnostic systems and highlight the scientific importance of utilizing tear biomarkers for health monitoring. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=CuiYang en-aut-sei=Cui en-aut-mei=Yang kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=ZhuoLin en-aut-sei=Zhuo en-aut-mei=Lin 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=AzhariSaman en-aut-sei=Azhari en-aut-mei=Saman kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyakeTakeo en-aut-sei=Miyake en-aut-mei=Takeo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate school of Information, Production and Systems, Waseda University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate school of Information, Production and Systems, Waseda 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 Information, Production and Systems, Waseda University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate school of Information, Production and Systems, Waseda University kn-affil= en-keyword=cholesterol kn-keyword=cholesterol en-keyword=magnetic resonance coupling kn-keyword=magnetic resonance coupling en-keyword=parity-time symmetry kn-keyword=parity-time symmetry en-keyword=smart contact lens kn-keyword=smart contact lens END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=13 cd-vols= no-issue=9 article-no= start-page=846 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20240905 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Unveiling a New Antimicrobial Peptide with Efficacy against P. aeruginosa and K. pneumoniae from Mangrove-Derived Paenibacillus thiaminolyticus NNS5-6 and Genomic Analysis en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=This study focused on the discovery of the antimicrobial peptide (AMP) derived from mangrove bacteria. The most promising isolate, NNS5-6, showed the closest taxonomic relation to Paenibacillus thiaminolyticus, with the highest similarity of 74.9%. The AMP produced by Paenibacillus thiaminolyticus NNS5-6 exhibited antibacterial activity against various Gram-negative pathogens, especially Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae. The peptide sequence consisted of 13 amino acids and was elucidated as Val-Lys-Gly-Asp-Gly-Gly-Pro-Gly-Thr-Val-Tyr-Thr-Met. The AMP mainly exhibited random coil and antiparallel beta-sheet structures. The stability study indicated that this AMP was tolerant of various conditions, including proteolytic enzymes, pH (1.2–14), surfactants, and temperatures up to 40 °C for 12 h. The AMP demonstrated 4 µg/mL of MIC and 4–8 µg/mL of MBC against both pathogens. Time-kill kinetics showed that the AMP acted in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. A cell permeability assay and scanning electron microscopy revealed that the AMP exerted the mode of action by disrupting bacterial membranes. Additionally, nineteen biosynthetic gene clusters of secondary metabolites were identified in the genome. NNS5-6 was susceptible to various commonly used antibiotics supporting the primary safety requirement. The findings of this research could pave the way for new therapeutic approaches in combating antibiotic-resistant pathogens. 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 Bacteriology, 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=antimicrobial peptide kn-keyword=antimicrobial peptide en-keyword=antimicrobial resistance kn-keyword=antimicrobial resistance en-keyword=bacterial genome kn-keyword=bacterial genome en-keyword=biosynthetic gene cluster kn-keyword=biosynthetic gene cluster en-keyword=Klebsiella pneumoniae kn-keyword=Klebsiella pneumoniae en-keyword=Mangrove kn-keyword=Mangrove en-keyword=mass spectrometry kn-keyword=mass spectrometry en-keyword=NNS5-6 kn-keyword=NNS5-6 en-keyword=Paenibacillus thiaminolyticus kn-keyword=Paenibacillus thiaminolyticus en-keyword=Pseudomonas aeruginosa kn-keyword=Pseudomonas aeruginosa END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=400 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=51 end-page=71 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=202507 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Lithium- and oxygen-isotope compositions of a Si-rich nebular reservoir determined from chondrule constituents in the Sahara 97103 EH3 chondrite en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Here we report the in situ ion-microprobe analyses of the Li- and O-isotope compositions of enstatite, FeO-rich pyroxene, olivine, glass, and cristobalite grains from six chondrule-related objects from the Sahara 97103 EH3 chondrite. The O-isotope composition of the enstatite grains scattered around the intersection between the terrestrial fractionation and primitive chondrule minerals lines. Whereas, that of olivine varied along the primitive chondrule minerals line. Based on the mineralogy, we found cristobalite formed as a result of Si saturation, instead of the reduction of FeO-rich silicates, consistent with Si-enrichment of whole rock enstatite chondrites. Based on the mineralogy and O-isotope compositions, we infer that olivines in some chondrules are relict grains. In chondrules that contained olivine, no abundant niningerite [(Mg,Fe,Mn)S] was observed. Thus, enstatite formation can be explained by the interaction of an olivine precursor with additional SiO2 (Mg2SiO4 + SiO2 → Mg2Si2O6), instead of sulfidation (Mg2SiO4 + S → 1/2 Mg2Si2O6 + MgS + 1/2 O2). Using the equation Mg2SiO4 + SiO2 → Mg2Si2O6 and the O-isotope compositions of enstatite and olivine, the O-isotope composition of the additional SiO2 was estimated. Based on the O-isotope composition, we infer that there could be a Si-rich gas with an elevated Δ17O value similar to, or greater than the second trend line (Δ17O = 0.9 ‰) suggested by Weisberg et al. (2021), during chondrule formation. The variation in the Li-isotope compositions of enstatite and olivine grains from EH3 chondrules is smaller than that for the same phases from CV3 chondrules. The variation in the Li-isotope compositions of the enstatite and olivine grains from EH3 chondrules is also smaller than that of their O-isotope compositions. During the recycling of enstatite-chondrite chondrules, both Li- and O-isotope compositions were homogenized. Although enstatite is the major carrier of Li in EH3 chondrules, the Li-isotope composition (δ7Li) of enstatite is lower than that of whole rock EH3 chondrites, suggesting the existence of a phase with higher δ7Li. Meanwhile, the Li-isotope composition and concentration (δ7Li, [Li]) of enstatite is higher than that of olivine. The Li-isotope composition of the Si-rich gas was estimated to be δ7Li = 1 ‰, using a similar mass-balance calculation as applied for the O-isotope composition. The Li-isotope composition of the Si-rich gas from the enstatite-chondrite-chondrule forming-region, is consistent with that of whole rock EH3 chondrites, and differs significantly from that of the Si-rich gas from the carbonaceous-chondrite-chondrule forming-region (δ7Li = −11 ‰) determined by a previous study. We speculate that the Si-rich gas in the carbonaceous-chondrite-chondrule forming-region maintained the Li-isotope heterogeneity inherited from light lithium synthesized by galactic cosmic-ray spallation in the interstellar medium. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=Douglas-SongTorii en-aut-sei=Douglas-Song en-aut-mei=Torii kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=OtaTsutomu en-aut-sei=Ota en-aut-mei=Tsutomu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamanakaMasahiro en-aut-sei=Yamanaka en-aut-mei=Masahiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 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=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=TanakaRyoji en-aut-sei=Tanaka en-aut-mei=Ryoji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=PotiszilChristian en-aut-sei=Potiszil en-aut-mei=Christian kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=KunihiroTak en-aut-sei=Kunihiro en-aut-mei=Tak kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=The Pheasant Memorial Laboratory Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=The Pheasant Memorial Laboratory Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=The Pheasant Memorial Laboratory Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=The Pheasant Memorial Laboratory Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=The Pheasant Memorial Laboratory Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=The Pheasant Memorial Laboratory Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=The Pheasant Memorial Laboratory Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Lithium kn-keyword=Lithium en-keyword=Oxygen kn-keyword=Oxygen en-keyword=Trace elements kn-keyword=Trace elements en-keyword=Chondrule kn-keyword=Chondrule en-keyword=Enstatite chondrite kn-keyword=Enstatite chondrite en-keyword=SIMS kn-keyword=SIMS en-keyword=Sulfidation kn-keyword=Sulfidation en-keyword=Silicification kn-keyword=Silicification END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=26 cd-vols= no-issue=10 article-no= start-page=4724 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250515 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Stem Cell Factors BAM1 and WOX1 Suppressing Longitudinal Cell Division of Margin Cells Evoked by Low-Concentration Auxin in Young Cotyledon of Arabidopsis en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Highly differentiated tissues and organs play essential biological functions in multicellular organisms. Coordination of organ developmental process with tissue differentiation is necessary to achieve proper development of mature organs, but mechanisms for such coordination are not well understood. We used cotyledon margin cells from Arabidopsis plant as a new model system to investigate cell elongation and cell division during organ growth and found that margin cells endured a developmental phase transition from the “elongation” phase to the “elongation and division” phase at the early stage in germinating seedlings. We also discovered that the stem cell factors BARELY ANY MERISTEM 1 (BAM1) and WUSCHEL-related homeobox1 (WOX1) are involved in the regulation of margin cell developmental phase transition. Furthermore, exogenous auxin treatment (1 nanomolar,nM) promotes cell division, especially longitudinal cell division. This promotion of cell division did not occur in bam1 and wox1 mutants. Based on these findings, we hypothesized a new “moderate auxin concentration” model which emphasizes that a moderate auxin concentration is the key to triggering the developmental transition of meristematic cells. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=JiangYuli en-aut-sei=Jiang en-aut-mei=Yuli kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=LiangJian en-aut-sei=Liang en-aut-mei=Jian kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=WangChunyan en-aut-sei=Wang en-aut-mei=Chunyan kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=TanLi en-aut-sei=Tan en-aut-mei=Li kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=KawanoYoji en-aut-sei=Kawano en-aut-mei=Yoji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=NagawaShingo en-aut-sei=Nagawa en-aut-mei=Shingo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Institute for Translational Brain Reaearch, Fudan University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=BAM1 kn-keyword=BAM1 en-keyword=WOX1 kn-keyword=WOX1 en-keyword=margin cells kn-keyword=margin cells en-keyword=auxin kn-keyword=auxin END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=31 cd-vols= no-issue=6 article-no= start-page=103121 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=202510 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Impact of pre-reconstruction filtering with butterworth filter on 111In-pentetreotide SPECT image quality and quantitative accuracy: A phantom study en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Introduction: This study evaluates the image quality and quantitative accuracy of SPECT images with pre- and post-reconstruction smoothing filters in somatostatin receptor scintigraphy using phantom data.
Methods: We evaluated the spatial resolution, the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), and the quantitative accuracy using a NEMA IEC body phantom filled with a 111In solution. SPECT images were obtained with a Siemens Symbia T16 SPECT/CT system. Quantitative accuracy refers to the ability to accurately estimate the radioactive concentration of 111In in the phantom from the image. SPECT reconstructions were performed using three methods: post-reconstruction Gaussian filtering (post-G), pre-reconstruction Gaussian filtering (pre-G), and pre-reconstruction Butterworth filtering (pre-B). To verify each filtering method, the cut-off frequency of the Butterworth filter and the full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the Gaussian filter were each changed to eight different settings.
Results: FWHMs were 21.2, 19.8, and 18.0 mm for post-G, pre-G, and pre-B. CNRs (37-mm sphere) were 47.2, 63.8, and 69.5. Pre-B showed a 12.0 % error rate at 0.40 cycles/cm, while post-G and pre-G showed 20.2 % and 22.0 % at 7.2-mm FWHM. Pre-B outperformed other methods for resolution, CNR, and quantitative accuracy.
Conclusion: For 111In-pentetreotide SPECT images, image reconstruction with a Butterworth filter applied to the projection image before reconstruction was found to be superior to reconstruction with a Gaussian filter in terms of image quality and quantitative accuracy. This method can be easily implemented in routine clinical SPECT imaging workflows and has the potential to improve diagnostic confidence.
Implications for practice: The proposed method with a pre-reconstruction Butterworth filter has great potential to improve the image quality and quantitative accuracy of 111In-SPECT images. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=HasegawaD. en-aut-sei=Hasegawa en-aut-mei=D. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=IguchiT. en-aut-sei=Iguchi en-aut-mei=T. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakashimaM. en-aut-sei=Nakashima en-aut-mei=M. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=YoshitomiK. en-aut-sei=Yoshitomi en-aut-mei=K. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyaiM. en-aut-sei=Miyai en-aut-mei=M. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 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=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=AsaharaT. en-aut-sei=Asahara en-aut-mei=T. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 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 Radiological Technology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Radiological Technology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Radiological Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Radiology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Radiological Technology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=SPECT kn-keyword=SPECT en-keyword=Butterworth filter kn-keyword=Butterworth filter en-keyword=Gaussian filter kn-keyword=Gaussian filter en-keyword=111In-pentetreotide kn-keyword=111In-pentetreotide en-keyword=Quantification kn-keyword=Quantification END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=14 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=e72549 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250624 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Optimization of Preemptive Therapy for Cytomegalovirus Infections With Valganciclovir Based on Therapeutic Drug Monitoring: Protocol for a Phase II, Single-Center, Single-Arm Trial en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background: Valganciclovir (VGCV) is the first-line drug for preemptive therapy of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections. However, even when administered at the dose specified in the package insert, there is significant interindividual variability in the plasma concentrations of ganciclovir (GCV). In addition, correlations have been reported between the area under the concentration–time curve and therapeutic efficacy or adverse events. Therefore, therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) can be used to improve the efficacy and safety of preemptive VGCV therapy.
Objective: This study aims to evaluate whether the dosage adjustment of VGCV based on TDM in patients undergoing preemptive therapy for CMV infections is associated with the successful completion rate of treatment without severe hematological adverse effects.
Methods: This phase II, single-center, single-arm trial aims to enroll 40 patients admitted at the Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Kobe University Hospital, who will receive oral VGCV as preemptive therapy for CMV infections. Participants will begin treatment with VGCV at the dose recommended in the package insert, with subsequent dose adjustments based on weekly TDM results. The primary end point will be the proportion of patients who achieve CMV antigenemia negativity within 3 weeks without severe hematological adverse events. The secondary end points will include weekly changes in CMV antigen levels, total VGCV dose, and duration of preemptive therapy. For safety evaluation, the occurrence, type, and severity of VGCV-related adverse events will be analyzed. Additionally, this study will explore the correlations between the efficacy and safety of preemptive therapy and the pharmacokinetic parameters of GCV, CMV-polymerase chain reaction values, and nudix hydrolase 15 (NUDT15) genetic polymorphisms. The correlation between GCV plasma concentrations obtained from regular venous blood and blood concentrations will be examined using dried blood spots.
Results: This study began with patient recruitment in September 2024, with 5 participants enrolled as of June 16, 2025. The target enrollment is 40 participants, and the anticipated study completion is set for July 2027.
Conclusions: This is the first study to investigate the impact of TDM intervention in patients receiving VGCV as preemptive therapy. The findings are postulated to provide valuable evidence regarding the utility of TDM in patients receiving VGCV as preemptive therapy.
Trial Registration: Japan Registry of Clinical Trials jRCTs051240080; https://jrct.mhlw.go.jp/latest-detail/jRCTs051240080
International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/72549 en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=TamuraNaoki en-aut-sei=Tamura en-aut-mei=Naoki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 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=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=UedaYo en-aut-sei=Ueda en-aut-mei=Yo 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=YamamotoKazuhiro en-aut-sei=Yamamoto en-aut-mei=Kazuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=OmuraTomohiro en-aut-sei=Omura en-aut-mei=Tomohiro 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=SaegusaJun en-aut-sei=Saegusa en-aut-mei=Jun kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 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=9 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 Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Pharmacy, Kobe University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Integrated Clinical and Basic Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Pharmacy, Kobe University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Kobe Pharmaceutical University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Pharmacy, Kobe University Hospital kn-affil= en-keyword=valganciclovir kn-keyword=valganciclovir en-keyword=ganciclovir kn-keyword=ganciclovir en-keyword=cytomegalovirus kn-keyword=cytomegalovirus en-keyword=therapeutic drug monitoring kn-keyword=therapeutic drug monitoring en-keyword=preemptive therapy kn-keyword=preemptive therapy en-keyword=dried blood spots kn-keyword=dried blood spots END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=287 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=117674 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20251101 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=A plant-insertable multi-enzyme biosensor for the real-time monitoring of stomatal sucrose uptake en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Monitoring sucrose transport in plants is essential for understanding plant physiology and improving agricultural practices, yet effective sensors for continuous and real-time in-vivo monitoring are lacking. In this study, we developed a plant-insertable sucrose sensor capable of real-time sucrose concentration monitoring and demonstrated its application as a useful tool for plant research by monitoring the sugar-translocating path from leaves to the lower portion of plants through the stem in living plants. The biosensor consists of a bilirubin oxidase-based biocathode and a needle-type bioanode integrating glucose oxidase, invertase, and mutarotase, with the two electrodes separated by an agarose gel for ionic connection. The sensor exhibits a sensitivity of 6.22 μA mM−1 cm−2, a limit of detection of 100 μM, a detection range up to 60 mM, and a response time of 90 s at 100 μM sucrose. Additionally, the sensor retained 86 % of its initial signal after 72 h of continuous measurement. Day-night monitoring from the biosensor inserted in strawberry guava (Psidium cattleianum) showed higher sucrose transport activity at night, following well the redistribution of photosynthetically produced sugars. In addition, by monitoring the forced translocation of sucrose dissolved in the stable isotopically labeled water, we demonstrated that a young seedling of Japanese cedar known as Sugi (Cryptomeria japonica) can absorb and transport both water and sucrose through light-dependently opened stomata, which is the recently revealed path for liquid uptake by higher plants. These findings highlight the potential of our sensor for studying dynamic plant processes and its applicability in real-time monitoring of sugar transport under diverse environmental conditions. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=WuShiqi en-aut-sei=Wu en-aut-mei=Shiqi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakagawaWakutaka en-aut-sei=Nakagawa en-aut-mei=Wakutaka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MoriYuki en-aut-sei=Mori en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=AzhariSaman en-aut-sei=Azhari en-aut-mei=Saman kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=MéhesGábor en-aut-sei=Méhes en-aut-mei=Gábor kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 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=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=KawanoTomonori en-aut-sei=Kawano en-aut-mei=Tomonori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyakeTakeo en-aut-sei=Miyake en-aut-mei=Takeo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Information, Production and Systems, Waseda University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Information, Production and Systems, Waseda University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Faculty and Graduate School of Environmental Engineering, The University of Kitakyushu kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Information, Production and Systems, Waseda University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Information, Production and Systems, Waseda University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Faculty and Graduate School of Environmental Engineering, The University of Kitakyushu kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Graduate School of Information, Production and Systems, Waseda University kn-affil= en-keyword=Flexible wearable sensor kn-keyword=Flexible wearable sensor en-keyword=Plant monitoring kn-keyword=Plant monitoring en-keyword=Carbon fiber kn-keyword=Carbon fiber en-keyword=Multi-enzyme system kn-keyword=Multi-enzyme system END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=16 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=1561628 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250321 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Histidine-rich glycoprotein inhibits TNF-α–induced tube formation in human vascular endothelial cells en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Introduction: Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)-induced angiogenesis plays a critical role in tumor progression and metastasis, making it an important therapeutic target in cancer treatment. Suppressing angiogenesis can effectively limit tumor growth and metastasis. However, despite advancements in understanding angiogenic pathways, effective strategies to inhibit TNF-α-mediated angiogenesis remain limited.
Methods: This study investigates the antiangiogenic effects of histidine-rich glycoprotein (HRG), a multifunctional plasma protein with potent antiangiogenic properties, on TNF-α-stimulated human endothelial cells (EA.hy926). Tube formation assays were performed to assess angiogenesis, and gene/protein expression analyses were conducted to evaluate HRG’s effects on integrins αV and β8. The role of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) in HRG-mediated antiangiogenic activity was also examined through nuclear translocation assays and NRF2 activation studies.
Results: At physiological concentrations, HRG effectively suppressed TNF-α-induced tube formation in vitro and downregulated TNF-α-induced expression of integrins αV and β8 at both the mRNA and protein levels. HRG treatment promoted NRF2 nuclear translocation in a time-dependent manner. Furthermore, activation of NRF2 significantly reduced TNF-α-induced tube formation and integrin expression, suggesting that NRF2 plays a key role in HRG-mediated antiangiogenic effects.
Discussion and Conclusion: Our findings indicate that HRG suppresses TNF-α-induced angiogenesis by promoting NRF2 nuclear translocation and transcriptional activation, which in turn inhibits integrin αV and β8 expression. Given the essential role of angiogenesis in tumor progression, HRG’s ability to regulate this process presents a promising therapeutic strategy for cancer treatment. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=HatipogluOmer Faruk en-aut-sei=Hatipoglu en-aut-mei=Omer Faruk kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishinakaTakashi en-aut-sei=Nishinaka en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=YaykasliKursat Oguz en-aut-sei=Yaykasli en-aut-mei=Kursat Oguz kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=MoriShuji en-aut-sei=Mori en-aut-mei=Shuji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=WatanabeMasahiro en-aut-sei=Watanabe en-aut-mei=Masahiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=ToyomuraTakao en-aut-sei=Toyomura en-aut-mei=Takao kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishiboriMasahiro en-aut-sei=Nishibori en-aut-mei=Masahiro 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=WakeHidenori en-aut-sei=Wake en-aut-mei=Hidenori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakahashiHideo en-aut-sei=Takahashi en-aut-mei=Hideo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Pharmacology, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Pharmacology, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Internal Medicine 3—Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Shujitsu University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Shujitsu University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Shujitsu University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Translational Research and Dug Development, 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 Pharmacology, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Pharmacology, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine kn-affil= en-keyword=histidine-rich glycoprotein kn-keyword=histidine-rich glycoprotein en-keyword=tumor necrosis factor-α kn-keyword=tumor necrosis factor-α en-keyword=integrin kn-keyword=integrin en-keyword=tube formation kn-keyword=tube formation en-keyword=angiogenesis kn-keyword=angiogenesis en-keyword=factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 kn-keyword=factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=343 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=103558 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=202509 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Progress in silicon-based materials for emerging solar-powered green hydrogen (H2) production en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The imperative demand for sustainable and renewable energy solutions has precipitated profound scientific investigations into photocatalysts designed for the processes of water splitting and hydrogen fuel generation. The abundance, low toxicity, high conductivity, and cost-effectiveness of silicon-based compounds make them attractive candidates for hydrogen production, driving ongoing research and technological advancements. Developing an effective synthesis method that is simple, economically feasible, and environmentally friendly is crucial for the widespread implementation of silicon-based heterojunctions for sustainable hydrogen production. Balancing the performance benefits with the economic and environmental considerations is a key challenge in the development of these systems. The specific performance of each catalyst type can vary depending on the synthesis method, surface modifications, catalyst loading, and reaction conditions. The confluence of high crystallinity, reduced oxygen concentration, and calcination temperature within the silicon nanoparticle has significantly contributed to its noteworthy hydrogen evolution rate. This review provides an up-to-date evaluation of Si-based photocatalysts, summarizing recent developments, guiding future research directions, and identifying areas that require further investigation. By combining theoretical insights and experimental findings, this review offers a comprehensive understanding of Si-based photocatalysts for water splitting. Through a comprehensive analysis, it aims to elucidate existing knowledge gaps and inspire future research directions towards optimized photocatalytic performance and scalability, ultimately contributing to the realization of sustainable hydrogen generation. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=IslamAminul en-aut-sei=Islam en-aut-mei=Aminul kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=IslamMd. Tarekul en-aut-sei=Islam en-aut-mei=Md. Tarekul kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=TeoSiow Hwa en-aut-sei=Teo en-aut-mei=Siow Hwa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=MahmudHasan en-aut-sei=Mahmud en-aut-mei=Hasan kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=SwarazA.M. en-aut-sei=Swaraz en-aut-mei=A.M. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=RehanAriyan Islam en-aut-sei=Rehan en-aut-mei=Ariyan Islam kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=RaseeAdiba Islam en-aut-sei=Rasee en-aut-mei=Adiba Islam kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=KubraKhadiza Tul en-aut-sei=Kubra en-aut-mei=Khadiza Tul kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=HasanMd. Munjur en-aut-sei=Hasan en-aut-mei=Md. Munjur kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=SalmanMd. Shad en-aut-sei=Salman en-aut-mei=Md. Shad kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=WaliullahR.M. en-aut-sei=Waliullah en-aut-mei=R.M. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=HasanMd. Nazmul en-aut-sei=Hasan en-aut-mei=Md. Nazmul kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=SheikhMd. Chanmiya en-aut-sei=Sheikh en-aut-mei=Md. Chanmiya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= en-aut-name=UchidaTetsuya en-aut-sei=Uchida en-aut-mei=Tetsuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=14 ORCID= en-aut-name=AwualMrs Eti en-aut-sei=Awual en-aut-mei=Mrs Eti kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=15 ORCID= en-aut-name=HossainMohammed Sohrab en-aut-sei=Hossain en-aut-mei=Mohammed Sohrab kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=16 ORCID= en-aut-name=ZnadHussein en-aut-sei=Znad en-aut-mei=Hussein kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=17 ORCID= en-aut-name=AwualMd. Rabiul en-aut-sei=Awual en-aut-mei=Md. Rabiul kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=18 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Petroleum and Mining Engineering, Jashore University of Science and Technology kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Leather Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Khulna University of Engineering and Technology kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Industrial Chemistry Program, Faculty of Science and Natural Resources, Universiti Malaysia Sabah kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Bangladesh Energy and Power Research Council (BEPRC) kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Jashore University of Science and Technology kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, School of Science, The University of Tokyo kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Osaka University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Osaka University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Osaka University kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Institute for Chemical Research, Kyoto University kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Institute for Chemical Research, Kyoto University kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, School of Science, The University of Tokyo kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Division of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=14 en-affil=Division of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=15 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Osaka University kn-affil= affil-num=16 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Osaka University kn-affil= affil-num=17 en-affil=Western Australian School of Mines: Minerals, Energy and Chemical Engineering, Curtin University kn-affil= affil-num=18 en-affil=Western Australian School of Mines: Minerals, Energy and Chemical Engineering, Curtin University kn-affil= en-keyword=Silicon-based materials kn-keyword=Silicon-based materials en-keyword=Water splitting kn-keyword=Water splitting en-keyword=Hydrogen kn-keyword=Hydrogen en-keyword=Sustainable kn-keyword=Sustainable en-keyword=Clean and renewable energy kn-keyword=Clean and renewable energy END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=48 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=51 end-page=59 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250129 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=An Underlying Mechanism for the Altered Hypoglycemic Effects of Nateglinide in Rats with Acute Peripheral Inflammation en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The hypoglycemic effects of nateglinide (NTG) were examined in rats with acute peripheral inflammation (API) induced by carrageenan treatment, and the mechanisms accounting for altered hypoglycemic effects were investigated. NTG was administered through the femoral vein in control and API rats, and its plasma concentration profile was characterized. The time courses of the changes in plasma glucose and insulin levels were also examined. Although the plasma concentration profile of NTG in API rats was marginally distinguishable from that in control rats, the hypoglycemic effect of NTG was more persistent in API rats than in control rats. In addition, NTG elevated the plasma level of insulin more intensely in API rats than in control rats. Then, the islets of Langerhans were procured by perfusing the pancreas with collagenase solution in control and API rats, and the pancreatic mRNA expression of preproinsulin (Ins1), as well as that of sulfonylurea receptor ABCC8 (Abcc8), were examined. As a result, the expression of preproinsulin and ABCC8 mRNA increased in API rats. These findings suggest that the hypoglycemic effect of NTG was potentiated in API rats due to increased insulin secretion in the pancreas, which was caused by enhanced preproinsulin synthesis and expression of the sulfonylurea receptor. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=TokoHaruka en-aut-sei=Toko en-aut-mei=Haruka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=OginoManami en-aut-sei=Ogino en-aut-mei=Manami kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishiwakiAkane en-aut-sei=Nishiwaki en-aut-mei=Akane kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=KojinaMoeko en-aut-sei=Kojina en-aut-mei=Moeko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=AibaTetsuya en-aut-sei=Aiba en-aut-mei=Tetsuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=blood sugar kn-keyword=blood sugar en-keyword=inflammation kn-keyword=inflammation en-keyword=insulin kn-keyword=insulin en-keyword=Langerhans islet kn-keyword=Langerhans islet en-keyword=nateglinide kn-keyword=nateglinide END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=38 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=ivae021 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20240201 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Plasma concentrations of histidine-rich glycoprotein in primary graft dysfunction after lung transplantation en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=OBJECTIVES: Histidine-rich glycoprotein has been reported as an anti-inflammatory glycoprotein that inhibits acute lung injury in mice with sepsis and as a prognostic biomarker in patients with sepsis. We investigated the relationship between plasma concentrations of histidine-rich glycoprotein and the risk of occurrence of primary graft dysfunction.
METHODS: According to the primary graft dysfunction grade at post-transplant 72 h, patients who underwent lung transplantation were divided into three groups: non-primary graft dysfunction group (grade 0–1), moderate primary graft dysfunction group (grade 2), and severe primary graft dysfunction group (grade 3). The plasma concentrations of histidine-rich glycoprotein measured daily during the first post-transplant 7 days were compared among the three groups. Appropriate cutoff values of the concentrations were set for survival analyses after lung transplantation.
RESULTS: A total of 68 patients were included. The plasma histidine-rich glycoprotein concentration at post-transplant 72 h was significantly lower in the severe primary graft dysfunction group (n = 7) than in the other two groups [non-primary graft dysfunction group (n = 43), P = 0.042; moderate primary graft dysfunction group (n = 18), P = 0.040]. Patients with plasma histidine-rich glycoprotein concentration ≥34.4 µg/ml at post-transplant 72 h had significantly better chronic lung allograft dysfunction-free survival (P = 0.012) and overall survival (P = 0.037) than those with the concentration <34.4 µg/ml.
CONCLUSIONS: Plasma histidine-rich glycoprotein concentrations at post-transplant 72 h might be associated with the risk of development of primary graft dysfunction. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=ShiotaniToshio en-aut-sei=Shiotani en-aut-mei=Toshio kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=SugimotoSeiichiro en-aut-sei=Sugimoto en-aut-mei=Seiichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=TomiokaYasuaki en-aut-sei=Tomioka en-aut-mei=Yasuaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=TanakaShin en-aut-sei=Tanaka en-aut-mei=Shin kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=MitsuhashiToshiharu en-aut-sei=Mitsuhashi en-aut-mei=Toshiharu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=SuzawaKen en-aut-sei=Suzawa en-aut-mei=Ken kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShienKazuhiko en-aut-sei=Shien en-aut-mei=Kazuhiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyoshiKentaroh en-aut-sei=Miyoshi en-aut-mei=Kentaroh kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamamotoHiromasa en-aut-sei=Yamamoto en-aut-mei=Hiromasa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkazakiMikio en-aut-sei=Okazaki en-aut-mei=Mikio kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=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= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Organ Transplant Center, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Organ Transplant Center, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Organ Transplant Center, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Organ Transplant Center, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Center for Innovative Clinical Medicine, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Organ Transplant Center, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Organ Transplant Center, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Organ Transplant Center, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Organ Transplant Center, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Organ Transplant Center, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Organ Transplant Center, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= en-keyword=Lung transplantation kn-keyword=Lung transplantation en-keyword=Primary graft dysfunction kn-keyword=Primary graft dysfunction en-keyword=Histidine-rich glycoprotein kn-keyword=Histidine-rich glycoprotein en-keyword=Chronic lung allograft dysfunction kn-keyword=Chronic lung allograft dysfunction en-keyword=Overall survival kn-keyword=Overall survival END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=26 cd-vols= no-issue=16 article-no= start-page=7832 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250813 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Synergistic Antimicrobial Activity of BrSPR20-P1 Peptide and Silver Nanoparticles Against Pathogenic Bacteria en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Bacterial infection is a cause of life-threatening diseases. The emergence of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria exacerbates this situation, highlighting the need for the discovery of new antimicrobial agents. Our previous study identified a novel antimicrobial peptide, BrSPR20-P1 (P1), which showed potential activity against MRSA. Additionally, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) exhibit broad-spectrum antibacterial activity, capable of killing multidrug-resistant bacteria. The combination of antimicrobial agents presents a novel strategy for combating these pathogens. This study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial activity of the combination of P1 and AgNPs. It revealed that the combinations showed synergy. The P1 and AgNP mixture at a concentration of 1 and 8 µg/mL (1:8) doubled the activity against S. aureus and MRSA, while that combination of 64 and 64 µg/mL (64:64) exhibited broad-spectrum activity, expanding to E. coli with a 32-fold increase. These combinations exhibited a bactericidal effect, showing the rapid killing of tested bacteria at 10× MIC, with killing rates during the first 3 h ranging from 4.04 ± 0.01 to 4.31 ± 0.03 h−1. The P1 and AgNP mixtures caused a low risk of antibacterial resistance up to 30 passages. It was demonstrated that the synergistic activity of P1 and AgNPs occurred through the disruption of cell walls and membranes, leakage of intracellular materials, and cell lysis. Additionally, the mixtures appeared to interact with bacterial genomic DNA, as indicated by a gel retardation assay. These activities of the combinations were concentration-dependent. The 1:8 µg/mL mixture caused low hemolysis and cytotoxicity and did not impede the wound healing process. In contrast, although the 64:64 µg/mL mixture showed excellent antibacterial efficacy, it was toxic to erythrocytes and mammalian cells. It implies that dose optimization is required to balance its efficacy and toxicity. Therefore, the P1 and AgNP combinations exhibit synergistic antimicrobial activity and have the potential to resolve bacterial infections. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=ThonginThanyamai en-aut-sei=Thongin en-aut-mei=Thanyamai kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=SawatdeeSomchai en-aut-sei=Sawatdee en-aut-mei=Somchai kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 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=3 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=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=WiwasukuTheanchai en-aut-sei=Wiwasuku en-aut-mei=Theanchai kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=SrichanaTeerapol en-aut-sei=Srichana en-aut-mei=Teerapol kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakphengTitpawan en-aut-sei=Nakpheng en-aut-mei=Titpawan kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 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=8 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= School of Pharmacy, Walailak University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Bacteriology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=School of Science, Walailak University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Drug Delivery System Excellence Center and Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Prince of Songkla University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Drug Delivery System Excellence Center and Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Prince of Songkla University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil= School of Pharmacy, Walailak University kn-affil= en-keyword=antimicrobial peptide kn-keyword=antimicrobial peptide en-keyword=Brevibacillus sp. SPR20 kn-keyword=Brevibacillus sp. SPR20 en-keyword=silver nanoparticle kn-keyword=silver nanoparticle en-keyword=synergistic effect kn-keyword=synergistic effect END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=6 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=654 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250812 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Biogeochemical impact of nickel and urea in the great oxidation event en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The Great Oxidation Event marks the first substantial increase in atmospheric oxygen on Earth. Despite the oxygenic photosynthesis that emerged hundreds of million years before this event, the specific biogeochemical mechanisms responsible for maintaining low oxygen levels for an extended period remain elusive. Here, we show the critical role of urea as a nitrogen source for cyanobacteria, the cascading impact of nickel on abiotic urea production, and their combined effects on the proliferation of cyanobacteria leading to the great oxidation event. Urea formation was experimentally evaluated under simulated Archean conditions and cyanobacterial growth was monitored providing urea as the nitrogen source. Our findings demonstrate that urea can be produced in the Archean cyanobacterial habitats with UV-C irradiation, shedding light on the controversy regarding the evolution of nitrogen-fixing enzymes in primitive cyanobacteria. We propose that environmental conditions in the early Archean, characterized by elevated urea and nickel concentration, may have hindered cyanobacterial expansion, contributing to the delay between the evolution of oxygenic photosynthesis and the onset of the great oxidation event. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=RatnayakeDilan M. en-aut-sei=Ratnayake en-aut-mei=Dilan M. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=TanakaRyoji en-aut-sei=Tanaka en-aut-mei=Ryoji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakamuraEizo en-aut-sei=Nakamura en-aut-mei=Eizo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=The Pheasant Memorial Laboratory for Geochemistry and Cosmochemistry, Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=The Pheasant Memorial Laboratory for Geochemistry and Cosmochemistry, Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=The Pheasant Memorial Laboratory for Geochemistry and Cosmochemistry, Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=77 cd-vols= no-issue=8 article-no= start-page=522 end-page=532 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20240625 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Synthesis and biochemical characterization of naphthoquinone derivatives targeting bacterial histidine kinases en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Waldiomycin is an inhibitor of histidine kinases (HKs). Although most HK inhibitors target the ATP-binding region, waldiomycin binds to the intracellular dimerization domain (DHp domain) with its naphthoquinone moiety presumed to interact with the conserved H-box region. To further develop inhibitors targeting the H-box, various 2-aminonaphthoquinones with cyclic, aliphatic, or aromatic amino groups and naphtho [2,3-d] isoxazole-4,9-diones were synthesized. These compounds were tested for their inhibitory activity (IC50) against WalK, an essential HK for Bacillus subtilis growth, and their minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) against B. subtilis. As a result, 11 novel HK inhibitors were obtained as naphthoquinone derivatives (IC50: 12.6–305 µM, MIC: 0.5–128 µg ml−1). The effect of representative compounds on the expression of WalK/WalR regulated genes in B. subtilis was investigated. Four naphthoquinone derivatives induced the expression of iseA (formerly yoeB), whose expression is negatively regulated by the WalK/WalR system. This suggests that these compounds inhibit WalK in B. subtilis cells, resulting in antibacterial activity. Affinity selection/mass spectrometry analysis was performed to identify whether these naphthoquinone derivatives interact with WalK in a manner similar to waldiomycin. Three compounds were found to competitively inhibit the binding of waldiomycin to WalK, suggesting that they bind to the H-box region conserved in HKs and inhibit HK activity. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=IshikawaTeruhiko en-aut-sei=Ishikawa en-aut-mei=Teruhiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=EguchiYoko en-aut-sei=Eguchi en-aut-mei=Yoko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=IgarashiMasayuki en-aut-sei=Igarashi en-aut-mei=Masayuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkajimaToshihide en-aut-sei=Okajima en-aut-mei=Toshihide kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=MitaKohei en-aut-sei=Mita en-aut-mei=Kohei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamasakiYuri en-aut-sei=Yamasaki en-aut-mei=Yuri kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=SumikuraKaho en-aut-sei=Sumikura en-aut-mei=Kaho kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkumuraTaisei en-aut-sei=Okumura en-aut-mei=Taisei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=TabuchiYuna en-aut-sei=Tabuchi en-aut-mei=Yuna kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=HayashiChigusa en-aut-sei=Hayashi en-aut-mei=Chigusa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=PasquaMartina en-aut-sei=Pasqua en-aut-mei=Martina kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=ColucciaMarco en-aut-sei=Coluccia en-aut-mei=Marco kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=ProssedaGianni en-aut-sei=Prosseda en-aut-mei=Gianni kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= en-aut-name=ColonnaBianca en-aut-sei=Colonna en-aut-mei=Bianca kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=14 ORCID= en-aut-name=KohayakawaChie en-aut-sei=Kohayakawa en-aut-mei=Chie kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=15 ORCID= en-aut-name=TaniAkiyoshi en-aut-sei=Tani en-aut-mei=Akiyoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=16 ORCID= en-aut-name=HarutaJun-ichi en-aut-sei=Haruta en-aut-mei=Jun-ichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=17 ORCID= en-aut-name=UtsumiRyutaro en-aut-sei=Utsumi en-aut-mei=Ryutaro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=18 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Education, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Science and Technology on Food Safety, Faculty of Biology-Oriented Science and Technology, Kindai University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Institute of Microbial Chemistry (BIKAKEN) kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=SANKEN (The Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research), Osaka University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Education, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Graduate School of Education, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Graduate School of Education, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Graduate School of Education, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Graduate School of Education, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Institute of Microbial Chemistry (BIKAKEN) kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Istituto Pasteur Italy, Department of Biology and Biotechnology, “C. Darwin”, Sapienza University of Rome kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Istituto Pasteur Italy, Department of Biology and Biotechnology, “C. Darwin”, Sapienza University of Rome kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Istituto Pasteur Italy, Department of Biology and Biotechnology, “C. Darwin”, Sapienza University of Rome kn-affil= affil-num=14 en-affil=Istituto Pasteur Italy, Department of Biology and Biotechnology, “C. Darwin”, Sapienza University of Rome kn-affil= affil-num=15 en-affil=Department of Lead Exploration Units, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University kn-affil= affil-num=16 en-affil=Compound Library Screening Center, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University kn-affil= affil-num=17 en-affil=Department of Lead Exploration Units, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University kn-affil= affil-num=18 en-affil=SANKEN (The Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research), Osaka University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol= cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=1 end-page=11 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250707 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Dual roles of suberin deposition at the endodermal Casparian strip in manganese uptake of rice en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Rice roots are characterized by having two Casparian strips (CSs) at the exodermis and endodermis, where transporters for mineral nutrients are expressed. However, the exact role of the CS in expression of the transporters and subsequent nutrient uptake is poorly understood. Here, we first investigated the role of the CS in manganese (Mn) uptake by using a rice mutant (oscasp1) defective in formation of the endodermal CS. Knockout of OsCASP1 resulted in decreased Mn uptake under limited Mn conditions, but increased Mn uptake at high Mn concentration. Immunostaining revealed that knockout of OsCASP1 did not affect the cell specificity of localization of two transporters (OsNramp5 and OsMTP9) required for Mn uptake, but decreased the protein abundance of these transporters at the endodermis regardless of Mn concentrations tested. Furthermore, we found that overaccumulation of suberin at the endodermis of the mutants suppressed the expression of two transporters; the expression of the two transporters was only observed in the endodermal cells without suberin deposition, but not in the cells with suberin deposition. Taken together, our results indicate that there are two roles for the CS in Mn uptake; maintaining normal expression of the transporters at limited Mn concentration and preventing Mn diffusion to the stele at high Mn concentration. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=FujiiToshiki en-aut-sei=Fujii en-aut-mei=Toshiki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamajiNaoki en-aut-sei=Yamaji en-aut-mei=Naoki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 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=3 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= en-keyword=Casparian strip kn-keyword=Casparian strip en-keyword=endodermis kn-keyword=endodermis en-keyword=manganese transporter kn-keyword=manganese transporter en-keyword=rice kn-keyword=rice en-keyword=root kn-keyword=root en-keyword=suberin deposition kn-keyword=suberin deposition END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol= cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page= end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=202508 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Electrostatically‐Driven Collapse of Polyelectrolytes: The Role of the Solvent's Dielectric Constant en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=We experimentally confirm a longstanding theoretical prediction of counterion-induced polyelectrolyte collapse in low dielectric media. The scattering behavior of polystyrene sulfonate in different solvents with dielectric permittivities in the range of ε ≃ 12 − 180 is investigated. For high and intermediate ε media, typical polyelectrolyte behavior is observed: the correlation length (ξ) scales with concentration (c) as ξ ∼ c−1∕2, as predicted by various theories. When the dielectric constant of the solvent decreases below ≃ 22, a scaling of ξ ∼ c−1∕3, characteristic of partially collapsed polyelectrolytes, is observed. For these solvents, the correlation peak disappears at high concentrations. Interestingly, polyelectrolyte collapse is observed under both solvophilic and solvophobic conditions, supporting the existence of attractive electrostatic interactions. These results are in qualitative agreement with theoretical predictions which expect chain collapse in low dielectric media due to the influence of condensed counterions, either via dipolar attraction and/or charge-correlation-induced attractions. 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=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=Institute of Physical Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Materials Science and Engineering Department, The Pennsylvania State University, State College 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=Materials Science and Engineering Department, The Pennsylvania State University, State College kn-affil= en-keyword=counterion kn-keyword=counterion en-keyword=dipole kn-keyword=dipole en-keyword=polyelectrolyte kn-keyword=polyelectrolyte en-keyword=SANS kn-keyword=SANS en-keyword=SAXS kn-keyword=SAXS en-keyword=scattering kn-keyword=scattering END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=144-145 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=109001 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=Investigating the fate of Zirconium-89 labelled antibody in cynomolgus macaques en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background: Preclinical pharmacokinetic studies of therapeutic antibodies in non-human primates are desired because of the difficulty in extrapolating ADME data from animal models to humans. We evaluated the pharmacokinetics of 89Zr (Zirconium-89) -labelled anti-KLH human IgG and its metabolites to confirm their non-specific/physiological accumulation in healthy cynomolgus macaques. The anti-KLH antibody was used as a negative control, ensuring that the observed distribution reflected general IgG behavior rather than antigen-specific accumulation. This provides a valuable reference for comparing the biodistribution of targeted antibodies.
Methods: Selected IgG was conjugated to desferrioxamine (DFO), labelled with 89Zr, and injected into healthy cynomolgus macaques. PET/CT images at the whole-body level were acquired at different time points, and standard uptake values (SUV) in regions of interest, such as the heart, liver, spleen, kidneys, bone, and muscles, were calculated. The distribution of a shortened antibody variant, 89Zr-labelled Fab, as well as that of [89Zr]Zr-DFO and [89Zr]Zr-oxalate, the expected metabolites of 89Zr- labelled IgG, was also assessed.
Results: After 89Zr-labelled IgG injection, the SUV in the heart, vertebral body, and muscle decreased, in line with the 89Zr concentration decrease in the circulation, whereas radioactivity increased over time in the kidneys and liver. Autoradiography of the renal sections indicated that most of the 89Zr- labelled IgG radioactivity accumulated in the renal cortex. Relatively high accumulation in the kidneys was also observed in 89Zr- labelled Fab-injected macaques, and renal autoradiographs of these animals showed that the renal cortex was the preferred accumulation site. However, [89Zr]Zr-DFO was rapidly excreted into the urine, whereas [89Zr]Zr-oxalate was highly accumulated in the epiphysis of the long bones and vertebral body.
Conclusion: In the non-human primate cynomolgus macaque, 89Zr- labelled IgG accumulated in the kidneys and the liver. However, [89Zr]Zr-DFO and 89Zr did not accumulate in these organs. This preclinical pharmacokinetic study performed with human IgG in a non-human primate model using PET is of great significance as it sheds light on the basic fate and distribution of 89Zr- labelled IgG. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=SasakiTakanori en-aut-sei=Sasaki en-aut-mei=Takanori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KimuraSadaaki en-aut-sei=Kimura en-aut-mei=Sadaaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=NodaAkihiro en-aut-sei=Noda en-aut-mei=Akihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=MurakamiYoshihiro en-aut-sei=Murakami en-aut-mei=Yoshihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyoshiSosuke en-aut-sei=Miyoshi en-aut-mei=Sosuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=AkehiMasaru en-aut-sei=Akehi en-aut-mei=Masaru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=OchiaiKazuhiko en-aut-sei=Ochiai en-aut-mei=Kazuhiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=WatanabeMasami en-aut-sei=Watanabe en-aut-mei=Masami kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=HiguchiTakahiro en-aut-sei=Higuchi en-aut-mei=Takahiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsuuraEiji en-aut-sei=Matsuura en-aut-mei=Eiji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Astellas Pharma Inc. kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Astellas Pharma Inc. kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Astellas Pharma Inc. kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Astellas Pharma Inc. kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=School of Veterinary Nursing and Technology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=PET imaging kn-keyword=PET imaging en-keyword=Zirconium-89 kn-keyword=Zirconium-89 en-keyword=Therapeutic antibodies kn-keyword=Therapeutic antibodies en-keyword=Non-human primates kn-keyword=Non-human primates END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=4 cd-vols= no-issue=4 article-no= start-page=263 end-page=272 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20240607 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Light-Responsive and Antibacterial Graphenic Materials as a Holistic Approach to Tissue Engineering en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=While the continuous development of advanced bioprinting technologies is under fervent study, enhancing the regenerative potential of hydrogel-based constructs using external stimuli for wound dressing has yet to be tackled. Fibroblasts play a significant role in wound healing and tissue implants at different stages, including extracellular matrix production, collagen synthesis, and wound and tissue remodeling. This study explores the synergistic interplay between photothermal activity and nanomaterial-mediated cell proliferation. The use of different graphene-based materials (GBM) in the development of photoactive bioinks is investigated. In particular, we report the creation of a skin-inspired dressing for wound healing and regenerative medicine. Three distinct GBM, namely, graphene oxide (GO), reduced graphene oxide (rGO), and graphene platelets (GP), were rigorously characterized, and their photothermal capabilities were elucidated. Our investigations revealed that rGO exhibited the highest photothermal efficiency and antibacterial properties when irradiated, even at a concentration as low as 0.05 mg/mL, without compromising human fibroblast viability. Alginate-based bioinks alongside human fibroblasts were employed for the bioprinting with rGO. The scaffold did not affect the survival of fibroblasts for 3 days after bioprinting, as cell viability was not affected. Remarkably, the inclusion of rGO did not compromise the printability of the hydrogel, ensuring the successful fabrication of complex constructs. Furthermore, the presence of rGO in the final scaffold continued to provide the benefits of photothermal antimicrobial therapy without detrimentally affecting fibroblast growth. This outcome underscores the potential of rGO-enhanced hydrogels in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications. Our findings hold promise for developing game-changer strategies in 4D bioprinting to create smart and functional tissue constructs with high fibroblast proliferation and promising therapeutic capabilities in drug delivery and bactericidal skin-inspired dressings. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=FerrerasAndrea en-aut-sei=Ferreras en-aut-mei=Andrea kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatesanzAna en-aut-sei=Matesanz en-aut-mei=Ana kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MendizabalJabier en-aut-sei=Mendizabal en-aut-mei=Jabier kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=ArtolaKoldo en-aut-sei=Artola en-aut-mei=Koldo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 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=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=AcedoPablo en-aut-sei=Acedo en-aut-mei=Pablo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=JorcanoJosé L. en-aut-sei=Jorcano en-aut-mei=José L. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=RuizAmalia en-aut-sei=Ruiz en-aut-mei=Amalia kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=ReinaGiacomo en-aut-sei=Reina en-aut-mei=Giacomo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=MartínCristina en-aut-sei=Martín en-aut-mei=Cristina kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Bioengineering, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Electronic Technology, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Domotek ingeniería prototipado y formación S.L. kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Domotek ingeniería prototipado y formación S.L. 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 Electronic Technology, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Bioengineering, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Institute of Cancer Therapeutics, School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Bradford kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Empa Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Bioengineering, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid kn-affil= en-keyword=photothermal therapy kn-keyword=photothermal therapy en-keyword=graphene derivatives kn-keyword=graphene derivatives en-keyword=4D bioprinting kn-keyword=4D bioprinting en-keyword=alginate kn-keyword=alginate en-keyword=tissue engineering kn-keyword=tissue engineering END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=11 cd-vols= no-issue=11 article-no= start-page=uhae248 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20240904 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=A low-cost dpMIG-seq method for elucidating complex inheritance in polysomic crops: a case study in tetraploid blueberry en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Next-generation sequencing (NGS) library construction often requires high-quality DNA extraction, precise adjustment of DNA concentration, and restriction enzyme digestion to reduce genome complexity, which results in increased time and cost in sample preparation and processing. To address these challenges, a PCR-based method for rapid NGS library preparation, named dpMIG-seq, has been developed and proven effective for high-throughput genotyping. However, the application of dpMIG-seq has been limited to diploid and polyploid species with disomic inheritance. In this study, we obtained genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers for tetraploid blueberry to evaluate genotyping and downstream analysis outcomes. Comparison of genotyping qualities inferred across samples with different DNA concentrations and multiple bioinformatics approaches revealed high accuracy and reproducibility of dpMIG-seq-based genotyping, with Pearson's correlation coefficients between replicates in the range of 0.91 to 0.98. Furthermore, we demonstrated that dpMIG-seq enables accurate genotyping of samples with low DNA concentrations. Subsequently, we applied dpMIG-seq to a tetraploid F1 population to examine the inheritance probability of parental alleles. Pairing configuration analysis supported the random meiotic pairing of homologous chromosomes on a genome-wide level. On the other hand, preferential pairing was observed on chr-11, suggesting that there may be an exception to the random pairing. Genotypic data suggested quadrivalent formation within the population, although the frequency of quadrivalent formation varied by chromosome and cultivar. Collectively, the results confirmed applicability of dpMIG-seq for allele dosage genotyping and are expected to catalyze the adoption of this cost-effective and rapid genotyping technology in polyploid studies. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NagasakaKyoka en-aut-sei=Nagasaka en-aut-mei=Kyoka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishimuraKazusa en-aut-sei=Nishimura en-aut-mei=Kazusa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MotokiKo en-aut-sei=Motoki en-aut-mei=Ko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamagataKeigo en-aut-sei=Yamagata en-aut-mei=Keigo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishiyamaSoichiro en-aut-sei=Nishiyama en-aut-mei=Soichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamaneHisayo en-aut-sei=Yamane en-aut-mei=Hisayo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=TaoRyutaro en-aut-sei=Tao en-aut-mei=Ryutaro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakanoRyohei en-aut-sei=Nakano en-aut-mei=Ryohei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakazakiTetsuya en-aut-sei=Nakazaki en-aut-mei=Tetsuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto 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 Agriculture, Kyoto University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=26 cd-vols= no-issue=14 article-no= start-page=6927 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250718 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Inhibitory Effects of Vandetanib on Catecholamine Synthesis in Rat Pheochromocytoma PC12 Cells en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Gain-of-function gene alterations in rearranged during transfection (RET), a receptor tyrosine kinase, are observed in both sporadic and hereditary medullary thyroid cancers (MTCs) and pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas (PPGLs). Several tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) that target RET have been proven to be effective on MTCs and PCCs. Recently, TKIs, namely, sunitinib and selpercatinib, which were clinically used to target PPGLs, have been reported to decrease catecholamine levels without reducing tumor size. Our clinical case of metastatic medullary thyroid cancer, which is associated with RET mutations undergoing treatment with vandetanib, also suggests that vandetanib can decrease catecholamine levels. Therefore, we investigated the effect of vandetanib, a representative multi-targeted TKI for RET-related MTC, on cell proliferation and catecholamine synthesis in rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells. Vandetanib reduced viable cells in a concentration-dependent manner. The dopamine and noradrenaline levels of the cell lysate were reduced in a concentration-dependent manner. They also decreased more prominently at lower concentrations of vandetanib compared to the inhibition of cell proliferation. The RNA knockdown study of Ret revealed that this inhibitory effect on catecholamine synthesis is mainly mediated by the suppression of RET signaling. Next, we focused on two signaling pathways downstream of RET, namely, ERK and AKT signaling. Treatment with vandetanib reduced both ERK and AKT phosphorylation in PC12 cells. Moreover, both an MEK inhibitor U0126 and a PI3K/AKT inhibitor LY294002 suppressed catecholamine synthesis without decreasing viable cells. This study in rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells reveals the direct inhibitory effects of vandetanib on catecholamine synthesis via the suppression of RET-ERK and RET-AKT signaling. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=ItohYoshihiko en-aut-sei=Itoh en-aut-mei=Yoshihiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 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=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=TerasakaTomohiro en-aut-sei=Terasaka en-aut-mei=Tomohiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=MorimotoEisaku en-aut-sei=Morimoto en-aut-mei=Eisaku kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=IshiiTakahiro en-aut-sei=Ishii en-aut-mei=Takahiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamaokaKimitomo en-aut-sei=Yamaoka en-aut-mei=Kimitomo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujisawaSatoshi en-aut-sei=Fujisawa en-aut-mei=Satoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=WadaJun en-aut-sei=Wada en-aut-mei=Jun kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=tyrosine kinase inhibitor kn-keyword=tyrosine kinase inhibitor en-keyword=multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 kn-keyword=multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 en-keyword=paraganglioma kn-keyword=paraganglioma en-keyword=RET kn-keyword=RET en-keyword=ERK kn-keyword=ERK en-keyword=AKT kn-keyword=AKT END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=13 cd-vols= no-issue=23 article-no= start-page=17720 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=A meta-linked isomer of ITIC: influence of aggregation patterns on open-circuit voltage in organic solar cells en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Improving the open-circuit voltage (VOC) of organic solar cells (OSCs) remains an important challenge. While it is known that the energy levels at the donor/acceptor (D/A) interface affect the VOC, the impact of aggregation patterns on the energy levels at the D/A interface has not been fully elucidated. Herein, we focus on ITIC, a widely used acceptor in OSCs, and designed a meta-linked isomer of ITIC (referred to as im-ITIC) to alter molecular symmetry and modify substitution arrangements. Concentration-dependent 1H NMR spectra revealed that im-ITIC shows stronger aggregation behavior in solution. Single-crystal X-ray analysis showed that im-ITIC forms both tail-to-tail (J-aggregation) and face-to-face (H-aggregation) stacking modes, whereas ITIC exclusively forms tail-to-tail stacking. OSCs based on PBDB-T:im-ITIC showed a high VOC value of 1.02 V, which is 0.12 V higher than that of those based on PBDB-T:ITIC. Time-resolved infrared measurements revealed the lifetime of free electrons for the pristine and blend films. The energy levels of the charge transfer state (ECT) for PBDB-T:im-ITIC- and PBDB-T:ITIC OSCs were determined to be 1.57 and 1.39 eV, respectively, correlating with the VOC values. Theoretical calculations indicated that pronounced H-aggregation in im-ITIC increases the ECT compared with J-aggregation, contributing to the improved VOC. This study underscores the critical impact of molecular aggregation patterns on energy alignment and VOC enhancement, offering insights into molecular design for achieving high VOC in OSCs. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=WangKai en-aut-sei=Wang en-aut-mei=Kai kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=JinnaiSeihou en-aut-sei=Jinnai en-aut-mei=Seihou kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=UesakaKaito en-aut-sei=Uesaka en-aut-mei=Kaito kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 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=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=IeYutaka en-aut-sei=Ie en-aut-mei=Yutaka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=The Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research (SANKEN), The University of Osaka kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=The Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research (SANKEN), The University of Osaka kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science & Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science & Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=The Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research (SANKEN), The University of Osaka kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=262 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=385 end-page=395 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241023 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Analysis of the effect of permeant solutes on the hydraulic resistance of the plasma membrane in cells of Chara corallina en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=In the cells of Chara corallina, permeant monohydric alcohols including methanol, ethanol and 1-propanol increased the hydraulic resistance of the membrane (Lpm−1). We found that the relative value of the hydraulic resistance (rLpm−1) was linearly dependent on the concentration (Cs) of the alcohol. The relationship is expressed in the equation: rLpm−1 = ρmCs + 1, where ρm is the hydraulic resistance modifier coefficient of the membrane. Ye et al. (2004) showed that membrane-permeant glycol ethers also increased Lp−1. We used their data to estimate Lpm−1 and rLpm−1. The values of rLpm−1 fit the above relation we found for alcohols. When we plotted the ρm values of all the permeant alcohols and glycol ethers against their molecular weights (MW), we obtained a linear curve with a slope of 0.014 M−1/MW and with a correlation coefficient of 0.99. We analyzed the influence of the permeant solutes on the relative hydraulic resistance of the membrane (rLpm−1) as a function of the external (π0) and internal (πi) osmotic pressures. The analysis showed that the hydraulic resistance modifier coefficients (ρm) were linearly related to the MW of the permeant solutes with a slope of 0.012 M−1/MW and with a correlation coefficient of 0.84. The linear relationship between the effects of permeating solutes on the hydraulic resistance modifier coefficient (ρm) and the MW can be explained in terms of the effect of the effective osmotic pressure on the hydraulic conductivity of water channels. The result of the analysis suggests that the osmotic pressure and not the size of the permeant solute as proposed by (Ye et al., J Exp Bot 55:449–461, 2004) is the decisive factor in a solute’s influence on hydraulic conductivity. Thus, characean water channels (aquaporins) respond to permeant solutes with essentially the same mechanism as to impermeant solutes. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=TazawaMasashi en-aut-sei=Tazawa en-aut-mei=Masashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=WayneRandy en-aut-sei=Wayne en-aut-mei=Randy kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 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=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Yoshida Biological Laboratory kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Laboratory of Natural Philosophy, Plant Biology Section, Cornell University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Institute of Plant Science and Resources (IPSR), Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Chara corallina kn-keyword=Chara corallina en-keyword=Effective osmotic pressure kn-keyword=Effective osmotic pressure en-keyword=Hydraulic resistance kn-keyword=Hydraulic resistance en-keyword=Plasma membrane kn-keyword=Plasma membrane en-keyword=Reflection coefficient kn-keyword=Reflection coefficient END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=177 cd-vols= no-issue=4 article-no= start-page=e70396 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=202507 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=CNGC2 Negatively Regulates Stomatal Closure and Is Not Required for flg22- and H2O2-Induced Guard Cell [Ca2+]cyt Elevation in Arabidopsis thaliana en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=In guard cells, cytosolic Ca2+ acts as a second messenger that mediates abscisic acid (ABA)- and pathogen-associated molecular pattern (PAMP)-induced stomatal closure. It was reported that Arabidopsis cyclic nucleotide-gated ion channel 2 (CNGC2) functions as hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)- and PAMP-activated Ca2+-permeable channels at the plasma membrane of mesophyll cells and mediates Ca2+-dependent PAMP-triggered immunity. In this study, we examined the role of CNGC2 in the regulation of stomatal movement because CNGC2 is also expressed in guard cells. We found that stomata of the CNGC2 disruption mutant cngc2-3 are constitutively closed even in the absence of ABA or the flagellar-derived PAMP, flg22. Consistently, leaf temperatures of the cngc2-3 mutant were higher than those of wild-type (WT) plants. The stomatal phenotype of the cngc2-3 mutant was restored by complementation with wild-type CNGC2 under the control of the guard cell preferential promoter, pGC1. Elevation of cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration in guard cells induced by flg22 and H2O2 remained intact in the cngc2-3 mutant. The introduction of the ost1-3 mutation into the cngc2-3 background did not alter the stomatal phenotype. However, the stomatal phenotype of the cngc2-3 mutant was successfully rescued in the double disruption mutant cngc2-3aba2-2. Taken together, these results suggest that CNGC2 negatively regulates stomatal closure response and does not function as flg22– and H2O2-activated Ca2+ channels in guard cells. Though CNGC2 is responsive for H2O2- and flg22-induced [Ca2+]cyt elevation in mesophyll cells, the involvement of CNGC2 in the response to H2O2 and flg22 in guard cells is questionable. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=AkterRojina en-aut-sei=Akter en-aut-mei=Rojina kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=InoueYasuhiro en-aut-sei=Inoue en-aut-mei=Yasuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MasumotoSaori en-aut-sei=Masumoto en-aut-mei=Saori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=MimataYoshiharu en-aut-sei=Mimata en-aut-mei=Yoshiharu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsuuraTakakazu en-aut-sei=Matsuura en-aut-mei=Takakazu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=MoriIzumi C. en-aut-sei=Mori en-aut-mei=Izumi C. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 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=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakamuraYoshimasa en-aut-sei=Nakamura en-aut-mei=Yoshimasa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=MurataYoshiyuki en-aut-sei=Murata en-aut-mei=Yoshiyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 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=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 and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Faculty of Agriculture, 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=Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil= kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Graduate School of 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=calcium signaling kn-keyword=calcium signaling en-keyword=CNGC kn-keyword=CNGC en-keyword=stomata kn-keyword=stomata END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=297 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=128540 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=Microfluidic paper-based analytical devices for antioxidant vitamins C and E in foods en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=In this study, we developed microfluidic paper-based analytical devices (μPADs) for the determination of antioxidant vitamins. The proposed μPADs utilize the reduction of metal ions by hydrophilic and hydrophobic antioxidant vitamins, which is followed by colorimetric reactions with chelating reagents. Hydrophilic vitamin C reduces Fe(III) to Fe(II) and forms a stable Fe(II)-bathophenanthroline complex in an aqueous solution. By contrast, this complex is unstable in organic solvents, and hydrophobic vitamin E requires Fe(III) and bathophenanthroline to be replaced with Cu(II) and bathocuproine. In these results, the relationship between the logarithm of a vitamin's concentration and its color intensity was linear and ranged from 4.4 to 35 mg L−1 for ascorbic acid and 50–200 mg L−1 for α-tocopherol. The limits of detection, estimated from the standard deviation of blank samples, were 3.1 mg L−1 for ascorbic acid and either 27 mg L−1 (in hexane) or 48 mg L−1 (in ethanol) for α-tocopherol. The proposed method was used to quantify vitamin C in bell peppers, mandarin oranges, kiwifruit, and lemons, as well as vitamin E in almonds, almond milk, and dietary supplements. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of these μPADs for the practical analysis of antioxidant vitamins in food samples. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KawaharaMana en-aut-sei=Kawahara en-aut-mei=Mana 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=Microfluidic paper-based analytical device kn-keyword=Microfluidic paper-based analytical device en-keyword=Vitamin C kn-keyword=Vitamin C en-keyword=Vitamin E kn-keyword=Vitamin E en-keyword=Antioxidant vitamin kn-keyword=Antioxidant vitamin en-keyword=Metal complex kn-keyword=Metal complex END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=40 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=99 end-page=108 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250620 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title=Evaluation of Drying Process of a Slurry Droplet Containing Water-soluble Polymer kn-title=水溶性高分子含有スラリー液滴乾燥過程の評価 en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The granulation process of a slurry droplet containing a water-soluble polymer in a spray dryer is investigated. Although there have been many studies on the drying behavior of a single-component slurry droplet, there have been few reports for a multicomponent slurry droplet. This is due to the complexity and difficulty in evaluating the drying behavior of a multicomponent slurry droplet. Therefore, for the production of granules from multicomponent materials by a spray dryer, its operating conditions are usually determined by trial and error. To optimize the practical granule production process, the drying behavior of multicomponent slurry droplets should be studied. In this study, the drying behavior of a silica slurry droplet containing polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) is investigated. The drying behavior of a droplet suspended on the tip of a needle was observed. The effect of the volume fraction of PVA on the drying behavior and the morphology of a dried granule is studied. The effect of drying condition on the granule formation process is also investigated. As a result, the structure of dried granules was strongly influenced by PVA concentration. Segregation of PVA in the dried granules was observed. Based on the results, the drying process diagram is presented. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NakasoKoichi en-aut-sei=Nakaso en-aut-mei=Koichi kn-aut-name=中曽浩一 kn-aut-sei=中曽 kn-aut-mei=浩一 aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamashitaDaichi en-aut-sei=Yamashita en-aut-mei=Daichi kn-aut-name=山下大智 kn-aut-sei=山下 kn-aut-mei=大智 aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=AoyamaYutaro en-aut-sei=Aoyama en-aut-mei=Yutaro kn-aut-name=青山祐太郎 kn-aut-sei=青山 kn-aut-mei=祐太郎 aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=MinoYasushi en-aut-sei=Mino en-aut-mei=Yasushi kn-aut-name=三野泰志 kn-aut-sei=三野 kn-aut-mei=泰志 aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=GotohKuniaki en-aut-sei=Gotoh en-aut-mei=Kuniaki kn-aut-name=後藤邦彰 kn-aut-sei=後藤 kn-aut-mei=邦彰 aut-affil-num=5 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=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil=岡山大学大学院自然科学研究科 affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil=岡山大学大学院自然科学研究科 affil-num=4 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=5 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 en-keyword=Spray Dryer kn-keyword=Spray Dryer en-keyword=Drying kn-keyword=Drying en-keyword=Droplet kn-keyword=Droplet en-keyword=Slurry kn-keyword=Slurry en-keyword=Water-Soluble Polymer kn-keyword=Water-Soluble Polymer END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=17 cd-vols= no-issue=10 article-no= start-page=1692 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250516 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Clinical Characteristics of Vitamin D Deficiency Detected in Long COVID Patients During the Omicron Phase en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background: To characterize the clinical significance of vitamin D deficiency (VDD) detected in long COVID, a retrospective observational study was performed for outpatients who visited our clinic during the period from May 2024 to November 2024. Methods: Clinical trends in long COVID patients diagnosed with VDD who showed serum concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) lower than 20 ng/mL were compared with those in long COVID patients in a non-deficient vitamin D (NDD) group. Results: Of 126 patients with long COVID, 97 patients (female: 50) who had been infected during the Omicron phase were included. Sixty-six patients (68%) were classified in the VDD group. The median serum concentrations of 25-OHD were 14.8 ng/mL in the VDD group and 22.9 ng/mL in the NDD group. There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of age, gender, BMI, severity of COVID-19, period after infection and vaccination history. Although the levels of serum calcium and phosphate were not significantly different between the two groups, the percentages of patients in the VDD group who complained of dizziness, memory impairment, palpitation and appetite loss were larger than those in the NDD group. Of note, the patients who complained of palpitation showed significantly lower concentrations of serum 25-OHD than those in the patients without palpitation (median: 11.9 vs. 17.3 ng/mL). Moreover, patients in the VDD group had significantly higher scores for physical and mental fatigue as well as higher scores for depressive symptoms. Conclusions: Collectively, VDD is involved in clinical manifestations of long COVID, particularly symptoms of palpitation, fatigue and depression. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MatsudaYui en-aut-sei=Matsuda en-aut-mei=Yui kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=SakuradaYasue en-aut-sei=Sakurada en-aut-mei=Yasue kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakanoYasuhiro en-aut-sei=Nakano en-aut-mei=Yasuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=OtsukaYuki en-aut-sei=Otsuka en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=TokumasuKazuki en-aut-sei=Tokumasu en-aut-mei=Kazuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=HondaHiroyuki en-aut-sei=Honda en-aut-mei=Hiroyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=SoejimaYoshiaki en-aut-sei=Soejima en-aut-mei=Yoshiaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=YokotaYuya en-aut-sei=Yokota en-aut-mei=Yuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakaseRyosuke en-aut-sei=Takase en-aut-mei=Ryosuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=OmuraDaisuke en-aut-sei=Omura en-aut-mei=Daisuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=OtsukaFumio en-aut-sei=Otsuka en-aut-mei=Fumio kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=COVID-19 kn-keyword=COVID-19 en-keyword=25-hydroxyvitamin D kn-keyword=25-hydroxyvitamin D en-keyword=long COVID kn-keyword=long COVID en-keyword=palpitation kn-keyword=palpitation en-keyword=vitamin D deficiency kn-keyword=vitamin D deficiency END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=41 cd-vols= no-issue=21 article-no= start-page=13372 end-page=13380 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250520 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Unraveling the Molecular Mechanism of Transient Multilamellar Formation in Ethanol-Modified Vesicle Solutions en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=A recent microfluidic-based small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) measurement intriguingly suggested the transient formation of multilamellar structures during the mixing of unilamellar vesicles with ethanol in an aqueous solution. This study explores a possible molecular mechanism underlying this phenomenon, primarily through coarse-grained molecular dynamics (CG-MD) simulations. We first examined lipid aggregate morphology as a function of ethanol concentration in an aqueous solution. Even though vesicles were observed in pure aqueous solution, increasing ethanol concentrations led to more frequent pore formation in vesicular membranes. At ethanol concentrations above 52%, vesicles destabilized and transformed into worm-like micelles. We hypothesized that the transient multilamellar structures might arise from vesicle stacking due to variations in the effective interactions between vesicles. However, a series of potential of mean force (PMF) calculations consistently showed repulsive interactions between vesicles, regardless of ethanol concentration, ruling out this possibility. In contrast, once lipid aggregates transformed into worm-like micelles, the PMF barrier between them dropped (∼5kBT), promoting fusion. Our CG-MD simulations further demonstrated that lipid aggregates (micelles) readily fused and grew in high ethanol concentrations. Upon subsequent exposure to lower ethanol levels, these enlarged aggregates reorganized into vesicles with internal lamellar structure─multilamellar vesicles. These findings suggest that the heterogeneous mixing of unilamellar vesicular solutions with ethanol in a microfluidic device plays a key role in the emergence of transient multilamellar structures. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=ShibataKana en-aut-sei=Shibata en-aut-mei=Kana kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MaekiMasatoshi en-aut-sei=Maeki en-aut-mei=Masatoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=TokeshiManabu en-aut-sei=Tokeshi en-aut-mei=Manabu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShinodaWataru en-aut-sei=Shinoda en-aut-mei=Wataru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Materials Chemistry, Nagoya University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Division of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Division of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=12 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=32 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250512 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Stability and water solubility of calcium ferrite-type aluminum-rich phase: implications for deep water cycle caused by subducting basaltic crusts en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The subducting crustal materials serve as a crucial channel for transporting water to the lower mantle. Recent experimental studies suggest that crustal materials such as basaltic crust can be a main water carrier and reservoir playing an important role on water cycling in the lower mantle. Despite being a primary mineral in crustal materials, the water solubility of calcium ferrite-type (CF) phase and its stability are unclear yet. A recent phase relation study of hydrous basalts showed Na-depletion in lower-mantle minerals, suggesting the presence of fluid possibly with high Na concentration and the absence of CF phase along the low-temperature slab geotherms, where Al-rich hydrous phase H and ferropericlase appear instead. These phases could consequently produce Na-depleted CF phase when reaching the dehydration temperature of Al-rich hydrous phase H. In this study, we investigated the stability and water solubility of CF-type MgAl2O4, which is a main CF component in a hydrous basalt, in water-bearing systems at 26–32 GPa and 1200–1900 °C using a Kawai-type multi-anvil press. Our results indicate that the stability of the CF phase is strongly influenced by water content in the system. Water contents of recovered CF phases estimated by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy show a limited variation between 73 and 87 ppm wt at a pressure of 26 GPa and temperatures of 1500–1900 °C. We suggest that CF phase could not be a primary water carrier at lower mantle depths. This emphasizes contributions of hydrous aluminous silica minerals to Earth’s deep water cycling and heterogeneous structures in the lower mantle due to the strong water partitioning to this phase compared with other constituent minerals. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=ZhangXinyue en-aut-sei=Zhang en-aut-mei=Xinyue kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MashinoIzumi en-aut-sei=Mashino en-aut-mei=Izumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 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=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Deep Space Exploration Laboratory/School of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Water solubility kn-keyword=Water solubility en-keyword=CF phase kn-keyword=CF phase en-keyword=Single crystal kn-keyword=Single crystal en-keyword=FTIR kn-keyword=FTIR en-keyword=MORB kn-keyword=MORB END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=295 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=128303 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20251201 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Using a microfluidic paper-based analytical device and solid-phase extraction to determine phosphate concentration en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Phosphate is an essential nutrient, but in high concentrations it contributes to water pollution. Traditional methods for phosphate measurement, such as absorption spectrophotometry and ion chromatography, require expensive equipment and skilled operators. This study introduces a microfluidic paper-based analytical device (μPAD) that is designed to accomplish field-based, low-concentration phosphate measurements. This μPAD utilizes colorimetric detection based on the molybdenum blue method. Herein, we describe how the conditions were optimized in terms of design and sensitivity by adjusting reagent concentrations, paper thickness, and the time frames for sample introduction, and reaction. The operation consists of simply dipping the μPAD into a sample, capturing images in a home-made photo studio box, and processing the images with ImageJ software to measure RGB intensity. An additional preconcentration step involves solid-phase extraction with an anion exchange resin that achieves a 10-fold enrichment, which enables detection that ranges from 0.05 to 1 mg L−1 with a detection limit of 0.089 mg L−1 and a quantification limit of 0.269 mg L−1. The replicated measurements showed good reproducibility both intraday and interday (five different days) as 4.7 % and 3.0 % of relative standard deviations, respectively. After storage in a refrigerator for as long as 26 days, this μPAD delivered stable and accurate results for real-world samples of natural water, soil, and toothpaste. The results produced using this system correlate well with those produced via spectrophotometry. This μPAD-based method is a cost-effective, portable, rapid, and simple approach that allows relatively unskilled operators to monitor phosphate concentrations in field applications. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=DanchanaKaewta en-aut-sei=Danchana en-aut-mei=Kaewta kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=NambaHaruka en-aut-sei=Namba en-aut-mei=Haruka 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=Phosphate kn-keyword=Phosphate en-keyword=Microfluidic paper-based analytical device kn-keyword=Microfluidic paper-based analytical device en-keyword=Solid-phase extraction kn-keyword=Solid-phase extraction en-keyword=Anion exchanger kn-keyword=Anion exchanger en-keyword=Molybdenum blue method kn-keyword=Molybdenum blue method END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol= cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page= end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250519 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Novel method of leukocytapheresis using a highly concentrated sodium citrate solution alternative to acid citrate dextrose solution A en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background: Large-volume leukocytapheresis is time consuming. The upper limit of the inlet flow rate is determined by the inlet: anticoagulant (AC) ratio and can be changed by combining the AC with heparin. Here, we devised a protocol to increase the AC ratio using a highly concentrated sodium citrate solution without heparin.
Study Design and Methods: We collected data from 40 consecutive apheresis procedures performed using the Spectra Optia system on 40 donors for allogeneic peripheral blood stem cells between June 2022 and June 2023. We used AC containing 2.2% sodium citrate (normal concentrated sodium citrate [NSC]) and 5.32% sodium citrate (highly concentrated sodium citrate [HSC]). The AC ratios were set to 12:1 and 24:1 for the NSC and HSC, respectively.
Results: The processed volume was not different; the maximum inlet flow rate increased, the total processing time was reduced, the AC solution used was reduced, and the product volume was reduced in the HSC group, compared to the NSC group. Although the CD34+ cell CE2 was reduced in the HSC group, no difference was observed in the number of collected CD34+ cells. The incidences of citrate-related reactions were similar.
Discussion: We propose a novel leukocytapheresis method using HSC that shortens the procedure time and reduces the amount of AC solution used compared to the conventional method en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=AbeMasaya en-aut-sei=Abe en-aut-mei=Masaya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiiKeiko en-aut-sei=Fujii en-aut-mei=Keiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MitsuhashiToshiharu en-aut-sei=Mitsuhashi en-aut-mei=Toshiharu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=KitamuraWataru en-aut-sei=Kitamura en-aut-mei=Wataru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=IkeuchiKazuhiro en-aut-sei=Ikeuchi en-aut-mei=Kazuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=FukumiTakuya en-aut-sei=Fukumi en-aut-mei=Takuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=WashioKana en-aut-sei=Washio en-aut-mei=Kana kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=OtsukaFumio en-aut-sei=Otsuka en-aut-mei=Fumio kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=MaedaYoshinobu en-aut-sei=Maeda en-aut-mei=Yoshinobu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiiNobuharu en-aut-sei=Fujii en-aut-mei=Nobuharu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Division of Transfusion and Cell Therapy, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Division of Clinical Laboratory, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Center for Innovative Clinical Medicine, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Division of Transfusion and Cell Therapy, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Division of Transfusion and Cell Therapy, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Division of Transfusion and Cell Therapy, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Division of Clinical Laboratory, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Hematology and Oncology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Division of Transfusion and Cell Therapy, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= en-keyword=anticoagulant kn-keyword=anticoagulant en-keyword=apheresis kn-keyword=apheresis en-keyword=high sodium citrate concentration kn-keyword=high sodium citrate concentration en-keyword=Spectra Optia kn-keyword=Spectra Optia END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=18 cd-vols= no-issue=9 article-no= start-page=1983 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250427 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Initial Bonding Performance to CAD/CAM Restorative Materials: The Impact of Stepwise Concentration Variation in 8-Methacryloxyoctyl Trimethoxy Silane and 3-Methacryloxypropyl Trimethoxy Silane on Feldspathic Ceramic, Lithium Disilicate Glass-Ceramic, and Polymer-Infiltrated Ceramic en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=This study investigated the effects of varying concentrations of two distinct silane agents, 8-methacryloxyoctyl trimethoxy silane (8-MOTS) and 3-methacryloxypropyl trimethoxy silane (γ-MPTS), on their initial bonding efficacy to feldspathic ceramic (FC), lithium disilicate glass-ceramic (LD) and polymer-infiltrated ceramic (PIC) specimens, in 10% increments for concentrations ranging from 10% to 40%. Shear bond strengths between the ceramic substrates and the luting material were assessed following 24 h incubation in distilled water. For FC, the median value of shear bond strength peaked at 20% of γ-MPTS (7.4 MPa), while 8-MOTS exhibited a concentration-dependent increase, reaching its highest value at 40% (13.1 MPa). For LD, γ-MPTS above 10% yielded similar strength median values (10.2 MPa), whereas 8-MOTS at 30% (15.8 MPa) and 40% (13.4 MPa) yielded higher strength values than at 10% (2.9 MPa) and 20% (4.1 MPa), with the highest median value exhibited at 30%. For PIC, both γ-MPTS and 8-MOTS demonstrated similarly low bond strength values which were not significantly different from the non-silane-treated specimens. When applied on silica-based FC and LD, silane revealed a concentration-dependent bonding effect, with 8-MOTS exhibiting superior bond strength to γ-MPTS. However, PIC, characterized by a high inorganic filler content, demonstrated limited bondability with both silanes. 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=KuwaharaMiho en-aut-sei=Kuwahara en-aut-mei=Miho kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 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=3 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=4 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=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=YoshizaneMai en-aut-sei=Yoshizane en-aut-mei=Mai kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 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=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=Department of Occlusal and Oral Functional Rehabilitation, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Health Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Biomaterials, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Advanced Research Center for Oral and Craniofacial Sciences, Okayama University Dental School 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 Biomaterials, 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=silane coupling kn-keyword=silane coupling en-keyword=bond strength kn-keyword=bond strength en-keyword=ceramic kn-keyword=ceramic en-keyword=feldspathic kn-keyword=feldspathic en-keyword=lithium kn-keyword=lithium en-keyword=polymer-infiltrated ceramic kn-keyword=polymer-infiltrated ceramic en-keyword=CAD/CAM kn-keyword=CAD/CAM END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=43 cd-vols= no-issue=6 article-no= start-page=1108 end-page=1116 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250412 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Spray-drying of polymer solutions across a broad concentration range and the subsequent formation of a few micro- ∼nano-meter sized fibers en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Spray drying is a widely utilized technique for the concentration and fine particulation of dried products. This study demonstrated that a versatile spray dryer, equipped with a two-fluid nozzle atomizer, can convert polymer solutions into nanoscale fibers by manipulating the conditions of the polymer solutions. The polymers employed in this research included polyvinylpyrrolidones (Mw 24.5 k to 60 kDa), dextrans (70 k to 450–650 kDa), pullulan, gum Arabic, Eudragit and agar, with methanol and water serving as solvents. Various combinations of polymers and solvents were subjected to spray drying at polymer concentrations ranging from 5 to 1000 g/L. Scanning electron microscopy analyses of the spray-dried samples indicated that the products transitioned from micrometer-sized particles to sub-micrometer fibers in several instances when the polymer concentrations exceeded specific threshold levels. The investigation also explored the relationship between these threshold concentrations and the surface tension and viscosity of the polymer solutions. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=AragaChika en-aut-sei=Araga en-aut-mei=Chika kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=FukushimaKaito en-aut-sei=Fukushima en-aut-mei=Kaito kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=SatoHaruna en-aut-sei=Sato en-aut-mei=Haruna kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 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=4 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=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakasoKoichi en-aut-sei=Nakaso en-aut-mei=Koichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 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=7 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=8 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Division of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Division of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Division of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Division of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Division of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Division of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Chemical Engineering and Material Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Doshisha University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Division of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Sub-micron fiber kn-keyword=Sub-micron fiber en-keyword=spray-drying kn-keyword=spray-drying en-keyword=two fluid nozzle atomizer kn-keyword=two fluid nozzle atomizer en-keyword=polyvinylpyrrolidone kn-keyword=polyvinylpyrrolidone en-keyword=polysaccharide kn-keyword=polysaccharide END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=34 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=131 end-page=136 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=2025 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Effect of calcium supplementation on bone deformity and histopathological findings of skin papules in a pediatric patient with vitamin D–dependent rickets type 2A: A case report en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Vitamin D–dependent rickets type 2A (VDDR2A) is an autosomal recessive disease caused by pathogenic variants of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene. VDDR2A rickets are usually resistant to native or active vitamin D treatment because of impaired active calcium absorption against the calcium concentration gradient, which is a ligand-dependent VDR action in the small intestine. Alopecia due to an impaired skin follicular cycle is occasionally observed in patients with VDDR2A. Among the pathogenic VDR variants, most in the DNA-binding domain and some in the ligand-binding domain, which affect the dimerization of VDR with the retinoic X receptor, are associated with alopecia. Herein, we report a case of VDDR2A caused by compound heterozygous pathogenic variants of the DNA-binding domain of VDR. Active vitamin D treatment did not ameliorate genu varum, rachitic changes in the roentgenogram, or abnormal laboratory findings. However, oral administration of calcium lactate dramatically improved these findings. The patient also experienced hair loss at two months of age and multiple papules on the skin at two yr of age, which did not improve with vitamin D or calcium supplementation. We also report the histopathological findings of skin papules in this patient. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=HasegawaKosei en-aut-sei=Hasegawa en-aut-mei=Kosei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyakeTomoko en-aut-sei=Miyake en-aut-mei=Tomoko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KobashiMina en-aut-sei=Kobashi en-aut-mei=Mina kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=TetsunagaTomonori en-aut-sei=Tetsunaga en-aut-mei=Tomonori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=AgoYuko en-aut-sei=Ago en-aut-mei=Yuko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=FutagawaNatsuko en-aut-sei=Futagawa en-aut-mei=Natsuko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyaharaHiroyuki en-aut-sei=Miyahara en-aut-mei=Hiroyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=HiguchiYousuke en-aut-sei=Higuchi en-aut-mei=Yousuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=MorizaneShin en-aut-sei=Morizane en-aut-mei=Shin kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=TsukaharaHirokazu en-aut-sei=Tsukahara en-aut-mei=Hirokazu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Pediatrics, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Dermatology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Dermatology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Dermatology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Pediatrics, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Pediatrics, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Pediatrics, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Pediatrics, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Dermatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Pediatrics, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=rickets kn-keyword=rickets en-keyword=receptor kn-keyword=receptor en-keyword=alopecia kn-keyword=alopecia en-keyword=papules kn-keyword=papules en-keyword=calcium kn-keyword=calcium END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=13 cd-vols= no-issue=6 article-no= start-page=619 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250313 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Effects of Trehalose on Halitosis: A Randomized Cross-Over Clinical Trial en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background/Objectives: Halitosis is a condition characterized by an unpleasant malodor. Intra-oral halitosis is caused by volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) and can be associated with oral dryness. Trehalose is one of the materials used to relieve oral dryness. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of trehalose on halitosis. Methods: This prospective, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, cross-over study enrolled volunteers from Okayama University Hospital. The participants were randomly divided into two groups, with one group receiving trehalose (a 10% trehalose solution) and the other receiving a placebo (distilled water) in a 1:1 allocation. The primary study outcome was the subjective organoleptic test. The secondary outcomes were the concentrations of the VSCs, which were measured using a portable gas chromatography device, and the oral moisture status, which was measured using an oral moisture meter. The planned sample size was 10 participants based on the previous study. Results: The final intention-to-treat analysis was performed using the data from 9 participants. After applying 10% trehalose as an oral spray, the organoleptic score decreased in a time-dependent manner. However, no significant differences were seen between the trehalose and placebo groups. In terms of secondary outcomes, the oral moisture levels increased immediately after the trehalose spray application, and significant differences in the amount of change from the baseline were seen between the trehalose and placebo groups (p = 0.047). No significant differences were seen in any of the other variables (p > 0.05). Conclusions: We could not identify any positive effects on halitosis from a one-time 10% trehalose application as an oral spray in this prospective, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, cross-over study. However, the trehalose application immediately improved the oral moisture levels and was useful for treating oral dryness. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MiyaiHisataka en-aut-sei=Miyai en-aut-mei=Hisataka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=TomofujiTakaaki en-aut-sei=Tomofuji en-aut-mei=Takaaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MizunoHirofumi en-aut-sei=Mizuno en-aut-mei=Hirofumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=MoritaManabu en-aut-sei=Morita en-aut-mei=Manabu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakaharaMomoko en-aut-sei=Nakahara en-aut-mei=Momoko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=KataokaKota en-aut-sei=Kataoka en-aut-mei=Kota kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=SumitaIchiro en-aut-sei=Sumita en-aut-mei=Ichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=UchidaYurika en-aut-sei=Uchida en-aut-mei=Yurika kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=ToyamaNaoki en-aut-sei=Toyama en-aut-mei=Naoki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=YokoiAya en-aut-sei=Yokoi en-aut-mei=Aya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=Yamanaka-KohnoReiko en-aut-sei=Yamanaka-Kohno en-aut-mei=Reiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakeuchiNoriko en-aut-sei=Takeuchi en-aut-mei=Noriko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=MaruyamaTakayuki en-aut-sei=Maruyama en-aut-mei=Takayuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= en-aut-name=EkuniDaisuke en-aut-sei=Ekuni en-aut-mei=Daisuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=14 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Preventive Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Community Oral Health, School of Dentistry, Asahi University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Preventive Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Oral Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Care Sciences, Takarazuka University of Medical and Health Care kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Preventive Dentistry, Division of Dentistry, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Preventive Dentistry, Division of Dentistry, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Preventive Dentistry, Division of Dentistry, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Preventive Dentistry, Division of Dentistry, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Preventive Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Preventive Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Preventive Dentistry, Division of Dentistry, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Department of Preventive Dentistry, Division of Dentistry, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Department of Preventive Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=14 en-affil=Department of Preventive Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=halitosis kn-keyword=halitosis en-keyword=trehalose kn-keyword=trehalose en-keyword=oral dryness kn-keyword=oral dryness en-keyword=cross-over study kn-keyword=cross-over study en-keyword=randomized trial kn-keyword=randomized trial END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=15 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=341 end-page=355 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250328 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title=Research Trends on Educational Needs and Support of Children with Cancer kn-title=小児がん患児に対する教育的支援とその研究動向 en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= In this study, we summarized research trends related to the educational needs and support of children with cancer from the perspectives of “learning,” “self-management,” “interpersonal,” “psychological,” and “collaboration,”. In terms of learning, the study showed that experiential learning and distance education are solutions to the problem of delayed learning due to prolonged absence from school and poor concentration during treatment. Next, in self-management, it is important to educate affected children so that they can fully understand the disease and treatment. In addition, in terms of interpersonal support, it is difficult for the affected patients to build relationships with friends, but providing opportunities for interaction is expected to contribute to the improvement of interpersonal relationships. In terms of psychological support, the anxiety associated with treatment is a major psychological burden for the affected children, and the understanding of their friends and the intervention of university student volunteers are effective in helping them achieve psychological stability. Finally, the lack of cooperation between medical institutions and schools was highlighted as a deficiency in the support system, which needs to be strengthened. In the future, these support measures should be empirically verified to establish a sustainable support system. kn-abstract= 本研究は、小児がん患児の教育的支援に関する研究の動向を明らかにし、今後の課題とその解決策を提起することを目的とした。「学習」、「自己管理」、「対人」、「心理」、「連携」の5つの視点から分析を行った。学習支援について、治療に伴う学習の遅れや集中力の低下に対し、個別の教育支援計画や体験的な学習、および遠隔教育の実施に期待されていた。自己管理支援では、患児が自身の病状や治療による副作用を理解し、自立的に管理できる能力を育成することが求められていた。対人支援について、患児の長期入院により、友人関係の構築が困難になり、入院中や復学後のコミュニケーションの支援が重要であることが確認された。心理支援においては、周囲への効果的ながん教育や大学生ボランティアによる支援が、患児の心理的安定を促すことが示された。最後に、学校と医療機関、保護者の連携不足が指摘されており、連携ツールの開発が求められている。 en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=CHENYiwen en-aut-sei=CHEN en-aut-mei=Yiwen kn-aut-name=陳依文 kn-aut-sei=陳 kn-aut-mei=依文 aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=YOSHITOSHIMunehisa en-aut-sei=YOSHITOSHI en-aut-mei=Munehisa kn-aut-name=吉利宗久 kn-aut-sei=吉利 kn-aut-mei=宗久 aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Education Doctoral Programs, Hyogo University of Teacher Education kn-affil=兵庫教育大学大学院連合学校教育学研究科博士課程 affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Education, Okayama University kn-affil=岡山大学学術研究院教育学域 en-keyword=小児がん (child hood cancer) kn-keyword=小児がん (child hood cancer) en-keyword=慢性疾患 (chronic illness) kn-keyword=慢性疾患 (chronic illness) en-keyword=教育的ニーズ (educational needs) kn-keyword=教育的ニーズ (educational needs) en-keyword=研究動向 (research trends) kn-keyword=研究動向 (research trends) END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=56 cd-vols= no-issue=3 article-no= start-page=15 end-page=33 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250321 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title=Survival, Creation, and Disappearance of Manufacturing Firms in the First Stage of Regional Revitalization kn-title=地方創生第1期における製造事業所の存続,発生,消失 en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= In many local municipalities, in addition to revitalizing existing businesses and creating new businesses, attracting manufacturing plants remains an important policy for regional development. Today, unlike the attraction of heavy, large-scale industries during the period of high economic growth, there is a trend to attract companies by making the most of the region's advantages. Although the job creation effect has become smaller than in the past, many manufacturing industries remain positioned as core industries in the region. During the first period of regional revitalization, we identify what manufacturing firms have disappeared, withdrawn, appeared, or survived in what regions, and analyze the factors behind those.
 Comparing manufacturing firms in 2014 and 2019, the average of value-added and the distribution of that shows that manufacturing firms that existed in both 2014 and 2019 had the highest labor productivity. The next highest was manufacturing firms that existed in 2019, and the lowest was manufacturing firms that existed in 2014 but did not exist in 2019. In addition, the results of the logit analysis suggest that manufacturing firms with high productivity and large size tend not to disappear, and that manufacturing firms with a high degree of urbanization tend to disappear. On the other hand, a regression analysis at the city/town/village level using industry concentration by industry and urban concentration measured by population size as explanatory variables showed a positive effect on the number of manufacturing firms that had been established. kn-abstract= 地方に位置する多くの自治体においては,従来からある事業所の活性化や新規事業所の誕生に加えて,製造工場の誘致は地域振興にとっていまも重要な政策となっている。今日,高度経済成長期における重厚長大型の産業の誘致とは異なり,地域優位性をできるだけ活用した企業誘致の傾向になっている。雇用創出効果は昔に比べて小さくなっているとはいえ,製造業の多くにおいて,地域の基盤産業としての位置づけは残っている。第1期の地方創生の期間で,どのような地域において,どのような製造工場が消失,撤退や出現,存続しているのかを識別し,それらの要因を分析する。
 2014年と2019年の事業所の比較において,付加価値生産性の平均と分布を見ると2014年,2019年ともに存在する事業所の労働生産性が最も高い。次いで高いのが2019年に存在する事業所で,最も低かったのが2014年には存在したが2019年には存在していない事業所であった。またロジット分析の結果から,生産性が高く事業所規模が大きいと消滅しない傾向があり,また都市化の程度が高いと消滅傾向にあることが推定された。他方,発生した製造事業所について,産業別に同業種集積と人口規模で測った都市集積を説明変数とした市町村単位の回帰分析からは正の効果が示された。 en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NakamuraRyohei en-aut-sei=Nakamura en-aut-mei=Ryohei kn-aut-name=中村良平 kn-aut-sei=中村 kn-aut-mei=良平 aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil= kn-affil=岡山大学 END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=13 cd-vols= no-issue=5 article-no= start-page=577 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250306 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Efficacy of Oral Intake of Hydrogen-Rich Jelly Intake on Gingival Inflammation: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled and Exploratory Randomized Clinical Trial en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background/Objectives: Initiation and progression of periodontal disease include oxidative stress. Systemic application of antioxidants may provide clinical benefits against periodontal disease including gingivitis. Recently, a jelly containing a high concentration of hydrogen (40 ppm) was developed. We hypothesized that oral intake of this hydrogen-rich jelly may be safe and effective on gingivitis. This clinical trial was designed to investigate the safety and efficacy of oral intake of hydrogen-rich jelly against gingival inflammation. Methods: Participants with gingivitis were instructed to orally ingest 30 g of hydrogen-rich jelly (experimental group) or placebo jelly (control group) three times a day for 14 consecutive days. The primary outcome of this trial was the percentage of bleeding on probing (BOP) sites. Secondary outcomes were oral parameters, serum reactive oxygen metabolites, antioxidant capacity, oxidative index, concentrations of cytokine (interleukin [IL]-1β, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha) in gingival crevicular fluid, and adverse events. For all parameters, Mann–Whitney U test was used for comparison between experimental and control groups. Analysis of covariance, controlling for baseline periodontal inflamed surface area, was performed to evaluate the association between the effect of the hydrogen-rich jelly and gingival inflammation. Results: In the experiment and control groups, the percentage of sites with BOP and PISA significantly decreased at the end of the experiment compared to the baseline. However, no significant differences were found between groups (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Administration of hydrogen-rich jelly for 14 days decreased gingival inflammation. However, no significant differences were identified compared to the control group. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MaruyamaTakayuki en-aut-sei=Maruyama en-aut-mei=Takayuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakayamaEiji en-aut-sei=Takayama en-aut-mei=Eiji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=TokunoShinichi en-aut-sei=Tokuno en-aut-mei=Shinichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=MoritaManabu en-aut-sei=Morita en-aut-mei=Manabu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=EkuniDaisuke en-aut-sei=Ekuni en-aut-mei=Daisuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Preventive Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Oral Biochemistry, Asahi University School of Dentistry kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Health Innovation, Kanagawa University of Human Services kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Oral Health, Takarazuka University of Medical and Health Care kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Preventive Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=periodontal disease kn-keyword=periodontal disease en-keyword=oxidative stress kn-keyword=oxidative stress en-keyword=hydrogen kn-keyword=hydrogen en-keyword=randomized controlled trial kn-keyword=randomized controlled trial END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=210 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=112952 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=A microfluidic paper-based analytical device that uses gelatin film to assay protease activity via time readout en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Food processing, detergents, and pharmaceuticals frequently employ proteases, which are enzymes that break the chemical bonds of both proteins and peptides. In this work, we developed a microfluidic paper-based analytical device (µPAD) for protease activity assays via time readout. To accomplish this, we folded the µPAD to form layers, then inserted a water-insoluble gelatin film between the layers of paper to form the device. Lamination helps to maintain the gelatin film between the introduction zone, which is the upper layer, and the detection channel, which is the lower layer. Proteases decompose the gelatin film when it enters the introduction zone, which then allows it to flow into the detection channel. The protease activity in the sample solution determines the time required to dissolve the gelatin film, which leads to a linear relationship between the logarithm of the protease concentration and the time required to flow the solution a specific distance on the detection channel. The µPAD was used to measure proteases in concentrations that ranged from 0.25 to 1 mg L−1 for bromelain, 2.5 to 10 mg L−1 for papain, and 1 to 8 mg L−1 for trypsin. The limits of quantification for bromelain, papain, and trypsin were 0.41, 2.7, and 9.2 mg mL−1, respectively. The relative standard deviations for bromelain were smaller than 2 % for concentrations ranging from 0.5 to 1.0 mg L−1. We compared the µPAD to a commercially available protease activity assay kit, which relies on quenching fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled casein. Both methods demonstrated the same order of activity: bromelain > papain > trypsin. The proposed device allowed the assay of bromelain in both pineapple pulp and juice, which were stored at room temperature. When first using the proposed device, the bromelain in the pulp gradually lost its activity, while the activity of the bromelain in the juice showed no significant change for five days. The µPAD requires no analytical instruments for quality control and monitoring of the protease activity in food. 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=Microfluidic paper-based analytical device kn-keyword=Microfluidic paper-based analytical device en-keyword=Protease kn-keyword=Protease en-keyword=Enzyme assay kn-keyword=Enzyme assay en-keyword=Time readout kn-keyword=Time readout END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=19 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=36 end-page=43 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=2025 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Evaluation of the temporal behavior of fulvic acid iron in Asahi River, Okayama, Japan en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Iron is essential for biogeochemical processes in aquatic ecosystems, but its riverine concentration can be affected by environmental conditions. This study assessed weekly fulvic acid iron (FAFe) concentration at a single sampling site in Asahi River from 2022–2023 to explore the differences in the temporal scales. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of physicochemical properties of the river on the concentration of FAFe, analyze the concentration of FAFe in spring, summer, autumn and winter, and assess the relationship between FAFe concentration and land use types of the watershed. The results indicated that physicochemical parameters, such as pH and surface water temperature (SWT) seemed to influence FAFe concentration (p < 0.05). Hydrological dynamics influenced FAFe concentration and transport, revealing an increasing trend during spring (p < 0.001) and summer (p = 0.05), with non-significant trends during autumn and winter (p > 0.05). FAFe exhibited a strong positive correlation with total organic carbon (TOC) (p < 0.001). Upland fields significantly influenced FAFe concentration (p < 0.01) through runoff with abundant NO3– and PO43– into the river. Thus, FAFe concentration in Asahi River was influenced by pH, SWT, TOC, hydrological regime, and agricultural runoff. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=YengehRohdof Lactem en-aut-sei=Yengeh en-aut-mei=Rohdof Lactem kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=SomuraHiroaki en-aut-sei=Somura en-aut-mei=Hiroaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MoroizumiToshitsugu en-aut-sei=Moroizumi en-aut-mei=Toshitsugu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=MoriYasushi en-aut-sei=Mori en-aut-mei=Yasushi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=MaedaMorihiro en-aut-sei=Maeda en-aut-mei=Morihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=dissolved iron kn-keyword=dissolved iron en-keyword=seasonal variation kn-keyword=seasonal variation en-keyword=dissolved organic matter kn-keyword=dissolved organic matter en-keyword=fulvic acid iron kn-keyword=fulvic acid iron END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=15 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=6666 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250224 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Microfluidic fabrication of rattle shaped biopolymer microcapsules via sequential phase separation in oil droplets en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Multilayer microcapsules containing a small particle within a larger capsule have recently attracted considerable attention owing to their potential applications in diverse fields, including drug delivery, active ingredient storage, and chemical reactions. These complex capsules have been fabricated using interfacial polymerization or seeded emulsion polymerization. However, these methods often require complex and lengthy polymerization processes, limiting their utility, particularly in biopolymer systems. This study introduces a simple and efficient approach for preparing rattle-shaped cellulose acetate (CA) microcapsules through sequential phase separation in droplets. We systematically examine the effects of various preparation parameters, including the amount of co-solvent, initial droplet size, and flow rates, and reveal that the incorporation of a co-solvent-ethyl acetate (EA)- in the dispersed phase significantly impacts the microcapsule morphology. Our findings demonstrate a transition from a core-shell to a rattle-shaped structure as the EA concentration increases. Furthermore, the initial droplet diameter and flow rates influence microcapsule formation-larger droplets and reduced continuous-phase flow rates favor the development of multi-layered structures. These results indicate that the formation mechanism of these rattle-shaped microcapsules arises from the establishment of a radial solvent concentration gradient and subsequent phase separation within the droplets, driven by kinetic rather than thermodynamic factors. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=WatanabeTakaichi en-aut-sei=Watanabe en-aut-mei=Takaichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=SakaiYuko en-aut-sei=Sakai en-aut-mei=Yuko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MoriKurumi en-aut-sei=Mori en-aut-mei=Kurumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=OnoTsutomu en-aut-sei=Ono en-aut-mei=Tsutomu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology kn-affil= en-keyword=Microfluidics kn-keyword=Microfluidics en-keyword=Phase separation kn-keyword=Phase separation en-keyword=Nucleation kn-keyword=Nucleation en-keyword=Multi-core kn-keyword=Multi-core en-keyword=Rattle-shaped kn-keyword=Rattle-shaped END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol= cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=e202403213 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250218 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Antifouling Activity of Xylemin, Its Structural Analogs, and Related Polyamines en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Biofouling, which is the accumulation of organisms on undersea structures, poses significant global, social, and economic issues. Although organotin compounds were effective antifoulants since the 1960s, they were banned in 2008 due to their toxicity to marine life. Although tin-free alternatives have been developed, they also raise environmental concerns. This underscores the need for effective, nontoxic antifouling agents. We previously synthesized N-(4-aminobutyl)propylamine (xylemin) and its structural analogs. In this study, we assayed the antifouling activity and toxicity of xylemin, its structural analogs, and related polyamines toward cypris larvae of the barnacle Amphibalanus amphitrite. Xylemin and its Boc-protected analog exhibited antifouling activities with 50% effective concentrations (EC50) of 4.25 and 6.11 µg/mL, respectively. Four xylemin analogs did not show a settlement-inhibitory effect at a concentration of 50 µg/mL. Putrescine, spermidine, spermine, and thermospermine, which are xylemin-related polyamines, did not display antifoulant effects (EC50 > 50 µg/mL). All evaluated compounds were nontoxic at a concentration of 50 µg/mL. These findings indicate that the size and structure of the N-alkyl group are essential for the antifouling activity of xylemin. Therefore, xylemin and its analogs hold promise as nontoxic, eco-friendly antifouling agents, offering a sustainable solution to biofouling in marine environments. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=TakamuraHiroyoshi en-aut-sei=Takamura en-aut-mei=Hiroyoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=YorisueTakefumi en-aut-sei=Yorisue en-aut-mei=Takefumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=TanakaKenta en-aut-sei=Tanaka en-aut-mei=Kenta kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=KadotaIsao en-aut-sei=Kadota en-aut-mei=Isao kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Institute of Natural and Environmental Sciences, University of Hyogo kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Amines kn-keyword=Amines en-keyword=Antifouling activity kn-keyword=Antifouling activity en-keyword=Barnacle kn-keyword=Barnacle en-keyword=Structure–activity relationships kn-keyword=Structure–activity relationships en-keyword=Xylemin kn-keyword=Xylemin END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=197 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=115301 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=202503 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Fraglide-1 from traditional Chinese aromatic vinegar: A natural AhR antagonist for atopic dermatitis en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Traditional Chinese Zhenjiang aromatic vinegar (Kozu) contains Fraglide-1 (FG1), a bioactive lactone with demonstrated peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) agonist and antioxidant activities. This study explored FG1's novel ability to antagonize the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) signaling pathway, which regulates artemin expression and contributes to itching and inflammation in atopic dermatitis. Through molecular docking simulations and cell-based assays in human keratinocytes, we demonstrated FG1's potent antagonistic activity against AhR signaling. FG1 effectively suppressed FICZ-induced inflammatory responses, including artemin expression, with potency (half maximal inhibitory concentration, IC50 = 5.1 μM) comparable to the synthetic antagonist StemRegenin 1 (SR1) while demonstrating a superior safety profile (median lethal concentration, LC50 > 100 μM vs. 27.5 μM for SR1). These findings expand our understanding of bioactive compounds from traditional fermented foods and their regulatory effects on AhR signaling, providing a foundation for future studies on FG1's role in modulating skin inflammation. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KatoKosuke en-aut-sei=Kato en-aut-mei=Kosuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=AkamatsuMiki en-aut-sei=Akamatsu en-aut-mei=Miki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KakimaruSaya en-aut-sei=Kakimaru en-aut-mei=Saya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=KoreishiMayuko en-aut-sei=Koreishi en-aut-mei=Mayuko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakagiMasahiro en-aut-sei=Takagi en-aut-mei=Masahiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyashitaMasahiro en-aut-sei=Miyashita en-aut-mei=Masahiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=MurataYoshiyuki en-aut-sei=Murata en-aut-mei=Yoshiyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakamuraYoshimasa en-aut-sei=Nakamura en-aut-mei=Yoshimasa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=SatohAyano en-aut-sei=Satoh en-aut-mei=Ayano kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=TsujinoYoshio en-aut-sei=Tsujino en-aut-mei=Yoshio kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=School of Materials Science, Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Graduate School of Science, Technology and Innovation, Kobe University kn-affil= en-keyword=AhR kn-keyword=AhR en-keyword=Xenobiotic responsive element kn-keyword=Xenobiotic responsive element en-keyword=StemRegenin 1 kn-keyword=StemRegenin 1 en-keyword=ARNT kn-keyword=ARNT en-keyword=Atopic dermatitis kn-keyword=Atopic dermatitis en-keyword=Artemin kn-keyword=Artemin END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol= cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page= end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250209 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Effects of caffeine on the longevity and locomotion activity of the common green bottle fly, Lucilia sericata (Diptera: Calliphoridae) en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The common green bottle fly, Lucilia sericata (Meigen) (Diptera: Calliphoridae), is a promising and useful managed pollinator for greenhouse agricultural crops. The fly can pollinate at lower and higher temperatures than European honeybee. However, management of the longevity of pollinators is important for growers using greenhouses. Previous studies using other insects showed that caffeine affects insect longevity and behaviors. For instance, European honeybee live longer and have increased memory after caffeine consumption. How caffeine affects the longevity and behavior of pollinators is worth investigating because it can affect pollinator’s behavior, extend longevity, or be an insecticide against pollinators. In the present study, therefore, the longevity and locomotion of L. sericata were investigated when they were given different caffeine concentrations. First, the longevity of L. sericata with five different caffeine concentrations was compared to the control. The results showed that higher concentrations of caffeine (2%, 1%, and 0.5%) significantly decreased the life span compared to lower concentrations (0.05% and 0.01%). Second, the locomotion activities of L. sericata were examined at those two caffeine concentrations with treated and control male and female flies utilizing a Drosophila Activity Monitor (DAM). Treatment with 0.05% caffeine dramatically reduced locomotion, but treatment of 0.01% caffeine did not. We also compared lipid concentrations of flies: flies treated with 0.05% caffeine had a lower lipid concentration compared to flies treated with 0% and 0.01% caffeine. These results indicate that caffeine had negative effects on the longevity and locomotion activities of the pollinator L. sericata in laboratory conditions. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NaingShine Shane en-aut-sei=Naing en-aut-mei=Shine Shane kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiokaHaruna en-aut-sei=Fujioka en-aut-mei=Haruna kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsuuraTeruhisa en-aut-sei=Matsuura en-aut-mei=Teruhisa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyatakeTakahisa en-aut-sei=Miyatake en-aut-mei=Takahisa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Caffeine kn-keyword=Caffeine en-keyword=Life span kn-keyword=Life span en-keyword=Locomotor activity kn-keyword=Locomotor activity en-keyword=Pollinator kn-keyword=Pollinator END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=79 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=51 end-page=58 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=202502 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Photoinitiators Induce Histamine Production in Human Mast Cells en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Photoinitiators are used in the manufacture of many daily products, and may produce harmful effects due to their cytotoxicity. They have also been detected in human serum. Here, we investigated the histamine-producing effects in HMC-1 cells and the inflammatory cytokine release effects in RAW264 cells for four photoinitiators: 1-hydroxycyclohexyl phenyl ketone; 2-isopropylthioxanthone; methyl 2-benzoylbenzoate; and 2-methyl-4´-(methylthio)-2-morpholinopropiophenone. All four promoted histamine production in HMC-1 cells; however, they did not significantly affect the release of inflammatory cytokines in RAW264 cells. These findings suggest that these four photoinitiators induce inflammatory cytokine-independent histamine production, potentially contributing to histamine-mediated chronic inflammation in vitro. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MiuraTaro en-aut-sei=Miura en-aut-mei=Taro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KawasakiYoichi en-aut-sei=Kawasaki en-aut-mei=Yoichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=HamanoHirofumi en-aut-sei=Hamano en-aut-mei=Hirofumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=ZamamiYoshito en-aut-sei=Zamami en-aut-mei=Yoshito kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=SendoToshiaki en-aut-sei=Sendo en-aut-mei=Toshiaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Kagawa School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima Bunri University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=photoinitiator kn-keyword=photoinitiator en-keyword=ink kn-keyword=ink en-keyword=injection kn-keyword=injection en-keyword=histamine kn-keyword=histamine en-keyword=inflammation kn-keyword=inflammation END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=15 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=46 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250113 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Mapping Surface Potential in DNA Aptamer-Neurochemical and Membrane-Ion Interactions on the SOS Substrate Using Terahertz Microscopy en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=In this study, we utilized a terahertz chemical microscope (TCM) to map surface potential changes induced by molecular interactions on silicon-on-sapphire (SOS) substrates. By functionalizing the SOS substrate with DNA aptamers and an ion-selective membrane, we successfully detected and visualized aptamer-neurochemical complexes through the terahertz amplitude. Additionally, comparative studies of DNA aptamers in PBS buffer and artificial cerebrospinal fluid (aCSF) were performed by computational structure modeling and terahertz measurements. Beyond neurochemicals, we also investigated calcium ions, measuring their concentrations in PDMS-fabricated micro-wells using minimal sample volumes. Our results highlight the capability of TCM as a powerful, label-free, and sensitive platform for the probing and mapping of surface potential arising from molecular interactions, with broad implications for biomedical diagnostics and research. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MoritaKosei en-aut-sei=Morita en-aut-mei=Kosei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MitsudaYuta en-aut-sei=Mitsuda en-aut-mei=Yuta kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=YoshidaSota en-aut-sei=Yoshida en-aut-mei=Sota kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=KiwaToshihiko en-aut-sei=Kiwa en-aut-mei=Toshihiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=WangJin en-aut-sei=Wang en-aut-mei=Jin kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=terahertz chemical microscope kn-keyword=terahertz chemical microscope en-keyword=surface potential kn-keyword=surface potential en-keyword=DNA aptamer-neurochemical complexes kn-keyword=DNA aptamer-neurochemical complexes en-keyword=membrane-ion interactions kn-keyword=membrane-ion interactions en-keyword=SOS substrate kn-keyword=SOS substrate en-keyword=artificial cerebrospinal fluid kn-keyword=artificial cerebrospinal fluid END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=234 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=120015 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250305 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Reversible chemical modifications of graphene oxide for enhanced viral capture and release in water en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Detecting low concentrations of viruses in sewage water is crucial for monitoring the spread of emerging viral diseases. However, current detection methods, which involve concentrating viruses using traditional materials such as gauze or cotton, have limitations in effectively accomplishing this task. This study demonstrates that graphene oxide (GO), a two-dimensional carbon material, possesses strong viral adsorption capabilities. However, it lacks efficiency for effective viral release. Therefore, we designed a series of new GO-based materials, which exhibited a viral adsorption similar to pristine GO, while significantly enhancing their release performance by attaching alkyl chains and hydrophilic functional groups. Among the synthesized materials, 1,8-aminooctanol grafted to GO (GO-NH2C8OH) has emerged as the most promising candidate, achieving a viral release rate higher than 50 %. This superior performance can be attributed to the synergistic effect of the alkyl chain and the terminal OH group, which enhances both its affinity for viruses and water dispersibility. Furthermore, we have successfully applied GO-NH2C8OH in a new protocol for concentrating viruses from sewage wastewater. This approach has demonstrated a 200-fold increase in virus concentration, allowing PCR detection of this type of pathogens present in wastewater below the detection limit by direct analysis, underscoring its significant potential for virus surveillance. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=Ferré-PujolPilar en-aut-sei=Ferré-Pujol en-aut-mei=Pilar kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=ObataSeiji en-aut-sei=Obata en-aut-mei=Seiji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=RayaJésus en-aut-sei=Raya en-aut-mei=Jésus kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 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=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=KatayamaHiroyuki en-aut-sei=Katayama en-aut-mei=Hiroyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 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=6 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=7 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Institut de Chimie, UMR 7177 CNRS, Université de Strasbourg kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Urban Engineering, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Research Center for Water Environment Technology, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Carbon nanomaterials kn-keyword=Carbon nanomaterials en-keyword=Functionalization kn-keyword=Functionalization en-keyword=Adsorption kn-keyword=Adsorption en-keyword=Desorption kn-keyword=Desorption en-keyword=Pathogens kn-keyword=Pathogens END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=125 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=106672 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=202502 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Resveratrol, a food-derived polyphenol, promotes Melanosomal degradation in skin fibroblasts through coordinated activation of autophagy, lysosomal, and antioxidant pathways en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Resveratrol, a polyphenol found in grapes and peanuts, is known for diverse biological activities, yet its effects on dermal hyperpigmentation (so-called dark spots) remain unexplored. We investigated resveratrol's ability to enhance melanosomal degradation in human dermal fibroblasts. At concentrations of 25-50 mu M, resveratrol increased autophagy as measured by microtubule-associated protein 1A/1B-light chain 3 (LC3)-II/LC3-I ratio and enhanced lysosomal activity as assessed by a lysosomal activity reporter system. RNA sequencing revealed upregulation of lysosomal and autophagy-related genes, including cathepsins. Furthermore, reporter assays showed resveratrol's activation of antioxidant response via nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2)mediated, leading to upregulation of transcription factor EB/transcription factor E3 (TFEB/TFE3), master regulators of lysosomal function. In fibroblasts pre-loaded with melanosomes, resveratrol reduced melanosome content compared to control by day 3. The findings reveal the activation of interconnected autophagy, lysosomal, and antioxidant pathways by resveratrol, suggesting potential applications in functional foods targeting dermal hyperpigmentation. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=OkamotoSaki en-aut-sei=Okamoto en-aut-mei=Saki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KakimaruSaya en-aut-sei=Kakimaru en-aut-mei=Saya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KoreishiMayuko en-aut-sei=Koreishi en-aut-mei=Mayuko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=SakamotoMika en-aut-sei=Sakamoto en-aut-mei=Mika kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakamuraYoshimasa en-aut-sei=Nakamura en-aut-mei=Yoshimasa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=AndoHideya en-aut-sei=Ando en-aut-mei=Hideya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=TsujinoYoshio en-aut-sei=Tsujino en-aut-mei=Yoshio kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=SatohAyano en-aut-sei=Satoh en-aut-mei=Ayano kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=National Institute of Genetics, ROIS kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Applied Chemistry and Biotechnology, Okayama University of Science kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Graduate School of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Kobe University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Antioxidant kn-keyword=Antioxidant en-keyword=Lysosomes kn-keyword=Lysosomes en-keyword=Autophagy kn-keyword=Autophagy en-keyword=Resveratrol kn-keyword=Resveratrol en-keyword=Skin fibroblasts kn-keyword=Skin fibroblasts en-keyword=Bioactive compounds kn-keyword=Bioactive compounds END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=129 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=726 end-page=735 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241231 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Hydronium Ions Are Less Excluded from Hydrophobic Polymer–Water Interfaces than Hydroxide Ions en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The cloud point temperatures of aqueous poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) and poly(ethylene) oxide (PEO) solutions were measured from pH 1.0 to pH 13.0 at a constant ionic strength of 100 mM. This ionic strength was reached by mixing the appropriate concentration of NaCl with either HCl or NaOH. The phase transition temperature of both polymers was nearly constant between pH 2.0 and 12.0. However, the introduction of 100 mM HCl (pH 1.0) led to an increase in the cloud point temperature, although this value was still lower than the cloud point temperature in the absence of salt. By contrast, the introduction of 100 mM NaOH (pH 13.0) caused a decrease in the cloud point temperature, both relative to adding 100 mM NaCl and adding no salt. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) studies of these systems were performed below the cloud point temperature, and the chemical shifts closely tracked the corresponding changes in the phase transition temperature. Specifically, the introduction of 100 mM HCl caused the 1H chemical shift to move downfield for the CH resonances from both PNIPAM and PEO, while 100 mM NaOH caused the same resonances to move upfield. Virtually no change in the chemical shift was seen between pH 2.0 and 12.0. These results are consistent with the idea that a sufficient concentration of H3O+ led to polymer swelling compared to Na+, while substituting Cl– with OH– reduced swelling. Finally, classical all-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were performed with a monomer and 5-mer corresponding to PNIPAM. The results correlated closely with the thermodynamic and spectroscopic data. The simulation showed that H3O+ ions more readily accumulated around the amide oxygen moiety on PNIPAM compared with Na+. On the other hand, OH– was more excluded from the polymer surface than Cl–. Taken together, the thermodynamic, spectroscopic, and MD simulation data revealed that H3O+ was less depleted from hydrophobic polymer/water interfaces than any of the monovalent Hofmeister metal cations or even Ca2+ and Mg2+. As such, it should be placed on the far-right side of the cationic Hofmeister series. On the other hand, OH– was excluded from the interface and could be positioned in the anionic Hofmeister series between H2PO4– and SO42–. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MyersRyan L. en-aut-sei=Myers en-aut-mei=Ryan L. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=TairaAoi en-aut-sei=Taira en-aut-mei=Aoi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=YanChuanyu en-aut-sei=Yan en-aut-mei=Chuanyu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=LeeSeung-Yi en-aut-sei=Lee en-aut-mei=Seung-Yi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=WelshLauren K. en-aut-sei=Welsh en-aut-mei=Lauren K. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=IaniroPatrick R. en-aut-sei=Ianiro en-aut-mei=Patrick R. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=YangTinglu en-aut-sei=Yang en-aut-mei=Tinglu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 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=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=CremerPaul S. en-aut-sei=Cremer en-aut-mei=Paul S. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh at Bradford kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=222 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=115374 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2023 dt-pub=20230401 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Environmental water in Kolkata is suitable for the survival of Vibrio cholerae O1 en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Many patients with cholera emerge in Kolkata, India throughout the year. Such emergency indicates that cholera toxin-producing Vibrio cholerae O1 (toxigenic V. cholerae O1) are widespread in Kolkata. This suggests that the suitable conditions for replication of toxigenic V. cholerae O1 is provided in Kolkata. In previous studies, we found that the replication rate of toxigenic V. cholerae O1 is low in the low ionic aqueous solution. Then we measured the ion concentration in the environmental water of Kolkata. As a control, we measured them in Japanese environmental water. The ion concentration in the environmental water of Kolkata was significantly high. Then, we examined the survival of toxigenic V. cholerae O1 in groundwater from Kolkata and found that V. cholerae O1 survive for long time in the solution but not in the solution diluted with Milli Q water. In addition, we found that V. cholerae O1 proliferated in environmental water of Kolkata to which a small amount of nutrient was added, but did not grow in the environmental water diluted with water to which the same amount of nutrient was added. These results indicate that the environmental water from Kolkata is suitable for survival of V. cholerae O1. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=TakahashiEizo en-aut-sei=Takahashi en-aut-mei=Eizo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KitaharaKei en-aut-sei=Kitahara en-aut-mei=Kei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyoshiShin-ichi en-aut-sei=Miyoshi en-aut-mei=Shin-ichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=ChowdhuryGoutam en-aut-sei=Chowdhury en-aut-mei=Goutam kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=MukhopadhyayAsish K. en-aut-sei=Mukhopadhyay en-aut-mei=Asish K. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=DuttaShanta en-aut-sei=Dutta en-aut-mei=Shanta kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=OchiSadayuki en-aut-sei=Ochi en-aut-mei=Sadayuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkamotoKeinosuke en-aut-sei=Okamoto en-aut-mei=Keinosuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Collaborative Research Center of Okayama University for Infectious Diseases in India kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Collaborative Research Center of Okayama University for Infectious Diseases in India kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences of Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Health Pharmacy, Yokohama University of Pharmacy kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences of Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Environmental water kn-keyword=Environmental water en-keyword=Ion kn-keyword=Ion en-keyword=Prevalence kn-keyword=Prevalence en-keyword=Survival kn-keyword=Survival en-keyword=Vibrio cholerae kn-keyword=Vibrio cholerae END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=31 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=102575 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241203 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Clinical and microbiological characteristics of high-level daptomycin-resistant Corynebacterium species: A systematic scoping review en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Introduction: Corynebacterium species potentially develop high-level daptomycin resistance (HLDR) shortly after daptomycin (DAP) administration. We aimed to investigate the clinical and microbiological characteristics of HLDR Corynebacterium infections.
Methods: We first presented a clinical case accompanied by the results of a comprehensive genetic analysis of the isolate, and then performed a systematic scoping review. Based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews, we searched for articles with related keywords, including “Corynebacterium”, “Daptomycin", and "Resistance”, in the MEDLINE and Web of Science databases from the database inception to October 25, 2024. Clinical case reports and research articles documenting the isolation of HLDR Corynebacterium species, defined by a minimum inhibitory concentration of DAP at ≥256 μg/mL, were deemed eligible for this review.
Results: Of 80 articles screened, seven case reports detailing eight cases of HLDR Corynebacterium infections, as well as five research articles, were included. C. striatum was the most common species (7/9 cases, 77.8 %), and prosthetic device-associated infections accounted for 66.7 % of the cases. Duration of DAP administration before the emergence of HLDR isolates ranged from 5 days to 3 months; three-quarters of the cases developed within 17 days. Three HLDR isolates were genetically confirmed to have an alteration in pgsA2. The majority of the patients were treated with either glycopeptides or linezolid, with favorable outcomes. In vitro experiments confirmed that C. striatum strains acquire the HLDR phenotype at higher rates (71 %–100 %) within 24 h of incubation, compared to other Corynebacterium strains.
Conclusion: DAP monotherapy, especially for prosthetic device-associated infections, can result in the development of HLDR Corynebacterium. Additional research is warranted to investigate the clinical implications of this potentially proliferating antimicrobial resistant pathogen. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=FukushimaShinnosuke en-aut-sei=Fukushima en-aut-mei=Shinnosuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=HagiyaHideharu en-aut-sei=Hagiya en-aut-mei=Hideharu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=GotohKazuyoshi en-aut-sei=Gotoh en-aut-mei=Kazuyoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=TsujiShuma en-aut-sei=Tsuji en-aut-mei=Shuma kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=IioKoji en-aut-sei=Iio en-aut-mei=Koji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=AkazawaHidemasa en-aut-sei=Akazawa en-aut-mei=Hidemasa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsushitaOsamu en-aut-sei=Matsushita en-aut-mei=Osamu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=OtsukaFumio en-aut-sei=Otsuka en-aut-mei=Fumio kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Bacteriology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Infectious Diseases, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Okayama University Graduate School of Health Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Okayama University Graduate School of Health Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Microbiology Division, Clinical Laboratory, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Infectious Diseases, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Bacteriology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Infectious Diseases, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= en-keyword=Antimicrobial resistance kn-keyword=Antimicrobial resistance en-keyword=Corynebacterium kn-keyword=Corynebacterium en-keyword=Daptomycin kn-keyword=Daptomycin en-keyword=High-level daptomycin resistance kn-keyword=High-level daptomycin resistance en-keyword=pgsA2 kn-keyword=pgsA2 END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=71 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=215 end-page=224 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241214 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Effects of aged microplastics on paddy soil properties and greenhouse gas emissions under laboratory aerobic conditions en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Microplastics (MPs) formed after changes in chemical or physical properties may alter soil properties, which in turn may affect microbial activities and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. However, few studies have focused on the effects of aged MPs changes on soil properties and greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the impact of MPs with different aging times on soil GHG emissions and dissolved organic carbon (DOC). Low-density polyethylene (PE) and polylactic acid (PLA) were treated with ultraviolet (UV) irradiation for 0–2 weeks. Soil was incubated with PE or PLA 1% (w/w) concentration at 60% water holding capacity (WHC) for 35 days. Emissions of nitrous oxide (N2O) and carbon dioxide (CO2) were measured on days 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 14, 21, 28, and 35. Results showed that CO2 and N2O emissions were higher (p < 0.05) in MPs-amended treatments than those without MPs and increased with MPs age. The addition of virgin PE did not affect soil DOC content, whereas aged PE and all PLA additions significantly increased soil DOC content on day 0, probably because UV irradiation caused the degradation of MPs to smaller molecules. In addition, aged MPs addition altered DOC spectral characteristics on day 7, possibly because aged PE and PLA promote microbial decomposition of organic matter by altering soil properties. Changes in soil DOC content and specific ultraviolet absorbance (SUVA) by aged PE and PLA probably promoted the emissions of CO2 and N2O compared to virgin MPs or soil only. Our study revealed that aged PE and PLA promote GHG emissions from soil by changing DOC contents and qualities. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=ZhangTian en-aut-sei=Zhang en-aut-mei=Tian kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=SomuraHiroaki en-aut-sei=Somura en-aut-mei=Hiroaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=AkaoSatoshi en-aut-sei=Akao en-aut-mei=Satoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakaharaNozomi en-aut-sei=Nakahara en-aut-mei=Nozomi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=PereraGamamada Liyanage Erandi Priyangika en-aut-sei=Perera en-aut-mei=Gamamada Liyanage Erandi Priyangika kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakanoChiyu en-aut-sei=Nakano en-aut-mei=Chiyu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=MaedaMorihiro en-aut-sei=Maeda en-aut-mei=Morihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Faculty of Science and Engineering, Doshisha University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Environmental Management Center, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Aged MPs kn-keyword=Aged MPs en-keyword=biodegradable plastics kn-keyword=biodegradable plastics en-keyword=microplastics kn-keyword=microplastics en-keyword=nitrogen transformation kn-keyword=nitrogen transformation en-keyword=organic carbon decomposition kn-keyword=organic carbon decomposition END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=19 cd-vols= no-issue=12 article-no= start-page=e0315385 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241209 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Phase-dependent trends in the prevalence of myalgic encephalomyelitis / chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) related to long COVID: A criteria-based retrospective study in Japan en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background
The characteristics of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) related to COVID-19 have remained uncertain. To elucidate the clinical trend of ME/CFS induced by long COVID, we examined data for patients who visited our outpatient clinic established in a university hospital during the period from Feb 2021 to July 2023.

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

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

Conclusion
The proportion of long COVID patients who developed ME/CFS strictly diagnosed by three criteria was lower among patients infected in the Omicron phase than among patients infected in the other phases, while the proportion of patients with brain fog inversely increased. Attention should be paid to the variant-dependent trends of ME/CFS triggered by long COVID (300 words). en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MoritaSatoru en-aut-sei=Morita en-aut-mei=Satoru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=TokumasuKazuki en-aut-sei=Tokumasu en-aut-mei=Kazuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=OtsukaYuki en-aut-sei=Otsuka en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=HondaHiroyuki en-aut-sei=Honda en-aut-mei=Hiroyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakanoYasuhiro en-aut-sei=Nakano en-aut-mei=Yasuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=SunadaNaruhiko en-aut-sei=Sunada en-aut-mei=Naruhiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=SakuradaYasue en-aut-sei=Sakurada en-aut-mei=Yasue kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsudaYui en-aut-sei=Matsuda en-aut-mei=Yui kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=SoejimaYoshiaki en-aut-sei=Soejima en-aut-mei=Yoshiaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=UedaKeigo en-aut-sei=Ueda en-aut-mei=Keigo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=OtsukaFumio en-aut-sei=Otsuka en-aut-mei=Fumio kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=78 cd-vols= no-issue=6 article-no= start-page=439 end-page=447 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=202412 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Risk Factors for Gangrenous Cholecystitis and the Outcomes of Early Cholecystectomy: A Retrospective Study of a Single-Center City General Hospital en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Gangrenous cholecystitis (GC) is classified as moderate acute cholecystitis according to the Tokyo Guidelines from 2018 (TG18). We evaluated the risk factors for GC and the outcomes of early cholecystectomy. A total of 136 patients who underwent emergency cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis were retrospectively analyzed; 58 of these patients (42.6%) were diagnosed with GC (GC group) based on our retrospective pathologic diagnosis. We comparatively evaluated the patient backgrounds and surgical outcomes between the GC group and non-GC group. The GC group was significantly older and included more hypertensive patients than the non-GC group. The GC group was prescribed more antibiotics as initial treatment than the non-GC group, and they had more days between onset and surgery. The preoperative white blood cell count and C-reactive protein values were significantly higher in the GC group than in the non-GC group, and these values were predictive factors for GC. Cholecystectomy required a longer operation time and caused greater blood loss in the GC group. The GC group also had longer hospitalization times than the non-GC group; however, no significant differences were observed in terms of postoperative complications. In conclusion, gangrenous changes should be assessed when diagnosing cholecystitis, and appropriate treatment, such as surgery or drainage, should be undertaken. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=YamashitaMampei en-aut-sei=Yamashita en-aut-mei=Mampei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=TanakaTakayuki en-aut-sei=Tanaka en-aut-mei=Takayuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=SumidaYorihisa en-aut-sei=Sumida en-aut-mei=Yorihisa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamazakiShoto en-aut-sei=Yamazaki en-aut-mei=Shoto kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=HaraYuki en-aut-sei=Hara en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=FukudaAkiko en-aut-sei=Fukuda en-aut-mei=Akiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=HisanagaMakoto en-aut-sei=Hisanaga en-aut-mei=Makoto kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=WakataKoki en-aut-sei=Wakata en-aut-mei=Koki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=ArakiMasato en-aut-sei=Araki en-aut-mei=Masato kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=EguchiSusumu en-aut-sei=Eguchi en-aut-mei=Susumu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Surgery, Sasebo City General Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Surgery, Sasebo City General Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Surgery, Sasebo City General Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Surgery, Sasebo City General Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Surgery, Sasebo City General Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Surgery, Sasebo City General Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Surgery, Sasebo City General Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Surgery, Sasebo City General Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Surgery, Sasebo City General Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Surgery, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Science kn-affil= en-keyword=gangrenous kn-keyword=gangrenous en-keyword=cholecystitis kn-keyword=cholecystitis en-keyword=acute cholecystitis kn-keyword=acute cholecystitis en-keyword=laparoscopic cholecystectomy kn-keyword=laparoscopic cholecystectomy END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=24 cd-vols= no-issue=22 article-no= start-page=7382 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241119 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Microdetection of Nucleocapsid Proteins via Terahertz Chemical Microscope Using Aptamers en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=In the detection of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), several methods have been employed, including the detection of viral ribonucleic acid (RNA), nucleocapsid (N) proteins, spike proteins, and antibodies. RNA detection, primarily through polymerase chain reaction tests, targets the viral genetic material, whereas antigen tests detect N and spike proteins to identify active infections. In addition, antibody tests are performed to measure the immune response, indicating previous exposure or vaccination. Here, we used the developed terahertz chemical microscope (TCM) to detect different concentrations of N protein in solution by immobilizing aptamers on a semiconductor substrate (sensing plate) and demonstrated that the terahertz amplitude varies as the concentration of N proteins increases, exhibiting a highly linear relationship with a coefficient of determination (R2 = 0.9881), indicating that a quantitative measurement of N proteins is achieved. By optimizing the reaction conditions, we confirmed that the amplitude of the terahertz wave was independent of the solution volume. Consequently, trace amounts (0.5 μL) of the N protein were successfully detected, and the detection process only took 10 min. Therefore, this study is expected to develop a rapid and sensitive method for the detection and observation of the SARS-CoV-2 virus at a microdetection level. It is anticipated that this research will significantly contribute to reducing the spread of novel infectious diseases in the future. 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=MurakamiMana en-aut-sei=Murakami en-aut-mei=Mana 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=Graduate School of Medicine Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 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 microscope kn-keyword=terahertz chemical microscope en-keyword=aptamers kn-keyword=aptamers en-keyword=N protein kn-keyword=N protein en-keyword=microdetection kn-keyword=microdetection END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=61 cd-vols= no-issue=3 article-no= start-page=282 end-page=291 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2023 dt-pub=20230821 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Evaluating the activity of N-89 as an oral antimalarial drug en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Despite the recent progress in public health measures, malaria remains a troublesome disease that needs to be eradicated. It is essential to develop new antimalarial medications that are reliable and secure. This report evaluated the pharmacokinetics and antimalarial activity of 1,2,6,7-tetraoxaspiro[7.11]nonadecane (N-89) using the rodent malaria parasite Plasmodium berghei in vivo. After a single oral dose (75 mg/kg) of N-89, its pharmacokinetic parameters were measured, and t1/2 was 0.97 h, Tmax was 0.75 h, and bioavailability was 7.01%. A plasma concentration of 8.1 ng/ml of N-89 was maintained for 8 h but could not be detected at 10 h. The dose inhibiting 50% of parasite growth (ED50) and ED90 values of oral N-89 obtained following a 4-day suppressive test were 20 and 40 mg/kg, respectively. Based on the plasma concentration of N-89, we evaluated the antimalarial activity and cure effects of oral N-89 at a dose of 75 mg/kg 3 times daily for 3 consecutive days in mice harboring more than 0.5% parasitemia. In all the N-89- treated groups, the parasites were eliminated on day 5 post-treatment, and all mice recovered without a parasite recurrence for 30 days. Additionally, administering oral N-89 at a low dose of 50 mg/kg was sufficient to cure mice from day 6 without parasite recurrence. This work was the first to investigate the pharmacokinetic characteristics and antimalarial activity of N-89 as an oral drug. In the future, the following steps should be focused on developing N-89 for malaria treatments; its administration schedule and metabolic pathways should be investigated. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=AlyNagwa S. M. en-aut-sei=Aly en-aut-mei=Nagwa S. M. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsumoriHiroaki en-aut-sei=Matsumori en-aut-mei=Hiroaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=DinhThi Quyen en-aut-sei=Dinh en-aut-mei=Thi Quyen kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=SatoAkira en-aut-sei=Sato en-aut-mei=Akira kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyoshiShin-ichi en-aut-sei=Miyoshi en-aut-mei=Shin-ichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=ChangKyung-Soo en-aut-sei=Chang en-aut-mei=Kyung-Soo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=YuHak Sun en-aut-sei=Yu en-aut-mei=Hak Sun kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=KubotaTakaaki en-aut-sei=Kubota en-aut-mei=Takaaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=KurosakiYuji en-aut-sei=Kurosaki en-aut-mei=Yuji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=CaoDuc Tuan en-aut-sei=Cao en-aut-mei=Duc Tuan kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=RashedGehan A. en-aut-sei=Rashed en-aut-mei=Gehan A. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=KimHye-Sook en-aut-sei=Kim en-aut-mei=Hye-Sook kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of International Infectious Diseases Control, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of International Infectious Diseases Control, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of International Infectious Diseases Control, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of International Infectious Diseases Control, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Sanitary Microbiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Clinical Laboratory Science, College of Health Sciences, Catholic University of Pusan kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine, Pusan National University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Natural Products Chemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Pharmaceutical Formulation Design, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Quality Control, Faculty of Pharmacy, Hai Phong University of Medicine and Pharmacy kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Parasitology, Benha Faculty of Medicine, Benha University kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Department of International Infectious Diseases Control, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=New antimalarial candidate kn-keyword=New antimalarial candidate en-keyword=oral N-89 kn-keyword=oral N-89 en-keyword=pharmacokinetics kn-keyword=pharmacokinetics en-keyword=in vivo kn-keyword=in vivo END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=56 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=41 end-page=71 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241125 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title=Reproducing Self-organizing Agglomeration using Agent-based Model: ICT Establishments in Tokyo’s Special Wards kn-title=エージェントベースモデルによる自己組織化的集積の再現:特別区におけるICT 事業所 en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract= As a preliminary step to conducting a self-organizing simulation of the agglomeration and dispersion of the information and communications industry, we quantify the spatial agglomeration of the information and communications industry in Japan’s major cities. Using the town and district data from the Economic Census for Economic Activity, we attempted a spatial analysis of the information and communications industry in the Tokyo Special Wards as well as in Sapporo, Sendai, Hiroshima, and Fukuoka, which have regional central functions. As a result of detecting spatial autocorrelation in small areas within each city, hotspots indicating the agglomeration of information and communications industry offi ces were found in the city center of each city. At the same time, we were able to confi rm the impact of agglomeration economies, which are the premise of the self-organizing model, and confi rmed that the information and communications industry is an industry suitable for simulation of the self-organizing model.  Krugman(1996)was the fi rst to model the self-organizing model in cities and clarifi ed the emergence principle of peripheral cities, but this was limited to numerical simulations. Later, Kumar et al.(2007)used actual data to show that Krugman’s self-organizing model could be applied to predict corporate agglomeration and dispersion. In this paper, we use an agent-based model to examine whether a self-organizing model is also effective in reproducing and predicting the concentration and dispersion of the information and communications industry in Japanese cities. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NakamuraRyohei en-aut-sei=Nakamura en-aut-mei=Ryohei kn-aut-name=中村良平 kn-aut-sei=中村 kn-aut-mei=良平 aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=NagamuneTakeshi en-aut-sei=Nagamune en-aut-mei=Takeshi kn-aut-name=長宗武司 kn-aut-sei=長宗 kn-aut-mei=武司 aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=HayashiSyusei en-aut-sei=Hayashi en-aut-mei=Syusei kn-aut-name=林秀星 kn-aut-sei=林 kn-aut-mei=秀星 aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil= kn-affil=岡山大学 affil-num=2 en-affil= kn-affil=新見公立大学 affil-num=3 en-affil= kn-affil=東北大学大学院 END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=14 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=16337 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20240716 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Effects of dapagliflozin on myoglobin efflux from cardiomyocyte during myocardial ischemia/reperfusion in anesthetized rats en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=It has been suggested that sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors have cardioprotective effects during myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) independent of glucose-lowering action. However, the effects of SGLT2 inhibitors on structural damage to cardiomyocytes in the ischemic region during I/R remain unknown. We applied a microdialysis technique to the heart of anesthetized rats and investigated the effects of an SGLT2 inhibitor, dapagliflozin, on myocardial interstitial myoglobin levels in the ischemic region during coronary occlusion followed by reperfusion. Dapagliflozin was administered systemically (40 mu g/body iv) or locally via a dialysis probe (100 mu M and 1 mM) 30 min before coronary occlusion. In the vehicle group, coronary occlusion increased the dialysate myoglobin concentration in the ischemic region. Reperfusion further increased the dialysate myoglobin concentration. Intravenous administration of dapagliflozin reduced dialysate myoglobin concentration during ischemia and at 0-15 min after reperfusion, but local administration (100 mu M and 1 mM) did not. Therefore, acute systemic administration of dapagliflozin prior to ischemia has cardioprotective effects on structural damage during I/R. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=HayashidaTomohiro en-aut-sei=Hayashida en-aut-mei=Tomohiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KurokoYosuke en-aut-sei=Kuroko en-aut-mei=Yosuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShimizuShuji en-aut-sei=Shimizu en-aut-mei=Shuji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=AkiyamaTsuyoshi en-aut-sei=Akiyama en-aut-mei=Tsuyoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=SuezawaTakanori en-aut-sei=Suezawa en-aut-mei=Takanori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=KiokaYukio en-aut-sei=Kioka en-aut-mei=Yukio kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 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=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShishidoToshiaki en-aut-sei=Shishido en-aut-mei=Toshiaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 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=9 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Cardiac Physiology, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Fukuyama City Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Fukuyama City Hospital 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 Research Promotion and Management, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= en-keyword=Sodium-glucose-cotransporter 2 inhibitor kn-keyword=Sodium-glucose-cotransporter 2 inhibitor en-keyword=Dapagliflozin kn-keyword=Dapagliflozin en-keyword=Myocardial ischemia/reperfusion kn-keyword=Myocardial ischemia/reperfusion en-keyword=Cardiac microdialysis kn-keyword=Cardiac microdialysis en-keyword=Myoglobin kn-keyword=Myoglobin END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=78 cd-vols= no-issue=5 article-no= start-page=387 end-page=399 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=202410 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Effect of Radon Inhalation on Murine Brain Proteins: Investigation Using Proteomic and Multivariate Analyses en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Radon is a known risk factor for lung cancer; however, it can be used beneficially, such as in radon therapy. We have previously reported the enhancement of antioxidant effects associated with trace amounts of oxidative stress as one of the positive biological effects of radon inhalation. However, the biological effects of radon inhalation are incompletely understood, and more detailed and comprehensive studies are required. Although several studies have used proteomics to investigate the effects of radon inhalation on body proteins, none has focused on brain proteins. In this study, we evaluated the expression status of proteins in murine brains using proteomic and multivariate analyses to identify those whose expressions changed following two days of radon inhalation at a concentration of 1,500 Bq/m3. We found associations of radon inhalation with the expressions of seven proteins related to neurotransmission and heat shock. These proteins may be proposed as biomarkers indicative of radon inhalation. Although further studies are required to obtain the detailed biological significance of these protein alterations, this study contributes to the elucidation of the biological effects of radon inhalation as a low-dose radiation. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NaoeShota en-aut-sei=Naoe en-aut-mei=Shota kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=TanakaAyumi en-aut-sei=Tanaka en-aut-mei=Ayumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KanzakiNorie en-aut-sei=Kanzaki en-aut-mei=Norie kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakenakaReiju en-aut-sei=Takenaka en-aut-mei=Reiju kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=SakodaAkihiro en-aut-sei=Sakoda en-aut-mei=Akihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyajiTakaaki en-aut-sei=Miyaji en-aut-mei=Takaaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamaokaKiyonori en-aut-sei=Yamaoka en-aut-mei=Kiyonori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=KataokaTakahiro en-aut-sei=Kataoka en-aut-mei=Takahiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Ningyo-toge Environmental Engineering Center, Japan Atomic Energy Agency kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Ningyo-toge Environmental Engineering Center, Japan Atomic Energy Agency kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Advanced Science Research Center, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Faculty of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Faculty of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=radon inhalation kn-keyword=radon inhalation en-keyword=proteomics kn-keyword=proteomics en-keyword=multivariate analysis kn-keyword=multivariate analysis en-keyword=brain kn-keyword=brain en-keyword=oxidative stress kn-keyword=oxidative stress END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=78 cd-vols= no-issue=5 article-no= start-page=371 end-page=376 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=202410 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Phenotypic and Genetic Characteristics of Carbapenemase-Producing Enterobacterales Isolates at Okayama University Hospital en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Spread of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE) is an ongoing public health issue worldwide, including in Japan. In this study, we investigated the phenotypic and genetic characteristics of CPE isolates at Okayama University Hospital over the 5 years (2013-2018) prior to the outbreak of the 2019 coronavirus pandemic. Of 24 carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales isolated during the study period, we identified 8 CPE isolates harboring blaIMP-1 (5 isolates) and blaIMP-6 genes (3 isolates). Bacterial species and carbapenem susceptibility patterns exhibited diversity. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of meropenem were generally higher than those of imipenem and biapenem. Results of pulsed-field gel electrophoresis demonstrated that neither clonal nor plasmid-mediated outbreaks of blaIMP-harboring CPE isolates have developed at our hospital. One Klebsiella oxytoca isolate showed a high MIC (128 μg/mL) of meropenem, which could be explained by the high plasmid copy number. Subsequent analysis of this isolate may elucidate the intricacies of carbapenem resistance profiles among CPE isolates. Collectively, our findings underscore the necessity for ongoing genetic surveillance of CPE, complemented by tailored approaches for infection prevention and control. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=GotohKazuyoshi en-aut-sei=Gotoh en-aut-mei=Kazuyoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyoshiMakoto en-aut-sei=Miyoshi en-aut-mei=Makoto kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=I Putu Bayu Mayura en-aut-sei=I Putu Bayu Mayura en-aut-mei= kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=TsujiShuma en-aut-sei=Tsuji en-aut-mei=Shuma kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=IioKoji en-aut-sei=Iio en-aut-mei=Koji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=FukushimaShinnosuke en-aut-sei=Fukushima en-aut-mei=Shinnosuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsushitaOsamu en-aut-sei=Matsushita en-aut-mei=Osamu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=HagiyaHideharu en-aut-sei=Hagiya en-aut-mei=Hideharu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Bacteriology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Clinical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Udayana University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Microbiology Division, Clinical Laboratory, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Bacteriology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Bacteriology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Infectious Diseases, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= en-keyword=antimicrobial resistance kn-keyword=antimicrobial resistance en-keyword=carbapenemase-producing enterobacterales kn-keyword=carbapenemase-producing enterobacterales en-keyword=carbapenemase-resistant enterobacterales kn-keyword=carbapenemase-resistant enterobacterales en-keyword=Silent pandemic kn-keyword=Silent pandemic en-keyword=whole genome sequence kn-keyword=whole genome sequence END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=17 cd-vols= no-issue=17 article-no= start-page=4368 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20240904 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Antibacterial Dental Adhesive Containing Cetylpyridinium Chloride Montmorillonite en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Oral bacteria cause tooth caries and periodontal disease. Much research is being conducted to prevent both major oral diseases by rendering dental materials' antimicrobial potential. However, such antimicrobial materials are regarded as 'combination' products and face high hurdles for regulatory approval. We loaded inorganic montmorillonite with the antimicrobial agent cetylpyridinium chloride, referred to below as 'CPC-Mont'. CPC-Mont particles in a 1, 3 and 5 wt% concentration were added to the considered gold-standard self-etch adhesive Clearfil SE Bond 2 ('CSE2'; Kuraray Noritake) to render its antibacterial potential (CSE2 without CPC-Mont served as control). Besides measuring (immediate) bonding effectiveness and (aged) bond durability to dentin, the antibacterial activity against S. mutans and the polymerization-conversion rate was assessed. Immediate and aged bond strength was not affected by 1 and 3 wt% CPC-Mont addition, while 5 wt% CPC-Mont significantly lowered bond strength and bond durability. The higher the concentration of the antimicrobial material added, the stronger the antimicrobial activity. Polymerization conversion was not affected by the CPC-Mont addition in any of the three concentrations. Hence, adding 3 wt% CPC-Mont to the two-step self-etch adhesive rendered additional antimicrobial potential on top of its primary bonding function. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=OkazakiYohei en-aut-sei=Okazaki en-aut-mei=Yohei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakamoriKiichi en-aut-sei=Nakamori en-aut-mei=Kiichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=YaoChenmin en-aut-sei=Yao en-aut-mei=Chenmin kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=AhmedMohammed H. en-aut-sei=Ahmed en-aut-mei=Mohammed H. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=MercelisBenjamin en-aut-sei=Mercelis en-aut-mei=Benjamin kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 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=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=MaruoYukinori en-aut-sei=Maruo en-aut-mei=Yukinori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=YoshidaYasuhiro en-aut-sei=Yoshida en-aut-mei=Yasuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=AbeYasuhiko en-aut-sei=Abe en-aut-mei=Yasuhiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=Van MeerbeekMeerbeek, Bart en-aut-sei=Van Meerbeek en-aut-mei=Meerbeek, Bart kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 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=11 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Oral Health Sciences, BIOMAT, KU Leuven kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Advanced Prosthodontics, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Oral Health Sciences, BIOMAT, KU Leuven kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Oral Health Sciences, BIOMAT, KU Leuven kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Oral Health Sciences, BIOMAT, KU Leuven kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Advanced Research Center for Oral and Craniofacial Science, Okayama University Dental School kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Prosthodontics, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Biomaterials and Bioengineering, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Hokkaido University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Advanced Prosthodontics, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Oral Health Sciences, BIOMAT, KU Leuven kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Pathology & Experimental Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=dental adhesive kn-keyword=dental adhesive en-keyword=antibacterial agent kn-keyword=antibacterial agent en-keyword=dentin kn-keyword=dentin en-keyword=degree of conversion kn-keyword=degree of conversion en-keyword=micro tensile bond strength kn-keyword=micro tensile bond strength en-keyword=scanning microscopy kn-keyword=scanning microscopy END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=12 cd-vols= no-issue=8 article-no= start-page=1835 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20240812 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Surface Pre-Reacted Glass-Ionomer Eluate Suppresses Osteoclastogenesis through Downregulation of the MAPK Signaling Pathway en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Surface pre-reacted glass-ionomer (S-PRG) is a new bioactive filler utilized for the restoration of decayed teeth by its ability to release six bioactive ions that prevent the adhesion of dental plaque to the tooth surface. Since ionic liquids are reported to facilitate transepithelial penetration, we reasoned that S-PRG applied to root caries could impact the osteoclasts (OCs) in the proximal alveolar bone. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of S-PRG eluate solution on RANKL-induced OC-genesis and mineral dissolution in vitro. Using RAW264.7 cells as OC precursor cells (OPCs), TRAP staining and pit formation assays were conducted to monitor OC-genesis and mineral dissolution, respectively, while OC-genesis-associated gene expression was measured using quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). Expression of NFATc1, a master regulator of OC differentiation, and the phosphorylation of MAPK signaling molecules were measured using Western blotting. S-PRG eluate dilutions at 1/200 and 1/400 showed no cytotoxicity to RAW264.7 cells but did significantly suppress both OC-genesis and mineral dissolution. The same concentrations of S-PRG eluate downregulated the RANKL-mediated induction of OCSTAMP and CATK mRNAs, as well as the expression of NFATc1 protein and the phosphorylation of ERK, JNK, and p38. These results demonstrate that S-PRG eluate can downregulate RANKL-induced OC-genesis and mineral dissolution, suggesting that its application to root caries might prevent alveolar bone resorption. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=ChandraJanaki en-aut-sei=Chandra en-aut-mei=Janaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakamuraShin en-aut-sei=Nakamura en-aut-mei=Shin kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShindoSatoru en-aut-sei=Shindo en-aut-mei=Satoru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=LeonElizabeth en-aut-sei=Leon en-aut-mei=Elizabeth kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=CastellonMaria en-aut-sei=Castellon en-aut-mei=Maria kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=PastoreMaria Rita en-aut-sei=Pastore en-aut-mei=Maria Rita kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=HeidariAlireza en-aut-sei=Heidari en-aut-mei=Alireza kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=WitekLukasz en-aut-sei=Witek en-aut-mei=Lukasz kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=CoelhoPaulo G. en-aut-sei=Coelho en-aut-mei=Paulo G. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakatsukaToshiyuki en-aut-sei=Nakatsuka en-aut-mei=Toshiyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=KawaiToshihisa en-aut-sei=Kawai en-aut-mei=Toshihisa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Oral Science and Translational Research, College of Dental Medicine, Nova Southeastern University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Pathophysiology-Periodontal Science, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Oral Science and Translational Research, College of Dental Medicine, Nova Southeastern University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Oral Science and Translational Research, College of Dental Medicine, Nova Southeastern University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Oral Science and Translational Research, College of Dental Medicine, Nova Southeastern University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Oral Science and Translational Research, College of Dental Medicine, Nova Southeastern University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Oral Science and Translational Research, College of Dental Medicine, Nova Southeastern University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Biomaterials Division, NYU Dentistry kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=R&D Department, Shofu Inc. kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Oral Science and Translational Research, College of Dental Medicine, Nova Southeastern University kn-affil= en-keyword=S-PRG kn-keyword=S-PRG en-keyword=osteoclast kn-keyword=osteoclast en-keyword=hydroxyapatite kn-keyword=hydroxyapatite en-keyword=TRAP staining kn-keyword=TRAP staining en-keyword=bioactive filler kn-keyword=bioactive filler END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=357 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=114601 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241001 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Revisiting the hormonal control of sexual dimorphism in chicken feathers en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Sexual dimorphism in plumage is widespread among avian species. In chickens, adult females exhibit countershading, characterized by dull-colored round feathers lacking fringe on the saddle, while adult males display vibrant plumage with deeply fringed bright feathers. This dimorphism is estrogen-dependent, and administering estrogen to males transforms their showy plumage into cryptic female-like plumage. Extensive studies have shown that estrogen’s role in female plumage formation requires thyroid hormone; however, the precise mechanisms of their interaction remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the roles of estrogen and thyroid hormone in creating sexual dimorphism in the structure and coloration of saddle feathers by administering each hormone to adult males and observing the resulting changes in regenerated feathers induced by plucking. RT-PCR analysis revealed that the expression of type 3 deiodinase (DIO3), responsible for thyroid hormone inactivation, correlates with fringing. Estrogen suppressed DIO3 and agouti signaling protein (ASIP) expression while stimulating BlSK1, a marker of barbule cells, resulting in female-like feathers with mottled patterns and lacking fringes. Administration of thyroxine (T4) stimulated BlSK1 and proopiomelanocortin (POMC) expression, with no effect on ASIP, leading to the formation of solid black feathers lacking fringes. Triiodothyronine (T3) significantly increased POMC expression in pulp cells in culture. Taken together, these findings suggest that estrogen promotes the formation of solid vanes by suppressing DIO3 expression, while also inducing the formation of mottled patterns through inhibition of ASIP expression and indirect stimulation of melanocortin expression via changes in local T3 concentration. This is the first report describing molecular mechanism underlying hormonal crosstalk in creating sexual dimorphism in feathers. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=YouLi en-aut-sei=You en-aut-mei=Li kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishioKaori en-aut-sei=Nishio en-aut-mei=Kaori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KowataKinue en-aut-sei=Kowata en-aut-mei=Kinue kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=HorikawaMinaru en-aut-sei=Horikawa en-aut-mei=Minaru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 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=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=OgoshiMaho en-aut-sei=Ogoshi en-aut-mei=Maho kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 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=7 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=8 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=Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, 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 Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Melanocortin kn-keyword=Melanocortin en-keyword=Thyroid hormone kn-keyword=Thyroid hormone en-keyword=ASIP kn-keyword=ASIP en-keyword=Estrogen kn-keyword=Estrogen en-keyword=Deiodinase kn-keyword=Deiodinase END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=38 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=394 end-page=408 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2020 dt-pub=20200221 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=The neurotoxicity of psychoactive phenethylamines “2C series” in cultured monoaminergic neuronal cell lines en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Purpose The aim of this study was to evaluate the neurotoxicity of psychoactive abused 2,5-dimethoxy-substituted phenethylamines “2C series” in monoaminergic neurons.
Methods After the exposure to “2C series”, 2,5-dimethoxy-4-propylthiophenethylamine (2C-T-7), 2,5-dimethoxy-4-isopropylthiophenethylamine (2C-T-4), 2,5-dimethoxy-4-ethylthiophenthylamine (2C-T-2), 2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenethylamine (2C-I) or 2,5-dimethoxy-4-chlorophenethylamine (2C-C), we examined their neurotoxicity, morphological changes, and effects of concomitant exposure to 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) or methamphetamine (METH), using cultured neuronal dopaminergic CATH.a cells and serotonin-containing B65 cells.
Results Single dose exposure to “2C series” for 24 h showed significant cytotoxicity as increase in lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release from both monoaminergic neurons: 2C-T-7, 2C-C (EC50; 100 µM) > 2C-T-2 (150 µM), 2C-T-4 (200 µM) > 2C-I (250 µM) in CATH.a cells and 2C-T-7, 2C-I (150 µM) > 2C-T-2 (250 µM) > 2C-C, 2C-T-4 (300 µM) in B65 cells. The “2C series”-induced neurotoxicity in both cells was higher than that of MDMA or METH (EC50: ≥ 1–2 mM). In addition, apoptotic morphological changes were observed at relatively lower concentrations of “2C series”. The concomitant exposure to non-toxic dose of MDMA or METH synergistically enhanced 2C series drugs-induced LDH release and apoptotic changes in B65 cells, but to a lesser extent in CATH.a cells. In addition, the lower dose of 2C-T-7, 2C-T-2 or 2C-I promoted reactive oxygen species production in the mitochondria of B65 cells, even at the early stages (3 h) without apparent morphological changes.
Conclusion The 2,5-dimethoxy-substitution of “2C series” induced severe neurotoxicity in both dopaminergic and serotonin-containing neurons. The non-toxic dose of MDMA or METH synergistically enhanced its neurotoxicity in serotonergic neurons. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=AsanumaMasato en-aut-sei=Asanuma en-aut-mei=Masato kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyazakiIkuko en-aut-sei=Miyazaki en-aut-mei=Ikuko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=FunadaMasahiko en-aut-sei=Funada en-aut-mei=Masahiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Medical Neurobiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Medical Neurobiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Division of Drug Dependence, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry kn-affil= en-keyword=Psychoactive drugs kn-keyword=Psychoactive drugs en-keyword=2,5-Dimethoxy-substituted phenethylamines kn-keyword=2,5-Dimethoxy-substituted phenethylamines en-keyword=Neurotoxicity kn-keyword=Neurotoxicity en-keyword=Serotonin-containing neurons kn-keyword=Serotonin-containing neurons en-keyword=Dopamine neurons kn-keyword=Dopamine neurons en-keyword=Reactive oxygen species kn-keyword=Reactive oxygen species END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=10 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=100347 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=202412 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Reduction with zinc - Impact on the determination of nitrite and nitrate ions using microfluidic paper-based analytical devices en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=We used a microfluidic paper-based analytical device (mu PAD) to investigate the influence that zinc reduction exerts on the determination of nitrite and nitrate ions in natural water samples. The mu PAD consists of layered channels for the reduction of nitrate to nitrite with zinc powder and the subsequent detection of nitrite with Griess reagent. The amount of zinc, number of layers, and reaction time for the reduction were optimized to obtain an intense signal for nitrate. Initially, the sensitivity to nitrate corresponded to 55% that of nitrite, which implied an incomplete reduction. We found, however, that zinc decreased the sensitivity to nitrite in both the mu PAD and spectrophotometry. The sensitivity to nitrite was decreased by 48% in spectrophotometry and 68% in the mu PAD following the reaction with zinc. One of the reasons for the decreased sensitivity is attributed to the production of ammonia, as we elucidated that both nitrite and nitrate produced ammonia via the reaction with zinc. The results suggest that the total concentration of nitrite and nitrate must be corrected by constructing a calibration curve for nitrite with zinc, in addition to developing curves for nitrate with zinc and for nitrite without zinc. Using these calibration curves, the absorbance at different concentration ratios of nitrite and nitrate ions could be reproduced via calculation using the calibration curves with zinc for nitrite and nitrate. Eventually, the developed mu PAD was applied to the determination of nitrite and nitrate ions in natural water samples, and the results were compared with those using a conventional spectrophotometric method. The results of the mu PAD are in good agreement with those of conventional spectrophotometry, which suggests that the mu PAD is reliable for the measurement of nitrite and nitrate ions in natural water samples. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=UmedaMika I. en-aut-sei=Umeda en-aut-mei=Mika I. 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=FujiiTakatoshi en-aut-sei=Fujii en-aut-mei=Takatoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=HinoEiichi en-aut-sei=Hino en-aut-mei=Eiichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=DateYusuke en-aut-sei=Date en-aut-mei=Yusuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=AokiKaoru en-aut-sei=Aoki en-aut-mei=Kaoru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 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=7 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=National Institute of Technology, Yonago College kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=National Institute of Technology, Yonago College kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=National Institute of Technology, Yonago College kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=National Institute of Technology, Yonago College kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Microfluidic paper-based analytical device kn-keyword=Microfluidic paper-based analytical device en-keyword=Nitrite ion kn-keyword=Nitrite ion en-keyword=Nitrate ion kn-keyword=Nitrate ion en-keyword=On-site analysis kn-keyword=On-site analysis en-keyword=Environmental analysis kn-keyword=Environmental analysis END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=88 cd-vols= no-issue=10 article-no= start-page=1164 end-page=1171 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20240716 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Cytosolic acidification and oxidation are the toxic mechanisms of SO2 in Arabidopsis guard cells en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=SO2/H2SO3 can damage plants. However, its toxic mechanism has still been controversial. Two models have been proposed, cytosolic acidification model and cellular oxidation model. Here, we assessed the toxic mechanism of H2SO3 in three cell types of Arabidopsis thaliana, mesophyll cells, guard cells (GCs), and petal cells. The sensitivity of GCs of Chloride channel a (CLCa)-knockout mutants to H2SO3 was significantly lower than those of wildtype plants. Expression of other CLC genes in mesophyll cells and petal cells were different from GCs. Treatment with antioxidant, disodium 4,5-dihydroxy-1,3-benzenedisulfonate (tiron), increased the median lethal concentration (LC50) of H2SO3 in GCs indicating the involvement of cellular oxidation, while the effect was negligible in mesophyll cells and petal cells. These results indicate that there are two toxic mechanisms of SO2 to Arabidopsis cells: cytosolic acidification and cellular oxidation, and the toxic mechanism may vary among cell types. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MozhganiMahdi en-aut-sei=Mozhgani en-aut-mei=Mahdi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=OoiLia en-aut-sei=Ooi en-aut-mei=Lia kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=EspagneChristelle en-aut-sei=Espagne en-aut-mei=Christelle kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=FilleurSophie en-aut-sei=Filleur en-aut-mei=Sophie kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=MoriIzumi C en-aut-sei=Mori en-aut-mei=Izumi C 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 kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC) kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC) kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=cytosolic acidification kn-keyword=cytosolic acidification en-keyword=Arabidopsis kn-keyword=Arabidopsis en-keyword=cellular oxidation kn-keyword=cellular oxidation en-keyword=chloride channel a kn-keyword=chloride channel a en-keyword=sulfur dioxide kn-keyword=sulfur dioxide END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=13 cd-vols= no-issue=15 article-no= start-page=4384 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20240726 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Impact of Serum Indoxyl Sulfate on One-Year Adverse Events in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients with Heart Failure en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background/Objectives: Indoxyl sulfate, a uremic toxin, is associated with mortality and cardiovascular events in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic implications of serum indoxyl sulfate levels in patients with heart failure and CKD. Methods and Results: This was a prospective multicenter observational study. Overall, 300 patients with chronic heart failure with a previous history of hospitalization and an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of 45 mL/min/1.73 m2 or less (CKD stage G3b to G5) without dialysis were analyzed. The primary outcome assessed in a time-to-event analysis from the measurement of indoxyl sulfate was a composite of all-cause death, hospitalization for heart failure, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and nonfatal stroke. Clinical events were followed-up to one year after indoxyl sulfate measurement. The median patient age was 75 years, and 57% of the patients were men. We divided the cohort into low and high indoxyl sulfate categories according to a median value of 9.63 mg/mL. The primary outcome occurred in 27 of 150 patients (18.0%) in the low indoxyl sulfate group and 27 of 150 patients (18.0%) in the high indoxyl sulfate group (hazard ratio, 1.00; 95% confidence interval, 0.58 to 1.70, p = 0.99). In the post hoc exploratory analyses, the results were consistent across age, sex, body mass index, left ventricular ejection fraction, eGFR, and N-terminal pro b-type natriuretic peptide. Conclusions: Among heart failure patients with CKD stages G3b to 5G, serum indoxyl sulfate concentrations were not significantly associated with the subsequent occurrence of cardiovascular events. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=IwasakiKeiichiro en-aut-sei=Iwasaki en-aut-mei=Keiichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 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=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=UrabeChikara en-aut-sei=Urabe en-aut-mei=Chikara kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=SakuragiSatoru en-aut-sei=Sakuragi en-aut-mei=Satoru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=KawaiYusuke en-aut-sei=Kawai en-aut-mei=Yusuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=FukeSoichiro en-aut-sei=Fuke en-aut-mei=Soichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=DoiMasayuki en-aut-sei=Doi en-aut-mei=Masayuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakaishiAtsushi en-aut-sei=Takaishi en-aut-mei=Atsushi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkaTakefumi en-aut-sei=Oka en-aut-mei=Takefumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=TokunagaNaoto en-aut-sei=Tokunaga en-aut-mei=Naoto kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=ItoHiroshi en-aut-sei=Ito en-aut-mei=Hiroshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Institute of Academic and Research, Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Institute of Academic and Research, Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Institute of Academic and Research, Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Iwakuni Clinical Center kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama City Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Japanese Red Cross Okayama Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Cardiology, Kagawa Prefectural Central Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Cardiology, Mitoyo General Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Cardiology, Tsuyama Chuo Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Cardiology, Ibara City Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of General Internal Medicine 3, Kawasaki Medical School kn-affil= en-keyword=heart failure kn-keyword=heart failure en-keyword=chronic kidney disease kn-keyword=chronic kidney disease en-keyword=indoxyl sulfate kn-keyword=indoxyl sulfate END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=13 cd-vols= no-issue=14 article-no= start-page=4199 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20240718 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=New Delhi Metallo-Beta-Lactamase Inhibitors: A Systematic Scoping Review en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background/Objectives: Among various carbapenemases, New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamases (NDMs) are recognized as the most powerful type capable of hydrolyzing all beta-lactam antibiotics, often conferring multi-drug resistance to the microorganism. The objective of this review is to synthesize current scientific data on NDM inhibitors to facilitate the development of future therapeutics for challenging-to-treat pathogens. Methods: Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) Extension for Scoping Reviews, we conducted a MEDLINE search for articles with relevant keywords from the beginning of 2009 to December 2022. We employed various generic terms to encompass all the literature ever published on potential NDM inhibitors. Results: Out of the 1760 articles identified through the database search, 91 met the eligibility criteria and were included in our analysis. The fractional inhibitory concentration index was assessed using the checkerboard assay for 47 compounds in 37 articles, which included 8 compounds already approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the United States. Time-killing curve assays (14 studies, 25%), kinetic assays (15 studies, 40.5%), molecular investigations (25 studies, 67.6%), in vivo studies (14 studies, 37.8%), and toxicity assays (13 studies, 35.1%) were also conducted to strengthen the laboratory-level evidence of the potential inhibitors. None of them appeared to have been applied to human infections. Conclusions: Ongoing research efforts have identified several potential NDM inhibitors; however, there are currently no clinically applicable drugs. To address this, we must foster interdisciplinary and multifaceted collaborations by broadening our own horizons. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NaharLutfun en-aut-sei=Nahar en-aut-mei=Lutfun kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=HagiyaHideharu en-aut-sei=Hagiya en-aut-mei=Hideharu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=GotohKazuyoshi en-aut-sei=Gotoh en-aut-mei=Kazuyoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=AsaduzzamanMd en-aut-sei=Asaduzzaman en-aut-mei=Md kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=OtsukaFumio en-aut-sei=Otsuka en-aut-mei=Fumio kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Infectious Diseases, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Bacteriology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Bacteriology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=antimicrobial resistance kn-keyword=antimicrobial resistance en-keyword=carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales kn-keyword=carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales en-keyword=carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales kn-keyword=carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales en-keyword=metallo-beta-lactamase kn-keyword=metallo-beta-lactamase en-keyword=synergy kn-keyword=synergy en-keyword=combination kn-keyword=combination END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=14 cd-vols= no-issue=32 article-no= start-page=23177 end-page=23183 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20240723 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Lead-free iron-doped Cs3Bi2Br9 perovskite with tunable properties en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Perovskite based on cesium bismuth bromide offers a compelling, non-toxic alternative to lead-containing counterparts in optoelectronic applications. However, its widespread usage is hindered by its wide bandgap. This study investigates a significant bandgap tunability achieved by introducing Fe doping into the inorganic, lead-free, non-toxic, and stable Cs3Bi2Br9 perovskite at varying concentrations. The materials were synthesized using a facile method, with the aim of tuning the optoelectronic properties of the perovskite materials. Characterization through techniques such as X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and UV-vis spectroscopy was conducted to elucidate the transformation mechanism of the doping materials. The substitution process results in a significant change in the bandgap energy, transforming from the pristine Cs3Bi2Br9 with a bandgap of 2.54 eV to 1.78 eV upon 70% Fe doping. The addition of 50% Fe in Cs3Bi2Br9 leads to the formation of the orthorhombic structure in Cs2(Bi,Fe)Br5 perovskite, while complete Fe alloying at 100% results in the phase formation of CsFeBr4 perovskite. Our findings on regulation of bandgap energy and crystal structure through B site substitution hold significant promise for applications in optoelectronics. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=HtunThiri en-aut-sei=Htun en-aut-mei=Thiri kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=ElattarAmr en-aut-sei=Elattar en-aut-mei=Amr kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=ElbohyHytham en-aut-sei=Elbohy en-aut-mei=Hytham kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=TsutsumiKosei en-aut-sei=Tsutsumi en-aut-mei=Kosei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=HoriganeKazumasa en-aut-sei=Horigane en-aut-mei=Kazumasa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakanoChiyu en-aut-sei=Nakano en-aut-mei=Chiyu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=GuXiaoyu en-aut-sei=Gu en-aut-mei=Xiaoyu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 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=8 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=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=KyawAung Ko Ko en-aut-sei=Kyaw en-aut-mei=Aung Ko Ko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 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=11 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Physics Department, Faculty of Science, Damietta University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=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= affil-num=6 en-affil=Advanced Science Research Center, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Guangdong University Key Laboratory for Advanced Quantum Dot Displays and Lighting and Department of Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Guangdong University Key Laboratory for Advanced Quantum Dot Displays and Lighting and Department of Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=100 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=219 end-page=228 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20240625 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=A Novel Peptidome Technology for the Diagnosis of Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer’s Disease by Selected Reaction Monitoring en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background:With the aging of populations worldwide, Alzheimer’s disease (AD) has become a concern due to its high prevalence and the continued lack of established treatments. Early diagnosis is required as a preventive intervention to modify the disease’s progression. In our previous study, we performed peptidomic analysis of serum samples obtained from AD patients and age-matched healthy subjects to seek peptide biomarker candidates for AD by using BLOTCHIP-MS analysis, and identified four peptides as AD biomarker candidates.
Objective:The objective was to validate the serum biomarker peptides to distinguish mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and AD in comparison to cognitively healthy controls using a new peptidome technology, the Dementia Risk Test.
Methods:We enrolled 195 subjects with normal cognitive function (NC; n = 70), MCI (n = 55), and AD (n = 70), The concentrations of cognitive impairment marker peptides (Fibrinogen α chain (FAC), Fibrinogen β chain (FBC), Plasma protease C1 inhibitor (PPC1I), α2-HS-glycoprotein (AHSG)) were quantified by using a selected reaction monitoring assay based on liquid chromatography-MS/MS.
Results:The present study confirmed that three peptides, FAC, FBC, and PPC1I, were significantly upregulated during the onset of AD. This three-peptide set was both highly sensitive in determining AD (sensitivity: 85.7%, specificity: 95.7%, AUC: 0.900) and useful in distinguishing MCI (sensitivity: 61.8%, specificity: 98.6%, AUC: 0.824) from NC.
Conclusions:In this validation study, we confirmed the high diagnostic potential of the three peptides identified in our previous study as candidate serum biomarkers for AD. The Dementia Risk Test may be a powerful tool for detecting AD-related pathological changes. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=FukuiYusuke en-aut-sei=Fukui en-aut-mei=Yusuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=TadokoroKoh en-aut-sei=Tadokoro en-aut-mei=Koh kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=HamadaMinaki en-aut-sei=Hamada en-aut-mei=Minaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=AsadaKyoichi en-aut-sei=Asada en-aut-mei=Kyoichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=LeeLyang-Ja en-aut-sei=Lee en-aut-mei=Lyang-Ja kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=TachikiHidehisa en-aut-sei=Tachiki en-aut-mei=Hidehisa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=MoriharaRyuta en-aut-sei=Morihara en-aut-mei=Ryuta kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=AbeKoji en-aut-sei=Abe en-aut-mei=Koji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamashitaToru en-aut-sei=Yamashita en-aut-mei=Toru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Protosera, Inc. kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Protosera, Inc. kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Protosera, Inc. kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Protosera, Inc. kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Neurology, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Alzheimer’s disease kn-keyword=Alzheimer’s disease en-keyword=biochemical marker kn-keyword=biochemical marker en-keyword=dementia risk test kn-keyword=dementia risk test en-keyword=liquid chromatography-MS/MS kn-keyword=liquid chromatography-MS/MS en-keyword=mild cognitive impairment kn-keyword=mild cognitive impairment en-keyword=peptidome kn-keyword=peptidome en-keyword=selected reaction monitoring kn-keyword=selected reaction monitoring END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=125 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=023104 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20240708 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Enhanced thermal conductivity of fluids by percolating high-concentration few-layer graphene en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=High-performance and small-sized heat exchangers have been demanded due to the miniaturization and higher output of electronic devices, lasers, and energy harvesting/storage systems. Graphene nanosheet suspension has attracted attention as a next-generation nanofluid because of its high thermal conductivity and low pressure drop, while being dispersed stably without any additives. Graphene-based nanofluids have been mostly investigated using graphene oxide, and there are a few studies on pure graphene because of the limitation in mass production and stabilization at high concentrations of graphene. In this study, we prepared a 10 wt. % high-concentration few-layer graphene suspension by pulverizing graphite particles. Scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and Raman spectra confirmed the few-layer graphene is formed in the suspension. The thermal conductivity of the suspension increased with concentration and suddenly jumped at a specific concentration. Furthermore, a significant improvement in thermal conductivity of >40% compared to base liquid was confirmed at 10 wt. % graphene content. A similar trend was observed for electrical resistance; 10 wt. % graphene suspension showed 62% lower resistance than that of 1 wt. %. These results suggest the percolation of graphene in a liquid, which has not been observed for graphene-based materials in previous research. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=IshiiKeiko en-aut-sei=Ishii en-aut-mei=Keiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=OgiyamaTakahiro en-aut-sei=Ogiyama en-aut-mei=Takahiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=FumotoKoji en-aut-sei=Fumoto en-aut-mei=Koji 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= affil-num=1 en-affil=College of Science and Engineering, Chuo University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=College of Science and Engineering, Aoyama Gakuin University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=College of Science and Engineering, Aoyama Gakuin University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=11 cd-vols= no-issue=6 article-no= start-page=24-00129 end-page= 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=Effect of artificial defect on tensile properties of thin titanium alloy wire en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=This study investigated the effects of artificial defects, introduced via focused ion beam (FIB) processing, on the tensile properties of thin titanium alloy wires (Ti-6Al-4V). Results indicated that the defective wires fractured when the net-section nominal stress reached the ultimate tensile strength of the smooth wires, probably because of localized stress concentrations relaxing due to plastic deformation around the defects. The effect of defects on tensile properties was classified into three regions based on the size of the defect area. In the case of small defects, wires fractured at the smooth area away from the defects where the cross-sectional strength was lower. In this case, the defects minimally affected the tensile properties. This is attributable to variations in the cross-sectional strength of the wire, which resulted in some sections with lower strength as compared with the defect area. In the case of medium-sized defects, the fracture strain decreased gradually as the defect area increased. Finally, in the case of large defects, the fracture strain was extremely small. The boundary between the medium-sized and large defects indicates the transition from plastic deformation to no plastic deformation in the smooth area. 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= en-aut-name=OISHIKoyo en-aut-sei=OISHI en-aut-mei=Koyo 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=Ti-6Al-4V kn-keyword=Ti-6Al-4V en-keyword=Thin wire kn-keyword=Thin wire en-keyword=Tensile properties kn-keyword=Tensile properties en-keyword=Defect kn-keyword=Defect en-keyword=Focused ion beam kn-keyword=Focused ion beam en-keyword=Net-section nominal stress kn-keyword=Net-section nominal stress en-keyword=Fracture surface kn-keyword=Fracture surface en-keyword=Fracture strain kn-keyword=Fracture strain END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=68 cd-vols= no-issue=15 article-no= start-page=2400078 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20240704 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Unabsorbed Fecal Fat Content Correlates with a Reduction of Immunoglobulin a Coating of Gut Bacteria in High‐Lard Diet‐Fed Mice en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Scope: Immunoglobulin A (IgA) selectively coats gut bacteria and contributes to regulatory functions in gastrointestinal inflammation and glucose metabolism. Excess intake of lard leads to decrease in the IgA coating of gut bacteria, although the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. This study validates how unabsorbed fat derived from a high-lard diet in the gut affects the IgA coating of bacteria, as assessed in mouse models using three types of dietary fat (lard, medium-, and long-chain triglycerides [MLCTs], and medium-chain triglycerides [MCTs]) exhibiting different digestibilities.
Methods and results: C57BL/6J mice are maintained on diets containing lard, MLCTs, or MCTs at 7% or 30% w/w for 10 weeks (n = 6 per group). The fecal fatty acid concentration is measured to quantify unabsorbed fat content. The ratio of IgA-coated bacteria to total bacteria (IgA coating ratio) in the feces is measured by flow cytometry. Compared to lard-fed mice, MLCT- and MCT-fed mice exhibit lower fecal concentrations of palmitic acid, stearic acid, and oleic acid and higher IgA coating ratios at both 7% and 30% dietary fat, and these parameters exhibit significant negative correlations.
Conclusion: Unabsorbed fat content in the gut may result in attenuated IgA coating of bacteria in high-lard diet-fed mice.
en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KatsumataEmiko en-aut-sei=Katsumata en-aut-mei=Emiko 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=SonoyamaKei en-aut-sei=Sonoyama en-aut-mei=Kei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=YoshidaTakashi en-aut-sei=Yoshida en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=SasakiMio en-aut-sei=Sasaki en-aut-mei=Mio kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=TeraokaMao en-aut-sei=Teraoka en-aut-mei=Mao kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 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=7 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=8 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Research Faculty of Agriculture, Hokkaido University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=TAIYO YUSHI Corporation kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=TAIYO YUSHI Corporation 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 Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=gut bacteria kn-keyword=gut bacteria en-keyword=immunoglobulin A kn-keyword=immunoglobulin A en-keyword=lard kn-keyword=lard END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=16 cd-vols= no-issue=12 article-no= start-page=1888 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20240614 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Prognostic Implications of Insulin Resistance in Heart Failure in Japan en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a major risk and prognostic factor for heart failure (HF). Insulin resistance (IR) is an important component of DM, but the relationship between IR and HF prognosis has not yet been established across a wide variety of HF populations. We retrospectively evaluated the relationship between IR and clinical outcomes of HF patients at our hospital between 2017 and 2021. IR was defined as a homeostatic model assessment of IR (HOMA-IR) index >= 2.5, calculated from fasting blood glucose and insulin concentrations. The primary outcome was a composite of all-cause death and hospitalisation for HF (HHF). Among 682 patients included in the analyses, 337 (49.4%) had IR. The median age was 70 [interquartile range (IQR): 59-77] years old, and 66% of the patients were men. Among the patients, 41% had a left ventricular ejection fraction below 40%, and 32% had DM. The median follow-up period was 16.5 [IQR: 4.4-37.3] months. IR was independently associated with the primary outcome (HR: 1.91, 95% CI: 1.39-2.62, p < 0.0001), death (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.86, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.28-2.83, p < 0.01), and HHF (HR: 1.91, 95% CI: 1.28-2.83, p < 0.01). HOMA-IR is an independent prognostic factor of HF in a wide variety of HF populations. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=IwasakiKeiichiro en-aut-sei=Iwasaki en-aut-mei=Keiichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 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=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=AkagiSatoshi en-aut-sei=Akagi en-aut-mei=Satoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakayaYoichi en-aut-sei=Takaya en-aut-mei=Yoichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=TodaHironobu en-aut-sei=Toda en-aut-mei=Hironobu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 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=6 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=7 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=heart failure kn-keyword=heart failure en-keyword=insulin resistance kn-keyword=insulin resistance en-keyword=HOMA-IR kn-keyword=HOMA-IR en-keyword=diabetes mellitus kn-keyword=diabetes mellitus END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=22 cd-vols= no-issue=5 article-no= start-page=253 end-page=266 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20240509 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Freeze-thaw Resistance of Concrete using Ground Granulated Blast-furnace Slag and Blast-furnace Slag Sand in Salt Water en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The freeze-thaw resistance of concrete is significantly lower in salt water than in fresh water. Concrete deteriorates through repeated freezing and thawing, but in salt water, freezing alone leads to destruction. This paper investigated the effect of calcium hydroxide in concrete on the failure of concrete under such low temperatures. Calcium hydroxide precipitates at the transition zone between aggregate and cement paste due to the hydration of cement. The lower the temperature and the higher the concentration of salt water, the more calcium hydroxide dissolves. From concrete, more calcium hydroxide is eluted in salt water than in fresh water. This accelerates the deterioration of mortar and concrete due to freeze-thaw action. Mortar and concrete using ground granulated blast-furnace slag produces less calcium hydroxide. In mortar and concrete using blast-furnace slag sand, calcium hydroxide precipitated around the aggregate reacts with cement paste and blast-furnace slag sand to modify the transition zone. From these results, it was clarified that concrete using blast-furnace slag exhibits high freeze-thaw resistance even in salt water.
This paper is the English translation of the authors’ previous work [Ayano, T., Fujii, T. and Okazaki, K., (2023). “Freeze-thaw resistance of concrete using ground granulated blast-furnace and blast-furnace slag sand in salt water.” Japanese Journal of JSCE, 79(12), 23-00042. (in Japanese)]. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=AyanoToshiki en-aut-sei=Ayano en-aut-mei=Toshiki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiiTakashi en-aut-sei=Fujii en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkazakiKanako en-aut-sei=Okazaki en-aut-mei=Kanako 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=Division of Social Engineering and Environmental Management, Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=41 cd-vols= no-issue=3 article-no= start-page=281 end-page=289 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20240408 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Volume X-Ray Micro-Computed Tomography Analysis of the Early Cephalized Central Nervous System in a Marine Flatworm, Stylochoplana pusilla en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Platyhelminthes are a phylum of simple bilaterian invertebrates with prototypic body systems. Compared with non-bilaterians such as cnidarians, the bilaterians are likely to exhibit integrated free-moving behaviors, which require a concentrated nervous system “brain” rather than the distributed nervous system of radiatans. Marine flatworms have an early cephalized ‘central’ nervous system compared not only with non-bilaterians but also with parasitic flatworms or freshwater planarians. In this study, we used the marine flatworm Stylochoplana pusilla as an excellent model organism in Platyhelminthes because of the early cephalized central nervous system. Here, we investigated the three-dimensional structures of the flatworm central nervous system by the use of X-ray micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) in a synchrotron radiation facility. We found that the obtained tomographic images were sufficient to discriminate some characteristic structures of the nervous system, including nerve cords around the cephalic ganglion, mushroom body-like structures, and putative optic nerves forming an optic commissure-like structure. Through the micro-CT imaging, we could obtain undistorted serial section images, permitting us to visualize precise spatial relationships of neuronal subpopulations and nerve tracts. 3-D micro-CT is very effective in the volume analysis of the nervous system at the cellular level; the methodology is straightforward and could be applied to many other non-model organisms. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=IkenagaTakanori en-aut-sei=Ikenaga en-aut-mei=Takanori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KobayashiAoshi en-aut-sei=Kobayashi en-aut-mei=Aoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakeuchiAkihisa en-aut-sei=Takeuchi en-aut-mei=Akihisa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=UesugiKentaro en-aut-sei=Uesugi en-aut-mei=Kentaro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=MaezawaTakanobu en-aut-sei=Maezawa en-aut-mei=Takanobu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShibataNorito en-aut-sei=Shibata en-aut-mei=Norito kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 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=7 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=8 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Kagoshima University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Ushimado Marine Institute (UMI), Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute/SPring-8 kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute/SPring-8 kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Integrated Science and Technology, National Institute of Technology, Tsuyama College kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Integrated Science and Technology, National Institute of Technology, Tsuyama College kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Ushimado Marine Institute (UMI), Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Ushimado Marine Institute (UMI), Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=bilaterians kn-keyword=bilaterians en-keyword=micro-CT scan kn-keyword=micro-CT scan en-keyword=central nervous system kn-keyword=central nervous system en-keyword=Platyhelminthes kn-keyword=Platyhelminthes en-keyword=marine flatworms kn-keyword=marine flatworms END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=2024 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=6505595 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20240528 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Circadian Rhythms Fluctuate the Treatment Effects of Intravesical Treatments on Rat Urinary Frequency Models en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Objectives. It is still not clear how the intravesical instillation of drugs affects rat urinary frequency. This study aimed to examine the dynamics of intravesical treatments' treatment effect on rat urinary frequency models by real-time and extended monitoring using a novel continuous urination monitoring system. Methods. Nine eleven-week-old female Wistar rats were divided into three groups to receive intravesical instillation of 0.1% acetic acid (AA), 1.0% AA, or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). Thirty minutes later, these drugs were voided, and rats were moved to a continuous urination monitoring system, UM-100. UM-100 monitored rat urination quantitatively and continuously for 24 hours. Rats were then euthanized, and histopathologic examinations using a damage score validated the severity of bladder inflammation. We used nine additional rats to determine the treatment effect of various drugs against the urinary frequency. These rats were also treated with 1.0% AA in the same way and divided into three groups (n = 3 each) to receive intravesical instillation of lidocaine, silver nitrate (AgNO3), or dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), respectively. Thirty minutes later, rats were catheterized again and moved to the UM-100, and their voiding was monitored for 24 hours. Results. Intravesical instillation of AA increased the urinary frequency and decreased the mean voided volume (VV) in a concentration-dependent manner, with statistical significance at a concentration of 1.0% (urinary frequency; p = 0.0007 , mean VV; p = 0.0032 , respectively) compared with PBS. Histopathological analysis of these models demonstrated a significantly higher damage score of bladder mucosa in both 0.1% AA and 1.0% AA compared with PBS, with the severity in concordance with the clinical severity of urinary frequency (0.1% AA: p < 0.0001 , 1.0% AA: p < 0.0001 ). Moreover, intravesical instillation of lidocaine, AgNO3, and DMSO decreased the urinary frequency. Continuous monitoring with UM-100 also demonstrated that the treatment effect of these intravesically instilled drugs occurred only at night. Conclusions. The extended monitoring of rat urination by UM-100 revealed a significant fluctuation in the treatment effect of intravesically instilled drugs between day and night. These findings may help establish novel therapies for urinary frequency. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=WatanabeTomofumi en-aut-sei=Watanabe en-aut-mei=Tomofumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 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=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=TominagaYusuke en-aut-sei=Tominaga en-aut-mei=Yusuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=MaruyamaYuki en-aut-sei=Maruyama en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=NagasakiNaoya en-aut-sei=Nagasaki en-aut-mei=Naoya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=SekitoTakanori en-aut-sei=Sekito en-aut-mei=Takanori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=EdamuraKohei en-aut-sei=Edamura en-aut-mei=Kohei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=WatanabeToyohiko en-aut-sei=Watanabe en-aut-mei=Toyohiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=ArakiMotoo en-aut-sei=Araki en-aut-mei=Motoo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=WatanabeMasami en-aut-sei=Watanabe en-aut-mei=Masami 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= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=78 cd-vols= no-issue=3 article-no= start-page=259 end-page=270 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=202406 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=The Role of the Lipid Profile and Oxidative Stress in Fatigue, Sleep Disorders and Cognitive Impairment in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship of the lipid profile, dysfunctional high-density lipoprotein, ischaemia-modified albumin and thiol–disulfide homeostasis with cognitive impairment, fatigue and sleep disorders in patients with multiple sclerosis. The cognitive functions of patients were evaluated with the Brief International Cognitive Assessment for Multiple Sclerosis battery. Fatigue was evaluated with the Fatigue Severity Scale and the Fatigue Impact Scale. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale were used to assess patients’ sleep disturbance. Peripheral blood samples were collected, and lipid levels and myeloperoxidase and paraoxonase activity were measured. The myeloperoxidase/paraoxonase ratio, which indicates dysfunctional high-density lipoprotein, was calculated. Thiol–disulfide homeostasis and ischaemia-modified albumin were measured.
We did not identify any relationship between dysfunctional high-density lipoprotein and the physical disability, cognitive decline, fatigue and sleep problems of multiple sclerosis. Thiol–disulfide homeostasis was associated with cognitive scores. The shift of the balance towards disulfide was accompanied by a decrease in cognitive scores. On the other hand, we did not detect any relationship between fatigue and sleep disorders and thiol–disulfide homeostasis. Our findings revealed a possible correlation between cognitive dysfunction and thiol–disulfide homeostasis in multiple sclerosis patients. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=VuralGonul en-aut-sei=Vural en-aut-mei=Gonul kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=DemirEsra en-aut-sei=Demir en-aut-mei=Esra kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=GumusyaylaSadiye en-aut-sei=Gumusyayla en-aut-mei=Sadiye kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=ErenFunda en-aut-sei=Eren en-aut-mei=Funda kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=BarakliSerdar en-aut-sei=Barakli en-aut-mei=Serdar kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=NeseliogluSalim en-aut-sei=Neselioglu en-aut-mei=Salim kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=ErelOzcan en-aut-sei=Erel en-aut-mei=Ozcan kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Ankara Yildirim Beyazit University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Neurology, Ankara City Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Ankara Yildirim Beyazit University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Ankara City Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Neurology, Ankara City Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Ankara City Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Ankara City Hospital kn-affil= en-keyword=multiple sclerosis kn-keyword=multiple sclerosis en-keyword=dysfunctional HDL kn-keyword=dysfunctional HDL en-keyword=thiol–disulfide homeostasis kn-keyword=thiol–disulfide homeostasis en-keyword=cognitive decline kn-keyword=cognitive decline END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=12 cd-vols= no-issue=10 article-no= start-page=980 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20240509 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Effect of Antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy on the Tongue Dorsum on Reducing Halitosis and the Duration of the Effect: A Randomized Clinical Trial en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a treatment that is gaining popularity in modern clinical medicine. However, little is known about the effect of PDT alone on reducing oral halitosis and the duration of the effect. This trial examined the effect of PDT on the tongue dorsum on reducing oral halitosis and the duration of the effect. This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Okayama University Hospital (CRB20-015), and it was registered in the Japan Registry of Clinical Trials (jRCTs061200060). Twenty-two participants were randomly assigned to two groups: an intervention group and control group. PDT was performed in the intervention group using red laser emission and methylene blue gel on the middle and posterior area of the tongue dorsum. The concentration of volatile sulfur compounds, bacterial count on the tongue dorsum, probing pocket depth, bleeding on probing, and simplified oral debris index score were determined before and 1 week after PDT. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to assess the significance of the differences in each parameter between the two groups. We found that the hydrogen sulfide concentration and bacterial count on the tongue dorsum were decreased in the intervention group, but there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups. These results indicated that performing only PDT on the tongue dorsum may not contribute to reducing halitosis. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MaruyamaTakayuki en-aut-sei=Maruyama en-aut-mei=Takayuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=EkuniDaisuke en-aut-sei=Ekuni en-aut-mei=Daisuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=YokoiAya en-aut-sei=Yokoi en-aut-mei=Aya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=NagasakiJunichiro en-aut-sei=Nagasaki en-aut-mei=Junichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=SawadaNanami en-aut-sei=Sawada en-aut-mei=Nanami kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=MoritaManabu en-aut-sei=Morita en-aut-mei=Manabu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Preventive Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Preventive Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Preventive Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Okayama University Dental School kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Preventive Dentistry, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Oral Health Sciences, Takarazuka University of Medical and Health Care kn-affil= en-keyword=halitosis kn-keyword=halitosis en-keyword=antimicrobial photodynamic therapy kn-keyword=antimicrobial photodynamic therapy en-keyword=prevention kn-keyword=prevention en-keyword=randomized clinical trial kn-keyword=randomized clinical trial END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=58 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=88 end-page=97 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20240228 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Enhancing effect of the coexisting alpha-tocopherol on quercetin absorption and metabolism en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The aim of this study is to investigate the modulating effect of coexisting food components on the absorption and metabolism of quercetin and blood plasma antioxidant potentials. The combination of quercetin with α-tocopherol (αT), cellulose, or a commercially available vegetable beverage containing αT and dietary fiber was orally administered to mice. Compared to the single administration of quercetin aglycone, the coadministration of αT with quercetin significantly increased the plasma quercetin concentration at 0.5 h, whereas the combination of quercetin and cellulose decreased it. Interestingly, the administration of quercetin mixed with the vegetable beverage showed no significant change in the quercetin concentration in the mice plasma. The treatment of the cells with the blood plasma after the coadministration of αT with quercetin significantly upregulated the gene expression of the antioxidant enzyme (heme oxygenase-1), whereas the quercetin and cellulose combination did not. In the plasma of the quercetin-administered mice, eight types of quercetin metabolites were detected, and their quantities were affected by the combination with αT. The potentials of the heme oxygenase-1 gene expression by these metabolites were very limited, although several metabolites showed radical scavenging activities comparable to aglycone in the in vitro assays. These results suggested that the combination of αT potentiates the quercetin absorption and metabolism and thus the plasma antioxidant potentials, at least in part, by the quantitative changes in the quercetin metabolites. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MitsuzaneRikito en-aut-sei=Mitsuzane en-aut-mei=Rikito kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkuboReiko en-aut-sei=Okubo en-aut-mei=Reiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishikawaMiyu en-aut-sei=Nishikawa en-aut-mei=Miyu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=IkushiroShinichi en-aut-sei=Ikushiro en-aut-mei=Shinichi 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=NakamuraYoshimasa en-aut-sei=Nakamura en-aut-mei=Yoshimasa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 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=8 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Engineering, Toyama Prefectural University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Engineering, Toyama Prefectural 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 Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=quercetin kn-keyword=quercetin en-keyword=metabolite kn-keyword=metabolite en-keyword=absorption kn-keyword=absorption en-keyword=metabolism kn-keyword=metabolism en-keyword=antioxidant activity kn-keyword=antioxidant activity END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=127 cd-vols= no-issue=25 article-no= start-page=12295 end-page=12303 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2023 dt-pub=20230620 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Li-Ion Transport and Solution Structure in Sulfolane-Based Localized High-Concentration Electrolytes en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Localized high-concentration electrolytes (LHCEs), which are mixtures of highly concentrated electrolytes (HCEs) and non-coordinating diluents, have attracted significant interest as promising liquid electrolytes for next-generation Li secondary batteries, owing to their various beneficial properties both in the bulk and at the electrode/electrolyte interface. We previously reported that the large Li+-ion transference number in sulfolane (SL)-based HCEs, attributed to the unique exchange/hopping-like Li+-ion conduction, decreased upon dilution with the non-coordinating hydrofluoroether (HFE) despite the retention of the local Li+-ion coordination structure. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the effects of HFE dilution on the Li+ transference number and the solution structure of SL-based LHCEs via the analysis of dynamic ion correlations and molecular dynamics simulations. The addition of HFE caused nano-segregation in the SL-based LHCEs to afford polar and nonpolar domains and fragmentation of the polar ion-conducting pathway into smaller clusters with increasing HFE content. Analysis of the dynamic ion correlations revealed that the anti-correlated Li+–Li+ motions were more pronounced upon HFE addition, suggesting that the Li+ exchange/hopping conduction is obstructed by the non-ion-conducting HFE-rich domains. Thus, the HFE addition affects the entire solution structure and ion transport without significantly affecting the local Li+-ion coordination structure. Further studies on ion transport in LHCEs would help obtain a design principle for liquid electrolytes with high ionic conductivity and large Li+-ion transference numbers. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=SudohTaku en-aut-sei=Sudoh en-aut-mei=Taku kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=IkedaShuhei en-aut-sei=Ikeda en-aut-mei=Shuhei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShigenobuKeisuke en-aut-sei=Shigenobu en-aut-mei=Keisuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=TsuzukiSeiji en-aut-sei=Tsuzuki en-aut-mei=Seiji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=DokkoKaoru en-aut-sei=Dokko en-aut-mei=Kaoru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=WatanabeMasayoshi en-aut-sei=Watanabe en-aut-mei=Masayoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShinodaWataru en-aut-sei=Shinoda en-aut-mei=Wataru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=UenoKazuhide en-aut-sei=Ueno en-aut-mei=Kazuhide kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Taku Sudoh Department of Chemistry and Life Science, Yokohama National University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Materials Chemistry, Nagoya University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Chemistry and Life Science, Yokohama National University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Advanced Chemical Energy Research Centre (ACERC), Institute of Advanced Sciences, Yokohama National University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Chemistry and Life Science, Yokohama National University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Advanced Chemical Energy Research Centre (ACERC), Institute of Advanced Sciences, Yokohama National University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Department of Chemistry, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Chemistry and Life Science, Yokohama National University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=32 cd-vols= no-issue=10 article-no= start-page=e4763 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2023 dt-pub=20230925 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Molecular mechanism of the common and opposing cosolvent effects of fluorinated alcohol and urea on a coiled coil protein en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Alcohols and urea are widely used as effective protein denaturants. Among monohydric alcohols, 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol (TFE) has large cosolvent effects as a helix stabilizer in proteins. In contrast, urea efficiently denatures ordered native structures, including helices, into coils. These opposing cosolvent effects of TFE and urea are well known, even though both preferentially bind to proteins; however, the underlying molecular mechanism remains controversial. Cosolvent-dependent relative stability between native and denatured states is rigorously related to the difference in preferential binding parameters (PBPs) between these states. In this study, GCN4-p1 with two-stranded coiled coil helices was employed as a model protein, and molecular dynamics simulations for the helix dimer and isolated coil were conducted in aqueous solutions with 2 M TFE and urea. As 2 M cosolvent aqueous solutions did not exhibit clustering of cosolvent molecules, we were able to directly investigate the molecular origin of the excess PBP without considering the enhancement effect of PBPs arising from the concentration fluctuations. The calculated excess PBPs of TFE for the helices and those of urea for the coils were consistent with experimentally observed stabilization of helix by TFE and that of coil by urea. The former was caused by electrostatic interactions between TFE and side chains of the helices, while the latter was attributed to both electrostatic and dispersion interactions between urea and the main chains. Unexpectedly, reverse-micelle-like orientations of TFE molecules strengthened the electrostatic interactions between TFE and the side chains, resulting in strengthening of TFE solvation. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NakataNoa en-aut-sei=Nakata en-aut-mei=Noa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkamotoRyuichi en-aut-sei=Okamoto en-aut-mei=Ryuichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 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=3 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=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=MoritaTakeshi en-aut-sei=Morita en-aut-mei=Takeshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=ImamuraHiroshi en-aut-sei=Imamura en-aut-mei=Hiroshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Information Science, University of Hyogo kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Chiba University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Bio-Science, Nagahama Institute of Bio-Science and Technology kn-affil= en-keyword=2,2,2-trifluoroethanol kn-keyword=2,2,2-trifluoroethanol en-keyword=cosolvent effects kn-keyword=cosolvent effects en-keyword=preferential binding parameter kn-keyword=preferential binding parameter en-keyword=protein folding stability kn-keyword=protein folding stability en-keyword=urea kn-keyword=urea END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=24 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=140 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20240422 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Endoscopic manifestation of intestinal transplant-associated microangiopathy after stem cell transplantation en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background Endoscopic features of intestinal transplant-associated microangiopathy (iTAM) have not been comprehensively investigated. This study aimed to examine the endoscopic characteristics of patients diagnosed with iTAM.
Methods This retrospective analysis included 14 patients pathologically diagnosed with iTAM after stem cell transplantation for hematolymphoid neoplasms (n = 13) or thalassemia (n = 1). The sex, age at diagnosis, endoscopic features, and prognosis of each patient were assessed. Serological markers for diagnosing transplant-associated thrombotic microangiopathy were also evaluated.
Results The mean age at the time of iTAM diagnosis was 40.2 years. Patients diagnosed based on the pathognomonic pathological changes of iTAM presented with diverse symptoms at the times of endoscopic examinations, including diarrhea (n = 10), abdominal pain (n = 5), nausea (n = 4), appetite loss (n = 2), bloody stools (n = 2), abdominal discomfort (n = 1), and vomiting (n = 1). At the final follow-up, six patients survived, while eight patients succumbed, with a median time of 100.5 days (range: 52-247) post-diagnosis. Endoscopic manifestations included erythematous mucosa (n = 14), erosions (n = 13), ulcers (n = 9), mucosal edema (n = 9), granular mucosa (n = 9), and villous atrophy (n = 4). Erosions and/or ulcers were primarily observed in the colon (10/14, 71%), followed by the ileum (9/13, 69%), stomach (4/10, 40%), cecum (5/14, 36%), duodenum (3/10, 30%), rectum (4/14, 29%), and esophagus (1/10, 10%). Cytomegalovirus infection (n = 4) and graft-versus-host disease (n = 2) coexisted within the gastrointestinal tract. Patients had de novo prolonged or progressive thrombocytopenia (6/14, 43%), decreased hemoglobin concentration (4/14, 29%), reduced serum haptoglobin level (3/14, 21%), and a sudden and persistent increase in lactate dehydrogenase level (2/14, 14%). Peripheral blood samples from 12 patients were evaluated for schistocytes, with none exceeding 4%.
Conclusions This study provides a comprehensive exploration of the endoscopic characteristics of iTAM. Notably, all patients exhibited erythematous mucosa throughout the gastrointestinal tract, accompanied by prevalent manifestations, such as erosions (93%), ulcers (64%), mucosal edema (64%), granular mucosa (64%), and villous atrophy (29%). Because of the low positivity for serological markers of transplant-associated thrombotic microangiopathy in patients with iTAM, endoscopic evaluation and biopsy of these lesions are crucial, even in the absence of these serological features. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=IwamuroMasaya en-aut-sei=Iwamuro en-aut-mei=Masaya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=EnnishiDaisuke en-aut-sei=Ennishi en-aut-mei=Daisuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiiNobuharu en-aut-sei=Fujii en-aut-mei=Nobuharu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsuokaKen-Ichi en-aut-sei=Matsuoka en-aut-mei=Ken-Ichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=TanakaTakehiro en-aut-sei=Tanaka en-aut-mei=Takehiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=InokuchiToshihiro en-aut-sei=Inokuchi en-aut-mei=Toshihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=HiraokaSakiko en-aut-sei=Hiraoka en-aut-mei=Sakiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 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=8 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Hematology and Oncology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Hematology and Oncology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Hematology and Oncology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Pathology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=Colonoscopy kn-keyword=Colonoscopy en-keyword=Esophagogastroduodenoscopy kn-keyword=Esophagogastroduodenoscopy en-keyword=Graft-versus-host disease kn-keyword=Graft-versus-host disease en-keyword=Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation kn-keyword=Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation en-keyword=Intestinal transplant-associated microangiopathy kn-keyword=Intestinal transplant-associated microangiopathy en-keyword=iTAM kn-keyword=iTAM END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=78 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=135 end-page=142 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=202404 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Photon-Counting Detector CT: Potential for 75% Reduction in Contrast Medium Amount: A Phantom Study en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=This study aimed to evaluate the potential reduction in contrast medium utilization using photon-counting detector computed tomography (PCD-CT). One PCD-CT scan (CT1) and three conventional (non-PCD-CT) CT scans (CT2-CT4) were performed using a multi-energy CT phantom that contained eight rods with different iodine concentrations (0.2, 0.5, 1, 2, 5, 10, 15, and 20 mg/ml). The CT values of the seven groups (CT1 for 40, 50, 60, and 70 keV; and CT2-4) were measured. Noise and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) were assessed for the eight rods at various iodine concentrations. CT2 and CT1 (40 keV) respectively required 20 mg/ml and 5 mg/ml of iodine, indicating that a comparable contrast effect could be obtained with approximately one-fourth of the contrast medium amount. The standard deviation values increased at lower energy levels irrespective of the iodine concentration. The CNR exhibited a decreasing trend with lower iodine concentrations, while it remained relatively stable across all iodine levels (40-70 keV). This study demonstrated that virtual monochromatic 40 keV images offer a similar contrast effect with a reduced contrast medium amount when compared to conventional CT systems at 120 kV. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=HigakiFumiyo en-aut-sei=Higaki en-aut-mei=Fumiyo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MorimitsuYusuke en-aut-sei=Morimitsu en-aut-mei=Yusuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=IguchiToshihiro en-aut-sei=Iguchi en-aut-mei=Toshihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=SaitoHayato en-aut-sei=Saito en-aut-mei=Hayato kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakakiHaruhiko en-aut-sei=Takaki en-aut-mei=Haruhiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakagoshiAyako en-aut-sei=Nakagoshi en-aut-mei=Ayako kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=WadaMaki en-aut-sei=Wada en-aut-mei=Maki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=UkaMayu en-aut-sei=Uka en-aut-mei=Mayu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 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=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=MitsuhashiToshiharu en-aut-sei=Mitsuhashi en-aut-mei=Toshiharu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsuiYusuke en-aut-sei=Matsui en-aut-mei=Yusuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=HirakiTakao en-aut-sei=Hiraki en-aut-mei=Takao kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Radiology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Radiological Technology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Radiological Technology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Radiological Technology, Okayama University Medical School kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Radiological Technology, Okayama University Medical School kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Radiological Technology, Okayama University Medical School kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Radiological Technology, Okayama University Medical School kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Radiology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Radiological Technology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Center for Innovative Clinical Medicine, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Radiology, Okayama University Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Department of Radiology, Okayama University Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=photon-counting detector CT kn-keyword=photon-counting detector CT en-keyword=energy integrating detector CT kn-keyword=energy integrating detector CT en-keyword=computed tomography kn-keyword=computed tomography en-keyword=contrast medium amount kn-keyword=contrast medium amount en-keyword=reduction kn-keyword=reduction END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=290 cd-vols= no-issue=2000 article-no= start-page=20230549 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2023 dt-pub=20230614 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Diacamma ants adjust liquid foraging strategies in response to biophysical constraints en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Ant foragers provide food to the rest of the colony, often requiring transport over long distances. Foraging for liquid is challenging because it is difficult to transport and share. Many social insects store liquids inside the crop to transport them to the nest, and then regurgitate to distribute to nest-mates through a behaviour called trophallaxis. Some ants instead transport fluids with a riskier behaviour called pseudotrophallaxis—holding a drop of liquid between the mandibles through surface tension. Ants share this droplet with nest-mates without ingestion or regurgitation. We hypothesised that ants optimize their liquid-collection approach depending on viscosity. Using an ant that employs both trophallaxis and pseudotrophallaxis, we investigated the conditions where each liquid-collection behaviour is favoured by measuring biophysical properties, collection time and reaction to food quality for typical and viscosity-altered sucrose solutions. We found that ants collected more liquid per unit time by mandibular grabbing than by drinking. At high viscosities ants switched liquid collection method to mandibular grabbing in response to viscosity and not to sweetness. Our results demonstrate that ants change transport and sharing methods according to viscosity–a natural proxy for sugar concentration–thus increasing the mass of sugar returned to the nest per trip. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=FujiokaHaruna en-aut-sei=Fujioka en-aut-mei=Haruna kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MarchandManon en-aut-sei=Marchand en-aut-mei=Manon kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=LeBoeufAdria C. en-aut-sei=LeBoeuf en-aut-mei=Adria C. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Faculty of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Physics, University of Fribourg kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Biology, University of Fribourg kn-affil= en-keyword=mandibular pseudotrophallaxis kn-keyword=mandibular pseudotrophallaxis en-keyword=social bucket kn-keyword=social bucket en-keyword=liquid transportation kn-keyword=liquid transportation en-keyword=liquid collection kn-keyword=liquid collection en-keyword=optimal foraging theory kn-keyword=optimal foraging theory en-keyword=biophysics kn-keyword=biophysics END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=143 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=110894 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=202403 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=First-principles molecular dynamics simulations for the properties of boron-doped tetrahedral amorphous carbon en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Based on first-principles molecular dynamics (FPMD) simulations combined with a liquid quenching method, we study the effects of boron doping at 0 %, 2 %, 4 %, 6 % on the properties of tetrahedral amorphous carbon (ta-C) with an initial density of 3.0 g/cm3. The results of bond structures and internal stress show the promotion of graphitization with increase in the concentration of boron doping. In addition, simulation of electronic states reveals that the Fermi level shifts to valence band and the intensity of density of electronic states near Fermi level increases with the boron concentration increasing. A covalent bond formation between carbon and boron atoms is also shown by analyzing projected densities of electronic states (PDOS) and electron density distribution. The results of electronic state and bond formation strongly indicate that the boron-doped ta-C is like a p-type semiconductor. The present simulation results provide useful information for deeper understanding on the physical properties of boron-doped ta-C. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=YueQiang en-aut-sei=Yue en-aut-mei=Qiang kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 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=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MuraokaYuji en-aut-sei=Muraoka en-aut-mei=Yuji 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=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Boron-doped tetrahedral amorphous carbon kn-keyword=Boron-doped tetrahedral amorphous carbon en-keyword=First-principles molecular dynamics kn-keyword=First-principles molecular dynamics en-keyword=Liquid quenching method kn-keyword=Liquid quenching method END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=5 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=182 end-page=194 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2023 dt-pub=20231208 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Inhibition of Amino Acids Influx into Proximal Tubular Cells Improves Lysosome Function in Diabetes en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background Inhibition of glucose influx into proximal tubular cells (PTCs) by sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors revealed prominent therapeutic effects on diabetic kidney disease. Collectrin (CLTRN) serves as a chaperone for the trafficking of neutral amino acid (AA) transporters in the apical membranes of PTCs. We investigated the beneficial effects of reduced influx of AAs into PTCs in diabetes and obesity model of Cltrn−/y mice.
Methods Cltrn+/y and Cltrn−/y mice at age 5 weeks were assigned to standard diet and streptozotocin and high-fat diet (STZ-HFD)–treated groups.
Results At age 22–23 weeks, body weight and HbA1c levels significantly increased in STZ-HFD-Cltrn+/y compared with standard diet-Cltrn+/y; however, they were not altered in STZ-HFD-Cltrn−/y compared with STZ-HFD-Cltrn+/y. At age 20 weeks, urinary albumin creatinine ratio was significantly reduced in STZ-HFD-Cltrn−/y compared with STZ-HFD-Cltrn+/y. Under the treatments with STZ and HFD, the Cltrn gene deficiency caused significant increase in urinary concentration of AAs such as Gln, His, Gly, Thr, Tyr, Val, Trp, Phe, Ile, Leu, and Pro. In PTCs in STZ-HFD-Cltrn+/y, the enlarged lysosomes with diameter of 10 μm or more were associated with reduced autolysosomes, and the formation of giant lysosomes was prominently suppressed in STZ-HFD-Cltrn−/y. Phospho-mTOR and inactive form of phospho-transcription factor EB were reduced in STZ-HFD-Cltrn−/y compared with STZ-HFD-Cltrn+/y.
Conclusions The reduction of AAs influx into PTCs inactivated mTOR, activated transcription factor EB, improved lysosome function, and ameliorated vacuolar formation of PTCs in STZ-HFD-Cltrn−/y mice. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KanoYuzuki en-aut-sei=Kano en-aut-mei=Yuzuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamaguchiSatoshi en-aut-sei=Yamaguchi en-aut-mei=Satoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiseKoki en-aut-sei=Mise en-aut-mei=Koki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=KawakitaChieko en-aut-sei=Kawakita en-aut-mei=Chieko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=OnishiYasuhiro en-aut-sei=Onishi en-aut-mei=Yasuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=KurookaNaoko en-aut-sei=Kurooka en-aut-mei=Naoko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=SugawaraRyosuke en-aut-sei=Sugawara en-aut-mei=Ryosuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=AlbuayjanHaya Hamed Hassan en-aut-sei=Albuayjan en-aut-mei=Haya Hamed Hassan kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakatsukaAtsuko en-aut-sei=Nakatsuka en-aut-mei=Atsuko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=EguchiJun en-aut-sei=Eguchi en-aut-mei=Jun kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 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=11 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=diabetes mellitus kn-keyword=diabetes mellitus en-keyword=diabetic nephropathy kn-keyword=diabetic nephropathy en-keyword=metabolism kn-keyword=metabolism en-keyword=obesity kn-keyword=obesity en-keyword=tubular epithelium kn-keyword=tubular epithelium END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=87 cd-vols= no-issue=11 article-no= start-page=1323 end-page=1331 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2023 dt-pub=20230808 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=The effect of exogenous dihydroxyacetone and methylglyoxal on growth, anthocyanin accumulation, and the glyoxalase system in Arabidopsis en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Dihydroxyacetone (DHA) occurs in wide-ranging organisms, including plants, and can undergo spontaneous conversion to methylglyoxal (MG). While the toxicity of MG to plants is well-known, the toxicity of DHA to plants remains to be elucidated. We investigated the effects of DHA and MG on Arabidopsis. Exogenous DHA at up to 10 mM did not affect the radicle emergence, the expansion of green cotyledons, the seedling growth, or the activity of glyoxalase II, while DHA at 10 mM inhibited the root elongation and increased the activity of glyoxalase I. Exogenous MG at 1.0 mM inhibited these physiological responses and increased both activities. Dihydroxyacetone at 10 mM increased the MG content in the roots. These results indicate that DHA is not so toxic as MG in Arabidopsis seeds and seedlings and suggest that the toxic effect of DHA at high concentrations is attributed to MG accumulation by the conversion to MG. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=ZhaoMaoxiang en-aut-sei=Zhao en-aut-mei=Maoxiang kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 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=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=MunemasaShintaro en-aut-sei=Munemasa en-aut-mei=Shintaro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=MoriIzumi C en-aut-sei=Mori en-aut-mei=Izumi C 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= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=dihydroxyacetone kn-keyword=dihydroxyacetone en-keyword=methylglyoxal kn-keyword=methylglyoxal en-keyword=growth kn-keyword=growth en-keyword=anthocyanin kn-keyword=anthocyanin en-keyword=glyoxalase system kn-keyword=glyoxalase system END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=25 cd-vols= no-issue=3 article-no= start-page=1443 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20240124 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Inhibitory Effect of a Tankyrase Inhibitor on Mechanical Stress-Induced Protease Expression in Human Articular Chondrocytes en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=We investigated the effects of a Tankyrase (TNKS-1/2) inhibitor on mechanical stress-induced gene expression in human chondrocytes and examined TNKS-1/2 expression in human osteoarthritis (OA) cartilage. Cells were seeded onto stretch chambers and incubated with or without a TNKS-1/2 inhibitor (XAV939) for 12 h. Uni-axial cyclic tensile strain (CTS) (0.5 Hz, 8% elongation, 30 min) was applied and the gene expression of type II collagen a1 chain (COL2A1), aggrecan (ACAN), SRY-box9 (SOX9), TNKS-1/2, a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs-5 (ADAMTS-5), and matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13) were examined by real-time PCR. The expression of ADAMTS-5, MMP-13, nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), and β-catenin were examined by immunocytochemistry and Western blotting. The concentration of IL-1β in the supernatant was examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). TNKS-1/2 expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry in human OA cartilage obtained at the total knee arthroplasty. TNKS-1/2 expression was increased after CTS. The expression of anabolic factors were decreased by CTS, however, these declines were abrogated by XAV939. XAV939 suppressed the CTS-induced expression of catabolic factors, the release of IL-1β, as well as the nuclear translocation of NF-κB and β-catenin. TNKS-1/2 expression increased in mild and moderate OA cartilage. Our results demonstrated that XAV939 suppressed mechanical stress-induced expression of catabolic proteases by the inhibition of NF-κB and activation of β-catenin, indicating that TNKS-1/2 expression might be associated with OA pathogenesis. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=HottaYoshifumi en-aut-sei=Hotta en-aut-mei=Yoshifumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishidaKeiichiro en-aut-sei=Nishida en-aut-mei=Keiichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=YoshidaAki en-aut-sei=Yoshida en-aut-mei=Aki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=NasuYoshihisa en-aut-sei=Nasu en-aut-mei=Yoshihisa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakaharaRyuichi en-aut-sei=Nakahara en-aut-mei=Ryuichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=NaniwaShuichi en-aut-sei=Naniwa en-aut-mei=Shuichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShimizuNoriyuki en-aut-sei=Shimizu en-aut-mei=Noriyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=IchikawaChinatsu en-aut-sei=Ichikawa en-aut-mei=Chinatsu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=LinDeting en-aut-sei=Lin en-aut-mei=Deting kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiwaraTomohiro en-aut-sei=Fujiwara en-aut-mei=Tomohiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=OzakiToshifumi en-aut-sei=Ozaki en-aut-mei=Toshifumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Locomotive Pain Center, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=osteoarthritis kn-keyword=osteoarthritis en-keyword=chondrocyte kn-keyword=chondrocyte en-keyword=mechanical stress kn-keyword=mechanical stress en-keyword=tankyrases kn-keyword=tankyrases en-keyword=XAV939 kn-keyword=XAV939 en-keyword=SOX9 kn-keyword=SOX9 en-keyword=ADAMTS-5 kn-keyword=ADAMTS-5 en-keyword=MMP-13 kn-keyword=MMP-13 en-keyword=IL-1β kn-keyword=IL-1β en-keyword=NF-κB kn-keyword=NF-κB en-keyword=β-catenin kn-keyword=β-catenin END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=25 cd-vols= no-issue=3 article-no= start-page=1585 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20240127 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Mutual Effects of Orexin and Bone Morphogenetic Proteins on Catecholamine Regulation Using Adrenomedullary Cells en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Orexins are neuronal peptides that play a prominent role in sleep behavior and feeding behavior in the central nervous system, though their receptors also exist in peripheral organs, including the adrenal gland. In this study, the effects of orexins on catecholamine synthesis in the rat adrenomedullary cell line PC12 were investigated by focusing on their interaction with the adrenomedullary bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-4. Orexin A treatment reduced the mRNA levels of key enzymes for catecholamine synthesis, including tyrosine hydroxylase (Th), 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanie decarboxylase (Ddc) and dopamine beta-hydroxylase (Dbh), in a concentration-dependent manner. On the other hand, treatment with BMP-4 suppressed the expression of Th and Ddc but enhanced that of Dbh with or without co-treatment with orexin A. Of note, orexin A augmented BMP-receptor signaling detected by the phosphorylation of Smad1/5/9 through the suppression of inhibitory Smad6/7 and the upregulation of BMP type-II receptor (BMPRII). Furthermore, treatment with BMP-4 upregulated the mRNA levels of OX1R in PC12 cells. Collectively, the results indicate that orexin and BMP-4 suppress adrenomedullary catecholamine synthesis by mutually upregulating the pathway of each other in adrenomedullary cells. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=SoejimaYoshiaki en-aut-sei=Soejima en-aut-mei=Yoshiaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=IwataNahoko en-aut-sei=Iwata en-aut-mei=Nahoko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamamotoKoichiro en-aut-sei=Yamamoto en-aut-mei=Koichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=SuyamaAtsuhito en-aut-sei=Suyama en-aut-mei=Atsuhito kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakanoYasuhiro en-aut-sei=Nakano en-aut-mei=Yasuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=OtsukaFumio en-aut-sei=Otsuka en-aut-mei=Fumio kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) kn-keyword=bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) en-keyword=orexin kn-keyword=orexin en-keyword=catecholamine and adrenal kn-keyword=catecholamine and adrenal END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=113 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=11 end-page=16 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20240201 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title=Genetic factors for yield related traits in lowland New Rice for Africa (NERICA) kn-title=水稲NERICA品種の農業形質に関する遺伝的要因 en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Genetic factors of yield related traits in lowland New Rice for Africa variety (NERICA) using different nitrogen condition and QTL to increase rice yield in lowland NERICAs were clarified. Indica Group rice variety (Oryza sativa L.) IR64 increased panicle number, culm weight and panicle weight, according to nitrogen concentration. The tendency is especially remarkable under low nitrogen concentration. NERICA‒L‒19, which is derived from a cross between IR64 and TOG5681 (Oryza glaberrima S.), showed similar values for panicle weight and culm weight, and it showed higher plant height, panicle weight and culm weight and lower harvest index than those of IR64 under all the concentrations. QTL analysis for the agronomic traits were performed using hybrid population derived from a cross between IR64 and NERICA‒L‒19. A total of 22 QTLs were detected on chromosomes (chrs.) 1 (3 QTLs), 2 (2), 4 (2), 5 (5), 6 (1), 7 (1), 8 (6) and 10 (2). Among them, 4 regions at 34.1‒36.6Mbp of chr. 1, at 23.8‒27.8Mbp of chr. 5 and at 4.8Mbp and 20.3‒28.4Mbp of chr. 8 showed several QTLs’ peaks overlapped. The regions of chr. 5 and 4.8Mbp of chr. 8 increased panicle weight by IR64 allele. Those of chr. 1 and 20.3-28.4Mbp of chr. 8 increased plant height and harvest index, respectively, by NERICA‒L‒19 allele. These results indicated that the larger panicle type of lowland NERICA is suitable under low nitrogen condition. Also, the plant type was controlled by the combination of 4 QTLs’ regions on chr. 1 and short arm of chr. 8 originated from O. glaberrima, and those of chr. 5 and long arm of chr. 8 from O. sativa Indica Group. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=TomitaAsami en-aut-sei=Tomita en-aut-mei=Asami kn-aut-name=冨田朝美 kn-aut-sei=冨田 kn-aut-mei=朝美 aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=AkimotoYui en-aut-sei=Akimoto en-aut-mei=Yui kn-aut-name=秋元唯 kn-aut-sei=秋元 kn-aut-mei=唯 aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Course of Applied Plant Science kn-affil=応用植物科学コース affil-num=2 en-affil=Course of Applied Plant Science kn-affil=応用植物科学コース en-keyword=lowland New Rice for Africa (NERICA) kn-keyword=lowland New Rice for Africa (NERICA) en-keyword=nitrogen kn-keyword=nitrogen en-keyword=agronomic traits kn-keyword=agronomic traits en-keyword=QTL kn-keyword=QTL en-keyword=rice kn-keyword=rice END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=64 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=532 end-page=542 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2023 dt-pub=20231229 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=pSPICA Force Field Extended for Proteins and Peptides en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Many coarse-grained (CG) molecular dynamics (MD) studies have been performed to investigate biological processes involving proteins and lipids. CG force fields (FFs) in these MD studies often use implicit or nonpolar water models to reduce computational costs. CG-MD using water models cannot properly describe electrostatic screening effects owing to the hydration of ionic segments and thus cannot appropriately describe molecular events involving water channels and pores through lipid membranes. To overcome this issue, we developed a protein model in the pSPICA FF, in which a polar CG water model showing the proper dielectric response was adopted. The developed CG model greatly improved the transfer free energy profiles of charged side chain analogues across the lipid membrane. Application studies on melittin-induced membrane pores and mechanosensitive channels in lipid membranes demonstrated that CG-MDs using the pSPICA FF correctly reproduced the structure and stability of the pores and channels. Furthermore, the adsorption behavior of the highly charged nona-arginine peptides on lipid membranes changed with salt concentration, indicating the pSPICA FF is also useful for simulating protein adsorption on membrane surfaces. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MiyazakiYusuke en-aut-sei=Miyazaki en-aut-mei=Yusuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShinodaWataru en-aut-sei=Shinoda en-aut-mei=Wataru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=153 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=107623 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2023 dt-pub=202311 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Prediction of slip activity of crystal grains around semi-circular and semi-elliptical notches in thin-sheet specimens of pure titanium using formulated macroscopic stress distribution and crystal orientation en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Thin metal sheets and wires are important materials for various devices used in electrical, mechanical, and medical fields. With the downsizing of these devices, demand for thinner sheets and wires has increased. Amongst the many metals available, pure titanium has been attracting much attention for use in medical and dental devices because of its good biocompatibility in addition to its light weight and high corrosion resistance. However, thin metal sheets and wires are usually polycrystalline materials and, with the downsizing of materials, there is a loss of homogeneity during deformations. Inhomogeneous deformation becomes significant in thin sheets and wires, owing to the different crystal orientations and geometries of crystal grains. Furthermore, the shapes of such devices are not uniform, unlike, say, a simple rod. Therefore, macroscopic stress and strain concentrations should be taken into consideration when designing these devices as they affect the localization of deformation and the resultant fracture. In this study, semi-circular and semi-elliptical notched specimens made of thin-sheet polycrystalline pure titanium are subjected to tensile testing. Inhomogeneous deformation caused by crystallographic slip is observed near the notch root. Analysis of the crystal orientation and observation of the slip line show that the slip initiation in crystal grains is affected by the macroscopic stress distribution and can be predicted from the slip activity calculated from both the critical resolved shear stress on the slip systems and the resolved shear stress acting on prospective slip planes obtained from the macroscopic multiaxial stress distribution. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=TadaNaoya en-aut-sei=Tada en-aut-mei=Naoya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 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=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=SakamotoJunji en-aut-sei=Sakamoto en-aut-mei=Junji 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=Mechanical engineering kn-keyword=Mechanical engineering en-keyword=Microdevices made of thin metal sheet kn-keyword=Microdevices made of thin metal sheet en-keyword=Pure titanium kn-keyword=Pure titanium en-keyword=Deformation kn-keyword=Deformation en-keyword=Microscopic characterization and microanalysis kn-keyword=Microscopic characterization and microanalysis en-keyword=Plastic deformation kn-keyword=Plastic deformation en-keyword=Microscopic inhomogeneity and stress kn-keyword=Microscopic inhomogeneity and stress en-keyword=concentration kn-keyword=concentration en-keyword=Slip activity control kn-keyword=Slip activity control END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=30 cd-vols= no-issue=3 article-no= start-page=236 end-page=241 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=202403 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Relevance of complement immunity with brain fog in patients with long COVID en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Introduction
This study aimed to elucidate the prevalence and clinical characteristics of patients with long COVID (coronavirus disease 2019), especially focusing on 50% hemolytic complement activity (CH50).

Methods
This retrospective observational study focused on patients who visited Okayama University Hospital (Japan) for the treatment of long COVID between February 2021 and March 2023. CH50 levels were measured using liposome immunometric assay (Autokit CH50 Assay, FUJIFILM Wako Pure Chemical Corporation, Japan); high CH50 was defined as ≥59 U/mL. Univariate analyses assessed differences in the clinical background, long COVID symptoms, inflammatory markers, and clinical scores of patients with normal and high CH50. Logistic regression model investigated the association between high CH50 levels and these factors.

Results
Of 659 patients who visited our hospital, 478 patients were included. Of these, 284 (59.4%) patients had high CH50 levels. Poor concentration was significantly more frequent in the high CH50 group (7.2% vs. 13.7%), whereas no differences were observed in other subjective symptoms (fatigue, headache, insomnia, dyspnea, tiredness, and brain fog). Multivariate analysis was performed on factors that could be associated with poor concentration, suggesting a significant relationship to high CH50 levels (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.70; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.33–5.49). Also, high CH50 was significantly associated with brain fog (aOR, 1.66; 95% CI, 1.04–2.66).

Conclusions
High CH50 levels were frequently reported in individuals with long COVID, indicating a relationship with brain fog. Future in-depth research should examine the pathological role and causal link between complement immunity and the development of long COVID. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=HagiyaHideharu en-aut-sei=Hagiya en-aut-mei=Hideharu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=TokumasuKazuki en-aut-sei=Tokumasu en-aut-mei=Kazuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=OtsukaYuki en-aut-sei=Otsuka en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=SunadaNaruhiko en-aut-sei=Sunada en-aut-mei=Naruhiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakanoYasuhiro en-aut-sei=Nakano en-aut-mei=Yasuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=HondaHiroyuki en-aut-sei=Honda en-aut-mei=Hiroyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=FurukawaMasanori en-aut-sei=Furukawa en-aut-mei=Masanori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=OtsukaFumio en-aut-sei=Otsuka en-aut-mei=Fumio kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Infectious Diseases, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Clinical Laboratory, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=Complement immunity kn-keyword=Complement immunity en-keyword=Complement system kn-keyword=Complement system en-keyword=Coronavirus disease 2019 kn-keyword=Coronavirus disease 2019 en-keyword=Inflammation kn-keyword=Inflammation END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=180 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=112270 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2023 dt-pub=202309 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Attenuation of pulmonary damage in aged lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation mice through continuous 2 % hydrogen gas inhalation: A potential therapeutic strategy for geriatric inflammation and survival en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Introduction: With the global population aging, there is an increased prevalence of sepsis among the elderly, a demographic particularly susceptible to inflammation. This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic potential of hydrogen gas, known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, in attenuating inflammation specifically in the lungs and liver, and age-associated molecular markers in aged mice.
Methods: Male mice aged 21 to 23 months, representative of the human elderly population, were subjected to inflammation via intraperitoneal injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The mice were allocated into eight groups to examine the effects of varying durations and concentrations of hydrogen gas inhalation: control, saline without hydrogen, saline with 24-hour 2 % hydrogen, LPS without hydrogen, LPS with 24-hour 2 % hydrogen, LPS with 6-hour 2 % hydrogen, LPS with 1-hour 2 % hydrogen, and LPS with 24-hour 1 % hydrogen. Parameters assessed included survival rate, activity level, inflammatory biomarkers, and organ injury.
Results: Extended administration of hydrogen gas specifically at a 2 % concentration for 24 h led to a favorable prognosis in the aged mice by reducing mRNA expression of inflammatory biomarkers in lung and liver tissue, mitigating lung injury, and diminishing the expression of the senescence-associated protein p21. Moreover, hydrogen gas inhalation selectively ameliorated senescence-related markers in lung tissue, including C-X-C motif chemokine 2, metalloproteinase-3, and arginase-1. Notably, hydrogen gas did not alleviate LPS-induced liver injury under the conditions tested.
Conclusion: The study highlights that continuous inhalation of hydrogen gas at a 2 % concentration for 24 h can be a potent intervention in the geriatric population for improving survival and physical activity by mitigating pulmonary inflammation and modulating senescence-related markers in aged mice with LPS-induced inflammation. This finding paves the way for future research into hydrogen gas as a therapeutic strategy to alleviate severe inflammation that can lead to organ damage in the elderly. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=AokageToshiyuki en-aut-sei=Aokage en-aut-mei=Toshiyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=IketaniMasumi en-aut-sei=Iketani en-aut-mei=Masumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=SeyaMizuki en-aut-sei=Seya en-aut-mei=Mizuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=MengYing en-aut-sei=Meng en-aut-mei=Ying kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=AgetaKohei en-aut-sei=Ageta en-aut-mei=Kohei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 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=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakaoAtsunori en-aut-sei=Nakao en-aut-mei=Atsunori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=OhsawaIkuroh en-aut-sei=Ohsawa en-aut-mei=Ikuroh kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Emergency, Critical Care and Disaster Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Biological Process of Aging, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Geriatrics and Gerontology kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Emergency, Critical Care and Disaster Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Emergency, Critical Care and Disaster Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Emergency, Critical Care and Disaster Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Emergency, Critical Care and Disaster Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Emergency, Critical Care and Disaster Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Biological Process of Aging, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Geriatrics and Gerontology kn-affil= en-keyword=LPS-induced inflammation kn-keyword=LPS-induced inflammation en-keyword=Elderly sepsis kn-keyword=Elderly sepsis en-keyword=Lipopolysaccharide kn-keyword=Lipopolysaccharide en-keyword=Aged mouse kn-keyword=Aged mouse en-keyword=Senescence-related markers kn-keyword=Senescence-related markers en-keyword=Molecular hydrogen kn-keyword=Molecular hydrogen en-keyword=Hydrogen gas inhalation kn-keyword=Hydrogen gas inhalation END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=17 cd-vols= no-issue=7 article-no= start-page=100873 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2023 dt-pub=202307 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Effects of liquefied sake lees on growth performance and faecal and blood characteristics in Japanese Black calves en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Liquefied sake lees, a by-product of Japanese sake, is rich in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, proteins, and prebiotics derived from rice and yeast. Previous studies have reported that Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation products improved the health, growth, and faecal characteristics of preweaning calves. This study investigated the effects of adding liquefied sake lees to milk replacer on the growth performance, faecal characteristics, and blood metabolites of preweaning Japanese Black calves from 6 to 90 days of age. Twenty-four Japanese Black calves at 6 days of age were randomly assigned to one of three treatments: No liquefied sake lees (C, n = 8), 100 g/d (on a fresh matter basis) liquefied sake lees mixed with milk replacer (LS, n = 8), and 200 g/d (on a fresh matter basis) liquefied sake lees mixed with milk replacer (HS, n = 8). The intake of milk replacer and calf starter, as well as, the average daily gain did not differ between the treatments. The number of days counted with faecal score 1 in LS was higher than in HS (P < 0.05), while the number of days with diarrhoea medication in LS and C was lower than HS (P < 0.05). The faecal n-butyric acid concentration tended to be higher in LS compared to C (P = 0.060). The alpha diversity index (Chao1) was higher in HS than in C and LS at 90 days of age (P < 0.05). The principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) using weighted UniFrac distance showed that the bacterial community structures in faeces among the treatments at 90 days of age were significantly different (P < 0.05). The plasma β-hydroxybutyric acid concentration, an indicator of rumen development, was higher for LS than in C throughout the experiment (P < 0.05). These results suggested that adding liquefied sake lees up to 100 g/d (on a fresh matter basis) might promote rumen development in preweaning Japanese Black calves. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KatsumataS. en-aut-sei=Katsumata en-aut-mei=S. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=HayashiY. en-aut-sei=Hayashi en-aut-mei=Y. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=OishiK. en-aut-sei=Oishi en-aut-mei=K. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=TsukaharaT. en-aut-sei=Tsukahara en-aut-mei=T. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=InoueR. en-aut-sei=Inoue en-aut-mei=R. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=ObataA. en-aut-sei=Obata en-aut-mei=A. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=HirookaH. en-aut-sei=Hirooka en-aut-mei=H. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=KumagaiH. en-aut-sei=Kumagai en-aut-mei=H. 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=Shiga Prefectural Livestock Production Technology Promotion Center kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Applied Biosciences, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Kyoto Institute of Nutrition and Pathology kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Applied Biological Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Setsunan University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Shiga Prefectural Livestock Production Technology Promotion Center kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Applied Biosciences, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Applied Biosciences, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University kn-affil= en-keyword=By-products kn-keyword=By-products en-keyword=Faecal microbiota kn-keyword=Faecal microbiota en-keyword=Japanese Black cattle kn-keyword=Japanese Black cattle en-keyword=Preweaning calves kn-keyword=Preweaning calves en-keyword=Saccharomyces cerevisiae kn-keyword=Saccharomyces cerevisiae END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=77 cd-vols= no-issue=6 article-no= start-page=635 end-page=645 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2023 dt-pub=202312 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Effects of Nutritional Support Combined with Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation on Muscle Strength and Thickness: A Randomized Controlled Trial in Healthy Young Adult Males en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=In the management of post-injury patients with activity limitations, methods to prevent musculoskeletal disorders and hasten recovery are important. This randomized controlled, single-blinded study was a preliminary investigation of the combined effect of nutritional support with neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) on muscle strength and thickness. Healthy young adult males (median age, 21 years) were enrolled; each of their hands was randomly assigned to one of the following four groups: Placebo, Nutrition, NMES, and Nutrition + NMES. All participants received whey protein or placebo (3x/week for 6 weeks) and NMES training (3x/week for 6 weeks) on the abductor digiti minimi (ADM) muscle of either the left or right hand. ADM muscle strength and thickness were analyzed at baseline and at week 7. We analyzed 38 hands (9 Placebo, 10 Nutrition, 9 NMES, 10 Nutrition + NMES). There was significantly greater muscle strengthening in the Nutrition + NMES group compared to the Placebo group or the NMES group, but no significant difference in gain of muscle thickness. The combined intervention may be effective in improving muscle strength. Future clinical trials targeting various muscles after sports-related injuries are warranted. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=IkedaTomohiro en-aut-sei=Ikeda en-aut-mei=Tomohiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkamuraKazunori en-aut-sei=Okamura en-aut-mei=Kazunori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=HasegawaMasaki en-aut-sei=Hasegawa en-aut-mei=Masaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=TanakaSatoshi en-aut-sei=Tanaka en-aut-mei=Satoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=KanaiShusaku en-aut-sei=Kanai en-aut-mei=Shusaku kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Health and Welfare, Prefectural University of Hiroshima kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Health and Welfare, Prefectural University of Hiroshima kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Health and Welfare, Prefectural University of Hiroshima kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Health and Welfare, Prefectural University of Hiroshima kn-affil= en-keyword=whey protein kn-keyword=whey protein en-keyword=electrical stimulation kn-keyword=electrical stimulation en-keyword=muscle strength kn-keyword=muscle strength en-keyword=healthy volunteers kn-keyword=healthy volunteers END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=77 cd-vols= no-issue=6 article-no= start-page=595 end-page=605 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2023 dt-pub=202312 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Concomitant Use of Multiple Nephrotoxins including Renal Hypoperfusion Medications Causes Vancomycin-Associated Nephrotoxicity: Combined Retrospective Analyses of Two Real-World Databases en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=There is a growing concern about the relationship between vancomycin-associated nephrotoxicity (VAN) and concomitant use of nephrotoxins. We examined this relationship by combined retrospective analyses of two real-world databases. Initially, the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) was analyzed for the effects of concomitant use of one or more nephrotoxins on VAN and the types of combinations of nephrotoxins that exacerbate VAN. Next, electronic medical records (EMRs) of patients who received vancomycin (VCM) at Tokushima University Hospital between January 2006 and March 2019 were examined to confirm the FAERS analysis. An elevated reporting odds ratio (ROR) was observed with increases in the number of nephrotoxins administered (VCM + one nephrotoxin, adjusted ROR (95% confidence interval [CI]) 1.67 [1.51-1.85]; VCM + ≥2 nephrotoxins, adjusted ROR [95% CI] 1.54 [1.37-1.73]) in FAERS. EMRs analysis showed that the number of nephrotoxins was associated with higher incidences of VAN [odds ratio: 1.99; 95% CI: 1.42-2.78]. Overall, concomitant use of nephrotoxins was associated with an increased incidence of VAN, especially when at least one of those nephrotoxins was a renal hypoperfusion medication (furosemide, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and vasopressors). The concomitant use of multiple nephrotoxins, especially including renal hypoperfusion medication, should be avoided to prevent VAN. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=BandoTakashi en-aut-sei=Bando en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=ChumaMasayuki en-aut-sei=Chuma en-aut-mei=Masayuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=HamanoHirofumi en-aut-sei=Hamano en-aut-mei=Hirofumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=NiimuraTakahiro en-aut-sei=Niimura en-aut-mei=Takahiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkadaNaoto en-aut-sei=Okada en-aut-mei=Naoto kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=KondoMasateru en-aut-sei=Kondo en-aut-mei=Masateru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=IzumiYuki en-aut-sei=Izumi en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=IshidaShunsuke en-aut-sei=Ishida en-aut-mei=Shunsuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=YoshiokaToshihiko en-aut-sei=Yoshioka en-aut-mei=Toshihiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=AsadaMizuho en-aut-sei=Asada en-aut-mei=Mizuho kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=ZamamiYoshito en-aut-sei=Zamami en-aut-mei=Yoshito kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakechiKenshi en-aut-sei=Takechi en-aut-mei=Kenshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=GodaMitsuhiro en-aut-sei=Goda en-aut-mei=Mitsuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyataKoji en-aut-sei=Miyata en-aut-mei=Koji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=14 ORCID= en-aut-name=YagiKenta en-aut-sei=Yagi en-aut-mei=Kenta kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=15 ORCID= en-aut-name=Izawa-IshizawaYuki en-aut-sei=Izawa-Ishizawa en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=16 ORCID= en-aut-name=AzumaMomoyo en-aut-sei=Azuma en-aut-mei=Momoyo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=17 ORCID= en-aut-name=YanagawaHiroaki en-aut-sei=Yanagawa en-aut-mei=Hiroaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=18 ORCID= en-aut-name=TasakiYoshikazu en-aut-sei=Tasaki en-aut-mei=Yoshikazu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=19 ORCID= en-aut-name=IshizawaKeisuke en-aut-sei=Ishizawa en-aut-mei=Keisuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=20 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Pharmacy, Tokushima University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Clinical Research Center for Developmental Therapeutics, Tokushima University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Tokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Clinical Research Center for Developmental Therapeutics, Tokushima University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Pharmacy, Tokushima University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Pharmacy, Tokushima University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Pharmacy, Tokushima University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Pharmacy, Tokushima University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Pharmacy, Tokushima University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Medical Molecular Informatics, Meiji Pharmaceutical University kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Tokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Department of Drug Information Analysis, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Matsuyama University kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Department of Pharmacy, Tokushima University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=14 en-affil=Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Tokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=15 en-affil=Clinical Research Center for Developmental Therapeutics, Tokushima University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=16 en-affil=Department of Pharmacology, Tokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=17 en-affil=Department of Infection Control and Prevention, Tokushima University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=18 en-affil=Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health and Welfare, Tokushima Bunri University kn-affil= affil-num=19 en-affil=Department of Hospital Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Asahikawa Medical University kn-affil= affil-num=20 en-affil=Department of Pharmacy, Tokushima University Hospital kn-affil= en-keyword=vancomycin-associated nephrotoxicity kn-keyword=vancomycin-associated nephrotoxicity en-keyword=polypharmacy kn-keyword=polypharmacy en-keyword=nephrotoxin kn-keyword=nephrotoxin en-keyword=spontaneous adverse event reporting database kn-keyword=spontaneous adverse event reporting database en-keyword=electronic medical records kn-keyword=electronic medical records END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=39 cd-vols= no-issue=44 article-no= start-page=15587 end-page=15596 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2023 dt-pub=20231022 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Analysis of Evaporation of Droplet Pairs by a Quasi-Steady-State Diffusion Model Coupled with the Evaporative Cooling Effect en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Multidroplet evaporation is a common phase-change phenomenon not only in nature but also in many industrial applications, including inkjet printing and spray cooling. The evaporation behavior of these droplets is strongly affected by the distance between neighboring droplets, and in particular, evaporation suppression occurs as the distance decreases. However, further quantitative information, such as the temperature and local evaporation flux, is limited because the analytical models of multidroplet evaporation only treat vapor diffusion, and the effect of the latent heat transfer through the liquid–vapor phase change is ignored. Here, we perform a numerical analysis of evaporating droplet pairs that linked vapor diffusion from the droplet surface and evaporative cooling. Heat transfer through the liquid and gas phases is also considered because the saturation pressure depends on the temperature. The results show an increase in the vapor concentration in the region between the two droplets. Consequently, the local evaporation flux in the proximate region significantly decreases with decreasing separation distance. This means that the latent heat transfer through the phase change is diminished, and an asymmetrical temperature distribution occurs in the liquid and gas phases. These numerical results provide quantitative information about the temperature and local evaporation flux of evaporating droplet pairs, and they will guide further investigation of multiple droplet evaporation. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=YamadaYutaka en-aut-sei=Yamada en-aut-mei=Yutaka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=IsobeKazuma en-aut-sei=Isobe en-aut-mei=Kazuma kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=HoribeAkihiko en-aut-sei=Horibe en-aut-mei=Akihiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=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=19K14910 kn-keyword=19K14910 en-keyword=21K03898 kn-keyword=21K03898 END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=121 cd-vols= no-issue=17 article-no= start-page=3286 end-page=3294 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2022 dt-pub=20220906 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=High hydrostatic pressure induces slow contraction in mouse cardiomyocytes en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Cardiomyocytes are contractile cells that regulate heart contraction. Ca2+ flux via Ca2+ channels activates actomyosin interactions, leading to cardiomyocyte contraction, which is modulated by physical factors (e.g., stretch, shear stress, and hydrostatic pressure). We evaluated the mechanism triggering slow contractions using a high-pressure microscope to characterize changes in cell morphology and intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in mouse cardiomyocytes exposed to high hydrostatic pressures. We found that cardiomyocytes contracted slowly without an acute transient increase in [Ca2+]i, while a myosin ATPase inhibitor interrupted pressure-induced slow contractions. Furthermore, transmission electron microscopy showed that, although the sarcomere length was shortened upon the application of 20 MPa, this pressure did not collapse cellular structures such as the sarcolemma and sarcomeres. Our results suggest that pressure-induced slow contractions in cardiomyocytes are driven by the activation of actomyosin interactions without an acute transient increase in [Ca2+]i. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=YamaguchiYohei en-aut-sei=Yamaguchi en-aut-mei=Yohei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishiyamaMasayoshi en-aut-sei=Nishiyama en-aut-mei=Masayoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KaiHiroaki en-aut-sei=Kai en-aut-mei=Hiroaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=KanekoToshiyuki en-aut-sei=Kaneko en-aut-mei=Toshiyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=KaiharaKeiko en-aut-sei=Kaihara en-aut-mei=Keiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=IribeGentaro en-aut-sei=Iribe en-aut-mei=Gentaro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakaiAkira en-aut-sei=Takai en-aut-mei=Akira kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=NaruseKeiji en-aut-sei=Naruse en-aut-mei=Keiji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=MorimatsuMasatoshi en-aut-sei=Morimatsu en-aut-mei=Masatoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Physiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Physics, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Kindai University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Physiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Physiology, Asahikawa Medical University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Physiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Physiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Physiology, Asahikawa Medical University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Physiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Physiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=73 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=24 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2023 dt-pub=20231012 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Connective tissue mast cells store and release noradrenaline en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Mast cells are present in mucosal and connective tissues throughout the body. They synthesize and release a wide variety of bioactive molecules, such as histamine, proteases, and cytokines. In this study, we found that a population of connective tissue mast cells (CTMCs) stores and releases noradrenaline, originating from sympathetic nerves. Noradrenaline-storing cells, not neuronal fibers, were predominantly identified in the connective tissues of the skin, mammary gland, gastrointestinal tract, bronchus, thymus, and pancreas in wild-type mice but were absent in mast cell-deficient W-sash c-kit mutant KitW-sh/W-sh mice. In vitro studies using bone marrow-derived mast cells revealed that extracellular noradrenaline was taken up but not synthesized. Upon ionomycin stimulation, noradrenaline was released. Electron microscopy analyses further suggested that noradrenaline is stored in and released from the secretory granules of mast cells. Finally, we found that noradrenaline-storing CTMCs express organic cation transporter 3 (Oct3), which is also known as an extraneuronal monoamine transporter, SLC22A3. Our findings indicate that mast cells may play a role in regulating noradrenaline concentration by storing and releasing it in somatic tissues. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=OtaniYusuke en-aut-sei=Otani en-aut-mei=Yusuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=YoshikawaSoichiro en-aut-sei=Yoshikawa en-aut-mei=Soichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=NagaoKei en-aut-sei=Nagao en-aut-mei=Kei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=TanakaTakehiro en-aut-sei=Tanaka en-aut-mei=Takehiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=ToyookaShinichi en-aut-sei=Toyooka en-aut-mei=Shinichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujimuraAtsushi en-aut-sei=Fujimura en-aut-mei=Atsushi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Cellular Physiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Cellular Physiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Pathology and Oncology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Cellular Physiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=Mast cells kn-keyword=Mast cells en-keyword=Connective tissue mast cells kn-keyword=Connective tissue mast cells en-keyword=Noradrenaline kn-keyword=Noradrenaline en-keyword=Immunoelectron microscopy kn-keyword=Immunoelectron microscopy en-keyword=SLC22A3 kn-keyword=SLC22A3 END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=155 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=105797 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2023 dt-pub=202311 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Ruxolitinib altered IFN-β induced necroptosis of human dental pulp stem cells during osteoblast differentiation en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the role of ruxolitinib in the interferon beta (IFN-β) mediated osteoblast differentiation using human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs).
Design: hDPSCs from five deciduous teeth of healthy patients were stimulated by adding human recombinant IFN-β protein (1 or 2 ng/ml) to the osteogenic differentiation induction medium. Substrate formation was determined using Alizarin Red staining, calcium concentration, and osteoblast marker expression levels. Ruxolitinib was used to inhibit the Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK-STAT) pathway. Apoptosis was detected using terminal deoxynucleotidyl nick-end labeling (TUNEL) staining, and necroptosis was detected using propidium iodide staining and phosphorylated mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein (pMLKL) expression.
Results: In the IFN-β-treated group, substrate formation was inhibited by a reduction in alkaline phosphatase (ALP) expression in a concentration-dependent manner. Although the proliferation potency was unchanged between the IFN-β-treated and control groups, the cell number was significantly reduced in the experimental group. TUNEL-positive cell number was not significantly different; however, the protein level of necroptosis markers, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and pMLKL were significantly increased in the substrate formation. Cell number and ALP expression level were improved in the group administered ruxolitinib, a JAK-STAT inhibitor. Additionally, ruxolitinib significantly suppressed IL-6 and pMLKL levels.
Conclusion: Ruxolitinib interfered with the IFN-β-mediated necroptosis and osteogenic differentiation via the JAK-STAT pathway. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=TanakaAtsuko en-aut-sei=Tanaka en-aut-mei=Atsuko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=HayanoSatoru en-aut-sei=Hayano en-aut-mei=Satoru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=NagataMasayo en-aut-sei=Nagata en-aut-mei=Masayo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=KosamiTakahiro en-aut-sei=Kosami en-aut-mei=Takahiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 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=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=KamiokaHiroshi en-aut-sei=Kamioka en-aut-mei=Hiroshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Orthodontics, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Orthodontics, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Orthodontics, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Orthodontics, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Orthodontics, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Type-I interferon kn-keyword=Type-I interferon en-keyword=Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription pathway kn-keyword=Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription pathway en-keyword=Osteoblast kn-keyword=Osteoblast en-keyword=Necroptosis kn-keyword=Necroptosis en-keyword=Singleton-Merten Syndrome kn-keyword=Singleton-Merten Syndrome 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=2023 dt-pub=20230929 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Relative stereochemical determination of the C61–C83 fragment of symbiodinolide using a stereodivergent synthetic approach en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Structural determination is required in the use of marine natural products to create novel drugs and drug leads in medicinal chemistry. Symbiodinolide, which is a polyol marine natural product with a molecular weight of 2860, increases the intracellular Ca2+ concentration and exhibits inhibitory activity against cyclooxygenase-1. Seventy percent of the structure of symbiodinolide has been stereochemically clarified. Herein, we report the elucidation of the relative configuration of the C61–C83 fragment, which is among the remaining thirty percent, using a stereodivergent synthetic strategy. We first assigned the relative configuration of the C61–C74 fragment. Two candidate diastereomers of the C61–C74 fragment were synthesized, and their NMR data were compared with those of the natural product, revealing the relative stereochemistry of this component. We then narrowed down the candidate compounds for the C69–C83 fragment from 16 possible diastereomers by analyzing the NMR data of the natural product, and we thus selected eight candidate diastereomers. Stereodivergent synthesis of the candidates for this fragment and comparison of the NMR data of the natural product and the eight synthetic products resulted in the relative stereostructural clarification of the C69–C83 fragment. These individually determined relative stereochemistries of the C61–C74 and C69–C83 fragments were connected via the common C69–C73 tetrahydropyran moiety of the fragments. Finally, the relative configuration of the C61–C83 fragment of symbiodinolide was determined. The stereodivergent synthetic approach used in this study can be extended to the stereochemical determination of other fragments of symbiodinolide. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=TakamuraHiroyoshi en-aut-sei=Takamura en-aut-mei=Hiroyoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=HattoriKosuke en-aut-sei=Hattori en-aut-mei=Kosuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=OhashiTakumi en-aut-sei=Ohashi en-aut-mei=Takumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=OtsuTaichi en-aut-sei=Otsu en-aut-mei=Taichi 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= 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=Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=135 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=61 end-page=62 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2023 dt-pub=20230801 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title=The 2022 Incentive Award of the Okayama Medical Association in Neuroscience (2022 Niimi Prize) kn-title=令和4年度岡山医学会賞 脳神経研究奨励賞(新見賞) en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract= en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=YadaYuji en-aut-sei=Yada en-aut-mei=Yuji kn-aut-name=矢田勇慈 kn-aut-sei=矢田 kn-aut-mei=勇慈 aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Neuropsychiatry, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil=岡山大学大学院医歯薬学総合研究科 精神神経病態学 END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=236 cd-vols= no-issue=3 article-no= start-page=864 end-page=877 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2022 dt-pub=20220817 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=A tonoplast‐localized magnesium transporter is crucial for stomatal opening in Arabidopsis under high Mg2+ conditions en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Plant stomata play an important role in CO2 uptake for photosynthesis and transpiration, but the mechanisms underlying stomatal opening and closing under changing environmental conditions are still not completely understood.
Through large-scale genetic screening, we isolated an Arabidopsis mutant (closed stomata2 (cst2)) that is defective in stomatal opening. We cloned the causal gene (MGR1/CST2) and functionally characterized this gene.
The mutant phenotype was caused by a mutation in a gene encoding an unknown protein with similarities to the human magnesium (Mg2+) efflux transporter ACDP/CNNM. MGR1/CST2 was localized to the tonoplast and showed transport activity for Mg2+. This protein was constitutively and highly expressed in guard cells. Knockout of this gene resulted in stomatal closing, decreased photosynthesis and growth retardation, especially under high Mg2+ conditions, while overexpression of this gene increased stomatal opening and tolerance to high Mg2+ concentrations. Furthermore, guard cell-specific expression of MGR1/CST2 in the mutant partially restored its stomatal opening.
Our results indicate that MGR1/CST2 expression in the leaf guard cells plays an important role in maintaining cytosolic Mg2+ concentrations through sequestering Mg2+ into vacuoles, which is required for stomatal opening, especially under high Mg2+ conditions. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=InoueShin‐ichiro en-aut-sei=Inoue en-aut-mei=Shin‐ichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=HayashiMaki en-aut-sei=Hayashi en-aut-mei=Maki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=HuangSheng en-aut-sei=Huang en-aut-mei=Sheng kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=YokoshoKengo en-aut-sei=Yokosho en-aut-mei=Kengo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=GotohEiji en-aut-sei=Gotoh en-aut-mei=Eiji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=IkematsuShuka en-aut-sei=Ikematsu en-aut-mei=Shuka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkumuraMasaki en-aut-sei=Okumura en-aut-mei=Masaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 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=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=KamuraTakumi en-aut-sei=Kamura en-aut-mei=Takumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=KinoshitaToshinori en-aut-sei=Kinoshita en-aut-mei=Toshinori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 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=11 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Division of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Division of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya 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=Department of Forest Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Institute of Transformative Bio-Molecules (WPI-ITbM), Nagoya University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Division of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Biological Chemistry, College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Chubu University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Division of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Division of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=ACDP kn-keyword=ACDP en-keyword=CNNM kn-keyword=CNNM en-keyword=Arabidopsis thaliana kn-keyword=Arabidopsis thaliana en-keyword=magnesium transport kn-keyword=magnesium transport en-keyword=plant growth kn-keyword=plant growth en-keyword=stomatal opening kn-keyword=stomatal opening END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=951 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=L27 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2023 dt-pub=20230707 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Search for Astrophysical Electron Antineutrinos in Super-Kamiokande with 0.01% Gadolinium-loaded Water en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=We report the first search result for the flux of astrophysical electron antineutrinos for energies O(10) MeV in the gadolinium-loaded Super-Kamiokande (SK) detector. In 2020 June, gadolinium was introduced to the ultrapure water of the SK detector in order to detect neutrons more efficiently. In this new experimental phase, SK-Gd, we can search for electron antineutrinos via inverse beta decay with efficient background rejection thanks to the high efficiency of the neutron tagging technique. In this paper, we report the result for the initial stage of SK-Gd, during 2020 August 26, and 2022 June 1 with a 22.5 x 552 kton center dot day exposure at 0.01% Gd mass concentration. No significant excess over the expected background in the observed events is found for the neutrino energies below 31.3 MeV. Thus, the flux upper limits are placed at the 90% confidence level. The limits and sensitivities are already comparable with the previous SK result with pure water (22.5 x 2970 kton center dot day) owing to the enhanced neutron tagging. Operation with Gd increased to 0.03% started in 2022 June. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=HaradaM. en-aut-sei=Harada en-aut-mei=M. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Physics, Okayama University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=12 cd-vols= no-issue=15 article-no= start-page=5028 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2023 dt-pub=20230731 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Evidence for Hypoxia-Induced Shift in ATP Production from Glycolysis to Mitochondrial Respiration in Pulmonary Artery Smooth Muscle Cells in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background: The metabolic state of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) from patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is not well understood. In this study, we examined the balance between glycolysis and mitochondrial respiration in non-PAH-PASMCs and PAH-PASMCs under normoxia and hypoxia. Methods: We investigated the enzymes involved in glycolysis and mitochondrial respiration, and studied the two major energy-yielding pathways (glycolysis and mitochondrial respiration) by measuring extracellular acidification rate (ECAR) and cellular oxygen consumption rate (OCR) using the Seahorse extracellular flux technology. Results: Under both normoxia and hypoxia, the mRNA and protein levels of pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 1 and pyruvate dehydrogenase were increased in PAH-PASMCs compared with non-PAH-PASMCs. The mRNA and protein levels of lactate dehydrogenase, as well as the intracellular lactate concentration, were also increased in PAH-PASMCs compared with non-PAH-PASMCs under normoxia. However, these were not significantly increased in PAH-PASMCs compared with non-PAH-PASMCs under hypoxia. Under normoxia, ATP production was significantly lower in PAH-PASMCs (59 ± 5 pmol/min) than in non-PAH-PASMCs (70 ± 10 pmol/min). On the other hand, ATP production was significantly higher in PAH-PASMCs (31 ± 5 pmol/min) than in non-PAH-PASMCs (14 ± 3 pmol/min) under hypoxia. Conclusions: There is an underlying change in the metabolic strategy to generate ATP production under the challenge of hypoxia. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=AkagiSatoshi en-aut-sei=Akagi en-aut-mei=Satoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 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=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KondoMegumi en-aut-sei=Kondo en-aut-mei=Megumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 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=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=UdonoHeiichiro en-aut-sei=Udono en-aut-mei=Heiichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishidaMikako en-aut-sei=Nishida en-aut-mei=Mikako kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=SaitoYukihiro en-aut-sei=Saito en-aut-mei=Yukihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=YoshidaMasashi en-aut-sei=Yoshida en-aut-mei=Masashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 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=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=ItoHiroshi en-aut-sei=Ito en-aut-mei=Hiroshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Medical Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=glycolysis kn-keyword=glycolysis en-keyword=mitochondrial respiration kn-keyword=mitochondrial respiration en-keyword=pulmonary arterial hypertension kn-keyword=pulmonary arterial hypertension en-keyword=pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells kn-keyword=pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells en-keyword=Seahorse technology kn-keyword=Seahorse technology en-keyword=hypoxia kn-keyword=hypoxia en-keyword=ATP production kn-keyword=ATP production END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=77 cd-vols= no-issue=4 article-no= start-page=395 end-page=405 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2023 dt-pub=202308 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Association of Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha with Psychopathology in Patients with Schizophrenia en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=We investigated the relationship between serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) levels and psychopathological symptoms, clinical and socio-demographic characteristics and antipsychotic therapy in individuals with schizophrenia. TNF-α levels were measured in 90 patients with schizophrenia and 90 healthy controls matched by age, gender, smoking status, and body mass index. The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) was used to assess the severity of psychopathology in patients. No significant differences in TNF-α levels were detected between the patients and controls (p=0.736). TNF-α levels were not correlated with total, positive, negative, general, or composite PANSS scores (all p>0.05). A significant negative correlation was observed between TNF-α levels and the PANSS cognitive factor (ρ=−0.222, p=0.035). A hierarchical regression analysis identified the cognitive factor as a significant predictor of the TNF-α level (beta=−0.258, t=−2.257, p=0.027). There were no significant differences in TNF-α levels among patients treated with different types of antipsychotics (p=0.596). TNF-α levels correlated positively with the age of onset (ρ=0.233, p=0.027) and negatively with illness duration (ρ=−0.247, p=0.019) and antipsychotic treatment duration (ρ=−0.256, p=0.015). These results indicate that TNF-α may be involved in cognitive impairment in schizophrenia, and would be a potential clinical-state marker in schizophrenia. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=PavlovicMarko en-aut-sei=Pavlovic en-aut-mei=Marko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=BabicDragan en-aut-sei=Babic en-aut-mei=Dragan kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=RastovicPejana en-aut-sei=Rastovic en-aut-mei=Pejana kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=ArapovicJurica en-aut-sei=Arapovic en-aut-mei=Jurica kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=MartinacMarko en-aut-sei=Martinac en-aut-mei=Marko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=JakovacSanja en-aut-sei=Jakovac en-aut-mei=Sanja kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=BarbaricRomana en-aut-sei=Barbaric en-aut-mei=Romana kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=University Hospital Center Mostar, University of Mostar kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=University Hospital Center Mostar, University of Mostar kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=University Hospital Center Mostar, University of Mostar kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=University Hospital Center Mostar, University of Mostar kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Health Care Center Mostar, University of Mostar kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=University Hospital Center Mostar, University of Mostar kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=University Hospital Center Mostar, University of Mostar kn-affil= en-keyword=tumor necrosis factor-alpha kn-keyword=tumor necrosis factor-alpha en-keyword=schizophrenia kn-keyword=schizophrenia en-keyword=psychopathology kn-keyword=psychopathology en-keyword=immune system kn-keyword=immune system END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=77 cd-vols= no-issue=4 article-no= start-page=387 end-page=394 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2023 dt-pub=202308 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Association between Radon Hot Spring Bathing and Health Conditions: A Cross-Sectional Study in Misasa, Japan en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=No epidemiological studies have examined the health effects of daily bathing in radon hot springs. In this cross-sectional study, we investigated the associations between radon hot spring bathing and health conditions. The target population was 5,250 adults ≥ 20 years old in the town of Misasa, Japan. We collected information about the participants’ bathing habits and alleviation of a variety of disease symptoms, and their self-rated health (SRH). Unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. In both the adjusted and unadjusted models of hypertension, significant associations between the > 1×/week hot spring bathing and the alleviation of hypertension symptoms were observed compared to the group whose hot spring bathing was <1×/week: adjusted model, OR 5.40 (95%CI: 1.98-14.74); unadjusted model, 3.67 (1.50-8.99) and for gastroenteritis: adjusted model, 9.18 (1.15-72.96); unadjusted model, 7.62 (1.59-36.49). Compared to the no-bathing group, higher SRH was significantly associated with both bathing < 1×/week: unadjusted model, 2.27 (1.53-3.37) and > 1×/week: adjusted model, 1.91 (1.15-3.19). These findings suggest that bathing in radon hot springs is associated with higher SRH and the alleviation of hypertension and gastroenteritis. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KataokaTakahiro en-aut-sei=Kataoka en-aut-mei=Takahiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=HabuHiroshi en-aut-sei=Habu en-aut-mei=Hiroshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=TanakaAyumi en-aut-sei=Tanaka en-aut-mei=Ayumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=NaoeShota en-aut-sei=Naoe en-aut-mei=Shota kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=MurakamiKaito en-aut-sei=Murakami en-aut-mei=Kaito kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujimotoYuki en-aut-sei=Fujimoto en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=YukimineRyohei en-aut-sei=Yukimine en-aut-mei=Ryohei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakaoSoshi en-aut-sei=Takao en-aut-mei=Soshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=MitsunobuFumihiro en-aut-sei=Mitsunobu en-aut-mei=Fumihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=YorifujiTakashi en-aut-sei=Yorifuji en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamaokaKiyonori en-aut-sei=Yamaoka en-aut-mei=Kiyonori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Radiological Technology, Okayama University Graduate School of Health Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Epidemiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Radiological Technology, Okayama University Graduate School of Health Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Radiological Technology, Okayama University Graduate School of Health Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Radiological Technology, Okayama University Graduate School of Health Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Radiological Technology, Okayama University Graduate School of Health Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Radiological Technology, Okayama University Graduate School of Health Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Epidemiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Longevity and Social Medicine (Geriatrics), Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Epidemiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Radiological Technology, Okayama University Graduate School of Health Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=radon hot spring kn-keyword=radon hot spring en-keyword=bathing habit kn-keyword=bathing habit en-keyword=self-rated health kn-keyword=self-rated health en-keyword=cross-section study kn-keyword=cross-section study END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=30 cd-vols= no-issue=12 article-no= start-page=1927 end-page=1949 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2023 dt-pub=20231201 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Enhanced Production of EPA-Derived Anti-Inflammatory Metabolites after Oral Administration of a Novel Self-Emulsifying Highly Purified EPA Ethyl Ester Formulation (MND-2119) en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Aims: MND-2119 is a novel once-daily dose self-emulsifying formulation of highly purified eicosapentaenoic acid ethyl ester (EPA-E) and is approved as an antihyperlipidemia agent in Japan. It has improved absorption and achieves higher plasma EPA concentrations at Cmax than conventional EPA-E. In the JELIS trial, concomitant use of EPA-E with statin therapy significantly reduced atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risks. As a potential mechanism of action of EPA, endogenous formation of EPA-derived anti-inflammatory metabolites is receiving greater attention. This study aims to investigate the endogenous formation of EPA-derived anti-inflammatory metabolites following single and multiple administrations of MND-2119.
Methods: Healthy adult male subjects were randomly assigned to a nonintervention (control) group, MND-2119 2-g/day group, MND-2119 4-g/day group, or EPA-E 1.8-g/day group for 7 days (N=8 per group). Plasma fatty acids and EPA-derived metabolites were evaluated. Peripheral blood neutrophils were isolated, and the production of EPA-derived metabolites from in vitro stimulated neutrophils was evaluated.
Results: After single and multiple administrations of MND-2119 2 g/day, there were significant increases in plasma EPA concentration, 18-hydroxyeicosapentaenoic acid (18-HEPE), and 17,18-epoxyeicosatetraenoic acid compared with those of EPA-E 1.8 g/day. They were further increased with MND-2119 4 g/day administration. In neutrophils, the EPA concentration in the MND-2119 2-g/day group was significantly higher compared with that in the EPA-E 1.8-g/day group after multiple administration, and 18-HEPE production was positively correlated with EPA concentration. No safety issues were noted.
Conclusions: These results demonstrate that MND-2119 increases the plasma and cellular concentrations of EPA and EPA-derived metabolites to a greater extent than conventional EPA-E formulations. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MiyoshiToru en-aut-sei=Miyoshi en-aut-mei=Toru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=NaoeSatoko en-aut-sei=Naoe en-aut-mei=Satoko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=WakabayashiHiroyuki en-aut-sei=Wakabayashi en-aut-mei=Hiroyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=YanoTakashi en-aut-sei=Yano en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=MoriTakuya en-aut-sei=Mori en-aut-mei=Takuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=KandaShingo en-aut-sei=Kanda en-aut-mei=Shingo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=AritaMakoto en-aut-sei=Arita en-aut-mei=Makoto kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=ItoHiroshi en-aut-sei=Ito en-aut-mei=Hiroshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 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=Medical Affairs Department, Mochida Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Medical Affairs Department, Mochida Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Medical Affairs Department, Mochida Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Clinical Research Department, Mochida Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Clinical Development Planning and Management Department, Mochida Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Laboratory for Metabolomics, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=Eicosapentaenoic acid kn-keyword=Eicosapentaenoic acid en-keyword=MND-2119 kn-keyword=MND-2119 en-keyword=Metablolite kn-keyword=Metablolite en-keyword=Inflammation kn-keyword=Inflammation END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=82 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=102233 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2023 dt-pub=202310 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Safety and usefulness of nebulized liposomal amphotericin B: Systematic scoping review en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Purpose
Invasive fungal infections potentially result in fatal outcomes in immunocompromised hosts. Compared to intravenous administration, a nebulization therapy can achieve a high concentration of drug delivered in the respiratory tract, without a systematic absorption. We herein summarized the study findings on the safety and clinical utility of nebulized liposomal amphotericin B therapy.
Methods
According to the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews, we performed a search on MEDLINE and EMBASE for articles with relevant keywords, including “inhaled liposomal amphotericin B″, “nebulized liposomal amphotericin B″, or “aerosolized liposomal amphotericin B″, from the inception of these databases to August 31, 2022.
Results
Of the 172 articles found, 27 articles, including 13 case reports, 11 observational studies, and 3 clinical trials, were selected. Generally, findings showed that nebulized liposomal amphotericin B treatment appeared to be safe and without severe adverse effects. We found an accumulated evidence for the safety, tolerability, and effectiveness of nebulized liposomal amphotericin B prophylaxis among lung transplantation recipients; however, a randomized controlled study has yet to be reported. Data on hemato-oncological patients are relatively scarce; however, a randomized controlled study suggested the prophylactic effect of nebulized liposomal amphotericin B on invasive pulmonary aspergillosis. Observational and randomized controlled studies to evaluate therapeutic efficacy of the nebulized liposomal amphotericin B therapy have not been performed.
Conclusion
In conclusion, we found increasing evidence for the effectiveness of the inhalation therapy among patients after lung transplantation and with hemato-oncological diseases. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=HagiyaHideharu en-aut-sei=Hagiya en-aut-mei=Hideharu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishimuraYoshito en-aut-sei=Nishimura en-aut-mei=Yoshito kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=OtsukaFumio en-aut-sei=Otsuka en-aut-mei=Fumio kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=Amphotericin B kn-keyword=Amphotericin B en-keyword=Fungal infection kn-keyword=Fungal infection en-keyword=Inhalation kn-keyword=Inhalation en-keyword=Nebulization kn-keyword=Nebulization en-keyword=Aerosolization kn-keyword=Aerosolization END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=13 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=11491 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2023 dt-pub=20230717 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Relationships of rapid eating with visceral and subcutaneous fat mass and plasma adiponectin concentration en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Rapid eating has been demonstrated to be associated with obesity and overweight. However, few studies have characterized the separate relationships of eating speed with visceral and subcutaneous fat mass or circulating adiponectin concentration. We hypothesized that rapid eating is associated with the larger visceral fat tissue (VFT) area and lower adiponectin concentration, but not with the subcutaneous fat tissue (SFT) area in men and women. We performed a cross-sectional study of 712 adults aged 20–86 years (528 men and 184 women; mean ± SD age 59.36 ± 13.61 years). The participants completed a self-reported questionnaire, and underwent anthropometric and laboratory measurements and computed tomographic imaging of the abdomen as a part of annual medical check-ups. Multivariate linear regression analyses revealed that rapid eating was associated with larger visceral (B = 24.74; 95% CI 8.87–40.61, p = 0.002) and subcutaneous fat areas (B = 31.31; 95% CI 12.23–50.38, p = 0.001), lower adiponectin concentration (B =  − 2.92; 95% CI − 4.39– − 1.46, p < 0.001), higher body mass index (BMI) (B = 2.13; 95% CI 1.02–3.25, p < 0.001), and larger waist circumference (B = 5.23; 95% CI 2.16–8.30, p < 0.001) in men, which is partially consistent with the hypothesis. In contrast, rapid eating was found to be associated only with BMI, and not with abdominal adipose area or adiponectin concentration in women, which is a result that is not consistent with the hypothesis. These results suggest that there is no difference in the association of rapid eating with VFT and SFT areas. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=TsumuraHideki en-aut-sei=Tsumura en-aut-mei=Hideki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=FukudaMari en-aut-sei=Fukuda en-aut-mei=Mari kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=HisamatsuTakashi en-aut-sei=Hisamatsu en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=SatoRie en-aut-sei=Sato en-aut-mei=Rie kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=TsuchieRina en-aut-sei=Tsuchie en-aut-mei=Rina kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=KandaHideyuki en-aut-sei=Kanda en-aut-mei=Hideyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Technology, Industrial and Social Sciences, Tokushima University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Public Health, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Public Health, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Shimane University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine, Shimane University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Public Health, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=14 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=621 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2023 dt-pub=20230204 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Pivotal role for S-nitrosylation of DNA methyltransferase 3B in epigenetic regulation of tumorigenesis en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) catalyze methylation at the C5 position of cytosine with S-adenosyl-l-methionine. Methylation regulates gene expression, serving a variety of physiological and pathophysiological roles. The chemical mechanisms regulating DNMT enzymatic activity, however, are not fully elucidated. Here, we show that protein S-nitrosylation of a cysteine residue in DNMT3B attenuates DNMT3B enzymatic activity and consequent aberrant upregulation of gene expression. These genes include Cyclin D2 (Ccnd2), which is required for neoplastic cell proliferation in some tumor types. In cell-based and in vivo cancer models, only DNMT3B enzymatic activity, and not DNMT1 or DNMT3A, affects Ccnd2 expression. Using structure-based virtual screening, we discovered chemical compounds that specifically inhibit S-nitrosylation without directly affecting DNMT3B enzymatic activity. The lead compound, designated DBIC, inhibits S-nitrosylation of DNMT3B at low concentrations (IC50 <= 100nM). Treatment with DBIC prevents nitric oxide (NO)-induced conversion of human colonic adenoma to adenocarcinoma in vitro. Additionally, in vivo treatment with DBIC strongly attenuates tumor development in a mouse model of carcinogenesis triggered by inflammation-induced generation of NO. Our results demonstrate that de novo DNA methylation mediated by DNMT3B is regulated by NO, and DBIC protects against tumor formation by preventing aberrant S-nitrosylation of DNMT3B. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=OkudaKosaku en-aut-sei=Okuda en-aut-mei=Kosaku kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakaharaKengo en-aut-sei=Nakahara en-aut-mei=Kengo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=ItoAkihiro en-aut-sei=Ito en-aut-mei=Akihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=IijimaYuta en-aut-sei=Iijima en-aut-mei=Yuta kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=NomuraRyosuke en-aut-sei=Nomura en-aut-mei=Ryosuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=KumarAshutosh en-aut-sei=Kumar en-aut-mei=Ashutosh kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujikawaKana en-aut-sei=Fujikawa en-aut-mei=Kana kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=AdachiKazuya en-aut-sei=Adachi en-aut-mei=Kazuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShimadaYuki en-aut-sei=Shimada en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujioSatoshi en-aut-sei=Fujio en-aut-mei=Satoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamamotoReina en-aut-sei=Yamamoto en-aut-mei=Reina kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakasugiNobumasa en-aut-sei=Takasugi en-aut-mei=Nobumasa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=OnumaKunishige en-aut-sei=Onuma en-aut-mei=Kunishige kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= en-aut-name=OsakiMitsuhiko en-aut-sei=Osaki en-aut-mei=Mitsuhiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=14 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkadaFutoshi en-aut-sei=Okada en-aut-mei=Futoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=15 ORCID= en-aut-name=UkegawaTaichi en-aut-sei=Ukegawa en-aut-mei=Taichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=16 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakeuchiYasuo en-aut-sei=Takeuchi en-aut-mei=Yasuo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=17 ORCID= en-aut-name=YasuiNorihisa en-aut-sei=Yasui en-aut-mei=Norihisa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=18 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamashitaAtsuko en-aut-sei=Yamashita en-aut-mei=Atsuko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=19 ORCID= en-aut-name=MarusawaHiroyuki en-aut-sei=Marusawa en-aut-mei=Hiroyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=20 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsushitaYosuke en-aut-sei=Matsushita en-aut-mei=Yosuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=21 ORCID= en-aut-name=KatagiriToyomasa en-aut-sei=Katagiri en-aut-mei=Toyomasa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=22 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShibataTakahiro en-aut-sei=Shibata en-aut-mei=Takahiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=23 ORCID= en-aut-name=UchidaKoji en-aut-sei=Uchida en-aut-mei=Koji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=24 ORCID= en-aut-name=NiuSheng-Yong en-aut-sei=Niu en-aut-mei=Sheng-Yong kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=25 ORCID= en-aut-name=LangNhi B. en-aut-sei=Lang en-aut-mei=Nhi B. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=26 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakamuraTomohiro en-aut-sei=Nakamura en-aut-mei=Tomohiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=27 ORCID= en-aut-name=ZhangKam Y. J. en-aut-sei=Zhang en-aut-mei=Kam Y. J. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=28 ORCID= en-aut-name=LiptonStuart A. en-aut-sei=Lipton en-aut-mei=Stuart A. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=29 ORCID= en-aut-name=UeharaTakashi en-aut-sei=Uehara en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=30 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Medicinal Pharmacology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Medicinal Pharmacology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Chemical Genomics Research Group, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Medicinal Pharmacology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Medicinal Pharmacology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Laboratory for Structural Bioinformatics, Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, RIKEN kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Medicinal Pharmacology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Medicinal Pharmacology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Medicinal Pharmacology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Medicinal Pharmacology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Medicinal Pharmacology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Department of Medicinal Pharmacology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Division of Experimental Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University kn-affil= affil-num=14 en-affil=Division of Experimental Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University kn-affil= affil-num=15 en-affil=Division of Experimental Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University kn-affil= affil-num=16 en-affil=Department of Synthetic and Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=17 en-affil=Department of Synthetic and Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=18 en-affil=Laboratory of Structural Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=19 en-affil=Laboratory of Structural Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=20 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University kn-affil= affil-num=21 en-affil=Division of Genome Medicine, Institute of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tokushima University kn-affil= affil-num=22 en-affil=Division of Genome Medicine, Institute of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tokushima University kn-affil= affil-num=23 en-affil=Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University kn-affil= affil-num=24 en-affil=Laboratory of Food Chemistry, Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo kn-affil= affil-num=25 en-affil=Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard kn-affil= affil-num=26 en-affil=Neurodegeneration New Medicines Center, and Departments of Molecular Medicine and Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute kn-affil= affil-num=27 en-affil=Neurodegeneration New Medicines Center, and Departments of Molecular Medicine and Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute kn-affil= affil-num=28 en-affil=Laboratory for Structural Bioinformatics, Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, RIKEN kn-affil= affil-num=29 en-affil=Neurodegeneration New Medicines Center, and Departments of Molecular Medicine and Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute kn-affil= affil-num=30 en-affil=Department of Medicinal Pharmacology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=12 cd-vols= no-issue=14 article-no= start-page=2738 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2023 dt-pub=20230723 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Low-Oxygen Responses of Cut Carnation Flowers Associated with Modified Atmosphere Packaging en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Gaseous factors affect post-harvest physiological processes in horticultural crops, including ornamental flowers. However, the molecular responses of cut flowers to the low-oxygen conditions associated with modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) have not yet been elucidated. Here, we show that storage of cut carnation flowers in a sealed polypropylene bag decreased the oxygen concentration in the bag to 3-5% and slowed flower opening. The vase life of carnation flowers after storage for seven days under MAP conditions was comparable to that without storage and was improved by the application of a commercial-quality preservative. The adenylate energy charge (AEC) was maintained at high levels in petals from florets stored under MAP conditions. This was accompanied by the upregulation of four hypoxia-related genes, among which the HYPOXIA-RESPONSIVE ETHYLENE RESPONSE FACTOR and PHYTOGLOBIN genes (DcERF19 and DcPGB1) were newly identified. These results suggest that hypoxia-responsive genes contribute to the maintenance of the energy status in carnation flowers stored under MAP conditions, making this gas-controlling technique potentially effective for maintaining cut flower quality without cooling. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NakayamaMisaki en-aut-sei=Nakayama en-aut-mei=Misaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=HaradaNao en-aut-sei=Harada en-aut-mei=Nao kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MuraiAi en-aut-sei=Murai en-aut-mei=Ai kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=UeyamaSayaka en-aut-sei=Ueyama en-aut-mei=Sayaka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=HaradaTaro en-aut-sei=Harada en-aut-mei=Taro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=School of Education, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=School of Education, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=School of Education, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=School of Education, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Faculty of Education, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=carnation kn-keyword=carnation en-keyword=modified atmosphere packaging kn-keyword=modified atmosphere packaging en-keyword=adenylate energy charge kn-keyword=adenylate energy charge en-keyword=hypoxia-responsive genes kn-keyword=hypoxia-responsive genes en-keyword=AP2/ERF superfamily kn-keyword=AP2/ERF superfamily END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=127 cd-vols= no-issue=28 article-no= start-page=13837 end-page=13845 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2023 dt-pub=20230707 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Lithium-Ion Dynamics in Sulfolane-Based Highly Concentrated Electrolytes en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Here, we report the use of molecular dynamics simulations with a polarizable force field to investigate Li-ion dynamics in sulfolane (SL)-based electrolytes. In SL-based highly concentrated electrolytes (HCEs) (e.g., SL/Li = 2:1), Li displays faster translational motion than other components, which should be related to the structural and dynamical properties of SL. In HCEs, a transient conduction network that penetrated the simulation system was always observed. Rapid (<1 ns) Li-ion hopping between adjacent coordination sites was observed throughout the network. Additionally, SLs rotated in the same timeframe without disrupting the conduction network. This rotation is believed to promote the hopping diffusion in the network. This was followed by a rotational relaxation of the SL dipole axis around the non-polar cyclohydrocarbon segment of SL (∼3.3 ns), which involves a reorganization of the network structure and an enhancement of the translational motion of the coordinating Li ions. The observed lifetime of Li–SL coordination was longer (>11 ns). Hence, it was concluded that the faster Li translational motion was obtained due to the faster rotational relaxation time of SL rather than the lifetime of Li–SL binding. The faster rotation of SL is related to its amphiphilic molecular structure with compact non-polar segments. Transport properties, such as the Onsager transport coefficients, ionic conductivity, and transference number under anion-blocking conditions, were also analyzed to characterize the features of the SL-based electrolyte. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=IkedaShuhei en-aut-sei=Ikeda en-aut-mei=Shuhei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=TsuzukiSeiji en-aut-sei=Tsuzuki en-aut-mei=Seiji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=SudohTaku en-aut-sei=Sudoh en-aut-mei=Taku kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShigenobuKeisuke en-aut-sei=Shigenobu en-aut-mei=Keisuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=UenoKazuhide en-aut-sei=Ueno en-aut-mei=Kazuhide kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=DokkoKaoru en-aut-sei=Dokko en-aut-mei=Kaoru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=WatanabeMasayoshi en-aut-sei=Watanabe en-aut-mei=Masayoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShinodaWataru en-aut-sei=Shinoda en-aut-mei=Wataru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Materials Chemistry, Nagoya University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Advanced Chemical Energy Research Centre (ACERC), Institute of Advanced Sciences, Yokohama National University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Chemistry and Life Science, Yokohama National University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Advanced Chemical Energy Research Centre (ACERC), Institute of Advanced Sciences, Yokohama National University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Advanced Chemical Energy Research Centre (ACERC), Institute of Advanced Sciences, Yokohama National University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Advanced Chemical Energy Research Centre (ACERC), Institute of Advanced Sciences, Yokohama National University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University, kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=8 cd-vols= no-issue=12 article-no= start-page=11213 end-page=11219 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2023 dt-pub=20230317 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Development of Pipetteless Paper-Based Analytical Devices with a Volume Gauge en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=In this work, we propose a new design for paper based analytical devices (PADs) that eliminate the need to use a micropipette for sample introduction. With this design, a PAD is equipped with a distance-based detection channel that is connected to a storage channel that indicates the volume of a sample introduced into the PAD. The analyte in the sample solution reacts with a colorimetric reagent deposited into the distance-based detection channel as the sample solution flows into the storage channel where the volume is measured. The ratio of the lengths of the detection channel and that of the storage channel (D/S ratio) are constant for a sample containing a certain concentration, which is independent of the introduced volume. Therefore, the PADs permit volume-independent quantification using a dropper instead of a micropipette because the length of the storage channel plays the role of a volume gauge to estimate the introduced sample volume. In this study, the D/S ratios obtained with a dropper were comparable to those obtained with a micropipette, which confirmed that precise volume control is unnecessary for this PAD system. The proposed PADs were applied to the determinations of iron and bovine serum albumin using bathophenanthroline and tetrabromophenol blue as colorimetric reagents, respectively. The calibration curves showed good linear relationships with coefficients of 0.989 for iron and 0.994 for bovine serum albumin, respectively. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=DanchanaKaewta en-aut-sei=Danchana en-aut-mei=Kaewta kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=IwasakiHiroshi en-aut-sei=Iwasaki en-aut-mei=Hiroshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=ThayawutthikunYada en-aut-sei=Thayawutthikun en-aut-mei=Yada kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=SaetearPhoonthawee en-aut-sei=Saetear en-aut-mei=Phoonthawee kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 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=5 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=Flow Innovation-Research for Science and Technology Laboratories (FIRST Labs), Mahidol University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Flow Innovation-Research for Science and Technology Laboratories (FIRST Labs), Mahidol University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Okayama University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=13 cd-vols= no-issue=12 article-no= start-page=6893 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2023 dt-pub=20230607 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Hydrothermal Preparation of Faceted Vesicles Made of Span 40 and Tween 40 and Their Characterization en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The Span 40 (sorbitan monooleate)/Tween 40 (polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate) system gives faceted vesicles with angular surfaces, rather than spherical vesicles. Herein, a continuous and facile preparation method, based on the subcritical water-assisted emulsification and solvent diffusion, was presented to yield faceted vesicles with two major and minor axes (Type A) and vesicles closer to a polyhedron (Type B). Type A, rather than Type B, vesicles were likely to be formed. From the measurements concerning & zeta;-potential, membrane fluidity, and the polarization environment of the membranes, faceted vesicles could be obtained at 0.25 wt% of the surfactant concentration. The phase-separated behavior of Span 40 and Tween 40 within vesicle membranes could explain the structural feature of faceted vesicles and calcein leakage behavior. The significant advantage is that Type A vesicles would be utilized as alternative drug carriers for others with low encapsulation efficiency, although the present technical limitations cause difficulty in the selective formation of Type A and B vesicles and the selection of adequate solvent to accelerate the solvent diffusion step. 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=KomoriYui en-aut-sei=Komori en-aut-mei=Yui kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=ToramotoKazuki en-aut-sei=Toramoto en-aut-mei=Kazuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=HayashiKeita en-aut-sei=Hayashi en-aut-mei=Keita kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 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=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=JungHo-Sup en-aut-sei=Jung en-aut-mei=Ho-Sup kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 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=7 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Environmental Chemistry and Materials, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Environmental Chemistry and Materials, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Environmental Chemistry and Materials, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=National Institute of Technology, Nara College kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Division of Materials Science, Nara Institute of Science and Technology (NAIST) kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Center for Food and Bioconvergence, Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, Seoul National University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Environmental Chemistry and Materials, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=vesicles kn-keyword=vesicles en-keyword=subcritical water kn-keyword=subcritical water en-keyword=emulsification kn-keyword=emulsification en-keyword=solvent diffusion kn-keyword=solvent diffusion END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=63 cd-vols= no-issue=7 article-no= start-page=1344 end-page=1353 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2023 dt-pub=20230609 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Efficient granulocyte collection method using high concentrations of medium molecular weight hydroxyethyl starch en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background: Granulocyte transfusion therapy is a rational therapeutic option for patients with prolonged, severe neutropenia. Although high molecular weight hydroxyethyl starch (hHES) facilitates the separation of red blood cells during granulocyte collection, renal dysfunction has been noted as a potential side effect. HES130/0.4 (Voluven®) is a medium molecular weight HES (mHES) with superior safety profiles compared to hHES. Although HES130/0.4 is reportedly effective in the collection of granulocytes, we lack studies comparing the efficiency of granulocyte collection using HES130/0.4 and hHES.
Study Design and Methods: We retrospectively collected the data from 60 consecutive apheresis procedures performed on 40 healthy donors at the Okayama University Hospital between July 2013 and December 2021. All procedures were performed using the Spectra Optia system. Based on the HES130/0.4 concentration in the separation chamber, granulocyte collection methods using HES130/0.4 were classified into m0.46, m0.44, m0.37, and m0.8 groups. We used HES130/0.4 and hHES groups to compare the various sample collection methods.
Results: The median granulocyte collection efficiency (CE) was approximately 24.0% and 28.1% in the m0.8 and hHES groups, respectively, which were significantly higher than those in the m0.46, m0.44, and m0.37 groups. One month following granulocyte collection with HES130/0.4, no significant changes were observed in serum creatinine levels compared to those before the donation.
Conclusion: Therefore, we propose a granulocyte collection approach employing HES130/0.4, which is comparable to the use of hHES in terms of the granulocyte CE. A high concentration of HES130/0.4 in the separation chamber was considered crucial for granulocyte collection. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KondoTakumi en-aut-sei=Kondo en-aut-mei=Takumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiiKeiko en-aut-sei=Fujii en-aut-mei=Keiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiiNobuharu en-aut-sei=Fujii en-aut-mei=Nobuharu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=SumiiYuichi en-aut-sei=Sumii en-aut-mei=Yuichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=UrataTomohiro en-aut-sei=Urata en-aut-mei=Tomohiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=KimuraMaiko en-aut-sei=Kimura en-aut-mei=Maiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsudaMasayuki en-aut-sei=Matsuda en-aut-mei=Masayuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=IkegawaShuntaro en-aut-sei=Ikegawa en-aut-mei=Shuntaro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=WashioKana en-aut-sei=Washio en-aut-mei=Kana kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiwaraHideaki en-aut-sei=Fujiwara en-aut-mei=Hideaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=AsadaNoboru en-aut-sei=Asada en-aut-mei=Noboru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=EnnishiDaisuke en-aut-sei=Ennishi en-aut-mei=Daisuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishimoriHisakazu en-aut-sei=Nishimori en-aut-mei=Hisakazu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsuokaKen‐ichi en-aut-sei=Matsuoka en-aut-mei=Ken‐ichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=14 ORCID= en-aut-name=OtsukaFumio en-aut-sei=Otsuka en-aut-mei=Fumio kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=15 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=16 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Division of Transfusion, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Division of Clinical Laboratory, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Division of Transfusion, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Division of Transfusion, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Division of Transfusion, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Division of Transfusion, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Division of Transfusion, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Division of Transfusion, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Pediatrics/Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Hematology and Oncology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Hematology and Oncology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Department of Hematology and Oncology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Department of Hematology and Oncology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=14 en-affil=Department of Hematology and Oncology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=15 en-affil=Division of Clinical Laboratory, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=16 en-affil=Department of Hematology and Oncology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= en-keyword=blood center operations kn-keyword=blood center operations en-keyword=cellular therapy kn-keyword=cellular therapy en-keyword=therapeutic apheresis kn-keyword=therapeutic apheresis END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=174 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=343 end-page=349 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2023 dt-pub=202308 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Hydrogen inhalation attenuates lung contusion after blunt chest trauma in mice en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background: Lung contusion caused by blunt chest trauma evokes a severe inflammatory reaction in the pulmonary parenchyma that may be associated with acute respiratory distress syndrome. Although hydrogen gas has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects and is protective against multiple types of lung injury at safe concentrations, the effects of inhaled hydrogen gas on blunt lung injury have not been previously investigated. Therefore, using a mouse model, we tested the hypothesis that hydrogen inhalation after chest trauma would reduce pulmonary inflammation and acute lung injury associated with lung contusion.
Methods: Inbred male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into 3 groups: sham with air inhalation, lung contusion with air inhalation, and lung contusion with 1.3% hydrogen inhalation. Experimental lung contusion was induced using a highly reproducible and standardized apparatus. Immediately after induction of lung contusion, mice were placed in a chamber exposed to 1.3% hydrogen gas in the air. Histopathological analysis and real-time polymerase chain reaction in lung tissue and blood gas analysis were performed 6 hours after contusion.
Results: Histopathological examination of the lung tissue after contusion revealed perivascular/intra-alveolar hemorrhage, perivascular/interstitial leukocyte infiltration, and interstitial/intra-alveolar edema. These histological changes and the extent of lung contusion, as determined by computed tomography, were significantly mitigated by hydrogen inhalation. Hydrogen inhalation also significantly reduced inflammatory cytokine and chemokine mRNA levels and improved oxygenation.
Conclusion: Hydrogen inhalation therapy significantly mitigated inflammatory responses associated with lung contusion in mice. Hydrogen inhalation therapy may be a supplemental therapeutic strategy for treating lung contusion. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=AgetaKohei en-aut-sei=Ageta en-aut-mei=Kohei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=HirayamaTakahiro en-aut-sei=Hirayama en-aut-mei=Takahiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=AokageToshiyuki en-aut-sei=Aokage en-aut-mei=Toshiyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=SeyaMizuki en-aut-sei=Seya en-aut-mei=Mizuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=MengYing en-aut-sei=Meng en-aut-mei=Ying kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=NojimaTsuyoshi en-aut-sei=Nojima en-aut-mei=Tsuyoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamamotoHirotsugu en-aut-sei=Yamamoto en-aut-mei=Hirotsugu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=ObaraTakafumi en-aut-sei=Obara en-aut-mei=Takafumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 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=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=YumotoTetsuya en-aut-sei=Yumoto en-aut-mei=Tetsuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=TsukaharaKohei en-aut-sei=Tsukahara en-aut-mei=Kohei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 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=12 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Emergency, Critical Care, and Disaster Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Emergency, Critical Care, and Disaster Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Emergency, Critical Care, and Disaster Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Emergency, Critical Care, and Disaster Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Emergency, Critical Care, and Disaster Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Emergency, Critical Care, and Disaster Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Emergency, Critical Care, and Disaster Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Emergency, Critical Care, and Disaster Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Emergency, Critical Care, and Disaster Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Emergency, Critical Care, and Disaster Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Emergency, Critical Care, and Disaster Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Department of Emergency, Critical Care, and Disaster Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=11 cd-vols= no-issue=5 article-no= start-page=1194 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2023 dt-pub=20230503 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Modulatory Effects of A1 Milk, A2 Milk, Soy, and Egg Proteins on Gut Microbiota and Fermentation en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Milk can be divided into A1 and A2 types according to fi-casein variants, and there is a debate about whether A1 milk consumption exacerbates gut environments. This study examined the cecum microbiota and fermentation in mice fed A1 casein, A2 casein, mixed casein (commercial casein), soy protein isolate, and egg white. The cecum acetic acid concentration was higher, and the relative abundances of Muribaculaceae and Desulfovibrionaceae were greater in mice fed A1 versus A2 casein. The other parameters of cecum fermentation and microbiota composition were similar among the mice fed A1, A2, and mixed caseins. The differences were more distinctive among the three caseins, soy, and egg feedings. Chao 1 and Shannon indices of the cecum microbiota were lowered in egg white-fed mice, and the microbiota of mice fed milk, soy, and egg proteins were separately grouped by principal coordinate analysis. Mice fed the three caseins were characterized by a high abundance of Lactobacillaceae and Clostridiaceae, those fed soy were characterized by Corynebacteriaceae, Muribaculaceae, and Ruminococcaceae, and those fed egg white were characterized by Eggerthellaceae, Rikenellaceae, and Erysipelatoclostridiaceae. Thus, although several differences can arise between A1 and A2 caseins in terms of their modulatory effects on gut environments, the differences between milk, soy, and egg proteins can be more distinctive and are worth further consideration. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=Nuomin en-aut-sei=Nuomin en-aut-mei= kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=BaekRiyang en-aut-sei=Baek en-aut-mei=Riyang kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 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=3 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=4 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Animal Science, Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Animal Science, Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Animal Science, Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Animal Science, Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=A1 milk kn-keyword=A1 milk en-keyword=A2 milk kn-keyword=A2 milk en-keyword=casein kn-keyword=casein en-keyword=egg kn-keyword=egg en-keyword=gut microbiota kn-keyword=gut microbiota en-keyword=mice kn-keyword=mice en-keyword=protein kn-keyword=protein en-keyword=soy kn-keyword=soy END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=299 cd-vols= no-issue=4 article-no= start-page=104587 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2023 dt-pub=202304 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=ATP and its metabolite adenosine cooperatively upregulate the antigen-presenting molecules on dendritic cells leading to IFN-gamma production by T cells en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Dendritic cells (DCs) present foreign antigens to T cells via the major histocompatibility complex (MHC), thereby inducing acquired immune responses. ATP accumulates at sites of inflammation or in tumor tissues, which triggers local inflammatory responses. However, it remains to be clarified how ATP modulates the functions of DCs. In this study, we investigated the effects of extracellular ATP on mouse bone marrow- derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) as well as the potential for subsequent T cell activation. We found that high concentrations of ATP (1 mM) upregulated the cell surface expression levels of MHC-I, MHC-II, and co-stimulatory molecules CD80 and CD86 but not those of co-inhibitory molecules PD-L1 and PD-L2 in BMDCs. Increased surface expression of MHC-I, MHC-II, CD80, and CD86 was inhibited by a pan-P2 receptor antagonist. In addition, the upregulation of MHC-I and MHC-II expression was inhibited by an adenosine P1 receptor antagonist and by inhibitors of CD39 and CD73, which metabolize ATP to adenosine. These results suggest that adenosine is required for the ATP-induced upregulation of MHC-I and MHC-II. In the mixed leukocyte reaction assay, ATP-stimulated BMDCs activated CD4 and CD8T cells and induced interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) production by these T cells. Collectively, these results suggest that high concentrations of extracellular ATP upregulate the expression of antigenpresenting and co-stimulatory molecules but not that of coinhibitory molecules in BMDCs. Cooperative stimulation of ATP and its metabolite adenosine was required for the upregulation of MHC-I and MHC-II. These ATP-stimulated BMDCs induced the activation of IFN-gamma-producing T cells upon antigen presentation. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=FurutaKazuyuki en-aut-sei=Furuta en-aut-mei=Kazuyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=OnishiHiroka en-aut-sei=Onishi en-aut-mei=Hiroka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=IkadaYuki en-aut-sei=Ikada en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=MasakiKento en-aut-sei=Masaki en-aut-mei=Kento kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=TanakaSatoshi en-aut-sei=Tanaka en-aut-mei=Satoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=KaitoChikara en-aut-sei=Kaito en-aut-mei=Chikara kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Pharmacology, Division of Pathological Sciences, Kyoto Pharmaceutical University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=77 cd-vols= no-issue=3 article-no= start-page=235 end-page=241 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2023 dt-pub=202306 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Endocrinological Changes after Anamorelin Administration in Patients with Gastrointestinal Cancer en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Changes in hormone levels in patients with cancer cachexia after anamorelin administration have not been fully investigated. This study aimed to determine how anamorelin affects the endocrine system in patients with gastrointestinal cancer and cachexia. We prospectively enrolled 13 patients and comprehensively investigated their body weight and levels of serum albumin, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), and hormones before (week 0) and 3 and 12 weeks after anamorelin administration. The variables were evaluated at week 3 in 9 patients and at week 12 in 5 patients. At week 3, anamorelin administration resulted in body weight gain and increased the levels of growth hormone and HbA1c, as well as insulin-like growth factor-1 standard deviation scores (IGF-1 SD scores). At the same time, negative correlations were observed between ΔIGF-1 SD score and Δthyroidstimulating hormone (TSH) and between ΔIGF-1 SD score and Δfree testosterone. ΔBody weight and ΔIGF-1 SD score correlated positively at week 12. These results suggest that TSH and free testosterone levels can be affected 3 weeks after anamorelin administration; however, those variables tend to return to a state of equilibrium, and anabolic effects of anamorelin appear in long-term (≥ 12 weeks) users. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KuraokaSakiko en-aut-sei=Kuraoka en-aut-mei=Sakiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=IwamuroMasaya en-aut-sei=Iwamuro en-aut-mei=Masaya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=SatomiTakuya en-aut-sei=Satomi en-aut-mei=Takuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamazakiTatsuhiro en-aut-sei=Yamazaki en-aut-mei=Tatsuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=HamadaKenta en-aut-sei=Hamada en-aut-mei=Kenta kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=KonoYoshiyasu en-aut-sei=Kono en-aut-mei=Yoshiyasu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=KanzakiHiromitsu en-aut-sei=Kanzaki en-aut-mei=Hiromitsu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 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=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=OtsukaFumio en-aut-sei=Otsuka en-aut-mei=Fumio kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkadaHiroyuki en-aut-sei=Okada en-aut-mei=Hiroyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=anamorelin kn-keyword=anamorelin en-keyword=body weight kn-keyword=body weight en-keyword=cancer cachexia kn-keyword=cancer cachexia en-keyword=endocrine system kn-keyword=endocrine system END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=13 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page= end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2023 dt-pub=20230316 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Dexmedetomidine improves acute lung injury by activating autophagy in a rat hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation model en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Dexmedetomidine (DEX) can reduce lung injury in a hemorrhagic shock (HS) resuscitation (HSR) model in rats by inhibiting inflammation. Here, we aimed to investigate if these effects of DEX are due to autophagy activation. Therefore, we established HSR rat models and divided them into four groups. HS was induced using a blood draw. The rats were then resuscitated by reinjecting the drawn blood and saline. The rats were sacrificed 24 h after resuscitation. Lung tissues were harvested for histopathological examination, determination of wet/dry lung weight ratio, and detection of the levels of autophagy-related marker proteins LC3, P62, Beclin-1, and the ATG12-ATG5 conjugate. The morphological findings of hematoxylin and eosin staining in lung tissues and the pulmonary wet/dry weight ratio showed that lung injury improved in HSR + DEX rats. However, chloroquine (CQ), an autophagy inhibitor, abolished this effect. Detecting the concentration of autophagy-related proteins showed that DEX administration increased LC3, ATG12-ATG5, and Beclin-1 expression and decreased P62 expression. The expression levels of these proteins were similar to those in the HSR group after CQ + DEX administration. In summary, DEX induced autophagic activation in an HSR model. These findings suggest that DEX administration partially ameliorates HSR-induced lung injury via autophagic activation. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=LuYifu en-aut-sei=Lu en-aut-mei=Yifu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShimizuHiroko en-aut-sei=Shimizu en-aut-mei=Hiroko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakamuraRyu en-aut-sei=Nakamura en-aut-mei=Ryu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=LiYaqiang en-aut-sei=Li en-aut-mei=Yaqiang kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=SakamotoRisa en-aut-sei=Sakamoto en-aut-mei=Risa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=OmoriEmiko en-aut-sei=Omori en-aut-mei=Emiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakahashiToru en-aut-sei=Takahashi en-aut-mei=Toru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=MorimatsuHiroshi en-aut-sei=Morimatsu en-aut-mei=Hiroshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Anesthesiology and Resuscitology, Okayama University, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Anesthesiology and Resuscitology, Okayama University Medical School kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Anesthesiology and Resuscitology, Okayama University, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Anesthesiology and Resuscitology, Okayama University, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Anesthesiology and Resuscitology, Okayama University, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Anesthesiology and Resuscitology, Okayama University, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Okayama Saidaiji Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Anesthesiology and Resuscitology, Okayama University, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=6 cd-vols= no-issue=7 article-no= start-page=2300163 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2023 dt-pub=20230428 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Particle and Heavy Ion Transport Code System‐Based Microdosimetry for the Development of Boron Agents for Boron Neutron Capture Therapy en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) is a radiation therapy that selectively kills cancer cells at the cellular level using the boron neutron capture reaction (BNCR) (10B(n.α)7Li). The amount of boron 10B delivers in boronophenylalanine (BPA)-BNCT to achieve anti-tumor effects is ≈15–40 ppm. The same is true for all boron drugs; however, whether the same amount of 10B is required for other boron drugs with different accumulation characteristics has not been intensively investigated. Therefore, herein, a virtual cell model with intracellular organelles is prepared, and the BPA equivalent dose concentration to the cell nucleus is analyzed using particle and heavy ion transport code system-based microdosimetry. Additionally, the intranuclear minimal region (IMR) is set as a reference for the concept of the intranuclear domain in the microdosimetric kinetic model, and the BPA equivalent dose concentration to the IMR is estimated. The required boron delivery dose greatly varies depending on the dose assessment based on the accumulation characteristics of boron agents in intracellular organelles. Evaluation of the BNCR effect according to the accumulation characteristics without being influenced by the specified value of 15–40 ppm is recommended. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=ShigehiraTakafumi en-aut-sei=Shigehira en-aut-mei=Takafumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=HanafusaTadashi en-aut-sei=Hanafusa en-aut-mei=Tadashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=IgawaKazuyo en-aut-sei=Igawa en-aut-mei=Kazuyo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=KasaiTomonari en-aut-sei=Kasai en-aut-mei=Tomonari kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=FuruyaShuichi en-aut-sei=Furuya en-aut-mei=Shuichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishimoriHisakazu en-aut-sei=Nishimori en-aut-mei=Hisakazu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 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=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=MichiueHiroyuki en-aut-sei=Michiue en-aut-mei=Hiroyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujimuraAtsushi en-aut-sei=Fujimura en-aut-mei=Atsushi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Cellular Physiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Neutron Therapy Research Center, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Neutron Therapy Research Center, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Neutron Therapy Research Center, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Research Laboratory of Accelerator-Based BNCT system, Graduate School of Engineering Nagoya University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Hematology and Oncology Okayama University Hospital Okayama Okayama 700–8558 Japan kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Hematology and Oncology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Neutron Therapy Research Center, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Cellular Physiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=boron agents kn-keyword=boron agents en-keyword=boron neutron capture therapy kn-keyword=boron neutron capture therapy en-keyword=simulation study kn-keyword=simulation study END