start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=15 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=12633 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250412 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Association of emergency intensive care unit occupancy due to brain-dead organ donors with ambulance diversion en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Our study aims to explore how intensive care unit (ICU) occupancy by brain-dead organ donors affects emergency ambulance diversions. In this retrospective, single-center study at an emergency ICU (EICU), brain-dead organ donors were managed until organ procurement. We classified each day between August 1, 2021, and July 31, 2023, as either an exposure day (any day with a brain-dead organ donor in the EICU from admission to organ procurement) or a control day (all other days). The study compared these days and used multiple logistic regression analysis to assess the impact of EICU occupancy by brain-dead organ donors on ambulance diversions. Over two years, 6,058 emergency patients were transported by ambulance, with 1327 admitted to the EICU, including 13 brain-dead organ donors. Brain-dead donors had longer EICU stays (17 vs. 2 days, P < 0.001). With 168 exposure and 562 control days, EICU occupancy was higher on exposure days (75% vs. 67%, P = 0.003), leading to more ambulance diversions. Logistic regression showed exposure days significantly increased ambulance diversions, with an odds ratio of 1.79 (95% CIs 1.10-2.88). This study shows that managing brain-dead organ donors in the EICU leads to longer stays and higher occupancy, resulting in more frequent ambulance diversions. These findings highlight the critical need for policies that optimize ICU resource allocation while maintaining the infrastructure necessary to support organ donation programs and ensuring continued care for brain-dead donors, who play an essential role in addressing the organ shortage crisis. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=YumotoTetsuya en-aut-sei=Yumoto en-aut-mei=Tetsuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=ObaraTakafumi en-aut-sei=Obara en-aut-mei=Takafumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=HongoTakashi en-aut-sei=Hongo en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=NojimaTsuyoshi en-aut-sei=Nojima en-aut-mei=Tsuyoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=TsukaharaKohei en-aut-sei=Tsukahara en-aut-mei=Kohei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=HisamuraMasaki en-aut-sei=Hisamura en-aut-mei=Masaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakaoAtsunori en-aut-sei=Nakao en-aut-mei=Atsunori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=YorifujiTakashi en-aut-sei=Yorifuji en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=NaitoHiromichi en-aut-sei=Naito en-aut-mei=Hiromichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Emergency, Critical Care, and Disaster Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Emergency, Critical Care, and Disaster Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Emergency, Critical Care, and Disaster Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Emergency, Critical Care, and Disaster Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Emergency, Critical Care, and Disaster Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Emergency, Critical Care, and Disaster Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Emergency, Critical Care, and Disaster Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Emergency, Critical Care, and Disaster Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Ambulance diversion kn-keyword=Ambulance diversion en-keyword=Bed occupancy kn-keyword=Bed occupancy en-keyword=Brain death kn-keyword=Brain death en-keyword=Emergency medical services kn-keyword=Emergency medical services en-keyword=Intensive care units kn-keyword=Intensive care units en-keyword=Organ donation kn-keyword=Organ donation END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=23 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=124 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250407 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Surgical protocol of robotic liver resection using a two-surgeon technique (TAKUMI-3): a technical note and initial outcomes en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background Internationally, evidence supporting robotic liver resection (RLR) has gradually increased in recent years. However, a standardized protocol for RLR remains lacking. This study describes a surgical protocol and the initial outcomes of RLR in a high-volume center for robotic hepatopancreatobiliary surgery in Japan.
Methods Patients were placed in the reverse Trendelenburg position, with a supine position for anterolateral tumors and left lateral position for posterosuperior tumors. Our standard RLR protocol involved a two-surgeon technique. Liver parenchymal transection was performed by an assistant using the clamp crush technique with a console, with or without a laparoscopic Cavitron ultrasonic surgical aspirator (CUSA). Surgical techniques, including the tips, tricks, and pitfalls of RLR, are also demonstrated.
Results We performed 113 RLR at our institution for common primary diseases, including hepatocellular carcinoma (n = 52, 46.0%) and metastatic tumors (n = 48, 42.5%) between July 2022 and December 2024. The median operative time and estimated blood loss were 156 min (interquartile range [IQR], 121-209 min) and 20 mL (IQR, 0-100 mL), respectively. During liver parenchymal transection, a laparoscopic CUSA was used in 59 patients (52.2%), and a water-jet scalpel was used in 12 patients (10.6%). The incidence of mortality, major complications, and bile leakage was 0%, 6.2%, and 2.7%, respectively. The median hospital stay was 7 days (IQR, 6-9 days).
Conclusions We successfully introduced an RLR program using the two-surgeon technique. Safe implementation of RLR can be achieved upon completion of the training program and thorough understanding of the surgical protocols. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=TakagiKosei en-aut-sei=Takagi en-aut-mei=Kosei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiTomokazu en-aut-sei=Fuji en-aut-mei=Tomokazu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=YasuiKazuya en-aut-sei=Yasui en-aut-mei=Kazuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=UmedaYuzo en-aut-sei=Umeda en-aut-mei=Yuzo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamadaMotohiko en-aut-sei=Yamada en-aut-mei=Motohiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishiyamaTakeyoshi en-aut-sei=Nishiyama en-aut-mei=Takeyoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=NagaiYasuo en-aut-sei=Nagai en-aut-mei=Yasuo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=KanehiraNoriyuki en-aut-sei=Kanehira en-aut-mei=Noriyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiwaraToshiyoshi en-aut-sei=Fujiwara en-aut-mei=Toshiyoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Hepatobiliary Pancreatic Surgery, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= en-keyword=Liver resection kn-keyword=Liver resection en-keyword=Robotic surgery kn-keyword=Robotic surgery en-keyword=Training kn-keyword=Training en-keyword=Outcomes kn-keyword=Outcomes END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=34 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=131 end-page=136 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=2025 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Effect of calcium supplementation on bone deformity and histopathological findings of skin papules in a pediatric patient with vitamin D–dependent rickets type 2A: A case report en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Vitamin D–dependent rickets type 2A (VDDR2A) is an autosomal recessive disease caused by pathogenic variants of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene. VDDR2A rickets are usually resistant to native or active vitamin D treatment because of impaired active calcium absorption against the calcium concentration gradient, which is a ligand-dependent VDR action in the small intestine. Alopecia due to an impaired skin follicular cycle is occasionally observed in patients with VDDR2A. Among the pathogenic VDR variants, most in the DNA-binding domain and some in the ligand-binding domain, which affect the dimerization of VDR with the retinoic X receptor, are associated with alopecia. Herein, we report a case of VDDR2A caused by compound heterozygous pathogenic variants of the DNA-binding domain of VDR. Active vitamin D treatment did not ameliorate genu varum, rachitic changes in the roentgenogram, or abnormal laboratory findings. However, oral administration of calcium lactate dramatically improved these findings. The patient also experienced hair loss at two months of age and multiple papules on the skin at two yr of age, which did not improve with vitamin D or calcium supplementation. We also report the histopathological findings of skin papules in this patient. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=HasegawaKosei en-aut-sei=Hasegawa en-aut-mei=Kosei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyakeTomoko en-aut-sei=Miyake en-aut-mei=Tomoko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KobashiMina en-aut-sei=Kobashi en-aut-mei=Mina kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=TetsunagaTomonori en-aut-sei=Tetsunaga en-aut-mei=Tomonori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=AgoYuko en-aut-sei=Ago en-aut-mei=Yuko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=FutagawaNatsuko en-aut-sei=Futagawa en-aut-mei=Natsuko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyaharaHiroyuki en-aut-sei=Miyahara en-aut-mei=Hiroyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=HiguchiYousuke en-aut-sei=Higuchi en-aut-mei=Yousuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=MorizaneShin en-aut-sei=Morizane en-aut-mei=Shin kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=TsukaharaHirokazu en-aut-sei=Tsukahara en-aut-mei=Hirokazu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Pediatrics, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Dermatology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Dermatology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Dermatology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Pediatrics, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Pediatrics, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Pediatrics, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Pediatrics, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Dermatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Pediatrics, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=rickets kn-keyword=rickets en-keyword=receptor kn-keyword=receptor en-keyword=alopecia kn-keyword=alopecia en-keyword=papules kn-keyword=papules en-keyword=calcium kn-keyword=calcium END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=29 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=156 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250411 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Clinical-level screening of sleep apnea syndrome with single-lead ECG alone is achievable using machine learning with appropriate time windows en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Purpose To establish a simple and noninvasive screening test for sleep apnea (SA) that imposes less burden on potential patients. The specific objective of this study was to verify the effectiveness of past and future single-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) data from SA occurrence sites in improving the estimation accuracy of SA and sleep apnea syndrome (SAS) using machine learning.
Methods The Apnea-ECG dataset comprising 70 ECG recordings was used to construct various machine-learning models. The time window size was adjusted based on the accuracy of SA detection, and the performance of SA detection and SAS diagnosis (apnea‒hypopnea index ≥ 5 was considered SAS) was compared.
Results Using ECG data from a few minutes before and after the occurrence of SAs improved the estimation accuracy of SA and SAS in all machine learning models. The optimal range of the time window and achieved accuracy for SAS varied by model; however, the sensitivity ranged from 95.7 to 100%, and the specificity ranged from 91.7 to 100%.
Conclusions ECG data from a few minutes before and after SA occurrence were effective in SA detection and SAS diagnosis, confirming that SA is a continuous phenomenon and that SA affects heart function over a few minutes before and after SA occurrence. Screening tests for SAS, using data obtained from single-lead ECGs with appropriate past and future time windows, should be performed with clinical-level accuracy. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=YamaneTakahiro en-aut-sei=Yamane en-aut-mei=Takahiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiiMasanori en-aut-sei=Fujii en-aut-mei=Masanori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MoritaMizuki en-aut-sei=Morita en-aut-mei=Mizuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Biomedical Informatics, Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Geriatric Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Biomedical Informatics, Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Disease screening kn-keyword=Disease screening en-keyword=Sleep apnea syndrome (SAS) kn-keyword=Sleep apnea syndrome (SAS) en-keyword=Single-lead ECG kn-keyword=Single-lead ECG en-keyword=Artificial intelligence kn-keyword=Artificial intelligence en-keyword=Machine learning kn-keyword=Machine learning END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol= cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page= end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250410 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Enterobacterial common antigen repeat-unit flippase WzxE is required for Escherichia coli growth under acidic conditions, low temperature, and high osmotic stress conditions en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Colanic acid and enterobacterial common antigen (ECA) are cell-surface polysaccharides that are produced by many Escherichia coli isolates. Colanic acid is induced under acidic, low temperature, and high-salt conditions and is important for E. coli resistance to these stresses; however, the role of ECA in these stresses is less clear. Here, we observed that knockout of flippase wzxE, which translocates lipid-linked ECA repeat units from the cytoplasmic side of the inner membrane to the periplasmic side, resulted in the sensitivity of E. coli BW25113 to acidic conditions. The wzxE-knockout mutant showed reduced growth potential and viable counts in vegetable extracts with acidic environments, including cherry tomatoes, carrots, celery, lettuce, and spinach. A double-knockout strain of wzxE and wecF (glycosyltransferase that adds the third-and-final sugar of the lipid-linked ECA repeat unit) was not sensitive to acidic conditions, with similar results obtained for a double-knockout strain of wzxE and wcaJ (glycosyltransferase that initiates colanic acid lipid-linked repeat-unit biosynthesis). The wzxE-knockout mutant was sensitive to low temperatures or high-salt conditions, which induced colanic acid synthesis, and these sensitivities were abolished by the additional knockout of wcaJ. These results suggest that lipid-linked ECA repeat units confer E. coli susceptibility to acidic, low temperatures, and high-salt conditions in a colanic acid-dependent manner and that wzxE suppresses this negative effect. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=YamaguchiSaki en-aut-sei=Yamaguchi en-aut-mei=Saki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=IshikawaKazuya en-aut-sei=Ishikawa en-aut-mei=Kazuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=FurutaKazuyuki en-aut-sei=Furuta en-aut-mei=Kazuyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=KaitoChikara en-aut-sei=Kaito en-aut-mei=Chikara kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=wzxE flippase kn-keyword=wzxE flippase en-keyword=enterobacterial common antigen kn-keyword=enterobacterial common antigen en-keyword=low pH kn-keyword=low pH en-keyword=low temperature kn-keyword=low temperature en-keyword=hyperosmotic stress kn-keyword=hyperosmotic stress END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=25 cd-vols= no-issue=7 article-no= start-page=2221 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250401 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Length Estimation of Pneumatic Artificial Muscle with Optical Fiber Sensor Using Machine Learning en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=A McKibben artificial muscle is a soft actuator driven by air pressure, characterized by its flexibility, lightweight design, and high power-to-weight ratio. We have developed a smart artificial muscle that is capable of sensing its motion. To enable this sensing function, an optical fiber was integrated into the sleeve consisting of multiple fibers and serving as a component of the McKibben artificial muscle. By measuring the macrobending loss of the optical fiber, the length of the smart artificial muscle is expected to be estimated. However, experimental results indicated that the sensor's characteristics depend not only on the length but also on the load and the applied air pressure. This dependency arises because the stress applied to the optical fiber increases, causing microbending loss. In this study, we employed a machine learning model, primarily composed of Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) neural networks, to estimate the length of the smart artificial muscle. The experimental results demonstrate that the length estimation obtained through machine learning exhibits a smaller error. This suggests that machine learning is a feasible approach to enhancing the length measurement accuracy of the smart artificial muscle. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NiYilei en-aut-sei=Ni en-aut-mei=Yilei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=WakimotoShuichi en-aut-sei=Wakimoto en-aut-mei=Shuichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=TianWeihang en-aut-sei=Tian en-aut-mei=Weihang kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=TodaYuichiro en-aut-sei=Toda en-aut-mei=Yuichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=KandaTakefumi en-aut-sei=Kanda en-aut-mei=Takefumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamaguchiDaisuke en-aut-sei=Yamaguchi en-aut-mei=Daisuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=McKibben artificial muscle kn-keyword=McKibben artificial muscle en-keyword=machine learning kn-keyword=machine learning en-keyword=optical fiber kn-keyword=optical fiber en-keyword=motion estimation kn-keyword=motion estimation END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=14 cd-vols= no-issue=7 article-no= start-page=2287 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250327 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Comparison of Midazolam and Diazepam for Sedation in Patients Undergoing Double-Balloon Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography: A Propensity Score-Matched Analysis en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Objective: The sedation method used in double-balloon endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (DB-ERCP) varies across countries and between healthcare facilities. No previous studies have compared the effects of different benzodiazepines on sedation during endoscopic procedures. This study aimed to compare the effects of midazolam and diazepam sedation on DB-ERCP outcomes. Methods: This retrospective cohort study analyzed consecutive patients who underwent DB-ERCP between January 2017 and February 2024. A total of 203 patients who were sedated with diazepam (n = 94) or midazolam (n = 109) were analyzed. Propensity score matching was applied to adjust for baseline group differences. The primary outcome was the incidence of sedation-related adverse events (AEs). Secondary outcomes included inadequate sedation requiring additional sedatives and risk factors for sedation-related AEs. Results: Sedation-related AEs were more frequent with diazepam (28% [21/75]) than with midazolam (14% [11/75]; p = 0.046). Hypoxia occurred more frequently with diazepam (19% [14/75]) than with midazolam (5% [4/75]; p = 0.012). However, no significant differences were observed between the two groups for hypotension (p = 0.41) and bradycardia (p = 1.0). Poor sedation requiring other sedatives occurred significantly more often with diazepam (8% [6/75]) compared with midazolam sedation (0% [0/75], p = 0.012). Multivariate analysis identified diazepam sedation (odds ratio, 2.3; 95% confidence interval, 1.0-5.3; p = 0.048) as the sole risk factor for sedation-related AEs. Conclusions: Midazolam is safer and more effective than diazepam sedation in patients undergoing DB-ERCP. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=FujiiYuki en-aut-sei=Fujii en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsumotoKazuyuki en-aut-sei=Matsumoto en-aut-mei=Kazuyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsumiAkihiro en-aut-sei=Matsumi en-aut-mei=Akihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyamotoKazuya en-aut-sei=Miyamoto en-aut-mei=Kazuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=UchidaDaisuke en-aut-sei=Uchida en-aut-mei=Daisuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=HoriguchiShigeru en-aut-sei=Horiguchi en-aut-mei=Shigeru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=TsutsumiKoichiro en-aut-sei=Tsutsumi en-aut-mei=Koichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=MitsuhashiToshiharu en-aut-sei=Mitsuhashi en-aut-mei=Toshiharu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=OtsukaMotoyuki en-aut-sei=Otsuka en-aut-mei=Motoyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Science kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Science kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Science kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Science kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Science kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Science kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Science kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Center for Innovative Clinical Medicine, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Science kn-affil= en-keyword=adverse events kn-keyword=adverse events en-keyword=balloon-assisted ERCP kn-keyword=balloon-assisted ERCP en-keyword=benzodiazepine kn-keyword=benzodiazepine en-keyword=sedation kn-keyword=sedation END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=14 cd-vols= no-issue=7 article-no= start-page=2242 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250325 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Impact of Lifestyle Changes on Body Weight Gain During Nationwide Lockdown Due to COVID-19 Pandemic en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background: During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, people in Japan were urged to stay at home as much as possible, and this resulted in significant changes in lifestyle behavior. The new lifestyle included factors affecting both energy intake and energy consumption, and it is now thought that weight gain during the lockdown was the result of complex effects. The aim of this study was to determine the relationships among lifestyle habits, laboratory data, and body weight gain during the lockdown using medical check-up data. Methods: A total of 3789 individuals who had undergone consecutive medical check-ups during the period from 2018 to 2020 were included in this study. Participants whose body weight had increased by 5% or more were divided into two groups: a before-lockdown group (participants who had gained weight between 2018 and 2019) and an after-lockdown group (participants who had gained weight between 2019 and 2020). Physical measurements, laboratory data, and answers to six questions about lifestyle habits, for which information was obtained from the records from medical check-ups, were compared in the two groups. Results: There was no significant difference between the distribution of weight changes in 2018-2019 before the lockdown and the distribution of weight changes in 2019-2020 after the lockdown. The before-lockdown and after-lockdown groups both included about 7% of the total participants (279 and 273 participants, respectively). Diastolic blood pressure and levels of AST, ALT, and LDL-C were significantly higher in the after-lockdown group than in the before-lockdown group. The percentages of participants with alcohol consumption and exercise habits were significantly higher in the after-lockdown group than in the before-lockdown group, and an analysis by gender showed that the differences were significant for women but not for men. Conclusions: The distributions of weight changes before and during the COVID-19 pandemic were similar. Exercise habits and alcohol consumption might have been unique factors causing weight gain during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in women. Our findings suggest that the impact of behavioral restrictions and lifestyle changes during a pandemic may be different in men and women. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NishidaChisa en-aut-sei=Nishida en-aut-mei=Chisa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=HondaHiroyuki en-aut-sei=Honda en-aut-mei=Hiroyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=OtsukaYuki en-aut-sei=Otsuka en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=HagiyaHideharu en-aut-sei=Hagiya en-aut-mei=Hideharu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakanoYasuhiro en-aut-sei=Nakano en-aut-mei=Yasuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=OguniKohei en-aut-sei=Oguni en-aut-mei=Kohei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=TokumasuKazuki en-aut-sei=Tokumasu en-aut-mei=Kazuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=SakuradaYasue en-aut-sei=Sakurada en-aut-mei=Yasue kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=ObikaMikako en-aut-sei=Obika en-aut-mei=Mikako kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=OtsukaFumio en-aut-sei=Otsuka en-aut-mei=Fumio kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=COVID-19 pandemic kn-keyword=COVID-19 pandemic en-keyword=lockdown kn-keyword=lockdown en-keyword=weight gain kn-keyword=weight gain en-keyword=medical check-ups kn-keyword=medical check-ups en-keyword=lifestyle kn-keyword=lifestyle END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=75 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=100016 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=202507 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Changes in adrenoceptor expression level contribute to the cellular plasticity of glioblastoma cells en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Glioblastoma cells are known to regulate their cellular plasticity in response to their surrounding microenvironment, but it is not fully understood what factors contribute to the cells' changing plasticity. Here, we found that glioblastoma cells alter the expression level of adrenoreceptors depending on their differentiation stage. Catecholamines are abundant in the central nervous system, and we found that noradrenaline, in particular, enhances the stemness of glioblastoma cells and promotes the dedifferentiation potential of already differentiated glioblastoma cells. Antagonist and RNAi experiments revealed that signaling through alpha 1D-adrenoreceptor is important for noradrenaline action on glioblastoma cells. We also found that high alpha 1Dadrenoreceptor expression was associated with poor prognosis in patients with gliomas. These data suggest that glioblastoma cells increase the expression level of their own adrenoreceptors to alter the surrounding tumor microenvironment favorably for survival. We believe that our findings will contribute to the development of new therapeutic strategies for glioblastoma. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=AsakaYutaro en-aut-sei=Asaka en-aut-mei=Yutaro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MasumotoToshio en-aut-sei=Masumoto en-aut-mei=Toshio kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=UnedaAtsuhito en-aut-sei=Uneda en-aut-mei=Atsuhito kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=ChinVanessa D. en-aut-sei=Chin en-aut-mei=Vanessa D. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=OtaniYusuke en-aut-sei=Otani en-aut-mei=Yusuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=PenaTirso en-aut-sei=Pena en-aut-mei=Tirso kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=KatayamaHaruyoshi en-aut-sei=Katayama en-aut-mei=Haruyoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=ItanoTakuto en-aut-sei=Itano en-aut-mei=Takuto kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=AndoTeruhiko en-aut-sei=Ando en-aut-mei=Teruhiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=HuangRongsheng en-aut-sei=Huang en-aut-mei=Rongsheng kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujimuraAtsushi en-aut-sei=Fujimura en-aut-mei=Atsushi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Cellular Physiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Division of Health Administration and Promotion, Department of Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Neurosurgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=UMass Chan Medical School, UMass Memorial Medical Center kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Trauma Orthopedics, The Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Cellular Physiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=Adrenoceptors kn-keyword=Adrenoceptors en-keyword=Glioma stem-like cells kn-keyword=Glioma stem-like cells en-keyword=Differentiated glioma cells kn-keyword=Differentiated glioma cells en-keyword=Noradrenaline kn-keyword=Noradrenaline en-keyword=Cellular plasticity kn-keyword=Cellular plasticity END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol= cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page= end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250403 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=The association between objectively measured physical activity and home blood pressure: a population-based real-world data analysis en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Few studies have examined the association of objectively measured habitual physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior with out-of-office blood pressure (BP). We investigated the associations of objectively measured PA intensity time, sedentary time, and step count with at-home BP. Using accelerometer-recorded PA indices and self-measured BP in 368 participants (mean age, 53.8 years; 58.7% women), we analyzed 115,575 records of each parameter between May 2019 and April 2024. PA intensities were categorized as light (2.0–2.9 metabolic equivalents [METs]); moderate (3.0–5.9 METs); vigorous (≥6.0 METs), or sedentary (<2.0 METs): the median [interquartile ranges] for these variables was 188 [146–232], 83 [59–114], 1 [0–2], 501 [428–579] minutes, respectively, and for step count, was 6040 [4164–8457]. Means [standard deviations] for systolic and diastolic BP were 116.4 [14.2] and 75.2 [9.3] mmHg, respectively. A mixed-effect model adjusted for possible confounders showed that 1-h longer in vigorous PA was associated with lower systolic and diastolic BP (−1.69 and −1.09 mmHg, respectively). A 1000-step increase in step count was associated with lower systolic and diastolic BP (−0.05 and −0.02 mmHg, respectively). Associations were more pronounced among men and participants aged <60 years. Sedentary time was positively associated with BP in men and participants aged <60 years, but inversely associated with BP in women and participants aged ≥60 years. Our findings suggest that more PA and less sedentary behavior were associated with BP reduction, particularly among men and participants aged <60 years. However, the clinical relevance of this effect remains uncertain because of its modest magnitude. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KinutaMinako en-aut-sei=Kinuta en-aut-mei=Minako kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=HisamatsuTakashi en-aut-sei=Hisamatsu en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=TaniguchiKaori en-aut-sei=Taniguchi en-aut-mei=Kaori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=FukudaMari en-aut-sei=Fukuda en-aut-mei=Mari kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakahataNoriko en-aut-sei=Nakahata en-aut-mei=Noriko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=KandaHideyuki en-aut-sei=Kanda en-aut-mei=Hideyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Public Health, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Public Health, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Izumo, Shimane University Faculty of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Public Health, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Health and Nutrition, The University of Shimane Faculty of Nursing and Nutrition kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Public Health, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=213 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=128 end-page=137 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=202504 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=The potential mechanism maintaining transactive response DNA binding protein 43 kDa in the mouse stroke model en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The disruption of transactive response DNA binding protein 43 kDa (TDP-43) shuttling leads to the depletion of nuclear localization and the cytoplasmic accumulation of TDP-43. We aimed to evaluate the mechanism underlying the behavior of TDP-43 in ischemic stroke. Adult male C57BL/6 J mice were subjected to 30 or 60 min of transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO), and examined at 1, 6, and 24 h post reperfusion. Immunostaining was used to evaluate the expression of TDP-43, G3BP1, HDAC6, and RAD23B. The total and cytoplasmic number of TDP-43–positive cells increased compared with sham operation group and peaked at 6 h post reperfusion after tMCAO. The elevated expression of G3BP1 protein peaked at 6 h after reperfusion and decreased at 24 h after reperfusion in ischemic mice brains. We also observed an increase of expression level of HDAC6 and the number of RAD23B-positive cells increased after tMCAO. RAD23B was colocalized with TDP-43 24 h after tMCAO. We proposed that the formation of stress granules might be involved in the mislocalization of TDP-43, based on an evaluation of G3BP1 and HDAC6. Subsequently, RAD23B, may also contribute to the downstream degradation of mislocalized TDP-43 in mice tMCAO model. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=BianYuting en-aut-sei=Bian en-aut-mei=Yuting kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=FukuiYusuke en-aut-sei=Fukui en-aut-mei=Yusuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=Ota-ElliottRicardo Satoshi en-aut-sei=Ota-Elliott en-aut-mei=Ricardo Satoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=HuXinran en-aut-sei=Hu en-aut-mei=Xinran kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=SunHongming en-aut-sei=Sun en-aut-mei=Hongming kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=BianZhihong en-aut-sei=Bian en-aut-mei=Zhihong kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=ZhaiYun en-aut-sei=Zhai en-aut-mei=Yun kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=YuHaibo en-aut-sei=Yu en-aut-mei=Haibo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=HuXiao en-aut-sei=Hu en-aut-mei=Xiao kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=AnHangping en-aut-sei=An en-aut-mei=Hangping kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=LiuHongzhi en-aut-sei=Liu en-aut-mei=Hongzhi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 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=12 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=13 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=14 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=14 en-affil=Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=TDP-43 kn-keyword=TDP-43 en-keyword=ALS kn-keyword=ALS en-keyword=RNA-binding protein kn-keyword=RNA-binding protein en-keyword=Mislocalization kn-keyword=Mislocalization en-keyword=G3BP1 kn-keyword=G3BP1 en-keyword=HDAC6 kn-keyword=HDAC6 en-keyword=RAD23B kn-keyword=RAD23B en-keyword=tMCAO kn-keyword=tMCAO END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=17 cd-vols= no-issue=4 article-no= start-page=e82348 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250416 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Bilateral Scleritis and Neutrophilic Dermatosis With Cytogenetic Chromosomal Aberrancy Related to Pyoderma Gangrenosum: A Case Report of a 20-Year Follow-Up en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Pyoderma gangrenosum is a non-infectious autoimmune disease with skin plaques and ulcers in the entity of neutrophilic dermatosis and may have a background of myelodysplastic syndromes. This study reported a 20-year follow-up of a patient with pyoderma gangrenosum and scleritis who showed chromosomal aberrancy from the initial phase and later in the course developed thrombocythemia. A 51-year-old man presented with widespread indurated erythematous plaques with scaling and pustules on the forehead, bilateral eyelids, and nasal bridge, in addition to nodular scleritis in the left eye and ulcer formation of the plaques in the lower legs. Skin biopsy revealed massive dermal infiltration mainly with neutrophils in the absence of neutrophilic vasculitis. Suspected of myelodysplastic syndromes, bone marrow biopsy was normal, while chromosomal aberrancy, 46, XY, del (20) (q11q13.3), was detected. In the diagnosis of neutrophilic dermatosis, probably of pyoderma gangrenosum, he began to have oral prednisolone 20 mg daily and colchicine 1 mg daily, leading to the subsidence of skin lesions. Four months later, he developed nodular scleritis in the right eye and began to use topical 0.1% betamethasone in both eyes. He was stable with only prednisolone 12.5 mg daily until the age of 55.5 years, when he showed an increase of serum lactate dehydrogenase. The bone marrow aspirate disclosed neither blast cell increase nor atypical cells. The same chromosomal aberrancy was repeatedly detected. One year later, he developed breathing difficulty and underwent tracheostomy. Laryngeal lesion biopsy disclosed squamous cell papilloma with human papillomavirus-6. At 60 years old, he showed marginal corneal infiltration in the left eye, and at 61 years old, hypopyon in the right eye. Platelets tended to increase up to 1000 × 103/µL, and bone marrow examinations were recommended but refused by the patient. At the latest follow-up at 71 years old, he was ambulatory in health and stable with a tracheostomy cannula. In conclusion, pyoderma gangrenosum with scleritis occurred in an undetermined hematological malignancy with chromosomal aberrancy. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MatsuoToshihiko en-aut-sei=Matsuo en-aut-mei=Toshihiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=TanakaTakehiro en-aut-sei=Tanaka en-aut-mei=Takehiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=AsadaNoboru en-aut-sei=Asada en-aut-mei=Noboru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=ObikaMikako en-aut-sei=Obika en-aut-mei=Mikako kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=OmichiRyotaro en-aut-sei=Omichi en-aut-mei=Ryotaro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=IwatsukiKeiji en-aut-sei=Iwatsuki en-aut-mei=Keiji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Ophthalmology, Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Hematology and Oncology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of General Internal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Dermatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=corneal infiltration kn-keyword=corneal infiltration en-keyword=hypopyon kn-keyword=hypopyon en-keyword=myelodysplastic syndromes kn-keyword=myelodysplastic syndromes en-keyword=neutrophilic dermatosis kn-keyword=neutrophilic dermatosis en-keyword=peripheral keratitis kn-keyword=peripheral keratitis en-keyword=pyoderma gangrenosum kn-keyword=pyoderma gangrenosum en-keyword=scleritis kn-keyword=scleritis en-keyword=sweet syndrome kn-keyword=sweet syndrome END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=35 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=141 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250401 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Primary chest wall sarcoma: advances in surgical management and outcomes en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Purpose Although rare, primary chest wall sarcomas are complex malignancies necessitating optimal local control and comprehensive treatment. This study aimed to review 9 years of cases of primary chest wall sarcomas at a single institution, focusing on their histology, surgical management, and prognosis.
Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on 19 patients undergoing chest wall resection for sarcoma from 2012 to 2020. Data on demographics, tumor specifics, resection extent, and adjuvant therapies were collected. Surgical and postoperative outcomes were also assessed.
Results The median patient age was 64 years. Chondrosarcoma was the most common histology. R0 resection was achieved in all patients, with early postoperative complications occurring in 11% of the patients. Robust chest wall reconstruction was performed, resulting in minimal respiratory complications. The 5-year overall survival and disease-free survival rates were 94% and 68%, respectively. Tumor size and patient age were significant prognostic factors for local recurrence.
Conclusion Comprehensive surgical resection, coupled with multidisciplinary preoperative planning, achieves favorable outcomes. Patients aged ≥ 70 years and with tumor size ≥ 5 cm (P = .047) should be carefully followed up for local recurrence. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=TanakaShin en-aut-sei=Tanaka en-aut-mei=Shin kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakataEiji en-aut-sei=Nakata en-aut-mei=Eiji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=RyukoTsuyoshi en-aut-sei=Ryuko en-aut-mei=Tsuyoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=ItanoTakuto en-aut-sei=Itano en-aut-mei=Takuto kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=TomiokaYasuaki en-aut-sei=Tomioka en-aut-mei=Yasuaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShienKazuhiko en-aut-sei=Shien en-aut-mei=Kazuhiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=SuzawaKen en-aut-sei=Suzawa en-aut-mei=Ken kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyoshiKentaroh en-aut-sei=Miyoshi en-aut-mei=Kentaroh kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkazakiMikio en-aut-sei=Okazaki en-aut-mei=Mikio kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=SugimotoSeiichiro en-aut-sei=Sugimoto en-aut-mei=Seiichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=OzakiToshifumi en-aut-sei=Ozaki en-aut-mei=Toshifumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=ToyookaShinichi en-aut-sei=Toyooka en-aut-mei=Shinichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil= kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=Primary chest wall sarcomas kn-keyword=Primary chest wall sarcomas en-keyword=Chest wall resection kn-keyword=Chest wall resection en-keyword=Chondrosarcoma kn-keyword=Chondrosarcoma en-keyword=Robust chest wall reconstruction kn-keyword=Robust chest wall reconstruction END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=2024 cd-vols= no-issue=12 article-no= start-page=135 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241217 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Elliptic virtual structure constants and generalizations of BCOV-Zinger formula to projective Fano hypersurfaces en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=In this paper, we propose a method for computing genus 1 Gromov-Witten invariants of Calabi-Yau and Fano projective hypersurfaces using the B-model. Our formalism is applicable to both Calabi-Yau and Fano cases. In the Calabi-Yau case, significant cancellation of terms within our formalism occurs, resulting in an alternative representation of the BCOV-Zinger formula for projective Calabi-Yau hypersurfaces. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=JinzenjiMasao en-aut-sei=Jinzenji en-aut-mei=Masao kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KuwataKen en-aut-sei=Kuwata en-aut-mei=Ken kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Mathematics, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of General Education, National Institute of Technology, Kagawa College kn-affil= en-keyword=Nonperturbative Effects kn-keyword=Nonperturbative Effects en-keyword=String Duality kn-keyword=String Duality en-keyword=Topological Field Theories kn-keyword=Topological Field Theories en-keyword=Topological Strings kn-keyword=Topological Strings END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=37 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=16 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250403 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=The preoperative flexion tear gap affects postoperative meniscus stability after pullout repair for medial meniscus posterior root tear en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background We investigated whether the preoperative flexion tear gap (FTG) observed in open magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) affects meniscus stability after medial meniscus (MM) posterior root (MMPR) repairs. Furthermore, time-correlated MRI findings from MMPR tear occurrence were evaluated.
Methods This retrospective observational study included 54 patients (mean age, 64.6 years; 13 males and 41 females) who underwent pullout repair for radial degenerative MMPR tear. Meniscus stability (scored 0-4 points) was assessed using a semi-quantitative arthroscopic scoring system during second-look arthroscopy 1 year postoperatively. The FTG was evaluated on preoperative axial MRI at 90 degrees knee flexion. Other MRI measurements included MM extrusion (MME) at 10 degrees knee flexion, MM posterior extrusion (MMPE) at 90 degrees knee flexion, and MM posteromedial extrusion (MMpmE) at 90 degrees knee flexion preoperatively and 1 year postoperatively. The correlation between the arthroscopic stability score and MRI findings was investigated. A receiver-operating characteristic curve was calculated to predict a good meniscus healing score (3-4 points). The correlation between the FTG and patient demographics, including time from injury to MRI, was analyzed.
Results At 1 year postoperatively, MME increased by 1.1 mm, while MMpmE and MMPE decreased by 0.4 mm and 1.0 mm, respectively. The meniscus stability score was negatively correlated with the preoperative FTG (r = -0.61, p < 0.01). The time from injury to MRI was significantly correlated with the preoperative FTG. The receiver-operating characteristic curve identified an FTG cut-off value of 8.7 mm for predicting good postoperative stability, with sensitivity and specificity of 67% and 85%, respectively.
Conclusions FTG evaluated with open MRI at 90 degrees knee flexion was associated with time from injury and affected meniscus stability following pullout repair. MMPR tears should be treated in the early phase to increase meniscus healing stability. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=TamuraMasanori en-aut-sei=Tamura en-aut-mei=Masanori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=FurumatsuTakayuki en-aut-sei=Furumatsu en-aut-mei=Takayuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KitayamaTakahiro en-aut-sei=Kitayama en-aut-mei=Takahiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=YokoyamaYusuke en-aut-sei=Yokoyama en-aut-mei=Yusuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkazakiYuki en-aut-sei=Okazaki en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=KawadaKoki en-aut-sei=Kawada en-aut-mei=Koki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 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=7 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=Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Radiology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences 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= en-keyword=Medial meniscus kn-keyword=Medial meniscus en-keyword=Posterior root tear kn-keyword=Posterior root tear en-keyword=Distance kn-keyword=Distance en-keyword=Pullout repair kn-keyword=Pullout repair en-keyword=Second-look arthroscopy kn-keyword=Second-look arthroscopy END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=20 cd-vols= no-issue=3 article-no= start-page=e0320482 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250325 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Serum uric acid level is associated with renal arteriolar hyalinosis and predicts post-donation renal function in living kidney donors en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Major guidelines for living-donor kidney transplantation underscore the need for pre-donation evaluation of renal function, hypertension, obesity, diabetes mellitus, and albuminuria to minimize the risk of donation from marginal donors. However, validity is yet to be established. We retrospectively investigated the relationship between clinical characteristics and histological indices in baseline renal biopsies (0-h biopsies) and whether these parameters could predict renal function in living kidney donors one year post-donation. Seventy-six living kidney donors were recruited for this study. In histological analyses, glomerulosclerosis, arteriosclerosis, arteriolosclerosis, arteriolar hyalinosis, and interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy scores/indices were evaluated. Post-donation serum creatinine levels in kidney donors with arteriolar hyalinosis were significantly higher than those in individuals without arteriolar hyalinosis. There was a significant correlation between baseline serum uric acid levels and the arteriolar hyalinosis index, with baseline uric acid level identified as an independent factor for hyalinosis in multiple regression analysis. Additionally, the serum uric acid level was a significant prognostic factor for post-donation serum creatinine after adjustment for baseline clinical parameters. These data demonstrate that pre-donation serum uric acid levels are associated with arteriolar hyalinosis in the kidney and could predict a decline in renal function during the first year after donation in living kidney donors. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KanoYuzuki en-aut-sei=Kano en-aut-mei=Yuzuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=TanabeKatsuyuki en-aut-sei=Tanabe en-aut-mei=Katsuyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KitagawaMasashi en-aut-sei=Kitagawa en-aut-mei=Masashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=SugiyamaHitoshi en-aut-sei=Sugiyama en-aut-mei=Hitoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamanoiTomoaki en-aut-sei=Yamanoi en-aut-mei=Tomoaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=YoshinagaKasumi en-aut-sei=Yoshinaga en-aut-mei=Kasumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=BekkuKensuke en-aut-sei=Bekku en-aut-mei=Kensuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishimuraShingo en-aut-sei=Nishimura en-aut-mei=Shingo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=ArakiMotoo en-aut-sei=Araki en-aut-mei=Motoo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=WadaJun en-aut-sei=Wada en-aut-mei=Jun kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Medicine, Kawasaki Medical School General Medical Center and Department of Medical Care Work, Kawasaki College of Health Professions kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Urology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Urology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Urology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Urology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Urology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=9 cd-vols= no-issue=4 article-no= start-page=e70139 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250402 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Induction Therapy With Oral Tacrolimus Provides Long-Term Benefit in Thiopurine-Naïve Refractory Ulcerative Colitis Patients Despite Low Serum Albumin Levels en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background and Aim: Oral tacrolimus is an effective treatment for refractory ulcerative colitis (UC). However, tacrolimus is underutilized because of the difficulties in transitioning to subsequent maintenance therapy and concerns about adverse events.
Methods: We evaluated the clinical outcomes, adverse events, and accumulated medication costs in consecutive 72 UC patients treated with tacrolimus.
Results: Fifty-five (76%) patients with pancolitis and 43 (60%) patients with acute severe disease were entered. Fifty-four (75%) achieved clinical remission 8 weeks after starting tacrolimus. At the last visit, 62 (86%) patients had colectomy-free remission, and 55 (76%) patients had corticosteroid-free remission. Eighteen (25%) patients maintained remission without additional treatment after tacrolimus discontinuation. Patients with continuous remission had a significantly lower history of thiopurine use and lower serum albumin levels at the induction of tacrolimus than patients with failure to induce or maintain remission. No severe adverse events due to tacrolimus treatment were observed. The accumulated medication costs over 3 years in patients with continuous remission after the start of tacrolimus were lower than those in patients with induction and maintenance of infliximab (p < 0.001).
Conclusions: Tacrolimus could have an irreplaceable role in the era of biologic therapies, especially for refractory UC patients with thiopurine-na & iuml;ve and low serum albumin levels. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=IgawaShoko en-aut-sei=Igawa en-aut-mei=Shoko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=InokuchiToshihiro en-aut-sei=Inokuchi en-aut-mei=Toshihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=HiraokaSakiko en-aut-sei=Hiraoka en-aut-mei=Sakiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=ToyosawaJunki en-aut-sei=Toyosawa en-aut-mei=Junki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=AoyamaYuki en-aut-sei=Aoyama en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamasakiYasushi en-aut-sei=Yamasaki en-aut-mei=Yasushi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=KinugasaHideaki en-aut-sei=Kinugasa en-aut-mei=Hideaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakaharaMasahiro en-aut-sei=Takahara en-aut-mei=Masahiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkadaHiroyuki en-aut-sei=Okada en-aut-mei=Hiroyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=OtsukaMotoyuki en-aut-sei=Otsuka en-aut-mei=Motoyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=biologics therapy kn-keyword=biologics therapy en-keyword=tacrolimus kn-keyword=tacrolimus en-keyword=thiopurine kn-keyword=thiopurine en-keyword=ulcerative colitis kn-keyword=ulcerative colitis END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=50 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=100 end-page=107 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=202501 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Investigating the Effects of Reconstruction Conditions on Image Quality and Radiomic Analysis in Photon-counting Computed Tomography en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Introduction:Photon-counting computed tomography (CT) is equipped with an adaptive iterative reconstruction method called quantum iterative reconstruction (QIR), which allows the intensity to be changed during image reconstruction. It is known that the reconstruction conditions of CT images affect the analysis results when performing radiomic analysis. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of QIR intensity on image quality and radiomic analysis of renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
Materials and Methods:The QIR intensities were selected as off, 2 and 4. The image quality evaluation items considered were task-based transfer function (TTF), noise power spectrum (NPS), and low-contrast object specific contrast-to-noise ratio (CNRLO). The influence on radiomic analysis was assessed using the discrimination accuracy of clear cell RCC.
Results:For image quality evaluation, TTF and NPS values were lower and CNRLO values were higher with increasing QIR intensity; for radiomic analysis, sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were higher with increasing QIR intensity. Principal component analysis and receiver operating characteristics analysis also showed higher values with increasing QIR intensity.
Conclusion:It was confirmed that the intensity of the QIR intensity affects both the image quality and the radiomic analysis. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=OhataMiyu en-aut-sei=Ohata en-aut-mei=Miyu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=FukuiRyohei en-aut-sei=Fukui en-aut-mei=Ryohei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MorimitsuYusuke en-aut-sei=Morimitsu en-aut-mei=Yusuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=KobayashiDaichi en-aut-sei=Kobayashi en-aut-mei=Daichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamauchiTakatsugu en-aut-sei=Yamauchi en-aut-mei=Takatsugu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=AkagiNoriaki en-aut-sei=Akagi en-aut-mei=Noriaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=HondaMitsugi en-aut-sei=Honda en-aut-mei=Mitsugi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=HayashiAiko en-aut-sei=Hayashi en-aut-mei=Aiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=HasegawaKoshi en-aut-sei=Hasegawa en-aut-mei=Koshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=KidaKatsuhiro en-aut-sei=Kida en-aut-mei=Katsuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=GotoSachiko en-aut-sei=Goto en-aut-mei=Sachiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=HirakiTakao en-aut-sei=Hiraki en-aut-mei=Takao kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Radiological Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Radiological Technology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Division of Radiological Technology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Division of Radiological Technology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Division of Radiological Technology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Division of Radiological Technology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Division of Radiological Technology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Radiology, Hiroshima University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Radiological Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Radiological Technology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Radiological Technology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Image quality kn-keyword=Image quality en-keyword=photon-counting computed tomography kn-keyword=photon-counting computed tomography en-keyword=quantum iterative reconstruction kn-keyword=quantum iterative reconstruction en-keyword=radiomics kn-keyword=radiomics en-keyword=renal cell carcinoma kn-keyword=renal cell carcinoma END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=15 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=10462 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250326 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Gingipain regulates isoform switches of PD-L1 in macrophages infected with Porphyromonas gingivalis en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Periodontal pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) is believed to possess immune evasion capabilities, but it remains unclear whether this immune evasion is related to host gene alternative splicing (AS). In this study, RNA-sequencing revealed significant changes in both AS landscape and transcriptomic profile of macrophages following P. gingivalis infection with/without knockout of gingipain (a unique toxic protease of P. gingivalis). P. gingivalis infection increased the PD-L1 transcripts expression and selectively upregulated a specific coding isoform that more effectively binds to PD-1 on T cells, thereby inhibiting immune function. Biological experiments also detected AS switch of PD-L1 in P. gingivalis-infected or gingipain-treated macrophages. AlphaFold 3 predictions indicated that the protein docking compatibility between PD-1 and P. gingivalis-upregulated PD-L1 isoform was over 80% higher than another coding isoform. These findings suggest that P. gingivalis employs gingipain to modulate the AS of PD-L1, facilitating immune evasion. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=ZhengYilin en-aut-sei=Zheng en-aut-mei=Yilin kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=WangZiyi en-aut-sei=Wang en-aut-mei=Ziyi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=WengYao en-aut-sei=Weng en-aut-mei=Yao kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=SitosariHeriati en-aut-sei=Sitosari en-aut-mei=Heriati kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=HeYuhan en-aut-sei=He en-aut-mei=Yuhan kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=ZhangXiu en-aut-sei=Zhang en-aut-mei=Xiu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShiotsuNoriko en-aut-sei=Shiotsu en-aut-mei=Noriko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=FukuharaYoko en-aut-sei=Fukuhara en-aut-mei=Yoko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=IkegameMika en-aut-sei=Ikegame en-aut-mei=Mika kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkamuraHirohiko en-aut-sei=Okamura en-aut-mei=Hirohiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Oral Morphology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Hospital, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Oral Morphology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Hospital, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Oral Morphology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Hospital, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Oral Morphology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Hospital, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Oral Morphology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Hospital, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Comprehensive Dental Clinic, Okayama University Hospital, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Oral Morphology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Hospital, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Oral Morphology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Hospital, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Oral Morphology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Hospital, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Porphyromonas gingivalis kn-keyword=Porphyromonas gingivalis en-keyword=Gingipain kn-keyword=Gingipain en-keyword=Macrophage kn-keyword=Macrophage en-keyword=Alternative splicing kn-keyword=Alternative splicing en-keyword=PD-L1 kn-keyword=PD-L1 en-keyword=Immune evasion kn-keyword=Immune evasion END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=18 cd-vols= no-issue=3 article-no= start-page=143 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250304 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=A Hair Drawing Evaluation Algorithm for Exactness Assessment Method in Portrait Drawing Learning Assistant System en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Nowadays, portrait drawing has become increasingly popular as a means of developing artistic skills and nurturing emotional expression. However, it is challenging for novices to start learning it, as they usually lack a solid grasp of proportions and structural foundations of the five senses. To address this problem, we have studied Portrait Drawing Learning Assistant System (PDLAS) for guiding novices by providing auxiliary lines of facial features, generated by utilizing OpenPose and OpenCV libraries. For PDLAS, we have also presented the exactness assessment method to evaluate drawing accuracy using the Normalized Cross-Correlation (NCC) algorithm. It calculates the similarity score between the drawing result and the initial portrait photo. Unfortunately, the current method does not assess the hair drawing, although it occupies a large part of a portrait and often determines its quality. In this paper, we present a hair drawing evaluation algorithm for the exactness assessment method to offer comprehensive feedback to users in PDLAS. To emphasize hair lines, this algorithm extracts the texture of the hair region by computing the eigenvalues and eigenvectors of the hair image. For evaluations, we applied the proposal to drawing results by seven students from Okayama University, Japan and confirmed the validity. In addition, we observed the NCC score improvement in PDLAS by modifying the face parts with low similarity scores from the exactness assessment method. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=ZhangYue en-aut-sei=Zhang en-aut-mei=Yue kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=FunabikiNobuo en-aut-sei=Funabiki en-aut-mei=Nobuo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=FebriantiErita Cicilia en-aut-sei=Febrianti en-aut-mei=Erita Cicilia kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=SudarsonoAmang en-aut-sei=Sudarsono en-aut-mei=Amang kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=HsuChenchien en-aut-sei=Hsu en-aut-mei=Chenchien kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Information and Communication Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Information and Communication Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Electrical Engineering, Politeknik Elektronika Negeri Surabaya kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Electrical Engineering, Politeknik Elektronika Negeri Surabaya kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Electrical Engineering, National Taiwan Normal University kn-affil= en-keyword=portrait drawing kn-keyword=portrait drawing en-keyword=auxiliary lines kn-keyword=auxiliary lines en-keyword=OpenPose kn-keyword=OpenPose en-keyword=OpenCV kn-keyword=OpenCV en-keyword=normalized cross-correlation (NCC) kn-keyword=normalized cross-correlation (NCC) en-keyword=hair texture kn-keyword=hair texture en-keyword=exactness assessment method kn-keyword=exactness assessment 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=20250317 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Novel Therapeutic Algorism in Patients With Anterior Cutaneous Nerve Entrapment Syndrome en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background: Anterior cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome (ACNES) is often overlooked as a cause of chronic abdominal pain. Trigger point injections (TPIs) serve as both a diagnostic and therapeutic tool. Although neurectomy is frequently chosen for patients with severe ACNES, its surgical outcomes remain unclear.
Aim: This study aims to evaluate both the short- and long-term outcomes for neurectomy and propose a novel therapeutic algorithm.
Methods: A cohort of postoperative patients presenting with ACNES between 2016 and 2023 was retrospectively evaluated. Patients received a single diagnostic TPI. When the pain subsided, an anterior neurectomy was performed using either an anterior or laparoscopic approach. Pain scores were assessed using the numeric rating scale (NRS).
Results: Among 37 patients (60% females, mean age 33.8 ± 3.4 years), 29 patients (78.4%) experienced pain recurrence following initial neurectomy. Of these, 22 patients underwent repeat neurectomies, resulting in complete remission in 15 patients and no benefit in 7 patients. Long-term outcomes showed that 62.2% achieved clinical remission (NRS = 0), whereas 8.1% reported reduced but persistent pain (NRS 1–2). Preoperative TPI effectiveness was a strong predictor of surgical success, with patients achieving post-TPI NRS (0–1) significantly more likely to attain remission (p = 0.0074). Older age was also associated with higher remission rates (p = 0.0476).
Conclusion: TPI is critical for predicting neurectomy success. These findings support the integration of preoperative TPI evaluation and tailored surgical strategies to optimize outcomes for patients with ACNES. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KondoYoshitaka en-aut-sei=Kondo en-aut-mei=Yoshitaka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KanayaNobuhiko en-aut-sei=Kanaya en-aut-mei=Nobuhiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KobayashiAmi en-aut-sei=Kobayashi en-aut-mei=Ami kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=ArakawaKyosuke en-aut-sei=Arakawa en-aut-mei=Kyosuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsuokaYoshikazu en-aut-sei=Matsuoka en-aut-mei=Yoshikazu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=MimataYudai en-aut-sei=Mimata en-aut-mei=Yudai kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=KakiuchiYoshihiko en-aut-sei=Kakiuchi en-aut-mei=Yoshihiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShigeyasuKunitoshi en-aut-sei=Shigeyasu en-aut-mei=Kunitoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=KurodaShinji en-aut-sei=Kuroda en-aut-mei=Shinji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=KagawaShunsuke en-aut-sei=Kagawa en-aut-mei=Shunsuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiwaraToshiyoshi en-aut-sei=Fujiwara en-aut-mei=Toshiyoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Anesthesiology and Resuscitology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Anesthesiology and Resuscitology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=anterior cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome (ACNES) kn-keyword=anterior cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome (ACNES) en-keyword=neurectomy kn-keyword=neurectomy en-keyword=trigger point injections (TPIs) kn-keyword=trigger point injections (TPIs) END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=33 cd-vols= no-issue=4 article-no= start-page=283 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250315 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Cancer-related alopecia and wig acquisition: how age, sex, and treatment affect patient choices en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Purpose This study aimed to explore the prevalence and cost of wig purchases among patients with cancer in Okayama Prefecture, Japan, and examine the relationship between wig purchases and various demographic, social, and clinical factors. The findings aim to provide insights into appearance care and support systems for patients with cancer, particularly wig subsidies.
Methods A survey was conducted between July and August 2023 among 3000 patients with cancer at 13 designated cancer care hospitals in Okayama Prefecture. Data on demographics, cancer treatment status, and wig purchase details were collected. Statistical analyses, including the Mann–Whitney U test, chi-square test, and logistic regression, were performed to identify factors significantly associated with wig purchases.
Results Among the 863 respondents, 31.4% (271 patients) reported purchasing wigs. Factors significantly associated with wig purchase included young age (odds ratio [OR] = 1.04), female sex (OR = 1.61), and current cancer treatment (OR = 1.16). No significant correlation was found between wig purchase and household income, although higher-income patients tended to purchase more expensive wigs.
Conclusion The findings suggest that younger female patients with cancer and those undergoing treatment were more likely to purchase wigs, highlighting the importance of appearance care and the need for enhanced financial support for low-income patients. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KatayamaHideki en-aut-sei=Katayama en-aut-mei=Hideki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=IchiharaEiki en-aut-sei=Ichihara en-aut-mei=Eiki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MoritaAyako en-aut-sei=Morita en-aut-mei=Ayako kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=MakimotoGo en-aut-sei=Makimoto en-aut-mei=Go kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=KagawaShunsuke en-aut-sei=Kagawa en-aut-mei=Shunsuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=IshiiAyano en-aut-sei=Ishii en-aut-mei=Ayano kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=TabataMasahiro en-aut-sei=Tabata en-aut-mei=Masahiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=MaedaYoshinobu en-aut-sei=Maeda en-aut-mei=Yoshinobu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Palliative and Supportive Care, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Center for Clinical Oncology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Allergy and Respiratory Medicine , Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Allergy and Respiratory Medicine , Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Center for Clinical Oncology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Integrated Support Center for Patients and Self-Learning , Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Palliative and Supportive Care, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Hematology and Oncology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= en-keyword=Cancer kn-keyword=Cancer en-keyword=Alopecia kn-keyword=Alopecia en-keyword=Wig purchases kn-keyword=Wig purchases en-keyword=Appearance care kn-keyword=Appearance care en-keyword=Patient support kn-keyword=Patient support END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=26 cd-vols= no-issue=6 article-no= start-page=2485 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250311 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Vesicular Glutamate Transporter 3 Is Involved in Glutamatergic Signalling in Podocytes en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Glomerular podocytes act as a part of the filtration barrier in the kidney. The activity of this filter is regulated by ionotropic and metabotropic glutamate receptors. Adjacent podocytes can potentially release glutamate into the intercellular space; however, little is known about how podocytes release glutamate. Here, we demonstrated vesicular glutamate transporter 3 (VGLUT3)-dependent glutamate release from podocytes. Immunofluorescence analysis revealed that rat glomerular podocytes and an immortal mouse podocyte cell line (MPC) express VGLUT1 and VGLUT3. Consistent with this finding, quantitative RT-PCR revealed the expression of VGLUT1 and VGLUT3 mRNA in undifferentiated and differentiated MPCs. In addition, the exocytotic proteins vesicle-associated membrane protein 2, synapsin 1, and synaptophysin 1 were present in punctate patterns and colocalized with VGLUT3 in MPCs. Interestingly, approximately 30% of VGLUT3 colocalized with VGLUT1. By immunoelectron microscopy, VGLUT3 was often observed around clear vesicle-like structures in differentiated MPCs. Differentiated MPCs released glutamate following depolarization with high potassium levels and after stimulation with the muscarinic agonist pilocarpine. The depletion of VGLUT3 in MPCs by RNA interference reduced depolarization-dependent glutamate release. These results strongly suggest that VGLUT3 is involved in glutamatergic signalling in podocytes and may be a new drug target for various kidney diseases. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NishiiNaoko en-aut-sei=Nishii en-aut-mei=Naoko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KawaiTomoko en-aut-sei=Kawai en-aut-mei=Tomoko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=YasuokaHiroki en-aut-sei=Yasuoka en-aut-mei=Hiroki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=AbeTadashi en-aut-sei=Abe en-aut-mei=Tadashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=TatsumiNanami en-aut-sei=Tatsumi en-aut-mei=Nanami kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=HaradaYuika en-aut-sei=Harada en-aut-mei=Yuika kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 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=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=LiShunai en-aut-sei=Li en-aut-mei=Shunai kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=TsukanoMoemi en-aut-sei=Tsukano en-aut-mei=Moemi 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= en-aut-name=OgawaDaisuke en-aut-sei=Ogawa en-aut-mei=Daisuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 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=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakeiKohji en-aut-sei=Takei en-aut-mei=Kohji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamadaHiroshi en-aut-sei=Yamada en-aut-mei=Hiroshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=14 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Cell Physiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Neuroscience, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Neuroscience, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Neuroscience, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Genomics and Proteomics, Advanced Science Research Center, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Genomics and Proteomics, Advanced Science Research Center, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Center for Innovative Clinical Medicine, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Central Research Laboratory, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Center for Innovative Clinical Medicine, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Department of Neuroscience, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=14 en-affil=Department of Neuroscience, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=VGLUT3 kn-keyword=VGLUT3 en-keyword=glutamate kn-keyword=glutamate en-keyword=podocyte kn-keyword=podocyte en-keyword=glutamatergic transmission kn-keyword=glutamatergic transmission END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=6 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=1547222 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250311 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Interleukin-6/soluble IL-6 receptor-induced secretion of cathepsin B and L from human gingival fibroblasts is regulated by caveolin-1 and ERK1/2 pathways en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Aims: Cathepsins are essential lysosomal enzymes that maintain organismal homeostasis by degrading extracellular substrates. The inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) increases the production of cathepsins through the caveolin-1 (Cav-1) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling pathways, which have been implicated in the destruction of periodontal tissue. This study investigated the effect of the IL-6/soluble IL-6 receptor (sIL-6R) complex on the extracellular secretion of cathepsins in human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) and examined the function of extracellularly secreted cathepsins B and L under acidic culture conditions in vitro.
Methods: HGFs were isolated from healthy volunteer donors. The expression of Cav-1 was suppressed via transfection with small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting Cav-1. The expression levels of cathepsins B and L induced by extracellular IL-6/sIL-6R were measured using western blotting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Extracellular cathepsin activity following IL-6/sIL-6R stimulation was assessed using a methylcoumarylamide substrate in a fluorescence-based assay. IL-6/sIL-6R-induced expression of cathepsins B and L in HGFs was quantified under inhibitory conditions for extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 and/or JNK signaling, both of which are transduction pathways activated by IL-6/sIL-6R. This quantification was also performed in HGFs with suppressed Cav-1 expression using western blotting.
Results: Cathepsins B and L were secreted in their precursor forms from HGFs, with significantly elevated protein levels observed at 24, 48, and 72 h post-IL-6/sIL-6R stimulation. Under acidic culture conditions, cathepsin B activity increased at 48 and 72 h. Cav-1 suppression inhibited the secretion of cathepsin B regardless of IL-6/sIL-6R stimulation, whereas the secretion of cathepsin L was reduced only after 48 h of IL-6/sIL-6R stimulation. Inhibition of ERK1/2 and JNK pathways decreased the secretion of cathepsin B after 48 h of IL-6/sIL-6R stimulation, and JNK inhibition reduced the secretion of cathepsin L under similar conditions.
Conclusion: IL-6/sIL-6R stimulation increased the extracellular secretion of cathepsin B and L precursors in HGFs, and these precursors became activated under acidic conditions. Cav-1 and ERK1/2 are involved in regulating the secretion of cathepsin B precursors. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=GotoAyaka en-aut-sei=Goto en-aut-mei=Ayaka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 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=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=Yamaguchi-TomikawaTomoko en-aut-sei=Yamaguchi-Tomikawa en-aut-mei=Tomoko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=KobayashiHiroya en-aut-sei=Kobayashi en-aut-mei=Hiroya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=Shinoda-ItoYuki en-aut-sei=Shinoda-Ito en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=HiraiKimito en-aut-sei=Hirai en-aut-mei=Kimito kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=IkedaAtsushi en-aut-sei=Ikeda en-aut-mei=Atsushi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 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=8 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Pathophysiology-Periodontal Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Pathophysiology-Periodontal Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Pathophysiology-Periodontal Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Pathophysiology-Periodontal Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Pathophysiology-Periodontal Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Pathophysiology-Periodontal Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Periodontics & Endodontics, Division of Dentistry, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Pathophysiology-Periodontal Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=cathepsin B kn-keyword=cathepsin B en-keyword=cathepsin L kn-keyword=cathepsin L en-keyword=human gingival fibroblast kn-keyword=human gingival fibroblast en-keyword=interleukin-6 kn-keyword=interleukin-6 en-keyword=caveolin kn-keyword=caveolin END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=301 cd-vols= no-issue=4 article-no= start-page=108334 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=202504 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Roles of basic amino acid residues in substrate binding and transport of the light-driven anion pump Synechocystis halorhodopsin (SyHR) en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Microbial rhodopsins are photoreceptive seventransmembrane a-helical proteins, many of which function as ion transporters, primarily for small monovalent ions such as Na+, K+, Cl-, Br-, and I-. Synechocystis halorhodopsin (SyHR), identified from the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 7509, uniquely transports the polyatomic divalent SO42- inward, in addition to monovalent anions (Cl- and Br-). In this study, we conducted alanine-scanning mutagenesis on twelve basic amino acid residues to investigate the anion transport mechanism of SyHR. We quantitatively evaluated the Cl-and SO42- transport activities of the WT SyHR and its mutants. The results showed a strong correlation between the Cl-and SO42- transport activities among them (R = 0.94), suggesting a shared pathway for both anions. Notably, the R71A mutation selectively abolished SO42- transport activity while maintaining Cl- transport, whereas the H167A mutation significantly impaired both Cl-and SO42- transport. Furthermore, spectroscopic analysis revealed that the R71A mutant lost its ability to bind SO42- due to the absence of a positive charge, while the H167A mutant failed to accumulate the O intermediate during the photoreaction cycle (photocycle) due to reduced hydrophilicity. Additionally, computational analysis revealed the SO42- binding modes and clarified the roles of residues involved in its binding around the retinal chromophore. Based on these findings and previous structural information, we propose that the positive charge and hydrophilicity of Arg71 and His167 are crucial for the formation of the characteristic initial and transient anion-binding site of SyHR, enabling its unique ability to bind and transport both Cl-and SO42-. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NakamaMasaki en-aut-sei=Nakama en-aut-mei=Masaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=NojiTomoyasu en-aut-sei=Noji en-aut-mei=Tomoyasu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KojimaKeiichi en-aut-sei=Kojima en-aut-mei=Keiichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=YoshizawaSusumu en-aut-sei=Yoshizawa en-aut-mei=Susumu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=IshikitaHiroshi en-aut-sei=Ishikita en-aut-mei=Hiroshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 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=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Applied Chemistry, The University of Tokyo kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University 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 Applied Chemistry, The University of Tokyo kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=microbial rhodopsin kn-keyword=microbial rhodopsin en-keyword=anion transport kn-keyword=anion transport en-keyword=retinal kn-keyword=retinal en-keyword=membrane protein kn-keyword=membrane protein en-keyword=photobiology kn-keyword=photobiology END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=17 cd-vols= no-issue=3 article-no= start-page=124 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250311 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Facial Privacy Protection with Dynamic Multi-User Access Control for Online Photo Platforms en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=In the digital age, sharing moments through photos has become a daily habit. However, every face captured in these photos is vulnerable to unauthorized identification and potential misuse through AI-powered synthetic content generation. Previously, we introduced SnapSafe, a secure system for enabling selective image privacy focusing on facial regions for single-party scenarios. Recognizing that group photos with multiple subjects are a more common scenario, we extend SnapSafe to support multi-user facial privacy protection with dynamic access control designed for online photo platforms. Our approach introduces key splitting for access control, an owner-centric permission system for granting and revoking access to facial regions, and a request-based mechanism allowing subjects to initiate access permissions. These features ensure that facial regions remain protected while maintaining the visibility of non-facial content for general viewing. To ensure reproducibility and isolation, we implemented our solution using Docker containers. Our experimental assessment covered diverse scenarios, categorized as "Single", "Small", "Medium", and "Large", based on the number of faces in the photos. The results demonstrate the system's effectiveness across all test scenarios, consistently performing face encryption operations in under 350 ms and achieving average face decryption times below 286 ms across various group sizes. The key-splitting operations maintained a 100% success rate across all group configurations, while revocation operations were executed efficiently with server processing times remaining under 16 ms. These results validate the system's capability in managing facial privacy while maintaining practical usability in online photo sharing contexts. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=SantosoAndri en-aut-sei=Santoso en-aut-mei=Andri kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=HudaSamsul en-aut-sei=Huda en-aut-mei=Samsul kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KoderaYuta en-aut-sei=Kodera en-aut-mei=Yuta kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=NogamiYasuyuki en-aut-sei=Nogami en-aut-mei=Yasuyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Green Innovation Center, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=facial privacy protection kn-keyword=facial privacy protection en-keyword=selective facial encryption kn-keyword=selective facial encryption en-keyword=multi-user access control kn-keyword=multi-user access control en-keyword=deep-learning applications kn-keyword=deep-learning applications en-keyword=online photo platform kn-keyword=online photo platform END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=26 cd-vols= no-issue=6 article-no= start-page=2713 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250318 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Involvement of a Novel Variant of FGFR1 Detected in an Adult Patient with Kallmann Syndrome in Regulation of Gonadal Steroidogenesis en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1), also known as KAL2, is a tyrosine kinase receptor, and variants of FGFR1 have been detected in patients with Kallmann syndrome (KS), which is a congenital developmental disorder characterized by central hypogonadism and anosmia. Herein, we report an adult case of KS with a novel variant of FGFR1. A middle-aged male was referred for a compression fracture of a lumbar vertebra. It was shown that he had severe osteoporosis, anosmia, gynecomastia, and a past history of operations for cryptorchidism. Endocrine workup using pituitary and gonadal stimulation tests revealed the presence of both primary and central hypogonadism. Genetic testing revealed a novel variant of FGFR1 (c.2197_2199dup, p.Met733dup). To identify the pathogenicity of the novel variant and the clinical significance for the gonads, we investigated the effects of the FGFR1 variant on the downstream signaling of FGFR1 and gonadal steroidogenesis by using human steroidogenic granulosa cells. It was revealed that the transfection of the variant gene significantly impaired FGFR1 signaling, detected through the downregulation of SPRY2, compared with that of the case of the forced expression of wild-type FGFR1, and that the existence of the variant gene apparently altered the expression of key steroidogenic factors, including StAR and aromatase, in the gonad. The results suggested that the novel variant of FGFR1 detected in the patient with KS was linked to the impairment of FGFR1 signaling, as well as the alteration of gonadal steroidogenesis, leading to the pathogenesis of latent primary hypogonadism. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=SoejimaYoshiaki en-aut-sei=Soejima en-aut-mei=Yoshiaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=OtsukaYuki en-aut-sei=Otsuka en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KawaguchiMarina en-aut-sei=Kawaguchi en-aut-mei=Marina kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=OguniKohei en-aut-sei=Oguni en-aut-mei=Kohei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamamotoKoichiro en-aut-sei=Yamamoto en-aut-mei=Koichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakanoYasuhiro en-aut-sei=Nakano en-aut-mei=Yasuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=YasudaMiho en-aut-sei=Yasuda en-aut-mei=Miho kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=TokumasuKazuki en-aut-sei=Tokumasu en-aut-mei=Kazuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=UedaKeigo en-aut-sei=Ueda en-aut-mei=Keigo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=HasegawaKosei en-aut-sei=Hasegawa en-aut-mei=Kosei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=IwataNahoko en-aut-sei=Iwata en-aut-mei=Nahoko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=OtsukaFumio en-aut-sei=Otsuka en-aut-mei=Fumio kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Pediatrics, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1) kn-keyword=fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1) en-keyword=gynecomastia kn-keyword=gynecomastia en-keyword=Kallmann syndrome (KS) kn-keyword=Kallmann syndrome (KS) en-keyword=osteoporosis and steroidogenesis kn-keyword=osteoporosis and steroidogenesis END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=21 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=670 end-page=679 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250324 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Photochemically assisted synthesis of phenacenes fluorinated at the terminal benzene rings and their electronic spectra en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=[n]Phenacenes ([n] = 5-7), octafluorinated at the terminal benzene rings (F8-phenacenes: F8PIC, F8FUL, and F87PHEN), were photochemically synthesized, and their electronic spectra were investigated to reveal the effects of the fluorination on the electronic features of phenacene molecules. F8-Phenacenes were conveniently synthesized by the Mallory photoreaction of the corresponding fluorinated diarylethenes as the key step. Upon fluorination on the phenacene cores, the absorption and fluorescence bands of the F8-phenacenes in CHCl3 systematically red-shifted by ca. 3-5 nm compared to those of the corresponding parent phenacenes. The vibrational progressions of the absorption and fluorescence bands were little affected by the fluorination in the solution phase. In the solid state, the absorption band of F8-phenacenes appeared in the similar wavelength region for the corresponding parent phenacenes whereas their fluorescence bands markedly red-shifted and broadened. These observations suggest that the intermolecular interactions of excited-state F8-phenacene molecules are significantly different from those of the corresponding parent molecules, most likely due to different crystalline packing motifs. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=IshiiYuuki en-aut-sei=Ishii en-aut-mei=Yuuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamajiMinoru en-aut-sei=Yamaji en-aut-mei=Minoru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=TaniFumito en-aut-sei=Tani en-aut-mei=Fumito kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=GotoKenta en-aut-sei=Goto en-aut-mei=Kenta kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=KubozonoYoshihiro en-aut-sei=Kubozono en-aut-mei=Yoshihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkamotoHideki en-aut-sei=Okamoto en-aut-mei=Hideki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Division of Molecular Science, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Gunma University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Institute for Materials Chemistry and Engineering, Kyushu University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Institute for Materials Chemistry and Engineering, Kyushu University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=fluorescence kn-keyword=fluorescence en-keyword=fluorinated aromatics kn-keyword=fluorinated aromatics en-keyword=phenacene kn-keyword=phenacene en-keyword=photoreaction kn-keyword=photoreaction END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=16 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=1537615 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250311 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=PARylation-mediated post-transcriptional modifications in cancer immunity and immunotherapy en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Poly-ADP-ribosylation (PARylation) is a post-translational modification in which ADP-ribose is added to substrate proteins. PARylation is mediated by a superfamily of ADP-ribosyl transferases known as PARPs and influences a wide range of cellular functions, including genome integrity maintenance, and the regulation of proliferation and differentiation. We and others have recently reported that PARylation of SH3 domain-binding protein 2 (3BP2) plays a role in bone metabolism, immune system regulation, and cytokine production. Additionally, PARylation has recently gained attention as a target for cancer treatment. In this review, we provide an overview of PARylation, its involvement in several signaling pathways related to cancer immunity, and the potential of combination therapies with PARP inhibitors and immune checkpoint inhibitors. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MatsumotoKazuya en-aut-sei=Matsumoto en-aut-mei=Kazuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsumotoYoshinori en-aut-sei=Matsumoto en-aut-mei=Yoshinori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 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=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=PARylation kn-keyword=PARylation en-keyword=cancer kn-keyword=cancer en-keyword=post-transcriptional regulation kn-keyword=post-transcriptional regulation en-keyword=ubiquitylation kn-keyword=ubiquitylation en-keyword=immune system kn-keyword=immune system END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=15 cd-vols= no-issue=6 article-no= start-page=668 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250310 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Robustness of Machine Learning Predictions for Determining Whether Deep Inspiration Breath-Hold Is Required in Breast Cancer Radiation Therapy en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background/Objectives: Deep inspiration breath-hold (DIBH) is a commonly used technique to reduce the mean heart dose (MHD), which is critical for minimizing late cardiac side effects in breast cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy (RT). Although previous studies have explored the potential of machine learning (ML) to predict which patients might benefit from DIBH, none have rigorously assessed ML model performance across various MHD thresholds and parameter settings. This study aims to evaluate the robustness of ML models in predicting the need for DIBH across different clinical scenarios. Methods: Using data from 207 breast cancer patients treated with RT, we developed and tested ML models at three MHD cut-off values (240, 270, and 300 cGy), considering variations in the number of independent variables (three vs. six) and folds in the cross-validation (three, four, and five). Robustness was defined as achieving high F2 scores and low instability in predictive performance. Results: Our findings indicate that the decision tree (DT) model demonstrated consistently high robustness at 240 and 270 cGy, while the random forest model performed optimally at 300 cGy. At 240 cGy, a threshold critical to minimize late cardiac risks, the DT model exhibited stable predictive power, reducing the risk of overestimating DIBH necessity. Conclusions: These results suggest that the DT model, particularly at lower MHD thresholds, may be the most reliable for clinical applications. By providing a tool for targeted DIBH implementation, this model has the potential to enhance patient-specific treatment planning and improve clinical outcomes in RT. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=Al-HammadWlla E. en-aut-sei=Al-Hammad en-aut-mei=Wlla E. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KurodaMasahiro en-aut-sei=Kuroda en-aut-mei=Masahiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=Al JamalJamal, Ghaida en-aut-sei=Al Jamal en-aut-mei=Jamal, Ghaida kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujikuraMamiko en-aut-sei=Fujikura en-aut-mei=Mamiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=KamizakiRyo en-aut-sei=Kamizaki en-aut-mei=Ryo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=KurodaKazuhiro en-aut-sei=Kuroda en-aut-mei=Kazuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=YoshidaSuzuka en-aut-sei=Yoshida en-aut-mei=Suzuka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakamuraYoshihide en-aut-sei=Nakamura en-aut-mei=Yoshihide kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=OitaMasataka en-aut-sei=Oita en-aut-mei=Masataka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=TanabeYoshinori en-aut-sei=Tanabe en-aut-mei=Yoshinori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=SugimotoKohei en-aut-sei=Sugimoto en-aut-mei=Kohei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=SugiantoIrfan en-aut-sei=Sugianto en-aut-mei=Irfan kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=BarhamMajd en-aut-sei=Barham en-aut-mei=Majd kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= en-aut-name=TekikiNouha en-aut-sei=Tekiki en-aut-mei=Nouha kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=14 ORCID= en-aut-name=HisatomiMiki en-aut-sei=Hisatomi en-aut-mei=Miki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=15 ORCID= en-aut-name=AsaumiJunichi en-aut-sei=Asaumi en-aut-mei=Junichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=16 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Radiological Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Oral Medicine and Oral Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, Jordan University of Science and Technology kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Radiological Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Radiological Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Sciences and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Radiological Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Radiological Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Department of Oral Radiology, Faculty of Dentistry, Hasanuddin University kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Department of Dentistry and Dental Surgery, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National University kn-affil= affil-num=14 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=15 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=16 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=breast cancer kn-keyword=breast cancer en-keyword=radiation therapy kn-keyword=radiation therapy en-keyword=heart dose kn-keyword=heart dose en-keyword=cut-off value kn-keyword=cut-off value en-keyword=machine learning kn-keyword=machine learning en-keyword=robustness kn-keyword=robustness en-keyword=instability kn-keyword=instability en-keyword=F2 score kn-keyword=F2 score en-keyword=deep inspiration breath-hold technique kn-keyword=deep inspiration breath-hold technique en-keyword=computed tomography kn-keyword=computed tomography END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=15 cd-vols= no-issue=6 article-no= start-page=790 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250320 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Improving Diagnostic Performance for Head and Neck Tumors with Simple Diffusion Kurtosis Imaging and Machine Learning Bi-Parameter Analysis en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background/Objectives: Mean kurtosis (MK) values in simple diffusion kurtosis imaging (SDI)-a type of diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI)-have been reported to be useful in the diagnosis of head and neck malignancies, for which pre-processing with smoothing filters has been reported to improve the diagnostic accuracy. Multi-parameter analysis using DKI in combination with other image types has recently been reported to improve the diagnostic performance. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of machine learning (ML)-based multi-parameter analysis using the MK and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values-which can be acquired simultaneously through SDI-for the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant head and neck tumors, which is important for determining the treatment strategy, as well as examining the usefulness of filter pre-processing. Methods: A total of 32 pathologically diagnosed head and neck tumors were included in the study, and a Gaussian filter was used for image pre-processing. MK and ADC values were extracted from pixels within the tumor area and used as explanatory variables. Five ML algorithms were used to create models for the prediction of tumor status (benign or malignant), which were evaluated through ROC analysis. Results: Bi-parameter analysis with gradient boosting achieved the best diagnostic performance, with an AUC of 0.81. Conclusions: The usefulness of bi-parameter analysis with ML methods for the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant head and neck tumors using SDI data were demonstrated. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=YoshidaSuzuka en-aut-sei=Yoshida en-aut-mei=Suzuka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KurodaMasahiro en-aut-sei=Kuroda en-aut-mei=Masahiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakamuraYoshihide en-aut-sei=Nakamura en-aut-mei=Yoshihide kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=FukumuraYuka en-aut-sei=Fukumura en-aut-mei=Yuka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakamitsuYuki en-aut-sei=Nakamitsu en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=Al-HammadWlla E. en-aut-sei=Al-Hammad en-aut-mei=Wlla E. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=KurodaKazuhiro en-aut-sei=Kuroda en-aut-mei=Kazuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShimizuYudai en-aut-sei=Shimizu en-aut-mei=Yudai kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=TanabeYoshinori en-aut-sei=Tanabe en-aut-mei=Yoshinori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=OitaMasataka en-aut-sei=Oita en-aut-mei=Masataka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=SugiantoIrfan en-aut-sei=Sugianto en-aut-mei=Irfan kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=BarhamMajd en-aut-sei=Barham en-aut-mei=Majd kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=TekikiNouha en-aut-sei=Tekiki en-aut-mei=Nouha kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= en-aut-name=KamaruddinNurul N. en-aut-sei=Kamaruddin en-aut-mei=Nurul N. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=14 ORCID= en-aut-name=HisatomiMiki en-aut-sei=Hisatomi en-aut-mei=Miki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=15 ORCID= en-aut-name=YanagiYoshinobu en-aut-sei=Yanagi en-aut-mei=Yoshinobu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=16 ORCID= en-aut-name=AsaumiJunichi en-aut-sei=Asaumi en-aut-mei=Junichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=17 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Radiological Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Radiological Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Radiological Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Radiological Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Sciences and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Oral Radiology, Faculty of Dentistry, Hasanuddin University kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Department of Dentistry and Dental Surgery, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National University kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=14 en-affil=Department of Oral Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=15 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=16 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=17 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=head and neck tumors kn-keyword=head and neck tumors en-keyword=mean kurtosis kn-keyword=mean kurtosis en-keyword=simple diffusion kurtosis imaging kn-keyword=simple diffusion kurtosis imaging en-keyword=magnetic resonance imaging kn-keyword=magnetic resonance imaging en-keyword=apparent diffusion coefficient value kn-keyword=apparent diffusion coefficient value en-keyword=diffusion kurtosis imaging kn-keyword=diffusion kurtosis imaging en-keyword=machine learning kn-keyword=machine learning en-keyword=bi-parameter analysis kn-keyword=bi-parameter analysis en-keyword=gradient boosting kn-keyword=gradient boosting en-keyword=differential diagnosis of benign and malignant kn-keyword=differential diagnosis of benign and malignant END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=12 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=e70053 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250323 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Association of blood carboxyhemoglobin levels with mortality and neurological outcomes in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background: Carbon monoxide (CO), produced endogenously by heme oxygenase-1, plays a crucial role in the immune system by mitigating cellular damage under stress. However, the significance of carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) levels after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is not well understood. This study aimed to explore the association between COHb levels at hospital arrival and within the first 24 h post-arrival with 30-day mortality and neurological outcomes in patients who experienced OHCA.
Methods: This single-center, retrospective study analyzed data from adult patients who experienced OHCA seen at Okayama University Hospital from 2019 to 2023. The patients were assigned to one of two study groups based on COHb levels (0.0% or >= 0.1%) upon hospital arrival. The primary outcome was 30-day mortality.
Results: Among the 560 eligible patients who experienced OHCA, 284 (50.7%) were in the COHb 0.0% group and 276 (49.3%) were in the COHb >= 0.1% group. The 30-day mortality was significantly higher in the COHb 0.0% group compared to the COHb >= 0.1% group (264 [92.9%] vs. 233 [84.4%]). Multivariable logistic regression showed that the COHb 0.0% group was associated with 30-day mortality (adjusted ORs: 2.24, 95% CIs: 1.10-4.56). Non-survivors at 30 days who were admitted to the intensive care unit had lower COHb levels at hospital arrival (0.0% vs. 0.2%) and lower mean COHb levels during the first 24 h post-arrival (0.7% vs. 0.9%) compared to survivors.
Conclusions: COHb levels of 0.0% were linked to worse outcomes in patients experiencing OHCA, warranting further research on the prognostic implications of COHb in this context. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=HongoTakashi en-aut-sei=Hongo en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 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=2 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=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=HiraokaTomohiro en-aut-sei=Hiraoka en-aut-mei=Tomohiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=MurakamiYuya en-aut-sei=Murakami en-aut-mei=Yuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 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=6 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=7 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=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= 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= en-keyword=brain injury kn-keyword=brain injury en-keyword=carbon monoxide kn-keyword=carbon monoxide en-keyword=carboxyhemoglobin kn-keyword=carboxyhemoglobin en-keyword=cardiac arrest kn-keyword=cardiac arrest en-keyword=resuscitation kn-keyword=resuscitation 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=1 article-no= start-page=8366 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250311 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Local-structure insight into the improved superconducting properties of Pb-substituted La(O, F)BiS2: a photoelectron holography study en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Pb-substituted La(O, F)BiS2 (Pb-LaOFBiS2) exhibits improved superconducting properties and a resistivity anomaly around 100 K that is attributed to a structural transition. We have performed temperature(T)-dependent photoelectron holography (PEH) to study dopant incorporation sites and the local structure change across the anomaly. The PEH study of Pb-LaOFBiS2 provided evidence for the dominant incorporation sites of Pb and F: Pb atoms are incorporated into the Bi sites and F atoms are incorporated into the O site. No remarkable difference in the local structures around Pb and Bi atoms was observed. Across the temperature of the resistivity anomaly (T*), photoelectron holograms of Bi 4f changed. Comparisons of holograms with those of non-substituted LaOFBiS2 sample, as well as simulated holograms, suggested that (1), above T*, the tetragonal structure of Pb-LaOFBiS2 is different from the tetragonal structure of LaOFBiS2 and (2), below T*, the tetragonal structure still remains in Pb-LaOFBiS2. We discuss a possible origin of the difference in the structure above T* and the implication of the result below T*, which are necessary ingredients to understand the physical properties of Pb-LaOFBiS2. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=LiYajun en-aut-sei=Li en-aut-mei=Yajun kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=HashimotoYusuke en-aut-sei=Hashimoto en-aut-mei=Yusuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 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=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=SunZexu en-aut-sei=Sun en-aut-mei=Zexu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=KawamuraSota en-aut-sei=Kawamura en-aut-mei=Sota kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=TomitaHiroto en-aut-sei=Tomita en-aut-mei=Hiroto kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=SetoguchiTaro en-aut-sei=Setoguchi en-aut-mei=Taro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakeuchiSoichiro en-aut-sei=Takeuchi en-aut-mei=Soichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=KogaShunjo en-aut-sei=Koga en-aut-mei=Shunjo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamagamiKohei en-aut-sei=Yamagami en-aut-mei=Kohei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=KotaniYoshinori en-aut-sei=Kotani en-aut-mei=Yoshinori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=DemuraSatoshi en-aut-sei=Demura en-aut-mei=Satoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=NoguchiKanako en-aut-sei=Noguchi en-aut-mei=Kanako kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= en-aut-name=SakataHideaki en-aut-sei=Sakata en-aut-mei=Hideaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=14 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=15 ORCID= en-aut-name=WakitaTakanori en-aut-sei=Wakita en-aut-mei=Takanori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=16 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=17 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=18 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Nara Institute of Science and Technology (NAIST) kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Nara Institute of Science and Technology (NAIST) kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Nara Institute of Science and Technology (NAIST) kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Nara Institute of Science and Technology (NAIST) kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Nara Institute of Science and Technology (NAIST) kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Nara Institute of Science and Technology (NAIST) kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute (JASRI) kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute (JASRI) kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Department of Physics, College of Science and Technology(CST), Nihon University kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Tokyo University of Science kn-affil= affil-num=14 en-affil=Tokyo University of Science kn-affil= affil-num=15 en-affil=Nara Institute of Science and Technology (NAIST) kn-affil= affil-num=16 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=17 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=18 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=19 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=1551700 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=Acetoacetate, a ketone body, attenuates neuronal bursts in acutely-induced epileptiform slices of the mouse hippocampus en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The ketogenic diet increases ketone bodies (beta-hydroxybutyrate and acetoacetate) in the brain, and ameliorates epileptic seizures in vivo. However, ketone bodies exert weak or no effects on electrical activity in rodent hippocampal slices. Especially, it remains unclear what kinds of conditions are required to strengthen the actions of ketone bodies in hippocampal slices. In the present study, we examined the effects of acetoacetate on hippocampal pyramidal cells in normal slices and epileptiform slices of mice. By using patch-clamp recordings from CA1 pyramidal cells, we first confirmed that acetoacetate did not change the membrane potentials and intrinsic properties of pyramidal cells in normal slices. However, we found that acetoacetate weakened spontaneous epileptiform bursts in pyramidal cells of epileptiform slices, which were acutely induced by applying convulsants to normal slices. Interestingly, acetoacetate did not change the frequency of the epileptiform bursts, but attenuated individual epileptiform bursts. We finally examined the effects of acetoacetate on excitatory synaptic barrages during epileptiform activity, and found that acetoacetate weakened epileptiform bursts by reducing synchronous synaptic inputs. These results show that acetoacetate attenuated neuronal bursts in epileptiform slices, but did not affect neuronal activity in normal slices, which leads to seizure-selective actions of ketone bodies. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=WenHao en-aut-sei=Wen en-aut-mei=Hao kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=SadaNagisa en-aut-sei=Sada en-aut-mei=Nagisa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=InoueTsuyoshi en-aut-sei=Inoue en-aut-mei=Tsuyoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Biophysical Chemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Biophysical Chemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Biophysical Chemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=epilepsy kn-keyword=epilepsy en-keyword=ketone body kn-keyword=ketone body en-keyword=ketogenic diet kn-keyword=ketogenic diet en-keyword=hippocampus kn-keyword=hippocampus en-keyword=slice physiology kn-keyword=slice physiology en-keyword=patch-clamp recording kn-keyword=patch-clamp recording END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=18 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page= end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=2025 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Clipping closure length is a crucial factor for delayed bleeding after endoscopic papillectomy: a retrospective multicenter cohort study en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background: Bleeding is a serious and frequent adverse event that occurs during and after endoscopic papillectomy (EP). Previous studies have highlighted the effectiveness of preventive clipping closure of the resection site in preventing post-EP bleeding. However, the optimal length of closure remained unclear.
Objectives: We aimed to clarify the optimal clipping length at the post-EP resection site to prevent delayed bleeding.
Design: This study was a multicenter retrospective cohort study.
] Methods: We retrospectively analyzed patients who were consecutively admitted to nine high-volume centers for EP between November 2003 and October 2023. The primary outcome was the frequency of delayed bleeding based on the closure length. The optimal closure length rate of the resected site to prevent delayed bleeding was determined using a receiver operating characteristic curve. Secondary outcomes were the incidence, treatment outcomes, and risk factors for post-EP delayed bleeding.
Results: A total of 130 patients who underwent EP were analyzed. Delayed bleeding was observed in 22 (17%) patients, occurring more frequently in cases without clipping closure than in those with clipping closure (28% (13/47) vs 11% (9/83); p = 0.014). Among 83 patients who underwent clipping closure, delayed bleeding occurred more frequently with a closure length rate <65% than in those with a closure rate >= 65% (25% (5/20) vs 6% (4/63); p = 0.019). Multivariate analysis showed that a closure rate <65% was the risk factor for delayed bleeding (odds ratio, 6.3; 95% confidence interval, 1.2-33; p = 0.030) in cases with clipping.
Conclusion: Clipping closure was effective in preventing delayed bleeding, and closure length rate >= 65% of the resected site significantly reduced post-EP delayed bleeding. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=FujiiYuki en-aut-sei=Fujii en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsumotoKazuyuki en-aut-sei=Matsumoto en-aut-mei=Kazuyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=OchiKiyoaki en-aut-sei=Ochi en-aut-mei=Kiyoaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=HimeiHitomi en-aut-sei=Himei en-aut-mei=Hitomi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=SakakiharaIchiro en-aut-sei=Sakakihara en-aut-mei=Ichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=UetaEijiro en-aut-sei=Ueta en-aut-mei=Eijiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=ToyokawaTatsuya en-aut-sei=Toyokawa en-aut-mei=Tatsuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=HaradaRyo en-aut-sei=Harada en-aut-mei=Ryo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=OgawaTaiji en-aut-sei=Ogawa en-aut-mei=Taiji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=TomodaTakeshi en-aut-sei=Tomoda en-aut-mei=Takeshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=KatoHironari en-aut-sei=Kato en-aut-mei=Hironari kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=SatoRyosuke en-aut-sei=Sato en-aut-mei=Ryosuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=ObataTaisuke en-aut-sei=Obata en-aut-mei=Taisuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsumiAkihiro en-aut-sei=Matsumi en-aut-mei=Akihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=14 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyamotoKazuya en-aut-sei=Miyamoto en-aut-mei=Kazuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=15 ORCID= en-aut-name=UchidaDaisuke en-aut-sei=Uchida en-aut-mei=Daisuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=16 ORCID= en-aut-name=HoriguchiShigeru en-aut-sei=Horiguchi en-aut-mei=Shigeru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=17 ORCID= en-aut-name=TsutsumiKoichiro en-aut-sei=Tsutsumi en-aut-mei=Koichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=18 ORCID= en-aut-name=OtsukaMotoyuki en-aut-sei=Otsuka en-aut-mei=Motoyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=19 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology, Fukuyama City Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology, Hiroshima City Hiroshima Citizens Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology, Kagawa Prefectural Central Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology, National Hospital Organization, Iwakuni Clinical Center kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology, National Hospital Organization, Fukuyama Medical Center kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology, Japanese Red Cross Okayama Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology, Tsuyama Chuo Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology, Okayama City Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology, Okayama City Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=14 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=15 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=16 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=17 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=18 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=19 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= en-keyword=clipping closure kn-keyword=clipping closure en-keyword=delayed bleeding kn-keyword=delayed bleeding en-keyword=endoscopic papillectomy kn-keyword=endoscopic papillectomy END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=20 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=2480231 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=2025 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Specific enhancement of the translation of thermospermine-responsive uORF-containing mRNAs by ribosomal mutations in Arabidopsis thaliana en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Auxin-induced xylem formation in angiosperms is negatively regulated by thermospermine, whose biosynthesis is also induced by auxin. In Arabidopsis thaliana, loss-of-function mutants of ACL5, which encodes thermospermine synthase, exhibit a dwarf phenotype accompanied by excessive xylem formation. Studies of suppressor mutants that recover from the acl5 dwarf phenotype suggest that thermospermine alleviates the inhibitory effect of an upstream open-reading frame (uORF) on the main ORF translation of SAC51 mRNA. Many suppressor mutations for acl5 have been mapped to the uORF conserved in the SAC51 family or to ribosomal protein genes, such as RPL10A, RPL4A, and RACK1A. In this study, we identified newly isolated acl5 suppressors, sac501, sac504, and sac506, which are additional alleles of RPL10A and the uORFs of SAC51 family members, SACL1 and SACL3, respectively. To investigate whether acl5-suppressor alleles of ribosomal genes broadly affect translation of uORF-containing mRNAs, we examined GUS activity in several 5'-GUS fusion constructs. Our results showed that these alleles enhanced GUS activity in SAC51 and SACL3 5'-fusion constructs but had no effect on other 5'-fusion constructs unrelated to thermospermine response. This suggests that these ribosomal proteins are specifically involved in the thermospermine-mediated regulation of mRNA translation. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MutsudaKoki en-aut-sei=Mutsuda en-aut-mei=Koki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishiiYuichi en-aut-sei=Nishii en-aut-mei=Yuichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=ToyoshimaTomohiko en-aut-sei=Toyoshima en-aut-mei=Tomohiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=FukushimaHiroko en-aut-sei=Fukushima en-aut-mei=Hiroko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=MotoseHiroyasu en-aut-sei=Motose en-aut-mei=Hiroyasu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakahashiTaku en-aut-sei=Takahashi en-aut-mei=Taku kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=mRNA translation kn-keyword=mRNA translation en-keyword=RPL10 kn-keyword=RPL10 en-keyword=suppressor mutant kn-keyword=suppressor mutant en-keyword=thermospermine kn-keyword=thermospermine en-keyword=uORF kn-keyword=uORF END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol= cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page= end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250316 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Novel pulmonary abdominal normothermic regional perfusion circuit for simultaneous in-donor evaluation and preservation of lungs and abdominal organs in donation after circulatory death en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Objective To overcome limitations of traditional ex vivo lung perfusion (EVLP) for controlled donation after circulatory death (cDCD) lungs, this study aimed to evaluate a novel pulmonary abdominal normothermic regional perfusion (PANRP) technique, which we uniquely designed, for in situ assessment of lungs from cDCD donors.
Methods We modified the abdominal normothermic regional perfusion circuit for simultaneous lung and abdominal organ assessment using independent extracorporeal membrane oxygenation components. Blood was oxygenated via a membrane oxygenator and returned to the body, with pulmonary flow adjusted to maintain pressure < 25 mmHg. Femoral cannulation was performed, and the lungs were ventilated with standard settings. Organ function was assessed over 2 h using PaO2/FiO2, AST, ALT, BUN, and Cr measurements to monitor perfusion and oxygen delivery.
Results PANRP maintained stable lung function, with P/F ratios above 300, and preserved abdominal organ parameters, including stable AST, ALT, BUN, and Cr levels. Adequate urine output was observed, indicating normal renal function. Pulmonary artery pressure remained < 20 mmHg, and pulmonary vascular resistance was kept at 400 dyn・s/cm5, showing no signs of lung dysfunction or injury throughout the circuit.
Conclusions PANRP offers a promising alternative to traditional EVLP for cDCD lung evaluation, allowing in situ assessment of multiple organs simultaneously. This approach may overcome logistical and economic challenges associated with ex vivo techniques, enabling a more efficient evaluation process. Further studies are warranted to confirm its clinical applicability and impact on long-term outcomes. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=TanakaShin en-aut-sei=Tanaka en-aut-mei=Shin kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=UmedaMasashi en-aut-sei=Umeda en-aut-mei=Masashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=UjikeHiroyuki en-aut-sei=Ujike en-aut-mei=Hiroyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=RyukoTsuyoshi en-aut-sei=Ryuko en-aut-mei=Tsuyoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=TomiokaYasuaki en-aut-sei=Tomioka en-aut-mei=Yasuaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyoshiKentaroh en-aut-sei=Miyoshi en-aut-mei=Kentaroh kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 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=7 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=8 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=9 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of General Thoracic and Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of General Thoracic and Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of General Thoracic Surgery, Shimane University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of General Thoracic and Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of General Thoracic and Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of General Thoracic and Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of General Thoracic and Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of General Thoracic and Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of General Thoracic and Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= en-keyword=Lung preservation kn-keyword=Lung preservation en-keyword=Donation after circulatory death kn-keyword=Donation after circulatory death en-keyword=Abdominal normothermic regional perfusion kn-keyword=Abdominal normothermic regional perfusion END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=15 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=8502 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250312 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Age-specific assessment of initial hemoglobin levels and shock index for predicting life-saving interventions in pediatric blunt liver and spleen injuries en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of combining initial hemoglobin levels with the shock index for predicting the need for life-saving interventions (LSI) in pediatric patients with blunt liver and spleen injuries (BLSI), specifically tailored to different age groups. This was a multicenter retrospective cohort study of pediatric patients with BLSI in Japan. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) were used to assess predictive accuracy. The study included 1,370 patients. LSI was required in 59 of 247 (23.9%) aged 1 to 6 years, 100 of 402 (24.9%) aged 7 to 12 years, and 125 of 297 (42.1%) patients aged 13 to 16 years. Within each specific age group, the predictability was categorized as fair and appeared higher than that of the entire cohort or when using either parameter alone. Notably, in the 1 to 6-year age group, the combined values showed the highest predictability, which was statistically superior to the shock index alone (AUROC of 0.770 vs. 0.671, P = 0.025). Tailoring initial hemoglobin levels and shock index to specific age groups enhances predictability of LSI in pediatric BLSI, showing a fair level of predictive accuracy. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=YumotoTetsuya en-aut-sei=Yumoto en-aut-mei=Tetsuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=ObaraTakafumi en-aut-sei=Obara en-aut-mei=Takafumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=HongoTakashi en-aut-sei=Hongo en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=IidaAtsuyoshi en-aut-sei=Iida en-aut-mei=Atsuyoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=TsukaharaKohei en-aut-sei=Tsukahara en-aut-mei=Kohei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=KatsuraMorihiro en-aut-sei=Katsura en-aut-mei=Morihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=KondoYutaka en-aut-sei=Kondo en-aut-mei=Yutaka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=YasudaHideto en-aut-sei=Yasuda en-aut-mei=Hideto kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=KushimotoShigeki en-aut-sei=Kushimoto en-aut-mei=Shigeki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=YorifujiTakashi en-aut-sei=Yorifuji en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=NaitoHiromichi en-aut-sei=Naito en-aut-mei=Hiromichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakaoAtsunori en-aut-sei=Nakao en-aut-mei=Atsunori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=SHIPPs Study Group en-aut-sei=SHIPPs Study Group en-aut-mei= kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Emergency, Critical Care, and Disaster Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Emergency, Critical Care, and Disaster Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Emergency, Critical Care, and Disaster Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Emergency, Critical Care, and Disaster Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Emergency, Critical Care, and Disaster Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Surgery, Okinawa Chubu Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Juntendo University Urayasu Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Jichi Medical University Saitama Medical Center kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Division of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Emergency, Critical Care, and Disaster Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Department of Emergency, Critical Care, and Disaster Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil= kn-affil= en-keyword=Abdominal injuries kn-keyword=Abdominal injuries en-keyword=Blood transfusions kn-keyword=Blood transfusions en-keyword=Hemoglobin kn-keyword=Hemoglobin en-keyword=Hemostasis kn-keyword=Hemostasis en-keyword=Shock index kn-keyword=Shock index END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=16 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=1757 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=Keratinocyte-driven dermal collagen formation in the axolotl skin en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Type I collagen is a major component of the dermis and is formed by dermal fibroblasts. The development of dermal collagen structures has not been fully elucidated despite the major presence and importance of the dermis. This lack of understanding is due in part to the opacity of mammalian skin and it has been an obstacle to cosmetic and medical developments. We reveal the process of dermal collagen formation using the highly transparent skin of the axolotl and fluorescent collagen probes. We clarify that epidermal cells, not dermal fibroblasts, contribute to dermal collagen formation. Mesenchymal cells (fibroblasts) play a role in modifying the collagen fibers already built by keratinocytes. We confirm that collagen production by keratinocytes is a widely conserved mechanism in other model organisms. Our findings warrant a change in the current consensus about dermal collagen formation and could lead to innovations in cosmetology and skin medication. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=OhashiAyaka en-aut-sei=Ohashi en-aut-mei=Ayaka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 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=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KurodaJunpei en-aut-sei=Kuroda en-aut-mei=Junpei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=KondoYohei en-aut-sei=Kondo en-aut-mei=Yohei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=KameiYasuhiro en-aut-sei=Kamei en-aut-mei=Yasuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=NonakaShigenori en-aut-sei=Nonaka en-aut-mei=Shigenori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=FurukawaSaya en-aut-sei=Furukawa en-aut-mei=Saya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamamotoSakiya en-aut-sei=Yamamoto en-aut-mei=Sakiya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=SatohAkira en-aut-sei=Satoh en-aut-mei=Akira kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environment, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environment, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Center for One Medicine Innovative Translational Research (COMIT), Nagoya University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Laboratory for Biothermology, National Institute for Basic Biology kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=The Graduate University for Advanced Studies (SOKENDAI) kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Graduate School of Environment, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Graduate School of Environment, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Graduate School of Environment, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=15 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=7506 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250303 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=A glucocorticoid-regulating molecule, Fkbp5, may interact with mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling in the organ of Corti of mice cochleae en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=FKBP5 is a 51-Da FK506-binding protein and member of the immunophilin family involved in controlling the signaling of glucocorticoid receptor from the cytosol to nucleus. Fkbp5 has previously been shown to be expressed in murine cochlear tissue, including the organ of Corti (i.e., the sensory epithelium of the cochlea). Fkbp5-/- mice as used in this study show hearing loss in the low-frequency (8-kHz) range and click-evoked auditory brainstem response (ABR) threshold compared to wild-type mice. Both Fkbp5-/- and wild-type mice showed hearing loss at all frequencies and click-ABR thresholds at 24 h and 14 days following acoustic overexposure (AO). Tissues of the organ of Corti were subjected to RNA sequencing and KEGG pathway analysis. In Fkbp5-/- mice before AO, the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway was dysregulated compared to wild-type mice. In wild-type mice at 12 h following AO, the most significantly modulated KEGG pathway was the TNF signaling pathway and major MAPK molecules p38 and Jun were involved in the TNF signaling pathway. In Fkbp5-/- mice at 12 h following AO, the MAPK signaling pathway was dysregulated compared to wild-type mice following AO. In conclusion, Fkbp5 interacts with MAPK signaling in the organ of Corti in mice cochleae. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=SatoAsuka en-aut-sei=Sato en-aut-mei=Asuka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=OmichiRyotaro en-aut-sei=Omichi en-aut-mei=Ryotaro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MaedaYukihide en-aut-sei=Maeda en-aut-mei=Yukihide kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=AndoMizuo en-aut-sei=Ando en-aut-mei=Mizuo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=The organ of Corti kn-keyword=The organ of Corti en-keyword=Acoustic trauma kn-keyword=Acoustic trauma en-keyword=RNA sequencing kn-keyword=RNA sequencing en-keyword=51-Da FK506-binding protein kn-keyword=51-Da FK506-binding protein en-keyword=Mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling kn-keyword=Mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling en-keyword=Tumor necrosis factor signaling kn-keyword=Tumor necrosis factor signaling END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=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=195 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=123743 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=Utility of Surgical Simulation for Tubular Retractor Surgery Using Three-Dimensional Printed Intraventricular Tumor Models: Case Series en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Objective: The utility of the tubular retractor for deep-seated tumors, including intraventricular tumors, has recently been reported. However, the surgical field’s depth and narrowness can lead to blind spots, and it is crucial to prevent damage to the cortex and white matter fibers in eloquent areas. Therefore, preoperative simulation is critical for tubular retractor surgery. In this study, we investigated the benefits of threedimensional (3D)-printed intraventricular tumor models for tubular retractor surgery.
Methods: Nine patients with intraventricular central neurocytoma who underwent tubular retractor surgery at our institution between March 2013 and August 2023 were retrospectively reviewed. Fusion images and 3D-printed intraventricular tumor models were developed from preoperative computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The puncture points of the tubular retractor were simulated using fusion images and 3D-printed intraventricular tumor models by 11 neurosurgeons (3 experts in brain tumors, 2 experts in areas other than brain tumors, and 6 residents). The dispersion of puncture points among 8 neurosurgeons (excluding brain tumor experts) was compared in each simulation model.
Results: These cases were categorized into two groups based on the dispersion of puncture points simulated by fusion images. Puncture point dispersion was markedly smaller in all cases when using 3D-printed intraventricular tumor models compared to simulations solely based on fusion images.
Conclusions: In intraventricular tumor surgery using a tubular retractor, 3D-printed intraventricular tumor models proved more beneficial in preoperative simulation compared to fusion images. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=OmaeRyo en-aut-sei=Omae en-aut-mei=Ryo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KimuraRyu en-aut-sei=Kimura en-aut-mei=Ryu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=OtaniYoshihiro en-aut-sei=Otani en-aut-mei=Yoshihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=HarumaJun en-aut-sei=Haruma en-aut-mei=Jun kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=SaijoTomoya en-aut-sei=Saijo en-aut-mei=Tomoya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujitaJuntaro en-aut-sei=Fujita en-aut-mei=Juntaro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishigakiShohei en-aut-sei=Nishigaki en-aut-mei=Shohei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=IkemachiRyosuke en-aut-sei=Ikemachi en-aut-mei=Ryosuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=HiranoShuichiro en-aut-sei=Hirano en-aut-mei=Shuichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=IshidaJoji en-aut-sei=Ishida en-aut-mei=Joji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiiKentaro en-aut-sei=Fujii en-aut-mei=Kentaro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=YasuharaTakao en-aut-sei=Yasuhara en-aut-mei=Takao kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=TanakaShota en-aut-sei=Tanaka en-aut-mei=Shota kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=3D-printed model kn-keyword=3D-printed model en-keyword=Case series kn-keyword=Case series en-keyword=Intraventricular tumors kn-keyword=Intraventricular tumors en-keyword=Preoperative surgical simulation kn-keyword=Preoperative surgical simulation en-keyword=Tubular retractor kn-keyword=Tubular retractor END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=33 cd-vols= no-issue=4 article-no= start-page=252 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250305 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Characteristics of oral mucositis in patients undergoing haploidentical stem cell transplantation with posttransplant cyclophosphamide: marked difference between busulfan and melphalan regimens en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Purpose This study was performed to examine the effects of conditioning regimens on oral mucositis in haploidentical (haplo) donor hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) with posttransplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy).
Methods Thirty consecutive patients (male, 23; female, 7; 18–68 years, median, 59 years) undergoing haplo-HSCT with PTCy using one of three conditioning regimens—reduced intensity conditioning (RIC)-melphalan (Mel); RIC-Busulfan (Bu); and myeloablative conditioning (MAC)-Bu—were enrolled in this study. Data on the WHO grade of oral mucositis (day − 7 to + 20) were collected retrospectively. The incidences of ulcerative and severe mucositis (Grade 2–4 and Grade 3–4, respectively) were compared between the three groups.
Results Ulcerative mucositis occurred in 0% (0/10) of patients in the RIC-Mel group, 57.1% (4/7) in the RIC-Bu group, and 100% (13/13) in the MAC-Bu group. The differences between the RIC-Mel and RIC-Bu groups and between the RIC-Bu and MAC-Bu groups were significant (all P < 0.05). Severe mucositis occurred in 57.1% (4/7) of patients in the RIC-Bu group and 100% (13/13) of patients in the MAC-Bu group, and the difference was significant (P < 0.05). The rates of ulcerative mucositis (≥ grade 2) and of severe mucositis (≥ grade 3) were significantly higher in the MAC-Bu group than the RIC-Bu group on days 10, 13, 15, and 16 and on days 10, 14, 15, and 16, respectively (all P < 0.05).
Conclusion The risk of oral mucositis in patients undergoing haplo-HSCT with PTCy is highest with the MAC-Bu conditioning regimen, followed by RIC-Bu, and lowest with RIC-Mel. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=OguraSaki en-aut-sei=Ogura en-aut-mei=Saki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=SogaYoshihiko en-aut-sei=Soga en-aut-mei=Yoshihiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiwaraHideaki en-aut-sei=Fujiwara en-aut-mei=Hideaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiuraRumi en-aut-sei=Miura en-aut-mei=Rumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsuokaKen-ichi en-aut-sei=Matsuoka en-aut-mei=Ken-ichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=MaedaYoshinobu en-aut-sei=Maeda en-aut-mei=Yoshinobu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=KubokiTakuo en-aut-sei=Kuboki en-aut-mei=Takuo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Division of Dental Hygienist, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Division of Hospital Dentistry, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Hematology and Oncology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Division of Dental Hygienist, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Hematology, Oncology and Respiratory Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Hematology, Oncology and Respiratory Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Division of Dental Hygienist, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= en-keyword=Oral mucositis kn-keyword=Oral mucositis en-keyword=Hematopoietic cell transplantation kn-keyword=Hematopoietic cell transplantation en-keyword=Posttransplant cyclophosphamide kn-keyword=Posttransplant cyclophosphamide en-keyword=Busulfan kn-keyword=Busulfan en-keyword=Melphalan kn-keyword=Melphalan END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=45 cd-vols= no-issue=3 article-no= start-page=32 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250307 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Rapid development of naked malting barley germplasm through targeted mutagenesis en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Covered barley (Hordeum vulgare) has historically been preferred for malting, as the husk in this plant protects the embryo during harvest and acts as a filter during brewing. Naked barley, which is typically used as food, has the potential to be used in brewing due to recent technical advances, but the grains contain higher levels of β-glucan and polyphenols, which are undesirable in brewing. Introducing the naked trait into brewing cultivars through crossing is time-consuming due to the need to eliminate these undesirable traits. In this study, we rapidly developed naked barley that is potentially suitable for malting by introducing targeted mutations into Nudum (NUD) using CRISPR/Cas9-mediated targeted mutagenesis. The doubled haploid line ‘DH120366’, which was used as the parental line, was derived from a cross between two covered malting barley cultivars. We generated CRISPR/Cas9-mediated targeted mutagenized barley harboring mutations in NUD via Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation and confirmed the presence of mosaic mutations in one individual from among 16 T0 transformants. We sowed T1 grains exhibiting the naked trait and sequenced the NUD gene in these T1 seedlings, identifying two types of mutations. Shotgun high-throughput whole-genome sequencing confirmed the absence of the transgene in at least one nud mutant line following k-mer-based analysis. Cultivation in a closed growth chamber revealed no significant differences in agronomic traits between the nud mutants and the wild type. This study demonstrates the feasibility of rapidly developing naked barley with potential use for malting and brewing by targeting only NUD via targeted mutagenesis. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=HisanoHiroshi en-aut-sei=Hisano en-aut-mei=Hiroshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=SakaiHiroaki en-aut-sei=Sakai en-aut-mei=Hiroaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=HamaokaMika en-aut-sei=Hamaoka en-aut-mei=Mika kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=MunemoriHiromi en-aut-sei=Munemori en-aut-mei=Hiromi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=AbeFumitaka en-aut-sei=Abe en-aut-mei=Fumitaka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=MeintsBrigid en-aut-sei=Meints en-aut-mei=Brigid kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=SatoKazuhiro en-aut-sei=Sato en-aut-mei=Kazuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=HayesPatrick M. en-aut-sei=Hayes en-aut-mei=Patrick M. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Research Center for Advanced Analysis, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization 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=Institute of Crop Science, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department Crop and Soil Science, Oregon State University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department Crop and Soil Science, Oregon State University kn-affil= en-keyword=Hordeum vulgare kn-keyword=Hordeum vulgare en-keyword=Covered (hulled) kn-keyword=Covered (hulled) en-keyword=Naked (hull-less) kn-keyword=Naked (hull-less) en-keyword=Genome editing kn-keyword=Genome editing en-keyword=CRISPR/Cas9 kn-keyword=CRISPR/Cas9 en-keyword=Transformation amenability kn-keyword=Transformation amenability END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=61 cd-vols= no-issue=25 article-no= start-page=4757 end-page=4773 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=Recent development of azahelicenes showing circularly polarized luminescence en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Recently, a variety of circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) dyes have been developed as next-generation chiroptical materials. Helicenes, ortho-fused aromatics, have been recognized as some of the most promising CPL dyes. Although typical carbohelicenes show CPL, weak fluorescence is often emitted in the blue region. In contrast, heteroatom-embedded helicenes (heterohelicenes) can show intense fluorescence and CPL in the visible region because heteroatoms alter the electronic states of helicene frameworks. Among various heterohelicenes, nitrogen-embedded helicenes (azahelicenes) have unique features such as facile functionalization and sensitive responses to acid/base or metal ions. Furthermore, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) containing azaborine units have been recognized as excellent luminescent materials, and the helical derivatives, B,N-embedded helicenes, have been rapidly growing recently. In this feature article, we review and summarize the synthesis and chiroptical properties of azahelicenes, which are classified into imine-type and amine-type azahelicenes and B,N-embedded helicenes. CPL switching systems of azahelicenes are also reviewed. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MaedaChihiro en-aut-sei=Maeda en-aut-mei=Chihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=EmaTadashi en-aut-sei=Ema en-aut-mei=Tadashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Division of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Division of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=11 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page= end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=2025 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Examining the Long-Term Impact of COVID-19-Induced Clinical Practice Changes on Problem-Solving Behaviors Among Newly Graduated Nurses: A Longitudinal Study en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Objective: This study aimed to longitudinally examine how the cancellation or modification of the clinical practicum due to COVID-19 affected the nursing practice competence of newly graduated nurses in Japan.
Methods: A survey was conducted across three periods-June, September, and December 2022-to seek responses from participants. A total of 73 participants (two men and 71 women) who responded in all periods were included in the analysis. The survey included questions on the impact of the integrated and specific clinical practicums, including a self-assessment scale for nursing problem-solving behaviors.
Results: During all response periods, those whose practicums were entirely clinical scored significantly higher in nursing problem-solving behaviors. Furthermore, by December, "psychological support to patients for overcoming challenges" improved alongside the clinical experience of newly graduated nurses. However, their practical skills related to aggregating information, identifying improvements in nursing problems, facilitating smooth patient interactions, and individualizing assistance were challenging to improve along with clinical experience.
Conclusion: This study revealed that canceling or modifying the clinical practicum owing to COVID-19 impacted the problem-solving behaviors of newly graduated nurses. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=OhueTakashi en-aut-sei=Ohue en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=OhueYuka en-aut-sei=Ohue en-aut-mei=Yuka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=HaradaHiroe en-aut-sei=Harada en-aut-mei=Hiroe kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Health Sciences and Faculty of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Faculty of Nursing, Department of Nursing, Hyogo University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Faculty of Nursing, Department of Nursing, Hyogo University kn-affil= en-keyword=COVID-19 kn-keyword=COVID-19 en-keyword=clinical practice kn-keyword=clinical practice en-keyword=newly graduated nurses kn-keyword=newly graduated nurses en-keyword=nursing practice skills kn-keyword=nursing practice skills en-keyword=longitudinal study kn-keyword=longitudinal study END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=15 cd-vols= no-issue=5 article-no= start-page=2421 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250224 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Deep Reinforcement Learning for Dynamic Pricing and Ordering Policies in Perishable Inventory Management en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Perishable goods have a limited shelf life, and inventory should be discarded once it exceeds its shelf life. Finding optimal inventory management policies is essential since inefficient policies can lead to increased waste and higher costs. While many previous studies assume the perishable inventory is processed following the First In, First Out rule, it does not reflect customer purchasing behavior. In practice, customers' preferences are influenced by the shelf life and price of products. This study optimizes inventory and pricing policies for a perishable inventory management problem considering age-dependent probabilistic demand. However, introducing dynamic pricing significantly increases the complexity of the problem. To tackle this challenge, we propose eliminating irrational actions in dynamic programming without sacrificing optimality. To solve this problem more efficiently, we also implement a deep reinforcement learning algorithm, proximal policy optimization, to solve this problem. The results show that dynamic programming with action reduction achieved an average of 63.1% reduction in computation time compared to vanilla dynamic programming. In most cases, proximal policy optimization achieved an optimality gap of less than 10%. Sensitivity analysis of the demand model revealed a negative correlation between customer sensitivity to shelf lives or prices and total profits. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NomuraYusuke en-aut-sei=Nomura en-aut-mei=Yusuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=LiuZiang en-aut-sei=Liu en-aut-mei=Ziang kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishiTatsushi en-aut-sei=Nishi en-aut-mei=Tatsushi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=reinforcement learning kn-keyword=reinforcement learning en-keyword=supply chain kn-keyword=supply chain en-keyword=inventory management kn-keyword=inventory management en-keyword=perishable inventory kn-keyword=perishable inventory en-keyword=dynamic pricing kn-keyword=dynamic pricing END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=19 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=36 end-page=43 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=2025 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Evaluation of the temporal behavior of fulvic acid iron in Asahi River, Okayama, Japan en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Iron is essential for biogeochemical processes in aquatic ecosystems, but its riverine concentration can be affected by environmental conditions. This study assessed weekly fulvic acid iron (FAFe) concentration at a single sampling site in Asahi River from 2022–2023 to explore the differences in the temporal scales. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of physicochemical properties of the river on the concentration of FAFe, analyze the concentration of FAFe in spring, summer, autumn and winter, and assess the relationship between FAFe concentration and land use types of the watershed. The results indicated that physicochemical parameters, such as pH and surface water temperature (SWT) seemed to influence FAFe concentration (p < 0.05). Hydrological dynamics influenced FAFe concentration and transport, revealing an increasing trend during spring (p < 0.001) and summer (p = 0.05), with non-significant trends during autumn and winter (p > 0.05). FAFe exhibited a strong positive correlation with total organic carbon (TOC) (p < 0.001). Upland fields significantly influenced FAFe concentration (p < 0.01) through runoff with abundant NO3– and PO43– into the river. Thus, FAFe concentration in Asahi River was influenced by pH, SWT, TOC, hydrological regime, and agricultural runoff. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=YengehRohdof Lactem en-aut-sei=Yengeh en-aut-mei=Rohdof Lactem kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=SomuraHiroaki en-aut-sei=Somura en-aut-mei=Hiroaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MoroizumiToshitsugu en-aut-sei=Moroizumi en-aut-mei=Toshitsugu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=MoriYasushi en-aut-sei=Mori en-aut-mei=Yasushi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=MaedaMorihiro en-aut-sei=Maeda en-aut-mei=Morihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=dissolved iron kn-keyword=dissolved iron en-keyword=seasonal variation kn-keyword=seasonal variation en-keyword=dissolved organic matter kn-keyword=dissolved organic matter en-keyword=fulvic acid iron kn-keyword=fulvic acid iron END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=429 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=529 end-page=565 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250605 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Polyhedral entire solutions in reaction-diffusion equations en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=This paper studies polyhedral entire solutions to a bistable reaction-diffusion equation in Rn. We consider a pyramidal traveling front solution to the same equation in Rn+1. As the speed goes to infinity, its projection converges to an n-dimensional polyhedral entire solution. Conversely, as the time goes to -infinity, an n-dimensional polyhedral entire solution gives n-dimensional pyramidal traveling front solutions. The result in this paper suggests a correlation between traveling front solutions and entire solutions in general reaction-diffusion equations or systems. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=TaniguchiMasaharu en-aut-sei=Taniguchi en-aut-mei=Masaharu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Traveling front solution kn-keyword=Traveling front solution en-keyword=Entire solution kn-keyword=Entire solution en-keyword=Reaction-diffusion equation kn-keyword=Reaction-diffusion equation END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=5 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=e70096 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250311 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Endoscopic ultrasonography-guided removal of a stent that had migrated into the pancreas post-pancreaticojejunostomy: A case report en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=A 64-year-old woman had undergone subtotal stomach-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy for locally advanced pancreatic head cancer. She had an uneventful postoperative course with no recurrence. However, approximately 18 months after surgery, she presented with recurrent abdominal pain. Although contrast-enhanced computed tomography abdominal radiographs showed internal stent migration to the residual pancreas, dilatation of the tail side of the pancreatic duct was observed. The impaired internal stent was considered to be the cause of the abdominal pain. An attempt to remove the stent via balloon-assisted endoscopy was unsuccessful as the pancreaticojejunostomy site could not be reached. Consequently, endoscopic ultrasonography-guided pancreatic duct drainage was performed, and a plastic stent was placed through the jejunal site to the stomach. Two months later, the endosonographically/endoscopic ultrasonography-guided created route was dilated, and an endoscopic introducer was inserted into the pancreatic duct. Biopsy forceps were advanced through the sheath, allowing the successful removal of the stent by direct grasping. The symptoms of the patient improved, and she was discharged without complications. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KajitaniSatoshi en-aut-sei=Kajitani en-aut-mei=Satoshi 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=OkiKentaro en-aut-sei=Oki en-aut-mei=Kentaro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 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=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyamotoKazuya en-aut-sei=Miyamoto en-aut-mei=Kazuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 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=6 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=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=TsutsumiKoichiro en-aut-sei=Tsutsumi en-aut-mei=Koichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=HoriguchiShigeru en-aut-sei=Horiguchi en-aut-mei=Shigeru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=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 andHepatology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology andHepatology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology andHepatology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology andHepatology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology andHepatology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology andHepatology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology andHepatology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology andHepatology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology andHepatology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology andHepatology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= en-keyword=endoscopic introducer kn-keyword=endoscopic introducer en-keyword=endoscopic ultrasonography-guided pancreatic duct drainage kn-keyword=endoscopic ultrasonography-guided pancreatic duct drainage en-keyword=endosonographically/EUS-guided created route kn-keyword=endosonographically/EUS-guided created route en-keyword=EUS-guided interventions kn-keyword=EUS-guided interventions en-keyword=internal stent kn-keyword=internal stent END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=15 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=5248 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250212 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Changes of leucine-rich alpha 2 glycoprotein could be a marker of changes of endoscopic and histologic activity of ulcerative colitis en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Leucine-rich alpha 2 glycoprotein (LRG) is one of the serum biomarkers for disease activity of ulcerative colitis (UC). We focused on the correlation between the changes of LRG and the changes of endoscopic and histologic activity of UC, in comparison to the changes of fecal calprotectin (Fcal), fecal immunochemical test (FIT), and C-reactive protein (CRP). Seventy-nine patients with two or more colonoscopies were enrolled, and 123 paired colonoscopies and 121 paired biopsies were examined. With regard to the change of endoscopic/histologic activity between the preceding and subsequent colonoscopy, there was improvement (n = 29/45), unchanging (n = 63/36), and worsening (n = 31/40). The correlations between the changes of marker levels and endoscopic/histologic activity were Fcal; r = 0.50/0.39 and FIT; r = 0.41/0.40, LRG; r = 0.42/0.40 and CRP; r = 0.22/0.17. Furthermore, when the correlation between the changes of LRG levels and the changes of endoscopic/histological activity was compared with those of other markers, the correlation of LRG tended to be superior to those of CRP (CRP vs. LRG; p = 0.08/0.01). LRG is equivalent to fecal markers and superior to CRP, when inferring changes in disease activity of UC based on changes in its level. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=AoyamaYuki en-aut-sei=Aoyama en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 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=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=YasutomiEriko en-aut-sei=Yasutomi en-aut-mei=Eriko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 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=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=TakeiKensuke en-aut-sei=Takei en-aut-mei=Kensuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=IgawaShoko en-aut-sei=Igawa en-aut-mei=Shoko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakeuchiKeiko en-aut-sei=Takeuchi en-aut-mei=Keiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakaharaMasahiro en-aut-sei=Takahara en-aut-mei=Masahiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=ToyosawaJunki en-aut-sei=Toyosawa en-aut-mei=Junki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamasakiYasushi en-aut-sei=Yamasaki en-aut-mei=Yasushi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=KinugasaHideaki en-aut-sei=Kinugasa en-aut-mei=Hideaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=KatoJun en-aut-sei=Kato en-aut-mei=Jun kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 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=14 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=15 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Pathology, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University kn-affil= affil-num=14 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology, Japanese Red Cross Society Himeji Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=15 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Ulcerative colitis kn-keyword=Ulcerative colitis en-keyword=Leucine-rich alpha 2 glycoprotein kn-keyword=Leucine-rich alpha 2 glycoprotein en-keyword=Biomarker kn-keyword=Biomarker END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=7 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=1543543 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250225 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Empowering pediatric, adolescent, and young adult patients with cancer utilizing generative AI chatbots to reduce psychological burden and enhance treatment engagement: a pilot study en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background: Pediatric and adolescent/young adult (AYA) cancer patients face profound psychological challenges, exacerbated by limited access to continuous mental health support. While conventional therapeutic interventions often follow structured protocols, the potential of generative artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots to provide continuous conversational support remains unexplored. This study evaluates the feasibility and impact of AI chatbots in alleviating psychological distress and enhancing treatment engagement in this vulnerable population.
Methods: Two age-appropriate AI chatbots, leveraging GPT-4, were developed to provide natural, empathetic conversations without structured therapeutic protocols. Five pediatric and AYA cancer patients participated in a two-week intervention, engaging with the chatbots via a messaging platform. Pre- and post-intervention anxiety and stress levels were self-reported, and usage patterns were analyzed to assess the chatbots' effectiveness.
Results: Four out of five participants reported significant reductions in anxiety and stress levels post-intervention. Participants engaged with the chatbot every 2-3 days, with sessions lasting approximately 10 min. All participants noted improved treatment motivation, with 80% disclosing personal concerns to the chatbot they had not shared with healthcare providers. The 24/7 availability particularly benefited patients experiencing nighttime anxiety.
Conclusions: This pilot study demonstrates the potential of generative AI chatbots to complement traditional mental health services by addressing unmet psychological needs in pediatric and AYA cancer patients. The findings suggest these tools can serve as accessible, continuous support systems. Further large-scale studies are warranted to validate these promising results. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=HaseiJoe en-aut-sei=Hasei en-aut-mei=Joe kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=HanzawaMana en-aut-sei=Hanzawa en-aut-mei=Mana kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=NaganoAkihito en-aut-sei=Nagano en-aut-mei=Akihito kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=MaedaNaoko en-aut-sei=Maeda en-aut-mei=Naoko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=YoshidaShinichirou en-aut-sei=Yoshida en-aut-mei=Shinichirou kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=EndoMakoto en-aut-sei=Endo en-aut-mei=Makoto kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=YokoyamaNobuhiko en-aut-sei=Yokoyama en-aut-mei=Nobuhiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=OchiMotoharu en-aut-sei=Ochi en-aut-mei=Motoharu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=IshidaHisashi en-aut-sei=Ishida en-aut-mei=Hisashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=KatayamaHideki en-aut-sei=Katayama en-aut-mei=Hideki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiwaraTomohiro en-aut-sei=Fujiwara en-aut-mei=Tomohiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakataEiji en-aut-sei=Nakata en-aut-mei=Eiji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakaharaRyuichi en-aut-sei=Nakahara en-aut-mei=Ryuichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= en-aut-name=KunisadaToshiyuki en-aut-sei=Kunisada en-aut-mei=Toshiyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=14 ORCID= en-aut-name=TsukaharaHirokazu en-aut-sei=Tsukahara en-aut-mei=Hirokazu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=15 ORCID= en-aut-name=OzakiToshifumi en-aut-sei=Ozaki en-aut-mei=Toshifumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=16 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Medical Information and Assistive Technology Development, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Pediatrics, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Pediatrics, NHO National Hospital Organization Nagoya Medical Center kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Pediatrics, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Pediatrics, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Palliative and Supportive Care, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Science of Functional Recovery and Reconstruction, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Science of Functional Recovery and Reconstruction, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Science of Functional Recovery and Reconstruction, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=14 en-affil=Science of Functional Recovery and Reconstruction, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=15 en-affil=Department of Pediatrics, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=16 en-affil=Science of Functional Recovery and Reconstruction, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=generative AI chatbot kn-keyword=generative AI chatbot en-keyword=large language model kn-keyword=large language model en-keyword=pediatric cancer kn-keyword=pediatric cancer en-keyword=adolescent and young adult (AYA) kn-keyword=adolescent and young adult (AYA) en-keyword=psychological support kn-keyword=psychological support END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=34 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=35 end-page=40 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=2025 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Evaluation of CT Findings in Squamous and Non-Squamous Cell Carcinomas of the Maxillary Sinus en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The aim of the present study was to compare CT images between squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and non-SCC found in the maxillary sinus, and to identify features that could be used to differentiate between SCC and non-SCC. Patients who visited the Faculty of Dentistry, Okayama University Hospital, between April 2007 and March 2023, underwent head and neck CT, and had tumors extending into the maxillary sinus that were diagnosed histopathologically as malignancy, were enrolled. The main seat of the mass, bony changes in the maxillary sinus wall, and extension into the surrounding area were assessed. These imaging features were evaluated according to SCC or non-SCC, and the characteristics of the two classes were assessed. Comparisons between the two groups were made using the Fisher exact probability test. There were 11 cases each of SCC and non-SCC. In 11 SCC and 7 non-SCC cases, the main seat of the mass occupied the entire maxillary sinus. The frequency of mass occupying the whole sinus was significantly higher in SCC than in non-SCC (p<0.05). Bone-thickening type disease was found only in squamous cell carcinoma 4/11 (36.4%), with there being a significant difference between SCC and non-SCC (p<0.05). Occupancy of the entire maxillary sinus by the mass and bone thickening on CT images were useful for differentiating between SCC and non-SCC arising in the maxillary sinus. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=AsaumiYuka en-aut-sei=Asaumi en-aut-mei=Yuka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujikuraMamiko en-aut-sei=Fujikura en-aut-mei=Mamiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=HisatomiMiki en-aut-sei=Hisatomi en-aut-mei=Miki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=E. Al-HammadWlla en-aut-sei=E. Al-Hammad en-aut-mei=Wlla kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakeshitaYohei en-aut-sei=Takeshita en-aut-mei=Yohei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkadaShunsuke en-aut-sei=Okada en-aut-mei=Shunsuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=KawazuToshiyuki en-aut-sei=Kawazu en-aut-mei=Toshiyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=YanagiYoshinobu en-aut-sei=Yanagi en-aut-mei=Yoshinobu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=AsaumiJunichi en-aut-sei=Asaumi en-aut-mei=Junichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Dental Informatics, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Maxillary sinus kn-keyword=Maxillary sinus en-keyword=Squamous cell carcinoma kn-keyword=Squamous cell carcinoma en-keyword=Non-squamous cell carcinoma kn-keyword=Non-squamous cell carcinoma en-keyword=CT kn-keyword=CT END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol= cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page= end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250224 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=A randomized controlled trial of conventional GVHD prophylaxis with or without teprenone for the prevention of severe acute GVHD en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Therapies that effectively suppress graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) without compromising graft-versus-leukemia/lymphoma (GVL) effects is important in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) for hematopoietic malignancies. Geranylgeranylacetone (GGA) is a main component of teprenone, a gastric mucosal protectant commonly used in clinical practice. In preclinical models, GGA suppresses proinflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), which are associated with GVHD as well as induces thioredoxin-1 (Trx-1), which suppresses GVHD while maintaining GVL effects. Here, we investigated whether the addition of teprenone to standard GVHD prophylaxis could reduce the cumulative incidence of severe acute GVHD (aGVHD) without attenuating GVL effects. This open-label, randomized clinical trial enrolled 40 patients (21 control and 19 teprenone group) who received allo-HSCT between May 2022 and February 2023 in our institution. Patients in the teprenone group received 50 mg of teprenone orally thrice daily for 21 days from the initiation of the conditioning regimen. The cumulative incidence of severe aGVHD by day 100 after allo-HSCT was not significantly different in the two groups (27.9 vs. 16.1%, p = 0.25). The exploratory studies revealed no obvious changes in Trx-1 levels, but the alternations from baseline in IL-1β and TNF-α levels at day 28 after allo-HSCT tended to be lower in the teprenone group. In conclusion, we could not demonstrate that teprenone significantly prevented the development of severe aGVHD. Discrepancy with preclinical model suggests that appropriate dose of teprenone may be necessary to induce the expression of antioxidant enzymes that suppress severe aGVHD. Clinical Trial Registration number:jRCTs 061210072. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KitamuraWataru en-aut-sei=Kitamura en-aut-mei=Wataru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiiKeiko en-aut-sei=Fujii en-aut-mei=Keiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=TsugeMitsuru en-aut-sei=Tsuge en-aut-mei=Mitsuru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=MitsuhashiToshiharu en-aut-sei=Mitsuhashi en-aut-mei=Toshiharu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=KobayashiHiroki en-aut-sei=Kobayashi en-aut-mei=Hiroki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=KamoiChihiro en-aut-sei=Kamoi en-aut-mei=Chihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamamotoAkira en-aut-sei=Yamamoto en-aut-mei=Akira kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=KondoTakumi en-aut-sei=Kondo en-aut-mei=Takumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=SeikeKeisuke en-aut-sei=Seike en-aut-mei=Keisuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiwaraHideaki en-aut-sei=Fujiwara en-aut-mei=Hideaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=AsadaNoboru en-aut-sei=Asada en-aut-mei=Noboru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=EnnishiDaisuke en-aut-sei=Ennishi en-aut-mei=Daisuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsuokaKen-ichi en-aut-sei=Matsuoka en-aut-mei=Ken-ichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiiNobuharu en-aut-sei=Fujii en-aut-mei=Nobuharu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=14 ORCID= en-aut-name=MaedaYoshinobu en-aut-sei=Maeda en-aut-mei=Yoshinobu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=15 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Hematology and Oncology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Hematology and Oncology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Pediatric Acute Diseases, Okayama University Academic Field of Medicine Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Center for Innovative Clinical Medicine, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Hematology and Oncology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Hematology and Oncology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Hematology and Oncology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Hematology and Oncology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Hematology and Oncology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Hematology and Oncology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Hematology and Oncology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Department of Hematology and Oncology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Department of Hematology and Oncology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=14 en-affil=Department of Hematology and Oncology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=15 en-affil=Department of Hematology and Oncology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= en-keyword=Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation kn-keyword=Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation en-keyword=Graft-versus-host disease kn-keyword=Graft-versus-host disease en-keyword=Teprenone kn-keyword=Teprenone en-keyword=Oxidative stress kn-keyword=Oxidative stress en-keyword=Interleukin-33 kn-keyword=Interleukin-33 END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=15 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=6666 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250224 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Microfluidic fabrication of rattle shaped biopolymer microcapsules via sequential phase separation in oil droplets en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Multilayer microcapsules containing a small particle within a larger capsule have recently attracted considerable attention owing to their potential applications in diverse fields, including drug delivery, active ingredient storage, and chemical reactions. These complex capsules have been fabricated using interfacial polymerization or seeded emulsion polymerization. However, these methods often require complex and lengthy polymerization processes, limiting their utility, particularly in biopolymer systems. This study introduces a simple and efficient approach for preparing rattle-shaped cellulose acetate (CA) microcapsules through sequential phase separation in droplets. We systematically examine the effects of various preparation parameters, including the amount of co-solvent, initial droplet size, and flow rates, and reveal that the incorporation of a co-solvent-ethyl acetate (EA)- in the dispersed phase significantly impacts the microcapsule morphology. Our findings demonstrate a transition from a core-shell to a rattle-shaped structure as the EA concentration increases. Furthermore, the initial droplet diameter and flow rates influence microcapsule formation-larger droplets and reduced continuous-phase flow rates favor the development of multi-layered structures. These results indicate that the formation mechanism of these rattle-shaped microcapsules arises from the establishment of a radial solvent concentration gradient and subsequent phase separation within the droplets, driven by kinetic rather than thermodynamic factors. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=WatanabeTakaichi en-aut-sei=Watanabe en-aut-mei=Takaichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=SakaiYuko en-aut-sei=Sakai en-aut-mei=Yuko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MoriKurumi en-aut-sei=Mori en-aut-mei=Kurumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=OnoTsutomu en-aut-sei=Ono en-aut-mei=Tsutomu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology kn-affil= en-keyword=Microfluidics kn-keyword=Microfluidics en-keyword=Phase separation kn-keyword=Phase separation en-keyword=Nucleation kn-keyword=Nucleation en-keyword=Multi-core kn-keyword=Multi-core en-keyword=Rattle-shaped kn-keyword=Rattle-shaped END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=13 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=61 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250129 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Study of Podoplanin-Deficient Mouse Bone with Mechanical Stress en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Objective: We investigated morphological differences in osteocyte processes between aged mice and our original podoplanin-conditional knockout (cKO) mice in which the floxed exon 3 of podoplanin was deleted by Dmp-1-driven Cre (Dmp1-Cre;PdpnΔ/Δ). Methods: SEM observation on osteocyte cell process, histochemistry for bone remodeling with mechanostress, and RT-PCR for RANKL and M-CSF in podoplanin cKO mouse bone with mechanostress was investigated. Results: SEM observations showed fewer and thinner osteocyte processes in femurs from 23-week-old Dmp1-Cre;PdpnΔ/Δ mice than from 23-week-old wild-type mice, while the numbers of osteocyte processes in femurs and calvarias were similar in 23-week-old Dmp1-Cre;PdpnΔ/Δ mice and 48-week-old wild-type mice. Furthermore, cell process numbers in femurs and calvarias were significantly smaller in 23-week-old Dmp1-Cre;PdpnΔ/Δ mice than in 48-week-old wild-type mice. In the test for differences in alveolar bone resorption under mechanical stress between Dmp1-Cre;PdpnΔ/Δ and wild-type mice, the area of TRAP-positive resorption pits was larger in wild-type mice than in Dmp1-Cre;PdpnΔ/Δ mice. In a quantitative tissue PCR analysis, the mRNA expression levels of RANKL and M-CSF in alveolar bone under mechanical stress were significantly lower in Dmp1-Cre;PdpnΔ/Δ mice than in wild-type mice. These results suggest that a reduction in cell process formation in osteocytes with podoplanin cKO affected the absorption of alveolar bone under mechanical stress in Dmp1-Cre;PdpnΔ/Δ mice. Conclusions: In podoplanin-deficient bone, the deformation of osteocyte processes by mechanical stimuli is not recognized as a stress due to the lower number of cell processes with podoplanin deficiency; therefore, the production of osteoclast migration/differentiation factors by activated osteocytes is not fully induced and macrophage migration to alveolar bone with mechanical stress appeared to be suppressed. These results indicate that podoplanin-dependent osteocyte process formation indirectly plays a key role in sensing mechanical stress in bone. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KanaiTakenori en-aut-sei=Kanai en-aut-mei=Takenori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=OsawaKyoko en-aut-sei=Osawa en-aut-mei=Kyoko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KajiwaraKoichiro en-aut-sei=Kajiwara en-aut-mei=Koichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=SatoYoshiaki en-aut-sei=Sato en-aut-mei=Yoshiaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=SawaYoshihiko en-aut-sei=Sawa en-aut-mei=Yoshihiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Orthodontics, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Graduate School of Dental Medicine, Hokkaido University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Orthodontics, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Graduate School of Dental Medicine, Hokkaido University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Oral Growth & Development, Hokkaido University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Orthodontics, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Graduate School of Dental Medicine, Hokkaido University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Oral Function & Anatomy, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=podoplanin kn-keyword=podoplanin en-keyword=cKO kn-keyword=cKO en-keyword=osteocyte kn-keyword=osteocyte en-keyword=bone kn-keyword=bone en-keyword=remodeling kn-keyword=remodeling END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=14 cd-vols= no-issue=4 article-no= start-page=1055 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250207 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Natural Course and Long-Term Outcomes of Gastric Subepithelial Lesions: A Systematic Review en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background/Objectives: Gastric subepithelial lesions (SELs) are often incidentally detected during endoscopic examinations, with most patients being asymptomatic and lesions measuring <20 mm. Despite their generally indolent nature, certain SELs, such as gastrointestinal stromal tumors, require resection. Current guidelines recommend periodic surveillance; however, the natural course and long-term outcomes of gastric SELs have not been sufficiently investigated. This systematic review aimed to synthesize evidence on the progression, growth rate, and risk factors associated with gastric SELs to inform clinical management strategies. Methods: A comprehensive search of PubMed was conducted for peer-reviewed studies published between January 2000 and November 2024. Eligible studies included original studies on the follow-up and progression of gastric SELs. Non-English articles, reviews, case reports, and unrelated topics were excluded. In total, 277 articles were screened, with 15 additional articles identified through manual screening. Ultimately, 41 articles were included in the analysis. The study protocol is registered in PROSPERO (CRD42024614865). Results: Large-scale studies reported low growth rates of 2.0-8.5% over 2.0-5.0 years, while smaller studies reported a broader range of growth rates of 5.4-28.4%. The factors contributing to these discrepancies include patient selection, follow-up duration, and growth criteria. Risk factors for lesion size increase include larger initial lesion size, irregular margins, heterogeneous echo patterns, and certain tumor locations. Conclusions: These findings underscore the need for individualized management strategies based on lesion size, imaging characteristics, and risk factors. The close monitoring of high-risk lesions is crucial for timely intervention. Standardized growth criteria and optimized follow-up protocols are essential for improving clinical decision making and patient outcomes. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=IwamuroMasaya en-aut-sei=Iwamuro en-aut-mei=Masaya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkadaHiroyuki en-aut-sei=Okada en-aut-mei=Hiroyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=OtsukaMotoyuki en-aut-sei=Otsuka en-aut-mei=Motoyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Internal Medicine, Japanese Red Cross Society Himeji Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=esophagogastroduodenoscopy kn-keyword=esophagogastroduodenoscopy en-keyword=gastric lesions kn-keyword=gastric lesions en-keyword=gastrointestinal stromal tumor kn-keyword=gastrointestinal stromal tumor en-keyword=subepithelial lesion kn-keyword=subepithelial lesion en-keyword=submucosal tumor kn-keyword=submucosal tumor END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=4 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=e70077 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250302 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=A case of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis associated with clozapine-induced agranulocytosis en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background: Clozapine-induced agranulocytosis (CLIA) is a rare but serious complication. Fever associated with CLIA is typically treated with broad-spectrum antimicrobials, but empiric antifungal therapy is rarely used. While bacterial and viral infections have been reported in CLIA cases, no cases of fungal infections complicated by CLIA have been documented. We report the first case of CLIA complicated by invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) in a patient with schizophrenia. The diagnosis of IPA was made using serum beta-D-glucan, Aspergillus galactomannan antigen tests, and chest computed tomography (CT).
Case presentation: We present a case of a 51-year-old man with schizophrenia who developed CLIA complicated by IPA. The patient, diagnosed with treatment-resistant schizophrenia, was started on clozapine, but 9 months later he presented with fever, cough, leukopenia, and neutropenia. Clozapine was discontinued, and empirical treatments with cefepime and filgrastim were initiated. Serum beta-D-glucan and Aspergillus galactomannan antigen tests were positive, and chest CT showed well-circumscribed nodules, leading to a probable diagnosis of IPA. Antifungal therapy was switched from micafungin to voriconazole according to guidelines. His neutropenia and fever improved, and he was re-transferred to a psychiatric hospital.
Conclusion: CLIA can be complicated by fungal infections. When patients with CLIA present with fever, fungal infections, including IPA, should be considered in the differential diagnosis. Serological tests, including beta-D-glucan and Aspergillus galactomannan, are useful for the diagnosis of IPA as well as the appropriate use of antifungal agents in patients with CLIA. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=YokodeAkiyoshi en-aut-sei=Yokode en-aut-mei=Akiyoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiwaraMasaki en-aut-sei=Fujiwara en-aut-mei=Masaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=TeraoToshiki en-aut-sei=Terao en-aut-mei=Toshiki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=SakamotoShinji en-aut-sei=Sakamoto en-aut-mei=Shinji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamadaYuto en-aut-sei=Yamada en-aut-mei=Yuto kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=SatoRyota en-aut-sei=Sato en-aut-mei=Ryota kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=MishimaMomoko en-aut-sei=Mishima en-aut-mei=Momoko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=YadaYuji en-aut-sei=Yada en-aut-mei=Yuji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 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=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakakiManabu en-aut-sei=Takaki en-aut-mei=Manabu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Neuropsychiatry, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Neuropsychiatry, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Hematology and Oncology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Neuropsychiatry, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Neuropsychiatry, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Okayama Psychiatric Medical Center kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Okayama Psychiatric Medical Center kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Okayama Psychiatric Medical Center kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Hematology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Tokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Neuropsychiatry, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=clozapine-induced agranulocytosis kn-keyword=clozapine-induced agranulocytosis en-keyword=fungal infections kn-keyword=fungal infections en-keyword=invasive pulmonary aspergillosis kn-keyword=invasive pulmonary aspergillosis en-keyword=schizophrenia kn-keyword=schizophrenia END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=14 cd-vols= no-issue=4 article-no= start-page=1391 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250219 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Course of General Fatigue in Patients with Post-COVID-19 Conditions Who Were Prescribed Hochuekkito: A Single-Center Exploratory Pilot Study en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background: After the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, general fatigue in patients with long COVID and post-COVID-19 conditions (PCC) became a medical issue. Although there is a lack of evidence-based treatments, Kampo medicine (traditional Japanese medicine) has gained attention in Japan. At an outpatient clinic in Japan specializing in long COVID, 24% of all prescriptions were Kampo medicines, and 72% of Kampo medicine prescriptions were hochuekkito. However, there has been no prospective, quantitative study on the course of fatigue in patients with long COVID and PCC who were prescribed hochuekkito. The aim of this study was to clarify the course of fatigue in those patients. Methods: This study included patients aged 18 years or older with general fatigue who visited the long COVID specialized outpatient clinic at Okayama University Hospital and consented to participate after being prescribed hochuekkito. We reviewed the backgrounds of the patients, and we evaluated the patients' fatigue assessment scale in person or online. Results: Twenty patients were enrolled in this study from September to December in 2023. The average age of the patients was 42.9 years (SD: 15.8 years) and 12 patients (60%) were female. After hochuekkito administration, the fatigue assessment scale score decreased from 35.9 (SD: 5.9) at the initial visit to 31.2 (SD: 9.4) after 8 weeks, indicating a trend for improvement in fatigue (difference: 4.7; 95% CI: 0.5-8.9). Conclusions: A trend for improvement in fatigue was observed in patients with long COVID and PCC who were prescribed hochuekkito, indicating a potential benefit of hochuekkito for general fatigue in such patients. General fatigue in patients with long COVID or PCC can be classified as post-infectious fatigue syndrome and is considered a condition of qi deficiency in Kampo medicine, for which hochuekkito is appropriately indicated. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=TokumasuKazuki en-aut-sei=Tokumasu en-aut-mei=Kazuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsukiNobuyoshi en-aut-sei=Matsuki en-aut-mei=Nobuyoshi 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=SakamotoYoko en-aut-sei=Sakamoto en-aut-mei=Yoko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 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=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsudaYui en-aut-sei=Matsuda en-aut-mei=Yui kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=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=HondaHiroyuki en-aut-sei=Honda en-aut-mei=Hiroyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 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=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=HasegawaToru en-aut-sei=Hasegawa en-aut-mei=Toru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakaseRyosuke en-aut-sei=Takase en-aut-mei=Ryosuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 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=12 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=13 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Center for Innovative Clinical Medicine, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=fatigue assessment scale (FAS) kn-keyword=fatigue assessment scale (FAS) en-keyword= general fatigue kn-keyword= general fatigue en-keyword= hochuekkito kn-keyword= hochuekkito en-keyword= kampo medicine kn-keyword= kampo medicine en-keyword= long COVID kn-keyword= long COVID en-keyword= post-COVID-19 condition kn-keyword= post-COVID-19 condition END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=13 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=267 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250122 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=The Abnormal Expression of Tubular SGLT2 and GULT2 in Diabetes Model Mice with Malocclusion-Induced Hyperglycemia en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background: A relationship between malocclusion and the promotion of diabetes has been suggested. In hyperglycemia, the expression of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) and the facilitative glucose transporter 2 (GLUT2) is upregulated in proximal tubular cells, leading to an increase in renal glucose reabsorption. The present study aimed to investigate whether malocclusion contributes to diabetic exacerbation. Methods: Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice with malocclusion due to cutting molars were investigated based on increased blood glucose levels. PCR and immunohistochemical analyses were performed on diabetic mice kidneys to investigate the expression of SGLT2 and GLUT2. Results: Animal experiments were performed using 32 mice for 21 days. The time to reach a diabetic condition in STZ-administered mice was shorter with malocclusion than without malocclusion. The increase and mean blood glucose levels in STZ-administered mice were steeper and higher with malocclusion than without malocclusion. Urea albumin, BUN, and CRE levels were higher in diabetic mice with malocclusion than in diabetic mice without. Immunoreaction with anti-SGLT2 and anti-GLUT2 in the renal tissue of STZ-administered mice was stronger with malocclusion than without malocclusion. The amounts of SGLT2 and GLUT2 mRNA in the renal tissue in STZ-administered mice were higher with malocclusion than without malocclusion. The amounts of TNF-a and IL-6 mRNA in the large intestinal tissue in STZ-administered mice were higher with malocclusion than without malocclusion. Conclusions: Our results indicate that malocclusion accelerates the tubular expression of SGLT2 and GLUT2 under hyperglycemia. Malocclusion may be a diabetes-exacerbating factor with increased poor glycemic control due to shortened occlusion time resulting from swallowing food without chewing. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KajiwaraKoichiro en-aut-sei=Kajiwara en-aut-mei=Koichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=TamaokiSachio en-aut-sei=Tamaoki en-aut-mei=Sachio kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=SawaYoshihiko en-aut-sei=Sawa en-aut-mei=Yoshihiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Oral Growth & Development, Fukuoka Dental College kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Oral Growth & Development, Fukuoka Dental College kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Oral Function & Anatomy, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=malocclusion kn-keyword=malocclusion en-keyword= hyperglycemia kn-keyword= hyperglycemia en-keyword= SGLT2 kn-keyword= SGLT2 en-keyword= GLUT2 kn-keyword= GLUT2 END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=14 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=217 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250121 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Interchangeability of Cross-Platform Orthophotographic and LiDAR Data in DeepLabV3+-Based Land Cover Classification Method en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Riverine environmental information includes important data to collect, and the data collection still requires personnel's field surveys. These on-site tasks still face significant limitations (i.e., hard or danger to entry). In recent years, as one of the efficient approaches for data collection, air-vehicle-based Light Detection and Ranging technologies have already been applied in global environmental research, i.e., land cover classification (LCC) or environmental monitoring. For this study, the authors specifically focused on seven types of LCC (i.e., bamboo, tree, grass, bare ground, water, road, and clutter) that can be parameterized for flood simulation. A validated airborne LiDAR bathymetry system (ALB) and a UAV-borne green LiDAR System (GLS) were applied in this study for cross-platform analysis of LCC. Furthermore, LiDAR data were visualized using high-contrast color scales to improve the accuracy of land cover classification methods through image fusion techniques. If high-resolution aerial imagery is available, then it must be downscaled to match the resolution of low-resolution point clouds. Cross-platform data interchangeability was assessed by comparing the interchangeability, which measures the absolute difference in overall accuracy (OA) or macro-F1 by comparing the cross-platform interchangeability. It is noteworthy that relying solely on aerial photographs is inadequate for achieving precise labeling, particularly under limited sunlight conditions that can lead to misclassification. In such cases, LiDAR plays a crucial role in facilitating target recognition. All the approaches (i.e., low-resolution digital imagery, LiDAR-derived imagery and image fusion) present results of over 0.65 OA and of around 0.6 macro-F1. The authors found that the vegetation (bamboo, tree, grass) and road species have comparatively better performance compared with clutter and bare ground species. Given the stated conditions, differences in the species derived from different years (ALB from year 2017 and GLS from year 2020) are the main reason. Because the identification of clutter species includes all the items except for the relative species in this research, RGB-based features of the clutter species cannot be substituted easily because of the 3-year gap compared with other species. Derived from on-site reconstruction, the bare ground species also has a further color change between ALB and GLS that leads to decreased interchangeability. In the case of individual species, without considering seasons and platforms, image fusion can classify bamboo and trees with higher F1 scores compared to low-resolution digital imagery and LiDAR-derived imagery, which has especially proved the cross-platform interchangeability in the high vegetation types. In recent years, high-resolution photography (UAV), high-precision LiDAR measurement (ALB, GLS), and satellite imagery have been used. LiDAR measurement equipment is expensive, and measurement opportunities are limited. Based on this, it would be desirable if ALB and GLS could be continuously classified by Artificial Intelligence, and in this study, the authors investigated such data interchangeability. A unique and crucial aspect of this study is exploring the interchangeability of land cover classification models across different LiDAR platforms. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=PanShijun en-aut-sei=Pan en-aut-mei=Shijun kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=YoshidaKeisuke en-aut-sei=Yoshida en-aut-mei=Keisuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishiyamaSatoshi en-aut-sei=Nishiyama en-aut-mei=Satoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=KojimaTakashi en-aut-sei=Kojima en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=HashimotoYutaro en-aut-sei=Hashimoto en-aut-mei=Yutaro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=TOKEN C. E. E. Consultants Co., Ltd. kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=airborne LiDAR bathymetry kn-keyword=airborne LiDAR bathymetry en-keyword=cross-platform kn-keyword=cross-platform en-keyword=deep learning kn-keyword=deep learning en-keyword=green LiDAR system kn-keyword=green LiDAR system en-keyword=riverine land cover classification kn-keyword=riverine land cover classification END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=15 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=235 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250205 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Distinct Infection Mechanisms of Rhizoctonia solani AG-1 IA and AG-4 HG-I+II in Brachypodium distachyon and Barley en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Rhizoctonia solani is a basidiomycete phytopathogenic fungus that causes rapid necrosis in a wide range of crop species, leading to substantial agricultural losses worldwide. The species complex is divided into 13 anastomosis groups (AGs) based on hyphal fusion compatibility and further subdivided by culture morphology. While R. solani classifications were shown to be independent of host specificity, it remains unclear whether different R. solani isolates share similar virulence mechanisms. Here, we investigated the infectivity of Japanese R. solani isolates on Brachypodium distachyon and barley. Two isolates, AG-1 IA (from rice) and AG-4 HG-I+II (from cauliflower), infected leaves of both plants, but only AG-4 HG-I+II infected roots. B. distachyon accessions Bd3-1 and Gaz-4 and barley cultivar 'Morex' exhibited enhanced resistance to both isolates compared to B. distachyon Bd21 and barley cultivars 'Haruna Nijo' and 'Golden Promise'. During AG-1 IA infection, but not AG-4 HG-I+II infection, resistant Bd3-1 and Morex induced genes for salicylic acid (SA) and N-hydroxypipecolic acid (NHP) biosynthesis. Pretreatment with SA or NHP conferred resistance to AG-1 IA, but not AG-4 HG-I+II, in susceptible B. distachyon Bd21 and barley Haruna Nijo. On the leaves of susceptible Bd21 and Haruna Nijo, AG-1 IA developed extensive mycelial networks with numerous infection cushions, which are specialized infection structures well-characterized in rice sheath blight. In contrast, AG-4 HG-I+II formed dispersed mycelial masses associated with underlying necrosis. We propose that the R. solani species complex encompasses at least two distinct infection strategies: AG-1 IA exhibits a hemibiotrophic lifestyle, while AG-4 HG-I+II follows a predominantly necrotrophic strategy. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MahadevanNiranjan en-aut-sei=Mahadevan en-aut-mei=Niranjan kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=FernandaRozi en-aut-sei=Fernanda en-aut-mei=Rozi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KouzaiYusuke en-aut-sei=Kouzai en-aut-mei=Yusuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=KohnoNatsuka en-aut-sei=Kohno en-aut-mei=Natsuka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=NagaoReiko en-aut-sei=Nagao en-aut-mei=Reiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=NyeinKhin Thida en-aut-sei=Nyein en-aut-mei=Khin Thida kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=WatanabeMegumi en-aut-sei=Watanabe en-aut-mei=Megumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=SakataNanami en-aut-sei=Sakata en-aut-mei=Nanami kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsuiHidenori en-aut-sei=Matsui en-aut-mei=Hidenori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=ToyodaKazuhiro en-aut-sei=Toyoda en-aut-mei=Kazuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=IchinoseYuki en-aut-sei=Ichinose en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=MochidaKeiichi en-aut-sei=Mochida en-aut-mei=Keiichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=HisanoHiroshi en-aut-sei=Hisano en-aut-mei=Hiroshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= en-aut-name=NoutoshiYoshiteru en-aut-sei=Noutoshi en-aut-mei=Yoshiteru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=14 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Crop Stress Management Group, Division of Plant Molecular Regulation Research, Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO) kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Faculty of Agriculture, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Faculty of Agriculture, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=14 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Rhizoctonia solani species complex kn-keyword=Rhizoctonia solani species complex en-keyword=virulence mechanism kn-keyword=virulence mechanism en-keyword=infection behavior kn-keyword=infection behavior en-keyword=salicylic acid kn-keyword=salicylic acid en-keyword=N-hydroxypipecolic acid kn-keyword=N-hydroxypipecolic acid END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=12 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=60 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250205 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Clinical Significance of Serum Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Endothelial Function in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease Under Statin Therapy en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Vascular endothelial function plays an important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. The reduction in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is a key therapy for preventing coronary artery disease (CAD), but the role of omega-3 fatty acids as residual risk factors of CAD remains controversial. We studied the correlation between serum omega-3 fatty acid levels and endothelial function in patients with CAD receiving statin therapy and examined the effect of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) therapy on endothelial function. Methods: A total of 150 consecutive patients with CAD receiving statin therapy (LDL-C levels < 100 mg/dL) were enrolled. Serum omega-3 fatty acid levels were measured, and endothelial function was assessed by flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial artery. Subsequently, 65 patients with impaired FMD (<6%) and low EPA/arachidonic acid (AA) (<0.3) were administered EPA, and FMD was reassessed after 3 months. Results: A multivariate linear regression analysis demonstrated that serum docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and EPA plus DHA levels were independent determinants of %FMD (β = 0.214 and 0.163, p < 0.05, respectively). The EPA therapy significantly improved %FMD (from 3.7 ± 1.0% to 4.1 ± 1.0%, p < 0.05) in patients with low EPA/AA, and especially in patients with low EPA/AA and high triglyceride levels (from 3.4 ± 1.0% to 4.0 ± 1.1%, p < 0.01). Conclusions: Serum omega-3 fatty acid levels were associated with endothelial dysfunction in patients with CAD receiving statin therapy. EPA therapy improves endothelial function in patients with low EPA/AA, especially those with low EPA/AA and high triglycerides. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=YunokiKei en-aut-sei=Yunoki en-aut-mei=Kei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsumiHiroaki en-aut-sei=Matsumi en-aut-mei=Hiroaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyoshiToru en-aut-sei=Miyoshi en-aut-mei=Toru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=KuboMotoki en-aut-sei=Kubo en-aut-mei=Motoki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=HataYoshiki en-aut-sei=Hata en-aut-mei=Yoshiki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=YuasaShinsuke en-aut-sei=Yuasa en-aut-mei=Shinsuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Minamino Cardiovascular Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= en-keyword=coronary artery disease kn-keyword=coronary artery disease en-keyword=endothelial function kn-keyword=endothelial function en-keyword=eicosapentaenoic acid kn-keyword=eicosapentaenoic acid en-keyword=residual risk factor kn-keyword=residual risk factor END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=10 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=101 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250210 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Radiographic and Clinical Assessment of Unidirectional Porous Beta-Tricalcium Phosphate to Treat Benign Bone Tumors en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The purpose of this study was to evaluate radiographic changes, clinical outcomes, and complications following unidirectional porous beta-tricalcium phosphate (UDPTCP) implantation for the treatment of benign bone tumors. We retrospectively analyzed 46 patients who underwent intralesional resection. The patients were divided into two cohorts: Cohort 1 (n = 32), which included all bones except the phalanges and metacarpal/tarsal bones, and Cohort 2 (n = 14), which included the phalanges and metacarpal/tarsal bones. Radiographic changes were assessed at each reading based on resorption of the implanted UDPTCP and bone trabeculation through the defect. UDPTCP resorption and bone trabeculation were observed on radiographs within 3 months of surgery in all patients. Bone remodeling in the cavity progressed steadily for up to 3 years postoperatively. In Cohort 1, resorption and trabeculation progressed significantly in young patients, and trabeculation developed significantly in small lesions. The rates of resorption and trabeculation at 3 months postoperatively correlated statistically with their increased rates at one year. There was no statistical difference in resorption and trabeculation rates between Cohort 1 and Cohort 2. There were no cases of postoperative deep infections or allergic reactions related to the implant. UDPTCP is a useful bone-filling substitute for the treatment of benign bone tumors and has a low complication rate. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KunisadaToshiyuki en-aut-sei=Kunisada en-aut-mei=Toshiyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakataEiji en-aut-sei=Nakata en-aut-mei=Eiji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiwaraTomohiro en-aut-sei=Fujiwara en-aut-mei=Tomohiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=KatayamaHaruyoshi en-aut-sei=Katayama en-aut-mei=Haruyoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=ItanoTakuto en-aut-sei=Itano en-aut-mei=Takuto kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=KurozumiTakanao en-aut-sei=Kurozumi en-aut-mei=Takanao kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=AndoTeruhiko en-aut-sei=Ando en-aut-mei=Teruhiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 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=8 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=Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences 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 Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences 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= en-keyword=unidirectional porous beta-tricalcium phosphate kn-keyword=unidirectional porous beta-tricalcium phosphate en-keyword= bone tumor kn-keyword= bone tumor en-keyword= bone graft kn-keyword= bone graft en-keyword= radiography kn-keyword= radiography en-keyword= bone remodeling kn-keyword= bone remodeling END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=16 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=108 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250205 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Implementation of Sensor Input Setup Assistance Service Using Generative AI for SEMAR IoT Application Server Platform en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=For rapid deployments of various IoT application systems, we have developed Smart Environmental Monitoring and Analytical in Real-Time (SEMAR) as an integrated server platform. It is equipped with rich functions for collecting, analyzing, and visualizing various data. Unfortunately, the proper configuration of SEMAR with a variety of IoT devices can be complex and challenging for novice users, since it often requires technical expertise. The assistance of Generative AI can be helpful to solve this drawback. In this paper, we present an implementation of a sensor input setup assistance service for SEMAR using prompt engineering techniques and Generative AI. A user needs to define the requirement specifications and environments of the IoT application system for sensor inputs, and give them to the service. Then, the service provides step-by-step guidance on sensor connections, communicating board configurations, network connections, and communication protocols to the user, which can help the user easily set up the configuration to connect the relevant devices to SEMAR. For evaluations, we applied the proposal to the input sensor setup processes of three practical IoT application systems with SEMAR, namely, a smart light, water heater, and room temperature monitoring system. In addition, we applied it to the setup process of an IoT application system for a course for undergraduate students at the Insitut Bisnis dan Teknologi (INSTIKI), Indonesia. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed service for SEMAR. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KotamaI. Nyoman Darma en-aut-sei=Kotama en-aut-mei=I. Nyoman Darma kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=FunabikiNobuo en-aut-sei=Funabiki en-aut-mei=Nobuo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=PandumanYohanes Yohanie Fridelin en-aut-sei=Panduman en-aut-mei=Yohanes Yohanie Fridelin kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=BrataKomang Candra en-aut-sei=Brata en-aut-mei=Komang Candra kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=PradhanaAnak Agung Surya en-aut-sei=Pradhana en-aut-mei=Anak Agung Surya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=Noprianto en-aut-sei=Noprianto en-aut-mei= kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=DesnanjayaI. Gusti Made Ngurah en-aut-sei=Desnanjaya en-aut-mei=I. Gusti Made Ngurah kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Computer System Engineering, Institute of Business and Technology Indonesia kn-affil= en-keyword=Internet of Things kn-keyword=Internet of Things en-keyword= generative AI kn-keyword= generative AI en-keyword= review kn-keyword= review en-keyword= application server platform kn-keyword= application server platform en-keyword= SEMAR kn-keyword= SEMAR en-keyword= sensor input kn-keyword= sensor input END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=16 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=91 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250124 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=An Application of SEMAR IoT Application Server Platform to Drone-Based Wall Inspection System Using AI Model en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Recently, artificial intelligence (AI) has been adopted in a number of Internet of Things (IoT) application systems to enhance intelligence. We have developed a ready-made server with rich built-in functions to collect, process, display, analyze, and store data from various IoT devices, the SEMAR (Smart Environmental Monitoring and Analytics in Real-Time) IoT application server platform, in which various AI techniques have been implemented to enhance its capabilities. In this paper, we present an application of SEMAR to a drone-based wall inspection system using an object detection AI model called You Only Look Once (YOLO). This system aims to detect wall cracks at high places using images taken via a camera on a flying drone. An edge computing device is installed to control the drone, sending the taken images through the Kafka system, storing them with the drone flight data, and sending the data to SEMAR. The images are analyzed via YOLO through SEMAR. For evaluations, we implemented the system using Ryze Tello for the drone and Raspberry Pi for the edge, and we evaluated the detection accuracy. The preliminary experiment results confirmed the effectiveness of the proposal. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=PandumanYohanes Yohanie Fridelin en-aut-sei=Panduman en-aut-mei=Yohanes Yohanie Fridelin kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=HusnaRadhiatul en-aut-sei=Husna en-aut-mei=Radhiatul kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=NopriantoNobuo en-aut-sei=Noprianto en-aut-mei=Nobuo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=FunabikiNobuo en-aut-sei=Funabiki en-aut-mei=Nobuo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=SakamakiShunya en-aut-sei=Sakamaki en-aut-mei=Shunya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=SukaridhotoSritrusta en-aut-sei=Sukaridhoto en-aut-mei=Sritrusta kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=SyaifudinYan Watequlis en-aut-sei=Syaifudin en-aut-mei=Yan Watequlis kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=RahmadaniAlfiandi Aulia en-aut-sei=Rahmadani en-aut-mei=Alfiandi Aulia kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Informatics and Computer, Politeknik Elektronika Negeri Surabaya kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Information Technology, State Polytechnic of Malang kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Electrical Engineering, State Polytechnic of Malang kn-affil= en-keyword=Internet of Things kn-keyword=Internet of Things en-keyword= AI kn-keyword= AI en-keyword= SEMAR kn-keyword= SEMAR en-keyword= crack detection kn-keyword= crack detection en-keyword= drone kn-keyword= drone en-keyword= Kafka kn-keyword= Kafka END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=14 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=2 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241225 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Enhancing Campus Environment: Real-Time Air Quality Monitoring Through IoT and Web Technologies en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Nowadays, enhancing campus environments through mitigations of air pollutions is an essential endeavor to support academic achievements, health, and safety of students and staffs in higher educational institutes. In laboratories, pollutants from welding, auto repairs, or chemical experiments can drastically degrade the air quality in the campus, endangering the respiratory and cognitive health of students and staffs. Besides, in universities in Indonesia, automobile emissions of harmful substances such as carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and hydrocarbon (HC) have been a serious problem for a long time. Almost everybody is using a motorbike or a car every day in daily life, while the number of students is continuously increasing. However, people in many campuses including managements do not be aware these problems, since air quality is not monitored. In this paper, we present a real-time air quality monitoring system utilizing Internet of Things (IoT) integrated sensors capable of detecting pollutants and measuring environmental conditions to visualize them. By transmitting data to the SEMAR IoT application server platform via an ESP32 microcontroller, this system provides instant alerts through a web application and Telegram notifications when pollutant levels exceed safe thresholds. For evaluations of the proposed system, we adopted three sensors to measure the levels of CO, NO2, and HC and conducted experiments in three sites, namely, Mechatronics Laboratory, Power and Emission Laboratory, and Parking Lot, at the State Polytechnic of Malang, Indonesia. Then, the results reveal Good, Unhealthy, and Dangerous for them, respectively, among the five categories defined by the Indonesian government. The system highlighted its ability to monitor air quality fluctuations, trigger warnings of hazardous conditions, and inform the campus community. The correlation of the sensor levels can identify the relationship of each pollutant, which provides insight into the characteristics of pollutants in a particular scenario. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=RahmadaniAlfiandi Aulia en-aut-sei=Rahmadani en-aut-mei=Alfiandi Aulia kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=SyaifudinYan Watequlis en-aut-sei=Syaifudin en-aut-mei=Yan Watequlis kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=SetiawanBudhy en-aut-sei=Setiawan en-aut-mei=Budhy kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=PandumanYohanes Yohanie Fridelin en-aut-sei=Panduman en-aut-mei=Yohanes Yohanie Fridelin kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=FunabikiNobuo en-aut-sei=Funabiki en-aut-mei=Nobuo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Electrical Engineering, State Polytechnic of Malang kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Information Technology, State Polytechnic of Malang kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Electrical Engineering, State Polytechnic of Malang kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Information and Communication Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Information and Communication Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Internet of Things kn-keyword=Internet of Things en-keyword= campus air quality kn-keyword= campus air quality en-keyword= pollutant detection kn-keyword= pollutant detection en-keyword= SEMAR kn-keyword= SEMAR en-keyword= sensor technology kn-keyword= sensor technology en-keyword= web application kn-keyword= web application END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol= cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=e202403213 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250218 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Antifouling Activity of Xylemin, Its Structural Analogs, and Related Polyamines en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Biofouling, which is the accumulation of organisms on undersea structures, poses significant global, social, and economic issues. Although organotin compounds were effective antifoulants since the 1960s, they were banned in 2008 due to their toxicity to marine life. Although tin-free alternatives have been developed, they also raise environmental concerns. This underscores the need for effective, nontoxic antifouling agents. We previously synthesized N-(4-aminobutyl)propylamine (xylemin) and its structural analogs. In this study, we assayed the antifouling activity and toxicity of xylemin, its structural analogs, and related polyamines toward cypris larvae of the barnacle Amphibalanus amphitrite. Xylemin and its Boc-protected analog exhibited antifouling activities with 50% effective concentrations (EC50) of 4.25 and 6.11 µg/mL, respectively. Four xylemin analogs did not show a settlement-inhibitory effect at a concentration of 50 µg/mL. Putrescine, spermidine, spermine, and thermospermine, which are xylemin-related polyamines, did not display antifoulant effects (EC50 > 50 µg/mL). All evaluated compounds were nontoxic at a concentration of 50 µg/mL. These findings indicate that the size and structure of the N-alkyl group are essential for the antifouling activity of xylemin. Therefore, xylemin and its analogs hold promise as nontoxic, eco-friendly antifouling agents, offering a sustainable solution to biofouling in marine environments. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=TakamuraHiroyoshi en-aut-sei=Takamura en-aut-mei=Hiroyoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=YorisueTakefumi en-aut-sei=Yorisue en-aut-mei=Takefumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=TanakaKenta en-aut-sei=Tanaka en-aut-mei=Kenta kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=KadotaIsao en-aut-sei=Kadota en-aut-mei=Isao kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Institute of Natural and Environmental Sciences, University of Hyogo kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Amines kn-keyword=Amines en-keyword=Antifouling activity kn-keyword=Antifouling activity en-keyword=Barnacle kn-keyword=Barnacle en-keyword=Structure–activity relationships kn-keyword=Structure–activity relationships en-keyword=Xylemin kn-keyword=Xylemin END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=19 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=ra.2023-0019 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=Non-Sinus-Type Dural Arteriovenous Fistula at the Foramen Magnum: A Review of the Literature en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Dural arteriovenous fistula (dAVF) of the foramen magnum (FM) region is rare. Moreover, the terminology of dAVF is very confusing in this region. In the narrow sense, the FM dAVF is the non-sinus-type dAVF with direct venous reflux to the medulla oblongata or spinal cord via the bridging veins (BVs) of the FM. Previous literature was systematically reviewed to investigate the clinical characteristics, angioarchitecture, and effective treatment of the FM dAVF. From the literature review, almost all the feeders of FM dAVF were dural branches. Spinal pial arteries were rarely involved as the feeder. All lesions had venous reflux to the medulla oblongata via medullary BVs. The FM dAVF is characterized by a significant male predominance and a high incidence of aggressive symptoms. The most common symptom is congestive myelopathy, followed by hemorrhage. The FM dAVF differs from the craniocervical junction (CCJ) arteriovenous fistula (AVF) and is similar to the thoracolumbar spinal dAVF. Direct surgery for the FM dAVF is effective and safe. Endovascular treatment for the FM dAVF may be more effective and has lower complication rates than that for the CCJ AVF. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=HiramatsuMasafumi en-aut-sei=Hiramatsu en-aut-mei=Masafumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=OzakiTomohiko en-aut-sei=Ozaki en-aut-mei=Tomohiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=AokiRie en-aut-sei=Aoki en-aut-mei=Rie kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=OdaShinri en-aut-sei=Oda en-aut-mei=Shinri kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=HarumaJun en-aut-sei=Haruma en-aut-mei=Jun kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=HishikawaTomohito en-aut-sei=Hishikawa en-aut-mei=Tomohito kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=SugiuKenji en-aut-sei=Sugiu en-aut-mei=Kenji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=DateIsao en-aut-sei=Date en-aut-mei=Isao kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Neurosurgery, National Hospital Organization Osaka National Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Neurosurgery, Tokai University Hachioji Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Neurosurgery, Tokai University Hachioji Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=dural arteriovenous fistula kn-keyword=dural arteriovenous fistula en-keyword=foramen magnum kn-keyword=foramen magnum en-keyword=bridging vein kn-keyword=bridging vein en-keyword=treatment kn-keyword=treatment 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=64 cd-vols= no-issue=8 article-no= start-page=e202418546 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250122 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=B,N‐Embedded Helical Nanographenes Showing an Ion‐Triggered Chiroptical Switching Function en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Intramolecular oxidative aromatic coupling of 3,6-bis(m-terphenyl-2’-yl)carbazole provided a bis(m-terphenyl)-fused carbazole, while that of 3,6-bis(m-terphenyl-2’-yl)-1,8-diphenylcarbazole afforded a bis(quaterphenyl)-fused carbazole. Borylation of the latter furnished a B,N-embedded helical nanographene binding a fluoride anion via a structural change from the three-coordinate boron to the four-coordinate boron. The anionic charge derived from the fluoride anion is stabilized over the expanded π-framework, which leads to the high binding constant (Ka) of 1×105 M−1. The four-coordinate boron species was converted back to the parent three-coordinate boron species with Ag+, and the chiroptical switch between the three-coordinate boron and four-coordinate boron species has been achieved via the ion recognition with the change in the color and glum values. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MaedaChihiro en-aut-sei=Maeda en-aut-mei=Chihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MichishitaSayaka en-aut-sei=Michishita en-aut-mei=Sayaka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=YasutomoIssa en-aut-sei=Yasutomo en-aut-mei=Issa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=EmaTadashi en-aut-sei=Ema en-aut-mei=Tadashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Division of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Division of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Division of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Division of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Boron kn-keyword=Boron en-keyword=Chirality kn-keyword=Chirality en-keyword=Circularly polarized luminescence kn-keyword=Circularly polarized luminescence en-keyword=Helical nanographenes kn-keyword=Helical nanographenes en-keyword=Ion sensing kn-keyword=Ion sensing END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=53 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=3 end-page=10 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250131 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Investigation of SNPs associated with reproductive and body growth traits in Vietnamese and Nepalese native buffaloes en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Water buffaloes are essential to the rural economies of many developing countries, including Vietnam and Nepal, but native buffalo populations in these countries face challenges such as low productivity due to fertility and body growth issues. This study analyzed 34 SNPs in 18 genes associated with reproductive and body growth traits reported in cattle and buffalo in Vietnamese and Nepalese native buffaloes. Results showed no polymorphism at bovine SNPs in either buffalo. Further analysis with SNPs previously reported only in popular buffalo breeds, such as Murrah, found that Vietnamese buffalo were monomorphic at all sites, which may reflect reduced genetic diversity due to population decline. In contrast, Nepalese buffalo, consisting of two native breeds, showed polymorphism in 11 SNPs in 7 genes, with 10 of these matching those found in the Murrah buffalo analyzed here. These findings suggest that these SNPs may be applicable for genetic improvement in Nepalese native buffalo. This study provides valuable insights for future conservation and breeding programs aimed at enhancing reproductive and body growth performance of native buffalo in Vietnam and Nepal. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=Thuy ThanhNguyen en-aut-sei=Thuy Thanh en-aut-mei=Nguyen kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KuniedaTetsuo en-aut-sei=Kunieda en-aut-mei=Tetsuo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=Manoj KumarShah en-aut-sei=Manoj Kumar en-aut-mei=Shah kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=Thu Nu AnhLe en-aut-sei=Thu Nu Anh en-aut-mei=Le kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=Van HuuNguyen en-aut-sei=Van Huu en-aut-mei=Nguyen kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=UshijimaKoichiro en-aut-sei=Ushijima en-aut-mei=Koichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=NagaeMayuko en-aut-sei=Nagae en-aut-mei=Mayuko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=TsujiTakehito en-aut-sei=Tsuji en-aut-mei=Takehito kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=National Swine Research Program kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Faculty of Animal Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Agriculture and Forestry, Hue University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Faculty of Animal Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Agriculture and Forestry, Hue University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Vietnamese native buffalo kn-keyword=Vietnamese native buffalo en-keyword=Nepalese native buffalo kn-keyword=Nepalese native buffalo en-keyword=SNPs kn-keyword=SNPs en-keyword=Reproduction kn-keyword=Reproduction en-keyword=Body growth kn-keyword=Body growth END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=64 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=97 end-page=106 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=2024 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Atypical lymphoplasmacytic and immunoblastic proliferation: A Systematic Review en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Atypical lymphoplasmacytic and immunoblastic proliferation (ALPIBP) was first reported in 1984 as characteristic histological findings in lymph nodes associated with autoimmune diseases, but it has not been clearly defined to date. To summarize the histological characteristics and clinical diagnoses associated with ALPIBP, we searched MEDLINE and EMBASE for all peer-reviewed articles using keywords including “atypical lymphoplasmacytic and immunoblastic lymphadenopathy” from their inception to December 27, 2023. We also summarized the courses of three cases with a pathological diagnosis of ALPIBP. Nine articles with 52 cases were included. Among the total of 55 cases, including the three from our institution, the median age of the cases was 63.5 years with a female predominance (69.5%). Lymphadenopathy was generalized in 65.6% and regional in 34.4% of cases. RA (24.4%), SLE (24.4%), and autoimmune hemolytic anemia (20.0%), were common clinical diagnoses. A combination of cytotoxic chemotherapy was used in 15.6% of cases due to the suspicion of malignancy. Nodal T-follicular helper cell lymphoma, angioimmunoblastic type, methotrexate-associated lymphoproliferative disorders, and IgG4-related diseases were listed as important diseases that need to be pathologically differentiated from ALPIBP. This review summarizes the current understanding of the characteristics of ALPIBP. Given that underrecognition of ALPIBP could lead to overdiagnosis of hematological malignancy and unnecessary treatment, increased awareness of the condition in pathologists and clinicians is crucial. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NishimuraMidori Filiz en-aut-sei=Nishimura en-aut-mei=Midori Filiz kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakahashiToshiaki en-aut-sei=Takahashi en-aut-mei=Toshiaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakaokaKensuke en-aut-sei=Takaoka en-aut-mei=Kensuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=MacapagalSharina en-aut-sei=Macapagal en-aut-mei=Sharina kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=WannaphutChalothorn en-aut-sei=Wannaphut en-aut-mei=Chalothorn kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishikoriAsami en-aut-sei=Nishikori en-aut-mei=Asami kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=TodaHiroko en-aut-sei=Toda en-aut-mei=Hiroko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishimuraYoshito en-aut-sei=Nishimura en-aut-mei=Yoshito kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=SatoYasuharu en-aut-sei=Sato en-aut-mei=Yasuharu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Molecular Hematopathology, Okayama University Graduate School of Health Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Medicine, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai’i kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Medicine, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai’i kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Medicine, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai’i kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Medicine, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai’i kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Molecular Hematopathology, Okayama University Graduate School of Health Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Pathology, Chugoku Central Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Medicine, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai’i kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Molecular Hematopathology, Okayama University Graduate School of Health Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=systematic review kn-keyword=systematic review en-keyword=atypical lymphoplasmacytic and immunoblastic proliferation kn-keyword=atypical lymphoplasmacytic and immunoblastic proliferation en-keyword=IgG4-related disease kn-keyword=IgG4-related disease en-keyword=angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma kn-keyword=angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=111 cd-vols= no-issue=6 article-no= start-page=064502 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250204 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Josephson effect and odd-frequency pairing in superconducting junctions with unconventional magnets en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=We consider Josephson junctions formed by coupling two conventional superconductors via an unconventional magnet and investigate the formation of Andreev bound states, their impact on the Josephson effect, and the emergent superconducting correlations. In particular, we focus on unconventional magnets known as 𝑑-wave altermagnets and 𝑝-wave magnets. We find that the Andreev bound states in 𝑑-wave altermagnet and 𝑝𝑦-wave magnet Josephson junctions strongly depend on the transverse momentum, with a spin splitting and low-energy minima as a function of the superconducting phase difference 𝜑. In contrast, the Andreev bound states for 𝑝𝑥-wave magnets are insensitive to the transverse momentum. We then show that the Andreev bound states can be probed by the local density of states in the middle of the junction, which also reveals that 𝑑𝑥2−𝑦2- and 𝑝-wave magnet junctions are prone to host zero energy peaks. While the zero-energy peak in 𝑑𝑥2−𝑦2-wave altermagnet junctions tends to oscillate with the magnetic order, it remains robust in 𝑝-wave magnet junctions. We then discover that the Josephson current in 𝑑-wave altermagnet junctions is composed of higher harmonics of 𝜑, which originate a 𝜙-Josephson junction behavior entirely controlled by the magnetic order in 𝑑𝑥⁢𝑦-wave altermagnets. In contrast, the Josephson current in Josephson junctions with 𝑝-wave magnets exhibits a conventional sinelike profile with a fast sign change at 𝜑=𝜋 due to zero-energy Andreev bound states. We also demonstrate that the critical currents in 𝑑-wave altermagnet Josephson junctions exhibit an oscillatory decay with the increase of the magnetic order, while the oscillations are absent in 𝑝-wave magnet junctions albeit the currents exhibit a slow decay. Furthermore, we also demonstrate that the interplay of the Josephson effect and unconventional magnetic order of 𝑑-wave altermagnets and 𝑝-wave magnets originates from odd-frequency spin-triplet 𝑠-wave superconducting correlations that are otherwise absent. Our results can serve as a guide to pursue the new functionality of Josephson junctions based on unconventional magnets. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=FukayaYuri en-aut-sei=Fukaya en-aut-mei=Yuri kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MaedaKazuki en-aut-sei=Maeda en-aut-mei=Kazuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=YadaKeiji en-aut-sei=Yada en-aut-mei=Keiji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=CayaoJorge en-aut-sei=Cayao en-aut-mei=Jorge kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=TanakaYukio en-aut-sei=Tanaka en-aut-mei=Yukio kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=LuBo en-aut-sei=Lu en-aut-mei=Bo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Faculty of Environmental Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Applied Physics, Nagoya University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Applied Physics, Nagoya University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Physics and Astronomy, Uppsala University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Applied Physics, Nagoya University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Center for Joint Quantum Studies, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Low Dimensional Materials Physics and Preparing Technology, Department of Physics, Tianjin University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=57 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=54 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250211 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=White coat color in Vietnamese native buffalo is attributed to the LINE1 insertion in ASIP en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The coat color of the swamp buffalo is commonly dark gray, while the white coat color variant, which may have potential heat stress advantages, is also present in some Asian countries, including Vietnam. This study analyzed the most likely candidate genes, ASIP and TYR, responsible for the white coat color of Vietnamese native buffaloes. We found that LINE1 insertion in ASIP, a mutation previously reported in white swamp buffalo from other Asian countries, was exclusively found in white Vietnamese buffalo. Moreover, significantly higher expression of ASIP was confirmed in the hair follicles of white buffalo. On the other hand, no variants associated with the white phenotype were found in TYR. These findings indicate that the LINE1 insertion in ASIP is responsible for the white coat color in Vietnamese native buffalo, and that provides a crucial step towards their utilization and improved productivity in Vietnam. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NguyenThuy Thanh en-aut-sei=Nguyen en-aut-mei=Thuy Thanh kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=LeQuan Viet en-aut-sei=Le en-aut-mei=Quan Viet kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=NguyenVan Huu en-aut-sei=Nguyen en-aut-mei=Van Huu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=DuongHai Thanh en-aut-sei=Duong en-aut-mei=Hai Thanh kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=TsujiTakehito en-aut-sei=Tsuji en-aut-mei=Takehito kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Faculty of Animal Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Agriculture and Forestry, Hue University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Faculty of Animal Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Agriculture and Forestry, Hue University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Vietnamese buffalo kn-keyword=Vietnamese buffalo en-keyword=White coat color kn-keyword=White coat color en-keyword=LINE1 insertion kn-keyword=LINE1 insertion en-keyword=ASIP kn-keyword=ASIP END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol= cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page= end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250217 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Kikuchi‐Fujimoto disease: investigating comprehensive clinicopathological features and risk factors for recurrence en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Aims: Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease (KFD) is a rare disease that typically manifests with fever and cervical lymphadenopathy. Little is known about the risk factors associated with recurrence and their correlation with clinicopathologic features.
Methods and Results: We analysed 112 patients with KFD, predominantly female (61/112, 54.5%), with an average age of 29.4 years. The incidence was higher in males up to the age of 20 and higher in females from their 30s onwards. Of the 70 patients with follow-up data, 23% experienced recurrence. Recurrence was associated with lower C4 levels (P = 0.038) and higher antinuclear antibody (ANA) rates (P = 0.007) compared to transient disease. The mean duration of symptoms was 71.5 days. Lymph node histology in 98 cases (excluding 14 needle biopsy specimens) was classified into three patterns: proliferative (n = 75, 77%), necrotizing (n = 22, 22%), and xanthomatous (n = 1, 1%). The necrotizing pattern associated with significantly enlarged lymph nodes (P = 0.047) and a longer symptom duration (P = 0.009) than the proliferating pattern. The number of CD4-positive lymphocytes was significantly lower in the necrotizing type than in the proliferative type (P < 0.001).
Conclusion: These results indicated that low C4 levels and positive ANA were associated with KFD recurrence. Although the aetiology of KFD remains elusive, given that some cases develop autoimmune disease, the results suggest that patients with recurrent KFD represent an intermediate status between those with transient KFD and those with overt autoimmune disease. The comprehensive clinicopathological findings of this study may be useful for elucidating its pathogenesis and predicting the clinical course. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NishimuraMidori Filiz en-aut-sei=Nishimura en-aut-mei=Midori Filiz kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=SakaoChikako en-aut-sei=Sakao en-aut-mei=Chikako kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KurokawaYuka en-aut-sei=Kurokawa en-aut-mei=Yuka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishimuraYoshito en-aut-sei=Nishimura en-aut-mei=Yoshito kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishikoriAsami en-aut-sei=Nishikori en-aut-mei=Asami kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamamotoHidetaka en-aut-sei=Yamamoto en-aut-mei=Hidetaka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=SatoYasuharu en-aut-sei=Sato en-aut-mei=Yasuharu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Molecular Hematopathology, Okayama University Graduate School of Health Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Molecular Hematopathology, Okayama University Graduate School of Health Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Molecular Hematopathology, Okayama University Graduate School of Health Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Molecular Hematopathology, Okayama University Graduate School of Health Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Pathology and Oncology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Molecular Hematopathology, Okayama University Graduate School of Health Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis kn-keyword=histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis en-keyword=histological subtypes kn-keyword=histological subtypes en-keyword=Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease kn-keyword=Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease en-keyword=necrotizing type kn-keyword=necrotizing type en-keyword=proliferating type kn-keyword=proliferating type en-keyword=recurrent kn-keyword=recurrent en-keyword=xanthomatous type kn-keyword=xanthomatous type END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=14 cd-vols= no-issue=3 article-no= start-page=817 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250126 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Interrelationships Between Plasma Levels of Brain Natriuretic Peptide and Prolonged Symptoms Due to Long COVID en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Objectives: Evidence for the usefulness of biomarkers that aid in diagnosis, assessment of severity, and prediction of prognosis in patients with long COVID is limited. The aim of this study was to clarify the characteristics of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) in long COVID. Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational study of patients who visited the COVID-19 aftercare outpatient clinic at Okayama University Hospital from February 2021 to April 2024. Results: A total of 428 patients were enrolled in this study, and the patients were divided into a group with normal BNP (n = 314, <= 18.4 pg/mL) and a group with increased BNP (n = 114, >18.4 pg/mL). The long COVID group with increased BNP had a higher proportion of females (44.3% vs. 73.7%, p < 0.01) and an older median age (38 vs. 51 years, p < 0.01). Fatigue and brain fog were commonly manifested in both groups, while dyspnea was a more frequent complaint in the group with increased BNP. Various symptoms including fatigue, palpitations, and taste and/or olfactory disorders were associated with elevated BNP (23 to 24 pg/mL). Memory impairment was also linked to higher BNP (OR: 2.36, p = 0.05). In long COVID patients, plasma BNP elevation appears to be more pronounced in females and is often related to cardiogenic factors, in which inflammatory responses are also involved. Conclusions: Plasma BNP measurement may be useful for evaluating the severity of long COVID, especially in female patients and those with respiratory symptoms and/or memory impairment. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MasudaYohei en-aut-sei=Masuda en-aut-mei=Yohei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=OtsukaYuki en-aut-sei=Otsuka en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=TokumasuKazuki en-aut-sei=Tokumasu en-aut-mei=Kazuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=HondaHiroyuki en-aut-sei=Honda en-aut-mei=Hiroyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=SakuradaYasue en-aut-sei=Sakurada en-aut-mei=Yasue kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsudaYui en-aut-sei=Matsuda en-aut-mei=Yui kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakanoYasuhiro en-aut-sei=Nakano en-aut-mei=Yasuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakaseRyosuke en-aut-sei=Takase en-aut-mei=Ryosuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=OmuraDaisuke en-aut-sei=Omura en-aut-mei=Daisuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=HasegawaToru en-aut-sei=Hasegawa en-aut-mei=Toru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=UedaKeigo en-aut-sei=Ueda en-aut-mei=Keigo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=OtsukaFumio en-aut-sei=Otsuka en-aut-mei=Fumio kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=brain fog kn-keyword=brain fog en-keyword=brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) kn-keyword=brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) en-keyword=COVID-19 kn-keyword=COVID-19 en-keyword=fatigue kn-keyword=fatigue en-keyword=long COVID kn-keyword=long COVID en-keyword=memory impairment kn-keyword=memory impairment en-keyword=post-COVID-19 conditions kn-keyword=post-COVID-19 conditions END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=25 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=16 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250215 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Behavior, behavioral syndromes, and metabolism: the effects of artificial selection for death-feigning on metabolic rate en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Death-feigning, or thanatosis, is an anti-predator behavioral strategy in many animals. Because individuals remain immobile while feigning death, individuals with longer durations of death feigning often show lower locomotor activity. Thus, metabolic rate, which is closely related to locomotor activity, may also be related to the intensity of death feigning. If there is a genetic correlation between death feigning and metabolism, metabolic rate may respond to selection on death-feigning behavior. Here, we tested for a relationship between metabolic rate and death-feigning using replicated populations of the red flour beetle (Tribolium castaneum) subjected to artificial bidirectional selection on the duration of death-feigning behavior. The results indicated that metabolic rate did not differ between populations selected for increased or decreased death feigning, although locomotor activity was significantly different between these treatments; populations selected for reduced death-feigning durations tended to be more active. These results suggest that death-feigning behavior is not genetically correlated with metabolic rate in T. castaneum. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MatsumuraKentarou en-aut-sei=Matsumura en-aut-mei=Kentarou kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=HoskenDavid J. en-aut-sei=Hosken en-aut-mei=David J. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=NodaTomohito en-aut-sei=Noda en-aut-mei=Tomohito kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyatakeTakahisa en-aut-sei=Miyatake en-aut-mei=Takahisa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=SharmaManmohan D. en-aut-sei=Sharma en-aut-mei=Manmohan D. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Centre for Ecology and Conservation, Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy, University of Exeter kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Centre for Ecology and Conservation, Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy, University of Exeter kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Centre for Ecology and Conservation, Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy, University of Exeter kn-affil= en-keyword=anti-predator behavior kn-keyword=anti-predator behavior en-keyword=artificial selection kn-keyword=artificial selection en-keyword=death-feigning kn-keyword=death-feigning en-keyword=metabolic rate kn-keyword=metabolic rate en-keyword=personality kn-keyword=personality en-keyword=Tribolium kn-keyword=Tribolium END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=49 cd-vols= no-issue=4 article-no= start-page=563 end-page=567 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=202410 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Backside Irradiation of Ultraviolet-A for Correcting Nonuniformity Error of Gafchromic XR-QA2 Films en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Purpose: Radiochromic film is used for quality assurance and quality control of X-ray equipment in the diagnostic radiology. In addition, three-dimensional dose distribution of computed tomography (CT) is measured. To correct the nonuniformity and uncertainty of radiochromic films for dose measurement of CT, the films are preirradiated ultraviolet (UV)-A rays. There is a difference in the UV protection strength of radiochromic films. A concern exists about the effects of the UV-A irradiation intensity. We thus irradiated with UV-A rays from the backsides of the films to assess if backside irradiation was possible. Materials and Methods: Gafchromic XR-QA2 and RTQA2 were used in this study. The UV-A rays were simultaneously irradiated on the front and backsides of each film for 12 h. The yellow layer of each film was scanned and imaged. The average pixel values ± standard deviations (SDs) were compared. In the statistical analysis, a paired t-test was performed. To compare, the active-layer densities engendered by the UV-A rays. Calibration curve was created with 48 h of preirradiation of UV-A. Results: The mean pixel values ± SD for Gafchromic XR-QA2 on the front and backsides were 130.776 ± 0.812 and 81.015 ± 1.128, respectively. On the other hand, the mean pixel values ± SD for Gafchromic RTQA2 on the front and backsides were 62.299 ± 1.077 and 133.761 ± 1.365, respectively. The statistical results of the paired t-test were significantly different (P < 0.01) between both films. Fitting equation of the calibration curve is shown below. y = -390.47 ± 200 + (443.45 ± 10x80).5068 ± 0.0434. Conclusion: Based on the relationship between the sensitivity of the active layer to UV-A rays and the strength of UV protection on the surface, we concluded that backside irradiation is recommended for Gafchromic XR-QA2, and frontside irradiation is recommended for Gafchromic RTQA2. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=TankiNobuyoshi en-aut-sei=Tanki en-aut-mei=Nobuyoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=GotoSachiko en-aut-sei=Goto en-aut-mei=Sachiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KatsudaToshizo en-aut-sei=Katsuda en-aut-mei=Toshizo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=GotandaRumi en-aut-sei=Gotanda en-aut-mei=Rumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=GotandaTatsuhiro en-aut-sei=Gotanda en-aut-mei=Tatsuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=KuwanoTadao en-aut-sei=Kuwano en-aut-mei=Tadao kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Radiological Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Radiological Technology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Medical Radiation Technology, Shizuoka College of Medicalcare Science kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Radiological Technology, Faculty of Health Science and Technology, Kawasaki University of Medical Welfare kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Radiological Technology, Faculty of Health Science and Technology, Kawasaki University of Medical Welfare kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Radiology, Osaka Center for Cancer and Cardiovascular Diseases Prevention kn-affil= en-keyword=Backside irradiation kn-keyword=Backside irradiation en-keyword=computed tomography kn-keyword=computed tomography en-keyword=reflective type radiochromic film kn-keyword=reflective type radiochromic film en-keyword=ultraviolet radiation kn-keyword=ultraviolet radiation END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol= cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page= end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250212 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Spatiotemporal expression pattern of dyslexia susceptibility 1 candidate 1 (DYX1C1) during rat cerebral cortex development en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background Developmental dyslexia (DD) is a common learning disorder with significant consequences for affected individuals. Although several candidate genes, including dyslexia susceptibility 1 candidate 1 (DYX1C1), have been implicated in dyslexia, their role in brain development remains unclear. We aimed to elucidate the spatiotemporal expression patterns of DYX1C1 during cerebral cortex development in rats.
Methods We investigated DYX1C1 expression during cerebral cortex development using rat embryos at various gestational stages (E13.5, 15.5, 17.5 and 20.5) by immunohistochemistry (n = 7 embryos/stage), quantitative real-time PCR (n = 6), and in situ hybridization (n = 11–15).
Results The DYX1C1-positive cells were predominantly located in the outermost layers of the cortical plate, particularly at E15.5. DYX1C1 mRNA expression peaked at E15.5 and subsequently declined. DYX1C1-positive cells did not co-localize with reelin-positive Cajal-Retzius cells, but co-localized with neuronal markers expressed during development, and had shorter primary cilia than DYX1C1-negative cells.
Conclusions Our findings highlight the dynamic expression of DYX1C1 in the developing cerebral cortex of rats, implicating its involvement in neurodevelopmental processes. Further investigation of the functional interactions of DYX1C1, particularly its relationship with reelin and its role in cerebrocortical and hippocampal development, may provide insights into the pathophysiology of dyslexia and neurodevelopmental disorders. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=ZenshoKazumasa en-aut-sei=Zensho en-aut-mei=Kazumasa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyazakiIkuko en-aut-sei=Miyazaki en-aut-mei=Ikuko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=IsseAika en-aut-sei=Isse en-aut-mei=Aika kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=MisawaIchika en-aut-sei=Misawa en-aut-mei=Ichika kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=MasaiKaori en-aut-sei=Masai en-aut-mei=Kaori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkaMakio en-aut-sei=Oka en-aut-mei=Makio kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=TsukaharaHirokazu en-aut-sei=Tsukahara en-aut-mei=Hirokazu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=AsanumaMasato en-aut-sei=Asanuma en-aut-mei=Masato kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Medical Neurobiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Medical Neurobiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Medical Neurobiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Medical Neurobiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Medical Neurobiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Psychosocial Medicine, National Center for Child Health and Development kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Pediatrics, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Medical Neurobiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=99 cd-vols= no-issue=3 article-no= start-page=e02166-24 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250213 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=A capsidless (+)RNA yadokarivirus hosted by a dsRNA virus is infectious as particles, cDNA, and dsRNA en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Capsidless yadokariviruses (members of the order Yadokarivirales) with (+)RNA genomes divert the capsid of their partner icosahedral double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) viruses in different families of the order Ghabrivirales into the replication site. A yadokarivirus, AfSV2, has been reported from a German strain of the ascomycete fungus Aspergillus foetidus coinfected by two dsRNA viruses, a victorivirus (AfSV1, family Pseudototiviridae) and an alternavirus (AfFV, family Alternaviridae). Here, we identified AfSV1 as the partner of AfSV2 in a Japanese A. foetidus strain after showing the infectiousness of AfSV2 in three forms: virus particles (heterocapsid), transforming full-length complementary DNA (cDNA), and purified replicated form (RF) dsRNA that is believed to be inactive as a translational template. Virion transfection of virus-free A. foetidus protoplasts resulted in the generation of two strains infected either by AfSV1 alone or by both AfSV1 and AfSV2. Transformants with AfSV2 full-length cDNA launched AfSV2 infection only in the presence of AfSV1, but not those with AfSV2 RNA-directed RNA polymerase mutant cDNA. The purified fractions containing AfSV2 RF dsRNA also launched infection when transfected into protoplasts infected by AfSV1. Treatment with dsRNA-specific RNase III, but not with proteinase K, S1 nuclease, or DNase I, abolished the infectivity of AfSV2 RF dsRNA. Furthermore, we confirmed the infectiousness of gel-purified AfSV2 RF dsRNA in the presence of AfSV1. Taken together, our results show the unique infectious entity of AfSV2 and the expansion of yadokarivirus partners in the family Pseudototiviridae and provide interesting evolutionary insights. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=FadliMuhammad en-aut-sei=Fadli en-aut-mei=Muhammad kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=HisanoSakae en-aut-sei=Hisano en-aut-mei=Sakae kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=NovoaGuy en-aut-sei=Novoa en-aut-mei=Guy kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=CastónJosé R. en-aut-sei=Castón en-aut-mei=José R. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=KondoHideki en-aut-sei=Kondo en-aut-mei=Hideki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=SuzukiNobuhiro en-aut-sei=Suzuki en-aut-mei=Nobuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Agrivirology Laboratory, Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Agrivirology Laboratory, Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Structure of Macromolecules, Centro Nacional Biotecnología (CNB-CSIC), Campus de Cantoblanco kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Structure of Macromolecules, Centro Nacional Biotecnología (CNB-CSIC), Campus de Cantoblanco kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Agrivirology Laboratory, Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Agrivirology Laboratory, Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=yadokarivirus kn-keyword=yadokarivirus en-keyword=hetero-encapsidation kn-keyword=hetero-encapsidation en-keyword=partner dsRNA virus kn-keyword=partner dsRNA virus en-keyword=fungal virus kn-keyword=fungal virus en-keyword=Aspergillus foetidus kn-keyword=Aspergillus foetidus en-keyword=neo-lifestyle kn-keyword=neo-lifestyle END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=26 cd-vols= no-issue=3 article-no= start-page=1007 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250124 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=LRP4 and Agrin Are Modulated by Cartilage Degeneration and Involved in β-Catenin Signaling in Human Articular Chondrocytes en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=We investigated the roles of low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP) 4 and its ligand Agrin in the pathophysiology of cartilage degeneration. Immunohistochemical analysis of human normal articular cartilage and cartilage tissues from patients with osteoarthritis (OA) obtained during surgery of the knee joint showed marked LRP4 expression in the early stages of OA, which then decreased with cartilage degeneration, whereas Agrin was consistently increased with cartilage degeneration. In normal human articular chondrocytes (NHACs), mild cyclic tensile strain (CTS) (0.5 Hz, 5% elongation, 2 h) increased the expression of LRP4 and aggrecan (ACAN), while intense CTS (0.5 Hz, 10% elongation, 6 h) increased the expression of Agrin without affecting LRP4 expression. Treatment with recombinant human (rh) Agrin downregulated the mRNA expression of LRP4 and ACAN, but upregulated the expression of LRP5/6, SRY-box transcription factor 9 (SOX9), Runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), and a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs-4 (ADAMTS-4). Immunocytochemistry and Western blot analysis showed that rhAgrin treatment upregulated the expression of β-catenin and SOX9. Agrin knockdown by siAGRN transfection partially reduced the nuclear protein expression of β-catenin, which was increased with intense CTS. LRP4 knockdown by siLRP4 transfection increased the expression of LRP5/6, SOX9, RUNX2, ADAMTS-4, and Agrin. These results suggested that intense CTS increases the expression of Agrin, which might interfere with the role of LRP4 in the inhibition of LRP5/6 and their downstream β-catenin signaling, leading to cartilage degeneration. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NaniwaShuichi en-aut-sei=Naniwa en-aut-mei=Shuichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishidaKeiichiro en-aut-sei=Nishida en-aut-mei=Keiichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=YoshidaAki en-aut-sei=Yoshida en-aut-mei=Aki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=NasuYoshihisa en-aut-sei=Nasu en-aut-mei=Yoshihisa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakaharaRyuichi en-aut-sei=Nakahara en-aut-mei=Ryuichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=OhtsukiTakashi en-aut-sei=Ohtsuki en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=HottaYoshifumi en-aut-sei=Hotta en-aut-mei=Yoshifumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShimizuNoriyuki en-aut-sei=Shimizu en-aut-mei=Noriyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=IchikawaChinatsu en-aut-sei=Ichikawa en-aut-mei=Chinatsu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=LinDeting en-aut-sei=Lin en-aut-mei=Deting kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=OtsukaNoriaki en-aut-sei=Otsuka en-aut-mei=Noriaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=OzakiToshifumi en-aut-sei=Ozaki en-aut-mei=Toshifumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Section of Medicine, Division of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Locomotive Pain Center, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Section of Medicine, Division of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Locomotive Pain Center, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Locomotive Pain Center, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Medical Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Sayo Central Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Section of Medicine, Division of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Section of Medicine, Division of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Section of Medicine, Division of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Section of Medicine, Division of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=osteoarthritis kn-keyword=osteoarthritis en-keyword=chondrocyte kn-keyword=chondrocyte en-keyword=mechanical stress kn-keyword=mechanical stress en-keyword=LRP4 kn-keyword=LRP4 en-keyword=Agrin kn-keyword=Agrin en-keyword=β-catenin kn-keyword=β-catenin en-keyword=SOX9 kn-keyword=SOX9 END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=60 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=vvae044 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=202501 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=The effects of soybeans and its derivatives on oral diseases: a narrative review en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Soybean is a widely utilized protein source that originated in China and has been associated with preventing and treating various diseases. Soy protein has been found to inhibit fat accumulation effectively, and soybeans contain isoflavones, saponins, phytic acid, and other substances with preventive and therapeutic effects on heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. Furthermore, processed soybean products, such as Avocado-Soybean unsaponifiable, Tempeh, and Bowman-Birk inhibitor, have demonstrated health benefits. These products have been shown to have antibacterial, antioxidant, and anticancer effects in oral diseases. Numerous experiments have provided evidence of the antibacterial, antioxidant, and anticancer effects of polyunsaturated fatty acids, isoflavones, and soybean polypeptides. This comprehensive review assesses the relationship and mechanism of soybeans and their derivatives on oral diseases, providing valuable insights into their prevention and treatment. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=CanyanKuang en-aut-sei=Canyan en-aut-mei=Kuang kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=AriasZulema Rosalia en-aut-sei=Arias en-aut-mei=Zulema Rosalia kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=OmoriKazuhiro en-aut-sei=Omori en-aut-mei=Kazuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamamotoTadashi en-aut-sei=Yamamoto en-aut-mei=Tadashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=Shinoda-ItoYuki en-aut-sei=Shinoda-Ito en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakashibaShogo en-aut-sei=Takashiba en-aut-mei=Shogo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Pathophysiology—Periodontal Science, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Pathophysiology—Periodontal Science, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Pathophysiology—Periodontal Science, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=The Center for Graduate Medical Education (Dental Division), Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Pathophysiology—Periodontal Science, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Pathophysiology—Periodontal Science, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=soybean kn-keyword=soybean en-keyword=soy products kn-keyword=soy products en-keyword=oral diseases kn-keyword=oral diseases en-keyword=dental application kn-keyword=dental application en-keyword=antibacterial effect kn-keyword=antibacterial effect en-keyword=antioxidant kn-keyword=antioxidant en-keyword=anticancer kn-keyword=anticancer END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol= cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page= end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250209 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Effects of caffeine on the longevity and locomotion activity of the common green bottle fly, Lucilia sericata (Diptera: Calliphoridae) en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The common green bottle fly, Lucilia sericata (Meigen) (Diptera: Calliphoridae), is a promising and useful managed pollinator for greenhouse agricultural crops. The fly can pollinate at lower and higher temperatures than European honeybee. However, management of the longevity of pollinators is important for growers using greenhouses. Previous studies using other insects showed that caffeine affects insect longevity and behaviors. For instance, European honeybee live longer and have increased memory after caffeine consumption. How caffeine affects the longevity and behavior of pollinators is worth investigating because it can affect pollinator’s behavior, extend longevity, or be an insecticide against pollinators. In the present study, therefore, the longevity and locomotion of L. sericata were investigated when they were given different caffeine concentrations. First, the longevity of L. sericata with five different caffeine concentrations was compared to the control. The results showed that higher concentrations of caffeine (2%, 1%, and 0.5%) significantly decreased the life span compared to lower concentrations (0.05% and 0.01%). Second, the locomotion activities of L. sericata were examined at those two caffeine concentrations with treated and control male and female flies utilizing a Drosophila Activity Monitor (DAM). Treatment with 0.05% caffeine dramatically reduced locomotion, but treatment of 0.01% caffeine did not. We also compared lipid concentrations of flies: flies treated with 0.05% caffeine had a lower lipid concentration compared to flies treated with 0% and 0.01% caffeine. These results indicate that caffeine had negative effects on the longevity and locomotion activities of the pollinator L. sericata in laboratory conditions. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NaingShine Shane en-aut-sei=Naing en-aut-mei=Shine Shane kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiokaHaruna en-aut-sei=Fujioka en-aut-mei=Haruna kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsuuraTeruhisa en-aut-sei=Matsuura en-aut-mei=Teruhisa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyatakeTakahisa en-aut-sei=Miyatake en-aut-mei=Takahisa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Caffeine kn-keyword=Caffeine en-keyword=Life span kn-keyword=Life span en-keyword=Locomotor activity kn-keyword=Locomotor activity en-keyword=Pollinator kn-keyword=Pollinator END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=106 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=103026 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=202506 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=The antimalarial activity of transdermal N-89 mediated by inhibiting ERC gene expression in P. Berghei-infected mice en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Through studies of new antimalarial drugs, we identified 1,2,6,7-tetraoxaspiro[7.11]nonadecane (N-89) as a potential drug candidate. Here, we analyzed the antimalarial action of a transdermal formulation (td) of N-89, designed for easy use by children, using Plasmodium berghei-infected mice as a model for malaria patients. The td N-89 or artemisinin (ART) formulation was transdermally administered to P. berghei-infected mice with 0.2–0.4 % parasitemia, twice daily for four days, at an effective dose of 90 % for malaria. Parasitemia was decreased in td N-89 and td ART groups during the drug treatment; then, three of the eight mice in td N-89 group were completely cured without relapse. Additionally, abnormal trophozoites in td N-89 group were observed 8 h after administration and increased up to 24 h. To study the change in endoplasmic reticulum-resident calcium-binding protein (ERC) gene expression with td N-89, we investigated the gene expression of P. berghei ERC (PbERC) after td N-89 treatment. PbERC gene expression was increased time-dependently in control group, and was statistically decreased at 4 and 8 h and then increased similar to that of control group at 12 h in td ART group. In contrast, the expression in td N-89 group was almost steady starting from 0 h. We also studied parasite egress-related genes expression after td N-89 treatment, plasmepsin X, subtilisin-like protease 1 and merozoite surface protein 1, were suppressed at 12 h compared to control group. These results suggest that N-89 affects function of endoplasmic reticulum via regulating gene suppression and subsequently parasite growth is inhibited. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MatsumoriHiroaki en-aut-sei=Matsumori en-aut-mei=Hiroaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=DinhThi Quyen en-aut-sei=Dinh en-aut-mei=Thi Quyen kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyoshiShin-ichi en-aut-sei=Miyoshi en-aut-mei=Shin-ichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=MoritaMasayuki en-aut-sei=Morita en-aut-mei=Masayuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=KimHye-Sook en-aut-sei=Kim en-aut-mei=Hye-Sook kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Division of International Infectious Diseases Control, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Division of International Infectious Diseases Control, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Research Center for Intestinal Health Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Anatomy, Kawasaki Medical School kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Division of International Infectious Diseases Control, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Synthetic antimalarial endoperoxide kn-keyword=Synthetic antimalarial endoperoxide en-keyword=Transdermal N-89 kn-keyword=Transdermal N-89 en-keyword=Artemisinin kn-keyword=Artemisinin en-keyword=In vivo kn-keyword=In vivo en-keyword=Abnormal trophozoite kn-keyword=Abnormal trophozoite en-keyword=Endoplasmic reticulum-resident calcium-binding protein (ERC) kn-keyword=Endoplasmic reticulum-resident calcium-binding protein (ERC) en-keyword=Parasite egress-related gene kn-keyword=Parasite egress-related gene END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=61 cd-vols= no-issue=24 article-no= start-page=4606 end-page=4620 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=2025 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Nano/microparticle-based tough and recyclable polymers toward a sustainable society en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=By virtue of their unique properties, polymer nano/microparticles constitute important building blocks for the construction of functional nanomaterials. Although intense research efforts in this field have laid the foundation for the applications of polymer nano/microparticle-based latex films, cutting-edge innovations in the recycling of polymer materials are still required for the realization of a sustainable society. This feature article reviews our recent attempts to develop the applications of polymer nano/microparticles in the context of a circular society on the basis of the precise synthesis of single nano/microparticles and multiscale structural analysis. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=SasakiYuma en-aut-sei=Sasaki en-aut-mei=Yuma kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishizawaYuichiro en-aut-sei=Nishizawa en-aut-mei=Yuichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KurehaTakuma en-aut-sei=Kureha en-aut-mei=Takuma kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=SuzukiDaisuke en-aut-sei=Suzuki en-aut-mei=Daisuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Frontier Materials Chemistry, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Hirosaki University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=18 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=376 end-page=382 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250205 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=A case of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma growing within the pancreatic duct mimicking an intraductal tubulopapillary neoplasm en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=We herein report a case of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) that developed within the pancreatic duct and was initially diagnosed as an intraductal tubulopapillary neoplasm (ITPN). A 76-year-old man presented with weight loss and main pancreatic duct dilation. The imaging studies revealed a 30-mm hypovascular tumor within the main duct of the pancreatic head. An endoscopic examination with a biopsy revealed high-grade atypical epithelial cells with immunostaining patterns suggestive of ITPN. Following robot-assisted pancreaticoduodenectomy, postoperative pathology revealed conflicting features: nodular/cribriform infiltrations typical of ITPN and non-lobular replacement with scattered infiltrations characteristic of PDAC. A comprehensive genomic profiling test detected KRAS and TP53 mutations, leading to the final diagnosis of PDAC (fT3N1aM0, stage IIB). The patient received adjuvant S-1 chemotherapy and remained recurrence-free for 15 months post-surgery. This case highlights the diagnostic challenges of differentiating intraductal pancreatic tumors and demonstrates the utility of integrating genetic testing with conventional diagnostic modalities for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment selection. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=SatoRyosuke en-aut-sei=Sato en-aut-mei=Ryosuke 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=UkaMayu en-aut-sei=Uka en-aut-mei=Mayu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakagiKosei en-aut-sei=Takagi en-aut-mei=Kosei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishidaKenji en-aut-sei=Nishida en-aut-mei=Kenji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 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=6 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=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=TsutsumiKoichiro en-aut-sei=Tsutsumi en-aut-mei=Koichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=HoriguchiShigeru en-aut-sei=Horiguchi en-aut-mei=Shigeru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=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 Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Radiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Pathology, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Science, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Pathology, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Science, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 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=Pancreatic intraductal neoplasms kn-keyword=Pancreatic intraductal neoplasms en-keyword=Pancreatic carcinoma kn-keyword=Pancreatic carcinoma en-keyword=Intraductal tubulopapillary neoplasm kn-keyword=Intraductal tubulopapillary neoplasm en-keyword=Genetic testing kn-keyword=Genetic testing END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=25 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=199 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250208 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Establishment of a rapid and quantitative method for detecting the range of infection exposure in preclinical dental education en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Backgrounds Safe dental treatments that prevent nosocomial and cross-infections are essential for patients and dental workers. However, dental students sometimes pay inadequate attention to infection control, especially in preclinical practice, because of too much focus on technical training, such as the use of equipment, etc. The spread of infections such as SARS-CoV-2, antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and oral bacteria are sometimes lethal for medically compromised patients. Thus, the rapid and inexpensive detection system to detect and measure dental practice-related infection spread during preclinical treatment is highly desired for dental education. This study aimed to establish a method to quantify and visualize infected areas using dental phantoms for safe and effective preclinical dental practices.
Methods At first, we developed artificial saliva as an in vitro study, including food-derived bacteria and fluorescence dye, which is safe for application to preclinical practice education. In vitro study, the correlation between adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels and Lactobacillus colony numbers in yogurt was examined using the ATP fluorescent method, with colony counting on yogurt only and a mixture of yogurt and ultraviolet (UV)-sensitive hand lotion. The mixed liquid of yogurt and hand lotion was used as artificial saliva. Second, we used this artificial saliva in preclinical education. The degree of contamination of personal protective equipment and dental chairs in preclinical practice using this artificial saliva was determined using the ATP fluorescent method and measuring the luminescence areas among 10 dentists, 10 dental residents, and 10 fifth-grade dental students.
Results ATP levels and Lactobacillus colony numbers in yogurt were positively correlated with yogurt alone and a mixture of yogurt and UV-sensitive hand lotions (correlation coefficient & efDot; 1). Preclinical education using a mixture of artificial saliva successfully quantified and visualized infectious areas and droplets, which revealed significant differences in ATP amounts in personal protective equipment among groups according to years of experience as dental practitioners (p < 0.05).
Conclusions An education system for infection control constructed using artificial saliva containing Lactobacillus and a UV-sensitive fluorescent hand lotion quantified the infectious areas and degrees. Thus, this method is effective in preclinical practice using dental phantoms. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=UedaAyaka en-aut-sei=Ueda en-aut-mei=Ayaka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=Shinoda-ItoYuki en-aut-sei=Shinoda-Ito en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=Takeuchi-HatanakaKazu en-aut-sei=Takeuchi-Hatanaka en-aut-mei=Kazu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=ItoTakashi en-aut-sei=Ito en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=OnoShintaro en-aut-sei=Ono en-aut-mei=Shintaro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=HiraiKimito en-aut-sei=Hirai en-aut-mei=Kimito kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=OmoriKazuhiro en-aut-sei=Omori en-aut-mei=Kazuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamamotoTadashi en-aut-sei=Yamamoto en-aut-mei=Tadashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakashibaShogo en-aut-sei=Takashiba en-aut-mei=Shogo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Pathophysiology-Periodontal Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Pathophysiology-Periodontal Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Periodontics and Endodontics, Division of Dentistry, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Center for Innovative Clinical Medicine, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Pathophysiology-Periodontal Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Pathophysiology-Periodontal Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Pathophysiology-Periodontal Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=The Center for Graduate Medical Education (Dental Division), Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Pathophysiology-Periodontal Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Dental education kn-keyword=Dental education en-keyword=Infection control kn-keyword=Infection control en-keyword=Fluorescent dye kn-keyword=Fluorescent dye en-keyword=Adenosine triphosphate kn-keyword=Adenosine triphosphate en-keyword=Lactobacillus kn-keyword=Lactobacillus END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=5 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=12 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250208 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Voice analysis and deep learning for detecting mental disorders in pregnant women: a cross-sectional study en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Introduction Perinatal mental disorders are prevalent, affecting 10-20% of pregnant women, and can negatively impact both maternal and neonatal outcomes. Traditional screening tools, such as the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), present limitations due to subjectivity and time constraints in clinical settings. Recent advances in voice analysis and machine learning have shown potential for providing more objective screening methods. This study aimed to develop a deep learning model that analyzes the voices of pregnant women to screen for mental disorders, thereby offering an alternative to the traditional tools.
Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 204 pregnant women, from whom voice samples were collected during their one-month postpartum checkup. The audio data were preprocessed into 5000 ms intervals, converted into mel-spectrograms, and augmented using TrivialAugment and context-rich minority oversampling. The EfficientFormer V2-L model, pretrained on ImageNet, was employed with transfer learning for classification. The hyperparameters were optimized using Optuna, and an ensemble learning approach was used for the final predictions. The model's performance was compared to that of the EPDS in terms of sensitivity, specificity, and other diagnostic metrics.
Results Of the 172 participants analyzed (149 without mental disorders and 23 with mental disorders), the voice-based model demonstrated a sensitivity of 1.00 and a recall of 0.82, outperforming the EPDS in these areas. However, the EPDS exhibited higher specificity (0.97) and precision (0.84). No significant difference was observed in the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve between the two methods (p = 0.759).
Discussion The voice-based model showed higher sensitivity and recall, suggesting that it may be more effective in identifying at-risk individuals than the EPDS. Machine learning and voice analysis are promising objective screening methods for mental disorders during pregnancy, potentially improving early detection.
Conclusion We developed a lightweight machine learning model to analyze pregnant women's voices for screening various mental disorders, achieving high sensitivity and demonstrating the potential of voice analysis as an effective and objective tool in perinatal mental health care. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=OobaHikaru en-aut-sei=Ooba en-aut-mei=Hikaru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MakiJota en-aut-sei=Maki en-aut-mei=Jota kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MasuyamaHisashi en-aut-sei=Masuyama en-aut-mei=Hisashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=Perinatal mental disorders kn-keyword=Perinatal mental disorders en-keyword=Voice analysis kn-keyword=Voice analysis en-keyword=Machine learning kn-keyword=Machine learning en-keyword=Screening kn-keyword=Screening en-keyword=Pregnant women kn-keyword=Pregnant women END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=74 cd-vols= no-issue=3 article-no= start-page=96 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250204 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Cancer-associated fibroblasts promote pro-tumor functions of neutrophils in pancreatic cancer via IL-8: potential suppression by pirfenidone en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background The mechanisms by which neutrophils acquire pro-tumor properties remain poorly understood. In pancreatic cancer, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) may interact with neutrophils, directing them to promote tumor progression.
Methods To validate the association between CAFs and neutrophils, the localization of neutrophils was examined in clinically resected pancreatic cancer specimens. CAFs were produced by culturing in cancer-conditioned media, and the effects of these CAFs on neutrophils were examined. In vitro migration and invasion assays assess the effect of CAF-activated neutrophils on cancer cells. The factors secreted by the activated neutrophils were also explored. Finally, pirfenidone (PFD) was tested to determine whether it could suppress the pro-tumor functions of activated neutrophils.
Results In pancreatic cancer specimens, neutrophils tended to co-localize with IL-6-positive CAFs. Neutrophils co-cultured with CAFs increased migratory capacity and prolonged life span. CAF-affected neutrophils enhance the migratory and invasive activities of pancreatic cancer cells. IL-8 is the most upregulated cytokine secreted by the neutrophils. PFD suppresses IL-8 secretion from CAF-stimulated neutrophils and mitigates the malignant traits of pancreatic cancer cells.
Conclusion CAFs activate neutrophils and enhance the malignant phenotype of pancreatic cancer. The interactions between cancer cells, CAFs, and neutrophils can be disrupted by PFD, highlighting a potential therapeutic approach. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=YagiTomohiko en-aut-sei=Yagi en-aut-mei=Tomohiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KagawaShunsuke en-aut-sei=Kagawa en-aut-mei=Shunsuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=NogiShohei en-aut-sei=Nogi en-aut-mei=Shohei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=TaniguchiAtsuki en-aut-sei=Taniguchi en-aut-mei=Atsuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=YoshimotoMasashi en-aut-sei=Yoshimoto en-aut-mei=Masashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=SuemoriKanto en-aut-sei=Suemori en-aut-mei=Kanto kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=NagaiYasuo en-aut-sei=Nagai en-aut-mei=Yasuo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujitaShuto en-aut-sei=Fujita en-aut-mei=Shuto kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=KurodaShinji en-aut-sei=Kuroda en-aut-mei=Shinji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=KikuchiSatoru en-aut-sei=Kikuchi en-aut-mei=Satoru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=KakiuchiYoshihiko en-aut-sei=Kakiuchi en-aut-mei=Yoshihiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=TeraishiFuminori en-aut-sei=Teraishi en-aut-mei=Fuminori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakagiKosei en-aut-sei=Takagi en-aut-mei=Kosei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= en-aut-name=OharaToshiaki en-aut-sei=Ohara en-aut-mei=Toshiaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=14 ORCID= en-aut-name=TazawaHiroshi en-aut-sei=Tazawa en-aut-mei=Hiroshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=15 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiwaraToshiyoshi en-aut-sei=Fujiwara en-aut-mei=Toshiyoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=16 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=14 en-affil=Departments of Pathology and Experimental Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=15 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=16 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=Cancer-associated fibroblasts kn-keyword=Cancer-associated fibroblasts en-keyword=Neutrophil kn-keyword=Neutrophil en-keyword=Anti-fibrotic agent kn-keyword=Anti-fibrotic agent en-keyword=Pirfenidone kn-keyword=Pirfenidone END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=69 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=1 end-page=9 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250204 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Relationships between tilt angles of rectus muscles and positions of rectus muscle pulleys in patients with sagging eye syndrome en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Purpose To examine the relationship between the rectus muscle (RM) angle and RM pulley displacement in patients with sagging eye syndrome (SES) without myopia.
Study design Retrospective cross-sectional case series.
Methods High-resolution quasi-coronal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data from 20 orbits of ten Japanese patients with SES but without high myopia were analyzed. The patients had no abduction deficiency. The RM angles were measured between the major axes of the horizontal and vertical RMs relative to the vertical and horizontal planes, respectively. The positions of the RM pulleys relative to the center of the globe were analyzed as previously described.
Results The mean age of the patients was 75.8 ± 4.5 years (standard deviation). The average axial length was 23.6 ± 0.6 mm. The lateral rectus (LR) muscle angle (22 ± 6°) had moderate negative correlations with the inferior displacement of the inferior rectus (IR), superior rectus (SR), and LR pulleys (r =– 0.63,– 0.45, and– 0.45, respectively); however, no change was observed in the medial rectus (MR) pulley (r =– 0.41). No correlations were found between the angles of the SR (4 ± 8°), IR (– 13 ± 8°), and MR (– 1 ± 6°) muscles and the positions of the RM pulleys.
Conclusion Given the correlation between increased LR muscle angle and inferior displacement of adjacent RM pulleys in SES, the LR muscle angle may serve as a diagnostic clue, even when inferior displacement is not identifiable on MRI. Further confirmation in larger studies is warranted. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KonoReika en-aut-sei=Kono en-aut-mei=Reika kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=HamasakiIchiro en-aut-sei=Hamasaki en-aut-mei=Ichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KishimotoFumiko en-aut-sei=Kishimoto en-aut-mei=Fumiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShibataKiyo en-aut-sei=Shibata en-aut-mei=Kiyo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=MorisawaShin en-aut-sei=Morisawa en-aut-mei=Shin kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=MorizaneYuki en-aut-sei=Morizane en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Ophthalmology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Ophthalmology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Division of Ophthalmology, Ibara City Hospital, Ibara City kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Ophthalmology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Ophthalmology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Ophthalmology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=Orbital pulley kn-keyword=Orbital pulley en-keyword=Sagging eye syndrome kn-keyword=Sagging eye syndrome en-keyword=Distance esotropia kn-keyword=Distance esotropia en-keyword=Cyclovertical strabismus kn-keyword=Cyclovertical strabismus en-keyword=Aging kn-keyword=Aging 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=20250128 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Wake Not a Sleeping Lion: Free Trade Agreements and Decision Rights in Multinationals en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Free trade agreements with rules of origin affect the location of input production for vertically integrated multinational enterprises. The relocation induced by a free trade agreement changes the allocation of decision rights within multinational enterprises and the purpose of transfer pricing from avoiding high taxes to strengthening their product market competitiveness. This study shows that a free trade agreement with rules of origin may hurt both a multinational enterprise and a local firm, despite tariff elimination, when the relocation occurs and the decision rights change from centralization to decentralization. Moreover, such a free trade agreement can hurt consumers. Nevertheless, rules of origin increase the feasibility of free trade agreements due to larger tax revenues. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MukunokiHiroshi en-aut-sei=Mukunoki en-aut-mei=Hiroshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkoshiHirofumi en-aut-sei=Okoshi en-aut-mei=Hirofumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Faculty of Economics, Gakushuin University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Faculty of Economics, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=free trade agreements kn-keyword=free trade agreements en-keyword=managerial incentives kn-keyword=managerial incentives en-keyword=rules of origin kn-keyword=rules of origin en-keyword=transfer pricing kn-keyword=transfer pricing 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=20250130 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Management Strategies for Truncus Arteriosus: A Comparative Analysis of Staged vs. Primary Repair en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=We reviewed the outcomes of truncus arteriosus repair (primary vs. staged repair incorporating bilateral pulmonary artery banding), focusing on survival, reintervention, and functional data. We analyzed 39 patients who underwent a first intervention for truncus arteriosus (staged, n = 19; primary, n = 20) between 1992 and 2022. The median follow-up period was 8.0 (2.2–13.2) years. Survival, freedom from reoperation, and freedom from catheter intervention were estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method. High-risk patients were defined as those with a weight ≤ 2.5 kg, ≥ moderate truncal valve regurgitation, interrupted aortic arch, or preoperative shock. In the staged group, patients with a median weight of 2.6 kg had a median intensive care unit stay of 5 days and no hospital mortality after bilateral pulmonary artery banding. At repair, the staged group had a larger conduit for the right ventricular outflow tract (14 vs. 12 mm; P = .008). Catheter intervention on the branch pulmonary artery was required in 67% of patients in the staged group, but right ventricular end-diastolic pressure at follow-up was comparable between the groups (P = .541). Survival rates were higher among high-risk patients in the staged group (87.5% vs. 21.4% at 15 years; P = .004) but were comparable between groups for standard-risk patients (P = 1.000). Bilateral pulmonary artery banding was a safe, effective procedure. Reintervention for branch pulmonary artery was common but did not affect functional outcomes. Staged repair may play a pivotal role regarding survival in high-risk patients, and risk stratification is vital. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KobayashiYasuyuki en-aut-sei=Kobayashi en-aut-mei=Yasuyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=SanoShunji en-aut-sei=Sano en-aut-mei=Shunji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=NarumiyaYuto en-aut-sei=Narumiya en-aut-mei=Yuto kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=KimuraAyari en-aut-sei=Kimura en-aut-mei=Ayari kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=SuzukiEtsuji en-aut-sei=Suzuki en-aut-mei=Etsuji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 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=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= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery, Showa University Hospital Toyosu kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Epidemiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Okayama University 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= en-keyword=Truncus arteriosus kn-keyword=Truncus arteriosus en-keyword=Staged repair kn-keyword=Staged repair en-keyword=Primary repair kn-keyword=Primary repair en-keyword=Pulmonary artery banding kn-keyword=Pulmonary artery banding en-keyword=Risk stratification kn-keyword=Risk stratification END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=15 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=2485 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250120 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Cesarean delivery on child health and development in Japanese nationwide birth cohort en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The long-term effects of cesarean delivery (CD) on child health and development remain controversial. This study aimed to investigate these effects using an outcome-wide approach in a Japanese context, where perinatal mortality rates are among the world's lowest. We analyzed data from 2,114 children in a nationwide Japanese birth cohort, linking the 21st Century Longitudinal Survey of Newborns with the Perinatal Research Network database. We examined associations between CD and various health and developmental outcomes up to 9 years of age, including hospitalizations, obesity, and developmental milestones. After adjusting for potential confounders, CD was not significantly associated with most outcomes, including all-cause hospitalization (adjusted risk ratio 1.25, 95% CI 0.997-1.56), obesity at 5.5 and 9 years, and various developmental milestones. Subgroup analyses for multiple births and preterm infants showed some differences in point estimates, but were limited by small sample sizes. CD was not significantly associated with adverse long-term child health or developmental outcomes in this Japanese cohort. These findings provide reassurance regarding CD safety when medically indicated in advanced perinatal care settings. Further research with larger samples and longer follow-up is needed, especially for specific subgroups. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MatsumotoNaomi en-aut-sei=Matsumoto en-aut-mei=Naomi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MitsuiTakashi en-aut-sei=Mitsui en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=TamaiKei en-aut-sei=Tamai en-aut-mei=Kei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=HirotaTomoya en-aut-sei=Hirota en-aut-mei=Tomoya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=MasuyamaHisashi en-aut-sei=Masuyama en-aut-mei=Hisashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=YorifujiTakashi en-aut-sei=Yorifuji en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Division of Neonatology, NHO Okayama Medical Center kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California San Francisco kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Cesarean delivery kn-keyword=Cesarean delivery en-keyword=Delivery methods kn-keyword=Delivery methods en-keyword=Long-term outcome kn-keyword=Long-term outcome en-keyword=Child development kn-keyword=Child development en-keyword=Outcome-wide approach kn-keyword=Outcome-wide approach END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=13 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=e70168 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250202 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Crowned Dens Syndrome Triggered by Dental Treatment en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Crowned dens syndrome (CDS) is an important yet often overlooked cause of fever and neck pain, frequently leading to unnecessary examinations and treatments and misdiagnosis as infectious diseases or rheumatic diseases. The mechanism of an acute attack of CDS is not clarified completely, while it is considered that severe systemic stress can trigger inflammation caused by calcium pyrophosphate crystals. We describe a case of CDS triggered by localized physical stress to the neck and emphasize the importance of considering this condition in cases of fever and neck pain following dental treatment. 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=OtsukaYuki en-aut-sei=Otsuka en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MasudaYohei en-aut-sei=Masuda en-aut-mei=Yohei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=SoejimaYoshiaki en-aut-sei=Soejima en-aut-mei=Yoshiaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=OtsukaFumio en-aut-sei=Otsuka en-aut-mei=Fumio kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of 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= en-keyword=calcium pyrophosphate crystal deposition disease kn-keyword=calcium pyrophosphate crystal deposition disease en-keyword=crowned dens syndrome kn-keyword=crowned dens syndrome en-keyword=dental treatment kn-keyword=dental treatment en-keyword=fever kn-keyword=fever en-keyword=neck pain kn-keyword=neck pain END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=4 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=e70062 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250202 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Trends in uptake of cancer screening among people with severe mental illness before and after the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan: A repeated cross-sectional study en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate trends in cancer screening participation among people with severe mental illness (PSMI) from periods before and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods: In this repeated cross-sectional study, we used anonymized datasets on municipal cancer screening participation among PSMI in Okayama City. The data covered fiscal year (FY) 2018 to FY2022; we used the municipal cancer screening database and Medical Payment for Services and Supports for Persons with Disabilities. PSMI were defined as those with schizophrenia or related psychotic disorders (F20-29) or bipolar disorder (F30 or F31), identified using International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, codes. The analysis included men and women aged 40-69 years for colorectal and lung cancer screening; men and women aged 50-69 years for gastric cancer screening; women aged 40-69 years for breast cancer screening; and women aged 20-69 years for cervical cancer screening. Municipal cancer screening rates among PSMI were calculated for each FY.
Results: For all cancer types, cancer screening rates for PSMI in FY2020 (colorectal: 9.0%; lung: 11.6%; gastric: 4.9%; breast: 6.2%; and cervical: 6.1%) were lower than the rates in FY2019 (11.5%, 14.0%, 6.5%, 9.3%, and 8.3%, respectively). In FY2022, the rates (9.9%, 12.9%; 5.3%; 8.0%, and 6.9%, respectively) recovered, but remained low.
Conclusion: This study showed that cancer screening rates among PSMI were very low, both before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Efforts to encourage participation in cancer screening in this population are urgently needed. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=YamadaYuto en-aut-sei=Yamada en-aut-mei=Yuto kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiwaraMasaki en-aut-sei=Fujiwara en-aut-mei=Masaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakayaNaoki en-aut-sei=Nakaya en-aut-mei=Naoki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=OtsukiKoji en-aut-sei=Otsuki en-aut-mei=Koji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShimazuTaichi en-aut-sei=Shimazu en-aut-mei=Taichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujimoriMaiko en-aut-sei=Fujimori en-aut-mei=Maiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=HinotsuShiro en-aut-sei=Hinotsu en-aut-mei=Shiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=NagoshiKiwamu en-aut-sei=Nagoshi en-aut-mei=Kiwamu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=UchitomiYosuke en-aut-sei=Uchitomi en-aut-mei=Yosuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=InagakiMasatoshi en-aut-sei=Inagaki en-aut-mei=Masatoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Neuropsychiatry, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Neuropsychiatry, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization, Tohoku University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Shimane University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Division of Behavioral Sciences, National Cancer Center Institute for Cancer Control, National Cancer Center kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Division of Survivorship Research, National Cancer Center Institute for Cancer Control, National Cancer Center kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Biostatistics and Data Management, Sapporo Medical University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Shimane University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Cancer Survivorship and Digital Medicine, The Jikei University School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Shimane University kn-affil= en-keyword=bipolar disorder kn-keyword=bipolar disorder en-keyword=cancer screening kn-keyword=cancer screening en-keyword=COVID-19 kn-keyword=COVID-19 en-keyword=healthcare disparities kn-keyword=healthcare disparities en-keyword=schizophrenia kn-keyword=schizophrenia END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=13 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=RP99858 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241031 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Structural basis for molecular assembly of fucoxanthin chlorophyll a/c-binding proteins in a diatom photosystem I supercomplex en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Photosynthetic organisms exhibit remarkable diversity in their light-harvesting complexes (LHCs). LHCs are associated with photosystem I (PSI), forming a PSI-LHCI supercomplex. The number of LHCI subunits, along with their protein sequences and pigment compositions, has been found to differ greatly among the PSI-LHCI structures. However, the mechanisms by which LHCIs recognize their specific binding sites within the PSI core remain unclear. In this study, we determined the cryo-electron microscopy structure of a PSI supercomplex incorporating fucoxanthin chlorophyll a/c-binding proteins (FCPs), designated as PSI-FCPI, isolated from the diatom Thalassiosira pseudonana CCMP1335. Structural analysis of PSI-FCPI revealed five FCPI subunits associated with a PSI monomer; these subunits were identified as RedCAP, Lhcr3, Lhcq10, Lhcf10, and Lhcq8. Through structural and sequence analyses, we identified specific protein-protein interactions at the interfaces between FCPI and PSI subunits, as well as among FCPI subunits themselves. Comparative structural analyses of PSI-FCPI supercomplexes, combined with phylogenetic analysis of FCPs from T. pseudonana and the diatom Chaetoceros gracilis, underscore the evolutionary conservation of protein motifs crucial for the selective binding of individual FCPI subunits. These findings provide significant insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the assembly and selective binding of FCPIs in diatoms. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KatoKoji en-aut-sei=Kato en-aut-mei=Koji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakajimaYoshiki en-aut-sei=Nakajima en-aut-mei=Yoshiki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=XingJian en-aut-sei=Xing en-aut-mei=Jian kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=KumazawaMinoru en-aut-sei=Kumazawa en-aut-mei=Minoru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=OgawaHaruya en-aut-sei=Ogawa en-aut-mei=Haruya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShenJian-Ren en-aut-sei=Shen en-aut-mei=Jian-Ren kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=IfukuKentaro en-aut-sei=Ifuku en-aut-mei=Kentaro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=NagaoRyo en-aut-sei=Nagao en-aut-mei=Ryo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Faculty of Agriculture, Shizuoka University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=5 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=e70073 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250129 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Efficacy and safety of endoscopic ultrasonography-guided radiofrequency ablation of small pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms: A prospective, pilot study en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Objectives: Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS)-guided radiofrequency ablation has recently been introduced as one of the management strategies for small pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (PNENs). However, prospective data on its safety and efficacy remain limited.
Methods: This prospective pilot study was conducted at Okayama University Hospital from May 2023 to December 2024. Patients with grade 1 PNENs <= 15 mm, confirmed by EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration, were included. The primary endpoint was safety (adverse events [AEs] evaluated according to the 2010 guidelines of the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. Severe AEs were defined as moderate or higher in American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy grading and grade >= 3. Secondary endpoints included efficacy (complete response on contrast-enhanced computed tomography at 1 and 6 months), treatment details, device failure, diabetes mellitus exacerbation, and overall survival at 6 months.
Results: Five patients with non-functional PNENs (median age: 64 years; median tumor size: 10 mm) were treated. AEs occurred in two patients (40%, 2/5), although none was severe. Both patients developed asymptomatic pseudocysts, one experienced mild pancreatitis, and both resolved with conservative treatment. The complete response rates on contrast-enhanced computed tomography at one and 6 months were 100%. The median procedure time was 16 min without any device failure, and the median hospitalization was 5 days. None of the patients developed new-onset or worsening diabetes mellitus. The 6-month overall survival rate was 100%.
Conclusion: EUS-guided radiofrequency ablation demonstrated a high complete response rate with no severe AEs in this pilot study, suggesting a minimally invasive option for small, low-grade PNENs (jRCTs062230014). en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MatsumotoKazuyuki en-aut-sei=Matsumoto en-aut-mei=Kazuyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=UchidaDaisuke en-aut-sei=Uchida en-aut-mei=Daisuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakeuchiYasuto en-aut-sei=Takeuchi en-aut-mei=Yasuto kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=KatoHironari en-aut-sei=Kato en-aut-mei=Hironari kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiiYuki en-aut-sei=Fujii en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=HaradaKei en-aut-sei=Harada en-aut-mei=Kei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=HattoriNao en-aut-sei=Hattori en-aut-mei=Nao kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 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=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=ObataTaisuke en-aut-sei=Obata en-aut-mei=Taisuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 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=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyamotoKazuya en-aut-sei=Miyamoto en-aut-mei=Kazuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=HoriguchiShigeru en-aut-sei=Horiguchi en-aut-mei=Shigeru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=TsutsumiKoichiro en-aut-sei=Tsutsumi en-aut-mei=Koichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= en-aut-name=YasuiKazuya en-aut-sei=Yasui en-aut-mei=Kazuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=14 ORCID= en-aut-name=HaradaRyo en-aut-sei=Harada en-aut-mei=Ryo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=15 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiiMasakuni en-aut-sei=Fujii en-aut-mei=Masakuni kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=16 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=17 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 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= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=14 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Transplant and Surgical Oncology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=15 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology, Japanese Red Cross Okayama Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=16 en-affil=Department of Internal Medicine, Okayama Saiseikai General Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=17 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= en-keyword=ablation techniques kn-keyword=ablation techniques en-keyword=endosonography kn-keyword=endosonography en-keyword=neuroendocrine tumors kn-keyword=neuroendocrine tumors en-keyword=pancreatic neoplasms kn-keyword=pancreatic neoplasms en-keyword=pilot projects kn-keyword=pilot projects END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=26 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=38 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250124 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Exacerbation of diabetes due to F. Nucleatum LPS-induced SGLT2 overexpression in the renal proximal tubular epithelial cells en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background Diabetes treatments by the control of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) is commonly conducted while there are still uncertainties about the mechanisms for the SGLT2 overexpression in kidneys with diabetes. Previously, we have reported that glomeruli and proximal tubules with diabetic nephropathy express toll-like receptor TLR2/4, and that the TLR ligand lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of periodontal pathogens have caused nephropathy in diabetic model mice. Recently, many researchers suggested that the periodontal pathogenic bacteria Fusobacterium (F.) nucleatum has the TLR4-associated strong activator of the colorectal inflammation and cancer. The present study aimed to investigate the possibility of F. nucleatum as an exacerbation factor of diabetes through the renal SGLT2 induction.
Methods The induction of the SGLT2 by F. nucleatum LPS (Fn-LPS) were investigated in the streptozotocin-induced diabetic mouse renal tissue and cultured renal proximal epithelial cells. The changes of blood glucose levels and survival curves in diabetic mice with Fn-LPS were analyzed. The Fn-LPS-induced SGLT2 production in the diabetic mouse renal tissue and in the cultured proximal epithelial cells was examined by ELISA, quantitative RT-PCR, and immunohistochemical analysis.
Results The SGLT2 expression in the cultured mouse tubular epithelial cells was significantly increased by TNF- or co-culture with Fn-LPS-supplemented J774.1 cells. The period to reach diabetic condition was significantly shorter in Fn-LPS-administered diabetic mice than in diabetic mice. All Fn-LPS-administered-diabetic mice reached humane endpoints during the healthy period of all of the mice administered Fn-LPS only. The promotion of the SGLT2 expression at the inner lumen of proximal tubules were stronger in the Fn-LPS-administered-diabetic mice than in diabetic mice. The renal tissue SGLT2 mRNA amounts and the number of renal proximal tubules with overexpressed SGLT2 in the lumen were more in the Fn-LPS-administered-diabetic mice than in diabetic mice.
Conclusions This study suggests that F. nucleatum causes the promotion of diabetes through the overexpression of SGLT2 in proximal tubules under the diabetic condition. Periodontitis with F. nucleatum may be a diabetic exacerbating factor. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=SekiAiko en-aut-sei=Seki en-aut-mei=Aiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KajiwaraKoichiro en-aut-sei=Kajiwara en-aut-mei=Koichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=TeramachiJumpei en-aut-sei=Teramachi en-aut-mei=Jumpei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=EgusaMasahiko en-aut-sei=Egusa en-aut-mei=Masahiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyawakiTakuya en-aut-sei=Miyawaki en-aut-mei=Takuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=SawaYoshihiko en-aut-sei=Sawa en-aut-mei=Yoshihiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Oral Growth & Development, Fukuoka Dental College kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Oral Function & Anatomy, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Dental Anesthesiology & Special Care Dentistry, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Dental Anesthesiology & Special Care Dentistry, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Oral Function & Anatomy, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= en-keyword=F. Nucleatum kn-keyword=F. Nucleatum en-keyword=Diabetic exacerbation kn-keyword=Diabetic exacerbation en-keyword=Diabetic nephropathy kn-keyword=Diabetic nephropathy en-keyword=SGLT2 kn-keyword=SGLT2 END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=15 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=3267 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250125 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Novel treatment strategy targeting interleukin-6 induced by cancer associated fibroblasts for peritoneal metastasis of gastric cancer en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are a crucial component in the tumor microenvironment (TME) of peritoneal metastasis (PM), where they contribute to tumor progression and metastasis via secretion of interleukin-6 (IL-6). Here, we investigated the role of IL-6 in PM of gastric cancer (GC) and assessed whether anti-IL-6 receptor antibody (anti-IL-6R Ab) could inhibit PM of GC. We conducted immunohistochemical analysis of IL-6 and alpha-smooth muscle (alpha-SMA) expressions in clinical samples of GC and PM, and investigated the interactions between CAFs and GC cells in vitro. Anti-tumor effects of anti-IL-6R Ab on PM of GC were investigated in an orthotopic murine PM model. IL-6 expression was significantly correlated with alpha-SMA expression in clinical samples of GC, and higher IL-6 expression in the primary tumor was associated with poor prognosis of GC. Higher IL-6 and alpha-SMA expressions were also observed in PM of GC. In vitro, differentiation of fibroblasts into CAFs and chemoresistance were observed in GC cells cocultured with fibroblasts. Anti-IL-6R Ab inhibited the progression of PM in GC cells cocultured with fibroblasts in the orthotopic mouse model but could not inhibit the progression of PM consisting of GC cells alone. IL-6 expression in the TME was associated with poor prognosis of GC, and CAFs were associated with establishment and progression of PM via IL-6. Anti-IL-6R Ab could inhibit PM of GC by the blockade of IL-6 secreted by CAFs, which suggests its therapeutic potential for PM of GC. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MitsuiEma en-aut-sei=Mitsui en-aut-mei=Ema kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KikuchiSatoru en-aut-sei=Kikuchi en-aut-mei=Satoru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkuraTomohiro en-aut-sei=Okura en-aut-mei=Tomohiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=TazawaHiroshi en-aut-sei=Tazawa en-aut-mei=Hiroshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=UneYuta en-aut-sei=Une en-aut-mei=Yuta kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishiwakiNoriyuki en-aut-sei=Nishiwaki en-aut-mei=Noriyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=KurodaShinji en-aut-sei=Kuroda en-aut-mei=Shinji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=NomaKazuhiro en-aut-sei=Noma en-aut-mei=Kazuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=KagawaShunsuke en-aut-sei=Kagawa en-aut-mei=Shunsuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=OharaToshiaki en-aut-sei=Ohara en-aut-mei=Toshiaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=OhtsukaJunko en-aut-sei=Ohtsuka en-aut-mei=Junko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=OhkiRieko en-aut-sei=Ohki en-aut-mei=Rieko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiwaraToshiyoshi en-aut-sei=Fujiwara en-aut-mei=Toshiyoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Laboratory of Fundamental Oncology, National Cancer Center Research Institute kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Laboratory of Fundamental Oncology, National Cancer Center Research Institute kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=Peritoneal metastasis kn-keyword=Peritoneal metastasis en-keyword=Gastric cancer kn-keyword=Gastric cancer en-keyword=Interleukin-6 kn-keyword=Interleukin-6 en-keyword=Cancer-associated fibroblasts kn-keyword=Cancer-associated fibroblasts en-keyword=Interleukin-6 receptor antibody kn-keyword=Interleukin-6 receptor antibody END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=15 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=2486 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250120 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Nomogram models for predicting outcomes in thyroid cancer patients with distant metastasis receiving 131iodine therapy en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=This study aimed to establish and validate prognostic nomogram models for patients who underwent I-131 therapy for thyroid cancer with distant metastases. The cohort was divided into training (70%) and validation (30%) sets for nomogram development. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were used to identify independent predictors for overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Nomograms were developed based on these predictors, and Kaplan-Meier curves were constructed for validation. Among 451 patients who were screened, 412 met the inclusion criteria and were followed-up for a median duration of 65.2 months. The training and validation sets included 288 and 124 patients, respectively. Pathological type, first I-131 administrated activity, and lesion I-131 uptake in lesions were independent predictors for PFS. For OS, predictors included gender, age, metastasis site, first I-131 administrated activity, I-131 uptake, pulmonary lesion size, and stimulated thyroglobulin levels. These predictors were used to construct nomograms for predicting PFS and OS. Low-risk patients had significantly longer PFS and OS compared to high-risk patients, with 10-year PFS rates of 81.1% vs. 51.9% and 10-year OS rates of 86.2% vs. 37.4%. These may aid individualized prognostic assessment and clinical decision-making, especially in determining the prescribed activity for the first I-131 treatment. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=JinShui en-aut-sei=Jin en-aut-mei=Shui kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=YeXuemei en-aut-sei=Ye en-aut-mei=Xuemei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=YeTing en-aut-sei=Ye en-aut-mei=Ting kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=ChenXinyu en-aut-sei=Chen en-aut-mei=Xinyu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=JiJianfeng en-aut-sei=Ji en-aut-mei=Jianfeng kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=WangJinyu en-aut-sei=Wang en-aut-mei=Jinyu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=ZhuXin en-aut-sei=Zhu en-aut-mei=Xin kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=MaoXiaochun en-aut-sei=Mao en-aut-mei=Xiaochun 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=YiHeqing en-aut-sei=Yi en-aut-mei=Heqing kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Nuclear Medicine, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Nuclear Medicine, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Nuclear Medicine, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Nuclear Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Augsburg kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Nuclear Medicine, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Medical records and statistics office, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Key Laboratory of Head and Neck Cancer Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Thyroid Surgery, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Nuclear Medicine, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital kn-affil= en-keyword=131iodine kn-keyword=131iodine en-keyword=Activity kn-keyword=Activity en-keyword=Distant metastasis kn-keyword=Distant metastasis en-keyword=Iodine radioisotopes kn-keyword=Iodine radioisotopes en-keyword=Thyroid cancer kn-keyword=Thyroid cancer END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=15 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=63 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250113 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=The Impact of Task Context on Pleasantness and Softness Estimations: A Study Based on Three Touch Strategies en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=This study investigated the two distinct perceptions (pleasantness and softness) of deformable stimuli with different degrees of compliance under conditions with and without a contextual task. Three tactile strategies-grasping, pinching, and pressing-were used to perceive the stimuli. In Experiment 1 (without a contextual task), participants estimated the perceived intensity of softness or pleasantness for each stimulus. In Experiment 2 (with a contextual task), the participants sequentially perceived two stimuli with different compliance levels and indicated which stimulus they perceived as softer and pleasant. The results showed that the psychophysical relationship between compliance and perceived softness was consistent across all tactile strategies in both experiments, with softness estimates increasing as compliance increased. However, the relationship between compliance and pleasantness differed between the two experiments. In Experiment 1, pleasantness estimates increased monotonically with increased compliance. However, in Experiment 2, across all tactile strategies, pleasantness began to decrease within the compliance range of 0.25-2.0 cm2/N, exhibiting an inverted U-shaped trend. These findings indicate that the relationship between compliance and pleasantness is task-dependent, particularly demonstrating significantly different trends when a contextual task is introduced. In contrast, the relationship between compliance and softness remained consistently monotonic. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=GaoBinyue en-aut-sei=Gao en-aut-mei=Binyue kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=YuYinghua en-aut-sei=Yu en-aut-mei=Yinghua kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=EjimaYoshimichi en-aut-sei=Ejima en-aut-mei=Yoshimichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=WuJinglong en-aut-sei=Wu en-aut-mei=Jinglong kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=YangJiajia en-aut-sei=Yang en-aut-mei=Jiajia kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=pleasantness kn-keyword=pleasantness en-keyword=softness kn-keyword=softness en-keyword=touch strategy kn-keyword=touch strategy en-keyword=task context kn-keyword=task context en-keyword=psychophysics kn-keyword=psychophysics END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=15 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=46 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250113 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Mapping Surface Potential in DNA Aptamer-Neurochemical and Membrane-Ion Interactions on the SOS Substrate Using Terahertz Microscopy en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=In this study, we utilized a terahertz chemical microscope (TCM) to map surface potential changes induced by molecular interactions on silicon-on-sapphire (SOS) substrates. By functionalizing the SOS substrate with DNA aptamers and an ion-selective membrane, we successfully detected and visualized aptamer-neurochemical complexes through the terahertz amplitude. Additionally, comparative studies of DNA aptamers in PBS buffer and artificial cerebrospinal fluid (aCSF) were performed by computational structure modeling and terahertz measurements. Beyond neurochemicals, we also investigated calcium ions, measuring their concentrations in PDMS-fabricated micro-wells using minimal sample volumes. Our results highlight the capability of TCM as a powerful, label-free, and sensitive platform for the probing and mapping of surface potential arising from molecular interactions, with broad implications for biomedical diagnostics and research. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MoritaKosei en-aut-sei=Morita en-aut-mei=Kosei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MitsudaYuta en-aut-sei=Mitsuda en-aut-mei=Yuta kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=YoshidaSota en-aut-sei=Yoshida en-aut-mei=Sota kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=KiwaToshihiko en-aut-sei=Kiwa en-aut-mei=Toshihiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=WangJin en-aut-sei=Wang en-aut-mei=Jin kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=terahertz chemical microscope kn-keyword=terahertz chemical microscope en-keyword=surface potential kn-keyword=surface potential en-keyword=DNA aptamer-neurochemical complexes kn-keyword=DNA aptamer-neurochemical complexes en-keyword=membrane-ion interactions kn-keyword=membrane-ion interactions en-keyword=SOS substrate kn-keyword=SOS substrate en-keyword=artificial cerebrospinal fluid kn-keyword=artificial cerebrospinal fluid END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=26 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=835 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250120 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Pathophysiology of Group 3 Pulmonary Hypertension Associated with Lung Diseases and/or Hypoxia en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Pulmonary hypertension associated with lung diseases and/or hypoxia is classified as group 3 in the clinical classification of pulmonary hypertension. The efficacy of existing selective pulmonary vasodilators for group 3 pulmonary hypertension is still unknown, and it is currently associated with a poor prognosis. The mechanisms by which pulmonary hypertension occurs include hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction, pulmonary vascular remodeling, a decrease in pulmonary vascular beds, endothelial dysfunction, endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs), inflammation, microRNA, and genetic predisposition. Among these, hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction and subsequent pulmonary vascular remodeling are characteristic factors involving the pulmonary vasculature and are the focus of this review. Several factors have been reported to mediate vascular remodeling induced by hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction, such as HIF-1 alpha and mechanosensors, including TRP channels. New therapies that target novel molecules, such as mechanoreceptors, to inhibit vascular remodeling are awaited. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NakamuraKazufumi en-aut-sei=Nakamura en-aut-mei=Kazufumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=AkagiSatoshi en-aut-sei=Akagi en-aut-mei=Satoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=EjiriKentaro en-aut-sei=Ejiri en-aut-mei=Kentaro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=TayaSatoshi en-aut-sei=Taya en-aut-mei=Satoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=SaitoYukihiro en-aut-sei=Saito en-aut-mei=Yukihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=KurodaKazuhiro en-aut-sei=Kuroda en-aut-mei=Kazuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakayaYoichi en-aut-sei=Takaya en-aut-mei=Yoichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=TohNorihisa en-aut-sei=Toh en-aut-mei=Norihisa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakayamaRie en-aut-sei=Nakayama en-aut-mei=Rie kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=KatanosakaYuki en-aut-sei=Katanosaka en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=YuasaShinsuke en-aut-sei=Yuasa en-aut-mei=Shinsuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Pharmacy, Kinjo Gakuin University kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=group 3 pulmonary hypertension kn-keyword=group 3 pulmonary hypertension en-keyword=hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction kn-keyword=hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction en-keyword=pulmonary vascular remodeling kn-keyword=pulmonary vascular remodeling END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=2025 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=013C01 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241226 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Modification on Thermal Motion in Geant4 for Neutron Capture Simulation in Gadolinium Loaded Water en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Neutron tagging is a fundamental technique for electron anti-neutrino detection via the inverse beta decay channel. A reported discrepancy in neutron detection efficiency between observational data and simulation predictions prompted an investigation into neutron capture modeling in Geant4. The study revealed that an overestimation of the thermal motion of hydrogen atoms in Geant4 impacts the fraction of captured nuclei. By manually modifying the Geant4 implementation, the simulation results align with calculations based on evaluated nuclear data and show good agreement with observables derived from the SK-Gd data. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=HinoY. en-aut-sei=Hino en-aut-mei=Y. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=AbeK. en-aut-sei=Abe en-aut-mei=K. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=AsakaR. en-aut-sei=Asaka en-aut-mei=R. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=HanS. en-aut-sei=Han en-aut-mei=S. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=HaradaM. en-aut-sei=Harada en-aut-mei=M. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=IshitsukaM. en-aut-sei=Ishitsuka en-aut-mei=M. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=ItoH. en-aut-sei=Ito en-aut-mei=H. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=IzumiyamaS. en-aut-sei=Izumiyama en-aut-mei=S. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=KanemuraY. en-aut-sei=Kanemura en-aut-mei=Y. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=KoshioY. en-aut-sei=Koshio en-aut-mei=Y. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakanishiF. en-aut-sei=Nakanishi en-aut-mei=F. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=SekiyaH. en-aut-sei=Sekiya en-aut-mei=H. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=YanoT. en-aut-sei=Yano en-aut-mei=T. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Physics, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Kamioka Observatory, Institute for Cosmic Ray Research, University of Tokyo kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Physics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Research Center for Cosmic Neutrinos, Institute for Cosmic Ray Research, University of Tokyo kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Kamioka Observatory, Institute for Cosmic Ray Research, University of Tokyo kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Physics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Physics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Physics, Tokyo Institute of Technology kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Kamioka Observatory, Institute for Cosmic Ray Research, University of Tokyo kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Physics, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Physics, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Kamioka Observatory, Institute for Cosmic Ray Research, University of Tokyo kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Kamioka Observatory, Institute for Cosmic Ray Research, University of Tokyo kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=14 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=25 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250115 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=An Investigation of Hand Gestures for Controlling Video Games in a Rehabilitation Exergame System en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) can significantly impact individuals' quality of life (QoL), often requiring effective rehabilitation strategies to promote recovery. However, traditional rehabilitation methods can be expensive and may lack engagement, leading to poor adherence to therapy exercise routines. An exergame system can be a solution to this problem. In this paper, we investigate appropriate hand gestures for controlling video games in a rehabilitation exergame system. The Mediapipe Python library is adopted for the real-time recognition of gestures. We choose 10 easy gestures among 32 possible simple gestures. Then, we specify and compare the best and the second-best groups used to control the game. Comprehensive experiments are conducted with 16 students at Andalas University, Indonesia, to find appropriate gestures and evaluate user experiences of the system using the System Usability Scale (SUS) and User Experience Questionnaire (UEQ). The results show that the hand gestures in the best group are more accessible than in the second-best group. The results suggest appropriate hand gestures for game controls and confirm the proposal's validity. In future work, we plan to enhance the exergame system by integrating a diverse set of video games, while expanding its application to a broader and more diverse sample. We will also study other practical applications of the hand gesture control function. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=HusnaRadhiatul en-aut-sei=Husna en-aut-mei=Radhiatul kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=BrataKomang Candra en-aut-sei=Brata en-aut-mei=Komang Candra kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=AnggrainiIrin Tri en-aut-sei=Anggraini en-aut-mei=Irin Tri kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=FunabikiNobuo en-aut-sei=Funabiki en-aut-mei=Nobuo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=RahmadaniAlfiandi Aulia en-aut-sei=Rahmadani en-aut-mei=Alfiandi Aulia kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=FanChih-Peng en-aut-sei=Fan en-aut-mei=Chih-Peng kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Information and Communication Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Information and Communication Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Information and Communication Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Information and Communication Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Electrical Engineering, State Polytechnic of Malang kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Electrical Engineering, National Chung Hsing University kn-affil= en-keyword=hand gesture kn-keyword=hand gesture en-keyword=application control kn-keyword=application control en-keyword=exergame kn-keyword=exergame en-keyword=SUS kn-keyword=SUS en-keyword=UEQ kn-keyword=UEQ en-keyword=python kn-keyword=python en-keyword=mediapipe kn-keyword=mediapipe END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=15 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=1504068 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241218 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Visual dominance of the congruency sequence effect in a cross-modal context en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The congruency sequence effect (CSE) refers to the reduction in the congruency effect in the current trial after an incongruent trial compared with a congruent trial. Although previous studies widely suggested that CSE was observed only in the modality repeat condition, few studies have reported that CSE could also appear in the modality switch condition. However, it remains unclear whether these conflicting findings were caused by partial repetition effects under modality transition conditions. To address this issue, Experiment 1 controlled for partial repetition effects by ensuring that the modality relationships in both the repetition and switch conditions were either fully congruent or incongruent. The results revealed significant CSE only under the modality repetition condition. In particular, a larger CSE was observed in visual-auditory (VA) repetition than in auditory-visual (AV) repetition, indicating that modality asymmetry might affect the CSE by inducing the priming effect. Thus, Experiment 2 concurrently presented visual and auditory stimuli to eliminate priming effects and further validated CSE differences between auditory and visual modalities. The results revealed that the CSE was significantly greater under the VA condition than under the AV condition and confirmed that the visual modality played a dominant role in the CSE, as visual information is prioritized in processing and ultimately reduces the congruency effect in the next trial. Overall, the present study provides evidence for the specificity of CSE under modality repetition conditions by excluding partial repetition effects and further underscores the critical role of visual dominance in cross-modal CSE. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=TangXiaoyu en-aut-sei=Tang en-aut-mei=Xiaoyu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=ZhangXi en-aut-sei=Zhang en-aut-mei=Xi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=WangTingting en-aut-sei=Wang en-aut-mei=Tingting kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=YuHongtao en-aut-sei=Yu en-aut-mei=Hongtao kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=WangAijun en-aut-sei=Wang en-aut-mei=Aijun kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=ZhangMing en-aut-sei=Zhang en-aut-mei=Ming kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=School of Psychology, Liaoning Collaborative Innovation Center of Children and Adolescents Healthy Personality Assessment and Cultivation, Liaoning Normal University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=School of Psychology, Liaoning Collaborative Innovation Center of Children and Adolescents Healthy Personality Assessment and Cultivation, Liaoning Normal University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Psychology, Soochow University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=School of Psychology, Liaoning Collaborative Innovation Center of Children and Adolescents Healthy Personality Assessment and Cultivation, Liaoning Normal University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Psychology, Soochow University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Faculty of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=cognitive control kn-keyword=cognitive control en-keyword=congruency sequence effect kn-keyword=congruency sequence effect en-keyword=cross-modal kn-keyword=cross-modal en-keyword=conflict adaptation kn-keyword=conflict adaptation en-keyword=visual dominance kn-keyword=visual dominance END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=172 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=471 end-page=479 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250122 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Identification of factors related to functional prognoses in craniopharyngiomas en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Purpose Craniopharyngiomas are histologically benign tumors, but their proximity to vital neurovascular structures can significantly deteriorate functional prognoses and severely restrict patients’ social interaction and activity. We retrospectively identified risk factors related to the functional prognoses in patients with craniopharyngioma treated at our center.
Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 40 patients who underwent surgery for craniopharyngioma and follow-up at our institution between 2003 and 2022. Functional prognoses were evaluated in terms of obesity (body mass index [BMI] ≥ 25 for adults, BMI-Z ≥ 1.65 for children), visual function, endocrine function, and social participation. We investigated whether patient characteristics, tumor size, tumor location, hypothalamic involvement, surgical hypothalamic damage, extent of resection, and recurrence rate correlated with these functional prognostic factors.
Results The median age at diagnosis was 28.0 years, with a median follow-up of 80.5 months. Postoperative obesity was present in 22 patients, and those with postoperative obesity had a significantly higher preoperative BMI or BMI-Z (preoperative BMI for adults: p = 0.074; preoperative BMI-Z for children: p = 0.020) and were significantly correlated with preoperative hypothalamic involvement grade 2 (p = 0.012) and surgical hypothalamic damage grade II (p = 0.0001). Deterioration in social participation was significantly associated with a larger tumor size (p = 0.023) and tumor recurrence (p = 0.0047).
Conclusions Patients with higher preoperative BMI or BMI-Z and hypothalamic involvement have a greater risk of postoperative obesity, and larger tumor size and recurrence can significantly deteriorate the rate of patients’ social participation. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=UmedaTsuyoshi en-aut-sei=Umeda en-aut-mei=Tsuyoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=OtaniYoshihiro en-aut-sei=Otani en-aut-mei=Yoshihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiiKentaro en-aut-sei=Fujii en-aut-mei=Kentaro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=IshidaJoji en-aut-sei=Ishida en-aut-mei=Joji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=HiranoShuichiro en-aut-sei=Hirano en-aut-mei=Shuichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=SurugaYasuki en-aut-sei=Suruga en-aut-mei=Yasuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=KemmotsuNaoya en-aut-sei=Kemmotsu en-aut-mei=Naoya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=ImotoRyoji en-aut-sei=Imoto en-aut-mei=Ryoji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=KegoyaYasuhito en-aut-sei=Kegoya en-aut-mei=Yasuhito kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=MizutaRyo en-aut-sei=Mizuta en-aut-mei=Ryo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=InoueYohei en-aut-sei=Inoue en-aut-mei=Yohei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=HokamaMadoka en-aut-sei=Hokama en-aut-mei=Madoka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=MakiharaSeiichiro en-aut-sei=Makihara en-aut-mei=Seiichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= en-aut-name=HasegawaKosei en-aut-sei=Hasegawa en-aut-mei=Kosei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=14 ORCID= en-aut-name=InagakiKenichi en-aut-sei=Inagaki en-aut-mei=Kenichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=15 ORCID= en-aut-name=OtsukaFumio en-aut-sei=Otsuka en-aut-mei=Fumio kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=16 ORCID= en-aut-name=YasuharaTakao en-aut-sei=Yasuhara en-aut-mei=Takao kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=17 ORCID= en-aut-name=TanakaShota en-aut-sei=Tanaka en-aut-mei=Shota kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=18 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil= kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=14 en-affil=Department of Pediatrics, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=15 en-affil=Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=16 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=17 en-affil=Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=18 en-affil=Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=Craniopharyngioma kn-keyword=Craniopharyngioma en-keyword=Functional prognosis kn-keyword=Functional prognosis en-keyword=Obesity kn-keyword=Obesity en-keyword=Tumor size kn-keyword=Tumor size en-keyword=Social participation kn-keyword=Social participation en-keyword=Hypothalamic involvement kn-keyword=Hypothalamic involvement END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=14 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=342 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250117 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=A Proposal of In Situ Authoring Tool with Visual-Inertial Sensor Fusion for Outdoor Location-Based Augmented Reality en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=In location-based augmented reality (LAR) applications, a simple and effective authoring tool is essential to create immersive AR experiences in real-world contexts. Unfortunately, most of the current tools are primarily desktop-based, requiring manual location acquisitions, the use of software development kits (SDKs), and high programming skills, which poses significant challenges for novice developers and a lack of precise LAR content alignment. In this paper, we propose an intuitive in situ authoring tool with visual-inertial sensor fusions to simplify the LAR content creation and storing process directly using a smartphone at the point of interest (POI) location. The tool localizes the user’s position using smartphone sensors and maps it with the captured smartphone movement and the surrounding environment data in real-time. Thus, the AR developer can place a virtual object on-site intuitively without complex programming. By leveraging the combined capabilities of Visual Simultaneous Localization and Mapping(VSLAM) and Google Street View (GSV), it enhances localization and mapping accuracy during AR object creation. For evaluations, we conducted extensive user testing with 15 participants, assessing the task success rate and completion time of the tool in practical pedestrian navigation scenarios. The Handheld Augmented Reality Usability Scale (HARUS) was used to evaluate overall user satisfaction. The results showed that all the participants successfully completed the tasks, taking 16.76 s on average to create one AR object in a 50 m radius area, while common desktop-based methods in the literature need 1–8 min on average, depending on the user’s expertise. Usability scores reached 89.44 for manipulability and 85.14 for comprehensibility, demonstrating the high effectiveness in simplifying the outdoor LAR content creation process. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=BrataKomang Candra en-aut-sei=Brata en-aut-mei=Komang Candra kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=FunabikiNobuo en-aut-sei=Funabiki en-aut-mei=Nobuo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=PandumanYohanes Yohanie Fridelin en-aut-sei=Panduman en-aut-mei=Yohanes Yohanie Fridelin kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=MentariMustika en-aut-sei=Mentari en-aut-mei=Mustika kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=SyaifudinYan Watequlis en-aut-sei=Syaifudin en-aut-mei=Yan Watequlis kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=RahmadaniAlfiandi Aulia en-aut-sei=Rahmadani en-aut-mei=Alfiandi Aulia kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil= Department of Information and Communication Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil= Department of Information and Communication Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil= Department of Information and Communication Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil= Department of Information and Communication Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil= Department of Information Technology, Politeknik Negeri Malang kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil= Department of Information Technology, Politeknik Negeri Malang kn-affil= en-keyword=location-based augmented reality (LAR) kn-keyword=location-based augmented reality (LAR) en-keyword=authoring tool kn-keyword=authoring tool en-keyword=outdoor kn-keyword=outdoor en-keyword=VSLAM kn-keyword=VSLAM en-keyword=Google Street View (GSV) kn-keyword=Google Street View (GSV) en-keyword=handheld augmented reality usability scale (HARUS) kn-keyword=handheld augmented reality usability scale (HARUS) END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=53 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=65 end-page=69 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=202501 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Effectiveness of sensing gloves–applied virtual reality education system on hand hygiene practice: A randomized controlled trial en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background: We developed a virtual reality (VR) education system and evaluated its clinical utility for promoting hand hygiene practices.
Methods: This prospective, 2-week, randomized controlled study conducted at Okayama University Hospital, Japan, from November 2023 to January 2024, involved 22 participants (18 medical students and 4 residents). A fully immersive 360° VR system (VIVE Pro Eye) using a head-mounted display and sensing gloves was used to develop 3 health care tasks in a virtual patient room—Environmental Cleaning, Gauze Exchange, and Urine Collection. After monitoring all participants' baseline usage data of portable hand-rubbing alcohol in the first week, we randomly assigned them into 1:1 groups (VR training and video lecture groups). The primary outcome was differences in hand-rubbed alcohol use before and after intervention.
Results: Before the intervention, alcohol use did not significantly differ between both groups. After the intervention, a significant increase in alcohol use was observed in the VR training group (median: 8.2 g vs 16.2 g; P = .019) but not in the video lecture group.
Conclusions: Our immersive 360° VR education system enhanced hand hygiene practices. Infection prevention and control practitioners and digital technology experts must collaborate to advance the development of superior educational devices and content. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=IzumiMahiro en-aut-sei=Izumi en-aut-mei=Mahiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=HagiyaHideharu en-aut-sei=Hagiya en-aut-mei=Hideharu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=OtsukaYuki en-aut-sei=Otsuka en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=SoejimaYoshiaki en-aut-sei=Soejima en-aut-mei=Yoshiaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=FukushimaShinnosuke en-aut-sei=Fukushima en-aut-mei=Shinnosuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShibataMitsunobu en-aut-sei=Shibata en-aut-mei=Mitsunobu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=HirotaSatoshi en-aut-sei=Hirota en-aut-mei=Satoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=KoyamaToshihiro en-aut-sei=Koyama en-aut-mei=Toshihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=OtsukaFumio en-aut-sei=Otsuka en-aut-mei=Fumio kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=GofukuAkio en-aut-sei=Gofuku en-aut-mei=Akio kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Quality Assurance Center, Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Infectious Diseases, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Infectious Diseases, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Quality Assurance Center, Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Quality Assurance Center, Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Health Data Science, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Quality Assurance Center, Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Infection prevention and control kn-keyword=Infection prevention and control en-keyword=Medical-engineering collaboration kn-keyword=Medical-engineering collaboration END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=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=249 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=13 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250121 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Traveling Front Solutions of Dimension n Generate Entire Solutions of Dimension (n-1) in Reaction-Diffusion Equations as the Speeds Go to Infinity en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Multidimensional traveling front solutions and entire solutions of reaction-diffusion equations have been studied intensively. To study the relationship between multidimensional traveling front solutions and entire solutions, we study the reaction-diffusion equation with a bistable nonlinear term. It is well known that there exist multidimensional traveling front solutions with every speed that is greater than the speed of a one-dimensional traveling front solution connecting two stable equilibria. In this paper, we show that the limit of the n-dimensional multidimensional traveling front solutions as the speeds go to infinity generates an entire solution of the same reaction-diffusion equation in the (n-1)-dimensional space. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NinomiyaHirokazu en-aut-sei=Ninomiya en-aut-mei=Hirokazu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=TaniguchiMasaharu en-aut-sei=Taniguchi en-aut-mei=Masaharu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=School of Interdisciplinary Mathematical Sciences, Meiji 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= cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=4055-24 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=Dyspnea with Hemidiaphragm Elevation in a Patient with Giant Cell Arteritis: A Case Report en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=We herein report the first case of dyspnea with hemidiaphragm elevation in a 68-year-old woman with active giant cell arteritis (GCA), including successful treatment. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography showed a reduced density of the left ophthalmic artery and the left superficial temporal artery with increased soft tissue compared to the other side, indicating that the GCA had flared up and suggesting that the hemidiaphragm elevation might be caused by vasculitis-associated ischemia of the right phrenic nerve. Hemidiaphragm paralysis due to vasculitis-associated ischemia in patients with GCA needs to be distinguished from local infection, tumors, and hepatomegaly, which are the major causes of hemidiaphragm elevation. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=AsanoYosuke en-aut-sei=Asano en-aut-mei=Yosuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsumotoYoshinori en-aut-sei=Matsumoto en-aut-mei=Yoshinori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KubotaNatsuki en-aut-sei=Kubota en-aut-mei=Natsuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=TerajimaYuya en-aut-sei=Terajima en-aut-mei=Yuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsumotoKazuya en-aut-sei=Matsumoto en-aut-mei=Kazuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShidaharaKenta en-aut-sei=Shidahara en-aut-mei=Kenta kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=HiroseKei en-aut-sei=Hirose en-aut-mei=Kei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakadoiTakato en-aut-sei=Nakadoi en-aut-mei=Takato kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=NawachiShoichi en-aut-sei=Nawachi en-aut-mei=Shoichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=KatayamaYu en-aut-sei=Katayama en-aut-mei=Yu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyawakiYoshia en-aut-sei=Miyawaki en-aut-mei=Yoshia kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=KatsuyamaEri en-aut-sei=Katsuyama en-aut-mei=Eri kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=KatsuyamaTakayuki en-aut-sei=Katsuyama en-aut-mei=Takayuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= en-aut-name=Takano-NarazakiMariko en-aut-sei=Takano-Narazaki en-aut-mei=Mariko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=14 ORCID= en-aut-name=SadaKen-Ei en-aut-sei=Sada en-aut-mei=Ken-Ei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=15 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=16 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Okayama University Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Okayama University Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Okayama University Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Okayama University Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Okayama University Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Okayama University Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Okayama University Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Okayama University Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Okayama University Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Okayama University Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Okayama University Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Okayama University Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Okayama University Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=14 en-affil=Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Okayama University Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=15 en-affil=Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Okayama University Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=16 en-affil=Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Okayama University Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=giant cell arteritis kn-keyword=giant cell arteritis en-keyword=dyspnea kn-keyword=dyspnea en-keyword=hemidiaphragm elevation kn-keyword=hemidiaphragm elevation en-keyword=phrenic nerve paralysis kn-keyword=phrenic nerve paralysis en-keyword=FDG-PET kn-keyword=FDG-PET en-keyword=case report kn-keyword=case report END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol= cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page= end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241224 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=The perception of plastic waste and composition of boathouse waste in floating villages on Tonlé Sap Lake, Cambodia en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Villagers living on Tonlé Sap (TS) Lake have low incomes and no access to basic public services, such as waste management, domestic water, electricity, and health care. Knowledge of the villagers’ perceptions and the composition of the waste from their boathouses will contribute to constructing a waste collection system with community participation within the framework of waste prevention and reduction. This study surveyed residents living in boathouses in four floating villages on TS Lake, Cambodia, regarding their perceptions and boathouse waste composition to assess the status of plastic waste and the villagers’ environmental awareness and their willingness to participate in waste collection. The household waste survey sought to clarify the amount of plastic waste and other recyclable waste discharged from floating houses. The perception survey revealed that in the wet season, 36% of respondents disposed of plastic waste by open burning/dumping and 40% by discharge into TS Lake; in the dry season, 76% disposed of waste by open burning/dumping, and only 4% discharged waste into TS Lake. An analysis of the boathouse plastic waste composition showed that residents of the floating villages generated 40.21 g plastic waste/day/capita, which was much lower than 340 g/day/capita in the USA, 120 g/day/capita in China, and even 70 g/day/capita in Cambodian on average, but higher than the 10 g/day/capita in India. This study proposes a novel and valuable framework to estimate and determine the level of awareness of people in floating villages related to plastic pollution effects and waste components from boathouses. At the same time, the research results provide an essential scientific basis to be able to develop an effective waste collection system in the area of TS Lake. The proposed framework of this study will help the policy decision-makers in the TS Lake area and those in similar geographical regions facing similar problems. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=Habuer en-aut-sei=Habuer en-aut-mei= kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiwaraTakeshi en-aut-sei=Fujiwara en-aut-mei=Takeshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=VinSpoann en-aut-sei=Vin en-aut-mei=Spoann kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=ChandaraPhat en-aut-sei=Chandara en-aut-mei=Phat kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=TsukijiMakoto en-aut-sei=Tsukiji en-aut-mei=Makoto kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Environmental Management Course, Architecture, Civil Engineering and Environmental Management Program, School of Engineering, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Environmental Management Course, Architecture, Civil Engineering and Environmental Management Program, School of Engineering, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Economic Development, Faculty of Development Studies, Royal University of Phnom Penh kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Natural Resource Management and Development, Faculty of Development Studies, Royal University of Phnom Penh kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Environmental Management Course, Architecture, Civil Engineering and Environmental Management Program, School of Engineering, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Boathouse waste composition kn-keyword=Boathouse waste composition en-keyword=Cambodia kn-keyword=Cambodia en-keyword=Floating villages kn-keyword=Floating villages en-keyword=Perception survey kn-keyword=Perception survey en-keyword=Plastic waste kn-keyword=Plastic waste END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=41 cd-vols= no-issue=4 article-no= start-page=2679 end-page=2687 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250118 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Formation of Nanowindow between Graphene Oxide and Carbon Nanohorn Assisted by Metal Ions en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=This study presents a novel nanostructured material formed by inserting oxidized carbon nanohorns (CNHox) between layered graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets using metal ions (M) from nitrate as intermediates. The resulting GO–CNHox-M structure effectively mitigated interlayer aggregation of the GO nanosheets. This insertion strategy promoted the formation of nanowindows on the surface of the GO sheets and larger mesopores between the GO nanosheets, improving material porosity. Characterization revealed successful CNHox insertion, which increased interlayer spacing and reduced GO stacking. The GO–CNHox-Ca exhibited a significantly higher specific surface area (SSA) and pore volume than pure GO, with values of 374 m2 g–1 and 0.36 mL g–1, respectively. The GO–CNHox-K composite also exhibited a well-developed pore structure with an SSA of 271 m2 g–1 and pore volume of 0.26 mL g–1. These findings demonstrate that Ca2+ or K+ ions effectively link GO and CNHox, validating the success of this insertion approach in reducing GO aggregation. Metal ions played a crucial role in the insertion process by facilitating electrostatic interactions and coordination bonds between GO and CNHox. This study provides new insights into reducing GO agglomeration and expanding the application of GO-based materials. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=LiZhao en-aut-sei=Li en-aut-mei=Zhao kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=ToyotaMoeto en-aut-sei=Toyota en-aut-mei=Moeto kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=OhkuboTakahiro en-aut-sei=Ohkubo en-aut-mei=Takahiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 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= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=145 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=7 end-page=14 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250101 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title=Precision Medicine for Patients with Renal Cell Carcinoma Based on Drug-metabolizing Enzyme Expression Levels kn-title=薬物代謝酵素の発現情報を活用した腎がん治療の個別適正化 en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Notable advances have recently been achieved in drug therapies for renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Several tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have been approved for metastatic RCC (mRCC). The current first-line treatment for mRCC involves combination therapies using TKIs and ICIs. However, there is no consensus on which TKI+ICI therapy is best or how to select the appropriate therapy for individual patients with RCC. The kidney expresses various metabolic enzymes, including CYP and uridine diphosphate glucose (UDP)-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT). Although information on CYP and UGT expression in the kidney is limited compared to our understanding of liver expression, the main CYP and UGT subtypes expressed at high levels in the kidney are estimated to be CYP2B6, CYP3A5, CYP4A11, CYP4F2, UGT1A6, UGT1A9, and UGT2B7. In RCC, the expression profiles and levels of these enzymes are somewhat altered compared with normal kidney. The main known subtypes of CYP and UGT in RCC are CYP1B1, CYP3A5, CYP4A11, UGT1A6, UGT1A9, UGT1A10, and UGT2B7. High CYP expression has been reported in several cancers, possibly conferring resistance to anti-cancer drugs including TKIs, due to extensive drug metabolism. Additionally, CYP and UGT expression levels may possibly affect cancer prognosis by metabolizing endogenous substrates, regardless of their role in anti-cancer drug metabolism. In this review, I discuss CYP and UGT expression level profiles in RCC based on previously published papers, including ours, and examine possible relationships between these enzyme expression profiles and treatment outcomes for patients with RCC. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MatsumotoJun en-aut-sei=Matsumoto en-aut-mei=Jun kn-aut-name=松本准 kn-aut-sei=松本 kn-aut-mei=准 aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Personalized Medicine and Preventive Healthcare Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil=岡山大学学術研究院医歯薬学域（薬学系）疾患薬理制御科学分野 en-keyword=renal cell carcinoma (RCC) kn-keyword=renal cell carcinoma (RCC) en-keyword=kidney kn-keyword=kidney en-keyword=CYP kn-keyword=CYP en-keyword=uridine diphosphate glucose (UDP)-glucuronosyltransferase kn-keyword=uridine diphosphate glucose (UDP)-glucuronosyltransferase en-keyword=metabolism kn-keyword=metabolism END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=43 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=4 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250114 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Differentially Expressed Nedd4-binding Protein Ndfip1 Protects Neurons Against Methamphetamine-induced Neurotoxicity en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=To identify factors involved in methamphetamine (METH) neurotoxicity, we comprehensively searched for genes which were differentially expressed in mouse striatum after METH administration using differential display (DD) reverse transcription-PCR method and sequent single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis, and found two DD cDNA fragments later identified as mRNA of Nedd4 (neural precursor cell expressed developmentally downregulated 4) WW domain-binding protein 5 (N4WBP5), later named Nedd4 family-interacting protein 1 (Ndfip1). It is an adaptor protein for the binding between Nedd4 of ubiquitin ligase (E3) and target substrate protein for ubiquitination. Northern blot analysis confirmed drastic increases in Ndfip1 mRNA in the striatum after METH injections, and in situ hybridization histochemistry showed that the mRNA expression was increased in the hippocampus and cerebellum at 2 h-2 days, in the cerebral cortex and striatum at 18 h-2 days after single METH administration. The knockdown of Ndfip1 expression with Ndfip1 siRNA significantly aggravated METH-induced neurotoxicity in the cultured monoaminergic neuronal cells. These results suggest that drastic increases in Ndfip1 mRNA is compensatory reaction to protect neurons against METH-induced neurotoxicity. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=AsanumaMasato en-aut-sei=Asanuma en-aut-mei=Masato kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyazakiIkuko en-aut-sei=Miyazaki en-aut-mei=Ikuko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=CadetJean Lud en-aut-sei=Cadet en-aut-mei=Jean Lud kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Medical Neurobiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Medical Neurobiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Molecular Neuropsychiatry Section, Intramural Research Program, NIH/ NIDA kn-affil= en-keyword=Methamphetamine kn-keyword=Methamphetamine en-keyword=Neurotoxicity kn-keyword=Neurotoxicity en-keyword=Nedd4 kn-keyword=Nedd4 en-keyword=Ndfip1 kn-keyword=Ndfip1 en-keyword=Differential display kn-keyword=Differential display END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol= cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page= end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250115 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Barriers and solutions for introducing donation after circulatory death (DCD) in Japan en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract= en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KotaniYasuhiro en-aut-sei=Kotani en-aut-mei=Yasuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University and, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= en-keyword=Heart transplanatation kn-keyword=Heart transplanatation en-keyword=Donation after circulatory death kn-keyword=Donation after circulatory death en-keyword=Machine perfusion kn-keyword=Machine perfusion END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=39 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=426 end-page=432 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241231 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Effect of Oral Nutritional Supplements Composed of High Protein on Body Weight Loss After Gastrectomy en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background/Aim: Body weight loss (BWL) after gastrectomy for gastric cancer (GC) decreases postoperative quality of life and survival in patients with GC. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of oral nutritional supplements composed of high protein on BWL in the early period following gastrectomy. Patients and Methods: Pre- and postoperative body weight and skeletal muscle mass were measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis in patients undergoing radical gastrectomy for GC and analyzed retrospectively. Patients received either a regular diet (control group, n=43) or 250 ml (320 kcal) per day of a high-protein oral nutritional supplement (ONS) (22 g protein) in addition to their regular diet (ONS group, n=40) for four weeks after gastrectomy. The actual daily intake of ONS was recorded by patients themselves. The BWL and skeletal muscle loss (SML) at one month after surgery were compared between the two groups. Results: BWL and SML at one month after surgery were similar between the two groups. In the ONS group, patients were divided into two subgroups (ONS-H and ONS-L) according to whether their ONS intake amount was above or below the average value of 216 kcal. The ONS-H group (ONS intake ≥216 kcal) showed significantly lower BWL compared to the control group (−4.6±2.6% vs. −6.2±2.5%; p=0.03). Moreover, the ONS group showed significantly lower BWL at one month after surgery than the control group in cases of total or proximal gastrectomy (−5.9±3.0% vs. −7.8±1.9%; p=0.04), although no significant difference was observed between the two groups in distal gastrectomy. The hematological nutritional parameters were similar between the two groups. Conclusion: The administration of ONS composed of high protein for four weeks after gastrectomy did not improve BWL at one month after gastrectomy. However, adequate amount of ONS intake and ONS intake after total or proximal gastrectomy might improve BWL. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KIKUCHISATORU en-aut-sei=KIKUCHI en-aut-mei=SATORU kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=TAKATANOBUO en-aut-sei=TAKATA en-aut-mei=NOBUO kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KAKIUCHIYOSHIHIKO en-aut-sei=KAKIUCHI en-aut-mei=YOSHIHIKO kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=KURODASHINJI en-aut-sei=KURODA en-aut-mei=SHINJI kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=KASHIMAHAJIME en-aut-sei=KASHIMA en-aut-mei=HAJIME kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=TANABESHUNSUKE en-aut-sei=TANABE en-aut-mei=SHUNSUKE kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=NOMAKAZUHIRO en-aut-sei=NOMA en-aut-mei=KAZUHIRO kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=TAKAHASHIAYAKO en-aut-sei=TAKAHASHI en-aut-mei=AYAKO kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=KAGAWASHUNSUKE en-aut-sei=KAGAWA en-aut-mei=SHUNSUKE kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=FUJIWARATOSHIYOSHI en-aut-sei=FUJIWARA en-aut-mei=TOSHIYOSHI kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Kochi Health Sciences Center kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Clinical Nutrition, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=Amino acid kn-keyword=Amino acid en-keyword=gastrectomy kn-keyword=gastrectomy en-keyword=body weight loss kn-keyword=body weight loss en-keyword=nutritional intervention kn-keyword=nutritional intervention en-keyword=oral nutritional supplements kn-keyword=oral nutritional supplements END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=21 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=4 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250116 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Maternal smoking during infancy increases the risk of allergic diseases in children: a nationwide longitudinal survey in Japan en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background The incidence of allergic diseases has been increasing in Japan. In particular, a serious decline in the age of onset of allergic rhinitis has been observed. Passive smoking from parental smoking has a significant impact on children’s health; however, it is difficult to restrict smoking in the home. While various studies have previously reported on the relationship between passive smoking and the development of allergic diseases in children. However, there have been no reports on passive smoking and allergic diseases on a national scale.
Methods Using Japanese national longitudinal survey data (n = 38,444) for newborns born between May 10 and 24, 2010, we assessed parental smoking habits when their children were 6 months old and investigated the association with the development of allergic diseases until the age of 5.5 years. The risk ratios and 95% confidence intervals for the development of different allergic diseases were analyzed after adjusting for potential confounders using Poisson regression with a robust error variance.
Results The risk ratio for developing allergic rhinitis/allergic conjunctivitis (AR/AC) in children was significantly higher in the maternal smoking groups ( ≦ 10 cigarettes/day; RR 1.15, 95% CI 1.02–1.30; ≧11 cigarettes/day; RR 1.16, 95% CI 0.93–1.44). Furthermore, associations were found between the maternal smoking group in the presence of paternal smoking and the risk of developing bronchial asthma ( ≦ 10, RR 1.33 95% CI 1.17–1.52; ≧11, RR 1.71 95% CI 1.38–2.1), food allergy ( ≦ 10, RR 1.36 95% CI 1.12–1.63; ≧11, RR 1.25 95% CI 0.84–1.86), atopic dermatitis ( ≦ 10, RR 1.42 95% CI 1.22–1.66; ≧11, RR 1.6 95% CI 1.2–2.13), and AR/AC ( ≦ 10, RR 1.21 95% CI 1.07–1.36; ≧11, RR 1.35 95% CI 1.09–1.67).
Conclusions Maternal smoking during infancy increases the risk of developing AR/AC in children. Considering paternal smoking, maternal smoking further increased the risk of developing allergic diseases in children, suggesting that reducing parental smoking at home may reduce the risk of developing allergic diseases in children. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=ShigeharaKenji en-aut-sei=Shigehara en-aut-mei=Kenji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsumotoNaomi en-aut-sei=Matsumoto en-aut-mei=Naomi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=TsugeMitsuru en-aut-sei=Tsuge en-aut-mei=Mitsuru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=UdaKazuhiro en-aut-sei=Uda en-aut-mei=Kazuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=SaitoYukie en-aut-sei=Saito en-aut-mei=Yukie kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=YashiroMasato en-aut-sei=Yashiro en-aut-mei=Masato kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=YorifujiTakashi en-aut-sei=Yorifuji en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=IkedaMasanori en-aut-sei=Ikeda en-aut-mei=Masanori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=TsukaharaHirokazu en-aut-sei=Tsukahara en-aut-mei=Hirokazu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Pediatrics, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Epidemiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Pediatric Acute Diseases, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Pediatrics, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Pediatrics, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Pediatrics, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Epidemiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Pediatrics, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Pediatrics, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=Allergic rhinitis kn-keyword=Allergic rhinitis en-keyword=Bronchial asthma kn-keyword=Bronchial asthma en-keyword=Atopic dermatitis kn-keyword=Atopic dermatitis en-keyword=National cohort study kn-keyword=National cohort study en-keyword=Passive smoking kn-keyword=Passive smoking END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=125 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=106672 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=202502 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Resveratrol, a food-derived polyphenol, promotes Melanosomal degradation in skin fibroblasts through coordinated activation of autophagy, lysosomal, and antioxidant pathways en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Resveratrol, a polyphenol found in grapes and peanuts, is known for diverse biological activities, yet its effects on dermal hyperpigmentation (so-called dark spots) remain unexplored. We investigated resveratrol's ability to enhance melanosomal degradation in human dermal fibroblasts. At concentrations of 25-50 mu M, resveratrol increased autophagy as measured by microtubule-associated protein 1A/1B-light chain 3 (LC3)-II/LC3-I ratio and enhanced lysosomal activity as assessed by a lysosomal activity reporter system. RNA sequencing revealed upregulation of lysosomal and autophagy-related genes, including cathepsins. Furthermore, reporter assays showed resveratrol's activation of antioxidant response via nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2)mediated, leading to upregulation of transcription factor EB/transcription factor E3 (TFEB/TFE3), master regulators of lysosomal function. In fibroblasts pre-loaded with melanosomes, resveratrol reduced melanosome content compared to control by day 3. The findings reveal the activation of interconnected autophagy, lysosomal, and antioxidant pathways by resveratrol, suggesting potential applications in functional foods targeting dermal hyperpigmentation. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=OkamotoSaki en-aut-sei=Okamoto en-aut-mei=Saki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KakimaruSaya en-aut-sei=Kakimaru en-aut-mei=Saya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KoreishiMayuko en-aut-sei=Koreishi en-aut-mei=Mayuko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=SakamotoMika en-aut-sei=Sakamoto en-aut-mei=Mika kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakamuraYoshimasa en-aut-sei=Nakamura en-aut-mei=Yoshimasa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=AndoHideya en-aut-sei=Ando en-aut-mei=Hideya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=TsujinoYoshio en-aut-sei=Tsujino en-aut-mei=Yoshio kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=SatohAyano en-aut-sei=Satoh en-aut-mei=Ayano kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=National Institute of Genetics, ROIS kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Applied Chemistry and Biotechnology, Okayama University of Science kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Graduate School of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Kobe University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Antioxidant kn-keyword=Antioxidant en-keyword=Lysosomes kn-keyword=Lysosomes en-keyword=Autophagy kn-keyword=Autophagy en-keyword=Resveratrol kn-keyword=Resveratrol en-keyword=Skin fibroblasts kn-keyword=Skin fibroblasts en-keyword=Bioactive compounds kn-keyword=Bioactive compounds END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=15 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=2577 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250120 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Plasma S100A8/A9 level predicts response to immune checkpoint inhibitors in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Blood-based predictive markers for the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have not yet been established. We investigated the association of the plasma level of S100A8/A9 with the efficacy of immunotherapy. We evaluated patients with unresectable stage III/IV or recurrent non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who were treated with ICIs at Okayama University Hospital. The pre-treatment plasma levels of S100A8/A9 were analyzed. Eighty-one eligible patients were included (median age, 69 years). Sixty-two patients were men, 54 had adenocarcinoma, 74 had performance status (PS) 0–1, and 47 received ICIs as first-line treatment. The median time to treatment failure (TTF) for ICIs was 5.7 months, and the median overall survival (OS) was 19.6 months. The TTF and OS were worse in patients with high plasma S100A8/A9 levels (≥ 2.475 µg/mL) (median TTF: 4.3 vs. 8.5 months, p = 0.009; median OS: 15.4 vs. 38.0 months, p = 0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that PS ≥ 2, liver metastasis, and high plasma S100A8/A9 levels were significantly associated with short TTF and OS. In conclusion, plasma S100A8/A9 level may have a limited effect on ICI therapy for NSCLC. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KuribayashiTadahiro en-aut-sei=Kuribayashi en-aut-mei=Tadahiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KinoshitaRie en-aut-sei=Kinoshita en-aut-mei=Rie kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=NinomiyaKiichiro en-aut-sei=Ninomiya en-aut-mei=Kiichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=MakimotoGo en-aut-sei=Makimoto en-aut-mei=Go kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=KuboToshio en-aut-sei=Kubo en-aut-mei=Toshio kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=RaiKammei en-aut-sei=Rai en-aut-mei=Kammei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=IchiharaEiki en-aut-sei=Ichihara en-aut-mei=Eiki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=HottaKatsuyuki en-aut-sei=Hotta en-aut-mei=Katsuyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=TabataMasahiro en-aut-sei=Tabata en-aut-mei=Masahiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 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=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=KiuraKatsuyuki en-aut-sei=Kiura en-aut-mei=Katsuyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=ToyookaShinichi en-aut-sei=Toyooka en-aut-mei=Shinichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=SakaguchiMasakiyo en-aut-sei=Sakaguchi en-aut-mei=Masakiyo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= en-aut-name=OhashiKadoaki en-aut-sei=Ohashi en-aut-mei=Kadoaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=14 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Hematology, Oncology and Respiratory Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Cell Biology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Allergy and Respiratory Medicine, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Allergy and Respiratory Medicine, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Allergy and Respiratory Medicine, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Allergy and Respiratory Medicine, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Center for Clinical Oncology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Allergy and Respiratory Medicine, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Allergy and Respiratory Medicine, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Hematology, Oncology and Respiratory Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Allergy and Respiratory Medicine, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Department of Cell Biology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=14 en-affil=Department of Allergy and Respiratory Medicine, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= en-keyword=S100A8/A9 kn-keyword=S100A8/A9 en-keyword=Lung cancer kn-keyword=Lung cancer en-keyword=Immune checkpoint inhibitors kn-keyword=Immune checkpoint inhibitors END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=12 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=e70141 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250120 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=The use of lateral wedge insoles delays osteoarthritis progression and improves clinical outcomes in medial meniscus posterior root repair en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Purpose: The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the efficacy of using a lateral wedge insole (LWI) during the first 3 months after medial meniscus posterior root (MMPR) repair.
Methods: Overall, 179 patients were categorized into LWI use (LWI group, 90 patients) and nonuse (control group, 89 patients) groups. Patients in the LWI group were instructed to wear an LWI from the initiation of load bearing up to 3 months postoperatively. Medial meniscus extrusion (MME) was evaluated preoperatively and 1 year postoperatively, Kellgren–Lawrence (KL) grade and clinical scores were evaluated preoperatively and 2 years postoperatively, and second-look arthroscopic meniscal healing scores were evaluated at 1 year postoperatively.
Results: The proportion of patients with KL grade progression at 2 years postoperatively was significantly lower in the LWI group than in the control group (23.3% vs. 39.3%; p = 0.024). Change in the MME at 1 year postoperatively was significantly smaller in the LWI group than in the control group (1.1 ± 1.2 vs. 1.6 ± 1.4 mm; p = 0.042). The Lysholm score (p = 0.003) and Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Scores-sport and recreation function (p = 0.027) at 2 years postoperatively were significantly superior in the LWI group than in the control group. The arthroscopic meniscal healing score after 1 year was not significantly different between the LWI and control groups (total score, 7.6 ± 1.1 vs. 7.4 ± 1.3 points; p = 0.732). The anteroposterior width of the repaired posterior root at 1 year second-look evaluation was significantly broader in the LWI group than in the control group (7.7 ± 1.6 vs. 6.9 ± 1.6 mm; p = 0.001).
Conclusions: The use of LWI is an effective way to delay postoperative osteoarthritis progression and improve clinical outcomes after MMPR repair.

Level of Evidence: Level III. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KawadaKoki en-aut-sei=Kawada en-aut-mei=Koki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=YokoyamaYusuke en-aut-sei=Yokoyama en-aut-mei=Yusuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkazakiYuki en-aut-sei=Okazaki en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=TamuraMasanori en-aut-sei=Tamura en-aut-mei=Masanori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 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=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=FurumatsuTakayuki en-aut-sei=Furumatsu en-aut-mei=Takayuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 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=Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences 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 Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=healing status kn-keyword=healing status en-keyword=lateral wedge insole kn-keyword=lateral wedge insole en-keyword=meniscus extrusion kn-keyword=meniscus extrusion en-keyword=osteoarthritis kn-keyword=osteoarthritis en-keyword=posterior root tear kn-keyword=posterior root tear END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=15 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=21 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241225 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=The Gut-Kidney Axis in Chronic Kidney Diseases en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The gut-kidney axis represents the complex interactions between the gut microbiota and kidney, which significantly impact the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and overall patient health. In CKD patients, imbalances in the gut microbiota promote the production of uremic toxins, such as indoxyl sulfate and p-cresyl sulfate, which impair renal function and contribute to systemic inflammation. Mechanisms like endotoxemia, immune activation and oxidative stress worsen renal damage by activating pro-inflammatory and oxidative pathways. Insights into these mechanisms highlight the impact of gut-derived metabolites, bacterial translocation, and immune response changes on kidney health, suggesting new potential approaches for CKD treatment. Clinical applications, such as dietary interventions, prebiotics, probiotics and fecal microbiota transplantation, are promising in adjusting the gut microbiota to alleviate CKD symptoms and slow disease progression. Current research highlights the clinical relevance of the gut-kidney axis, but further study is essential to clarify these mechanisms' diagnostic biomarkers and optimize therapeutic interventions. This review emphasizes the importance of an integrated approach to CKD management, focusing on the gut microbiota as a therapeutic target to limit kidney injury. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=TsujiKenji en-aut-sei=Tsuji en-aut-mei=Kenji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=UchidaNaruhiko en-aut-sei=Uchida en-aut-mei=Naruhiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakanohHiroyuki en-aut-sei=Nakanoh en-aut-mei=Hiroyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=FukushimaKazuhiko en-aut-sei=Fukushima en-aut-mei=Kazuhiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=HaraguchiSoichiro en-aut-sei=Haraguchi en-aut-mei=Soichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=KitamuraShinji en-aut-sei=Kitamura en-aut-mei=Shinji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=WadaJun en-aut-sei=Wada en-aut-mei=Jun kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=gut-kidney axis kn-keyword=gut-kidney axis en-keyword=chronic kidney disease kn-keyword=chronic kidney disease en-keyword=uremic toxin kn-keyword=uremic toxin en-keyword=dysbiosis kn-keyword=dysbiosis en-keyword=gut microbiota kn-keyword=gut microbiota END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=2025 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=5556176 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250111 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=A Case of an Oral Elastofibromatous Lesion: A Clinicopathological Analysis With a Literature Review en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Elastofibromatous changes of the oral mucosa, such as an elastofibroma (EF) or an elastofibromatous lesion (EFL), are not well recognized, and the second such case in Japan is reported. A 72-year-old man wearing a complete maxillary denture presented with a small nodule on the hard palate. Histopathological examination showed abundant fibrous tissue with numerous elastic fibers on Elastica van Gieson (EvG) staining. The diagnosis of an oral EFL was made. In the review of oral EF and EFL, no cases with recurrence were identified, but such lesions may resemble neoplastic lesions macroscopically. Accurate diagnosis using EvG stain is needed to recognize oral EFs and EFLs. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=OnoSawako en-aut-sei=Ono en-aut-mei=Sawako kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MasuiMasanori en-aut-sei=Masui en-aut-mei=Masanori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=ObataKyoichi en-aut-sei=Obata en-aut-mei=Kyoichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakamuraTomoya en-aut-sei=Nakamura en-aut-mei=Tomoya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=FurukiYoshihiko en-aut-sei=Furuki en-aut-mei=Yoshihiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakamuraSatoko en-aut-sei=Nakamura en-aut-mei=Satoko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamamotoHidetaka en-aut-sei=Yamamoto en-aut-mei=Hidetaka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Pathology and Oncology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Kagawa Prefectural Central Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Kagawa Prefectural Central Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Kagawa Prefectural Central Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Pathology, Kagawa Prefectural Central Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Pathology and Oncology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=elastofibroma kn-keyword=elastofibroma en-keyword=oral elastofibromatous lesion kn-keyword=oral elastofibromatous lesion en-keyword=oral mucosa kn-keyword=oral mucosa END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=14 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=60 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250106 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Novel Drug Delivery Particles Can Provide Dual Effects on Cancer "Theranostics" in Boron Neutron Capture Therapy en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Boron (B) neutron capture therapy (BNCT) is a novel non-invasive targeted cancer therapy based on the nuclear capture reaction 10B (n, alpha) 7Li that enables the death of cancer cells without damaging neighboring normal cells. However, the development of clinically approved boron drugs remains challenging. We have previously reported on self-forming nanoparticles for drug delivery consisting of a biodegradable polymer, namely, “AB-type” Lactosome® nanoparticles (AB-Lac particles)- highly loaded with hydrophobic B compounds, namely o-Carborane (Carb) or 1,2-dihexyl-o-Carborane (diC6-Carb), and the latter (diC6-Carb) especially showed the “molecular glue” effect. Here we present in vivo and ex vivo studies with human pancreatic cancer (AsPC-1) cells to find therapeutically optimal formulas and the appropriate treatment conditions for these particles. The biodistribution of the particles was assessed by the tumor/normal tissue ratio (T/N) in terms of tumor/muscle (T/M) and tumor/blood (T/B) ratios using near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) imaging with indocyanine green (ICG). The in vivo and ex vivo accumulation of B delivered by the injected AB-Lac particles in tumor lesions reached a maximum by 12 h post-injection. Irradiation studies conducted both in vitro and in vivo showed that AB-Lac particles-loaded with either 10B-Carb or 10B-diC6-Carb significantly inhibited the growth of AsPC-1 cancer cells or strongly inhibited their growth, with the latter method being significantly more effective. Surprisingly, a similar in vitro and in vivo irradiation study showed that ICG-labeled AB-Lac particles alone, i.e., without any 10B compounds, also revealed a significant inhibition. Therefore, we expect that our ICG-labeled AB-Lac particles-loaded with 10B compound(s) may be a novel and promising candidate for providing not only NIRF imaging for a practical diagnosis but also the dual therapeutic effects of induced cancer cell death, i.e., “theranostics”. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=FithroniAbdul Basith en-aut-sei=Fithroni en-aut-mei=Abdul Basith kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=InoueHaruki en-aut-sei=Inoue en-aut-mei=Haruki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=ZhouShengli en-aut-sei=Zhou en-aut-mei=Shengli kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=HakimTaufik Fatwa Nur en-aut-sei=Hakim en-aut-mei=Taufik Fatwa Nur kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=TadaTakashi en-aut-sei=Tada en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=SuzukiMinoru en-aut-sei=Suzuki en-aut-mei=Minoru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=SakuraiYoshinori en-aut-sei=Sakurai en-aut-mei=Yoshinori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=IshimotoManabu en-aut-sei=Ishimoto en-aut-mei=Manabu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamadaNaoyuki en-aut-sei=Yamada en-aut-mei=Naoyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=SauriasariRani en-aut-sei=Sauriasari en-aut-mei=Rani kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=SauerweinWolfgang A. G. en-aut-sei=Sauerwein en-aut-mei=Wolfgang A. G. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=WatanabeKazunori en-aut-sei=Watanabe en-aut-mei=Kazunori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=OhtsukiTakashi en-aut-sei=Ohtsuki en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsuuraEiji en-aut-sei=Matsuura en-aut-mei=Eiji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=14 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Institute for Integrated Radiation and Nuclear Science, Kyoto University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Institute for Integrated Radiation and Nuclear Science, Kyoto University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=J-BEAM, Inc. kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Nihon Fukushi Fuiin Holding, Co., Ltd. kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Indonesia kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Deutsche Gesellschaft für Bor-Neutroneneinfangtherapie DGBNCT e.V., University Hospital Essen, Klinik für Strahlentherapie kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=14 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) kn-keyword=boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) en-keyword=dual therapeutic effects kn-keyword=dual therapeutic effects en-keyword=Lactosome ® kn-keyword=Lactosome ® en-keyword=hydrophobic boron compound kn-keyword=hydrophobic boron compound en-keyword=neutron irradiation kn-keyword=neutron irradiation en-keyword=theranostics kn-keyword=theranostics END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=21 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=80 end-page=90 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2023 dt-pub=20230627 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Antioxidant action of xanthine oxidase inhibitor febuxostat protects the liver and blood vasculature in SHRSP5/Dmcr rats en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background: Xanthine oxidase (XO) generates reactive oxygen species during uric acid production. Therefore, XO inhibitors, which suppress oxidative stress, may effectively treat non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and atherosclerosis via uric acid reduction. In this study, we examined the antioxidant effect of the XO inhibitor febuxostat on NASH and atherosclerosis in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive 5 (SHRSP5/Dmcr) rats.
Methods: SHRSP5/Dmcr rats were divided into three groups: SHRSP5/Dmcr + high-fat and high-cholesterol (HFC) diet [control group, n = 5], SHRSP5/Dmcr + HFC diet + 10% fructose (40 ml/day) [fructose group, n = 5], and SHRSP5/Dmcr + HFC diet + 10% fructose (40 ml/day) + febuxostat (1.0 mg/kg/day) [febuxostat group, n = 5]. Glucose and insulin resistance, blood biochemistry, histopathological staining, endothelial function, and oxidative stress markers were evaluated.
Results: Febuxostat reduced the plasma uric acid levels. Oxidative stress-related genes were downregulated, whereas antioxidant factor-related genes were upregulated in the febuxostat group compared with those in the fructose group. Febuxostat also ameliorated inflammation, fibrosis, and lipid accumulation in the liver. Mesenteric lipid deposition decreased in the arteries, and aortic endothelial function improved in the febuxostat group.
Conclusions: Overall, the XO inhibitor febuxostat exerted protective effects against NASH and atherosclerosis in SHRSP5/Dmcr rats. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KakimotoMai en-aut-sei=Kakimoto en-aut-mei=Mai kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiiMoe en-aut-sei=Fujii en-aut-mei=Moe kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=SatoIkumi en-aut-sei=Sato en-aut-mei=Ikumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=HonmaKoki en-aut-sei=Honma en-aut-mei=Koki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakayamaHinako en-aut-sei=Nakayama en-aut-mei=Hinako kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=KiriharaSora en-aut-sei=Kirihara en-aut-mei=Sora kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=FukuokaTaketo en-aut-sei=Fukuoka en-aut-mei=Taketo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=RanShang en-aut-sei=Ran en-aut-mei=Shang kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=HirohataSatoshi en-aut-sei=Hirohata en-aut-mei=Satoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=KitamoriKazuya en-aut-sei=Kitamori en-aut-mei=Kazuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamamotoShusei en-aut-sei=Yamamoto en-aut-mei=Shusei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=WatanabeShogo en-aut-sei=Watanabe en-aut-mei=Shogo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Okayama University, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Department of Medical Technology kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Okayama University, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Department of Medical Technology kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Okayama University, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Department of Medical Technology kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Okayama University, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Department of Medical Technology kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Okayama University, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Department of Medical Technology kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Okayama University, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Department of Medical Technology kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Okayama University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Medical Technology kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Okayama University, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Department of Medical Technology kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Okayama University, Academic Field of Health Science kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Kinjo Gakuin University, College of Human Life and Environment kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Okayama University, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Department of Medical Technology kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Okayama University, Academic Field of Health Science kn-affil= en-keyword=Anti-inflammatory kn-keyword=Anti-inflammatory en-keyword=Atherosclerosis kn-keyword=Atherosclerosis en-keyword=Febuxostat kn-keyword=Febuxostat en-keyword=Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) kn-keyword=Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) en-keyword=Oxidative stress kn-keyword=Oxidative stress en-keyword=Uric acid kn-keyword=Uric acid END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=2 cd-vols= no-issue=3 article-no= start-page=98 end-page=101 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2023 dt-pub=20230727 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=A Case of a Transwoman with Colorectal Cancer after Flap Vaginoplasty en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Vaginoplasty is a gender-affirming surgery (GAS) for transwomen that laid its foundation in the 1950s and continues to be widely practiced worldwide. We present here a case of a 70-year-old transwoman who underwent lower anterior resection for rectal cancer 12 years after vaginoplasty. The preoperative diagnosis was rectal cancer (Rb-Ra, type 2, cT2N0M0, stage 1). All imaging studies showed a cord-like structure between the prostate and the anterior wall of the rectum, which was thought to be the neovagina. Careful dissection of the anterior rectal wall was required because the distance between the neovagina and the rectum was only 1.5 mm. The role of hormonal therapy and GAS in cancer development in transwomen is unclear. It is important to have regular check-ups for malignancies in patients who have undergone GAS, and if surgical procedures are needed, they should be treated by physicians who are familiar with the procedure. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=WatanabeShiho en-aut-sei=Watanabe en-aut-mei=Shiho kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=TeraishiFuminori en-aut-sei=Teraishi en-aut-mei=Fuminori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujimotoSari en-aut-sei=Fujimoto en-aut-mei=Sari kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=WatanabeToshiyuki en-aut-sei=Watanabe en-aut-mei=Toshiyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakedaSho en-aut-sei=Takeda en-aut-mei=Sho kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=NaritaShuhei en-aut-sei=Narita en-aut-mei=Shuhei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamashitaKoya en-aut-sei=Yamashita en-aut-mei=Koya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShigeyasuKunitoshi en-aut-sei=Shigeyasu en-aut-mei=Kunitoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=KagawaShunsuke en-aut-sei=Kagawa en-aut-mei=Shunsuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=NambaYuzaburo en-aut-sei=Namba en-aut-mei=Yuzaburo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=KimataYoshihiro en-aut-sei=Kimata en-aut-mei=Yoshihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Minimally Invasive Therapy Center, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Gender Center, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= en-keyword=vaginoplasty kn-keyword=vaginoplasty en-keyword=gender-affirming surgery kn-keyword=gender-affirming surgery en-keyword=transwomen kn-keyword=transwomen en-keyword=rectal cancer kn-keyword=rectal cancer END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=51 cd-vols= no-issue=4 article-no= start-page=781 end-page=794 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2023 dt-pub=20230703 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Does International Environmental Certification Change Local Production and Trade Practices? A Case Study of Shrimp Farming in Southern Vietnam en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Studies on international environmental certification (IEC) have primarily focused on how certification can sustainably “upgrade” local production and trading practices. However, not many studies view this market-based governance process from the perspective of local practices and location-specific factors. This study therefore examines how the upstream of the local supply chain influenced global interventions through the case of certification for shrimp farming in the mangroves of southern Vietnam. To clarify various aspects of these interactions, semi-structured interviews were conducted with the provincial government, NGOs, a trading company, shrimp farmers, and middlemen. The results revealed that IEC did not affect local production practices and only partially influenced trade practices. The implementation of IEC was thus at the mercy of the robustness of local society, which was attributed to unique agroecology, production systems, and upstream customary economic practices. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=WatanabeHiroki en-aut-sei=Watanabe en-aut-mei=Hiroki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=UbukataFumikazu en-aut-sei=Ubukata en-aut-mei=Fumikazu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Institute of Academic and Research, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=International environmental certification kn-keyword=International environmental certification en-keyword=Shrimp farming kn-keyword=Shrimp farming en-keyword=Upstream of supply chain kn-keyword=Upstream of supply chain en-keyword=Local robustness kn-keyword=Local robustness en-keyword=Vietnam kn-keyword=Vietnam END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=25 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=39 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250109 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Effectiveness of professional-identity-formation and clinical communication-skills programs on medical students' empathy in the COVID-19 context: comparison between pre-pandemic in-person classes and during-pandemic online classes en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background Enhancing students' empathy is critical in medical school education. The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated a shift from in-person to online classes. However, the effectiveness of online classes for enhancing medical students' empathy has not been investigated sufficiently and the evidence is limited. This study compared the effectiveness of enhancing empathy between pre-pandemic in-person classes and during-pandemic online classes among medical students in Japan using pre-pandemic and during-pandemic data.
Methods This is a retrospective observational study. This study measured students' empathy using the Japanese translation of the Jefferson Scale of Empathy-Student Version (JSE-S) before and after the special programs for professional identity formation and clinical communication among first- and second-year students who matriculated from 2015-2021. This study categorized the matriculation year groups as "pre-pandemic" and "during-pandemic" groups for the first- and second-year students. This study estimated the adjusted mean score differences of the JSE-S and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) from the pre- to post-program between the pre-pandemic and during-pandemic groups in the first and second years using linear regression analysis.
Results This study's participants included 653 first-year students and 562 second-year students. In the first year, the during-pandemic group had a significantly higher mean score difference from the pre- to post-program compared to the pre-pandemic group. The adjusted regression coefficient (95% CI) was 7.6 (5.7 - 9.5), with the pre-pandemic group as the reference. In the second year, there were no significant differences between the two groups.
Conclusions The results suggest that online classes are not inferior to in-person classes or even slightly better in enhancing medical students' empathy, which should be clarified by further studies. This study's findings have important implications for medical education and implementing hybrid class formats to enhance students' empathy. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KataokaHitomi en-aut-sei=Kataoka en-aut-mei=Hitomi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=TokinobuAkiko en-aut-sei=Tokinobu en-aut-mei=Akiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiiChikako en-aut-sei=Fujii en-aut-mei=Chikako kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=WatanabeMayu en-aut-sei=Watanabe en-aut-mei=Mayu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=ObikaMikako en-aut-sei=Obika en-aut-mei=Mikako kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Center for Diversity and Inclusion, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Center for Diversity and Inclusion, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Center for Diversity and Inclusion, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Division of Kidney, Diabetes and Endocrine Diseases, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=COVID-19 pandemic kn-keyword=COVID-19 pandemic en-keyword=Empathy kn-keyword=Empathy en-keyword=Jefferson Scale of Empathy kn-keyword=Jefferson Scale of Empathy en-keyword=Medical students kn-keyword=Medical students en-keyword=Online class kn-keyword=Online class END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=17 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=29 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241225 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=The Three-Class Annotation Method Improves the AI Detection of Early-Stage Osteosarcoma on Plain Radiographs: A Novel Approach for Rare Cancer Diagnosis en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background/Objectives: Developing high-performance artificial intelligence (AI) models for rare diseases is challenging owing to limited data availability. This study aimed to evaluate whether a novel three-class annotation method for preparing training data could enhance AI model performance in detecting osteosarcoma on plain radiographs compared to conventional single-class annotation. Methods: We developed two annotation methods for the same dataset of 468 osteosarcoma X-rays and 378 normal radiographs: a conventional single-class annotation (1C model) and a novel three-class annotation method (3C model) that separately labeled intramedullary, cortical, and extramedullary tumor components. Both models used identical U-Net-based architectures, differing only in their annotation approaches. Performance was evaluated using an independent validation dataset. Results: Although both models achieved high diagnostic accuracy (AUC: 0.99 vs. 0.98), the 3C model demonstrated superior operational characteristics. At a standardized cutoff value of 0.2, the 3C model maintained balanced performance (sensitivity: 93.28%, specificity: 92.21%), whereas the 1C model showed compromised specificity (83.58%) despite high sensitivity (98.88%). Notably, at the 25th percentile threshold, both models showed identical false-negative rates despite significantly different cutoff values (3C: 0.661 vs. 1C: 0.985), indicating the ability of the 3C model to maintain diagnostic accuracy at substantially lower thresholds. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that anatomically informed three-class annotation can enhance AI model performance for rare disease detection without requiring additional training data. The improved stability at lower thresholds suggests that thoughtful annotation strategies can optimize the AI model training, particularly in contexts where training data are limited. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=HaseiJoe en-aut-sei=Hasei en-aut-mei=Joe kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakaharaRyuichi en-aut-sei=Nakahara en-aut-mei=Ryuichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=OtsukaYujiro en-aut-sei=Otsuka en-aut-mei=Yujiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakamuraYusuke en-aut-sei=Nakamura en-aut-mei=Yusuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=IkutaKunihiro en-aut-sei=Ikuta en-aut-mei=Kunihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=OsakiShuhei en-aut-sei=Osaki en-aut-mei=Shuhei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=HironariTamiya en-aut-sei=Hironari en-aut-mei=Tamiya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiwaShinji en-aut-sei=Miwa en-aut-mei=Shinji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=OhshikaShusa en-aut-sei=Ohshika en-aut-mei=Shusa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishimuraShunji en-aut-sei=Nishimura en-aut-mei=Shunji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=KaharaNaoaki en-aut-sei=Kahara en-aut-mei=Naoaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 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=12 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=13 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakataEiji en-aut-sei=Nakata en-aut-mei=Eiji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=14 ORCID= en-aut-name=KunisadaToshiyuki en-aut-sei=Kunisada en-aut-mei=Toshiyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=15 ORCID= en-aut-name=OzakiToshifumi en-aut-sei=Ozaki en-aut-mei=Toshifumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=16 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Medical Information and Assistive Technology Development, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Science of Functional Recovery and Reconstruction, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Radiology, Juntendo University School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Plusman LCC kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Musculoskeletal Oncology and Rehabilitation, National Cancer Center Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Musculoskeletal Oncology Service, Osaka International Cancer Institute kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Kindai University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Mizushima Central Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Science of Functional Recovery and Reconstruction, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Science of Functional Recovery and Reconstruction, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=14 en-affil=Science of Functional Recovery and Reconstruction, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=15 en-affil=Science of Functional Recovery and Reconstruction, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=16 en-affil=Science of Functional Recovery and Reconstruction, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=osteosarcoma kn-keyword=osteosarcoma en-keyword=medical image annotation kn-keyword=medical image annotation en-keyword=anatomical annotation method kn-keyword=anatomical annotation method en-keyword=rare cancer kn-keyword=rare cancer END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=E108-B cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=1 end-page=13 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20240801 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Overloaded MIMO Spatial Multiplexing Independent of Antenna Setups en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=This paper proposes overloaded MIMO spatial multiplexing that can increase the number of spatially multiplexed signal streams despite of the number of antennas on a terminal and that on a receiver. We propose extension of the channel matrix for the spatial multiplexing to achieve the superb multiplexing performance. Precoding based on the extended channel matrix plays a crucial role in carrying out such spatial multiplexing. We consider three types of QR-decomposition techniques for the proposed spatial multiplexing to improve the transmission performance. The transmission performance of the proposed spatial multiplexing is evaluated by computer simulation. The simulation reveals that the proposed overloaded MIMO spatial multiplexing can implement 6 stream-spatial multiplexing in a 2×2 MIMO system, i.e., the overloading ratio of 3.0. The superior transmission performance is achieved by the proposed overloaded MIMO spatial multiplexing with one of the QR-decomposition techniques. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=DennoSatoshi en-aut-sei=Denno en-aut-mei=Satoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=SugimotoTakumi en-aut-sei=Sugimoto en-aut-mei=Takumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatobaKoki en-aut-sei=Matoba en-aut-mei=Koki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=HouYafei en-aut-sei=Hou en-aut-mei=Yafei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=overloaded MIMO kn-keyword=overloaded MIMO en-keyword=spatial multiplexing kn-keyword=spatial multiplexing en-keyword=QR-decomposition kn-keyword=QR-decomposition en-keyword=precoding kn-keyword=precoding en-keyword=overloading ratio kn-keyword=overloading ratio END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=13 cd-vols= no-issue=24 article-no= start-page=4878 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241211 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=An Implementation of Web-Based Answer Platform in the Flutter Programming Learning Assistant System Using Docker Compose en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Programming has gained significant importance worldwide as societies increasingly rely on computer application systems. To support novices in learning various programming languages, we have developed the Programming Learning Assistant System (PLAS). It offers several types of exercise problems with different learning goals and levels for step-by-step self-study. As a personal answer platform in PLAS, we have implemented a web application using Node.js and EJS for Java and Python programming. Recently, the Flutter framework with Dart programming has become popular, enabling developers to build applications for mobile, web, and desktop environments from a single codebase. Thus, we have extended PLAS by implementing the Flutter environment with Visual Studio Code to support it. Additionally, we have developed an image-based user interface (UI) testing tool to verify student source code by comparing its generated UI image with the standard one using the ORB and SIFT algorithms in OpenCV. For efficient distribution to students, we have generated Docker images of the answer platform, Flutter environment, and image-based UI testing tool. In this paper, we present the implementation of a web-based answer platform for the Flutter Programming Learning Assistant System (FPLAS) by integrating three Docker images using Docker Compose. Additionally, to capture UI images automatically, an Nginx web application server is adopted with its Docker image. For evaluations, we asked 10 graduate students at Okayama University, Japan, to install the answer platform on their PCs and solve five exercise problems. All the students successfully completed the problems, which confirms the validity and effectiveness of the proposed system. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=AungLynn Htet en-aut-sei=Aung en-aut-mei=Lynn Htet kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=AungSoe Thandar en-aut-sei=Aung en-aut-mei=Soe Thandar kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=FunabikiNobuo en-aut-sei=Funabiki en-aut-mei=Nobuo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=KyawHtoo Htoo Sandi en-aut-sei=Kyaw en-aut-mei=Htoo Htoo Sandi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=KaoWen-Chung en-aut-sei=Kao en-aut-mei=Wen-Chung kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Information and Communication Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Information and Communication Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Information and Communication Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Computer and Information Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Electrical Engineering, National Taiwan Normal University kn-affil= en-keyword=Flutter kn-keyword=Flutter en-keyword=Dart kn-keyword=Dart en-keyword=answer platform kn-keyword=answer platform en-keyword=Flutter environment kn-keyword=Flutter environment en-keyword=Nginx kn-keyword=Nginx en-keyword=UI testing tool kn-keyword=UI testing tool en-keyword=Docker Compose kn-keyword=Docker Compose END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=18 cd-vols= no-issue=52 article-no= start-page=35202 end-page=35213 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241216 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Bright Quantum-Grade Fluorescent Nanodiamonds en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Optically accessible spin-active nanomaterials are promising as quantum nanosensors for probing biological samples. However, achieving bioimaging-level brightness and high-quality spin properties for these materials is challenging and hinders their application in quantum biosensing. Here, we demonstrate bright fluorescent nanodiamonds (NDs) containing 0.6–1.3-ppm negatively charged nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers by spin-environment engineering via enriching spin-less 12C-carbon isotopes and reducing substitutional nitrogen spin impurities. The NDs, readily introduced into cultured cells, exhibited improved optically detected magnetic resonance (ODMR) spectra; peak splitting (E) was reduced by 2–3 MHz, and microwave excitation power required was 20 times lower to achieve a 3% ODMR contrast, comparable to that of conventional type-Ib NDs. They show average spin-relaxation times of T1 = 0.68 ms and T2 = 3.2 μs (1.6 ms and 5.4 μs maximum) that were 5- and 11-fold longer than those of type-Ib, respectively. Additionally, the extended T2 relaxation times of these NDs enable shot-noise-limited temperature measurements with a sensitivity of approximately 0.28K/√Hz. The combination of bulk-like NV spin properties and enhanced fluorescence significantly improves the sensitivity of ND-based quantum sensors for biological applications. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=OshimiKeisuke en-aut-sei=Oshimi en-aut-mei=Keisuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=IshiwataHitoshi en-aut-sei=Ishiwata en-aut-mei=Hitoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakashimaHiromu en-aut-sei=Nakashima en-aut-mei=Hiromu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=MandićSara en-aut-sei=Mandić en-aut-mei=Sara kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=KobayashiHina en-aut-sei=Kobayashi en-aut-mei=Hina kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=TeramotoMinori en-aut-sei=Teramoto en-aut-mei=Minori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=TsujiHirokazu en-aut-sei=Tsuji en-aut-mei=Hirokazu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishibayashiYoshiki en-aut-sei=Nishibayashi en-aut-mei=Yoshiki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShikanoYutaka en-aut-sei=Shikano en-aut-mei=Yutaka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=AnToshu en-aut-sei=An en-aut-mei=Toshu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiwaraMasazumi en-aut-sei=Fujiwara en-aut-mei=Masazumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Life, Environmental, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=The National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology (QST), Institute for Quantum Life Science (iQLS) kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Life, Environmental, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Life, Environmental, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Life, Environmental, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Advanced Materials Laboratory, Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Advanced Materials Laboratory, Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Advanced Materials Laboratory, Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Institute of Systems and Information Engineering, University of Tsukuba kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=School of Materials Science, Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Life, Environmental, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=nanodiamonds kn-keyword=nanodiamonds en-keyword=nitrogen-vacancy centers kn-keyword=nitrogen-vacancy centers en-keyword=spins kn-keyword=spins en-keyword=spin-relaxation times kn-keyword=spin-relaxation times en-keyword=quantum biosensor kn-keyword=quantum biosensor en-keyword=cellular probes kn-keyword=cellular probes END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=10 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=74 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241215 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Case series showing the safety and changes in lipid profiles of hemodialysis patients with hypertriglyceridemia after pemafibrate administration en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background Cardiovascular disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Dyslipidemia is a key focus of cardiovascular therapy and is characterized by hypertriglyceridemia mainly caused by lipoprotein lipase-mediated metabolism of ApoC-III in patients with ESRD. Pemafbrate, a selective peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha modulator, can be used regardless of renal function and inhibit ApoC-III expression in the liver.
Case presentation We reported the cases of four patients on hemodialysis who met at least 175 mg/dL of triglycerides on the consecutive three tests between September 2022 and November 2022 and took 0.1 mg pemafbrate twice a day from November 2022 to May 2023. They experienced no adverse events after pemafbrate treatment. Pemafbrate signifcantly reduced triglyceride (TG) (302±72 to 140±50 mg/dL, p=0.048), total cholesterol (187±34 to 156±48 mg/dL, p=0.025), and Apo C-III (15.9±8.2 to 12.6±7.1, p=0.030) levels. Apo A-II levels signifcantly increased after treatment (27.0±6.1 to 37.1±5.8, p=0.041).
Conclusions Pemafbrate decreased TG, total cholesterol, and Apo-CIII and increased Apo A-II without adverse events. Further study is needed to examine the favorable efects of pemafbrate on the risk of CVD. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=OkadaRino en-aut-sei=Okada en-aut-mei=Rino kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 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=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KobayashiNaoya en-aut-sei=Kobayashi en-aut-mei=Naoya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=IshiharaHiroyuki en-aut-sei=Ishihara en-aut-mei=Hiroyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=YokoyamaTomohisa en-aut-sei=Yokoyama en-aut-mei=Tomohisa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=MifuneTomoyo en-aut-sei=Mifune en-aut-mei=Tomoyo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=SakurabuYoshimasa en-aut-sei=Sakurabu en-aut-mei=Yoshimasa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=NojimaIchiro en-aut-sei=Nojima en-aut-mei=Ichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=MorinagaHiroshi en-aut-sei=Morinaga en-aut-mei=Hiroshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=UchidaHaruhito A. en-aut-sei=Uchida en-aut-mei=Haruhito A. 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, Okayama University Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Okayama University Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Okayama Saidaiji Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Okayama Saidaiji Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Okayama Saidaiji Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Okayama Saidaiji Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Okayama University Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Okayama University Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Okayama University Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Okayama University Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Okayama University Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=Hemodialysis kn-keyword=Hemodialysis en-keyword=Dyslipidemia kn-keyword=Dyslipidemia en-keyword=Apolipoprotein kn-keyword=Apolipoprotein en-keyword=Pemafibrate kn-keyword=Pemafibrate END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=13 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=e70071 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250102 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Undetermined Ruptured Low-Grade Appendiceal Mucinous Neoplasm Following High-Energy Blunt Abdominal Trauma Requiring Emergency Laparotomy en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Blunt abdominal trauma causing intraperitoneal injury and/or bleeding can be life-threatening, requiring immediate intervention. Diagnosing these cases can be challenging, especially when pre-existing conditions are involved. Low-grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasm (LAMN) is a rare tumor of the appendix that can lead to pseudomyxoma peritonei. Herein, we present a case of ruptured LAMN following blunt abdominal trauma after a high-energy head-on collision, complicating the differentiation from other intraperitoneal injuries. A 42-year-old Japanese female was brought to our hospital following high-energy head-on collision. She presented with stable vital signs, complaining of anterior chest pain and abdominal tenderness without peritoneal irritation. Computed tomography scans indicated multiple fractures in her chest and complex fluid around the Douglas fossa extending to the ileocecal area, with a slightly dilated appendix tip. Despite stable vitals, emergency laparotomy was needed for suspected peritonitis and/or intraperitoneal hemorrhage. Emergency laparotomy revealed yellowish, jelly-like ascites and a ruptured appendiceal tumor. LAMN was suspected, and the appendix was completely resected, with cytoreductive surgery carefully performed. Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of LAMN. Postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient was discharged on Day 13 and referred for further LAMN management. This case report highlights the diagnostic difficulties of LAMN rupture following blunt abdominal trauma, stressing the need to consider rare conditions like LAMN in differential diagnoses of acute abdomen posttrauma. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MatsuoIppei en-aut-sei=Matsuo en-aut-mei=Ippei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 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=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=TsujiAkari en-aut-sei=Tsuji en-aut-mei=Akari kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=TanabeRyo en-aut-sei=Tanabe en-aut-mei=Ryo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsumuraToshihisa en-aut-sei=Matsumura en-aut-mei=Toshihisa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShimabaraMikoto en-aut-sei=Shimabara en-aut-mei=Mikoto kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=AkaiMasaaki en-aut-sei=Akai en-aut-mei=Masaaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakagiShoji en-aut-sei=Takagi en-aut-mei=Shoji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=NaitoHiromichi en-aut-sei=Naito en-aut-mei=Hiromichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakaoAtsunori en-aut-sei=Nakao en-aut-mei=Atsunori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Emergency, Critical Care, and Disaster Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Emergency, Critical Care, and Disaster Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Emergency, Critical Care, and Disaster Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Emergency, Critical Care, and Disaster Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Digestive Surgery, Japanese Red Cross Okayama Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Digestive Surgery, Japanese Red Cross Okayama Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Digestive Surgery, Japanese Red Cross Okayama Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Digestive Surgery, Japanese Red Cross Okayama Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Emergency, Critical Care, and Disaster Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Emergency, Critical Care, and Disaster Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=abdominal injuries kn-keyword=abdominal injuries en-keyword=appendiceal neoplasms kn-keyword=appendiceal neoplasms en-keyword=computed tomography kn-keyword=computed tomography en-keyword=mucinous kn-keyword=mucinous en-keyword=pseudomyxoma peritonei kn-keyword=pseudomyxoma peritonei END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=25 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=1 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250102 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Predictive marker for response to trifluridine/tipiracil plus bevacizumab in metastatic colorectal cancer patients en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Objective Trifluridine/tipiracil (FTD/TPI) is one of the options for late-line treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the specific patient populations that would particularly benefit from it remain unclear. This study attempted to identify predictive markers of chemotherapy efficacy with trifluridine/tipiracil (FTD/TPI), focusing on the RNA-editing enzyme adenosine deaminase acting on RNA 1 (ADAR1) expression and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR).
Methods To assess the effectiveness of FTD/TPI in CRC patients, we retrospectively analyzed 72 CRC patients at Okayama University Hospital from 2014 to 2022.
Results Adding bevacizumab to FTD/TPI resulted in a more prolonged progression-free survival (PFS), consistent with the SUNLIGHT study findings (p = 0.0028). Among the participants, those with a high NLR had a shorter PFS (p = 0.0395). Moreover, high ADAR1 expression was associated with longer PFS (p = 0.0151). In multivariate analysis, low ADAR1 (HR = 3.43, p = 0.01) and absence of bevacizumab (HR = 4.25, p = 0.01) were identified as factors shortening PFS. The high ADAR1 group demonstrated fewer cases of progressive disease and a higher proportion of stable disease than the low ADAR1 group (p = 0.0288). Low NLR and high ADAR1 were predictive markers of prolonged PFS in the bevacizumab-treated group (p = 0.0036).
ConclusionLow NLR and high ADAR1 were predictive markers for a positive response to the FTD/TPI plus bevacizumab regimen associated with prolonged PFS. The FTD/TPI plus bevacizumab regimen should be proactively implemented in the low NLR and high ADAR1 subgroups. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=TakahashiToshiaki en-aut-sei=Takahashi en-aut-mei=Toshiaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShigeyasuKunitoshi en-aut-sei=Shigeyasu en-aut-mei=Kunitoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KondoYoshitaka en-aut-sei=Kondo en-aut-mei=Yoshitaka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakedaSho en-aut-sei=Takeda en-aut-mei=Sho kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=UmedaHibiki en-aut-sei=Umeda en-aut-mei=Hibiki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=MoriwakeKazuya en-aut-sei=Moriwake en-aut-mei=Kazuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=KayanoMasashi en-aut-sei=Kayano en-aut-mei=Masashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=SakuraiYuya en-aut-sei=Sakurai en-aut-mei=Yuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakamuraShunsuke en-aut-sei=Nakamura en-aut-mei=Shunsuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakahashiMasafumi en-aut-sei=Takahashi en-aut-mei=Masafumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=NittaKaori en-aut-sei=Nitta en-aut-mei=Kaori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=YoshidaKazuhiro en-aut-sei=Yoshida en-aut-mei=Kazuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsumiYuki en-aut-sei=Matsumi en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= en-aut-name=MichiueHiroyuki en-aut-sei=Michiue en-aut-mei=Hiroyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=14 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamamotoHideki en-aut-sei=Yamamoto en-aut-mei=Hideki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=15 ORCID= en-aut-name=KishimotoHiroyuki en-aut-sei=Kishimoto en-aut-mei=Hiroyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=16 ORCID= en-aut-name=TeraishiFuminori en-aut-sei=Teraishi en-aut-mei=Fuminori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=17 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShojiRyohei en-aut-sei=Shoji en-aut-mei=Ryohei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=18 ORCID= en-aut-name=KanayaNobuhiko en-aut-sei=Kanaya en-aut-mei=Nobuhiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=19 ORCID= en-aut-name=KashimaHajime en-aut-sei=Kashima en-aut-mei=Hajime kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=20 ORCID= en-aut-name=KakiuchiYoshihiko en-aut-sei=Kakiuchi en-aut-mei=Yoshihiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=21 ORCID= en-aut-name=KurodaShinji en-aut-sei=Kuroda en-aut-mei=Shinji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=22 ORCID= en-aut-name=KagawaShunsuke en-aut-sei=Kagawa en-aut-mei=Shunsuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=23 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiwaraToshiyoshi en-aut-sei=Fujiwara en-aut-mei=Toshiyoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=24 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=14 en-affil=Neutron Therapy Research Center, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=15 en-affil=Department of Clinical Genomic Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=16 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=17 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=18 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=19 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=20 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=21 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=22 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=23 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=24 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=ADAR1 kn-keyword=ADAR1 en-keyword=Colorectal cancer kn-keyword=Colorectal cancer en-keyword=Biomarker kn-keyword=Biomarker en-keyword=Trifluridine/tipiracil kn-keyword=Trifluridine/tipiracil END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=45 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=e12512 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250109 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Nicotine dependence based on the tobacco dependence screener among heated tobacco products users in Japan, 2022-2023: The JASTIS study en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Heated tobacco products (HTPs) are nicotine-containing products similar to cigarettes and are widely used in Japan. However, there has been insufficient research on nicotine dependence associated with HTP use. This study investigated the association of the types of individuals who smoked with the prevalence of nicotine dependence. We utilized data from the Japan Survey on Tobacco and Health (JASTIS). A total of 7969 participants who currently smokes was selected from the 2022 and 2023 survey respondents for the analysis. Nicotine dependence was defined as a score of 5 or higher on the Tobacco Dependence Screener (TDS). The prevalence of nicotine dependence was 43.0% (3473/8077) among all participants who smoked, 42.9% (1479/3447) among those who used cigarettes, 44.2% (760/1720) among those who used two products, and 43.0% (1206/2802) among those who used HTPs. The prevalence of nicotine dependence was statistically higher in the participants who used two products than in cigarettes (odds ratio [OR], 1.17; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.04-1.33). When classified by temperature, participants who used of two products (high-temp and low-temp) and those using participants who used HTPs (high-temp) had higher ORs for prevalent nicotine dependence (OR, 1.31 [95% CI, 1.14-1.51]) and (OR, 1.12 [95% CI, 1.00-1.25], respectively) compared to participants who used cigarettes. Additionally, the ORs for prevalent nicotine dependence increased with the number of tobacco sticks smoked per day. These results suggest that HTP use, particularly high-temperature HTPs use, and a higher number of tobacco sticks smoked is associated with nicotine dependence. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KitajimaTakuma en-aut-sei=Kitajima en-aut-mei=Takuma kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=HisamatsuTakashi en-aut-sei=Hisamatsu en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KandaHideyuki en-aut-sei=Kanda en-aut-mei=Hideyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=TabuchiTakahiro en-aut-sei=Tabuchi en-aut-mei=Takahiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Public Health, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Public Health, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Public Health, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Division of Epidemiology, Department of Health Informatics and Public Health, School of Public Health, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= en-keyword=cross-sectional survey kn-keyword=cross-sectional survey en-keyword= heated tobacco products kn-keyword= heated tobacco products en-keyword= logistic regression kn-keyword= logistic regression en-keyword= nicotine dependence kn-keyword= nicotine dependence en-keyword= tobacco dependence screener kn-keyword= tobacco dependence screener END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=11 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=e70031 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241226 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Characteristics and outcomes of subarachnoid hemorrhage from vertebral artery dissection: A comparative study with other non-traumatic etiologies en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Aim: Vertebral artery dissection (VAD) is a rare cause of non-traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) with significant clinical implications. This study compared the clinical characteristics and outcomes of SAH from intracranial VAD rupture to those from other etiologies, primarily aneurysmal rupture.
Methods: This single-center retrospective cohort study at Okayama University Hospital included patients with non-traumatic SAH diagnosed between 2019 and 2023. Patients were categorized into "VAD rupture" and "other etiologies" groups. The main outcome was clinical presentation and symptoms. Additional outcomes included ICU mortality, in-hospital mortality, and unfavorable outcomes at discharge and 6 months, defined as a modified Rankin Scale score of 3-6.
Results: A total of 66 patients were included, with 14 in the VAD rupture group and 52 in the other etiologies group. The VAD rupture group was younger (median age 49 vs. 64 years, p = 0.003) and had a higher incidence of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (42.9% vs. 9.6%, p = 0.011). Preceding headache was more common in the VAD rupture group (78.6% vs. 11.5%, p < 0.001), with a median duration of 36 h before presentation. ICU and in-hospital mortality was higher in the VAD rupture group (both 50.0% vs. 19.3%, p = 0.019). No significant differences were found in unfavorable neurological outcomes at hospital discharge and 6 months.
Conclusions: VAD-related SAH often presents with prodromal headaches, severe symptoms like out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, and higher ICU and in-hospital mortality than other SAH causes, though long-term outcomes are similar. Larger, prospective studies are needed to refine interventions. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=OshitaShu en-aut-sei=Oshita en-aut-mei=Shu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 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=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=JinnoShunta en-aut-sei=Jinno en-aut-mei=Shunta kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsuoIppei en-aut-sei=Matsuo en-aut-mei=Ippei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=HongoTakashi en-aut-sei=Hongo en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=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=HiramatsuMasafumi en-aut-sei=Hiramatsu en-aut-mei=Masafumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=HarumaJun en-aut-sei=Haruma en-aut-mei=Jun kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=SugiuKenji en-aut-sei=Sugiu en-aut-mei=Kenji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=TanakaShota en-aut-sei=Tanaka en-aut-mei=Shota kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 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=11 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Okayama University Medical School kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Emergency, Critical Care, and Disaster Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Emergency, Critical Care, and Disaster Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Emergency, Critical Care, and Disaster Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Emergency, Critical Care, and Disaster Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Emergency, Critical Care, and Disaster Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Neurological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Neurological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Neurological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Neurological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Emergency, Critical Care, and Disaster Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=headache kn-keyword=headache en-keyword=intracranial aneurysm kn-keyword=intracranial aneurysm en-keyword=prodromal symptoms kn-keyword=prodromal symptoms en-keyword=subarachnoid hemorrhage kn-keyword=subarachnoid hemorrhage en-keyword=vertebral artery dissection kn-keyword=vertebral artery dissection END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=14 cd-vols= no-issue=12 article-no= start-page=1258 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241215 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=The Impact of Selective Spatial Attention on Auditory-Tactile Integration: An Event-Related Potential Study en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background: Auditory-tactile integration is an important research area in multisensory integration. Especially in special environments (e.g., traffic noise and complex work environments), auditory-tactile integration is crucial for human response and decision making. We investigated the influence of attention on the temporal course and spatial distribution of auditory-tactile integration. Methods: Participants received auditory stimuli alone, tactile stimuli alone, and simultaneous auditory and tactile stimuli, which were randomly presented on the left or right side. For each block, participants attended to all stimuli on the designated side and detected uncommon target stimuli while ignoring all stimuli on the other side. Event-related potentials (ERPs) were recorded via 64 scalp electrodes. Integration was quantified by comparing the response to the combined stimulus to the sum of the responses to the auditory and tactile stimuli presented separately. Results: The results demonstrated that compared to the unattended condition, integration occurred earlier and involved more brain regions in the attended condition when the stimulus was presented in the left hemispace. The unattended condition involved a more extensive range of brain regions and occurred earlier than the attended condition when the stimulus was presented in the right hemispace. Conclusions: Attention can modulate auditory-tactile integration and show systematic differences between the left and right hemispaces. These findings contribute to the understanding of the mechanisms of auditory-tactile information processing in the human brain. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=AnWeichao en-aut-sei=An en-aut-mei=Weichao kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=ZhangNan en-aut-sei=Zhang en-aut-mei=Nan kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=LiShengnan en-aut-sei=Li en-aut-mei=Shengnan kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=YuYinghua en-aut-sei=Yu en-aut-mei=Yinghua kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=WuJinglong en-aut-sei=Wu en-aut-mei=Jinglong kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=YangJiajia en-aut-sei=Yang en-aut-mei=Jiajia kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=auditory-tactile integration kn-keyword=auditory-tactile integration en-keyword=selective spatial attention kn-keyword=selective spatial attention en-keyword=event-related potential kn-keyword=event-related potential en-keyword=left-right hemispace differences kn-keyword=left-right hemispace differences en-keyword=spatiotemporal distribution kn-keyword=spatiotemporal distribution END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=14 cd-vols= no-issue=12 article-no= start-page=1184 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241126 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Contributions of the Primary Sensorimotor Cortex and Posterior Parietal Cortex to Motor Learning and Transfer en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background: Transferring learned manipulations to new manipulation tasks has enabled humans to realize thousands of dexterous object manipulations in daily life. Two-digit grasp and three-digit grasp manipulations require different fingertip forces, and our brain can switch grasp types to ensure good performance according to motor memory. We hypothesized that several brain areas contribute to the execution of the new type of motor according to the motor memory. However, the motor memory mechanisms during this transfer period are still unclear. In the present functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study, we aimed to investigate the cortical mechanisms involved in motor memory during the transfer phase of learned manipulation tasks. Methods: Using a custom-built T-shaped object with an adjustable weight distribution, the participants performed grasp and lift manipulation tasks under different conditions to simulate the learning and transfer phases. The learning phase consisted of four grasp-and-lift repetitions with one motor type, followed by a transfer phase with four repetitions involving different motors (adding or removing a digit). Results: By comparing brain activity in the learning and transfer phases, we identified three regions (the superior frontal gyrus, supramarginal gyrus, and postcentral gyrus) associated with motor memory during the transfer of learned manipulations. Conclusions: Our findings improve the understanding of the role of the posterior parietal cortex in motor memory, highlighting how sensory information from memory and real-time input is integrated to generate novel motor control signals that guide the precise reapplication of control strategies. Furthermore, we believe that these areas contribute to motor learning from motor memory and may serve as key regions of interest for investigating neurodegenerative diseases. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=WangChenyu en-aut-sei=Wang en-aut-mei=Chenyu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=YuYinghua en-aut-sei=Yu en-aut-mei=Yinghua kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=YangJiajia en-aut-sei=Yang en-aut-mei=Jiajia kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=fMRI kn-keyword=fMRI en-keyword=motor learning and transfer kn-keyword=motor learning and transfer en-keyword=primary sensorimotor cortex kn-keyword=primary sensorimotor cortex en-keyword=posterior parietal cortex kn-keyword=posterior parietal cortex END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=16 cd-vols= no-issue=24 article-no= start-page=4383 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241126 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Association Between Change in Prognostic Nutritional Index During Neoadjuvant Therapy and Dental Occlusal Support in Patients with Esophageal Cancer Under Neoadjuvant Therapy: A Retrospective Longitudinal Pilot Study en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background: A high prognostic nutritional index (PNI) is associated with good prognosis in patients with esophageal cancer. However, nutritional status often decreases during neoadjuvant therapy. Functional tooth units (FTUs) provide an index for the status of posterior occlusal support. We have previously reported that low PNI is related to low FTUs. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to retrospectively examine whether the status of occlusal support relates to changes in PNI during neoadjuvant therapy in patients with esophageal cancer. Methods: This study included 34 patients who underwent neoadjuvant therapy before esophagectomy (32 men, 2 women; age, 36-82 years) in 2012 at Okayama University Hospital. Patients were divided into the good occlusal support group (FTUs >= 11, n = 18) or poor occlusal support group (FTUs < 11, n = 16), and changes in PNI during neoadjuvant therapy were investigated. Results: PNI decreased significantly after neoadjuvant therapy, particularly in the good occlusal support group, and became more dispersed after neoadjuvant therapy. Decreases in PNI after neoadjuvant therapy showed a significant positive correlation with good occlusal support by multiple regression analysis (p = 0.03). The proportions of patients provided with nutritional intervention (p = 0.02) or early dental intervention (p = 0.04) were lower in the good occlusal support group than in the poor occlusal support group. Conclusions: Even in patients with esophageal cancer with good occlusal support experienced significant declines in PNI during neoadjuvant therapy, potentially due to delayed nutritional and dental interventions. Early multidisciplinary interventions are thus recommended for all patients, regardless of preoperative dental or nutritional status. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=Yamanaka-KohnoReiko en-aut-sei=Yamanaka-Kohno en-aut-mei=Reiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShirakawaYasuhiro en-aut-sei=Shirakawa en-aut-mei=Yasuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=Inoue-MinakuchiMami en-aut-sei=Inoue-Minakuchi en-aut-mei=Mami kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=YokoiAya en-aut-sei=Yokoi en-aut-mei=Aya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=NomaKazuhiro en-aut-sei=Noma en-aut-mei=Kazuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=TanabeShunsuke en-aut-sei=Tanabe en-aut-mei=Shunsuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=MaedaNaoaki en-aut-sei=Maeda en-aut-mei=Naoaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiwaraToshiyoshi en-aut-sei=Fujiwara en-aut-mei=Toshiyoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=MoritaManabu en-aut-sei=Morita en-aut-mei=Manabu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=EkuniDaisuke en-aut-sei=Ekuni en-aut-mei=Daisuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Preventive Dentistry, Division of Dentistry, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Oral Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Preventive Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Preventive Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Preventive Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=esophageal cancer kn-keyword=esophageal cancer en-keyword=prognostic factors kn-keyword=prognostic factors en-keyword=nutrition kn-keyword=nutrition en-keyword=neoadjuvant therapy kn-keyword=neoadjuvant therapy en-keyword=dental occlusion kn-keyword=dental occlusion END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=15 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=1439705 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241211 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=HOMA-beta independently predicts survival in patients with advanced cancer on treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background: Although immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are effective cancer drugs, ICI-induced diabetes is a rare but a life-threatening adverse event for patients. The deleterious action of ICI on pancreatic beta-cell function is a concern. However, the influence of ICI on insulin synthesis and secretion in patients with cancer without diabetes remains unknown.
Methods: This study included 87 patients diagnosed with advanced cancer. Glucose metabolism markers (HbA1c, HOMA-IR) and indicators of insulin secretory capacity (HOMA-beta, C-peptide) were prospectively evaluated in patients with ICI-treated cancers to determine their association with cancer prognosis.
Results: Patients with overall survival (OS) >= 7 months had substantially higher HOMA-beta levels at baseline (p=0.008) and 1 month after ICI administration (p=0.006) compared to those with OS <7 months. The median OS was significantly longer in patients with HOMA-beta >= 64.24 (13 months, 95%CI: 5.849-20.151, 37 events) than in those with HOMA-beta < 64.24 (5 months, 95%CI: 3.280-6.720, 50 events) (p=0.013). Further, the median progression-free survival (PFS) was significantly longer in patients with HOMA-beta >= 66.43 (4 months, 95%CI: 3.073-4.927, 33 events) than in those with HOMA-beta < 66.43 (2 months, 95%CI: 1.410-2.590, 54 events) (p=0.025). Additionally, multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that a HOMA-beta value >= 64.24 independently predicted longer OS in ICI-treated patients.
Conclusions: Pre-ICI HOMA-beta level is linked to longer OS in ICI-treated patients. This connection is significant and shows that insulin secretory capacity may predict ICI efficacy. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=WatanabeMayu en-aut-sei=Watanabe en-aut-mei=Mayu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 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=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakamotoAtsushi en-aut-sei=Takamoto en-aut-mei=Atsushi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 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=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=NodaYohei en-aut-sei=Noda en-aut-mei=Yohei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=KagawaSyunsuke en-aut-sei=Kagawa en-aut-mei=Syunsuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=WadaJun en-aut-sei=Wada en-aut-mei=Jun kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Urology, Fukuyama City Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Internal Medicine, Tsuyama Chuo Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Urology, Fukuyama City Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=anti-PD1 immune checkpoint inhibitors kn-keyword=anti-PD1 immune checkpoint inhibitors en-keyword= insulin secretory capacity kn-keyword= insulin secretory capacity en-keyword= cancer prognosis kn-keyword= cancer prognosis en-keyword= insulin secretion kn-keyword= insulin secretion en-keyword= glucose metabolism markers kn-keyword= glucose metabolism markers END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=74 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=58 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241221 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Evaluation of the effects of fenestration in Fontan circulation using a lumped parameter model en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Fenestration has been reported to enhance Fontan hemodynamics in several cases of Fontan circulation. However, the indication criteria for fenestration remain under discussion. To assess the effectiveness of fenestration in Fontan circulation, we conducted a theoretical analysis using a computational model of the fenestrated Fontan circulation. The cardiac chambers and vascular systems were modeled using the time-varying elastance model and the modified Windkessel model, respectively. When the pulmonary vascular resistance index was 4.01 Wood units m2, fenestration significantly reduced central venous pressure from 18.0 to 16.1 mmHg and decreased stressed blood volume from 610 to 555 ml. However, in the models with reduced ventricular end-systolic elastance, increased ventricular stiffness constant, or heightened systemic vascular resistance, the advantages of fenestration were diminished. Thus, fenestration may effectively improve the hemodynamics of Fontan circulation in patients with elevated pulmonary vascular resistance. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=HorioNaohiro en-aut-sei=Horio en-aut-mei=Naohiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 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=2 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=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyaharaYoshinori en-aut-sei=Miyahara en-aut-mei=Yoshinori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=KasaharaShingo en-aut-sei=Kasahara en-aut-mei=Shingo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= 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 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=Pediatric Heart Disease and Adult Congenital Heart Disease Center, Showa University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=Single ventricle kn-keyword=Single ventricle en-keyword=Fontan circulation kn-keyword=Fontan circulation en-keyword=Fenestration kn-keyword=Fenestration en-keyword=Hemodynamic simulation kn-keyword=Hemodynamic simulation en-keyword=Lumped parameter model kn-keyword=Lumped parameter model END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=13 cd-vols= no-issue=23 article-no= start-page=7078 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241123 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Clinical Characteristics of Persistent Hypophosphatasemia Uncovered in Adult Patients: A Retrospective Study at a Japanese Tertiary Hospital en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background: Hypophosphatasemia is often overlooked despite its potential to indicate underlying pathologies. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of persistent hypophosphatasemia in a large, urban, multi-specialty hospital population and characterize the clinical and laboratory findings in adult patients with this condition. Methods: In this retrospective observational study, the results of 424,434 alkaline phosphatase (ALP) tests in 50,136 patients aged >= 18 years that were performed at Okayama University Hospital between July 2020 and October 2023 were analyzed. Persistent hypophosphatasemia was defined as consistently low ALP levels (<= 40 IU/L) for 28 days with a minimum recorded level of <= 35 IU/L. Results: Persistent hypophosphatasemia was detected in 273 patients (0.54% of the tested patients), and the patients with persistent hypophosphatasemia included a higher proportion of females (72.5% vs. 52.9% in the people without persistent hypophosphatasemia; chi-squared test, p < 0.01) and had a younger median age (51 years vs. 63 years; Mann-Whitney U test, p < 0.01) than those in the overall tested population. The common causes of persistent hypophosphatasemia were cancer (30%), glucocorticoid use (21%), and immunosuppressants (16%). Notably, 38 patients (14%) had no apparent cause for low ALP values. These patients were categorized on the basis of their clinical characteristics, with some patients presenting symptoms potentially related to adult hypophosphatasia. Conclusions: This study provides prevalence and insights into the causes and characteristics of persistent hypophosphatasemia in a Japanese tertiary care setting. While most cases were associated with known causes, patients with unexplained hypophosphatasemia and symptoms such as chronic pain, muscle weakness, and general fatigue could have adult hypophosphatasia. In such cases, comprehensive evaluation and further investigation for hypophosphatasia should be considered. Persistent hypophosphatasemia of undetermined etiology could be a crucial initial step in diagnostic algorithms for this condition. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=FujiwaraShintaro en-aut-sei=Fujiwara en-aut-mei=Shintaro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=OtsukaYuki en-aut-sei=Otsuka en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=FurukawaMasanori en-aut-sei=Furukawa en-aut-mei=Masanori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=HigashikageAkihito en-aut-sei=Higashikage en-aut-mei=Akihito kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=OtsukaFumio en-aut-sei=Otsuka en-aut-mei=Fumio kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Laboratory Medicine, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Laboratory Medicine, 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= en-keyword=chronic fatigue syndrome kn-keyword=chronic fatigue syndrome en-keyword=chronic pain kn-keyword=chronic pain en-keyword=hypophosphatasemia kn-keyword=hypophosphatasemia en-keyword=alkaline phosphatase kn-keyword=alkaline phosphatase en-keyword=hypophosphatasia kn-keyword=hypophosphatasia END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=18 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=23 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241218 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Psychogenic fever and neurodevelopmental disorders among Japanese children en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background Psychosocial stress can induce various physical symptoms, including fever, which is a commonly seen symptom in pediatric practice. In cases of unexplained fever, psychogenic fever should be considered as a potential cause. Children with neurodevelopmental disorders may be more vulnerable to stress and therefore more prone to developing somatic symptoms than their peers. This study aimed to elucidate the characteristics of children with psychogenic fever and comorbidity.
Methods This study included 21 patients with psychogenic fever who visited the Department of Pediatric Psychosomatic Medicine, Okayama University Hospital. Information on age, sex, disease onset, final estimated diagnosis, comorbidities, treatment course, and outcome was obtained from the patients' medical records.
Results Of the 21 patients included, 7 were boys and 14 were girls, and their median age was 13.0 (range: 8.6-14.6) years. A total of 19 patients had no attendance at school, and all patients showed signs of maladjustment in school. The comorbidities included orthostatic dysregulation (n = 4) and migraine (n = 3). Neurodevelopmental disorders were observed in nine patients, eight of whom were diagnosed after the initial visit. The mean treatment duration was 37.2 months. The outcomes were complete remission (n = 9), improvement (n = 4), discontinuation (n = 1), and referral to another physician (n = 7).
Conclusion Various comorbidities were observed in the patients of this study with psychogenic fever, including the coexistence of neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autistic spectrum disorder. Children with neurodevelopmental disorders are prone to psychological stress resulting from difficulties in social adjustment. It is crucial to understand the developmental characteristics and environmental adaptation of patients to facilitate accurate diagnosis and treatment. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=OkadaAyumi en-aut-sei=Okada en-aut-mei=Ayumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShigeyasuYoshie en-aut-sei=Shigeyasu en-aut-mei=Yoshie kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiiChikako en-aut-sei=Fujii en-aut-mei=Chikako kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=TanakaChie en-aut-sei=Tanaka en-aut-mei=Chie kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=HanzawaMana en-aut-sei=Hanzawa en-aut-mei=Mana kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=SugiharaAkiko en-aut-sei=Sugihara en-aut-mei=Akiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=HoriuchiMakiko en-aut-sei=Horiuchi en-aut-mei=Makiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=TsukaharaHirokazu en-aut-sei=Tsukahara en-aut-mei=Hirokazu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Pediatrics, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Pediatrics, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Pediatrics, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Pediatrics, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Pediatrics, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Pediatrics, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Psychogenic fever kn-keyword=Psychogenic fever en-keyword=Functional hyperthermia kn-keyword=Functional hyperthermia en-keyword=Neurodevelopmental disorder kn-keyword=Neurodevelopmental disorder en-keyword=Autism spectrum disorder kn-keyword=Autism spectrum disorder en-keyword=Environmental adaptation kn-keyword=Environmental adaptation END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=13 cd-vols= no-issue=24 article-no= start-page=2045 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241211 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=iPSC-Derived Biological Pacemaker-From Bench to Bedside en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived biological pacemakers have emerged as an alternative to traditional electronic pacemakers for managing cardiac arrhythmias. While effective, electronic pacemakers face challenges such as device failure, lead complications, and surgical risks, particularly in children. iPSC-derived pacemakers offer a promising solution by mimicking the sinoatrial node's natural pacemaking function, providing a more physiological approach to rhythm control. These cells can differentiate into cardiomyocytes capable of autonomous electrical activity, integrating into heart tissue. However, challenges such as achieving cellular maturity, long-term functionality, and immune response remain significant barriers to clinical translation. Future research should focus on refining gene-editing techniques, optimizing differentiation, and developing scalable production processes to enhance the safety and effectiveness of these biological pacemakers. With further advancements, iPSC-derived pacemakers could offer a patient-specific, durable alternative for cardiac rhythm management. This review discusses key advancements in differentiation protocols and preclinical studies, demonstrating their potential in treating dysrhythmias. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=VoQuan Duy en-aut-sei=Vo en-aut-mei=Quan Duy 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=SaitoYukihiro en-aut-sei=Saito en-aut-mei=Yukihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=IidaToshihiro en-aut-sei=Iida en-aut-mei=Toshihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 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=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=AmiokaNaofumi en-aut-sei=Amioka en-aut-mei=Naofumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 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=7 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=8 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=9 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=sinoatrial node kn-keyword=sinoatrial node en-keyword=HCN channels kn-keyword=HCN channels en-keyword=induced pluripotent stem cell kn-keyword=induced pluripotent stem cell END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=103 cd-vols= no-issue=50 article-no= start-page=e40849 end-page= 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=Relevance of oxidative stress for small intestinal injuries induced by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: A multicenter prospective study en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Several reports revealed that oxidative stress was involved in the mouse model of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAIDs)-induced small intestinal mucosal injuries. Thus, we aimed to investigate in the prospective clinical study, that the relevance of oxidative stress balance in small intestinal mucosal injury in NSAIDs users. We prospectively included 60 patients who had been taking NSAIDs continuously for more than 3 months and exhibited obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (number UMIN 000011775). Small intestinal mucosal injuries were assessed by capsule endoscopy (CE), and reactive oxygen metabolites (d-ROMs) levels and oxidant capacity (OXY) adsorbent test were performed to investigate the relevance of oxidative stress balance. More than half of the patients (N = 32, 53%) had small intestinal mucosal injuries by CE, and 14 patients (24%) had ulcers. The incidence of ulcers was relatively higher in nonaspirin users. Serum OXY levels were significantly lower in the mucosal injury group (P = .02), and d-ROM levels were significantly higher in the ulcer group (P < .01). In aspirin users, d-ROM and OXY levels did not differ significantly with respect to mucosal injuries or ulcers. However, in nonaspirin users, OXY level was significantly lower in the mucosal injury group (P = .04), and d-ROM levels were significantly higher in the ulcer group (P = .02). Nonaspirin NSAIDs-induced intestinal mucosal injury is associated with antioxidant systems, resulting in increased oxidative stress. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=BabaYuki en-aut-sei=Baba en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KawanoSeiji en-aut-sei=Kawano en-aut-mei=Seiji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakakiAkinobu en-aut-sei=Takaki en-aut-mei=Akinobu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 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=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=HoriiJoichiro en-aut-sei=Horii en-aut-mei=Joichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakahashiSakuma en-aut-sei=Takahashi en-aut-mei=Sakuma kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=KawaiDaisuke en-aut-sei=Kawai en-aut-mei=Daisuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=KobayashiSayo en-aut-sei=Kobayashi en-aut-mei=Sayo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkadaHiroyuki en-aut-sei=Okada en-aut-mei=Hiroyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Internal Medicine, Japanese Red Cross Himeji Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology, National Hospital Organization Fukuyama Medical Center kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology, Kagawa Prefectural Central Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Internal Medicine, Okayama Saiseikai General Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Internal Medicine, Fukuyama City Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=capsule endoscopy kn-keyword=capsule endoscopy en-keyword=NSAIDs kn-keyword=NSAIDs en-keyword=oxidative stress kn-keyword=oxidative stress en-keyword=small intestinal mucosal injury kn-keyword=small intestinal mucosal injury END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=15 cd-vols= no-issue=12 article-no= start-page=789 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241209 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=A Yoga Pose Difficulty Level Estimation Method Using OpenPose for Self-Practice System to Yoga Beginners en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Yoga is an exercise preferable for various users at different ages to enhance physical and mental health. To help beginner yoga self-practitioners avoid getting injured by selecting difficult yoga poses, the information of the difficulty level of yoga poses is very important to provide an objective metric to assist yoga self-practitioners in selecting appropriate exercises on the basis of their skill level by using the yoga self-practice system. To enhance the developed yoga self-practice system, the yoga difficulty level estimation function will enable users to clearly understand whether the selected yoga poses are suitable for them. In this paper, the newest difficulty level estimation method of yoga poses is proposed by using and analyzing OpenPose two-dimensional (2D) human body keypoints. The proposed method effectively uses the selected six keypoints areas of the upper and lower body, body support types, center of gravity calculations, and body tilt angles and slopes to produce estimations. Firstly, the method calculates the weighted centers of the upper and lower human body for each pose by using keypoints. Secondly, it refers the slope of the centroid line between the two centers and infers the body's balance state. Lastly, the system estimates the difficulty level by additionally considering the keypoints of the body to contact the ground. For evaluations of the proposal, more than one hundred yoga poses are collected from the Internet and applied to classify them into five difficulty levels. Through comparisons with subjective levels from one instructor and 10 users, the validity of the estimation results is confirmed, a comparison is performed with existing designs, and it is implemented in embedded systems. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=ShihCheng-Liang en-aut-sei=Shih en-aut-mei=Cheng-Liang kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=LiuJun-You en-aut-sei=Liu en-aut-mei=Jun-You kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=AnggrainiIrin Tri en-aut-sei=Anggraini en-aut-mei=Irin Tri kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=XiaoYanqi en-aut-sei=Xiao en-aut-mei=Yanqi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=FunabikiNobuo en-aut-sei=Funabiki en-aut-mei=Nobuo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=FanChih-Peng en-aut-sei=Fan en-aut-mei=Chih-Peng kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Electrical Engineering, National Chung Hsing University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Electrical Engineering, National Chung Hsing University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Electrical and Communication Engineering, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Electrical and Communication Engineering, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Electrical and Communication Engineering, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Electrical Engineering, National Chung Hsing University kn-affil= en-keyword=yoga kn-keyword=yoga en-keyword=self-practice kn-keyword=self-practice en-keyword=OpenPose kn-keyword=OpenPose en-keyword=pose difficulty level kn-keyword=pose difficulty level en-keyword=body keypoint kn-keyword=body keypoint END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=2024 cd-vols= no-issue=12 article-no= start-page= 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=Multi-dimensional optimisation of the scanning strategy for the LiteBIRD space mission en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Large angular scale surveys in the absence of atmosphere are essential for measuring the primordial B-mode power spectrum of the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB). Since this proposed measurement is about three to four orders of magnitude fainter than the temperature anisotropies of the CMB, in-flight calibration of the instruments and active suppression of systematic effects are crucial. We investigate the effect of changing the parameters of the scanning strategy on the in-flight calibration effectiveness, the suppression of the systematic effects themselves, and the ability to distinguish systematic effects by null-tests. Next-generation missions such as LiteBIRD, modulated by a Half-Wave Plate (HWP), will be able to observe polarisation using a single detector, eliminating the need to combine several detectors to measure polarisation, as done in many previous experiments and hence avoiding the consequent systematic effects. While the HWP is expected to suppress many systematic effects, some of them will remain. We use an analytical approach to comprehensively address the mitigation of these systematic effects and identify the characteristics of scanning strategies that are the most effective for implementing a variety of calibration strategies in the multi-dimensional space of common spacecraft scan parameters. We verify that LiteBIRD's standard configuration yields good performance on the metrics we studied. We also present Falcons.jl, a fast spacecraft scanning simulator that we developed to investigate this scanning parameter space. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=TakaseY. en-aut-sei=Takase en-aut-mei=Y. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=VacherL. en-aut-sei=Vacher en-aut-mei=L. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=IshinoH. en-aut-sei=Ishino en-aut-mei=H. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=PatanchonG. en-aut-sei=Patanchon en-aut-mei=G. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=MontierL. en-aut-sei=Montier en-aut-mei=L. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=SteverS.L. en-aut-sei=Stever en-aut-mei=S.L. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=IshizakaK. en-aut-sei=Ishizaka en-aut-mei=K. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=NaganoY. en-aut-sei=Nagano en-aut-mei=Y. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=WangW. en-aut-sei=Wang en-aut-mei=W. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=AumontJ. en-aut-sei=Aumont en-aut-mei=J. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=AizawaK. en-aut-sei=Aizawa en-aut-mei=K. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=AnandA. en-aut-sei=Anand en-aut-mei=A. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=BaccigalupiC. en-aut-sei=Baccigalupi en-aut-mei=C. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= en-aut-name=BallardiniM. en-aut-sei=Ballardini en-aut-mei=M. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=14 ORCID= en-aut-name=BandayA.J. en-aut-sei=Banday en-aut-mei=A.J. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=15 ORCID= en-aut-name=BarreiroR.B. en-aut-sei=Barreiro en-aut-mei=R.B. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=16 ORCID= en-aut-name=BartoloN. en-aut-sei=Bartolo en-aut-mei=N. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=17 ORCID= en-aut-name=BasakS. en-aut-sei=Basak en-aut-mei=S. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=18 ORCID= en-aut-name=BersanelliM. en-aut-sei=Bersanelli en-aut-mei=M. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=19 ORCID= en-aut-name=BortolamiM. en-aut-sei=Bortolami en-aut-mei=M. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=20 ORCID= en-aut-name=BrinckmannT. en-aut-sei=Brinckmann en-aut-mei=T. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=21 ORCID= en-aut-name=CalabreseE. en-aut-sei=Calabrese en-aut-mei=E. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=22 ORCID= en-aut-name=CampetiP. en-aut-sei=Campeti en-aut-mei=P. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=23 ORCID= en-aut-name=CarinosE. en-aut-sei=Carinos en-aut-mei=E. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=24 ORCID= 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kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=100 ORCID= en-aut-name=van TentB. en-aut-sei=van Tent en-aut-mei=B. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=101 ORCID= en-aut-name=VielvaP. en-aut-sei=Vielva en-aut-mei=P. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=102 ORCID= en-aut-name=WehusI.K. en-aut-sei=Wehus en-aut-mei=I.K. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=103 ORCID= en-aut-name=WestbrookB. en-aut-sei=Westbrook en-aut-mei=B. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=104 ORCID= en-aut-name=Weymann-DespresG. en-aut-sei=Weymann-Despres en-aut-mei=G. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=105 ORCID= en-aut-name=WollackE.J. en-aut-sei=Wollack en-aut-mei=E.J. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=106 ORCID= en-aut-name=ZannoniM. en-aut-sei=Zannoni en-aut-mei=M. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=107 ORCID= en-aut-name=ZhouY. en-aut-sei=Zhou en-aut-mei=Y. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=108 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Okayama University, Department of Physics kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA) kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Okayama University, Department of Physics kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=ILANCE, CNRS, University of Tokyo International Research Laboratory kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=IRAP, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, CNES, UPS kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Okayama University, Department of Physics kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Okayama University, Department of Physics kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Okayama University, Department of Physics kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Université Paris Cité, CNRS, Astroparticule et Cosmologie kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=IRAP, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, CNES, UPS kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=The University of Tokyo, Department of Physics kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Dipartimento di Fisica, Università di Roma Tor Vergata kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA) kn-affil= affil-num=14 en-affil=Dipartimento di Fisica e Scienze della Terra, Università di Ferrara kn-affil= affil-num=15 en-affil=IRAP, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, CNES, UPS kn-affil= affil-num=16 en-affil=Instituto de Fisica de Cantabria (IFCA, CSIC-UC) kn-affil= affil-num=17 en-affil=Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia "G. Galilei", Università degli Studi di Padova kn-affil= affil-num=18 en-affil=School of Physics, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Thiruvananthapuram kn-affil= affil-num=19 en-affil=Dipartimento di Fisica, Università degli Studi di Milano kn-affil= affil-num=20 en-affil=Dipartimento di Fisica e Scienze della Terra, Università di Ferrara kn-affil= affil-num=21 en-affil=Dipartimento di Fisica e Scienze della Terra, Università di Ferrara kn-affil= affil-num=22 en-affil=School of Physics and Astronomy, Cardiff University kn-affil= affil-num=23 en-affil=INFN Sezione di Ferrara kn-affil= affil-num=24 en-affil=IRAP, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, CNES, UPS kn-affil= affil-num=25 en-affil=International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA) kn-affil= affil-num=26 en-affil=Instituto de Fisica de Cantabria (IFCA, CSIC-UC) kn-affil= affil-num=27 en-affil=Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics, Department of Physics and Astronomy, School of Natural Sciences, The University of Manchester kn-affil= affil-num=28 en-affil=Centre Spatial de Liège, Université de Liège kn-affil= affil-num=29 en-affil=Dipartimento di Fisica, Università La Sapienza kn-affil= affil-num=30 en-affil=Dipartimento di Fisica, Università La Sapienza kn-affil= affil-num=31 en-affil=INAF, OAS Bologna kn-affil= affil-num=32 en-affil=Dipartimento di Fisica, Università La Sapienza kn-affil= affil-num=33 en-affil=Dipartimento di Fisica, Università La Sapienza kn-affil= affil-num=34 en-affil=Institute of Particle and Nuclear Studies (IPNS), High Energy Accelerator Research Organization (KEK) kn-affil= affil-num=35 en-affil=CNRS-UCB International Research Laboratory, Centre Pierre Binétruy, UMI2007 kn-affil= affil-num=36 en-affil=INFN Sezione Milano Bicocca kn-affil= affil-num=37 en-affil=Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics kn-affil= affil-num=38 en-affil=Institute of Theoretical Astrophysics, University of Oslo kn-affil= affil-num=39 en-affil=Université Paris Cité, CNRS, Astroparticule et Cosmologie kn-affil= affil-num=40 en-affil=INAF, OAS Bologna kn-affil= affil-num=41 en-affil=Institute of Theoretical Astrophysics, University of Oslo kn-affil= affil-num=42 en-affil=Dipartimento di Fisica e Scienze della Terra, Università di Ferrara kn-affil= affil-num=43 en-affil=Institute of Theoretical Astrophysics, University of Oslo kn-affil= affil-num=44 en-affil=University of Milano Bicocca, Physics Department kn-affil= affil-num=45 en-affil=International Center for Quantum-field Measurement Systems for Studies of the Universe and Particles (QUP), High Energy Accelerator Research Organization (KEK) kn-affil= affil-num=46 en-affil=School of Physics and Astronomy, Cardiff University kn-affil= affil-num=47 en-affil=Instituto de Fisica de Cantabria (IFCA, CSIC-UC) kn-affil= affil-num=48 en-affil=Institute of Theoretical Astrophysics, University of Oslo kn-affil= affil-num=49 en-affil=Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias kn-affil= affil-num=50 en-affil=INAF, OAS Bologna kn-affil= affil-num=51 en-affil=International Center for Quantum-field Measurement Systems for Studies of the Universe and Particles (QUP), High Energy Accelerator Research Organization (KEK) kn-affil= affil-num=52 en-affil=Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS/IN2P3, IJCLab kn-affil= affil-num=53 en-affil=Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of British Columbia kn-affil= affil-num=54 en-affil=Okayama University, Department of Physics kn-affil= affil-num=55 en-affil=Institute of Particle and Nuclear Studies (IPNS), High Energy Accelerator Research Organization (KEK) kn-affil= affil-num=56 en-affil=Dipartimento di Fisica, Università La Sapienza kn-affil= affil-num=57 en-affil=INFN Sezione di Ferrara kn-affil= affil-num=58 en-affil=Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe (Kavli IPMU, WPI), UTIAS, The University of Tokyo kn-affil= affil-num=59 en-affil=Dipartimento di Fisica e Scienze della Terra, Università di Ferrara kn-affil= affil-num=60 en-affil=Laboratoire de Physique de l'École Normale Supérieure, ENS, Université PSL, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris kn-affil= affil-num=61 en-affil=University of California, San Diego, Department of Physics kn-affil= affil-num=62 en-affil=Aurora Technology for the European Space Agency kn-affil= affil-num=63 en-affil=Space Science Data Center, Italian Space Agency kn-affil= affil-num=64 en-affil=Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Institut d'Astrophysique Spatiale kn-affil= affil-num=65 en-affil=Instituto de Fisica de Cantabria (IFCA, CSIC-UC) kn-affil= affil-num=66 en-affil=Dipartimento di Fisica, Università La Sapienza kn-affil= affil-num=67 en-affil=Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia "G. Galilei", Università degli Studi di Padova kn-affil= affil-num=68 en-affil=Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS) kn-affil= affil-num=69 en-affil=Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe (Kavli IPMU, WPI), UTIAS, The University of Tokyo kn-affil= affil-num=70 en-affil=Dipartimento di Fisica, Università La Sapienza kn-affil= affil-num=71 en-affil=Dipartimento di Fisica, Università di Roma Tor Vergata kn-affil= affil-num=72 en-affil=Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics kn-affil= affil-num=73 en-affil=INAF, OAS Bologna kn-affil= affil-num=74 en-affil=IRAP, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, CNES, UPS kn-affil= affil-num=75 en-affil=Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS) kn-affil= affil-num=76 en-affil=Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe (Kavli IPMU, WPI), UTIAS, The University of Tokyo kn-affil= affil-num=77 en-affil=Dipartimento di Fisica, Università La Sapienza kn-affil= affil-num=78 en-affil=Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS) kn-affil= affil-num=79 en-affil=Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS) kn-affil= affil-num=80 en-affil=Okayama University, Department of Physics kn-affil= affil-num=81 en-affil=Dipartimento di Fisica e Scienze della Terra, Università di Ferrara kn-affil= affil-num=82 en-affil=INAF, OAS Bologna kn-affil= affil-num=83 en-affil=Dipartimento di Fisica, Università La Sapienza kn-affil= affil-num=84 en-affil=INFN Sezione di Pisa kn-affil= affil-num=85 en-affil=Space Science Data Center, Italian Space Agency kn-affil= affil-num=86 en-affil=Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare-aboratori Nazionali di Frascati (INFN-LNF) kn-affil= affil-num=87 en-affil=Dipartimento di Fisica e Scienze della Terra, Università di Ferrara kn-affil= affil-num=88 en-affil=Instituto de Fisica de Cantabria (IFCA, CSIC-UC) kn-affil= affil-num=89 en-affil=Dipartimento di Fisica, Università di Roma Tor Vergata kn-affil= affil-num=90 en-affil=Instituto de Fisica de Cantabria (IFCA, CSIC-UC) kn-affil= affil-num=91 en-affil=Suwa University of Science kn-affil= affil-num=92 en-affil=Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of British Columbia kn-affil= affil-num=93 en-affil=Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS) kn-affil= affil-num=94 en-affil=Suwa University of Science kn-affil= affil-num=95 en-affil=Dipartimento di Fisica, Università di Pisa kn-affil= affil-num=96 en-affil=Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of British Columbia kn-affil= affil-num=97 en-affil=Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS) kn-affil= affil-num=98 en-affil=INAF, OAS Bologna kn-affil= affil-num=99 en-affil=Dipartimento di Fisica, Università degli Studi di Milano kn-affil= affil-num=100 en-affil=Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS/IN2P3, IJCLab kn-affil= affil-num=101 en-affil=Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS/IN2P3, IJCLab kn-affil= affil-num=102 en-affil=Instituto de Fisica de Cantabria (IFCA, CSIC-UC) kn-affil= affil-num=103 en-affil=Institute of Theoretical Astrophysics, University of Oslo kn-affil= affil-num=104 en-affil=University of California, Berkeley, Department of Physics, Berkeley kn-affil= affil-num=105 en-affil=Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS/IN2P3, IJCLab kn-affil= affil-num=106 en-affil=NASA Goddard Space Flight Center kn-affil= affil-num=107 en-affil=University of Milano Bicocca, Physics Department kn-affil= affil-num=108 en-affil=International Center for Quantum-field Measurement Systems for Studies of the Universe and Particles (QUP), High Energy Accelerator Research Organization (KEK) kn-affil= en-keyword=CMBR experiments kn-keyword=CMBR experiments en-keyword=CMBR polarisation kn-keyword=CMBR polarisation en-keyword=gravitational waves and CMBR polarization kn-keyword=gravitational waves and CMBR polarization END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=169 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=e16291 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241222 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Exploring the Role of Ccn3 in Type III Cell of Mice Taste Buds en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Different taste cells express unique cell-type markers, enabling researchers to distinguish them and study their functional differentiation. Using single-cell RNA-Seq of taste cells in mouse fungiform papillae, we found that Cellular Communication Network Factor 3 (Ccn3) was highly expressed in Type III taste cells but not in Type II taste cells. Ccn3 is a protein-coding gene involved in various biological processes, such as cell proliferation, angiogenesis, tumorigenesis, and wound healing. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to explore the expression and function of Ccn3 in mouse taste bud cells. Using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), in situ hybridization, and immunohistochemistry (IHC), we confirmed that Ccn3 was predominantly expressed in Type III taste cells. Through IHC, quantitative real-time RT-PCR, gustatory nerve recordings, and short-term lick tests, we observed that Ccn3 knockout (Ccn3-KO) mice did not exhibit any significant differences in the expression of taste cell markers and taste responses compared to wild-type controls. To explore the function of Ccn3 in taste cells, bioinformatics analyses were conducted and predicted possible roles of Ccn3 in tissue regeneration, perception of pain, protein secretion, and immune response. Among them, an immune function is the most plausible based on our experimental results. In summary, our study indicates that although Ccn3 is strongly expressed in Type III taste cells, its knockout did not influence the basic taste response, but bioinformatics provided valuable insights into the possible role of Ccn3 in taste buds and shed light on future research directions. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=WangKuanyu en-aut-sei=Wang en-aut-mei=Kuanyu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MitohYoshihiro en-aut-sei=Mitoh en-aut-mei=Yoshihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=HorieKengo en-aut-sei=Horie en-aut-mei=Kengo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=YoshidaRyusuke en-aut-sei=Yoshida en-aut-mei=Ryusuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Oral Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Oral Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Oral Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Oral Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=bioinformatics kn-keyword=bioinformatics en-keyword=Ccn3 kn-keyword=Ccn3 en-keyword=Type III taste cell kn-keyword=Type III taste cell END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=19 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=JAMDSM0001 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=2025 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Development of tool life prediction system for square end-mills based on database of servo motor current value en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Accurate prediction of tool life is crucial for reducing production costs and enhancing quality in the machining process. However, such predictions often rely on empirical knowledge, which may limit inexperienced engineers to reliably obtain accurate predictions. This study explores a method to predict the tool life of a cutting machine using servo motor current data collected during the initial stages of tool wear, which is a cost-effective approach. The LightGBM model was identified as suitable for predicting tool life from current data, given the challenges associated with predicting from the average variation of current values. By identifying and utilizing the top 50 features from the current data for prediction, the accuracy of tool life prediction in the early wear stage improved. As this prediction method was developed based on current data obtained during the very early wear stage in experiments with square end-mills, it was tested on extrapolated data using different end-mill diameters. The findings revealed average accuracy rates of 71.2% and 69.4% when using maximum machining time and maximum removal volume as thresholds, respectively. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KODAMAHiroyuki en-aut-sei=KODAMA en-aut-mei=Hiroyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=SUZUKIMakoto en-aut-sei=SUZUKI en-aut-mei=Makoto kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=OHASHIKazuhito en-aut-sei=OHASHI en-aut-mei=Kazuhito kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate school of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Milling kn-keyword=Milling en-keyword=LightGBM kn-keyword=LightGBM en-keyword=Tool life prediction kn-keyword=Tool life prediction en-keyword=Square end-mill kn-keyword=Square end-mill en-keyword=Servo motor current kn-keyword=Servo motor current END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=2 cd-vols= no-issue=3 article-no= start-page=620 end-page=626 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2023 dt-pub=2023 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=All-in-one terahertz taste sensor: integrated electronic and bioelectronic tongues en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Taste sensors, also known as electronic tongues or bioelectronic tongues, are designed to evaluate food and beverages, as well as for medical diagnostics. These devices mimic the ability of the human tongue to detect and identify different tastes in liquid samples, such as sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami. In this study, a novel all-in-one terahertz taste sensor was proposed, which differs from traditional electrochemical approaches. This sensor utilizes terahertz technology for imaging and sensing chemical reactions on the terahertz semiconductor emitter surface. The surface can be functionalized with ion-sensitive membranes, proteins, DNA aptamers, and organic receptors, enabling the detection of various substances, such as solution pH, physiological ions, sugars, toxic chemicals, drugs, and explosives. Terahertz taste sensors offer several advantages, including being label-free, high sensitivity and selectivity, rapid response, minimal sample consumption, and the ability to detect non-charged chemical substances. By integrating multiple receptors or sensing materials on a single chip, the all-in-one terahertz taste sensor has significant potential for future taste substance detection, nutrition evaluation, metabolite and drug monitoring, and biomarker sensing. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=WangJin en-aut-sei=Wang en-aut-mei=Jin kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=SakaiKenji en-aut-sei=Sakai en-aut-mei=Kenji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KiwaToshihiko en-aut-sei=Kiwa en-aut-mei=Toshihiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=159 cd-vols= no-issue=19 article-no= start-page=194504 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2023 dt-pub=20231121 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Efficiency and energy balance for substitution of CH4 in clathrate hydrates with CO2 under multiple-phase coexisting conditions en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Many experimental and theoretical studies on CH4–CO2 hydrates have been performed aiming at the extraction of CH4 as a relatively clean energy resource and concurrent sequestration of CO2. However, vague or insufficient characterization of the environmental conditions prevents us from a comprehensive understanding of even equilibrium properties of CH4–CO2 hydrates for this substitution. We propose possible reaction schemes for the substitution, paying special attention to the coexisting phases, the aqueous and/or the fluid, where CO2 is supplied from and CH4 is transferred to. We address the two schemes for the substitution operating in three-phase and two-phase coexistence. Advantages and efficiencies of extracting CH4 in the individual scheme are estimated from the chemical potentials of all the components in all the phases involved in the substitution on the basis of a statistical mechanical theory developed recently. It is found that although substitution is feasible in the three-phase coexistence, its working window in temperature–pressure space is much narrower compared to the two-phase coexistence condition. Despite that the substitution normally generates only a small amount of heat, a large endothermic substitution is suggested in the medium pressure range, caused by the vaporization of liquid CO2 due to mixing with a small amount of the released CH4. This study provides the first theoretical framework toward the practical use of hydrates replacing CH4 with CO2 and serves as a basis for quantitative planning. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=TanakaHideki en-aut-sei=Tanaka en-aut-mei=Hideki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsumotoMasakazu en-aut-sei=Matsumoto en-aut-mei=Masakazu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=YagasakiTakuma en-aut-sei=Yagasaki en-aut-mei=Takuma kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Division of Chemical Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering Science, Osaka University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=35 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=65 end-page=73 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2023 dt-pub=20230220 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Development of Automatic Inspection Systems for WRS2020 Plant Disaster Prevention Challenge Using Image Processing en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=In this article, an approach used for the inspection tasks in the WRS2020 Plant Disaster Prevention Challenge is explained. The tasks were categorized into three categories: reading pressure gauges, inspecting rust on a tank, and inspecting cracks in a tank. For reading pressure gauges, the “you only look once” algorithm was used to focus on a specific pressure gauge and check the pressure gauge range strings on the gauge using optical character recognition algorithm. Finally, a previously learned classifier was used to read the values shown in the gauge. For rust inspection, image processes were used to focus on a target plate that may be rusted for rust detection. In particular, it was necessary to report the rust area and distribution type. Thus, the pixel ratio and grouping of rust were used to count the rust. The approach for crack inspection was similar to that for rust. The target plate was focused on first, and then the length of the crack was measured using image processing. Its width was not measured but was calculated using the crack area and length. For each system developed to approach each task, the results of the preliminary experiment and those of WRS2020 are shown. Finally, the approaches are summarized, and planned future work is discussed. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=ShimizuYuya en-aut-sei=Shimizu en-aut-mei=Yuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KamegawaTetsushi en-aut-sei=Kamegawa en-aut-mei=Tetsushi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=WangYongdong en-aut-sei=Wang en-aut-mei=Yongdong kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=TamuraHajime en-aut-sei=Tamura en-aut-mei=Hajime kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=TeshimaTaiga en-aut-sei=Teshima en-aut-mei=Taiga kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakanoSota en-aut-sei=Nakano en-aut-mei=Sota kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=TadaYuki en-aut-sei=Tada en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakanoDaiki en-aut-sei=Nakano en-aut-mei=Daiki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=SasakiYuichi en-aut-sei=Sasaki en-aut-mei=Yuichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=SekitoTaiga en-aut-sei=Sekito en-aut-mei=Taiga kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=UtsumiKeisuke en-aut-sei=Utsumi en-aut-mei=Keisuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=NagaoRai en-aut-sei=Nagao en-aut-mei=Rai kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=SembaMizuki en-aut-sei=Semba en-aut-mei=Mizuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=WRS2020 kn-keyword=WRS2020 en-keyword=image processing kn-keyword=image processing en-keyword=auto inspection kn-keyword=auto inspection en-keyword=YOLO kn-keyword=YOLO en-keyword=OCR kn-keyword=OCR END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=222 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=115374 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2023 dt-pub=20230401 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Environmental water in Kolkata is suitable for the survival of Vibrio cholerae O1 en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Many patients with cholera emerge in Kolkata, India throughout the year. Such emergency indicates that cholera toxin-producing Vibrio cholerae O1 (toxigenic V. cholerae O1) are widespread in Kolkata. This suggests that the suitable conditions for replication of toxigenic V. cholerae O1 is provided in Kolkata. In previous studies, we found that the replication rate of toxigenic V. cholerae O1 is low in the low ionic aqueous solution. Then we measured the ion concentration in the environmental water of Kolkata. As a control, we measured them in Japanese environmental water. The ion concentration in the environmental water of Kolkata was significantly high. Then, we examined the survival of toxigenic V. cholerae O1 in groundwater from Kolkata and found that V. cholerae O1 survive for long time in the solution but not in the solution diluted with Milli Q water. In addition, we found that V. cholerae O1 proliferated in environmental water of Kolkata to which a small amount of nutrient was added, but did not grow in the environmental water diluted with water to which the same amount of nutrient was added. These results indicate that the environmental water from Kolkata is suitable for survival of V. cholerae O1. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=TakahashiEizo en-aut-sei=Takahashi en-aut-mei=Eizo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KitaharaKei en-aut-sei=Kitahara en-aut-mei=Kei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyoshiShin-ichi en-aut-sei=Miyoshi en-aut-mei=Shin-ichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=ChowdhuryGoutam en-aut-sei=Chowdhury en-aut-mei=Goutam kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=MukhopadhyayAsish K. en-aut-sei=Mukhopadhyay en-aut-mei=Asish K. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=DuttaShanta en-aut-sei=Dutta en-aut-mei=Shanta kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=OchiSadayuki en-aut-sei=Ochi en-aut-mei=Sadayuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkamotoKeinosuke en-aut-sei=Okamoto en-aut-mei=Keinosuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Collaborative Research Center of Okayama University for Infectious Diseases in India kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Collaborative Research Center of Okayama University for Infectious Diseases in India kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences of Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Health Pharmacy, Yokohama University of Pharmacy kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences of Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Environmental water kn-keyword=Environmental water en-keyword=Ion kn-keyword=Ion en-keyword=Prevalence kn-keyword=Prevalence en-keyword=Survival kn-keyword=Survival en-keyword=Vibrio cholerae kn-keyword=Vibrio cholerae END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=63 cd-vols= no-issue=21 article-no= start-page=2875 end-page=2884 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241101 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Endoscopic and Histological Gastritis in University Students with Helicobacter pylori Infection en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Objective Although the characteristics of Helicobacter pylori infection have been extensively reported, there is a lack of consensus regarding its characteristics in young adults. The present study examined the endoscopic and histological characteristics of young adults who underwent eradication therapy for H. pylori infection.
Methods We examined the H. pylori infection status of first-year students at Okayama University School of Medicine and Dentistry between 2014 and 2020. A total of 152 (6.8%) students who were positive for H. pylori antibody or pepsinogen tests were enrolled in the study. Among them, 107 students underwent endoscopy, and their biopsy samples were investigated. Seventy-five students were diagnosed with H. pylori infections.
Results Of 75 H. pylori-positive patients, 57 (76.0%) had endoscopic atrophic gastritis, and 42 (56.0%) had histological atrophy. A few patients had severe atrophic gastritis. All 65 patients who underwent an eradication assessment were successfully treated. After successful eradication, 26 patients underwent endoscopic follow-up. The mean follow-up period was 32.9 months. A histological evaluation revealed that gastric antrum atrophy had subsided in 11 of 14 patients, and atrophy in the lesser curvature of the gastric body had subsided in 7 of 8 patients.
Conclusion More than half of young adults with H. pylori infection had atrophic gastritis. We found mild atrophy in young adults, which subsided shortly after eradication treatment. This study provides a foundation for future studies to evaluate the validity of eradication therapy in preventing gastric cancer in patients. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=OkanoueShotaro en-aut-sei=Okanoue en-aut-mei=Shotaro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=SakaeHiroyuki en-aut-sei=Sakae en-aut-mei=Hiroyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=YokotaKenji en-aut-sei=Yokota en-aut-mei=Kenji 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=ObayashiYuka en-aut-sei=Obayashi en-aut-mei=Yuka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=AbeMakoto en-aut-sei=Abe en-aut-mei=Makoto kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 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=7 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=8 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=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=KawanoSeiji en-aut-sei=Kawano en-aut-mei=Seiji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=KawaharaYoshiro en-aut-sei=Kawahara en-aut-mei=Yoshiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=YanaiHiroyuki en-aut-sei=Yanai en-aut-mei=Hiroyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 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=13 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 Bacteriology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Pathology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Practical Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Department of Pathology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=atrophic gastritis kn-keyword=atrophic gastritis en-keyword=gastric cancer kn-keyword=gastric cancer en-keyword=Helicobacter pylori kn-keyword=Helicobacter pylori en-keyword=young adults kn-keyword=young adults en-keyword=eradication kn-keyword=eradication END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=391 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=158 end-page=176 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250215 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Magnesium isotope composition of volcanic rocks from cold and warm subduction zones: Implications for the recycling of subducted serpentinites and carbonates en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Magnesium (Mg) isotopes are regarded as a sensitive tracer to the contribution from subducted serpentinites and carbonates. However, the source, distribution, and controlling factors of the Mg isotope composition of arc magmas remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the intra-arc and inter-arc variations in Mg isotope compositions of volcanic rocks from two typical cold subduction zones [NE Japan (NEJ) and Izu arcs] and a typical hot subduction zone [SW Japan (SWJ) arc] to address the question. The volcanic rocks from the frontal-arc regions of NEJ and Izu have isotopically heavy Mg (δ26Mg = –0.20 to –0.08 ‰) compared to the mantle-like δ26Mg values of most of volcanic rocks from SWJ and the rear regions of NEJ and Izu arcs (–0.28 to –0.17 ‰). It is also worth noting that NEJ arc includes samples with δ26Mg values (–0.61 to –0.39 ‰) significantly lower than the mantle, but similar to the < 110 Ma intra-continental basalts from eastern China, which is the first observation in modern arc rocks. No obvious effects of post-eruptive alteration, fractional crystallization, partial melting, or the addition of silicate-rich sediment and oceanic crust components could be identified in the Mg isotope compositions of these volcanic rocks. By contrast, the correlations between the δ26Mg values and the proxy for serpentinite component (i.e., 11B/10B and Nb/B ratios) indicate that the component exerts a strong control on the Mg-isotopic signature of these arc rocks. Considering metamorphic reactions in subduction lithologies under P-T conditions postulated for these arcs, the variations in δ26Mg values of these arc magmas are unlikely to have been controlled by dehydration of serpentinites in subducted oceanic lithosphere (slab serpentinite). Instead, the high-δ26Mg values of frontal-arc rocks are delivered by the fluids from serpentinite formed in the lowermost part of the sub-arc mantle (mantle wedge serpentinite) in channelized flow. Comparatively, such a high-δ26Mg signature is invisible in volcanic rocks from rear-arc regions of NEJ and Izu, and the entire SWJ, suggesting that the major Mg carriers in subducted serpentinites (e.g., talc, chlorite, and serpentine) were broken down completely before subducted slabs reached the depth beneath these volcanoes. Moreover, the volcanic rocks with low δ26Mg values from the rear arc of NEJ are characterized by high La/Yb and U/Nb ratios as well as low Ti/Eu, Ti/Ti*, and Hf/Hf* ratios, suggesting the involvements of carbonates in their magma sources. The quantitative modeling suggests that < 20 % of sedimentary carbonate (dolomite) was recycled into their mantle source, revealing that Mg-rich carbonate could be incorporated into a deep mantle wedge at rear-arc depths of 150–400 km in subduction zones. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=ZhangWei en-aut-sei=Zhang en-aut-mei=Wei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KitagawaHiroshi en-aut-sei=Kitagawa en-aut-mei=Hiroshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=HuangFang en-aut-sei=Huang en-aut-mei=Fang kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=The Pheasant Memorial Laboratory for Geochemistry and Cosmochemistry, Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=The Pheasant Memorial Laboratory for Geochemistry and Cosmochemistry, Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=CAS Key Laboratory of Crust-Mantle Materials and Environments, School of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China kn-affil= en-keyword=Magnesium isotopes kn-keyword=Magnesium isotopes en-keyword=Arc magmas kn-keyword=Arc magmas en-keyword=Mantle wedge serpentinite kn-keyword=Mantle wedge serpentinite en-keyword=Slab serpentinite kn-keyword=Slab serpentinite en-keyword=Carbonate recycle kn-keyword=Carbonate recycle END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=4 cd-vols= no-issue=3 article-no= start-page=100105 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=202412 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Capturing chronological variation in L2 speech through lexical measurements and regression analysis en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=This study aims to bridge gaps in current research by analyzing a longitudinal spoken learner corpus of low-proficiency English learners. We investigated the chronological variation in lexical measurements in second language (L2) speaking production, focusing on data from 104 low-proficiency learners elicited eight times over 23 months. Our findings show that measures such as the number of different words and type-token ratio are effective indicators of L2 speaking development, whereas the use of sophisticated vocabulary was not significantly correlated with learning duration. These results suggest that in the early stages of L2 acquisition, speaking skills are influenced primarily by lexical variation. This finding underscores the importance of lexical variation as a key factor in novice-level L2 speaking proficiency. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=AbeMariko en-aut-sei=Abe en-aut-mei=Mariko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KobayashiYuichiro en-aut-sei=Kobayashi en-aut-mei=Yuichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KondoYusuke en-aut-sei=Kondo en-aut-mei=Yusuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Nihon University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Waseda University kn-affil= en-keyword=Longitudinal learner corpus kn-keyword=Longitudinal learner corpus en-keyword=Second language speaking kn-keyword=Second language speaking en-keyword=Low-proficiency learner kn-keyword=Low-proficiency learner en-keyword=Automatic analyzer kn-keyword=Automatic analyzer en-keyword=Regression analysis kn-keyword=Regression analysis END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=44 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=249 end-page=260 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241005 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Loss of Nr4a1 ameliorates endothelial cell injury and vascular leakage in lung transplantation from circulatory-death donor en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background: Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) stands as a major trigger for primary graft dysfunction (PGD) in lung transplantation (LTx). Especially in LTx from donation after cardiac death (DCD), effective control of IRI following warm ischemia (WIRI) is crucial to prevent PGD. This study aimed to identify the key factors affecting WIRI in LTx from DCD.
Methods: Previously reported RNA-sequencing dataset of lung WIRI was reanalyzed to identify nuclear receptor subfamily 4 group A member 1 (NR4A1) as the immediate early gene for WIRI. Dynamics of NR4A1 expression were verified using a mouse hilar clamp model. To investigate the role of NR4A1 in WIRI, a mouse model of LTx from DCD was established using Nr4a1 knockout (Nr4a1−/−) mice.
Results: NR4A1 was located around vascular cells, and its protein levels in the lungs increased rapidly and transiently during WIRI. LTｘ from Nr4a1−/− donors significantly improved pulmonary graft function compared to wild-type donors. Histological analysis showed decreased microvascular endothelial cell death, neutrophil infiltration, and albumin leakage. Evans blue permeability assay demonstrated maintained pulmonary microvascular barrier integrity in grafts from Nr4a1−/− donors, correlating with diminished pulmonary edema. However, NR4A1 did not significantly affect the inflammatory response during WIRI, and IRI was not suppressed when a wild-type donor lung was transplanted into the Nr4a1−/− recipient.
Conclusions: Donor NR4A1 plays a specialized role in the positive regulation of endothelial cell injury and microvascular hyperpermeability. These findings demonstrate the potential of targeting NR4A1 interventions to alleviate PGD and improve outcomes in LTx from DCD. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KawanaShinichi en-aut-sei=Kawana en-aut-mei=Shinichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkazakiMikio en-aut-sei=Okazaki en-aut-mei=Mikio kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=SakaueTomohisa en-aut-sei=Sakaue en-aut-mei=Tomohisa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=HashimotoKohei en-aut-sei=Hashimoto en-aut-mei=Kohei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakataKentaro en-aut-sei=Nakata en-aut-mei=Kentaro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=ChoshiHaruki en-aut-sei=Choshi en-aut-mei=Haruki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=TanakaShin en-aut-sei=Tanaka en-aut-mei=Shin kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyoshiKentaroh en-aut-sei=Miyoshi en-aut-mei=Kentaroh kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=OhtaniShinji en-aut-sei=Ohtani en-aut-mei=Shinji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=OharaToshiaki en-aut-sei=Ohara en-aut-mei=Toshiaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=SugimotoSeiichiro en-aut-sei=Sugimoto en-aut-mei=Seiichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsukawaAkihiro en-aut-sei=Matsukawa en-aut-mei=Akihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=ToyookaShinichi en-aut-sei=Toyooka en-aut-mei=Shinichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Surgery, Division of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Cell Growth and Tumor Regulation, Proteo-Science Center (PROS), Ehime University kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Pathology and Experimental Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Department of Pathology and Experimental Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=lung transplantation kn-keyword=lung transplantation en-keyword=ischemia-reperfusion injury kn-keyword=ischemia-reperfusion injury en-keyword=donation after circulatory death kn-keyword=donation after circulatory death en-keyword=nuclear receptor subfamily 4 group A member 1 kn-keyword=nuclear receptor subfamily 4 group A member 1 en-keyword=endothelial cell kn-keyword=endothelial cell END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=17 cd-vols= no-issue=3-4 article-no= start-page=116 end-page=125 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241230 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Deep Reinforcement Learning Enabled Adaptive Virtual Machine Migration Control in Multi-Stage Information Processing Systems en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=This paper tackles a Virtual Machine (VM) migration control problem to maximize the progress (accuracy) of information processing tasks in multi-stage information processing systems. The conventional methods for this problem are effective only for specific situations, such as when the system load is high. In this paper, in order to adaptively achieve high accuracy in various situations, we propose a VM migration method using a Deep Reinforcement Learning (DRL) algorithm. It is difficult to directly apply a DRL algorithm to the VM migration control problem because the size of the solution space of the problem dynamically changes according to the number of VMs staying in the system while the size of the agent’s action space is fixed in DRL algorithms. To cope with this difficulty, the proposed method divides the VM migration control problem into two problems: the problem of determining only the VM distribution (i.e., the proportion of the number of VMs deployed on each edge server) and the problem of determining the locations of all the VMs so that it follows the determined VM distribution. The former problem is solved by a DRL algorithm, and the latter by a heuristic method. This approach makes it possible to apply a DRL algorithm to the VM migration control problem because the VM distribution is expressed by a vector with a fixed number of dimensions and can be directly outputted by the agent. The simulation results confirm that our proposed method can adaptively achieve quasi-optimal accuracy in various situations with different link delays, types of the information processing tasks and the number of VMs. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=FukushimaYukinobu en-aut-sei=Fukushima en-aut-mei=Yukinobu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KoujitaniYuki en-aut-sei=Koujitani en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakaneKazutoshi en-aut-sei=Nakane en-aut-mei=Kazutoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=TarutaniYuya en-aut-sei=Tarutani en-aut-mei=Yuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=WuCelimuge en-aut-sei=Wu en-aut-mei=Celimuge kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=JiYusheng en-aut-sei=Ji en-aut-mei=Yusheng kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=YokohiraTokumi en-aut-sei=Yokohira en-aut-mei=Tokumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=MuraseTutomu en-aut-sei=Murase en-aut-mei=Tutomu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Information Science Nagoya University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Engineering Osaka University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Informatics and Engineering The Univ. of Electro-Commun. kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Information Systems Architecture Research Division National Institute of Informatics kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Faculty of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Graduate School of Information Science Nagoya University kn-affil= en-keyword=Multi-stage information processing system kn-keyword=Multi-stage information processing system en-keyword=VM migration control kn-keyword=VM migration control en-keyword=Deep reinforcement learning kn-keyword=Deep reinforcement learning en-keyword=Deep Deterministic Policy Gradient (DDPG) kn-keyword=Deep Deterministic Policy Gradient (DDPG) END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=13 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=e70097 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250107 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Eyelid Spindle Cell Lipoma: Case Report and Review of Three Patients in Literature en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=A 39-year-old woman presented a saucer-shaped mass in the left upper eyelid and underwent the extirpation at local anesthesia. Pathologically, collagen fibers, capillaries, small vessels, and CD34-positive spindle cells were dispersed among mature adipose tissues, indicative of spindle cell lipoma. Long-lasting cyst-like eyelid masses would be usually dermoid cysts, and spindle cell lipoma would be listed as a rare pathological diagnosis in differential diagnoses of cyst-like lesions in the upper and lower eyelid. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MatsuoToshihiko en-aut-sei=Matsuo en-aut-mei=Toshihiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamadaKiyoshi en-aut-sei=Yamada en-aut-mei=Kiyoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MonobeYasumasa en-aut-sei=Monobe en-aut-mei=Yasumasa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=TanakaTakehiro en-aut-sei=Tanaka en-aut-mei=Takehiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Kousei Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Pathology, General Medical Center, Kawasaki Medical School kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=CD34 kn-keyword=CD34 en-keyword=eyelid kn-keyword=eyelid en-keyword=orbital bony edge kn-keyword=orbital bony edge en-keyword=pathology kn-keyword=pathology en-keyword=spindle cell lipoma kn-keyword=spindle cell lipoma END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=25 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=48 end-page=53 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241209 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Effectiveness of oral health care intervention for stroke patients following the introduction of Oral Health Assessment Tool en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of oral health assessment tools in facilitating oral health care interventions by dental care providers for acute stroke patients within 48 h of admission, following a reform of the nursing system.
Methods: Data were gathered from a retrospective cohort study conducted at a stroke center, comparing 10 months before and after the implementation of the reformed system, with a 2-month interval. Parameters assessed included stroke type, severity measured using the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, stroke history, stroke-related factors, number of teeth, hospitalization cost and duration, occurrence of fever and pneumonia, stroke treatment, days from admission to dental intervention, and intervention frequency.
Results: Implementation of the new system significantly reduced the time before dental intervention (P < 0.001), increased the frequency of interventions (P < 0.001), and allowed for the management of more severe cases (P = 0.007). However, there was a slight increase in the occurrence of fevers and the days of fever (P = 0.039 and P = 0.015, respectively). Multiple regression analysis showed that fever days were positively correlated with stroke severity and the number of days from admission to dental intervention (P < 0.001 and P = 0.013, respectively). Even after propensity score matching adjusting for stroke severity, these associations persisted. Additional multiple regression analysis was performed after this, but fever days were positively correlated with stroke severity and sex (P < 0.001 and P = 0.008, respectively), as well as with the presence of other factors affecting the occurrence of fever.
Conclusions: Although the frequency and duration of fevers increased slightly, this approach, incorporating oral health assessment tools, made it possible to provide early dental intervention, particularly for patients with severe strokes. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2025; 25: 48–53. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MatsunagaKazuyuki en-aut-sei=Matsunaga en-aut-mei=Kazuyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=Yoshida‐TsuboiAyaka en-aut-sei=Yoshida‐Tsuboi en-aut-mei=Ayaka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=InoharaKen en-aut-sei=Inohara en-aut-mei=Ken kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=YoshidaYasuko en-aut-sei=Yoshida en-aut-mei=Yasuko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakahamaKanako en-aut-sei=Nakahama en-aut-mei=Kanako kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=SasakiKazuki en-aut-sei=Sasaki en-aut-mei=Kazuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=SoudaFumie en-aut-sei=Souda en-aut-mei=Fumie kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=TerasawaYuka en-aut-sei=Terasawa en-aut-mei=Yuka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShimoeYutaka en-aut-sei=Shimoe en-aut-mei=Yutaka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=Takeuchi‐HatanakaKazu en-aut-sei=Takeuchi‐Hatanaka en-aut-mei=Kazu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamamotoTadashi en-aut-sei=Yamamoto en-aut-mei=Tadashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=OmoriKazuhiro en-aut-sei=Omori en-aut-mei=Kazuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=KohriyamaTatsuo en-aut-sei=Kohriyama en-aut-mei=Tatsuo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakashibaShogo en-aut-sei=Takashiba en-aut-mei=Shogo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=14 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Periodontics and Endodontics, Division of Dentistry, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Periodontics and Endodontics, Division of Dentistry, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Brain Attack Center, Ota Memorial Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Brain Attack Center, Ota Memorial Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Brain Attack Center, Ota Memorial Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Brain Attack Center, Ota Memorial Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Brain Attack Center, Ota Memorial Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Brain Attack Center, Ota Memorial Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Brain Attack Center, Ota Memorial Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Periodontics and Endodontics, Division of Dentistry, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=The Center for Graduate Medical Education (Dental Division), Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Department of Pathophysiology – Periodontal Science, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Brain Attack Center, Ota Memorial Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=14 en-affil=Department of Pathophysiology – Periodontal Science, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=acute stroke kn-keyword=acute stroke en-keyword=dental intervention kn-keyword=dental intervention en-keyword=medical and dental cooperation kn-keyword=medical and dental cooperation en-keyword=oral health assessment tool kn-keyword=oral health assessment tool en-keyword=severity kn-keyword=severity END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=45 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=11 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2023 dt-pub=20230323 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Mutation and apoptosis are well-coordinated for protecting against DNA damage-inducing toxicity in Drosophila en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background Apoptotic cell death is an important survival system for multicellular organisms because it removes damaged cells. Mutation is also a survival method for dealing with damaged cells in multicellular and also unicellular organisms, when DNA lesions are not removed. However, to the best of our knowledge, no reports have comprehensively explored the direct relationship between apoptosis and somatic cell mutations induced by various mutagenic factors.
Results Mutation was examined by the wing-spot test, which is used to detect somatic cell mutations, including chromosomal recombination. Apoptosis was observed in the wing discs by acridine orange staining in situ. After treatment with chemical mutagens, ultraviolet light (UV), and X-ray, both the apoptotic frequency and mutagenic activity increased in a dose-dependent manner at non-toxic doses. When we used DNA repair-deficient Drosophila strains, the correlation coefficient of the relationship between apoptosis and mutagenicity, differed from that of the wild-type. To explore how apoptosis affects the behavior of mutated cells, we determined the spot size, i.e., the number of mutated cells in a spot. In parallel with an increase in apoptosis, the spot size increased with MNU or X-ray treatment dose-dependently; however, this increase was not seen with UV irradiation. In addition, BrdU incorporation, an indicator of cell proliferation, in the wing discs was suppressed at 6 h, with peak at 12 h post-treatment with X-ray, and that it started to increase again at 24 h; however, this was not seen with UV irradiation.
Conclusion Damage-induced apoptosis and mutation might be coordinated with each other, and the frequency of apoptosis and mutagenicity are balanced depending on the type of DNA damage. From the data of the spot size and BrdU incorporation, it is possible that mutated cells replace apoptotic cells due to their high frequency of cell division, resulting in enlargement of the spot size after MNU or X-ray treatment. We consider that the induction of mutation, apoptosis, and/or cell growth varies in multi-cellular organisms depending on the type of the mutagens, and that their balance and coordination have an important function to counter DNA damage for the survival of the organism. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=Toyoshima-SasataniMegumi en-aut-sei=Toyoshima-Sasatani en-aut-mei=Megumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=ImuraFumika en-aut-sei=Imura en-aut-mei=Fumika kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=HamatakeYuko en-aut-sei=Hamatake en-aut-mei=Yuko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=FukunagaAkihiro en-aut-sei=Fukunaga en-aut-mei=Akihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=NegishiTomoe en-aut-sei=Negishi en-aut-mei=Tomoe kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=School of Nursing, Osaka City University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Drosophila kn-keyword=Drosophila en-keyword=Apoptosis kn-keyword=Apoptosis en-keyword=Mutation kn-keyword=Mutation en-keyword=Larval wing disc kn-keyword=Larval wing disc en-keyword=X-ray kn-keyword=X-ray en-keyword=Ultraviolet kn-keyword=Ultraviolet en-keyword=Alkylating agents kn-keyword=Alkylating agents en-keyword=Tobacco smoke kn-keyword=Tobacco smoke en-keyword=Acridine orange kn-keyword=Acridine orange en-keyword=BrdU kn-keyword=BrdU END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=18 cd-vols= no-issue=3 article-no= start-page=769 end-page=774 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2023 dt-pub=20230519 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Review: Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors to regulate important brain activity—what occurs at the molecular level? en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Herein, we briefly review the role of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in regulating important brain activity by controlled release of acetylcholine from subcortical neuron groups, focusing on a microscopic viewpoint and considering the nonlinear dynamics of biological macromolecules associated with neuron activity and how they give rise to advanced brain functions of brain. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NaraShigetoshi en-aut-sei=Nara en-aut-mei=Shigetoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamagutiYutaka en-aut-sei=Yamaguti en-aut-mei=Yutaka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=TsudaIchiro en-aut-sei=Tsuda en-aut-mei=Ichiro 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=Faculty of Information Engineering, Fukuoka Institute of Technology kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Chubu University Academy of Emerging Sciences/Center for Mathematical Science and Artificial Intelligence, Chubu University kn-affil= en-keyword=Neuromodulator kn-keyword=Neuromodulator en-keyword=Nichotinic kn-keyword=Nichotinic en-keyword=Acetylcholine kn-keyword=Acetylcholine en-keyword=Receptors kn-keyword=Receptors en-keyword=Brain activity kn-keyword=Brain activity END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=12 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=1 end-page=8 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2023 dt-pub=2023 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Transepidermal Water Loss Estimation Model for Evaluating Skin Barrier Function en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Deterioration of skin barrier function causes symptoms such as allergies because it allows various chemical substances to enter the human body. Quantitative evaluation of the thickness and water content of the stratum corneum is useful as a measure of skin barrier function in fields such as dermatology, nursing science, and cosmetics development. The stratum corneum is responsible for most of the skin barrier function, and this function has conventionally been evaluated using transepidermal water loss (TEWL). In this paper, we propose a new model for estimation of TEWL from measurements of the thickness of the stratum corneum and water content of the surface of the stratum corneum, and discuss the results of the measurements. By measuring the thickness and water content of the stratum corneum using confocal laser microscopy and confocal Raman spectroscopy, respectively, and examining the relationship of these variables with TEWL, we established a new potential model for estimating TEWL from these two variables. The correlation coefficient of the validation data was 0.886 and the root mean squared error was 8.18 points. These findings indicate the feasibility of qualitative evaluation of TEWL by measuring the thickness and water content of the stratum corneum. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=UeharaOsamu en-aut-sei=Uehara en-aut-mei=Osamu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KusuharaToshimasa en-aut-sei=Kusuhara en-aut-mei=Toshimasa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakamuraTakao en-aut-sei=Nakamura en-aut-mei=Takao kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Medical Engineering Laboratory, ALCARE Co., Ltd. kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Radiological Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Radiological Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=TEWL kn-keyword=TEWL en-keyword=stratum corneum thickness kn-keyword=stratum corneum thickness en-keyword=water content of stratum corneum kn-keyword=water content of stratum corneum END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol= cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=cmad074 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2023 dt-pub=20230719 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Effect of 2-week postpartum check-ups on screening positive for postpartum depression: a population-based cohort study using instrumental variable estimation in Japan en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background: Postpartum depression is experienced by approximately 10% of women and affects the health and development of their children. Although it is recommended that all mothers have the opportunity for early detection and intervention for postpartum depression, it is unclear whether early postpartum check-ups help to reduce postpartum depression.
Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of 2-week postpartum check-ups on screening positive for postpartum depression in Japan.
Methods: This was a population-based cohort study that used the administrative database of Tsuyama, Japan. Participants were women who received postpartum home visits from a public health nurse in Tsuyama during the fiscal years 2017–2019. Data were obtained on participant’s attendance at a 2-week postpartum check-up and their responses on the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale. Owing to the initiation of a publicly funded postpartum check-up programme, participants were pseudo-randomly assigned to receive/not receive a 2-week postpartum check-up. We conducted instrumental variable estimation to assess the causal effects of the check-up on screening positive for postpartum depression.
Results: The characteristics of the 1,382 participants did not differ by fiscal year of childbirth. We found a 6.7% (95% confidence interval 2.2–11.2) reduction in the prevalence of screening positive for postpartum depression as an effect of 2-week postpartum check-ups among women received 1-month postpartum home visits.
Conclusion: The results suggest that 2-week postpartum check-ups are effective in reducing the prevalence of screening positive for postpartum depression among 1-month postpartum women. Despite some limitations, early postpartum care could reduce postpartum depression. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NakamuraNaoko en-aut-sei=Nakamura en-aut-mei=Naoko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MitsuhashiToshiharu en-aut-sei=Mitsuhashi en-aut-mei=Toshiharu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakashimaYasuko en-aut-sei=Nakashima en-aut-mei=Yasuko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsumotoNaomi en-aut-sei=Matsumoto en-aut-mei=Naomi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=YorifujiTakashi en-aut-sei=Yorifuji en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Epidemiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Center for Innovative Clinical Medicine, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Health Promotion Division, Tsuyama City Department of Children’s Health kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Epidemiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Epidemiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=community health planning kn-keyword=community health planning en-keyword=diagnostic screening programmes kn-keyword=diagnostic screening programmes en-keyword=home visits kn-keyword=home visits en-keyword=postpartum depression kn-keyword=postpartum depression en-keyword=postnatal care kn-keyword=postnatal care en-keyword=quasi-experimental study kn-keyword=quasi-experimental study END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol= cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page= end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241207 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Optimization of workflow processes for sustainable paternal involvement: case study of an academic “daddy surgeon” in Japan en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Work–life balance is often discussed in Japan. Yet surgeons find it challenging to take paternity leave because of their demanding surgical duties and a strong sense of responsibility. One Japanese male surgeon had his first paternity experience as a research fellow in the US. When he returned to Japan, he resumed his surgical training and started a research project to become an academic surgeon. When he and his wife were expecting their second child, they discussed his paternity participation before the delivery and decided on a sustainable paternity participation plan. By coordinating his responsibilities with his co-workers, he limited his attendance at work to daytime hours only for 1 month to manage paternity duties. This adjustment did not affect the number of main and assistant operations conducted that month and effective optimization of workflow processes decreased the extra workload for other team members. His experience suggests that the optimization of workflow processes can enhance personal life, including paternity participation. (150/150). en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KanayaNobuhiko en-aut-sei=Kanaya en-aut-mei=Nobuhiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KurodaShinji en-aut-sei=Kuroda en-aut-mei=Shinji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KondoYoshitaka en-aut-sei=Kondo en-aut-mei=Yoshitaka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakeharaYuko en-aut-sei=Takehara en-aut-mei=Yuko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=KakiuchiYoshihiko en-aut-sei=Kakiuchi en-aut-mei=Yoshihiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=MinagiHitoshi en-aut-sei=Minagi en-aut-mei=Hitoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=SakamotoMasaki en-aut-sei=Sakamoto en-aut-mei=Masaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=KagawaShunsuke en-aut-sei=Kagawa en-aut-mei=Shunsuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=KataokaHitomi en-aut-sei=Kataoka en-aut-mei=Hitomi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiwaraToshiyoshi en-aut-sei=Fujiwara en-aut-mei=Toshiyoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Surgery, Okayama Saiseikai General Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Integrated Clinical Education Center, Kyoto University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= en-keyword=Optimization of workflow processes kn-keyword=Optimization of workflow processes en-keyword=Sustainable paternity participation kn-keyword=Sustainable paternity participation en-keyword=“Daddy surgeon” kn-keyword=“Daddy surgeon” END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=11 cd-vols= no-issue=01 article-no= start-page=E90 end-page=E96 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2022 dt-pub=20221129 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Differences in color between early gastric cancer and cancer-suspected non-cancerous mucosa on linked color imaging en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background and study aims Linked color imaging (LCI) can enhance the original color of each area and may useful to detect tumorous lesions during esophagogastroduodenoscopy. However, LCI may also enhance cancer-suspected non-cancerous regional color change. We conducted a retrospective image analysis to investigate the color characteristics of early gastric cancer (EGC) and cancer-suspected non-cancerous mucosa (CSM) in LCI.
Methods LCI images of both EGC and CSM were retrospectively collected from the database of the institution. Fifteen endoscopists individually judged each image as EGC or CSM. The color difference between the inside and outside of the lesions was measured by CIE-Lab analysis in both groups and compared.
Results A total of 245 LCI images of EGC (169) and CSM (76) were extracted and randomly lined for image collection. The test by the endoscopists showed accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of 64.0 %, 63.7 %, and 64.0 %, respectively. Although the color difference between EGC and CSM was almost the same (12.5 vs. 12.9, not significant), each parameter of ΔL (bright: –0.3 vs. –2.7, P  < 0.001), Δa (Reddish: 7.2 vs. 9.6, P = 0.004), and Δb (Yellowish: 6.4 vs. 3.8, P  < 0.001) was significantly different in the groups. The color feature of both positive ΔL and Δb to EGC showed accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of 54.7 %, 39.6 %, 88.2%, respectively.
Conclusions The total color difference was almost the same between EGC and CSM; however, their color tones were different on linked color imaging. Although the color characteristics of EGC had high specificity, they also had low sensitivity. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KanzakiHiromitsu en-aut-sei=Kanzaki en-aut-mei=Hiromitsu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KawaharaYoshiro en-aut-sei=Kawahara en-aut-mei=Yoshiro 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=OkanoueShotaro en-aut-sei=Okanoue en-aut-mei=Shotaro 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=IwamuroMasaya en-aut-sei=Iwamuro en-aut-mei=Masaya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=KawanoSeiji en-aut-sei=Kawano en-aut-mei=Seiji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkadaHiroyuki en-aut-sei=Okada en-aut-mei=Hiroyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Practical Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Practical Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, 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 Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=11 cd-vols= no-issue=04 article-no= start-page=E351 end-page=E357 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2023 dt-pub=20230213 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Degree of pharyngeal deformation caused by pharyngeal endoscopic submucosal dissection is associated with the incidence of aspiration pneumonia en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background and study aims Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is one of the most minimally invasive treatments for superficial squamous cell cancer of the pharynx. However, aspiration pneumonia (AsP) associated with postoperative deformity of the pharynx may occur. The purpose of this study was to investigate the frequency of AsP and the degree of pharyngeal deformity after pharyngeal ESD.
Patients and methods This was a retrospective observational study of patients who underwent pharyngeal ESD at Okayama University Hospital between 2006 and 2017. The degree of pharyngeal deformation was assessed using the pharyngeal deformation grade (PDG). The primary endpoint was the frequency of AsP as a long-term adverse event.
Results Among the 52 patients enrolled, nine developed aspiration pneumonia, with a 3-year cumulative incidence of 9.0 % (95 % confidence interval [CI], 3.3 %–22.0 %). There were 16, 18, 16, and two patients that had PDG 0, 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Patients with a history of radiotherapy, as a treatment of head and neck cancer (44.4 % vs. 11.6 %; P = 0.02) and the high PDG group (PDG 2 and 3) (77.8 % vs. 25.6 %; P = 0.005) had a significantly higher incidence of AsP. The 3-year cumulative incidence rate of AsP after ESD in the high PDG group was significantly higher than that in the low PDG group (PDG 0 and 1) (23.9 % [95 %CI, 9.2.–49.5%] vs. 0 %; P = 0.03).
Conclusions The incidence of aspiration pneumonia in the long-term course after pharyngeal ESD was revealed. The incidence of aspiration pneumonia may be associated with pharyngeal deformity, but further studies are needed. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=AbeMakoto en-aut-sei=Abe en-aut-mei=Makoto kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KawaharaYoshiro en-aut-sei=Kawahara en-aut-mei=Yoshiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=ObayashiYuka en-aut-sei=Obayashi en-aut-mei=Yuka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=BabaYuki en-aut-sei=Baba en-aut-mei=Yuki 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=SakaeHiroyuki en-aut-sei=Sakae en-aut-mei=Hiroyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 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=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=KanzakiHiromitu en-aut-sei=Kanzaki en-aut-mei=Hiromitu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 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=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=KawanoSeiji en-aut-sei=Kawano en-aut-mei=Seiji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=MakinoTakuma en-aut-sei=Makino en-aut-mei=Takuma kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=NodaYohei en-aut-sei=Noda en-aut-mei=Yohei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=MarunakaHidenori en-aut-sei=Marunaka en-aut-mei=Hidenori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 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=14 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=14 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=33 cd-vols= no-issue=4 article-no= start-page=213 end-page=218 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=2024 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=β-catenin Binds to Gsk-3β in Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation Compartment in HEK293 Cells en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) has emerged as a significant mechanism for cellular organization, impacting various biological processes, including Wnt/β-catenin signaling. This study investigates the role of LLPS in the regulation of β-catenin in HEK293 cells, particularly in response to Wnt3a signaling. Our findings demonstrate that β-catenin is regulated by LLPS, forming spherical droplets indicative of this phenomenon. Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) assays revealed that these droplets exhibit reversible dynamics, further confirming their phase-separated nature. Importantly, treatment with Wnt3a led to an increase in β-catenin levels, while simultaneously reducing the recovery of fluorescence intensity in FRAP experiments, suggesting that enhanced Wnt signaling may stimulate the release of β-catenin from LLPS. Immunoprecipitation studies indicated that β-catenin binds to glycogen synthase kinase 3β (Gsk-3β) within the LLPS state, highlighting a potential regulatory mechanism whereby LLPS facilitates the phosphorylation and subsequent degradation of β-catenin. The addition of 1,6-hexanediol disrupted the β-catenin/Gsk-3β interaction, reinforcing the idea that LLPS plays a critical role in modulating these biochemical interactions. The findings presented in this study suggest that LLPS is not only crucial for the spatial organization of β-catenin but also serves as a regulatory mechanism for its signaling functions in the Wnt pathway. Given the association of aberrant Wnt signaling with various diseases, including cancer and neurodegenerative disorders, understanding the role of LLPS in this context may provide new insights into therapeutic strategies targeting these pathological conditions. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KatoMari en-aut-sei=Kato en-aut-mei=Mari kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=TanaiAiri en-aut-sei=Tanai en-aut-mei=Airi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=FukuharaYoko en-aut-sei=Fukuhara en-aut-mei=Yoko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=ZhengXinyu en-aut-sei=Zheng en-aut-mei=Xinyu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=SitosariHeriati en-aut-sei=Sitosari en-aut-mei=Heriati kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamamotoTadashi en-aut-sei=Yamamoto en-aut-mei=Tadashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=IkegameMika en-aut-sei=Ikegame en-aut-mei=Mika kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkamuraHirohiko en-aut-sei=Okamura en-aut-mei=Hirohiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Oral Morphology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Oral Morphology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Oral Morphology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Oral Morphology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Oral Morphology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=The Center for Graduate Medical Education (Dental Division), Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Oral Morphology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Oral Morphology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=β-catenin kn-keyword=β-catenin en-keyword=Gsk-3β kn-keyword=Gsk-3β en-keyword=LLPS kn-keyword=LLPS en-keyword=Wnt kn-keyword=Wnt END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=25 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=82 end-page=89 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241212 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Impact of high blood pressure on the risk of mortality among Japanese people aged 65 years and older en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Aim: The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of abnormal blood pressure on the risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in a large cohort of older Japanese people aged ≥65 years.
Methods: This cohort study enrolled 54 760 participants from Okayama City aged ≥65 years who underwent basic health checkups from April 2006 to March 2008. Based on blood pressure, the participants were divided into six categories, from C1 (lowest) to C6 (highest). To assess the association of blood pressure with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, we used survival analysis to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) for all-cause mortality and subdistribution HRs (SHRs) for cardiovascular mortality on C3. We then repeated the analyses based on age groups (65–74 years, 75–84 years, and ≥85 years).
Results: The fully adjusted HRs for all-cause mortality, which included all individual potential confounders, were 1.11 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.04–1.19) for C5 and 1.23 (95% CI: 1.09–1.38) for C6, respectively. The fully adjusted SHRs for cardiovascular mortality were 1.11 (95% CI: 1.01–1.21) for C4, 1.19 (95% CI: 1.05–1.34) for C5, and 1.36 (95% CI: 1.09–1.70) for C6. In the age-stratification, an increased risk of hypotension was observed with older age. The HR for C1 was 1.28 (95% CI: 1.16–1.41) for ≥85 years.
Conclusions: Hypertension increased the risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality among those aged 65–74 and 75–84 years, but not among those aged ≥85 years. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024; ••: ••–••. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=AkagiShinsuke en-aut-sei=Akagi en-aut-mei=Shinsuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakaoSoshi en-aut-sei=Takao en-aut-mei=Soshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsuoRumi en-aut-sei=Matsuo en-aut-mei=Rumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsumotoNaomi en-aut-sei=Matsumoto en-aut-mei=Naomi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=YorifujiTakashi en-aut-sei=Yorifuji en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=all-cause mortality kn-keyword=all-cause mortality en-keyword=cardiovascular disease kn-keyword=cardiovascular disease en-keyword=hypertension kn-keyword=hypertension en-keyword=Japanese older adults kn-keyword=Japanese older adults en-keyword=survival analysis kn-keyword=survival analysis END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=161 cd-vols= no-issue=21 article-no= start-page=214501 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241202 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=The nature of the hydrophobic interaction varies as the solute size increases from methane’s to C60’s en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The hydrophobic interaction, often combined with the hydrophilic or ionic interactions, makes the behavior of aqueous solutions very rich and plays an important role in biological systems. Theoretical and computer simulation studies have shown that the water-mediated force depends strongly on the size and other chemical properties of the solute, but how it changes with these factors remains unclear. We report here a computer simulation study that illustrates how the hydrophobic pair interaction and the entropic and enthalpic terms change with the solute size when the solute–solvent weak attractive interaction is unchanged with the solute size. The nature of the hydrophobic interaction changes qualitatively as the solute size increases from that of methane to that of fullerene. The potential of mean force between small solutes has several well-defined extrema, including the third minimum, whereas the potential of mean force between large solutes has the deep contact minimum and the large free-energy barrier between the contact and the water-bilayer separated configurations. The difference in the potential of mean force is related to the differences in the water density, energy, and hydrogen bond number distributions in the vicinity of the pairs of hydrophobic solutes. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NaitoHidefumi en-aut-sei=Naito en-aut-mei=Hidefumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=SumiTomonari en-aut-sei=Sumi en-aut-mei=Tomonari kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KogaKenichiro en-aut-sei=Koga en-aut-mei=Kenichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Okayama University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol= cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page= end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241216 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Trends in the growing impact of group A Streptococcus infection on public health after COVID-19 pandemic: a multicentral observational study in Okayama, Japan en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Purpose Following the COVID-19 pandemic, group A Streptococcus (GAS) infection has been surging worldwide. We aimed to compare the disease burden between notified cases of streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS) and unreported GAS infections.
Methods This is a multicentral observational study, retrospectively performed at seven hospitals in Okayama prefecture in Japan from January 2022, to June 2024. Clinical and microbiological data of patients with positive cultures of GAS were collected from the medical records. Primary outcomes were defined as rates of surgical procedures, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and in-hospital mortality, which were compared among patients with locally-defined STSS, invasive GAS (iGAS), and non-iGAS infection.
Results GAS was detected in 181 patients, with 154 active cases of GAS infection. The number of patients with GAS infection surged in late 2023. The most common source of infection was skin and soft tissue infections, accounting for 83 cases, including 15 cases of necrotizing fasciitis, and 12 cases (7.8%) were notified to public health authorities as STSS. Among the 25 unreported iGAS cases, 9 (36.0%) underwent surgical intervention, and 4 patients (16.0%) required ICU admission. The mortality rates in the unreported iGAS cases were comparable to those observed in the notified STSS.
Conclusions We highlighted that the number of iGAS infections was twofold higher than that of notified STSS, with comparable mortality rate between these groups, indicating substantial underestimation of the true burden of iGAS. This epidemiological investigation has significant implications for enhancing infectious disease surveillance frameworks and public health policy development. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=FukushimaShinnosuke en-aut-sei=Fukushima en-aut-mei=Shinnosuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=SaitoTakashi en-aut-sei=Saito en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=IwamotoYoshitaka en-aut-sei=Iwamoto en-aut-mei=Yoshitaka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakeharaYuko en-aut-sei=Takehara en-aut-mei=Yuko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamadaHaruto en-aut-sei=Yamada en-aut-mei=Haruto kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujitaKoji en-aut-sei=Fujita en-aut-mei=Koji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=YoshidaMasayo en-aut-sei=Yoshida en-aut-mei=Masayo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakanoYasuhiro en-aut-sei=Nakano en-aut-mei=Yasuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=HagiyaHideharu en-aut-sei=Hagiya en-aut-mei=Hideharu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, NHO Okayama Medical Center kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, NHO Okayama Medical Center kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Surgery, Okayama Saiseikai General Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama City Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of General Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Tsuyama Chuo Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama Kyoritsu Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Infectious Diseases, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= en-keyword=Epidemiology kn-keyword=Epidemiology en-keyword=Group A Streptococcus kn-keyword=Group A Streptococcus en-keyword=Necrotizing fasciitis kn-keyword=Necrotizing fasciitis en-keyword=Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome kn-keyword=Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome en-keyword=Surveillance kn-keyword=Surveillance END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=126 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=110572 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=Laparoscopic resection for oesophageal duplication cyst: A case report en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Introduction: Oesophageal duplication cyst is a congenital malformation and rare tumour, clinically manifesting as dysphagia, epigastric pain, or respiratory distress. Duplicate cysts associated with abscess formation or mediastinal penetration and malignancies have been reported, necessitating surgical resection.
Presentation of case: A 55-year-old woman had chest discomfort for 1 year. Preoperative imaging, including computed tomography (CT), upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, and endoscopic ultrasound, revealed a tumour extending from the anterior wall to the lesser curvature of the near the oesophagogastric junction (OGJ) and a suspected mural nodule within the tumour. Contrast-enhanced CT revealed a cystic nodule on the wall of the lesser curvature of the OGJ, with an unclear boundary between the cystic nodule and the oesophageal wall. Magnetic resonance imaging showed an isointense signal on T1-weighted imaging and hyperintensity on T2weighted imaging. Laparoscopic lower oesophagectomy and proximal gastrectomy with lymph node dissection were performed to the confirm mucinous cyst. Pathological findings revealed a cystic lesion in the muscularis propria of the OGJ filled with mucinous components and lined with multilayered columnar epithelial cells. The cyst was diagnosed as a duplicate without malignancy.
Discussion: Since the border between the cyst and the oesophageal walls was unclear, and the cyst potentially contained a malignant component, instead of cystectomy, lower oesophagectomy and proximal gastrectomy with lymph node dissection were performed with oesophagogastric anastomosis using the double-flap technique, tailored specifically for OGJ cancer.
Conclusions: Oesophageal duplication cysts are rare. Lower oesophagectomy and proximal gastrectomy are selective surgical approaches for cyst duplication at the OGJ. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=HamazakiTomohiro en-aut-sei=Hamazaki en-aut-mei=Tomohiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=NomaKazuhiro en-aut-sei=Noma en-aut-mei=Kazuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KawasakiKento en-aut-sei=Kawasaki en-aut-mei=Kento kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=HashimotoMasashi en-aut-sei=Hashimoto en-aut-mei=Masashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=TanabeShunsuke en-aut-sei=Tanabe en-aut-mei=Shunsuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiwaraToshiyoshi en-aut-sei=Fujiwara en-aut-mei=Toshiyoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=Oesophageal duplication cyst kn-keyword=Oesophageal duplication cyst en-keyword=Laparoscopic surgery kn-keyword=Laparoscopic surgery en-keyword=Lower oesophagectomy kn-keyword=Lower oesophagectomy END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=18 cd-vols= no-issue=49 article-no= start-page=33264 end-page=33275 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241122 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Mass Production of Graphene Oxide Beyond the Laboratory: Bridging the Gap Between Academic Research and Industry en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The mass production of graphene oxide (GO) has garnered significant attention in recent years due to its potential applications in various fields, from materials science to biomedicine. Graphene, known for its unique properties, such as high conductivity and mechanical strength, has been extensively studied. However, traditional production methods such as the exfoliation of graphite with scotch tape are not suitable for large-scale production. This has led to an increased focus on GO as a viable alternative to graphene production. Nonetheless, challenges, including the optimization of oxidation processes, the control of structural uniformity, and the reproducibility of production, have not been solved so far. This review critically examines GO production advancements by analyzing experimental and mechanistic studies to identify significant developments that enable high-yield and reproducible methods suitable for industrial-scale production. Special attention is given to oxidation techniques and postsynthesis purification and storage, with a focus on controlled oxidation to achieve homogeneous and single-layer GO. Through this lens, the review outlines the path forward for the industrialization of GO, aiming to bridge the gap between academic research and industrial production. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NishinaYuta en-aut-sei=Nishina en-aut-mei=Yuta kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Graphene oxide kn-keyword=Graphene oxide en-keyword=Graphite kn-keyword=Graphite en-keyword=Chemical oxidation kn-keyword=Chemical oxidation en-keyword=Electrochemical oxidation kn-keyword=Electrochemical oxidation en-keyword=Mass production kn-keyword=Mass production en-keyword=Purification kn-keyword=Purification en-keyword=Optimization kn-keyword=Optimization en-keyword=Industrialization kn-keyword=Industrialization en-keyword=Safety kn-keyword=Safety en-keyword=Stability kn-keyword=Stability END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=97 cd-vols= no-issue=11 article-no= start-page=uoae118 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=Refined surface area determination of graphene oxide using methylene blue as a probe molecule: a comparative approach en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=In this research, we explored the effectiveness of the methylene blue adsorption method as an alternative approach for determining the specific surface area of graphene oxide. Initially, through a comparative analysis with reference activated carbon, we identified the limitations of utilizing N2 physisorption for specific surface area determination of graphene oxide. Our findings revealed that the standard pretreatment process (heating under vacuum) before N2 physisorption led to damage to the surface oxygen groups on graphene oxide, and the measured surface areas (43 m2/g) do not accurately represent the entire surface area. To optimize methylene blue coverage on graphene oxide, we conducted adsorption equilibrium experiments, focusing on controlling temperature and pH. The pH was significantly important in regulating the coverage of methylene blue. Under the optimized methylene blue adsorption conditions, the specific surface area of graphene oxide was 1,555 m2/g. Our assumptions regarding specific surface area calculations were supported by structural characterization of samples with varying methylene blue uptakes. The results confirmed a uniform coverage of methylene blue on graphene oxide by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray, X-ray diffraction, and atomic force microscopy. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=Ortiz-AnayaIsrael en-aut-sei=Ortiz-Anaya en-aut-mei=Israel kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishinaYuta en-aut-sei=Nishina en-aut-mei=Yuta kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Sciences and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=graphene oxide kn-keyword=graphene oxide en-keyword=methylene blue kn-keyword=methylene blue en-keyword=specific surface area kn-keyword=specific surface area END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=16 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=28 end-page=36 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=202501 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Local Control of Conjunctival Malignant Melanoma by Proton Beam Therapy in a Patient With No Metastasis in Six Years From in Situ to Nodular Lesions en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Conjunctival malignant melanoma is extremely rare, with no standard of care established at moment. Here we report a 65-year-old woman, as a hepatitis B virus (HBV) carrier, who presented concurrently a liver mass and lower bulbar conjunctival pigmented lesions in the right eye. Needle liver biopsy and excisional conjunctival biopsy showed hepatocellular carcinoma and conjunctival malignant melanoma in situ, respectively. The priority was given to segmental liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization. In 1 year, she underwent second and third resection of bulbar conjunctival pigmented lesions, and the pathological examinations constantly showed melanoma in situ. In the course, she showed gradual widening of pigmented lesions to upper bulbar conjunctiva and lower palpebral conjunctiva and lower eyelid. About 2.5 years from the initial visit, the lower eyelid lesion was resected for a genomic DNA-based test of BRAF mutations which turned out to be absent, and then, she began to have intravenous anti-programmed cell death-1 (PD-1), nivolumab every 3 or 4 weeks. She developed iritis in the right eye with conjunctival melanoma as an immune-related adverse event, 3 months after the beginning of nivolumab, and so she used daily topical 0.1% betamethasone eye drops to control the intraocular inflammation. She showed no metastasis in 6 years of follow-up, but later in the course, 5 years from the initial visit, she developed abruptly a non-pigmented nodular lesion on the temporal side of the bulbar conjunctiva along the corneal limbus, accompanied by two pigmented nodular lesions in the upper and lower eyelids in a few months. She thus, underwent proton beam therapy toward the conjunctival melanoma and achieved the successful local control. Proton beam therapy is a treatment option in place of orbital exenteration, and multidisciplinary team collaboration is desirable to achieve better cosmetic and functional outcomes in conjunctival malignant melanoma. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MatsuoToshihiko en-aut-sei=Matsuo en-aut-mei=Toshihiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=OgataTakeshi en-aut-sei=Ogata en-aut-mei=Takeshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=WakiTakahiro en-aut-sei=Waki en-aut-mei=Takahiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=TanakaTakehiro en-aut-sei=Tanaka en-aut-mei=Takehiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=TachibanaKota en-aut-sei=Tachibana en-aut-mei=Kota kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiTomokazu en-aut-sei=Fuji en-aut-mei=Tomokazu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=AdachiTakuya en-aut-sei=Adachi en-aut-mei=Takuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamasakiOsamu en-aut-sei=Yamasaki en-aut-mei=Osamu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Regenerative and Reconstructive Medicine (Ophthalmology), Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Radiology, Proton Beam Center, Tsuyama Chuo Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Radiology, Proton Beam Center, Tsuyama Chuo Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Dermatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Dermatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Ocular surface kn-keyword=Ocular surface en-keyword=Conjunctiva kn-keyword=Conjunctiva en-keyword=Malignant melanoma kn-keyword=Malignant melanoma en-keyword=Proton beam therapy kn-keyword=Proton beam therapy en-keyword=Nivolumab kn-keyword=Nivolumab en-keyword=PD-1 inhibitor kn-keyword=PD-1 inhibitor en-keyword=Immune checkpoint inhibitor kn-keyword=Immune checkpoint inhibitor END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=24 cd-vols= no-issue=23 article-no= start-page=7428 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241121 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=The Design and Implementation of Kerberos-Blockchain Vehicular Ad-Hoc Networks Authentication Across Diverse Network Scenarios en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Vehicular Ad-Hoc Networks (VANETs) play an essential role in the intelligent transportation era, furnishing users with essential roadway data to facilitate optimal route selection and mitigate the risk of accidents. However, the network exposure makes VANETs susceptible to cyber threats, making authentication crucial for ensuring security and integrity. Therefore, joining entity verification is essential to ensure the integrity and security of communication in VANETs. However, to authenticate the entities, authentication time should be minimized to guarantee fast and secure authentication procedures. We propose an authentication system for VANETs using blockchain and Kerberos for storing authentication messages in a blockchain ledger accessible to Trusted Authentication Servers (TASs) and Roadside Units (RSUs). We evaluate the system in three diverse network scenarios: suburban, urban with 1 TAS, and urban with 2 TASs. The findings reveal that this proposal is applicable in diverse network scenarios to fulfill the network requirements, including authentication, handover, and end-to-end delay, considering an additional TAS for an increasing number of vehicles. The system is also practicable in storing the authentication message in blockchain considering the gas values and memory size for all scenarios. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=RahayuMaya en-aut-sei=Rahayu en-aut-mei=Maya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=HossainMd. Biplob en-aut-sei=Hossain en-aut-mei=Md. Biplob kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=HudaSamsul en-aut-sei=Huda en-aut-mei=Samsul kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=KoderaYuta en-aut-sei=Kodera en-aut-mei=Yuta kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=AliMd. Arshad en-aut-sei=Ali en-aut-mei=Md. Arshad kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=NogamiYasuyuki en-aut-sei=Nogami en-aut-mei=Yasuyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Green Innovation Center, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Faculty of CSE, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Vehicular Ad-Hoc Network kn-keyword=Vehicular Ad-Hoc Network en-keyword=Kerberos authentication kn-keyword=Kerberos authentication en-keyword=blockchain kn-keyword=blockchain END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=19 cd-vols= no-issue=12 article-no= start-page=e0315385 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241209 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Phase-dependent trends in the prevalence of myalgic encephalomyelitis / chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) related to long COVID: A criteria-based retrospective study in Japan en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background
The characteristics of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) related to COVID-19 have remained uncertain. To elucidate the clinical trend of ME/CFS induced by long COVID, we examined data for patients who visited our outpatient clinic established in a university hospital during the period from Feb 2021 to July 2023.

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

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

Conclusion
The proportion of long COVID patients who developed ME/CFS strictly diagnosed by three criteria was lower among patients infected in the Omicron phase than among patients infected in the other phases, while the proportion of patients with brain fog inversely increased. Attention should be paid to the variant-dependent trends of ME/CFS triggered by long COVID (300 words). en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MoritaSatoru en-aut-sei=Morita en-aut-mei=Satoru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=TokumasuKazuki en-aut-sei=Tokumasu en-aut-mei=Kazuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=OtsukaYuki en-aut-sei=Otsuka en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=HondaHiroyuki en-aut-sei=Honda en-aut-mei=Hiroyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakanoYasuhiro en-aut-sei=Nakano en-aut-mei=Yasuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=SunadaNaruhiko en-aut-sei=Sunada en-aut-mei=Naruhiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=SakuradaYasue en-aut-sei=Sakurada en-aut-mei=Yasue kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsudaYui en-aut-sei=Matsuda en-aut-mei=Yui kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=SoejimaYoshiaki en-aut-sei=Soejima en-aut-mei=Yoshiaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=UedaKeigo en-aut-sei=Ueda en-aut-mei=Keigo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=OtsukaFumio en-aut-sei=Otsuka en-aut-mei=Fumio kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=16 cd-vols= no-issue=23 article-no= start-page=10342 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241126 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Assessing CO2 Reduction Effects Through Decarbonization Scenarios in the Residential and Transportation Sectors: Challenges and Solutions for Japan's Hilly and Mountainous Areas en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Depopulation, aging, and regional decline are becoming increasingly serious issues in Japan's hilly and mountainous areas. Focusing on mitigating environmental damage and envisioning a sustainable future for these regions, this study examines the potential for reducing CO2 emissions in the residential and transportation sectors by 2050. Bottom-up simulations were used to estimate CO2 emissions. Subsequently, six decarbonization scenarios were formulated, considering various measures from the perspectives of population distribution and technological progress. Based on these scenarios, this study analyzes changes in future population, energy consumption, and CO2 emissions by 2050. The results of this study show the following. (1) Depopulation and aging problems in these regions are expected to become more severe in the future. It is necessary to take action to promote sustainable regional development. (2) Pursuing decarbonization has a positive impact on enhancing regional sustainability; however, maintaining the intensity of measures at the current level could lead to a reduction of only 40% in CO2 emissions per capita by 2050 compared with 2020. (3) Scenarios that strengthen decarbonization measures could achieve a reduction of over 95% by 2050, indicating that carbon neutrality is attainable. However, this will require implementing measures at a higher intensity, especially in the transportation sector. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=HaoXiyue en-aut-sei=Hao en-aut-mei=Xiyue kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=YanChuyue en-aut-sei=Yan en-aut-mei=Chuyue kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=NarumiDaisuke en-aut-sei=Narumi en-aut-mei=Daisuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Socio-Environmental Energy Science, Graduate School of Energy Science, Kyoto University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=decarbonization measures kn-keyword=decarbonization measures en-keyword=CO2 reduction kn-keyword=CO2 reduction en-keyword=residential sector kn-keyword=residential sector en-keyword=transportation sector kn-keyword=transportation sector en-keyword=energy consumption kn-keyword=energy consumption en-keyword=CO2 emissions kn-keyword=CO2 emissions en-keyword=hilly and mountainous areas kn-keyword=hilly and mountainous areas en-keyword=area management kn-keyword=area management END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=16 cd-vols= no-issue=23 article-no= start-page=4089 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241206 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Frequency and Significance of Body Weight Loss During Immunochemotherapy in Patients with Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background: Limited data are available on the frequency and significance of body weight loss during cancer therapy. This study investigated the frequency of patients who experienced body weight loss during immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) plus chemotherapy for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and the impact of weight loss on treatment outcomes. Methods: Using the clinical data of 370 patients with NSCLC who received a combination of ICI and chemotherapy at 13 institutions, this study investigated the frequency of body weight loss > 5% during treatment and determined the impact of body weight loss on patient outcomes. Results: Of the 370 included patients, 141 (38.1%) lost more than 5% of their body weight during ICI plus chemotherapy (WL group). The 2-month landmark analysis showed that patients who experienced body weight loss of >5% during treatment had worse overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) than those who did not (OS 14.0 and 31.1 months in the WL non-WL groups, respectively, p < 0.001; PFS 6.8 and 10.9 months in the WL non-WL groups, respectively, p = 0.002). Furthermore, a negative impact of body weight loss on survival was observed even in those who had obesity (body mass index [BMI] >= 25.0) at the start of therapy (OS 12.8 and 25.4 months in the WL non-WL groups, respectively, p < 0.001; PFS 5.7 and 10.7 months in the WL non-WL groups, respectively, p = 0.038). Conclusions: In conclusion, weight loss of >5% during ICI plus chemotherapy negatively influenced patient outcomes. Further and broader studies should investigate the role of nutritional status, specifically weight change and nutritional support, in responsiveness to ICI plus chemotherapy. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=TaokaMasataka en-aut-sei=Taoka en-aut-mei=Masataka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=IchiharaEiki en-aut-sei=Ichihara en-aut-mei=Eiki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=YokoyamaToshihide en-aut-sei=Yokoyama en-aut-mei=Toshihide kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=InoueKoji en-aut-sei=Inoue en-aut-mei=Koji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=TamuraTomoki en-aut-sei=Tamura en-aut-mei=Tomoki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=SatoAkiko en-aut-sei=Sato en-aut-mei=Akiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=OdaNaohiro en-aut-sei=Oda en-aut-mei=Naohiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=KanoHirohisa en-aut-sei=Kano en-aut-mei=Hirohisa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakamuraKayo en-aut-sei=Nakamura en-aut-mei=Kayo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=KawaiHaruyuki en-aut-sei=Kawai en-aut-mei=Haruyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=InoueMasaaki en-aut-sei=Inoue en-aut-mei=Masaaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=OchiNobuaki en-aut-sei=Ochi en-aut-mei=Nobuaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujimotoNobukazu en-aut-sei=Fujimoto en-aut-mei=Nobukazu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= en-aut-name=IchikawaHirohisa en-aut-sei=Ichikawa en-aut-mei=Hirohisa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=14 ORCID= en-aut-name=AndoChihiro en-aut-sei=Ando en-aut-mei=Chihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=15 ORCID= en-aut-name=OzeIsao en-aut-sei=Oze en-aut-mei=Isao kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=16 ORCID= en-aut-name=KiuraKatsuyuki en-aut-sei=Kiura en-aut-mei=Katsuyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=17 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=18 ORCID= en-aut-name=HottaKatsuyuki en-aut-sei=Hotta en-aut-mei=Katsuyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=19 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Hematology and Oncology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Center for Clinical Oncology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Respiratory Medicine, Ohara Healthcare Foundation, Kurashiki Central Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Respiratory Medicine, Ehime Prefectural Central Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Respiratory Medicine, NHO Iwakuni Clinical Center kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Internal Medicine, National Hospital Organization Okayama Medical Center kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Respiratory Medicine, Fukuyama City Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Respiratory Medicine, Japanese Red Cross Okayama Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Respiratory Medicine, Japanese Red Cross Himeji Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Internal Medicine, Okayama Saiseikai General Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Chest Surgery, Shimonoseki City Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Department of General Internal Medicine 4 , Kawasaki Medical School kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Department of Respiratory Medicine, Okayama Rosai Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=14 en-affil=Department of Respiratory Medicine, KKR Takamatsu Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=15 en-affil=Department of Respiratory Medicine, Japanese Red Cross Okayama Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=16 en-affil=Division of Cancer Information and Control, Aichi Cancer Center Research Institute kn-affil= affil-num=17 en-affil=Department of Hematology and Oncology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=18 en-affil=Department of Hematology and Oncology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=19 en-affil=Center for Innovative Clinical Medicine, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= en-keyword=non-small cell lung cancer kn-keyword=non-small cell lung cancer en-keyword=body weight loss kn-keyword=body weight loss en-keyword=immune checkpoint inhibitors kn-keyword=immune checkpoint inhibitors en-keyword=chemotherapy kn-keyword=chemotherapy END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=12 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=1500023 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=Trabecular bone scores in children with osteogenesis imperfecta respond differently to bisphosphonate treatment depending on disease severity en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Introduction: Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a congenital skeletal disorder characterized by bone fragility. Bisphosphonates (BISs) have become the mainstream treatment in children with OI. However, an optimal treatment protocol has not yet been established, while BIS treatment tends to be administered to normalize bone mineral density (BMD). Bone quality is an important component of bone strength. The trabecular bone score (TBS) is a quantitative measure of the microstructure that affects bone quality. This study investigated the TBS during BIS treatment in children with OI. Materials and methods: Twenty-nine children with OI were enrolled and classified into two groups: mild (type 1) and moderate to severe (types 3 and 4). Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry images were retrospectively analyzed for TBS calculation. The relationship between the areal BMD (aBMD), its Z-score, height-adjusted BMD (BMDHAZ) Z-score, TBS, and TBS Z-score with the treatment duration was assessed for each group. Results: In the mild group, the aBMD, its Z-score, and BMDHAZ Z-score showed a significant positive correlation with treatment duration (r = 0.68, 0.68, 0.72, respectively, p < 0.01). The TBS Z-score tended to increase with treatment duration, albeit without reaching significance. In the moderate to severe group, the TBS Z-score showed a significant positive correlation with treatment duration (r = 0.48, p < 0.01), in contrast to the aBMD Z-score, which did not increase. Finally, the BMDHAZ Z-score only showed a weak positive correlation with treatment duration (r = 0.37, p < 0.01). Conclusion: Because BIS affect the BMD and TBS differently based on the severity of OI, treatment goals may need to be stratified by disease severity. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=FutagawaNatsuko en-aut-sei=Futagawa en-aut-mei=Natsuko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=HasegawaKosei en-aut-sei=Hasegawa en-aut-mei=Kosei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 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=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=TanakaHiroyuki en-aut-sei=Tanaka en-aut-mei=Hiroyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 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=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Pediatrics, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Pediatrics, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Pediatrics, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Pediatrics, Okayama Saiseikai General Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Pediatrics, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=bone density kn-keyword=bone density en-keyword=osteoporosis kn-keyword=osteoporosis en-keyword=bone diseases kn-keyword=bone diseases en-keyword=connective tissue kn-keyword=connective tissue en-keyword=child kn-keyword=child END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=14 cd-vols= no-issue=23 article-no= start-page=11326 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241204 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Preparation of Nano- and Microparticles Obtained from Polymerization Reaction and Their Application to Surface Coating of Woody Materials en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=A surface coating of polymer particles of different hydrophobicity and wide-ranged size is helpful for the surface modification of materials such as woody thin board (WTB) derived from biomass. A preparation method for polymer particles was, in this study, proposed using a capillary-type flow system. Under hydrothermal conditions, the refinement of dispersed oil droplets in water (O/W emulsions) and the polymerization reaction could be simultaneously advanced, and polymer particles of polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), and poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) with a particle size of about 100 nm could be synthesized. The coating of polymer particles gave an improved effect on the water repellency of WTBs due to the hydrophobicity of polymer particles and an alteration of surface roughness, and it also provided long-term stability (more than 6 years). en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=ShimanouchiToshinori en-aut-sei=Shimanouchi en-aut-mei=Toshinori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=HirotaDaichi en-aut-sei=Hirota en-aut-mei=Daichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=YoshidaMasafumi en-aut-sei=Yoshida en-aut-mei=Masafumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=YasuharaKazuma en-aut-sei=Yasuhara en-aut-mei=Kazuma kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=KimuraYukitaka en-aut-sei=Kimura en-aut-mei=Yukitaka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Environmental Chemistry and Materials, Okayama University, kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Environmental Chemistry and Materials, Okayama University, kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Environmental Chemistry and Materials, Okayama University, kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Division of Materials Science, Nara Institute of Science and Technology (NAIST) kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Environmental Chemistry and Materials, Okayama University, kn-affil= en-keyword=polymer particles kn-keyword=polymer particles en-keyword= emulsification kn-keyword= emulsification en-keyword= water repellency kn-keyword= water repellency en-keyword= hydrophobicity kn-keyword= hydrophobicity en-keyword= coating kn-keyword= coating en-keyword= convective self-assembly kn-keyword= convective self-assembly en-keyword= wood thin board kn-keyword= wood thin board END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=12 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=1434800 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241127 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Efficacy of extracting and preventively intervening late-stage older adults who are at high risk for spending high medical costs by using the health check-up system in Japan: a pilot study en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Objectives: In Japan, the seven diseases (femur fracture, cerebral infarction, chronic renal failure, heart failure, dementia, pneumonia, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) are the top causes of inpatient medical costs among the late-stage older adults aged 75 years and over. This pilot study was conducted with the following two objectives; (1) to examine the proportion of risks of onset and severity of seven diseases among the late-stage older adults, and (2) to examine the efficacy of interventions focusing on the prevention of unplanned hospitalization.
Methods: Participants were 45,233 older adults aged 75 and over living in Kure City, Japan. In addition to the government-mandated health checkup items, the Intervention group underwent additional risk screening tests included questionnaires, physical examinations, blood tests, and educational guidance by nurses. The efficacy of the intervention was examined whether there were differences in the number of hospitalizations, the use of emergency and critical care, and the incidence of hemodialysis induction between the Intervention and control groups (Usual Health Checkup group and No Health Checkup group) for the 2 years.
Results: There were 485 participants in the Intervention group, 1,067 in the Usual Health Checkup group, and 43,712 in the No Health Checkup group. As the risks of seven diseases in the Intervention group, the largest proportion of deviations occurred for systolic blood pressure (63.3%), estimated salt intake (60.3%), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (51.5%). Estimated glomerular filtration rate deviated in 41.0%, N-terminal pro b-type natriuretic peptide in 37.9%. 7.5% scored <2 points on the Mini-Cog (c), and 9.1% performed the Timed Up and Go test in >12 s. The incidence of hospitalization due to any of the seven diseases was significantly higher in the No Health Checkup group (p < 0.001). There were no differences among the three groups in the use of emergency and critical care or the introduction of hemodialysis.
Conclusion: This study revealed that additional health checkup tests and intervention methods could be prevented hospitalization among the adults of 75 years and older. It is necessary to make health checkups and follow-ups more accessible those are already available within the existing health system in Japan. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KazawaKana en-aut-sei=Kazawa en-aut-mei=Kana kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KawaiMadoka en-aut-sei=Kawai en-aut-mei=Madoka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MoriyamaMichiko en-aut-sei=Moriyama en-aut-mei=Michiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Faculty of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Division of Nursing Science, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Division of Nursing Science, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University kn-affil= en-keyword=older adults kn-keyword=older adults en-keyword=health checkups kn-keyword=health checkups en-keyword=health risk kn-keyword=health risk en-keyword=hospitalization kn-keyword=hospitalization en-keyword=education kn-keyword=education END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=20 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=3215 end-page=3220 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=Ceratinadin G, a new psammaplysin derivative possessing a cyano group from a sponge of the genus Pseudoceratina en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=A new psammaplysin derivative, ceratinadin G (1), was obtained from the Okinawan marine sponge Pseudoceratina sp., and the gross structure was clarified through spectroscopic and spectrometric analyses. The absolute configuration of compound 1 was established by comparing its NMR and ECD data with those of the known psammaplysin derivative, psammaplysin F (2). Ceratinadin G (1) is a rare nitrile containing a cyano group as aminoacetonitrile, and is the first psammaplysin derivative possessing a cyano group. In vitro assays indicated that compound 1 displayed moderate cytotoxicity against L1210 murine leukemia cells and KB epidermoid carcinoma cells. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KurimotoShin-Ichiro en-aut-sei=Kurimoto en-aut-mei=Shin-Ichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=InoueKouta en-aut-sei=Inoue en-aut-mei=Kouta kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=OhnoTaito en-aut-sei=Ohno en-aut-mei=Taito kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 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=4 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Showa Pharmaceutical University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Showa Pharmaceutical University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=ceratinadin kn-keyword=ceratinadin en-keyword=cytotoxicity kn-keyword=cytotoxicity en-keyword=marine sponge kn-keyword=marine sponge en-keyword=psammaplysin kn-keyword=psammaplysin en-keyword=Pseudoceratina sp kn-keyword=Pseudoceratina sp END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=5 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=1251 end-page=1273 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=2024 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Skewing Technology for Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motors: A Comprehensive Review and Recent Trends en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=This article gives a comprehensive overview of the current research trends in the skewing technique for permanent magnet synchronous motors (PMSMs). The skewing technique has been widely used in many applications to reduce the cogging torque and torque ripple in PMSMs. There are many ways to implement the skew, and new techniques are continually being developed. First, this article summarizes the types of skew structures and presents a survey of existing techniques. Specific emphasis is placed on what kind of skew structure is selected depending on the PMSM configuration. Second, the optimal value of the skew angle for each structure is comprehensively explained, and the discrepancy between theory and finite element analysis is discussed. The definition of skew angle varies across the literature, and one of the purposes of this article is to organize the definition in an easy-to-understand manner. In addition, this article offers three-dimensional finite element analysis (3D-FEA) results of various PMSMs employing the skew for quantitative comparison. Then, this article discusses the properties of PMSMs using the skew by structure and the latest trends, and finally describes future prospects. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=TsunataRen en-aut-sei=Tsunata en-aut-mei=Ren kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakemotoMasatsugu en-aut-sei=Takemoto en-aut-mei=Masatsugu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Additive manufacturing (AM) kn-keyword=Additive manufacturing (AM) en-keyword=axial leakage flux kn-keyword=axial leakage flux en-keyword=cogging torque kn-keyword=cogging torque en-keyword=electrical machine kn-keyword=electrical machine en-keyword=finite element analysis (FEA) kn-keyword=finite element analysis (FEA) en-keyword=induction motor (IM) kn-keyword=induction motor (IM) en-keyword=interior permanent magnet synchronous motor (IPMSM) kn-keyword=interior permanent magnet synchronous motor (IPMSM) en-keyword=noise kn-keyword=noise en-keyword=patents kn-keyword=patents en-keyword=permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) kn-keyword=permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) en-keyword=skew kn-keyword=skew en-keyword=surface permanent magnet synchronous motor (SPMSM) kn-keyword=surface permanent magnet synchronous motor (SPMSM) en-keyword=torque ripple kn-keyword=torque ripple en-keyword=total harmonic distortion (THD) kn-keyword=total harmonic distortion (THD) en-keyword=traction motor kn-keyword=traction motor en-keyword=transportation kn-keyword=transportation en-keyword=vibration kn-keyword=vibration END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=14 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=29419 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241127 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=ADAR1 could be a potential diagnostic target for intrauterine infection patients en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Intrauterine infection (IUI) is mainly an ascending infection in which vaginal and cervical pathogens ascend to the uterus and can affect the fetus. Until now, there is still no effective diagnostic biomarker for IUI, such as chorioamnionitis (CAM) and funisitis (FUN). Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)/Ribonucleic acid (RNA) editing molecules such as apolipoprotein-B mRNA-editing complex (APOBEC) 3 families and Adenosine deaminase family acting on RNA (ADAR)1 were examined in chorioamniotic membranes and umbilical cord of 83 patient samples. Furthermore, Ureaplasma parvum induced ADAR1 was investigated in human HTR-8/SVneo EVT cell line. ADAR1 had a significantly higher area under the curve (AUC) (0.721 and 0.745) than other APOBEC3s or cytokines in CAM and FUN patients. In vitro, ureaplasma parvum was demonstrated to activate ADAR1 (p = 0.025) and reduce RIG-I, IRF3, IFN-α, and IFN-β expression in EVT cell line (p = 0.005, p = 0.010, p < 0.001, and p = 0.018, respectively). High expression of ADAR1 was strongly associated with CAM and FUN patients (multivariate analyses; p = 0.035 and p = 0.002). ADAR1 could be a potential diagnostic target for IUI, such as CAM and FUN patients. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NakamuraKeiichiro en-aut-sei=Nakamura en-aut-mei=Keiichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShigeyasuKunitoshi en-aut-sei=Shigeyasu en-aut-mei=Kunitoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=VuThuy Ha en-aut-sei=Vu en-aut-mei=Thuy Ha kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=MakiJota en-aut-sei=Maki en-aut-mei=Jota kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkamotoKazuhiro en-aut-sei=Okamoto en-aut-mei=Kazuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=MasuyamaHisashi en-aut-sei=Masuyama en-aut-mei=Hisashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= en-keyword=ADAR1 kn-keyword=ADAR1 en-keyword=Chorioamnionitis kn-keyword=Chorioamnionitis en-keyword=Funisitis kn-keyword=Funisitis en-keyword=Intrauterine infection kn-keyword=Intrauterine infection en-keyword=Diagnostic biomarker kn-keyword=Diagnostic biomarker END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=14 cd-vols= no-issue=11 article-no= start-page=e70476 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241121 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Genomic Introgression in the Hybrid zones at the Margins of the Species' Range Between Ecologically Distinct Rubus Species en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Populations in extreme environments at the margins of a species' range are often the most vulnerable to climate change, but they may also experience novel evolutionary processes, such as secondary contact and hybridization with their relatives. The range overlap resulting from secondary contact with related species that have adapted to different climatic zones may act as corridors for adaptive introgression. To test this hypothesis, we examined the hybrid zones along the altitude of two closely related Rubus species, one temperate and the other subtropical species, at their southern and northern limits on Yakushima Island, Japan. Genomic cline analysis revealed non-neutral introgression throughout the genome in both directions in the two species. Some of these genomic regions involve gene ontology terms related to the regulation of several biological processes. Our niche modeling suggests that, assuming niche conservatism, the temperate species are likely to lose their suitable habitat, and the backcrossed hybrids with the subtropical species are already expanding upslope on the island. Adaptive introgression through the hybrid zone may contribute to the persistence and expansion of the species in the southernmost and northernmost populations. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MimuraMakiko en-aut-sei=Mimura en-aut-mei=Makiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=TangZhenxing en-aut-sei=Tang en-aut-mei=Zhenxing kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShigenobuShuji en-aut-sei=Shigenobu en-aut-mei=Shuji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamaguchiKatsushi en-aut-sei=Yamaguchi en-aut-mei=Katsushi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=YaharaTetsukazu en-aut-sei=Yahara en-aut-mei=Tetsukazu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Biology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Biology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Trans-Omics Facility, National Institute of Basic Biology kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Trans-Omics Facility, National Institute of Basic Biology kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Kyushu Open University kn-affil= en-keyword=adaptive introgression kn-keyword=adaptive introgression en-keyword=climate change kn-keyword=climate change en-keyword=hybrid zone kn-keyword=hybrid zone en-keyword=secondary contact kn-keyword=secondary contact END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=9 cd-vols= no-issue=50 article-no= start-page=50041 end-page=50048 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241205 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Conformational Flexibility of D1-Glu189: A Crucial Determinant in Substrate Water Selection, Positioning, and Stabilization within the Oxygen-Evolving Complex of Photosystem II en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Photosynthetic water oxidation is a vital process responsible for producing dioxygen and supplying the energy necessary to sustain life on Earth. This fundamental reaction is catalyzed by the oxygen-evolving complex (OEC) of photosystem II, which houses the Mn4CaO5 cluster as its catalytic core. In this study, we specifically focus on the D1-Glu189 amino acid residue, which serves as a direct ligand to the Mn4CaO5 cluster. Our primary goal is to explore, using density functional theory (DFT), how the conformational flexibility of the D1-Glu189 side chain influences crucial catalytic processes, particularly the selection, positioning, and stabilization of a substrate water molecule within the OEC. Our investigation is based on a hypothesis put forth by Li et al. (Nature, 2024, 626, 670), which suggests that during the transition from the S2 to S3 state, a specific water molecule temporarily coordinating with the Ca ion, referred to as O6*, may exist as a hydroxide ion (OH-). Our results demonstrate a key mechanism by which the detachment of the D1-Glu189 carboxylate group from its coordination with the Ca ion allows the creation of a specialized microenvironment within the OEC that enables the selective attraction of O6* in its deprotonated form (OH-) and stabilizes it at the catalytic metal (MnD) site. Our findings indicate that D1-Glu189 is not only a structural ligand for the Ca ion but may also play an active and dynamic role in the catalytic process, positioning O6* optimally for its subsequent participation in the oxidation sequence during the water-splitting cycle. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=IsobeHiroshi en-aut-sei=Isobe en-aut-mei=Hiroshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=SuzukiTakayoshi en-aut-sei=Suzuki en-aut-mei=Takayoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=SugaMichihiro en-aut-sei=Suga en-aut-mei=Michihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShenJian-Ren en-aut-sei=Shen en-aut-mei=Jian-Ren kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamaguchiKizashi en-aut-sei=Yamaguchi en-aut-mei=Kizashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=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=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Center for Quantum Information and Quantum Biology, Osaka University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=32 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=292 end-page=305 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241128 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=The role of C1orf50 in breast cancer progression and prognosis en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Although the prognosis of breast cancer has significantly improved compared to other types of cancer, there are still some patients who expire due to recurrence or metastasis. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a method to identify patients with poor prognosis at the early stages of cancer. In the process of discovering new prognostic markers from genes of unknown function, we found that the expression of C1orf50 determines the prognosis of breast cancer patients, especially for those with Luminal A breast cancer. This study aims to elucidate the molecular role of C1orf50 in breast cancer progression. Bioinformatic analyses of the breast cancer dataset of TCGA, and in vitro analyses, reveal the molecular pathways influenced by C1orf50 expression. C1orf50 knockdown suppressed the cell cycle of breast cancer cells and weakened their ability to maintain the undifferentiated state and self-renewal capacity. Interestingly, upregulation of C1orf50 increased sensitivity to CDK4/6 inhibition. In addition, C1orf50 was found to be more abundant in breast cancer cells than in normal breast epithelium, suggesting C1orf50’s involvement in breast cancer pathogenesis. Furthermore, the mRNA expression level of C1orf50 was positively correlated with the expression of PD-L1 and its related factors. These results suggest that C1orf50 promotes breast cancer progression through cell cycle upregulation, maintenance of cancer stemness, and immune evasion mechanisms. Our study uncovers the biological functions of C1orf50 in Luminal breast cancer progression, a finding not previously reported in any type of cancer. 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=TanakaAtsushi en-aut-sei=Tanaka en-aut-mei=Atsushi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MaekawaMasaki en-aut-sei=Maekawa en-aut-mei=Masaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=PeñaTirso en-aut-sei=Peña en-aut-mei=Tirso kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=RogachevskayaAnna en-aut-sei=Rogachevskaya en-aut-mei=Anna kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=AndoTeruhiko en-aut-sei=Ando en-aut-mei=Teruhiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=ItanoTakuto en-aut-sei=Itano en-aut-mei=Takuto kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=KatayamaHaruyoshi en-aut-sei=Katayama en-aut-mei=Haruyoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakataEiji en-aut-sei=Nakata en-aut-mei=Eiji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 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=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=ToyookaShinichi en-aut-sei=Toyooka en-aut-mei=Shinichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=DoiharaHiroyoshi en-aut-sei=Doihara en-aut-mei=Hiroyoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=RoehrlMichael H. en-aut-sei=Roehrl en-aut-mei=Michael H. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 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=14 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA Harvard Medical School kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA Harvard Medical School kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA Harvard Medical School kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA Harvard Medical School kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA Harvard Medical School kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Department of General Surgery, Kawasaki Medical School General Medical Center kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA Harvard Medical School kn-affil= affil-num=14 en-affil=Department of Cellular Physiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=C1orf50 kn-keyword=C1orf50 en-keyword=Luminal A breast cancer kn-keyword=Luminal A breast cancer en-keyword=Cell cycle kn-keyword=Cell cycle en-keyword=Immune evasion kn-keyword=Immune evasion en-keyword=YAP/TAZ kn-keyword=YAP/TAZ END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=306 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=109175 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=Regional-scale evaluation of tertiary irrigation system in Muda Irrigation Scheme from space en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=A tertiary irrigation system is essential for efficient water management in large-scale irrigation scheme and requires regular evaluation to understand their effectiveness. The current water balance method for tertiary irrigation system evaluation requires extensive data, making continuous monitoring over vast areas unfeasible. A better approach using geospatial data from the Google Earth Engine (GEE) is introduces to evaluate the efficiency of tertiary irrigation systems on a regional scale, aiding water management strategies. This study aims to (1) define the rice cultivation boundary for accurate data collection and (2) quantitatively evaluate irrigation system performance using specific indicators. Remote sensing evapotranspiration (RS-ET) and yield derived from Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) were collected within rice cultivation boundary across 60 irrigation blocks, including 14 blocks equipped with tertiary irrigation system in Region II of the Muda Irrigation Scheme. Three irrigation system performance indicators (equity, adequacy, and water productivity) were used as a key metric in over four rice-growing seasons to evaluate tertiary irrigation system. Results reveal that tertiary irrigation system performance varies with the current three-phase water management strategy. Equity performance was highest during the off-season, particularly in phase 1 (2–8 %). Adequacy was moderate across all phases and seasons (median: 0.6–0.67), while water productivity showed consistent strength in phases 1 and 3, with fluctuations in phase 2, across seasons. This study underscores the cost-effectiveness and efficiency of using geospatial data from space for continuous regional-scale monitoring, highlighting areas for improvement in the current water management strategy. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=ZahirAliya Mhd en-aut-sei=Zahir en-aut-mei=Aliya Mhd 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= 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= en-keyword=Water management kn-keyword=Water management en-keyword=Remote sensing kn-keyword=Remote sensing en-keyword=Irrigation performance kn-keyword=Irrigation performance en-keyword=Irrigation system kn-keyword=Irrigation system en-keyword=Earth observation data kn-keyword=Earth observation data en-keyword=Muda Irrigation Scheme kn-keyword=Muda Irrigation Scheme END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=11 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=42 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241126 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Genotypes and phenotypes of neurofibromatosis type 1 patients in Japan: A Hereditary Tumor Cohort Study en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) presents with a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations, including an increased risk of tumor development and hypertension. Comprehensive data on genotype‒phenotype correlations in patients with NF1 are limited. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to elucidate the detailed genetic and clinical characteristics of NF1 in a hereditary tumor cohort. We performed sequencing and copy number assays in a clinical laboratory and analyzed the clinical data of 44 patients with suspected NF1. Germline pathogenic variants were detected in 36 patients (81.8%), and 20.7% of the variants were novel. Notably, 40.0% of adult patients presented with malignancies; female breast cancer occurred in 20.0% of patients, which was a higher rate than that previously reported. Hypertension was observed in 30.6% of the adult patients, with one patient experiencing sudden death and another developing pheochromocytoma. Three patients with large deletions in NF1 exhibited prominent cutaneous, skeletal, and neurological manifestations. These results highlight the importance of regular surveillance, particularly for patients with malignancies and hypertension. Our findings provide valuable insights for genetic counseling and clinical management, highlighting the multiple health risks associated with NF1 and the need for comprehensive and multidisciplinary care. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=FutagawaMashu en-aut-sei=Futagawa en-aut-mei=Mashu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkazakiTetsuya en-aut-sei=Okazaki en-aut-mei=Tetsuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakataEiji en-aut-sei=Nakata en-aut-mei=Eiji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=FukanoChika en-aut-sei=Fukano en-aut-mei=Chika kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=OsumiRisa en-aut-sei=Osumi en-aut-mei=Risa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=KatoFumino en-aut-sei=Kato en-aut-mei=Fumino kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=UrakawaYusaku en-aut-sei=Urakawa en-aut-mei=Yusaku kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamamotoHideki en-aut-sei=Yamamoto en-aut-mei=Hideki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 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=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=HirasawaAkira en-aut-sei=Hirasawa en-aut-mei=Akira kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Clinical Genomic Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Clinical Genomic Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Clinical Genomic Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Clinical Genetics and Genomic Medicine, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Clinical Genetics and Genomic Medicine, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Genetic Medicine, School of Medicine, Fujita Health University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Clinical Genomic Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Clinical Genomic Medicine, 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=60 end-page=63 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241129 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Successful immunotherapy with ipilimumab and nivolumab in a patient with pulmonary sclerosing pneumocytoma en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Pulmonary sclerosing pneumocytoma (PSP) is a rare form of lung cancer that occasionally presents with lymph node and extrapulmonary metastases, and multiple lesions. The treatment of metastatic PSP remains undefined. This study reports the case of a 48-year-old female patient diagnosed with PSP following surgical intervention for a solitary nodule in the left lower lobe. Four years later, recurrence occurred in the left hilar and mediastinal lymph nodes, necessitating an additional resection. Concurrently, sacral metastases developed and required palliative radiotherapy. Genetic analysis identified an AKT1 E17K mutation, characteristic of PSP, and absence of programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression in the tumor. Two years post-recurrence, the tumor recurred in the left mammary gland and mediastinal lymph nodes. Combination immunotherapy with ipilimumab and nivolumab yielded a significantly positive response in this metastatic PSP case. This is the first reported case of successful treatment of multiple distant metastatic PSP with ipilimumab and nivolumab, following the failure of various local treatments. Further case series are warranted to validate the efficacy of immunotherapy in metastatic PSP. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=Inukai-MotokuraYumi en-aut-sei=Inukai-Motokura en-aut-mei=Yumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=NinomiyaKiichiro en-aut-sei=Ninomiya en-aut-mei=Kiichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=BabaTakahiro en-aut-sei=Baba en-aut-mei=Takahiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=OmoriHiroki en-aut-sei=Omori en-aut-mei=Hiroki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakeguchiTetsuya en-aut-sei=Takeguchi en-aut-mei=Tetsuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=UnoMari en-aut-sei=Uno en-aut-mei=Mari kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=AyadaYoshiyuki en-aut-sei=Ayada en-aut-mei=Yoshiyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 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=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=OhashiKadoaki en-aut-sei=Ohashi en-aut-mei=Kadoaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Allergy and Respiratory Medicine, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Allergy and Respiratory Medicine, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Allergy and Respiratory Medicine, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Allergy and Respiratory Medicine, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Allergy and Respiratory Medicine, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Allergy and Respiratory Medicine, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Pathology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Pathology and Oncology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Hematology, Oncology and Respiratory Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Allergy and Respiratory Medicine, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= en-keyword=Pulmonary sclerosing pneumocytoma kn-keyword=Pulmonary sclerosing pneumocytoma en-keyword=Ipilimumab kn-keyword=Ipilimumab en-keyword=Nivolumab kn-keyword=Nivolumab en-keyword=Programmed cell death ligand 1 kn-keyword=Programmed cell death ligand 1 en-keyword=Case report kn-keyword=Case report END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=110 cd-vols= no-issue=9 article-no= start-page=094420 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20240911 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Ferrimagnetic structure in the high-pressure phase of 𝛼−Mn en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The 𝛼−Mn phase exhibits a large anomalous Hall effect (AHE) in its pressure-induced weak ferromagnetic (WFM) state, despite its relatively small spontaneous magnetization of ∼0.02𝜇B/Mn. To understand the underlying mechanism behind this AHE, we performed single crystal neutron diffraction measurements at 2.0 GPa to determine the magnetic structure of the WFM phase. Our investigation reveals a ferrimagnetic structure characterized by nearly collinear magnetic moments aligned along the [001] direction at sites I, II, III-1, and IV-1. In contrast, the small moments at sites III-2 and IV-2 lie within the (001) plane. The calculated net magnetization of this magnetic structure, (−0.08±0.10)⁢𝜇B/Mn atom, is in agreement with the experimentally determined spontaneous magnetization. The observation of a magnetic reflection at 𝒒=(0,0,0) satisfies a key condition for the emergence of the AHE. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=ArakiShingo en-aut-sei=Araki en-aut-mei=Shingo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=IwamotoKaisei en-aut-sei=Iwamoto en-aut-mei=Kaisei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=AkibaKazuto en-aut-sei=Akiba en-aut-mei=Kazuto kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=KobayashiTatsuo C. en-aut-sei=Kobayashi en-aut-mei=Tatsuo C. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=MunakataKoji en-aut-sei=Munakata en-aut-mei=Koji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=KanekoKoji en-aut-sei=Kaneko en-aut-mei=Koji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=OsakabeToyotaka en-aut-sei=Osakabe en-aut-mei=Toyotaka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Physics, 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, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Physics, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Neutron Science and Technology Center, Comprehensive Research Organization for Science and Society kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Materials Sciences Research Center, Japan Atomic Energy Agency kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Materials Sciences Research Center, Japan Atomic Energy Agency kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=184 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=24 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241118 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=In vitro fertilization and long-term child health and development: nationwide birth cohort study in Japan en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The aim of this study is to compare long-term health outcomes between IVF-conceived children and non-IVF-conceived children in Japan, in the context of strong recommendation for single embryo transfer. Using data from a nationwide birth cohort linked with perinatal database, this study analyzed 2140 children born in Japan in May 2010. It compared child health and development outcomes up to 9 years of age between IVF-conceived and non-IVF-conceived children (binary exposure). A Poisson regression with robust variance to estimate the risk ratios for the association between IVF and various long-term child health and developmental outcomes. After adjusting for confounding factors, no significant differences were observed between IVF-conceived and naturally conceived children for most outcomes, including hospitalization, obesity, and developmental milestones. IVF-conceived children showed a slightly lower risk of attention problems at 8 years (adjusted Risk Ratio [aRR]: 0.73, 95% CI: 0.53–1.00). In subgroup analyses, IVF-conceived term children and singletons demonstrated reduced risk of cognitive delays at 5.5 years (aRR: 0.31, 95% CI: 0.10–0.96 and aRR: 0.37, 95% CI: 0.14–0.98, respectively).
Conclusion: In this Japanese cohort, IVF conception was not associated with adverse long-term health or developmental outcomes. These findings provide reassurance about the safety of IVF, particularly in the context of single embryo transfer policies. Further research is needed to explore specific IVF protocols and subgroups. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MatsumotoNaomi en-aut-sei=Matsumoto en-aut-mei=Naomi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MitsuiTakashi en-aut-sei=Mitsui en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KadowakiTomoka en-aut-sei=Kadowaki en-aut-mei=Tomoka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=MitsuhashiToshiharu en-aut-sei=Mitsuhashi en-aut-mei=Toshiharu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=HirotaTomoya en-aut-sei=Hirota en-aut-mei=Tomoya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=MasuyamaHisashi en-aut-sei=Masuyama en-aut-mei=Hisashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=YorifujiTakashi en-aut-sei=Yorifuji en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Epidemiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Center for Innovative Clinical Medicine, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California San Francisco kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=In vitro fertilization (IVF) kn-keyword=In vitro fertilization (IVF) en-keyword=Assisted reproductive technology (ART) kn-keyword=Assisted reproductive technology (ART) en-keyword=Long-term outcome kn-keyword=Long-term outcome en-keyword=Development kn-keyword=Development END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=61 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=46 end-page=60 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=Terpolymerization reactions of epoxides, CO2, and the third monomers toward sustainable CO2-based polymers with controllable chemical and physical properties en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Carbon dioxide (CO2) serves as a cheap, abundant, and renewable C1 building block for the synthesis of organic compounds and polymers. Selective and efficient CO2 fixation processes are still challenging because of the kinetic and thermodynamic stability of CO2. Among various CO2 fixation processes, the ring-opening copolymerization (ROCOP) of epoxides and CO2 gives aliphatic polycarbonates with high atom economy, although the chemical and physical properties of the resulting polycarbonates are not necessarily satisfactory. Introducing the third monomers into this ROCOP system provides new terpolymers, and the thermal, optical, mechanical or degradation properties can be added or tuned by incorporating new polymer backbones derived from the third monomers at the expense of the CO2 content. Here we review the terpolymerization reactions of epoxides, CO2, and the third monomers such as cyclic anhydrides, lactones, lactides, heteroallenes, and olefins. The development of catalysts and the control of the polymer structures are described together with the chemical and physical properties of the resulting polymers. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NakaokaKoichi en-aut-sei=Nakaoka en-aut-mei=Koichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=EmaTadashi en-aut-sei=Ema en-aut-mei=Tadashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Division of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Division of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=13 cd-vols= no-issue=20 article-no= start-page=e70288 end-page= 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=New Anti-Angiogenic Therapy for Glioblastoma With the Anti-Depressant Sertraline en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background and Aims: Anti-angiogenic therapies prolong patient survival in some malignancies but not glioblastoma. We focused on the relationship between the differentiation of glioma stem like cells (GSCs) into tumor derived endothelial cells (TDECs) and, anti-angiogenic therapy resistance. Especially we aimed to elucidate the mechanisms of drug resistance of TDECs to anti-angiogenic inhibitors and identify novel anti-angiogenic drugs with clinical applications.
Results: The mouse GSCs, 005, were differentiated into TDECs under hypoxic conditions, and TDECs had endothelial cell characteristics independent of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) pathway. In vivo, inhibition of the VEGF pathway had no anti-tumor effect and increased the percentage of TDECs in the 005 mouse model. Novel anti-angiogenic drugs for glioblastoma were evaluated using a tube formation assay and a drug repositioning strategy with existing blood-brain barrier permeable drugs. Drug screening revealed that the antidepressant sertraline inhibited tube formation of TDECs. Sertraline was administered to differentiated TDECs in vitro and 005 mouse models in vivo to evaluate genetic changes by RNA-Seq and tumor regression effects by immunohistochemistry and MRI. Sertraline reduced Lama4 and Ang2 expressions of TDEC, which play an important role in non-VEGF-mediated angiogenesis in tumors. The combination of a VEGF receptor inhibitor axitinib, and sertraline improved survival and reduced tumor growth in the 005 mouse model.
Conclusion: Collectively, our findings showed the diversity of tumor vascular endothelial cells across VEGF and non-VEGF pathways led to anti-angiogenic resistance. The combination of axitinib and sertraline can represent an effective anti-angiogenic therapy for glioblastoma with safe, low cost, and fast availability. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=TsuboiNobushige en-aut-sei=Tsuboi en-aut-mei=Nobushige kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=OtaniYoshihiro en-aut-sei=Otani en-aut-mei=Yoshihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=UnedaAtsuhito en-aut-sei=Uneda en-aut-mei=Atsuhito kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=IshidaJoji en-aut-sei=Ishida en-aut-mei=Joji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=SurugaYasuki en-aut-sei=Suruga en-aut-mei=Yasuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsumotoYuji en-aut-sei=Matsumoto en-aut-mei=Yuji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 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=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiiKentaro en-aut-sei=Fujii en-aut-mei=Kentaro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsuiHideki en-aut-sei=Matsui en-aut-mei=Hideki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=KurozumiKazuhiko en-aut-sei=Kurozumi en-aut-mei=Kazuhiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=DateIsao en-aut-sei=Date en-aut-mei=Isao kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 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=12 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Neutron Therapy Research Center, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Neutron Therapy Research Center, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Neurosurgery, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Neutron Therapy Research Center, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=anti-angiogenic therapy kn-keyword=anti-angiogenic therapy en-keyword=antidepressant sertraline kn-keyword=antidepressant sertraline en-keyword=drug repositioning kn-keyword=drug repositioning en-keyword=glioblastoma kn-keyword=glioblastoma en-keyword=tumor derived endothelial cells kn-keyword=tumor derived endothelial cells 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