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This study aimed to classify nurses with similar work values into subgroups by examining their intrinsic, extrinsic, social, and prestige work values. Additionally, we clarified the characteristics of the obtained subgroups using personal attributes, work engagement, and life satisfaction. Using a cross-sectional observational study design, we randomly sampled 52 hospitals in the Tohoku region of Japan and conducted a self-administered questionnaire survey with 2600 nurses. Latent profile analysis was performed to identify the number of subgroups. Of the 1627 collected questionnaires, 1587 were regarded as valid. The latent profile analysis revealed the following five subgroups with strong statistical significance: (1) self-oriented, (2) low, (3) medium-low, (4) medium-high, and (5) high types. The means of work engagement and life satisfaction gradually increased from the (2) low- to (5) high-type subgroups. There were significant differences among the subgroups in terms of marital status, child status, and job title. The (5) high-type subgroup had many nurses with job titles, high work engagement, and high life satisfaction. The (2) low-type subgroup included many nurses who were young, had few years of experience, were married, had children, and had low levels of work engagement and life satisfaction. Preregistration: This study was not registered.

Abstract trans-Fatty acids (TFAs) are food-derived fatty acids associated with various diseases including cardiovascular diseases. However, the underlying etiology is poorly understood. Here, we show a pro-apoptotic mechanism of TFAs such as elaidic acid (EA), in response to DNA interstrand crosslinks (ICLs) induced by cisplatin (CDDP). We previously reported that TFAs promote apoptosis induced by doxorubicin (Dox), a double strand break (DSB)-inducing agent, via a non-canonical apoptotic pathway independent of tumor suppressor p53 and apoptosis signal-regulating kinase (ASK1), a reactive oxygen species (ROS)-responsive kinase. However, here we found that in the case of CDDP-induced apoptosis, EA-mediated pro-apoptotic action was reversed by knockout of either p53 or ASK1, despite no increase in p53 apoptotic activity. Upon CDDP treatment, EA predominantly enhanced ROS generation, ASK1-p38/c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway activation, and ultimately cell death, all of which were suppressed either by co-treatment of the NADPH oxidase (Nox) inhibitor Apocynin, or by knocking out its regulatory protein, receptor-interacting protein 1 (RIP1). These results demonstrate that in response to CDDP ICLs, TFAs promote p53-dependent apoptosis through the enhancement of the Nox-RIP1-ASK1-MAPK pathway activation, providing insight into the diverse pathogenetic mechanisms of TFAs according to the types of DNA damage.

Abstract Background Self-incompatibility, fusion/non-fusion reactions, and contact reactions (CRs) have all been identified as allorecognition phenomena in ascidians. CR is a reaction characteristic of the hemocytes of Halocynthia roretzi, whereby they release phenol oxidase (PO) upon contact with non-self hemocytes. Thus, these cells may represent a primitive form of the vertebrate immune system. In the present study, we focused on the CR of H. roretzi hemocytes and sought to identify self-marker proteins that distinguish between self and non-self cells. Results We initially generated a CR-inducing monoclonal antibody against the complete hemocyte membrane-protein complement (mAb11B16B10). This antibody was identified based on the differential induction of PO activity in individual organisms. The level of PO activity induced by this antibody in individual ascidians was consistent with the observed CR-induced PO activity. mAb11B16B10 recognized a series of 12 spots corresponding to a 100-kDa protein, with differing isoelectric points (pIs). A comparison of the 2D electrophoresis gels of samples from CR-reactive/non-reactive individuals revealed that some spots in this series in hemocytes were common to the CR-non-inducible individuals, but not to CR-inducible individuals. We cloned the corresponding gene and named it Halocynthia roretzi self-marker-like protein-1 (HrSMLP1). This gene is similar to the glycoprotein DD3–3 found in Dictyostelium, and is conserved in invertebrates. Conclusion We generated a CR-inducing monoclonal antibody (mAb11B16B10) that recognized a series of novel membrane proteins (HrSMLP1) in the hemocytes of H. roretzi. The combination of expressed spots of HrSMLP1 distinguishes non-self cells from self cells with respect to CR inducibility. Given that the HrSMLP1 gene is a single gene, it may represent a novel type of self-marker protein with a role in CR.

Abstract The depth extent of the crustal seismogenic zone is closely related to the size of earthquakes. The mechanisms that control the depth of the lower transition of the seismogenic zone are important issues in seismology and disaster mitigation. Laboratory studies have shown that the mechanism of earthquake nucleation is controlled by the frictional properties of fault materials. We measured the velocity dependences of the steady-state friction of quartz and feldspar, two major components of crustal rocks, under dry and wet conditions at temperatures up to 600 °C. In the presence of water, the temperature range over which the velocity dependence of steady-state friction was negative was wider for feldspar than for quartz, thus indicating that the temperature range of earthquake nucleation is wider for feldspar than for quartz. Considering that temperature increases with depth, our findings indicate that the material properties of feldspar likely play a dominant role in limiting the depth extent of the seismogenic zone.

Microtubule-associated protein A1/B1-light chain 3 (LC3)-associated phagocytosis (LAP) is a type of non-canonical autophagy that regulates phagosome maturation in macrophages. However, the role and regulatory mechanism of LAP remain largely unknown. Recently, the membrane occupation and recognition nexus repeat-containing-2 (MORN2) was identified as a key component of LAP for the efficient formation of LC3-recruiting phagosomes. To characterize MORN2 and elucidate its function in LAP, we established a MORN2-overexpressing macrophage line. At a steady state, MORN2 was partially cleaved by the ubiquitin-proteasome system. MORN2 overexpression promoted not only LC3-II production but also LAP phagosome (LAPosome) acidification during Escherichia coli uptake. Furthermore, the formation of LAPosomes containing the yeast cell wall component zymosan was enhanced in MORN2-overexpressing cells and depended on reactive oxygen species (ROS). Finally, MORN2-mediated LAP was regulated by plasma membrane-localized soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptors (SNAREs) such as SNAP-23 and syntaxin 11. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that MORN2, whose expression is downregulated via proteasomal digestion, is a limiting factor for LAP, and that membrane trafficking by SNARE proteins is involved in MORN2-mediated LAP.

Welcome progress has been made towards realising commitments made by international donors and host country governments to expand economic opportunities for Syrian refugees and host communities in neighbouring countries. However targets and commitments also bring new challenges, and evidence must underpin new policies.

The apical hook of tomato seedlings is exaggerated by phytochrome actions, while in other species such as bean, pea and Arabidopsis, the hook is exaggerated by ethylene and opens by phytochrome actions. The present study was aimed to clarify mainly whether ethylene is responsible for the phytochrome-mediated hook exaggeration of tomato seedlings. Dark-grown 5-day-old seedlings were subjected to various ways of ethylene application in the dark as well as under the actions of red (R) or far-red light (FR). The ethylene emitted by seedlings was also quantified relative to hook exaggeration. The results show: Ambient ethylene, up-to about 1.0 μL L-1, suppressed (opened) the hooks formed in the dark as well as the ones exaggerated by R or FR, while at 3.0 to 10 μL L-1 it enhanced (closed) the hook only slightly as compared with the most-suppressed level at about 1.0 μL L-1. Treatment with 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC), the immediate precursor of ethylene biosynthesis, did not enhance the hook, only mimicking the suppressive effects of ambient ethylene. The biosynthesis inhibitor, CoCl2 or aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG), enhanced hook curvature, and the enhancement was cancelled by supplement of ethylene below 1.0 μL L-1. Auxin transport inhibitor, N-1-naphthylphthalamic acid (NPA), by contrast, suppressed curvature markedly without altering ethylene emission. The effects of the above-stated treatments did not differentiate qualitatively among the R-, FR-irradiated seedlings and dark control so as to explain phytochrome-mediated hook exaggeration. In addition, ethylene emission by seedlings was affected neither by R nor FR at such fluences as to cause hook exaggeration. In conclusion, 1) ethylene suppresses not only the light-exaggerated hook, but also the dark-formed one; 2) ethylene emission is not affected by R or FR, and also not correlated with the hook exaggerations; thus ethylene is not responsible for the hook exaggeration in tomato; and 3) auxin is essential for the maintenance and development of the hook in tomato as is the case in other species lacking phytochrome-mediated hook exaggeration. A possible mechanism of phytochrome action for hook exaggeration is discussed.