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Objective. Regaining hip and knee muscle strength is important after total hip arthroplasty (THA). However, it is unclear if muscles other than those of the operated hip also lose strength. This study aimed to identify deficits in hip and knee strength on the surgical and nonsurgical sides in female patients up to 12 months after THA. Methods. Participants were 91 female patients who had hip osteoarthritis and underwent unilateral THA. Forty-six community-dwelling women who were asymptomatic were selected as control participants. Patients with locomotor disorders or postsurgical complications were excluded. Maximal isometric strength of the hip flexors, extensors, and abductors and knee extensors and flexors on the surgical and nonsurgical sides were measured before THA and 3, 6, and 12 months thereafter. Results. Twelve months after THA, hip flexion, extension, and abduction strength on the surgical side were 84.6%, 83.5%, and 76.2%, respectively, of those in individuals who were asymptomatic; at the same time point, those on the nonsurgical side were 94.8%, 83.9%, and 79.4%, respectively. Knee extension strength on the surgical side was 89.3% of that in individuals who were asymptomatic. Compared to individuals who were asymptomatic, nearly all muscles showed significantly lower strength on both sides up to 6 months after THA. Conclusion. At 12 months after THA, hip and knee strength on both the surgical and nonsurgical sides did not recover to the level observed in individuals who were asymptomatic. In particular, hip abductor strength on the surgical and nonsurgical sides were 76% and 79%, respectively, of that in individuals who were asymptomatic. Impact. At 12 months after THA, hip and knee strength on the surgical and nonsurgical sides did not recover to the level observed in individuals who were asymptomatic, suggesting that the nonsurgical side may be inappropriate as a control to assess strength recovery on the surgical side. Keywords: Hip Osteoarthritis, Muscle Strength, Total Hip Arthroplasty, Introduction Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is a surgery that effectively reduces hip pain and improves muscle strength (hereafter, 'strength') and function. (1-3) Strength in the lower extremities is essential for [...]

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Lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1/KDM1A) is a pivotal epigenetic enzyme that contributes to several malignancies including malignant glioma. LSD1 is a flavin adenine dinucleotide dependent histone demethylase that specifically targets histone H3 lysine (K) 4 mono- (me1) and di-methylation (me2) and H3K9me1/2 for demethylation. Herein we report the development of an LSD inhibitor, S2172, which efficiently penetrates the blood-brain barrier. S2172 effectively suppresses LSD1 enzymatic activity, resulting in the depletion of cell growth both in vitro in glioma stem cells (GSCs) (mean half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 13.8 μM) and in vivo in a GSC orthotopic xenograft mouse model. Treatment with S2172 robustly reduced the expression of the stemness-related genes MYCand Nestinin GSC cells. Consistent with this, chromatin immunoprecipitation-sequencing revealed a significant S2172-dependent alteration in H3K4me2/H3K4me3 status. Furthermore, we identified 284 newly acquired H3K4me2 peak regions after S2172 treatment, which were encompassed within super-enhancer regions. The altered H3K4me2/H3K4me3 status induced by S2172 treatment affected the expression of genes related to tumorigenesis. Our data suggest that targeting LSD1 with S2172 could provide a promising treatment option for glioblastomas, particularly due to targeting of GSC populations.

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted higher education (hereinafter “HE”) teaching and learning approaches globally since 2020. It has compelled a major shift from face-to-face to online delivery, affecting the ways HE teachers teach and communicate with students. In this paper, we explore an under-researched area, teachers’ ideological dilemmas surrounding online teaching and issues related to remote or technologically mediated communication adopted in three countries, China, Japan and the UK. Drawing on the theoretical and methodological framework of discursive psychology, we focus on the concepts called ideological dilemmas and the kaleidoscope of common sense in order to examine common sense views of HE teachers regarding online and onsite teaching as well as blended learning where these constitute ideological dilemmas. Taking an exploratory, small case study approach, we present a discourse analysis of interviews with HE teachers and reveal their ideological dilemmas over online teaching. We identify the patterns of shifting justifications in the interviews. Our discussion highlights the dynamic and dilemmatic nature of the HE teachers’ views, some of which are shaped by the local university context, as well as the different ways in which the spread of COVID-19 is taking place and the various measures taken by each country’s government against the damaging effects of the pandemic.

Oxide-based all-solid-state batteries are ideal next-generation batteries that combine high energy density and high safety, but their realization requires the development of interface bonding technology between the stiff solid electrolyte and electrode. Even if the interface could be bonded, it is difficult to hold the interface, because only the electrode expands/contracts unilaterally during charge/discharge reactions. In particular, silicon (Si), which has eagerly awaited as a next-generation negative-electrode material for many years, changes in volume by several hundred percent. To solve these problems, in this work, highly porous silicon oxide (SiOx) electrodes with different porous structures were fabricated on a stiff garnet-type Li7La3Zr2O12solid electrolyte, the three-dimensional nanoporous structure was analyzed quantitatively, and the charge/discharge characteristics were investigated. The microscopic observation and electrochemical analysis revealed how we should control the porous structure, such as sizes of pores and SiOx, size distribution, and porosity, for repeated and stable charge/discharge cycles. In addition, the resultant porous SiOxelectrodes demonstrated superior charge/discharge cycle performance even when it thickened to 5 μm, whereas non-porous SiOxeasily peeled off from the solid electrolyte when its thickness exceeded 0.1 μm. The thick SiOxfilms greatly improved the energy density per unit area (mAh cm–2). Nanosized fine pores with an interconnected open-pore architecture effectively mitigated the internal and interfacial stress upon expansion (charge)/contraction (discharge) of Si, and as a result, the thick and porous SiOxelectrode maintained the interfacial joint with the stiff solid electrolyte after repeated charge/discharge cycles. These results will provide useful insights for effectively designing more practical porous SiOxpowder effectively.

The production of cyclic amines, which are vital to the pharmaceutical industry, relies on energy-intensive thermochemical hydrogenation. Herein, we demonstrate the electrocatalytic hydrogenation of nitrogen-containing aromatic compounds, specifically pyridine, at ambient temperature and pressure via a membrane electrode assembly with an anion-exchange membrane. We synthesized piperidine using a carbon-supported rhodium catalyst, achieving a current density of 25 mA cm–2and a current efficiency of 99% under a circular flow until 5 F mol–1. Quantitative conversion of pyridine into piperidine with 98% yield was observed after passing 9 F mol–1, corresponding to 65% of current efficiency. The reduction of Rh oxides on the catalyst surface was crucial for catalysis. The Rh(0) surface interacts moderately with piperidine, decreasing the energy required for the rate-determining desorption step. The proposed process is applicable to other nitrogen-containing aromatic compounds and could be efficiently scaled up. This method presents clear advantages over traditional high-temperature and high-pressure thermochemical catalytic processes.

Amyloid fibril formation is associated with various amyloidoses, including neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Despite the numerous studies on the inhibition of amyloid formation, the prevention and treatment of a majority of amyloid-related disorders are still challenging. In this study, we investigated the effects of various plant extracts on amyloid formation of α-synuclein. We found that the extracts from Eucalyptus gunniiare able to inhibit amyloid formation, and to disaggregate preformed fibrils, in vitro. The extract itself did not lead to cell damage. In the extract, miquelianin, which is a glycosylated form of quercetin and has been detected in the plasma and the brain, was identified and assessed to have a moderate inhibitory activity, compared to the effects of ellagic acid and quercetin, which are strong inhibitors for amyloid formation. The properties of miquelianin provide insights into the mechanisms controlling the assembly of α-synuclein in the brain.Graphical AbstractInhibitory effect of Eucalyptus gunniiextract on α-synuclein amyloid fibrils.

Study Design Multicenter prospective study.Objective Patients with central sensitization (CS) are reported to be at high risk of poor outcomes after spinal surgery. However, the influence of CS on surgical outcomes for lumbar disc herniation (LDH) remains unknown. This study aimed to examine the association between preoperative CS and surgical outcomes in LDH patients.Methods A total of 100 consecutive patients with LDH (mean age 51.2) who underwent lumbar surgery were included in this study. The extent of CS was evaluated using the central sensitization inventory (CSI), a screening tool for CS-related symptoms. The patients completed the following CSI and clinical outcome assessments (COAs) preoperatively and 12 months postoperatively: the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score for back pain, JOA back pain evaluation questionnaire (JOABPEQ), and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). The association between preoperative CSI scores, and preoperative and postoperative COAs was analyzed, and the postoperative changes were statistically evaluated.Results The preoperative CSI score significantly decreased 12 months postoperatively. Preoperative CSI scores showed a significant correlation with most COAs; however, a significant correlation was only identified in the social function and mental health domains of JOABPEC postoperatively. Higher preoperative CSI showed worse preoperative COAs; however, all COAs significantly improved regardless of CSI severity. There were no significant differences in any COAs among the CSI severity groups 12 months postoperatively.Conclusions The results of this study showed that lumbar surgeries significantly improved the COAs regardless of preoperative severity of CS in patients with LDH.

We report the synthesis of uniform populations of spherical maghemite nanoparticles by thermal decomposition of iron precursors with tunable diameters centered at 3.3, 7.5, and 12.0 nm and tunable surface chemistry. The three stabilizing ligands were fatty acids with three different alkyl chain lengths (18, 12, and 8 carbon atoms). The unprecedented accurate control of the surface chemistry is made possible by the use of three types of iron complexes, that is, iron oleate (C18), iron dodecanoate (C12), and iron octanoate (C8), associated with fatty acid ligands having the same alkyl chain length, that is, oleic acid (C18), dodecanoic acid (C12), and octanoic acid (C8). Since the thermal decomposition of the iron precursor varies with the chain length, no general rules can be applied to control the nanoparticle size, but optimal synthesis conditions have been investigated to induce the growth of nanoparticles with three different surface chemistries, keeping the diameters centered at 3.3, 7.5, and 12.0 nm. Finally, structural characterization of the nine populations of maghemite nanoparticles was performed by transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction, and magnetic properties were determined by using SQUID magnetometry.

The metal–support interaction (MSI) between platinum-group metals, such as Pd or Rh, and metal oxides significantly affects the catalytic performance. This study shows the catalytic activity for purifying exhaust gases on a Pd catalyst supported on Y1–xBaxCoO3−δ, which is a perovskite structure with different symmetries depending on the ratio of Y and Ba. For the NO–CO–C3H6–O2reaction, the catalytic activity of Pd/YCoO3is considerably higher than that of Pd/Y0.5Ba0.5CoO3−δor Pd/BaCoO3and comparable with that of Pd/Al2O3even though the surface area of the Pd/YCoO3catalyst is extremely small. In Pd/YCoO3, a unique MSI occurs between Pd oxide and YCoO3, and Pd oxide is thinly dispersed on YCoO3. By contrast, an aggregated PdO species is observed on BaCoO3and Y0.5Ba0.5CoO3−δ. Density functional theory calculations indicate that charge transfer from Pd oxide to YCoO3induces the formation of Pd–O–Co bonds and suppresses the aggregation of the Pd species. These findings highlight the importance of MSIs and offer valuable insights into the development of advanced catalysts.

ABSTRACTSoybean (Glycine max(L.) Merill) productivity is severely compromised under conditions of excess water, particularly during the early growth stages. Depressions in converted paddy fields are believed to significantly contribute to excess water stress. Farmers typically use drainage systems, such as field ditches and pipe drains to improve field drainage. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the impacts of depressions and drainage systems on soybean growth during the early growth stages in farming fields. Using uncrewed aerial vehicles and imaging processing software, we observed the soybean coverage ratio at two and four weeks after sowing. We analyzed the relationship between the coverage ratio and depression depth, distance from field ditches, and distance from pipe drains. Depressions deeper than 2 cm were present in all study fields, and the coverage ratio increase from 2 to 4 weeks after sowing was negatively correlated with depression depth. Although the distance from pipe drains was negatively related to the coverage ratio increase, the distance from field ditches had a limited effect. The construction of pipe drains significantly improved the coverage ratio increase, particularly in areas with deep depressions and near pipe drains, by up to 23.0 times in this study. Therefore, constructing pipe drains near depressions is an effective way to mitigate the impact of depressions and excess water stress on soybean growth during the early stages. Our results will be useful for developing strategies to improve drainage and soybean growth during early growth stages.

We envisioned that the rumen of Kitasato Yakumo beef cattle would contain unique microorganisms which produce bioactive compounds as their defense response to the external environment. The variety of microorganisms were collected from the feces of Kitasato Yakumo beef cattle. We evaluated the biological activity of the culture broth of the isolated strains, proving the utility of our approach.

In this paper, we describe our discovery of burnettiene A (1) as an antimalarial compound from the culture broth of Lecanicillium primulinum(current name: Flavocillium primulinum) FKI-6715 strain utilizing our original multidrug-sensitive yeast system. This polyene-decalin polyketide natural product was originally isolated as an antifungal active compound from Aspergillus burnettii. However, the antifungal activity of 1has been revealed in only one fungal species, and the mechanism of action of 1remains unknown. After the validation of mitochondrial function inhibitory of 1, we envisioned a new antimalarial drug discovery platform based on mitochondrial function inhibitory activity. We evaluated antimalarial activity and 1showed antimalarial activity against Plasmodium falciparumFCR3 (chloroquine sensitive) and the K1 strain (chloroquine resistant). Our study revealed the utility of our original screening system based on a multidrug-sensitive yeast and mitochondrial function inhibitory activity for the discovery of new antimalarial drug candidates.Graphical AbstractDiscovery of burnettiene A (1) as an antimalarial compound A.

Despite the widespread recognition of the global concern regarding the onset of cardiovascular diseases in a significant number of patients following cancer treatment, definitive strategies for prevention and treatment remain elusive. In this study, we established systems to evaluate the influence of anti-cancer drugs on the quality control of mitochondria, pivotal for energy metabolism, using human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs). Osimertinib, an epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor used for treatment in lung cancer, reportedly increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. However, its underlying mechanism is largely unknown. Here, we found that the treatment of hiPSC-CMs with osimertinib and doxorubicin, but not trastuzumab and cisplatin, revealed a concentration-dependent impairment of respiratory function accompanied by mitochondrial fission. We previously reported the significant role of sulfur metabolism in maintaining mitochondrial quality in the heart. Co-treatment with various inorganic sulfur donors (Na2S, Na2S2, Na2S3) alongside anti-cancer drugs demonstrated that Na2S attenuated the cardiotoxicity of osimertinib but not doxorubicin. Osimertinib decreased intracellular reduced sulfur levels, while Na2S treatment suppressed the sulfur leakage, suggesting its potential in mitigating osimertinib-induced cardiotoxicity. These results imply the prospect of inorganic sulfides, such as Na2S, as a seed for precision pharmacotherapy to alleviate osimertinib's cardiotoxic effects.

With the rapid increase in lithium (Li)-ion battery applications, there is growing interest in the circulation of large quantities of spent batteries. However, existing recycling systems require not only several processes for recycling itself but also remanufacturing processes, which require increased energy consumption. Here, a recovery reagent injection is proposed for regenerating spent batteries. For capacity-degraded batteries with reduced electrons and carrier Li+ions, Li-naphthalene radical anions with controlled potential based on solvent dielectric effects are injected, selectively providing both electrons and carrier Li ions to the cathode and resulting in capacity recovery without degradation with cycles. Furthermore, the integration of constant-voltage treatment has successfully demonstrated a high-capacity recovery effect in 4 Ah-class practical batteries. The proposed method is expected to achieve the shortest route in battery regeneration and provide new options for circular battery systems.

In this paper, we study whether or not transportation infrastructure disrupts local monopsony power in labor markets using an expansion of the national highway system in India. Using panel data on manufacturing firms, we find that monopsony power in labor markets is reduced among firms near newly constructed highways relative to firms that remain far from highways. We estimate that the highways reduce labor markdowns significantly. We use changes in the composition of inputs to identify these effects separately from the reduction in output markups that occurs simultaneously. The impacts of highway construction are therefore pro-competitive in both output and input markets and act to increase the share of income that labor receives by 1.8-2.3 percentage points., 1 Introduction Investments in transportation infrastructure are key to promoting economic growth and spreading growth geographically by lowering trade costs (e.g., Donaldson 2018), inducing firm growth (e.g., Lu 2020), increasing [...]

Ni/Co-free high-energy positive electrode materials are of great importance to ensure the sustainability of Li-ion battery production and its supply chain in addition to minimizing environmental impact. Here, nanostructured LiMnO2with both orthorhombic/monoclinic layered domains is synthesized, and its lithium storage properties and mechanism are examined. High-energy mechanical milling is used to convert the metastable and nanosized LiMnO2adopting the cation-disordered rocksalt structure to an optimal domain-segregated layered LiMnO2. This positive electrode produces an energy density of 820 W h kg–1, achieved by harnessing a large reversible capacity with relatively small voltage hysteresis on electrochemical cycles. Moreover, voltage decay for cycling, as observed for Li-excess Mn-based electrode materials, is effectively mitigated. Furthermore, by determining the structure–property relationships of different LiMnO2polymorphs, LiMnO2with similar domain structure and surface area is successfully synthesized with an alternative and simpler method, without the metastable precursor and high-energy mechanical milling. The cyclability of domain-containing LiMnO2is also improved with the use of a highly concentrated electrolyte coupled with a lithium phosphate coating due to the suppression of Mn dissolution. These findings maximize the possibility of the development of high-energy, low-cost, and practical rechargeable batteries made from sustainable and abundant Mn sources without Ni/Co.

Faithful DNA replication is essential for genome integrity1–4. Under-replicated DNA leads to defects in chromosome segregation, which are common during embryogenesis5–8. However, the regulation of DNA replication remains poorly understood in early mammalian embryos. Here we constructed a single-cell genome-wide DNA replication atlas of pre-implantation mouse embryos and identified an abrupt replication program switch accompanied by a transient period of genomic instability. In 1- and 2-cell embryos, we observed the complete absence of a replication timing program, and the entire genome replicated gradually and uniformly using extremely slow-moving replication forks. In 4-cell embryos, a somatic-cell-like replication timing program commenced abruptly. However, the fork speed was still slow, S phase was extended, and markers of replication stress, DNA damage and repair increased. This was followed by an increase in break-type chromosome segregation errors specifically during the 4-to-8-cell division with breakpoints enriched in late-replicating regions. These errors were rescued by nucleoside supplementation, which accelerated fork speed and reduced the replication stress. By the 8-cell stage, forks gained speed, S phase was no longer extended and chromosome aberrations decreased. Thus, a transient period of genomic instability exists during normal mouse development, preceded by an S phase lacking coordination between replisome-level regulation and megabase-scale replication timing regulation, implicating a link between their coordination and genome stability.

Proteorhodopsin (PR) is a major family of microbial rhodopsins that function as light-driven outward proton pumps. PR is now widely recognized for its ecological importance as a molecule responsible for solar energy flow in various ecosystems on the earth. However, few concrete examples of the actual use of light by natural microorganisms via PR have been demonstrated experimentally. This study reveals one example of that in a cryophilic bacterium Hymenobacter nivisP3Tisolated from red snow in Antarctica. The results demonstrate light-dependent biochemical and biological responses in H. niviscells, such as the proton pump activity of H. nivisPR (HnPR), which leads to the production of proton motive force, cellular ATP production, and cell growth. In addition, the results of this study demonstrate the photochemical properties of a PR, namely, HnPR, in the membrane of a natural host bacterium. The photocycle of HnPR was much faster than other PRs even at 5 °C, indicating that the proton pump function of HnPR has adapted to the low-temperature environment of Antarctica. Although it is well-known that PR helps natural host microorganisms to use light energy, this study provides another concrete example for understanding the biological role of PR by demonstrating the link between the molecular functions of PR and the light-dependent biochemical and biological responses of a PR-bearing host.

Sodium borohydride (NaBH4) has been found to display superionic Na+conductivity upon partial oxidation. Herein, by controlling the hydrolysis of NaBH4and by thermally stabilizing the oxide phase formed, i.e., NaB(OH)4, Na+ionic conductivity increased from ∼10–10S cm–1for unmodified NaBH4to 2.2 × 10–5S cm–1at room temperature and 2.6 × 10–3S cm–1at 75 °C for hydrolyzed NaBH4. More remarkably, this approach allowed for a comprehensive multidimensional 23Na–1H and 11B–1H solid-state NMR analysis and determination of the interplay between pristine α-NaBH4and NaB(OH)4in leading to high Na+ionic conductivity. Not only NMR analysis confirmed that the superionic behavior observed in partially hydrolyzed NaBH4was the result of Na+hopping, but 2D NMR also revealed that the hopping mechanism was the result of the formation of a highly defective structure at the α-NaBH4/NaB(OH)4interface, leading to high Na+conductivity. Given the simplicity of the oxidation process reported here, this finding opens novel and facile methodologies for the development of promising solid-state electrolytes for sodium-based batteries.

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) represent bulk crystalline organic polymers characterized by their significant surface area and well-organized pores. By carefully selecting building blocks, we can tailor COF structures with strategically placed heteroatoms. This deliberate inclusion enhances their stability, surface area, and guest-binding ability, which make them highly versatile catalyst supports. Importantly, heteroatoms within COF pores under an applied potential can amplify the catalyst’s desired properties. FeOOH, when grown as nanosized QDs, can exhibit semiconducting band gaps, and their amorphous form can be rich in defects, making them catalytically active. Here, we synthesized a heterogeneous electrocatalyst (FeOOH@COF) consisting of FeOOH supported on an imine-linked covalent organic framework (IISERP-COF33) under mild conditions. Electron microscopy, ICP, and XPS validate the homogeneous distribution (13.2 wt %) of nanosized FeOOH quantum dots (QDs) within the COF (average particle size distribution: 2.7 nm). Thus, the Lewis–Bronsted acidity-rich FeOOH accommodated at keto and nitrogen-rich anchoring sites within the COF pores defines the active and recyclable electrocatalyst. This composite system catalyzes ambient condition ammonia production from nitrogen with a yield of 77.4 μg h–1mgcat–1and faradaic efficiency of 46.4% at −0.4 V in 0.1 M LiClO4aqueous solution, surpassing other COF and iron-based electrocatalysts reported thus far. This work elucidates an accessible aqueous-stable COF-QD electrocatalyst for energy-efficient ammonia production.

The present paper describes a downsizing mechanism of an aqueous counter collision (ACC) process that enables the rapid preparation of cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) as an aqueous dispersion solely by impinging a pair of water jets containing the raw materials. Extensive studies have revealed that the resulting CNFs by ACC have amphiphilic fiber surfaces, in which two kinds of faces with different natures are present along the entire fiber axis. They therefore have superior adsorption to surfaces of various conventional polymer plastics. These characteristic adsorption behaviors, which are totally different from those for other CNFs prepared by other means, are attributable to their hydrophobic surfaces. In the present study, high-resolution microscopy, including atomic force microscopy, confocal laser scanning microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy with broad argon ion beam milling, was used to determine how the emergence of such hydrophobic characteristics in a nanofibril face occurs in relation to the ACC nanopulverization mechanism due to the collision of the pair of water jets.

Background Impairment of the activities of daily living (ADL) due to dementia can reduce the quality of life of patients and increase the burden on caregivers, necessitating appropriate interventions. Recently, the effectiveness of telerehabilitation for patients with dementia has been demonstrated, but its effect on ADL is uncertain.Objective We report on a 76-year-old female patient with Alzheimer's disease who underwent photo assessment for activities of daily living (PA-ADL) in the home environment and online management (O-MGT) at home.Methods The PA-ADL and O-MGT were implemented because of the progressive impairment of instrumental ADL and increased caregiver burden. In the PA-ADL, occupational therapists used photos of her home environment taken by her caregivers to check off environments that might pose a risk for life disability and set rehabilitation goals. Using a videoconferencing system, O-MGT had a therapist provide goal-directed ADL interventions remotely while she and her caregivers were at home.Results She improved in behavioral psychological symptoms and instrumental ADL after our PA-ADL and O-MGT intervention package, despite no improvement in cognitive function. In addition, caregiver burden was also found to be reduced after these interventions.Conclusions The PA-ADL and O-MGT intervention packages improved some of her behavioral and psychological symptoms, ADL abilities, and caregiver burden. Physical environment assessment using home photos and remote ADL rehabilitation may be considered options for Alzheimer's disease patients with ADL impairment.

Background:In Japan, where infertility treatment is now covered by insurance, appropriate protocols for patients with diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) based on treatment outcomes and cost-effectiveness must be selected. Therefore, this study aims to provide information on the outcomes and cost-effectiveness of conventional ovarian stimulation and mild stimulation for patients with DOR in Japan.Methods:Data from 66 women who underwent first oocyte retrieval at Showa University Hospital between May 2019 and November 2023 were analyzed.Results:The clomiphene citrate (CC) group used significantly fewer gonadotropins and incurred lower costs than the conventional ovarian stimulation group while achieving comparable clinical outcomes, including cumulative live birth rates.Conclusions:CC-based minimal stimulation is a cost-effective alternative to conventional ovarian stimulation for patients with low ovarian reserve without compromising clinical efficacy. Further randomized controlled trials are required to confirm these findings and optimize protocols for this population.

In proton craniospinal irradiation (CSI) for skeletally immature pediatric patients, a treatment plan should be developed to ensure that the dose is uniformly delivered to all vertebrae, considering the effects on bone growth balance. The technical (t) clinical target volume (CTV) is conventionally set by manually expanding the CTV from the entire intracranial space and thecal sac, based on the physician’s experience. However, there are differences in contouring methods among physicians. Therefore, we aimed to propose a new geometric target margin strategy. Nine pediatric patients with medulloblastoma who underwent proton CSI were enrolled. We measured the following water equivalent lengths for each vertebra in each patient: body surface to the dorsal spinal canal, vertebral limbus, ventral spinal canal and spinous processes. A simulated tCTV (stCTV) was created by assigning geometric margins to the spinal canal using the measurement results such that the vertebral limb and dose distribution coincided with a margin assigned to account for the uncertainty of the proton beam range. The stCTV with a growth factor (correlation between body surface area and age) and tCTV were compared and evaluated. The median values of each index for cervical, thoracic and lumber spine were: the Hausdorff distance, 9.14, 9.84 and 9.77 mm; mean distance-to-agreement, 3.26, 2.65 and 2.64 mm; Dice coefficient, 0.84, 0.81 and 0.82 and Jaccard coefficient, 0.50, 0.60 and 0.62, respectively. The geometric target margin setting method used in this study was useful for creating an stCTV to ensure consistent and uniform planning.

The circadian clock (CC) has biological and clinical implications in gliomas. Most studies focused on CC effects on the tumor microenvironment and the application of chronotherapy. The present study focused on CC gene expression patterns and intracellular oncogenic activities. Glioma gene expression data were collected from The Human Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) project. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, we selected 666 patients from TCGA-GBM and TCGA-LGG projects and included important clinicopathological variables. The entire cohort was subjected to clustering analysis and divided into CC1 and CC2 subtypes based on statistical, biological, and clinical criteria. CC2 gliomas showed higher expression of BMAL1and CRY1and lower expression of CRY2and PER2(adjusted P< .001). CC2 gliomas had q higher activity of cell proliferation, metabolic reprogramming, angiogenesis, hypoxia, and many oncogenic signals (P< .001). The CC2 subtype contained a higher proportion of glioblastomas (P< .001) and had a worse prognosis (P< .001). Stratified Kaplan–Meier and multivariable Cox analyses illustrated that the CC subtype is an independent prognostic factor to clinicopathological characteristics (P< .001), genetic aberrations (P= .006), and biological processes (P< .001). Thus, this study shows statistical evidence of CC subtypes and their biological, and clinicopathological significance in adult gliomas.

Co-detection of respiratory pathogens with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is poorly understood. This descriptive epidemiological study aimed to determine the effect of the interaction of different respiratory pathogens on clinical variables.

•Cefiderocol (CFDC) is highly effective against class A, B, and d β-lactamase-harbouring isolates.•CFDC is effective against IMP-producing enterobacterales.•CFDC resistance is determined by the possession of any of three genetic factors.•CFDC should be categorised as a last resort in Japan.

The process of apoptotic cell clearance by phagocytes, known as efferocytosis, plays an essential role in maintaining homeostasis. Defects in efferocytosis can lead to inflammatory diseases such as atherosclerosis and autoimmune disorders. Therefore, the maintenance and promotion of efferocytosis are considered crucial for preventing these diseases. In this study, we observed that resveratrol, a representative functional food ingredient, and its glycoside, piceid, promoted efferocytosis in both human THP-1 macrophages differentiated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and peritoneal macrophages from thioglycolate-elicited mice. Resveratrol and piceid significantly increased mRNA expression and protein secretion of MFG-E8 in THP-1 macrophages. Furthermore, the activation of efferocytosis and the increment in MFG-E8 protein secretion caused by resveratrol or piceid treatment were canceled by MFG-E8 knockdown in THP-1 macrophages. In conclusion, we have demonstrated for the first time that resveratrol and piceid promote efferocytosis through the upregulation of MFG-E8 excretion in human THP-1 macrophages.Graphical AbstractThis study revealed that the promotive effect of resveratrol and piceid on efferocytosis by upregulating MFG-E8 excretion in macrophages.

We performed electron-spin-resonance (ESR) and electrically-detected-magnetic-resonance (EDMR) spectroscopy on 4H-SiC(1120)/SiO2 interface defects to study differences between polar-face and non-polar-face 4H-SiC MOS interfaces. We found that in the non-polar-face MOS system, interface defects prefer to form spin-less states of doubly-occupied states and/or empty states, probably due to charge transfer between Si and C atoms at the interfaces.

In this study, we conducted simulations to explore the formation of solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) films in a lithium-ion battery (LIB) system containing 1.1 M lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF6) and ethylene carbonate (EC) at different electric potential (EP) differences (1.0, 2.0, 3.0, and 4.0 V). Using the Red Moon (RM) method combined with the constant-EP approach, we observed a decrease in the fractional accessible volume (FAV) of the SEI films as the EP difference increased. These findings suggest that the SEI film formed at an EP difference of 4.0 V exhibits the longest lifespan. The longevity of the battery can be attributed to the increased frequency of the dimerization reaction of the reduction product of EC with this EP difference. Our observations also show that the increased EP difference results in a greater negative charge on the anode, attracting more EC molecules from the initial stages of the formation process. As a result, this increase amplifies the total number of chemical reactions within LIBs. Our study highlights the importance of the proportion of chemical reactions during the initial stages of the SEI film formation process in determining its ultimate structure and properties. Therefore, it is crucial to regulate these reactions to control the SEI film properties. This information could have an impact on the design and optimization of LIB systems and provide ways to customize the SEI film properties, improving battery performance and lifespan.

Although some patients with heart failure (HF) with mildly reduced/preserved ejection fraction have low natriuretic peptide levels, there are no large-scale systematic studies of how common these individuals are or what happens to them.

Purpose: To demonstrate the efficacy of a combination of Amplatzer vascular plug (AVP2) and Endologix AFX for a visceral entry closure.Case report: A 70-year-old woman with treated chronic type B aortic dissection was seen to have sac enlargement. An isolated residual tear was observed at the origin of the celiac artery. A 12 mm AVP2 was successfully deployed for the entry closure. Angiography after the plug deployment still demonstrated residual flow to the false lumen. Hence, an Endologix AFX VELA proximal endograft was deployed, covering the AVP membrane and leaving no endoleak.Conclusion: Deployment of a vascular plug with Endologix AFX lining was efficacious for securing complete closure of an entry tear at the origin of the celiac artery in our patient.Clinical Impact Vascular plugs are reported to be effective for closing small entries, although their effectiveness is limited when the entry site is not located on the flat intima, or in a high-flow situation. In the presented case, an isolated entry tear at the origin of the celiac artery was successfully closed with a vascular plug following Endologix AFX stent-graft lining of the true lumen.