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Saki Suzuki,1– 3 Rintaro Imafuku,3 Chihiro Kawakami,3 Yuriko Abe,1,2 Eric H Jego,2 Chiaki Hidai,1,2 Takuya Saiki3 1Division of Medical Education, Nihon University School of Medicine, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, Japan; 2Medical Education Center, Nihon University School of Medicine, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, Japan; 3Medical Education Development Center, Gifu University, Yanagido, Gifu, JapanCorrespondence: Saki Suzuki, Division of Medical Education, Nihon University School of Medicine, 30-1 Oyaguchi Kamicho, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, 173-8610, Japan, Tel +81 3 3972 8111, Email suzuki.saki@nihon-u.ac.jpPurpose: Course evaluations are critical for improving educational practices; however, their results can be influenced by various unexpected factors, including cultural values. Despite several studies on cultural dimensions in course evaluations, Japanese students were rarely the focus of evaluation in the Asian context. Data on Japanese students’ evaluation practices may reveal diverse behavioral patterns in Asian countries, highlighting the value of country-specific studies to uncover unique educational contexts. This study explores, through a cultural lens, how Japanese medical students perceive course evaluations and the factors influencing their participation.Methods: Four Focus Groups were created with 23 third- and fourth-year medical students. The recorded discussion data were analyzed using a thematic analysis approach by applying Hofstede’s model of six cultural dimensions as a theoretical framework.Results: This study identified three main themes influencing student participation in course evaluations: their emotions, insufficient understanding of the evaluations’ significance, and logistics impacting student motivation. Gratitude positively influenced their decision to participate in course evaluations, whereas anger, anxiety about presumptuousness, fear and indifference had a negative impact. Additionally, their willingness to participate was positively influenced by the perceived benefits for future students. Logistics, including the timing of evaluations and the design of the online evaluation form, also contributed to either encouraging or discouraging their participation.Conclusion: This study has illuminated factors shaping medical students’ perceptions and motivations regarding course evaluation through Hofstede’s model. These include “perfectionism” associated with decisiveness, “the attitude of accepting the status” linked to restraint, “teacher-centered education” and “respect for authority” related to power distance, “peer pressure” reflecting collectivism, and “risk avoidance” tied to uncertainty avoidance. Understanding these cultural nuances is crucial for the effective implementation of course evaluations in medical schools, as they offer valuable insights into how cultural contexts influence perceptions and motivations across diverse educational environments.Keywords: course evaluation, medical student, Hofstede, cultural dimensions, Confucian, student attitudes

Abstract Oxidative stress (OS) refers to the disruption in the balance between free radical generation and antioxidant defenses, leading to potential tissue damage. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) can interact with biological components, triggering processes like protein oxidation, lipid peroxidation, or DNA damage, resulting in the generation of several volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Recently, VOCs provided new insight into cellular metabolism and can serve as potential biomarkers. The objective is to investigate the impact of OS on cell metabolism by analyzing the release or alterations of VOCs in the headspace of differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes. An OS model in differentiated 3T3-L1 cell lines was constructed using hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) treatment. The effect of OS on cell metabolism was analyzed by detecting VOCs in the headspace of the cells using solid phase micro extraction (SPME) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GCMS). Our findings indicate that H2O2 concentrations exceeding 300 µM induce significant OS, leading to adipocyte apoptosis, as evidenced by various assays. Of the twenty VOCs identified, ten were upregulated in the cells. VOCs such as diphenyl ether, 1,3,5-trioxane, 5-methyl tridecane, 2-ethyl-1-hexanol, and 2,4-di-tert-butyl phenol emerged as potential biomarkers for OS. This study demonstrates that elevated OS alters VOC profiles in differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes, providing insights into the effects of OS on adipose tissue and identifying potential OS biomarkers.

ABSTRACT The COVID-19 pandemic has emphasized the importance and need for accessible safe, effective, and versatile vaccine platforms. While approved SARS-CoV-2 vaccines have been instrumental in saving lives and reducing healthcare and economic burdens, the induction of mucosal immunity remains an unmet need. Here, we engineered and evaluated a non-replicating adenovirus 5 (rAd5)-based vaccine expressing the SARS-CoV-2 S1 subunit (rAd5-SARS2-S1). We assessed the immunogenicity, durability, and protective efficacy of intramuscular (IM) and intranasal (IN) administration of rAd5-SARS2-S1 in mice and Syrian hamsters. Two IM or IN doses of rAd5-SARS2-S1 elicited robust and sustained Th1-skewed S1-specific serum IgG, neutralizing antibodies (nAbs) against several SARS-CoV-2 variants and systemic antigen-specific memory T cell responses in mice. Additionally, IN vaccination induced potent and long-lasting mucosal S1-specific IgG, IgA, and nAbs and pulmonary memory T cells. Importantly, while IM vaccine significantly ameliorated disease severity in hamsters by reducing viral burden, lung pathology, and, to some extent, weight loss, IN immunization significantly reduced viral replication and provided superior protection against disease and weight loss. Together, our study demonstrates that the rAd5-SARS2-S1 vaccine is immunogenic in both mice and hamsters when administered intramuscularly or intranasally, with IN administration providing better protection. These findings suggest that IN delivery of rAd5-SARS2-S1 could be a promising approach for inducing mucosal and systemic immunity, offering enhanced protection against SARS-CoV-2 and emerging variants.IMPORTANCEThis publication presents an assessment of the immune response and effectiveness of a vaccine containing genetically modified non-replicating recombinant that expresses the S1 subunit protein of SARS-CoV-2. We conducted a comparative analysis of the immune response potency, durability, and protective effectiveness of this vaccine using intramuscular (IM) and intranasal (IN) inoculation in mice and Syrian hamsters. Our findings indicate that both vaccinations were effective in stimulating strong and long-lasting immune responses, both locally and across the body, when administered through either IM or IN methods. Crucially, our study demonstrated that the IN vaccination outperformed the IM vaccine by effectively and significantly suppressing the multiplication of the virus in the lungs and nasal turbinates. Additionally, the IN vaccine provided protection against disease-related weight loss and lung damage in the animals. This work showcases the potential of intranasal administration as a viable method to stimulate both mucosal and systemic immunity. This technique provides improved defense against SARS-CoV-2 and maybe additional variations.

Direct somatic embryogenesis represents a fundamental tool for obtaining genetically homogeneous clones; however, its commercial scaling faces critical challenges at various stages of the process. In this study, a protocol is standardized for the induction and germination of somatic embryos from leaf segments, rooting, and acclimatization of four Coffea arabica hybrids: Casiopea, Excelencia, H3, and Milenio. The results show that the Casiopea and Excelencia hybrids achieve the highest induction rates (71.64% and 74.43%) and embryo production (8.74 and 10) per explant in the M1 medium, while these values are significantly lower for H3 and Milenio. In addition, the germination and conversion of embryos into plantlets are more efficient in the woody plant medium (WPM), while rooting is optimized using indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) concentrations between 1 mg L−1 and 3 mg L−1, regardless of the hybrid. During the acclimatization phase, plantlets treated with mycorrhizae exhibit improved morphological, physiological, and nutritional indicators, achieving a superior quality according to the Dickson index. These findings significantly reduce production times by establishing precise standards for each genotype, thereby overcoming existing gaps in production protocols and providing a solid foundation for industrial growth.

Protozoa present in water for human consumption represent a significant public health risk to a greater extent in the most vulnerable populations. Identifying protozoa in a traditional way through microscopy or with more advanced technologies such as molecular biology may present limitations in sensitivity, specificity, time, and costs. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy have potential as an alternative for the detection of protozoa in water used for human consumption. An exhaustive search was carried out in the databases, SCIELO, PubMed, SCOPUS and Google Scholar, with the search terms "protozoa," "protozoan," "parasite," "FTIR," "infrared spectroscopy." Only six articles met the inclusion criteria. FTIR spectroscopy can detect changes in biochemical composition but has not been used for the identification of parasites in human clinical or environmental samples. The present systematic review identified a lack of studies in this area and the need to conduct research aimed at developing standardized methods and creating spectral database banks of protozoan species that will allow for the precise identification of protozoa such as Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia spp. in water for human consumption., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Background: With the growing human awareness of the environmental and animal stress caused by the meat industry, the consumption of plant-based products has expanded. Plant proteins have gained market prominence due to their sustainable origin, economic value and health benefits. Well-established plant proteins in the market, such as those of soy and pea, have various applications as ingredients in the food industry. However, given the wide variety of protein sources, it is necessary to conduct studies on the chemical and techno-functional characterization of other raw materials to further diversify their properties. In this context, the present study introduces jack bean protein concentrate (JBPC) as a potential alternative to proteins already established in the market. Techno-functional properties such as surface hydrophobicity, solubility, zeta potential, water- and oil-holding capacity, foam capacity and stability, emulsion stability and gel formation and rheology were analyzed., Results: The protein content obtained from the extraction of the JBPC was 73 g (100 g) -1 on a dry weight basis, with an extraction yield of approximately 10% (w/w). Least gelation concentration for JBPC was 20%. JBPC exhibited a predominantly hydrophobic nature, with good oil retention capacity and emulsion and foam stabilization properties. The structure of JBPC was more linear, stable and rigid, which primarily influenced gel stiffness., Conclusion: Based on the study of techno-functional properties, JBPC proved to be an excellent alternative to soy protein isolate and pea protein concentrate in various applications, with potential for becoming an innovative ingredient in the food industry. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry., (© 2025 Society of Chemical Industry.)

Specialized or secondary metabolites are small molecules of biological origin, often showing potent biological activities with applications in agriculture, engineering and medicine. Usually, the biosynthesis of these natural products is governed by sets of co-regulated and physically clustered genes known as biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs). To share information about BGCs in a standardized and machine-readable way, the Minimum Information about a Biosynthetic Gene cluster (MIBiG) data standard and repository was initiated in 2015. Since its conception, MIBiG has been regularly updated to expand data coverage and remain up to date with innovations in natural product research. Here, we describe MIBiG version 4.0, an extensive update to the data repository and the underlying data standard. In a massive community annotation effort, 267 contributors performed 8304 edits, creating 557 new entries and modifying 590 existing entries, resulting in a new total of 3059 curated entries in MIBiG. Particular attention was paid to ensuring high data quality, with automated data validation using a newly developed custom submission portal prototype, paired with a novel peer-reviewing model. MIBiG 4.0 also takes steps towards a rolling release model and a broader involvement of the scientific community. MIBiG 4.0 is accessible online at https://mibig.secondarymetabolites.org/., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Nucleic Acids Research.)

Sleep is vital for maintaining physical and mental well-being, impacting cognitive functions like memory and learning through neuroplasticity. Sleep disturbances prevalent in neurological and psychiatric disorders exacerbate cognitive decline, imposing societal burdens. Exploring the relationship between sleep and neuroplasticity elucidates the mechanisms influencing cognition, particularly amidst the prevalent sleep disturbances in these clinical populations. While existing reviews provide valuable insights, gaps remain in understanding the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying sleep and cognitive function. This scoping review aims to investigate the characteristic patterns of sleep parameters and neurochemical biomarkers in reflecting neuroplasticity changes related to neurological and psychiatric disorders and to explore how these markers interact and influence cognition at the molecular level. Studies involving adults and older adults were included, excluding animal models and the paediatric population. Selected studies explored the relationship between sleep parameter or neurochemical biomarker changes and cognitive impairment, reflecting underlying neuroplasticity changes. Peer-reviewed articles, clinical trials, theses, and dissertations in English were included while excluding secondary research and non-peer-reviewed sources. A three-step search strategy was executed following the updated Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for scoping reviews. Published studies were retrieved from nine databases, grey literature, expert recommendations, and hand-searching of the included studies' bibliography. A basic qualitative content synthesis of 34 studies was conducted per JBI's scoping review guidance. Slow-wave and Rapid-Eye Movement sleep, sleep spindles, sleep cycle disruption, K-Complex(KC) density, Hippocampal sEEG, BDNF, IL-6, iNOS mRNA expression, plasma serotonin, CSF Aβ-42, t-tau and p-tau proteins, and serum cortisol revealed associations with cognitive dysfunction. Examining the relationship between sleep parameters, neurochemical biomarkers, and cognitive function reveals neuronal mechanisms that guide potential therapeutic interventions and enhance quality patient care., (© 2024 International Society for Neurochemistry.)

Objective: We evaluated whether the use of botulinum neurotoxin type A (BTX-A) in masticatory muscles influences tooth movement and bone remodeling., Design: Seventy-seven male Wistar rats were allocated to the groups: S - Saline (n=20); SM - Saline with movement (n=20); BT - Botulinum toxin (n=18); BTM - Botulinum toxin with movement (n=19). On day 1, 0.02 mL of sterile 0.9 % saline was administered to groups S and SM and BTX-A (1 U in 0.02 mL of saline) to groups BT and BTM, in the masseter and temporal muscles laterally. On day 30, a nickel titanium spring was installed to move the first maxillary molar and euthanasia was performed on days 32 and 51. Tooth displacement, maxillary and mandibular bone volumes, collagen neoformation, bone and root resorptions, and masseter morphometry were assessed. Statistical analysis was conducted (p < 0.05)., Results: A higher percentage of type I collagen was observed in the BT than in the S group on day 51 and lower mass, length, and diameter of the masseter fibers in BT and BTM (p < 0.05). Tooth displacement, bone volume, bone and root resorptions, hyaline area, and masseter height showed no difference among groups with and without BTX-A, regardless of tooth movement (p > 0.05)., Conclusions: BTX-A did not interfere with tooth displacement, bone volume, and dental and periodontal tissues related to tooth movement in rats; it increased mature collagen in animals without tooth movement; and it caused a decrease in the mass, length, and diameter of the masseter fibers., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: Elisa Souza Camargo reports statistical analysis was provided by Pontifical Catholic University of Parana, School of Medicine and Life Sciences. If there are other authors, they declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)