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Abildgaardia ovata (Cyperaceae) is a widely distributed herbaceous plant found in tropical to warm-temperate regions, including East, South-east and South Asia, Oceania, Africa and Central and South America. Preliminary data suggested intraspecific diversity in A. ovata in Japan; thus, we investigated the genetic diversity of A. ovata using chloroplast DNA and the internal transcribed spacers of nuclear ribosomal DNA (nrITS) sequence data and analysed its distribution patterns and morphological traits. Further, we observed its chromosomes. We identified two distinct major lineages with slightly overlapping yet unique distribution patterns, one in Japan’s Honshu, Kyushu, Nansei, Korea’s Jeju Isl. and Nepal, while the other was restricted to Nansei and Taiwan. Species delimitation analysis supported the existence of two A. ovata intraspecies. Ecological niche modelling further suggested ecological differentiation between the two intraspecies. Samples with heterogeneous nrITS sequences were also found in Nansei where the two species are distributed; those may have resulted from hybridisation between the above-mentioned two intraspecies. Other samples with heterogeneous nrITS distributed in Kyushu. With respect to chromosome numbers, the former is a homoploid hybrid between 2n = 20 intraspecies while the latter is an allopolyploid with 2n = 40. Together, we identified novel cryptic diversity within the widespread polyploid species complex; however, the lack of diagnostic characters precludes formal description at this point. Further taxon sampling and additional genetic analyses may reveal whether the more narrowly distributed lineage differentiated from the widely distributed one in Asia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite advancements in ultrasonography, locating peripheral veins for catheter placement remains a challenge in patients with altered anatomy owing to multiple surgeries. Herein, we highlight the potential of using the radial vein as an alternative site for ultrasound-guided peripheral venous catheterization. Case presentation: We present two cases of patients with extensive surgical histories, including multiple abdominal surgeries, leading to difficult peripheral venous access. Traditional sites for peripheral venous catheterization were unsuitable due to vein narrowing or lack of visibility. In both cases, ultrasonography helped identify the radial vein as the only viable site for catheter placement. The patients underwent successful ultrasonography-guided catheterization of the radial vein without complications, facilitating medical management, including anesthesia induction and intraoperative monitoring. Conclusions: The radial vein is a feasible and safe alternative for ultrasound-guided peripheral venous access in patients where traditional venous access sites are compromised. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Skeletal muscle is a major tissue of glucose consumption and plays an important role in glucose homeostasis. Prenylflavonoids, a component of Macaranga tanarius fruits, have been reported to have antioxidant, antibacterial, and anticancer effects. However, the effects of these compounds on skeletal muscle glucose metabolism are unclear. Here, we isolated five prenylflavonoids from M. tanarius fruits, and investigated the mechanism of action of these compounds on skeletal muscle cells using L6 myotubes. We found that isonymphaeol B and 3′-geranyl naringenin increased glucose uptake in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, both isonymphaeol B and 3′-geranyl naringenin increased AMPK phosphorylation but did not affect PI3K-Akt phosphorylation. Isonymphaeol B and 3′-geranyl naringenin also increased Glut1 mRNA expression and plasma membrane GLUT1 protein levels. These results suggest that isonymphaeol B and 3′-geranyl naringenin have beneficial effects on glucose metabolism through AMPK and GLUT1 pathway. Isonymphaeol B and 3′-geranyl naringenin may be potential lead candidates for antidiabetic drug development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines how research collaboration of firms affects the quality of their innovation outcomes using comprehensive patent data for firms in the world from 1991 to 2010. Identifying research collaboration by co-patenting relationships, we find that research collaboration with other firms, particularly with foreign firms, leads to substantial improvement in innovation quality. We also observe a positive effect of the brokerage in the global network, especially for firms with international collaboration links. These results are applicable to the effect on the quality of innovation achieved individually without any collaboration. Therefore, our findings emphasize the importance of links with a variety of partners, particularly with foreign partners to improve innovation performance. Finally, we find that the collaboration effect is larger in the 2000s than in the 1990s and varies depending on firm size and across countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the localization of collaboration in knowledge creation by using data on Japanese patent applications. Applying distance-based methods, we obtained the following results. First, collaborations are significantly localized at the 5% level with a localization range of approximately 100 km. Second, the localization of collaboration is observed in most technologies. Third, the extent of localization was stable from 1986 to 2005 despite extensive developments in information and communications technology that facilitate communication between remote organizations. Fourth, the extent of localization is substantially greater in inter-firm collaborations than in intra-firm collaborations. Furthermore, in inter-firm collaborations, the extent of localization is greater in collaborations with small firms. This result suggests that geographic proximity mitigates the firm-border effects on collaborations, especially for small firms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In schizophrenia, abnormalities in structural connectivity between brain regions known to contain mirror neurons and their relationship to negative symptoms related to a domain of social cognition are not well understood. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) scans were acquired in 16 patients with first episode schizophrenia and 16 matched healthy controls. FA and Trace of the tracts interconnecting regions known to be rich in mirror neurons, i.e., anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), inferior parietal lobe (IPL) and premotor cortex (PMC) were evaluated. A significant group effect for Trace was observed in IPL-PMC white matter fiber tract (F (1, 28) = 7.13, p = .012), as well as in the PMC-ACC white matter fiber tract (F (1, 28) = 4.64, p = .040). There were no group differences in FA. In addition, patients with schizophrenia showed a significant positive correlation between the Trace of the left IPL-PMC white matter fiber tract, and the Ability to Feel Intimacy and Closeness score (rho = .57, p = 0.034), and a negative correlation between the Trace of the left PMC-ACC and the Relationships with Friends and Peers score (rho = remove -.54, p = 0.049). We have demonstrated disrupted white mater microstructure within the white matter tracts subserving brain regions containing mirror neurons. We further showed that such structural disruptions might impact negative symptoms and, more specifically, contribute to the inability to feel intimacy (a measure conceptually related to theory of mind) in first episode schizophrenia. Further studies are needed to understand the potential of our results for diagnosis, prognosis and therapeutic interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nepodin, found in the roots of Rumex japonicus Houtt. (Polygonaceae), inhibits osteoclast differentiation and has an antidiabetic effect. We propose nepodin as an ingredient of new functional foods or as a drug candidate for reducing the risk of reduced locomotion resulting from diseases such as osteoporosis. Although there are no previous reports of R. obtusifolius L., which is found throughout Japan, having roots containing nepodin, we found nepodin in the roots of this species. Therefore, R. obtusifolius as well as R. japonicus was considered a candidate raw material for nepodin extraction. We also discuss the suitability of R. japonicus and R. obtusifolius as sources of raw nepodin for cultivation on the Ryukyu Islands. In this study, all specimens on the Ryukyu Islands were identified as R. japonicus. Conversely, all specimens on mainland Japan were R. obtusifolius. The DNA sequence of the chloroplast trnL- trnF intergenic spacer region and partial nuclear internal transcribed spacer was consistent with the identification of R. japonicus and R. obtusifolius by morphological characteristics of the perianth segments. Therefore, to avoid erroneous identification and misuse of the plant species used for extraction of raw materials, it is preferable to develop DNA markers for these two regions. The content of nepodin varied from undetectable to 0.34% of the fresh weight (%FW) in R. japonicus and from undetectable to 0.21%FW in R. obtusifolius. From a pharmacological perspective, as plants that might be suitable as raw materials for nepodin extraction, it became clear that both R. japonicus and R. obtusifolius can be used with the same expected extraction efficiency. Based on our findings, R. obtusifolius could not be confirmed as inhabiting the Ryukyu Islands. For this reason, to conserve the endemic genetic characteristics of the Ryukyu Islands and to prevent genetic pollution by R. obtusifolius, only R. japonicus should be cultivated on the Ryukyu Islands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examined intelligence and memory in 25 healthy participants who had both prior magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of gray matter volumes of medial orbital frontal cortex (mOFC) and rostral anterior cingulate cortex (rACC), along with diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) of posterior and anterior mOFC-rACC white matter microstructure, as assessed by fractional anisotropy (FA). Results showed distinct relationships between these basic structural brain parameters and higher cognition, highlighted by a highly significant correlation of left rACC gray matter volume with memory, and to a lesser extent, though still statistically significant, correlation of left posterior mOFC-rACC FA with intelligence. Regression analyses showed that left posterior mOFC-rACC connections and left rACC gray matter volume each contributed to intelligence, with left posterior mOFC-rACC FA uniquely accounting for between 20.43 and 24.99% of the variance in intelligence, in comparison to 13.54 to 17.98% uniquely explained by left rACC gray matter volume. For memory, only left rACC gray matter volume explained neuropsychological performance, uniquely accounting for a remarkably high portion of individual variation, ranging from 73.61 to 79.21%. These results pointed to differential contributions of white mater microstructure connections and gray matter volumes to individual differences in intelligence and memory, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to evaluate factors associated with turnover intention among nurses in small and medium-sized medical institutions. A self-administered questionaire survey was performed in 293 registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and assistant nurses working full-time in various medical institutions. Multiple linear regression analysis was conducted, with turnover intention as the dependent variable, and nurses’ basic attributes and job satisfaction as independent variables. As for nurses’ basic attributes, turnover intention was significantly associated with registered nurses, younger nurses and those with low satisfaction with sleep. As for nurses’ job satisfaction, the number of nurses with turnover intention was significantly higher for those with low satisfaction with salary, low satisfaction with welfare, poor implementation of fair salary raise and poor cooperation among nurses. Turnover intention may be reduced by the enhancement of trust in the organization, giving appropriate advice to young nurses and registered nurses, and developing measures for addressing sleep disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]