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A haem receptor gene fromPhotobacterium damselaesubsp.piscicida(formerly known asPasteurella piscicida) has been cloned, sequenced and analysed for its function. The gene, designated aspph, has an open reading frame consisting of 2154 bp, a predicted 718 amino acid residues and exists as a single copy. It is homologous with the haem receptors ofVibrio anguillarum hupA,V. cholerae hutA,V. mimicus mhuAandV. vulnificus hupAat 32.7, 32.7, 45.6 and 30.9%, respectively, and is highly conserved, consisting of a Phe-Arg-Ala-Pro sequence (FRAP), an iron transport related molecule (TonB) and a Asn-Pron-Asn-Leu sequence (NPNL), binding motifs associated with haem receptors. As a single gene knockout mutantP. damselaesubsp.piscicidawas able to bind haem in the absence ofpph, suggesting that other receptors may be involved in its iron transport system. This study shows that theP. damselaesubsp.piscicida pphbelongs to the haem receptor family, is conserved and that its iron-binding system may involve more than one receptor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phase transitions in MgAl2O4 spinel have been studied at pressures 22–38 GPa, and at temperatures up to 1600 °C, using a combination of synchrotron radiation and a multianvil apparatus with sintered diamond anvils. Spinel dissociated into a mixture of MgO plus Al2O3 at pressures to 25 GPa, while it transformed to the CaFe2O4 (calcium ferrite) structure at higher pressures via the metastably formed oxide mixture upon increasing temperature. Neither the e-phase nor the CaTi2O4-type MgAl2O4, which were reported in earlier studies using the diamond-anvil cell, were observed in the present pressure and temperature range. The zero-pressure bulk modulus of the calcium-ferrite-type MgAl2O4 was calculated as K=213 (3) GPa, which is significantly lower than that reported by Yutani et al. (1997), but is consistent with a more recent result by Funamori et al. (1998) and that estimated by an ab initio calculation by Catti (2001). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Timolol maleate, a nonselective beta-adrenoceptor antagonist applied topically to the eye as a solution, is well known for its ocular hypotensive efficacy. A gellan formulation of timolol maleate is given once daily and has been shown to be as effective as timolol maleate solution, but is associated with ocular symptoms that may limit its utility. A new timolol maleate solution has been formulated that contains potassium sorbate (timolol-LA [TLA; Istalol(R)]) to enhance the ocular bioavailability of timolol instilled into the eye, as well as half the benzalkonium chloride preservative found in timolol maleate. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this trial was to assess the ocular hypotensive efficacy and safety profile of TLA 0.5% solution once daily with those of timolol maleate ophthalmic solution (TIM) 0.5% twice daily in patients with open-angle glaucoma (OAG) or ocular hypertension (OHT). METHODS: This multicenter, prospective, randomized, double-masked, parallel-group clinical trial was conducted at 21 participating private practices across the United States. Patients aged > or =18 years with OAG or OHT in 1 or both eyes and an unmedicated intraocular pressure (IOP) of > or =22 mm Hg were randomized to receive either TLA once daily or TIM twice daily bilaterally for 12 months. The primary outcome measure was IOP (95% CIs) on treatment difference at each visit (ie, equivalence analysis). The safety profile was assessed based on biomicroscopic and ophthalmoscopic examination and patient symptoms. RESULTS: A total of 332 patients (203 women, 129 men; mean [SEM] age, 64.6 [11.8] years [range, 29-92 years]) entered the study. Of these, 290 patients (87.3%) completed it. At none of the visits did the 95% CIs for between-treatment comparisons exceed 1.5 mm Hg and, at most of the visits, these intervals did not exceed 1.0 mm Hg. Mean baseline IOP was approximately 25 mm Hg in both groups. IOP was reduced at all posttreatment visits to 18 to 19 mm Hg at peak and to approximately 19 to 20 mm Hg at trough drug level in both treatment groups. Mean reductions from baseline were 6 to 7 mm Hg at peak and 5 to 6 mm Hg at trough (25.5%-28.7% and 20.8%-24.7%, respectively). Seventeen patients (5.1%) withdrew due to adverse events (AEs) (10 patients [6.0%] and 7 patients [4.2%] in the TLA and TIM groups, respectively). Based on biomicroscopic and ophthalmoscopic examination and volunteered symptoms, the safety profile was similar between the 2 treatments, except for burning and stinging on instillation, with an incidence of 41.6% in the TLA group and 22.9% in the TIM group (P = 0.001). Nearly all cases of burning and stinging were mild (94.2% [65 events] with TLA and 90.0% [36 events] with TIM), and none of the patients discontinued treatment due to this AE. Conclusions: TLA solution, a nonselective beta-adrenoceptor antagonist, given once daily in the morning, was found to be statistically equivalent in ocular hypotensive efficacy (as defined a priori) compared with TIM, given twice daily, and with an acceptable safety profile in this study population of adult patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have investigated the lattice distortion coupled to the Co 3d-spin-state ordering in thin films of perovskite LaCoO3 with various epitaxial strains by measurements of the magnetization, x-ray diffraction, and optical spectra. In the system with tensile strain about 0.5%, a lattice distortion characterized by the modulation vector q=(1/6,1/6,1/6) emerges at 40 K, followed by a ferromagnetic ordering at 24 K. Alternatively, in systems with tensile strain exceeding 1%, the lattice distortion characterized by q=(1/4,1/4,1/4) emerges at 120 K or higher, and subsequently the ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic ordering occurs around 90 K. The evolution of infrared phonon spectra and resonant x-ray scattering at the Co K edge suggests that the population change in the Co 3d spin state causes the strain-induced switching of spin-state ordering as well as of magnetic ordering in this canonical spin-state crossover system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The female sex pheromone of Grammodes geometrica (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Erebinae) was identified as a 2:100:4 mixture of (3Z,6Z,9Z)-3,6,9-icosatriene (T20), (3Z,6Z,9Z)-3,6,9-henicosatriene (T21), and (3Z,6Z,9Z)-3,6,9-tricosatriene (T23) through chemical and electrophysiological analyses of female gland extracts. T23 is a novel sex pheromone component in Erebinae species. Field trapping tests demonstrated optimal male captures in attractant-baited traps when using a 2:100:4 blend of T20, T21 and T23, with a significant decrease in captures observed when T20 or T23 were removed from the full blend. Traps were set in early August, but males began to be captured in early September. The seasonal prevalence showed a bimodal peak, occurring on September 11 and October 9. These findings provide valuable insights into the chemical communication and ecological dynamics of this species within the subfamily Erebinae., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of knee pain among high school volleyball attackers, identify associated factors, and explore the relationship between knee pain and lower back pain (LBP)., Methods: A cross-sectional study involving 82 high school volleyball attackers (15-17 years) used questionnaires, interviews, and field-based assessments to collect data on demographics, volleyball-specific factors, flexibility, and jumping ability. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with knee pain., Results: The prevalence of knee pain was 19.5%. Factors significantly associated with knee pain were a history of LBP (OR, 4.64; 95% CI, 1.28 to 16.8; p  = 0.019) and flexibility determined by the absolute difference in heel-buttock distance (OR, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.83; p  = 0.037). Participants with knee pain had more volleyball experience and a higher proportion of players who competed as starters in the previous year. Both groups reported approximately 18 hours of practice per week during the school year and around 27 hours during school holidays, with no significant difference observed., Conclusion: Factors associated with knee pain include a history of LBP and reduced flexibility on the heel-buttock distance test. The study highlights the need for a comprehensive approach, considering the coexistence of LBP and focusing on improving anterior thigh flexibility.

(3Z,6Z,9Z)-3,6,9-henicosatriene was identified as a major component of female sex pheromone of Bastilla arctotaenia (Lepidoptera: Erebidae), a pest of cultivated roses, by gas chromatograph-electroantennographic detector( GC-EAD) and gas chromatograph/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analyses. The single (3Z,6Z,9Z)-3,6,9-henicosatriene (1.0 mg/lure) successfully attracted B. arctotaenia males in the field., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Japan Society for Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Agrochemistry.)

Adenoviral vectors based on the human adenovirus species C serotype 5 (HAdV-C5) are commonly used for vector-based gene therapies and vaccines. In the preclinical stages of development, their safety and efficacy are often validated in suitable animal models. However, pre-existing neutralizing antibodies may severely influence study outcomes. Here, we generated a new HAdV-C5-based reporter vector and established a high-throughput screening assay for the multivalent detection of HAdV-C5-neutralizing antibodies in serum. We screened the sera of rhesus macaques at different primate centers, and of rabbits, horses, cats, and dogs, showing that HAdV-C5-neutralizing antibodies can be found in all species, albeit at different frequencies. Our results emphasize the need to prescreen model animals in HAdV-C5-based studies.

Importance: This study highlights diversity in iron acquisition and regulation in bacteria. The mechanisms of iron acquisition and its regulation in Teredinibacter turnerae , as well as its connection to cellulose utilization, a hallmark phenotype of T. turnerae , expand the paradigm of bacterial iron acquisition. Two of the four TonB genes identified in T. turnerae exhibit functional redundancy and play a crucial role in siderophore-mediated iron transport. Unlike typical TonB genes in bacteria, none of the TonB genes in T. turnerae are clearly iron regulated. This unusual regulation could be explained by another important finding in this study, namely, that the two TonB genes involved in iron transport are also essential for cellulose utilization as a carbon source, leading to the expression of TonB genes even under iron-rich conditions., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Site-specifically deuterated organocatalysts were prepared and found to show improved reactivity over the non-deuterated analogs. Two privileged C 2 -symmetric chiral binaphthyl-modified tetraalkylammonium salts were selected for this study. The stability of these phase-transfer catalysts was generally improved by site-specific deuteration, though the degree of improvement was structure dependent. In particular, a large secondary kinetic isotope effect was observed for the tetradeuterated phase-transfer catalyst. The performance of these deuterated catalysts in the asymmetric catalytic alkylation of amino acid derivatives was better than that of non-deuterated analogs at low catalyst loadings. The results suggest that catalyst deuteration is a promising strategy for enhancing the stability and performance of organocatalysts., (© 2023 Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Winter geometrid moths show striking sexual dimorphism by having female-specific flightless morphs. The evolutionary grades of wing reduction in winter geometrid moths vary and range from having short wings, vestigial wings, to being wingless. Although the ontogenetic processes underlying the development of the wingless or short-wing morphs in Lepidoptera has been well studied, the mechanisms underlying the development of vestigial wing morphs in winter geometrid moths during metamorphosis are poorly understood. In the winter geometrid moth Sebastosema bubonaria Warren, 1896, the males have functional wings, but the females have vestigial wings. Here, we studied the ontogenetic processes affecting wing reduction in the winter geometrid moth S. bubonaria using light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy, and compared the ontogenetic process of wing reduction in this species with that in another species of the wingless-female winter moth that we investigated previously. Our results showed that, in the vestigial-wing morphs, the loss of pupal wing epithelium was terminated in the middle of the wing degeneration process, whereas in the wingless morph, the pupal wing epithelium disappeared almost completely and the final appearance of the wings differed slightly among flightless morphs. We propose that the extent and location of cell death in the pupal wing play an important role in the various patterns of reduced wings that are observed in flightless moths., (© 2023 The Authors. Journal of Morphology published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Patania harutai (Inoue, 1955) was known to be the mixture of two species that use host plants from two different families, Styracaceae and Sapindaceae, but the type materials had not been examined until now. In this study, we confirm the identity of P. harutai based on the adult external characters of the holotype. As a result, we regard the Sapindaceae-feeding species to be true P. harutai, and describe the Styracaceae-feeding species as a novel species, P. crepuscularia sp. nov. Patania gorosoe Lee, Heo & Bae, 2022 syn.n. is treated as a junior synonym of P. harutai. In addition, we conducted a molecular phylogenetic analysis using 10 Japanese Patania species, and found that P. crepuscularia and P. harutai are not sister species although they are very similar in the adult external characters.

Free radical-mediated lipid peroxidation (LPO) induces the formation of numerous lipid radicals, which contribute to the development of several oxidative diseases. To understand the mechanism of LPO in biological systems and the significance of these radicals, identifying the structures of individual lipid radicals is imperative. In this study, we developed an analytical method based on liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) and a profluorescent nitroxide probe, N -(1-oxyl-2,2,6-trimethyl-6-pentylpiperidin-4-yl)-3-(5,5-difluoro-1,3-dimethyl-3 H ,5 H -5l4-dipyrrolo[1,2-c:2',1'-f][1,3,2]diazaborinin-7-yl)propanamide (BDP-Pen), for the detailed structural analysis of lipid radicals. The MS/MS spectra of BDP-Pen-lipid radical adducts showed product ions and thus allow the prediction of the lipid radical structures and individual detection of isomeric adducts. Using the developed technology, we separately detected the isomers of arachidonic acid (AA)-derived radicals generated in AA-treated HT1080 cells. This analytical system is a powerful tool for elucidating the mechanism of LPO in biological systems.

Shoulder range of motion (ROM) adaptation is common observed among volleyball players, but studies on the shoulder joint function of adolescent athletes are lacking. This study aimed to clarify the prevalence of glenohumeral internal rotation deficit (GIRD) among adolescent players and differences in ROM based on sex. A questionnaire survey and ROM measurements of the shoulder joint and trunk using a plastic goniometer were conducted on 123 volleyball players (63 males and 60 females; mean age, 15.8 years). The prevalence of GIRD was investigated for internal rotation differences of >10° and total rotation motion of <5°. Questionnaire items and ROM were compared between GIRD and non-GIRD patients, and sex differences in ROM were also presented. Of the participants, 38.2% (n = 47/123) had GIRD. The GIRD group showed a decrease in external rotation on the dominant side (p = 0.003, 1 − beta = 0.84), but this was not associated with a history of shoulder injury. Sex differences in shoulder ROM showed hypomobility in males and hypermobility in females. However, there was no association between shoulder injury and GIRD among adolescent players. There are sex differences in ROM, which should be considered in future studies.

For many years, only one species of praying mantis in the genus Hierodula, Hierodula patellifera Serville, had been recorded in Japan. In recent years, however, Hierodula chinensis Werner, a larger species than H. patellifera Serville, has been discovered in Japan, and observations and collections in Japan have increased rapidly. There are reports that in some areas, H. patellifera became locally extinct due to the invasion of H. chinensis. Since females of H. patellifera attract conspecific males by volatile with characteristic calling behavior, a sex pheromone-mediated reproductive interference may exist between the two species. Both males of H. patellifera and males of H. chinensis were strongly attracted to conspecific females and crude headspace extract from conspecific females, while they were not attracted to females of allospecific species or crude headspace extract from allospecific females. These results indicate that sex pheromone-mediated reproductive interference may not exist between H. patellifera and H. chinensis., (© The Author(s) 2022. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Entomological Society of America. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Background: Low back pain (LBP) is a common injury in high school volleyball players. We hypothesized that a prevention program could decrease the incidence of LBP in high school volleyball players. This study was an in-season cluster-randomized controlled trial., Methods: We block-randomized 8 high school volleyball teams comprising 70 players aged 15 to 17 years into the intervention (4 teams, 34 players) and control (4 teams, 36 players) groups. The intervention program consisted of 9 physical function tests as well as 1 or 2 self-selected preventive exercises, including dynamic thoracic mobility, trunk stabilization exercises, and static stretching, performed during warm-up. Both groups were followed up for 4 weeks, during which the incidence of LBP was recorded. Physical function tests (back endurance; spinal and back flexibility; active or passive shoulder and trunk range of motion; ankle joint mobility; and iliopsoas, quadriceps, and hamstrings flexibility) were conducted before and after the intervention., Results: The intervention group had a significantly lower incidence of LBP (8.8%) than the control group (33.3%) (relative risk, 3.78; 95% confidence interval, 1.17-12.23; P = .017, 1 - β = 0.99). Lumbar extension accounted for nearly 70% of LBP incidences. Most players in the intervention group demonstrated improved physical function associated with the exercises., Conclusion: The semi-customized prevention program decreased the incidence of LBP and enhanced the physical function parameter in high school volleyball players., Competing Interests: The authors have no funding and conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2022 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

The development of chemoselective C(sp 3 )-H deuteration is of particular interest in synthetic chemistry. We herein report the α-selective, iridium(iii)-bipyridonate-catalyzed hydrogen(H)/deuterium(D) isotope exchange of alcohols using deuterium oxide (D 2 O) as the primary deuterium source. This method enables the direct, chemoselective deuteration of primary and secondary alcohols under basic or neutral conditions without being affected by coordinative functional groups such as imidazole and tetrazole. Successful substrates for deuterium labelling include the pharmaceuticals losartan potassium, rapidosept, guaifenesin, and diprophylline. The deuterated losartan potassium shows higher stability towards the metabolism by CYP2C9 than the protiated analogue. Kinetic and DFT studies indicate that the direct deuteration proceeds through dehydrogenation of alcohol to the carbonyl intermediate, conversion of [Ir III -H] to [Ir III -D] with D 2 O, and deuteration of the carbonyl intermediate to give the α-deuterated product., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts to declare., (This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry.)

Background: Prehospital stroke triage scales help with the decision to transport patients with suspected stroke to suitable hospitals., Objective: To explore the effect of the region-wide use of the Japan Urgent Stroke Triage (JUST) score, which can predict several types of stroke: large vessel occlusion (LVO), intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), and cerebral infarction other than LVO (CI)., Methods: We implemented the JUST score and conducted a retrospective and prospective multicenter cohort study at 13 centers in Hiroshima from April 1, 2018, to March 31, 2020. We investigated the success rate of the first request to the hospital, on-scene time, and transport time to hospital. We evaluated the door-to-puncture time, puncture-to-reperfusion time, and 90-day outcome among patients with final diagnoses of LVO., Results: The cohort included 5141 patients (2735 before and 2406 after JUST score implementation). Before JUST score implementation, 1269 strokes (46.4%) occurred, including 140 LVO (5.1%), 394 ICH (14.4%), 120 SAH (4.4%), and 615 CI (22.5%). The JUST score was used in 1484 (61.7%) of the 2406 patients after implementation, which included 1267 (52.7%) cases of stroke (186 LVO (7.7%), 405 ICH (16.8%), 109 SAH (4.5%), and 567 CI (23.6%)). Success rate of the first request to the hospital significantly increased after JUST score implementation (76.3% vs 79.7%, p=0.004). JUST score implementation significantly shortened the door-to-puncture time (84 vs 73 min, p=0.03), but the prognosis remained unaltered among patients with acute LVO., Conclusions: Use of prehospital stroke triage scales improved prehospital management and preparation time of intervention among patients with acute stroke., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2022. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

The oxidative damage of DNA is associated with aging and the development of various diseases. Although nucleoside-derived radicals play an important role in DNA oxidation, their analysis methods are limited. Herein, we propose a fluorometric detection and structural analysis of radicals on the surface of oxidatively damaged DNA using a profluorescent nitroxide probe combined with liquid chromatography-fluorometry and high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry.

A novel platinum nanoparticle catalyst closely located near the surface of titanium oxide, PtNP/TiO 2 , has been prepared. This catalyst has both the properties of a photocatalyst and a metal nanoparticle catalyst, and acquired environmentally friendly catalytic activity, which cannot be achieved by just one of these catalysts, to afford ethers from benzyl alcohols under the wavelength of 420 nm., Competing Interests: There is no conflict of interest to declare., (This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry.)

Nagiella tristalis Matsui & Naka, sp. nov. is described from Japan, based on DNA barcoding and morphological evidence. The two species previously known from Japan, N. quadrimaculalis and N. inferior , are diagnosed. Photographs of adults, including male and female genitalia of the three species, are provided., (Yuki Matsui, Hideshi Naka, Utsugi Jinbo.)

As toxic substances can enter the circulating blood and cross endothelial monolayers to reach parenchymal cells in organs, vascular endothelial cells are an important target compartment for such substances. Reactive sulfur species protect cells against oxidative stress and toxic substances, including heavy metals. Reactive sulfur species are produced by enzymes, such as cystathionine γ-lyase (CSE), cystathionine β-synthase, 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase, and cysteinyl-tRNA synthetase. However, little is known about the regulatory mechanisms underlying the expression of these enzymes in vascular endothelial cells. Bio-organometallics is a research field that analyzes biological systems using organic-inorganic hybrid molecules (organometallic compounds and metal coordinating compounds) as molecular probes. In the present study, we analyzed intracellular signaling pathways that mediate the expression of reactive sulfur species-producing enzymes in cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells, using copper diethyldithiocarbamate (Cu10). Cu10 selectively upregulated CSE gene expression in vascular endothelial cells independent of cell density. This transcriptional induction of endothelial CSE required both the diethyldithiocarbamate scaffold and the coordinated copper ion. Additionally, the present study revealed that ERK1/2, p38 MAPK, and hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α/HIF-1β pathways mediate transcriptional induction of endothelial CSE by Cu10. The transcription factors NF-κB, Sp1, and ATF4 were suggested to act in constitutive CSE expression, although the possibility that they are involved in the CSE induction by Cu10 cannot be excluded. The present study used a copper complex as a molecular probe to reveal that the transcription of CSE is regulated by multiple pathways in vascular endothelial cells, including ERK1/2, p38 MAPK, and HIF-1α/HIF-1β. Bio-organometallics appears to be an effective strategy for analyzing the functions of intracellular signaling pathways in vascular endothelial cells.

Undaria pinnatifida is an annual brown kelp growing naturally in coastal areas as a major primary producer in temperate regions and is cultivated on an industrial scale. Kelps have a heteromorphic life cycle characterized by a macroscopic sporophyte and microscopic sexual gametophytes. The sex-dependent effects of different environmental factors on the growth and maturation characteristics of the gametophyte stage were investigated using response surface methodology. Gametophytes were taken from three sites in Japan: Iwate Prefecture, Tokushima Prefecture, and Kagoshima Prefecture in order to confirm the sexual differences in three independent lines. Optimum temperature and light intensity were higher for males (20.7-20.9 °C and 28.6-33.7 µmol m -2 s -1 , respectively) than females (16.5-19.8 °C and 26.9-32.5 µmol m -2 s -1 ), and maturity progressed more quickly in males than females. Optimum wavelengths of light for growth and maturation of the gametophytes were observed for both blue (400-500 nm, λ max 453 nm) and green (500-600 nm; λ max 525 nm) lights and were sex-independent. These characteristics were consistent among the three regional lines. Slower growth optima and progress of maturation could be important for female gametophytes to restrict fertilization and sporophyte germination to the lower water temperatures of autumn and winter, and suggest that the female gametophyte may be more sensitive to temperature than the male. The sexual differences in sensitivity to environmental factors improved the synchronicity of sporeling production.