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Influenza viruses continually evolve new antigenic variants, through mutations in epitopes of their major surface proteins, hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA). Antigenic drift potentiates the reinfection of previously infected individuals, but the contribution of this process to variability in annual epidemics is not well understood. Here, we link influenza A(H3N2) virus evolution to regional epidemic dynamics in the United States during 1997-2019. We integrate phenotypic measures of HA antigenic drift and sequence-based measures of HA and NA fitness to infer antigenic and genetic distances between viruses circulating in successive seasons. We estimate the magnitude, severity, timing, transmission rate, age-specific patterns, and subtype dominance of each regional outbreak and find that genetic distance based on broad sets of epitope sites is the strongest evolutionary predictor of A(H3N2) virus epidemiology. Increased HA and NA epitope distance between seasons correlates with larger, more intense epidemics, higher transmission, greater A(H3N2) subtype dominance, and a greater proportion of cases in adults relative to children, consistent with increased population susceptibility. Based on random forest models, A(H1N1) incidence impacts A(H3N2) epidemics to a greater extent than viral evolution, suggesting that subtype interference is a major driver of influenza A virus infection ynamics, presumably via heterosubtypic cross-immunity.

Abstract In this research, Net‐Zero Energy Houses (ZEHs) is investigated that harness regionally produced electricity from photovoltaic (PV) panels and fuel cells, integrating them into a local power system in pursuit of achieving carbon neutrality. This article examines the impact of electricity sharing among users who are working towards attaining ZEH status through the integration of PV panels and battery storage devices. Two potential scenarios are proposed: the first assumes that all users individually invest in storage devices, hence minimizing their costs on a local level without energy sharing; the second envisions cost minimization through the collective use of a shared storage device, managed by a central manager. These two scenarios are formulated as a stochastic convex optimization and a cooperative game, respectively. To tackle the stochastic challenges posed by multiple random variables, the Monte Carlo sample average approximation (SAA) is applied to obtain solvable deterministic convex problems. Last, to demonstrate the practical applicability of these models, the proposed scenarios are implemented in the Jono neighborhood in Kitakyushu, Japan.

Abstract Aims The adverse effects of low daily protein intake (DPI) on clinical outcomes in patients with heart failure (HF) are known; however, an optimal DPI to predict event adverse outcomes remains undetermined. Moreover, whether protein restriction therapy for chronic kidney disease is applicable in patients with HF and renal dysfunction remains unclear. Methods and results In this single‐centre, ambispective cohort study, we included 405 patients with HF aged ≥65 years (mean age, 78.6 ± 7.5 years; 50% women). DPI was estimated from consumption over three consecutive days before discharge and normalized relative to the ideal body weight [IBW, 22 kg/m2 × height (m)2]. The primary outcome was a composite of all‐cause mortality and HF‐related readmission within the 2 year post‐discharge period. Results During an average follow‐up period of 1.49 ± 0.74 years, 100 patients experienced composite events. Kaplan–Meier survival curves revealed a significantly lower composite event‐free rate in patients within the lowest quartile of DPI than in the upper quartiles (log‐rank test, P = 0.02). A multivariate Cox proportional hazards analysis after adjusting for established prognostic markers and non‐proteogenic energy intake revealed that patients in the lowest DPI quartile faced a two‐fold higher risk of composite events than those in the highest quartile [hazard ratio (HR), 2.03; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.08–3.82; P = 0.03]. The composite event risk linearly increased as DPI decreased (P for nonlinearity = 0.90), with each standard deviation (0.26 g/kg IBW/day) decrease in DPI associated with a 32% increase in composite event risk (HR, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.10–1.71; P = 0.04). There was significant heterogeneity in the effect of DPI, with the possible disadvantage of lower DPI in patients with HF with cystatin C‐based estimated glomerular filtration rate 1.12 g/kg IBW/day in older patients with HF. Caution is warranted when protein restriction therapy is administered to older patients with HF and renal dysfunction.

Abstract Introducing a coating layer at an active material /solid electrolyte interface is crucial for ensuring thermodynamic stability of the solid electrolyte at interfaces in solid-state batteries. To thermodynamically protect the solid electrolyte, coating layers must maintain lithium chemical potential (μ Li) at coating layer/solid electrolyte interfaces within the electrochemical window of the solid electrolyte. However, a general coating layer design principle to achieve this remains unestablished. Here we theoretically elucidate the µ Li distribution across the solid electrolyte and coating layer, examining requirements for thermodynamic protection. We show that the protective capability of coating layers is not solely determined by their intrinsic characteristics, but also by the µ Li distribution within the solid electrolyte and coating layer. We propose a quantitative approach based on µ Li distribution to determine the required characteristics and geometries of coating layers that ensure the thermodynamic stability of the solid electrolyte while minimizing ohmic resistance, providing insights for coating layer design.

Tatsuo Morita, Kenji Komatsu, Taro Kubo, Akira Fujisaki, Shinsuke Natsui, Akinori Nukui, Minoru Kobayashi, Shinsuke Kurokawa Department of Urology, Jichi Medical University, Tochigi, Japan Purpose: To determine if switching from one brand of the α1-adrenoceptor antagonist naftopidil (Avishot™) to another brand (Flivas™) under the same conditions causes the same changes in lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and quality of life (QOL) as the perceived placebo effect, and if ambient temperature as a nonspecific factor is related to those changes in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) patients. Patients and methods: A retrospective study was carried out on 217 BPH patients who had received Avishot™ for more than 6 months and then were switched to Flivas™ at the same dose and timing. The two drugs contain the same principal ingredient and display the same pharmacokinetic properties. The International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), QOL score, and average monthly ambient temperature at the patients’ residence area from the Automated Meteorological Data Acquisition System in Japan were used for the evaluation. Results: A significant change in urinary storage symptoms (P = 0.006), and especially in nighttime frequency (P < 0.001), was observed by switching drugs, suggesting the perceived placebo effect. There was significant improvement of daytime frequency (P < 0.05), nighttime frequency (P < 0.001), storage symptoms (P < 0.001), and total IPSS (P < 0.05) when the magnitude of ambient temperature change from before and 3 months after switching drugs was higher than 10°C, while no significant improvement was noted in any of the parameters examined when the same was lower than 10°C. Conclusion: The present study showed the nonspecific effect of magnitude of ambient temperature change was involved in the perceived placebo effect on LUTS, especially on storage symptoms, by switching drugs. The nonspecific effect on LUTS with BPH needs to be considered when evaluating subjective treatment efficacy of drugs for LUTS with BPH in routine clinical practice. The present study supports the lifestyle advice “avoid exposing the lower body to cold temperature” or “keep warm when it is cold” for LUTS with BPH. Keywords: ambient temperature, benign prostatic hyperplasia, lower urinary tract symptoms, naftopidil, nonspecific effect, placebo effect

Anthropogenic land cover change is one of the greatest threats to the persistence of organisms. Therefore, identifying and safeguarding optimal land covers for declining organisms is a major challenge of the Anthropocene. Priority land covers are typically identified through habitat selection studies. These traditionally use land cover and/or topographic features as separate, additive predictors of organismal occurrence, despite the fact that each land cover is superimposed on specific topographic features, such as elevation or slope, which may affect its attractiveness. Here, we tested the importance of considering the largely overlooked interplay between land cover and topography, using as a model a golden eagle Aquila chrysaetos population which is sharply declining due to human-induced land cover alteration. We found that the overlay of a key land cover type (old-growth forest) on underlying terrain known to be favorable for the population (steep slopes at higher elevations than the nest) dramatically increased its attractiveness. Conversely, the matching of the same land cover with unfavorable topography (gentle slopes at lower elevations) deteriorated its attractiveness for the population. Thus, underlying topography acted as the major determinant of land cover suitability for the eagle population. The conservation implications could be profound, because modeling land cover per se could waste conservation resources on low quality sites (old-growth forest on gentle terrain at low elevations) with unlikely benefits for the threatened eagle population. We expect topographic modulators of land cover quality to be more common than previously appreciated in many or most study systems, as numerous organisms inhabiting terrestrial and aquatic environments, regardless of taxonomic group, exhibit selectivity for specific topographic features and specific land cover types. In conclusion, we encourage modelers to take more into account underlying modulators that may drive differences in quality within the same land cover. This would make wildlife-habitat models more realistic, improve their applicability, and enhance the cost-effectiveness of conservation efforts.

Intracellular nucleotide-binding domain and leucine-rich repeat-containing (NLR) receptors play crucial roles in immunity across multiple domains of life. In plants, a subset of NLRs contain noncanonical integrated domains that are thought to have evolved from host targets of pathogen effectors to serve as pathogen baits. However, the functions of host proteins with similarity to NLR integrated domains and the extent to which they are targeted by pathogen effectors remain largely unknown. Here, we show that the blast fungus effector AVR-Pik binds a subset of related rice proteins containing a heavy metal-associated (HMA) domain, one of the domains that has repeatedly integrated into plant NLR immune receptors. We find that AVR-Pik binding stabilizes the rice small HMA (sHMA) proteins OsHIPP19 and OsHIPP20. Knockout of OsHIPP20 causes enhanced disease resistance towards the blast pathogen, indicating that OsHIPP20 is a susceptibility gene (S-gene). We propose that AVR-Pik has evolved to bind HMA domain proteins and co-opt their function to suppress immunity. Yet this binding carries a trade-off, it triggers immunity in plants carrying NLR receptors with integrated HMA domains.

Abstract Quantum dots (QDs) are essential luminescent materials with applications in wide‐color‐gamut displays requiring exceptional color reproducibility. Multinary semiconductor QDs composed of groups I, III and VI elements are expected to serve as eco‐friendly materials to replace conventional QDs owing to the potential narrow spectral widths and tunable bandgaps of the former. Although optimized Ag–In–Ga–S/Ga–S core/shell QDs (AIGS QDs) have exhibited vibrant green emissions, electroluminescence from QD‐based light‐emitting diodes (QLEDs) incorporating these AIGS QDs is reduced as a consequence of the effects of defect sites. The present work therefore examines the incorporation of electron transport materials (ETMs) into AIGS QD emitting layers. A device incorporating emitting layers composed of AIGS QDs and 2,4,6‐tris(3‐(3‐pyridyl)phenyl)‐1,3,5‐triazine (TmPPyTz), with the latter acting as a highly conductive ETM, exhibits a low driving voltage and high efficiency. Furthermore, the addition of two ETMs — TmPPyTz and tris(2,4,6‐trimethyl‐3‐(pyridin‐3‐yl)phenyl)borane — is found to provide enhanced luminescence properties because these materials are deposited in the emitting layer in different forms and hence has varying effects in terms of improving conductivity and charge balance. The resulting QLEDs have a sharp spectral width of 30 nm, suggesting a level of color purity suitable for wide‐color‐gamut displays.

Introduction: Laminin 511 (LM511), a component of the skin basement membrane (BM), is known to enhance the adhesion of some cell types and it has been reported to affect cell behavior. A recombinant fragment consisting of the integrin recognition site; E8 region of LM511 (511E8) has also been studied. 511E8 has been reported by many as a superior culture substrate. However, the effects of 511E8 on human skin cells remain unclear. In this study, we added 511E8 during the culture period of a reconstituted skin equivalent (SE) and investigated its effect on the formation of BM-like structures. Methods: SEs were formed by air-liquid culture of human foreskin keratinocytes (HFKs) on contracted type I collagen (Col-I) gels containing human fibroblasts. We compared the BM-like structures formed with and without 511E8 during HFKs culture periods. Morphological analysis, gene expression analysis of extracellular matrix components, and localization analysis of 511E8 in order to identify where 511E8 works were performed. Results: Immunohistochemical observation by light microscopy showed an accumulation of BM components between the gels and cell layers regardless of the addition of 511E8. There was a stronger and more continuous positive staining for LM α3, type IV collagen, and type VII collagen in the 511E8-added group compared to the no-added group. Transmission electron microscopic observation showed that the continuity of BM-like structures was increased with the addition of 511E8. Furthermore, gene expression analysis showed that the 511E8 addition increased some BM component genes expression, with collagen type IV and type VII α1 chains showing significant increases. His-tagged 511E8 was stained around the basal cells of HFK layers, not in basal regions. Co-staining with anti-His-tag and anti-integrin β1 antibodies revealed the co-localization of theses in some intercellular regions among basal cells. Conclusion: These results suggest that 511E8 effected on HFKs, enhancing the production of BM components and strengthening the anchoring between the Col-I gels and the HFK layers.

Objectives: The utility of the updated Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS) criteria in diagnosing sarcopenia in older patients with heart failure (HF) remains unclear. Objective: To analyze the prevalence and prognostic impact of sarcopenia diagnosed by the updated AWGS criteria in older patients with HF. Design: Ambispective cohort study. Setting & subjects: 534 older patients with HF from a university hospital in Japan. Measurements: Sarcopenia was assessed using different versions of the AWGS criteria: AWGS 2014, AWGS 2019H (muscle mass relative to height squared), and AWGS 2019B (muscle mass relative to BMI). The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality at three years post-discharge. Results: Of 534 patients, 42%, 57%, and 44% were diagnosed with sarcopenia according to AWGS 2014, AWGS 2019H, AWGS 2019B, respectively. Among patients without AWGS 2014-defined sarcopenia, 23% were reclassified as having sarcopenia by AWGS 2019H criteria. Forty-four percent of sarcopenic patients diagnosed by AWGS 2019H were re-classified as non-sarcopenic by AWGS 2019B, with lower fat mass and poorer nutritional status. After the multivariate Cox proportional hazard analyses, an association between all-cause death and sarcopenia remained significant for AWGS 2014 (hazard ratio [HR], 1.55; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01–2.37) and AWGS 2019H (HR, 1.65; 95% CI, 1.05–2.59), but not for AWGS 2019B (HR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.64–1.51). Conclusion: The updated AWGS 2019H criteria detected more sarcopenic patients with HF while maintaining favorable predictive ability. The use of BMI-adjusted muscle mass reclassified underweight and malnourished patients as non-sarcopenic, limiting its impact on the mortality prediction in older patients with HF.

Influenza viruses continually evolve new antigenic variants, through mutations in epitopes of their major surface proteins, hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA). Antigenic drift potentiates the reinfection of previously infected individuals, but the contribution of this process to variability in annual epidemics is not well understood. Here, we link influenza A(H3N2) virus evolution to regional epidemic dynamics in the United States during 1997—2019. We integrate phenotypic measures of HA antigenic drift and sequence-based measures of HA and NA fitness to infer antigenic and genetic distances between viruses circulating in successive seasons. We estimate the magnitude, severity, timing, transmission rate, age-specific patterns, and subtype dominance of each regional outbreak and find that genetic distance based on broad sets of epitope sites is the strongest evolutionary predictor of A(H3N2) virus epidemiology. Increased HA and NA epitope distance between seasons correlates with larger, more intense epidemics, higher transmission, greater A(H3N2) subtype dominance, and a greater proportion of cases in adults relative to children, consistent with increased population susceptibility. Based on random forest models, A(H1N1) incidence impacts A(H3N2) epidemics to a greater extent than viral evolution, suggesting that subtype interference is a major driver of influenza A virus infection ynamics, presumably via heterosubtypic cross-immunity.

In Japan, influenza activity was low throughout the COVID-19 pandemic until the 2022-23 season, when the first influenza outbreak occurred since the 2020-21 season. In our influenza surveillance during the COVID-19 pandemic, co-infection with SARS-CoV-2 and influenza virus had not been detected; however, in January 2024, we identified three pediatric outpatients co-infected with these viruses: one with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron EG.5 sublineage HK.3 and influenza A(H3N2) and two with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.2.86 sublineage JN.1.5 and influenza A(H1N1)pdm09. We evaluated the susceptibility of SARS-CoV-2 against RNA-dependent RNA polymerase inhibitors (remdesivir and molnupiravir) and 3C-like protease inhibitors (nirmatrelvir and ensitrelvir), and that of influenza viruses against neuraminidase inhibitors (oseltamivir, peramivir, zanamivir, and laninamivir) and the cap-dependent endonuclease inhibitor baloxavir. All viruses tested were susceptible to these antiviral drugs and did not possess amino acid substitutions associated with reduced antiviral susceptibility. The patients were treated with anti-influenza drugs and did not develop severe symptoms despite the co-infection. Since SARS-CoV-2 and influenza viruses continue to evolve, continuous monitoring of their circulation remains essential to assess public health measures and support clinical management.

Abstract The Great Lakes Region (GLR) of North America is at the intersection of multiple extratropical cyclone (ETC) tracks, and the region's cold‐season climate is heavily influenced by the large temperature gradients and intense precipitation associated with these cyclones. The goal of this study is to understand how ETCs are changing within a warming climate. Historical GLR cyclone characteristics from 1959 to 2021 are examined using a storm tracking algorithm and the ERA‐5 atmospheric reanalysis. Of the 886 cyclones identified, half are the large long‐track cyclones that are typically included in ETC studies, and half are smaller short‐track cyclones that, while not always considered in ETC studies, still have an important impact on the GLR with significant precipitation trends. While all cyclones exhibit strong interannual variability, storm trajectories appear to be migrating northward and, most notably, the cyclones are becoming warmer and wetter at a rate faster than the background climate.

Since the indications for endoscopic submucosal dissection have been expanded to include undifferentiated-type early gastric cancers, improvements in preoperative diagnostic ability have been an area of research. There are also concerns about the impact on the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection. Based on our previous studies, in undifferentiated-type early gastric cancers, magnifying endoscopy with narrow-band imaging is useful for delineating the demarcation regardless of the tumor size. Additionally, inflammatory cell infiltration appears to be a cause of misdiagnosis, suggesting that the resolution of inflammation could contribute to the accurate diagnosis of demarcations. As such, the accuracy of demarcation in eradicated and uninfected cases is higher than that in non-eradicated cases. The common features of the endoscopic findings were discoloration under white-light imaging and a predominance of sites in the lower and middle regions. The uninfected group was characterized by smaller tumor size, flat type, more extended intervening parts in magnifying endoscopy with narrow-band imaging, and pure signet ring cell carcinoma. In contrast, the eradication and non-eradication groups were characterized by larger tumor size, depressed type, and wavy microvessels in magnifying endoscopy with narrow-band imaging. In this comprehensive review, as described above, we discuss the diagnosis of demarcation of undifferentiated-type early gastric cancers, undifferentiated-type early gastric cancers that developed following H. pylori eradication, and H. pylori-uninfected undifferentiated-type early gastric cancers, with a focus on studies with self-examination and endoscopic findings and describe the future direction.

Abstract Background Temporary anchorage devices (TADs), which are absolute anchorage, are used for retraction of the anterior teeth in cases of severe bimaxillary protrusion. There have been a number of studies regarding anterior tooth movement using TADs performed by simulation systems and actual treated materials with sliding mechanics. However, there are few studies regarding anterior tooth movement using TADs treated by loop mechanics The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of TADs in anterior tooth movement using loop mechanics performed in actual cases of bimaxillary protrusion. Methods This study was performed in 20 adult patients with severe bimaxillary protrusion treated with four bicuspid extraction with sliding or loop mechanics (n = 10 in each mechanics) using TADs. The skeletal and denture patterns, as well as the soft tissue profile from pre-treatment (T0) and post-treatment (T1) lateral cephalograms, were compared between sliding and closing loop mechanics. Results The use of TADs is useful for retraction of anterior teeth without molar anchorage loss. in sliding and loop mechanics. The upper anterior teeth were less lingual tipped and lower anterior teeth were more upright resulting in less clockwise rotation of the occlusal plane in loop mechanics compared to sliding mechanics. Conclusion An oblique retraction force vector with a lower point of application causes less intrusion and more lingual tipping of upper anterior teeth as well as more clockwise rotation of the occlusal plane compared to a parallel retraction force vector.