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Abstract Purpose To investigate the association between white-coat hypertension (WCH) and acute retinal vein occlusion (RVO). Methods In this retrospective case-control study, patients aged 40 years or older diagnosed with acute-phase RVO were included. Patients with other pathologies served as non-RVO controls. Blood pressure (BP) was measured in the office during their initial visit, and information about home BP and hypertension (HTN) medication was obtained through interviews. After 1:2 age and sex-matching between the RVO and non-RVO groups, the proportions of HTN cases were compared. A similar comparison was made in subgroups with or without HTN medication. Results Fifty-one patients with RVO and 102 with non-RVO were included in the analysis. For the entire cohort, the RVO group exhibited a significantly greater proportion of WCH and sustained HTN compared to the non-RVO group. In the subgroup without HTN treatment, the proportion of WCH or sustained HTN was still significantly higher in the RVO group. However, in the subgroup receiving HTN treatment, the proportion of WCH or sustained HTN was higher in the RVO group than in the non-RVO group, though not statistically significant. Conclusion This case-control study suggests that WCH may be associated with RVO, particularly in patients without HTN treatment. Given that interventions for WCH have not been standardized, a more detailed and prospective study is warranted to elucidate the risk of WCH for RVO and other retinal vascular diseases.

Abstract To analyze the long-term visual outcomes of pachychoroid spectrum diseases (PSD). Retrospective study. We reviewed the medical charts of consecutive patients with PSD, including focal choroidal excavation (FCE), pachychoroid pigment epitheliopathy (PPE), central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC), and pachychoroid neovasculopathy (PNV). The patients initially visited the Tokyo University Hospital from January 2008 to March 2021. Survival analyses were performed, in which loss of vision was defined as visual acuity (VA) of 0.2 logarithm of minimal angle of resolution (logMAR) or worse, 0.5 logMAR or worse, or VA worsening by 0.3 logMAR or greater. Moreover, we further investigated factors associated with visual prognosis, particularly in the CSC group. A total of 741 eyes of 638 patients were included in this analysis. The CSC or PNV group showed significantly worse visual prognosis than the FCE&PPE group for VA to 0.2 logMAR or worse (P = 0.0117 or 0.0001, respectively) and for VA worsening by 0.3 logMAR or greater (P = 0.0283 or 0.0037, respectively). In the CSC group, unlike age, sex, or treatment history, the accumulative duration of subfoveal fluid existence ≥ 12 months (continuous or intermittent) was significantly associated with visual prognosis (P

Background: Hypoxia plays a crucial role in regulating various cellular functions, including ion-transport mechanisms in the kidney. The sodium-chloride co-transporter (NCC) is essential for sodium reabsorption in the distal convoluted tubule (DCT). However, the effects of hypoxia on NCC expression and its regulatory pathways remain unclear. We aimed to explore the effects and potential mechanisms of hypoxia on NCC in vitro. Methods: mDCT15 cells were treated with cobalt chloride (CoCl2) at a concentration of 300 μmol/L to induce hypoxia. The cells were harvested at different time points, namely 30 min, 1 h, 6 h, and 24 h, and the expression of NCC and CaMKII-β was analyzed using Western blot. Results: A time-dependent upregulation of NCC and CaMKII-β expression in response to CoCl2-induced hypoxia. KN93 reversed the effect of CoCl2 on NCC and phosphorylated NCC expression. Conclusions: Hypoxia, mediated through cobalt chloride treatment, upregulates NCC expression via the CaMKII-β pathway in mDCT15 cells.

An antiferromagnetic metal with a two-dimensional triangular network offers a unique playground of intriguing magneto-transport properties and functionalities stemming from the interplay between conducting electrons and intricate magnetic phases. A NiAs-type CrSe is one of the candidates owing to alternate stackings of Cr and Se triangular atomic networks in its crystal structure. While the fabrication of CrSe thin films is indispensable to develop functional devices, studies on its thin-film properties have been limited to date due to the lack of metallic samples. Here, we report on the realization of metallic conductivities of CrSe thin films, which allows us to investigate their intrinsic magneto-transport properties. The metallic sample exhibits a co-occurrence of weak ferromagnetism with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy and antiferromagnetic behavior, indicating the presence of non-coplanar spin structures. In addition, control of the polarity and tilting angle of the non-coplanar spin structure is accomplished by a sign of cooling magnetic fields. The observed non-coplanar spin structure, which can be a source of emergent magnetic field acting on the conducting electrons, highlights the high potential of the triangular lattice antiferromagnet and provides a unique platform for functional thin-film devices composed of NiAs-type derivative Cr chalcogenides and pnictides.

Scientists write research articles, process ethics reviews, evaluate proposals and research, and seek funding. Several strategies have been proposed to optimize these operations and to decentralize access to research resources and opportunities. For instance, we previously proposed the trinity review method, combining registered reports with financing and research ethics assessments. However, previously proposed systems have a number of shortcomings, including how to implement them, e.g., who manages them, how incentives for reviewers are paid, etc. Various solutions have been proposed to address these issues, employing methods based on blockchain technologies, called “decentralized science (DeSci)”. Decentralized approaches that exploit these developments offer potentially profound improvements to the troubled scientific ecosystem. Here, we propose a system that integrates ethics reviews, peer reviews, and funding in a decentralized manner, based on Web3 technology. This new method, named ABCDEF publishing, would enhance the speed, fairness, and transparency of scientific research and publishing.

We report on efficient spin current generation at room temperature in rutile-type WO2 grown on an Al2O3(0001) substrate. The optimal WO2 film has a (010)-oriented monoclinically distorted rutile structure with metallic conductivity due to 5d2 electrons, as characterized by x-ray diffraction, electronic transport, and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. By conducting harmonic Hall measurement in a Ni81Fe19/WO2 bilayer, we estimate two symmetries of the spin–orbit torque (SOT), i.e., dampinglike (DL) and fieldlike ones, to find that the former is larger than the latter. By comparison with the Ni81Fe19/W control sample, the observed DL SOT efficiency ξDL of WO2 (+0.174) is about two-thirds of that of W (−0.281) in magnitude, with a striking difference in their signs. The magnitude of the ξDL of WO2 exhibits a comparable value to those of widely reported Pt and Ta, and Ir oxide IrO2. The positive sign of the ξDL of WO2 can be explained by the preceding theoretical study based on the 4d oxides. These results highlight that the epitaxial WO2 offers a great opportunity of rutile oxides with spintronic functionalities, leading to future spin–orbit torque-controlled devices.

Abstract One major source of exhaustion for researchers is the redundant paperwork of three different documents—research papers, ethics review applications, and research grant applications—for the same research plan. This is a wasteful and redundant process for researchers, and it has a more direct impact on the career development of early-career researchers. Here, we propose a trinity review system based on Registered Reports that integrates scientific, ethics, and research funding reviews. In our proposed trinity review system, scientific and ethics reviews are undertaken concurrently for a research protocol before running the study. After the protocol is approved in principle through these review processes, a funding review will take place, and the researchers will begin their research. Following the experiments or surveys, the scientific review will be conducted on a completed version of the paper again, including the results and discussions (i.e., the full paper), and the full paper will be published once it has passed the second review. This paper provides the brief process of the trinity review system and discusses the need for and benefits of the proposed system. Although the trinity review system only applies to a few appropriate disciplines, it helps improve reproducibility and integrity.

Direct observation of carbon dioxide dissociation provides an origin of catalytic conversion for industrial chemical reactions. Here, the authors reveal their molecular interactions on the rhodium catalyst at near-ambient pressure by interface science techniques and computational calculations.

This study was conducted to examine retinal sensitivity (RS) in eyes with pachychoroid diseases and to analyze its association with the presence or absence of quiescent choroidal neovascularization (CNV), that can be protective against retinal dysfunction or atrophy in other macular diseases such as age-related macular degeneration. A total of 12 eyes of 12 patients aged ≥45 years having the characteristic findings of central serous chorioretinopathy but not presenting any exudative changes were included in this study. Choroidal vascular hyper permeability (CVH) was identified by indocyanine green angiography, and the presence or absence of CNV was evaluated by optical coherence tomography angiography. RS at 68 points was examined by microperimetry. The average RS corresponding to within and outside CVH was compared. The association between the difference in RS and the presence or absence of CNV was also analyzed. CNV was detected in six eyes (50%). In eyes without CNV, the RS within CVH was similar compared with that outside CVH. However, in eyes with CNV, the RS within CVH was significantly decreased compared with that outside CVH. Multiple regression analysis revealed the presence of CNV as an independent factor associated with RS. In eyes with pachychoroid diseases, RS decreased within the CVH area under the coexistence of nonexudative CNV.

We report on spin Hall magnetoresistance (SMR) in bilayers composed of Pt and magnetic insulator MgFe _2 O _4 (MFO) with spinel structure. The Pt thickness dependence of the SMR reveals that annealing of the MFO surface before depositing the Pt layer is crucial for a large SMR with better interface quality. We also found that oxygen pressure during the MFO growth hardly affects the SMR, while it influences the magnetic property of the MFO film. Our findings provide important clues to further understanding the spin transport at interfaces containing magnetic insulators, facilitating development of low power consumption devices.

Purpose: To report the clinical findings of the patients with retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) aperture secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Methods: A retrospective data analysis was conducted of patients at the University of Tokyo Hospital eye clinic, from the year September 1st, 2012 to 2019. Review of the medical records of patients with RPE aperture accompanied by AMD was performed. We investigated age, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), images of spectral domain optical coherence tomography, short-wave fundus autofluorescence (FAF), fluorescein angiography (FA), indocyanine green angiography, and retinal sensitivity measured with microperimetry. The change in visual acuity or the area of the aperture during the follow-up period was analyzed. Results: Five eyes of 5 patients (4 men, one woman) were included in the analysis. The mean age at presentation was 78.6 ± 9.1 years. The average length of follow-up was 23.6 ± 17.9 months. The RPE apertures appeared as round, either at the apex or at the base of PED, with no evidence of accompanying CNV but subretinal detachment (SRD) above the aperture. On FAF, the apertures appeared as sharply demarcated round areas of hypoautofluorescence. The FA revealed sharply demarcated round areas of window defects in the early and mid-phase with leakage in the late phase corresponding to SRD. The area of apertures enlarged during the follow-up period. Mean BCVA got worse from 0.20 logMAR at the initial presentation to 0.39 logMAR at the last visit. The retinal sensitivity was reduced but partly preserved above the area of aperture. Conclusions and importance: RPE aperture was found in some patients with drusenoid PED secondary to AMD. It enlarged during follow-up. Visual acuity was declined. Retinal sensitivity was decreased but partly preserved.

Achondroplasia (ACH) is the most common short-limbed skeletal dysplasia caused by activating mutations in the fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) gene. We identified that meclizine hydrochloride inhibited FGFR3 signaling in various chondrocytic cells and promoted longitudinal bone growth in mouse model of ACH. Meclizine has safely been used for more than 50 years, but it lacks the safety data for repeated administration and pharmacokinetics (PK) when administered to children. We performed a phase Ia study to evaluate the PK and safety of meclizine administered orally to ACH children. Twelve ACH children aged from 5 to younger than 11 years were recruited, and the first 6 subjects received once a day of meclizine in the fasted condition, subsequent 6 subjects received twice a day of meclizine in the fed condition. Meclizine was well tolerated in ACH children with no serious adverse events. The mean Cmax, Tmax, AUC0-24h, t1/2 during 24 hours in the fasted condition were 130 ng/mL, 1.7 hours, 761 ng·h/mL, and 8.5 hours respectively. The simulation of repeated administration of meclizine for 14 days demonstrated that plasma concentration apparently reached steady state around 10 days after the first dose both at once a day and twice a day administration. The AUC0-10h of the fasting and fed condition were 504 ng·h/mL and 813 ng·h/mL, respectively, indicating exposure of meclizine increased with the diet. Although higher drug exposure was confirmed in ACH children compared to adults, a single administration of meclizine seemed to be well tolerated.

Abstract Epigenetic modulation may underlie the progression of diabetic nephropathy (DN). Involvement of TGFB1 in mesangial fibrosis of DN led us to hypothesize that Tgfb1 DNA demethylation contributes to progression of DN. In primary mesangial cells from diabetic (db/db) mouse kidneys, demethylation of Tgfb1 DNA and upregulation of Tgfb1 mRNA progressed simultaneously. USF1 binding site in Tgfb1 promoter region were demethylated, and binding of USF1 increased, with decreased binding of DNMT1 in db/db compared with control. Given downregulation of Tgfb1 expression by folic acid, antioxidant Tempol reversed DNA demethylation, with increased and decreased recruitment of DNMT1 and USF1 to the promoter, resulting in decreased Tgfb1 expression in db/db mice. Addition of H2O2 to mesangial cells induced DNA demethylation and upregulated Tgfb1 expression. Finally, Tempol attenuated mesangial fibrosis in db/db mice. We conclude that aberrant DNA methylation of Tgfb1 due to ROS overproduction play a key to mesangial fibrosis during DN progression.

Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya interaction (DMI) is one of the key factors to control the chiral spin textures in spintronic applications. Here the authors demonstrate the correlation of the DMI with the anisotropy of the orbital magnetic moment and magnetic dipole moment in Pt/Co/MgO ultrathin trilayers.

The surface chemical states of Pd(100) during CO oxidation were investigated using ambient pressure x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and mass spectroscopy. Under the reactant ratio of CO/O2 = 0.1, i.e. an oxygen-rich reaction condition, the formation of surface oxides was observed with the onset of CO oxidation reaction at T = 525 K. As the reactant ratio (CO/O2) increased from 0.1 to 1.0, ∼ 90 % surface oxides remains on surface during the reaction. Upon the formation of surface oxides, the core level shift of oxygen gas phase peak was observed, indicating that change of surface work function. As CO oxidation takes places, i.e. making a transition from CO covered surface to the oxidic surface, the work functions of surface oxide on Pd(100) and Pt(110) display opposite behavior.

Magnetic properties in ferrimagnetic GdCo alloy films with bulk perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) are investigated as a function of annealing temperature (Tanneal) and annealing time for several capping layers. Magnetic properties in films capped by TaOx vary markedly with Tanneal; the saturation magnetization and coercivity vary progressively with increasing Tanneal up to 300°C, and above that temperature, PMA is lost abruptly. By comparing the annealing temperature dependence for Co-dominated and Gd-dominated compositions close to the magnetization compensation point, the data are readily explained by preferential oxidation of Gd during annealing. When films are capped by a Ta/Pt bilayer, the film properties are stable up Tanneal = 300 °C, indicating that oxidation at high temperatures is effectively blocked, but the abrupt loss of PMA for Tanneal > 300 °C is still observed. X-ray diffraction measurement reveals that the amorphous structure of the films remains the same after high-temperature annealing that is sufficient to remove PMA, indicating that crystallization from the amorphous phase is not responsible for the lack of PMA. Instead, our results suggest that high annealing temperatures may cause segregation of Co and Gd atoms in the films, which reduces anisotropic pair-pair correlations responsible for the observed bulk PMA in the as-grown state.

In an isostructural series of anion radical salts β′-(Me4-xEtxZ)[Pd(dmit)2]2 (Z = P, As, Sb; x = 0, 1, 2), [Pd(dmit)2]2− units form a two-dimensional Mott insulator layer with a quasi-isosceles triangular lattice. The anisotropy of the triangular lattice is characterized by a ratio of interdimer transfer integrals, t′/t. The crystal structures of EtMe3Sb, Me4Sb, Me4As, and Et2Me2As salts were determined in the range of 5–295 K by the single crystal X-ray diffraction technique. Interdimer transfer integrals, Fermi surface, and band structures at low temperatures were calculated by the tight binding method and the first-principles density-functional theory (DFT) method based on experimentally obtained crystal structures. Interdimer transfer integrals increased with lowering temperature. At 5 K, the ratio t′/t decreased by about 15% from the room temperature value in every salt. The relationship between the transfer integrals and interdimer S⋯S distances indicated that the change of the t′/t value with temperature was due to a thermal contraction, rather than the arch-shaped molecular distortion of the Pd(dmit)2 molecule associated with the cation dependence of t′/t.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to instructions and suggestions from governments and experts to maintain social (physical) distance between people to prevent aerosol transmission of the virus, which is now becoming the norm. Thus, we examined whether the pandemic extended the distance between personal belongings. Methods: We recruited 68 university students and instructed them to place their belongings on a long table following another participant (i.e., confederate). We measured the physical distance between the two belongings (i.e., the participant’s and the confederate’s). We collected data between June 10, 2022 and January 23, 2023. Pre-pandemic data was from Ariga (2016). Analysis was completed with one-tailed t-tests. Results: Compared with the pre-pandemic results, via one-tailed t-test, the distance between the two belongings during the pandemic was significantly longer. Our results supported the hypothesis that the psychological framework for processing people’s belongings has dramatically changed during this pandemic. Conclusion: This change may have been driven by social distancing practices or an increase in perceived vulnerability to disease. Our results provide new implications for future public spatial design, in other words, not only the distance between people, but also the distance between their belongings.

Scientists write research articles, process ethics reviews, evaluate proposals and research, and seek funding. Several strategies have been proposed to optimize these operations and to decentralize access to research resources and opportunities. For instance, we previously proposed the trinity review method, combining registered reports with financing and research ethics assessments. However, previously proposed systems have a number of shortcomings, including how to implement them, e.g., who manages them, how incentives for reviewers are paid, etc. Various solutions have been proposed to address these issues, employing methods based on blockchain technologies, called “decentralized science (DeSci)”. Decentralized approaches that exploit these developments offer potentially profound improvements to the troubled scientific ecosystem. Here, we propose a system that integrates ethics reviews, peer reviews, and funding in a decentralized manner, based on Web3 technology. This new method, named ABCDEF publishing, would enhance the speed, fairness, and transparency of scientific research and publishing.

Scientists write research articles, process ethics reviews, evaluate proposals and research, and seek funding. Several strategies have been proposed to optimize these operations and to decentralize access to research resources and opportunities. For instance, we previously proposed the trinity review method, combining registered reports with financing and research ethics assessments. However, previously proposed systems have a number of shortcomings, including how to implement them, e.g., who manages them, how incentives for reviewers are paid, etc. Various solutions have been proposed to address these issues, employing methods based on blockchain technologies, called “decentralized science (DeSci)”. Decentralized approaches that exploit these developments offer potentially profound improvements to the troubled scientific ecosystem. Here, we propose a system that integrates ethics reviews, peer reviews, and funding in a decentralized manner, based on Web3 technology. This new method, named ABCDEF publishing, would enhance the speed, fairness, and transparency of scientific research and publishing.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to instructions and suggestions from governments and experts to maintain social (physical) distance between people to prevent aerosol transmission of the virus, which is now becoming the norm. Thus, we examined whether the pandemic extended the distance between personal belongings. Methods: We recruited 68 university students and instructed them to place their belongings on a long table following another participant (i.e., confederate). We measured the physical distance between the two belongings (i.e., the participant’s and the confederate’s). We collected data between June 10, 2022 and January 23, 2023. Pre-pandemic data was from Ariga (2016). Analysis was completed with one-tailed t-tests. Results: Compared with the pre-pandemic results, via one-tailed t-test, the distance between the two belongings during the pandemic was significantly longer. Our results supported the hypothesis that the psychological framework for processing people’s belongings has dramatically changed during this pandemic. Conclusion: This change may have been driven by social distancing practices or an increase in perceived vulnerability to disease. Our results provide new implications for future public spatial design, in other words, not only the distance between people, but also the distance between their belongings.

BACKGROUND: The expression of NGAL/lcn2 (neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin) is directly modulated by mineralocorticoid receptor activation but its role in blood pressure control is unclear. METHODS: a potential relationship between NGAL plasma levels, systolic blood pressure and urinary Na excretion was assessed in the STANISLAS cohort. The specific role of NGAL/lcn2 in salt-sensitive hypertension was studied using lcn2- knockout mice (lcn2 KO) fed with low-Na diet (0Na). RESULTS: we show that NGAL plasma levels positively correlate with systolic blood pressure, whereas they negatively correlate with urinary Na excretion in subjects of the STANISLAS cohort. Prolonged feeding of lcn2 KO mice with a 0Na diet induced lower systolic blood pressure than that of the control group (wildtype), suggesting a role for NGAL/lcn2 in Na-balance homeostasis. Short-term or prolonged 0Na increased Na-Cl cotransporter (NCC) phosphorylation in the cortex of wildtype mice, which was prevented in lcn2 KO mice. Recombinant mouse lcn2 injections in lcn2 KO mice induced NCC phosphorylation in the kidney cortex, associated with decreased urinary Na excretion. Ex vivo experiments using kidney slices from lcn2 KO mice showed increased NCC phosphorylation by recombinant murine lcn2. In addition, recombinant murine lcn2 induced activation of CamK2ß (calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II ß subunit) phosphorylation in lcn2 KO mice and in kidney slices, providing an underlying mechanism involved in lcn2-induced NCC phosphorylation. Indeed, the inhibition of CamK2ß prevented NCC phosphorylation induced by recombinant lcn2 in kidney slices. CONCLUSIONS: we highlight a novel role of NGAL/lcn2 as a modulator of the activity of the renal sodium transporter NCC affecting salt-sensitive blood pressure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]