Search

Currently, the leatherback turtle population in Indonesia tends to decline. One of the factors that cause turtles' existence is the turtle eggs that fail to hatch because bacteria contaminate them, 80% of the reasons turtle eggs fail to hatch are due to infection by microorganisms found on the eggshell. Turtle eggs have a soft structure and there are pores that function for gas exchange and water absorption. Microorganisms in sand can infect turtle eggs through the pores and cause hatching failure. This study aims to isolate and identify pathogenic bacteria found in leatherback turtle eggshell (Dermochelys coriacea) from Lampuuk Beach, Aceh Besar, based on the 16S rRNA gene analysis. Eight eggshell samples from leatherback turtle eggs that failed and hatched were cultured on Nutrient Agar (NA) medium. Then, the samples were inoculated on a blood agar medium for haemolysis test. Molecular identification of the 16S rRNA gene was also carried out to determine bacterial species. A total of five bacterial colonies from leatherback turtle eggshells were successfully isolated consisting of two Gram-negative bacteria (Penyu Belimbing Aceh (PBA) = PBA-1 and PBA-2 and three Gram-positive bacteria (PBA-3, PBA-4, and PBA-5). Based on the haemolysis test, the five bacterial isolates were unable to haemolyze blood. Bacterial DNA of PBA-1 and PBA-2 were successfully isolated and amplified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with a DNA target of ~1500 bp. Analysis using BLASTN and phylogenetic tree construction showed that PBA-1 isolate had 98.64% similarity with Acinetobacter baumannii, while PBA-2 isolate had 97.82% similarity with Enterobacter kobei. Both bacteria are members of the Enterobacteriaceae family. It can be concluded that, there were two pathogenic bacteria can potentially be opportunistic pathogens found in leatherback turtle eggshells that failed or succeeded in hatching, namely A. baumannii and E. Kobei

The adenohypophysis is composed of the anterior and intermediate lobes (AL and IL, respectively), and secretes hormones that play an important role in reproduction. CD9- and SOX2-double (CD9/SOX2) positive cells located in the marginal cell layer (MCL) facing the Rathke’s cleft in the AL and IL form the primary stem cell niche in the adult adenohypophysis of rats. In this study, we successfully obtained 3-dimensional (3D) cell aggregates that closely resembled the primary niche of MCL in vivo. After incubation in a Matrigel containing several growth factors, approximately 20% of the cells in the CD9/SOX2-positive cell aggregates were differentiated into hormone-producing cells. The cell aggregates generated in this study may provide insight into the regulation of the pituitary stem/progenitor cell niche and the turnover of hormone-producing cells.

Objectives: To compare the characteristic competencies of public health nurses working for the older adult’s health and welfare in public administration (“PA”) with those at community general support centers (“CGSC”) in Japan. Methods: We conducted a questionnaire survey by mail for PA and CGSC public health nurses. A competency list that was developed to compare three groups (PA, CGSC experts with ≥5 years of experience, and CGSC newcomers with ≤2 years of experience) was used. The following characteristics were examined: (1) competencies acquired early after arriving at the CGSC, (2) competencies acquired through a certain amount of CGSC experience, (3) common competencies, (4) competencies that even experts lacked, and (5) competencies that the newcomers lacked. Results: We examined the responses of 171 PA nurses, 185 CGSC expert public health nurses, and 165 CGSC newcomer public health nurses. The results of comparison of the three groups showed that (1) had no applicable items; (2) had nine items for individual support associated with preventive care management; (3) had 14 items including teamwork among three professionals (social workers, senior care manager, public health nurse)/other professionals and self-improvement; (4) had three items for community development, (5) had two items for individual support and 16 items for community development. Conclusion: Initiatives for preventive care and coordination of care teams should be supported and suggested as characteristic competencies for CGSC public health nurses.

Introduction: Contracts form the backbone of business dealings, establishing the foundations and binding all collaborative endeavors between parties involved. In the Indonesian context, the use of the national language in contractual agreements has been explicitly governed by laws and regulations, specifically Law Number 24 of 2009 concerning the National Flag, Language, Emblem, and Anthem. Purposes of the Research: This study aims to scrutinize and analyze the regulatory framework surrounding the use of the Indonesian language in contract drafting, as mandated by the positive laws of Indonesia. Additionally, it seeks to elucidate the legal ramifications that may arise from non-compliance with these provisions. Furthermore, the research endeavors to provide legal clarity and offer recommendations pertaining to this issue. Methods of the Research: This research adopts a normative legal approach, employing both statutory and conceptual frameworks. The legal materials utilized encompass primary, secondary, and tertiary sources. The collection of legal materials is facilitated through library research, while the analysis of these materials is conducted qualitatively, employing content analysis and legal interpretation techniques. Results of the Research: The findings of this research present a comprehensive analysis of the regulations governing the use of the Indonesian language in contract drafting, shedding light on the legal implications of non-compliance with these provisions. Furthermore, the research offers recommendations and suggestions tailored for government agencies, business entities, and legal practitioners, guiding them in implementing the use of the Indonesian language in contracts in accordance with the applicable legal framework.

Abstract Background Few reported studies evaluate the status of those who have a family dentist (FD) by regional differences and the socioeconomic factors associated with this status. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of having an FD among Japanese individuals across three samples of municipality type: urban, intermediate, and rural areas, and determine the factors associated with having an FD. Methods This was a cross-sectional study involving a web-based survey. In total, 2,429 participants (comprising men and women aged 20–69 years) were randomly selected from among the registrants of a web research company: 811 urban residents, 812 intermediate residents, and 806 rural residents. In each area, we categorized the participants into those who had an FD (FD group) and those who did not (non-FD group). A multivariate modified Poisson regression analysis was used to determine the factors associated with the FD group as compared to the non-FD group. Results The proportion of the FD group was lowest in rural areas (42.3%), followed by intermediate (48.6%) and urban areas (49.7%). The regression analysis revealed a statistically significant tendency between associated factors in the two groups; that is, the higher the household income, the more likely that the family belonged to the FD group (prevalence ratio (95%CI), JPY 4–6 million: 1.43 (1.00–2.03), JPY ≥ 8 million: 1.72 (1.21–2.44)). Conclusions Rural areas have the lowest proportion of people with an FD among the three areas, and income inequality is associated with having an FD. Thus, when planning policies to encourage individuals to have an FD to manage their oral health, it is necessary to consider regional differences.

Abstract Aims There are minimal data on the prognostic impact of right atrial strain during the reservoir phase (RASr) in patients with immunoglobulin light‐chain (AL) cardiac amyloidosis. Methods and results Among 78 patients who were diagnosed with AL cardiac amyloidosis at Kumamoto University Hospital from 2007 to 2022, 72 patients with sufficient two‐dimensional speckle tracking imaging data without chemotherapy before the diagnosis were retrospectively analysed. During a median follow‐up of 403 days, 31 deaths occurred. Age and the rate of male sex were not significantly different between the all‐cause death group and the survival group (age, 70.4 ± 8.8 years vs. 67.0 ± 10.0 years, P = 0.14, male sex, 65% vs. 66%, P = 0.91). The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was significantly lower, and B‐type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and high sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs‐cTnT) were significantly higher, in the all‐cause death group versus the survival group (eGFR, 48.2 ± 21.0 mL/min/1.73 m2 vs. 59.4 ± 24.4 mL/min/1.73 m2, P 311.2 pg/mL) had a significantly high probability of all‐cause death (both, P

Objective:. We explored the oncological impact of tumor deposits (TDs) on colon cancer and proposed optimal modifications to the current staging system. Background:. In the existing American Joint Committee on Cancer colon cancer staging system, TDs are incorporated into the N category as N1c. When lymph node metastases (LNMs) are present, their number is considered to determine nodal stages, such as N1a/b or N2a/b, regardless of TDs. Methods:. 4212 patients with primary colon cancer who underwent surgical resection in the Seoul Colorectal Group (2010–2020) and 93,057 patients from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results*Stat database (2000–2017) were included in this study. Patients were classified according to the number of metastatic lymph nodes (LNs) (0/1–3/≥4) and the presence of TDs. Results:. TDs were significantly associated with left colon cancer, a higher T category, and vascular/perineural invasion. Patients with TDs had higher recurrence rates (23.1 vs 7.5%, P < 0.001). The TD-positive patients had notably worse overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival rates. The survival outcomes of TD-positive patients without LNM were inferior to those of TD-negative patients with LN1–3 (5-year OS: 78.9 vs 87.8%, P = 0.04). The survival outcomes of TD-positive patients with LN1–3 were similar to those of TD-negative patients with LN ≥4 (5-year OS: 87.0 vs 77.1%, P = 0.11). Survival outcomes obtained using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results *Stat database yielded consistent results. Conclusions:. TDs were associated with poor prognostic factors and had a significant impact on survival outcomes. The incorporation of tumor deposits into nodal classifications beyond the current N1c criteria may improve the staging system and more accurately reflect the recurrence and survival rates among patients with colon cancer. TD-positive in N1a or N1b could be categorized as N2.

Objective:. To evaluate the feasibility and clinical impact of minimally invasive pancreatoduodenectomy (MIPD) versus open pancreatoduodenectomy (OPD) on postoperative nutritional and immunological indices. Background:. The surgical advantages of MIPD over OPD are controversial, and the postoperative nutritional and immunological statuses are unknown. Methods:. In total, 306 patients who underwent MIPD (n = 120) or OPD (n = 186) for periampullary tumors from April 2016 to February 2024 were analyzed. Surgical outcomes and postoperative nutritional and immunological indices (albumin, prognostic nutritional index [PNI], neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio [NLR], and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio [PLR]) were examined by 1:1 propensity score matching (PSM) with well-matched background characteristics. Results:. PSM resulted in 2 balanced groups of 99 patients each. Compared with OPD, MIPD was significantly associated with less estimated blood loss (P < 0.0001), fewer intraoperative blood transfusions (P = 0.001), longer operative time, shorter postoperative hospital stay (P < 0.0001), fewer postoperative complications (P = 0.001) (especially clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula [P = 0.018]), and a higher rate of textbook outcome achievement (70.7% vs 48.5%, P = 0.001). The number of dissected lymph nodes and the R0 resection rate did not differ between the 2 groups. In elective cases with textbook outcome achievement, the change rates of albumin, PNI, NLR, and PLR from before to after surgery were equivalent in both groups. Conclusions:. MIPD has several surgical advantages (excluding a prolonged operative time), and it enhances the achievement of textbook outcomes over OPD. However, the postoperative nutritional and immunological statuses are equivalent for both procedures.

Objectives: The current study aimed to conduct a phytochemical screening of commonly known fruit red grape ( Vitis vinifera L.) seed methanolic extract through gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to identify the bioactive compounds responsible for its health benefits and evaluate the pharmacological potentialities of the extract and its fractions against oxidation, inflammation, pain, and diarrhea. Methods: The in vitro antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cytotoxic characteristics of methanolic extracts and various solvent fractions of V. vinifera were evaluated using the DPPH free radical scavenging assay, membrane stabilizing, and brine shrimp lethality bioassay. Furthermore, the study assessed the effects of crude extracts (200, 400, and 600 mg/kg of body weight) on pain relief and reduction of diarrhea in animals using methods such as tail immersion, the acetic acid-induced writhing technique, and a diarrheal mouse model induced with castor oil. Results: A total of 73 phytoconstituents were predominantly found in the seed extract based on the GC-MS analysis. Among the identified compounds, 9-octadecenamide (13.7%), and ( 9E,11E )-octadeca-9,11-dienoate (11.07%) are most abundant. Several notable constituents, such as gamma-sitosterol, stigmasterol, paromomycin, 4,6-cholestadienol, gamma-tocotrienol, 24-Propylidenecholest-5-en-3beta-ol, and alpha-tocopherol acetate, are also present. The methanolic extract of V. vinifera seed and its different solvent fractions showed promising antioxidant properties (IC 50 = 1.19-17.42 µg/mL) compared to the standard antioxidant butylated hydroxytoluene (IC 50 = 20.46 µg/mL). Aqueous soluble fraction exerted inhibition of nearly 50% heat-induced hemolysis compared to the standard acetylsalicylic acid (42%). Besides, all the tested doses (200, 400, and 600 mg/kg bw) of the crude extract showed significant ( P

Abstract Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is an adverse reaction to heparin leading to a reduction in circulating platelets with an increased risk of thrombosis. It is precipitated by polymerized immune complexes consisting of pathogenic antibodies that recognize a small chemokine platelet factor 4 (PF4) bound to heparin. Characterization of these immune complexes is extremely challenging due to the enormous structural heterogeneity of such macromolecular assemblies and their constituents. Native mass spectrometry demonstrates that up to three PF4 tetramers can be assembled on a heparin chain, consistent with the molecular modeling studies showing facile polyanion wrapping along the polycationic belt on the PF4 surface. Although these assemblies can accommodate a maximum of only two antibodies, the resulting immune complexes are capable of platelet activation despite their modest size. Taken together, these studies provide further insight into molecular mechanisms of HIT and other immune disorders where anti-PF4 antibodies play a central role.

Abstract Streptococcus suis is a gram-positive bacterium that causes meningitis, septicemia, endocarditis, and other disorders in pigs and humans. We obtained 42 and 50 S. suis isolates from lesions of porcine endocarditis and palatine tonsils, respectively, of clinically healthy pigs in Japan; we then determined their sequence types (STs) by multilocus sequence typing (MLST), cps genotypes, serotypes, and presence of classical major virulence-associated marker genes (mrp, epf, and sly). The 42 isolates from endocarditis lesions were assigned to a limited number of STs and clonal complexes (CCs). On the other hand, the 50 isolates from tonsils were diverse in these traits and seemingly in the degree of virulence, suggesting that tonsils can accommodate a variety of S. suis isolates. The goeBURST full algorithm using tonsil isolates obtained in this study and those retrieved from the database showed that major CCs as well as many other clusters were composed of isolates originating from different countries, and some of the STs were very similar to each other despite the difference in country of origin. These findings indicate that S. suis with not only different but also similar mutations in the genome have survived in tonsils independently across different geographical locations. Therefore, unlike the lesions of endocarditis, the tonsils of pigs seemingly accommodate various S. suis lineages. The present study suggests that S. suis acquired its diversity by natural mutations during colonization and persistence in the tonsils of pigs.

Abstract Background Parameters obtained from two‐dimensional (2D) cross‐sectional images have been used to determine body composition. However, data from three‐dimensional (3D) volumetric body images reflect real body composition more accurately and may be better predictors of patient outcomes in cancer. This study aimed to assess the 3D parameters and determine the best predictive factors for patient prognosis. Methods Patients who underwent surgery for colorectal cancer (CRC) between 2010 and 2016 were included in this study. Preoperative computed tomography images were analysed using an automatic segmentation program. Body composition parameters for muscle, muscle adiposity, subcutaneous fat (SF) and abdominal visceral fat (AVF) were assessed using 2D images at the third lumbar (L3) level and 3D images of the abdominal waist (L1–L5). The cut‐off points for each parameter were determined using X‐tile software. A Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to identify the association between the parameters and the treatment outcomes, and the relative influence of each parameter was compared using a gradient boosting model. Results Overall, 499 patients were included in the study. At a median follow‐up of 59 months, higher 3D parameters of the abdominal muscles and SF from the abdominal waist were found to be associated with longer overall survival (OS) and disease‐free survival (all P

IntroductionThere have been large geographical differences in the infection and death rates of COVID-19. Foods and beverages containing high amounts of phytochemicals with bioactive properties were suggested to prevent contracting and to facilitate recovery from COVID-19. The goal of our study was to determine the correlation of the type of foods/beverages people consumed and the risk reduction of contracting COVID-19 and the recovery from COVID-19.MethodsWe developed an online survey that asked the participants whether they contracted COVID-19, their symptoms, time to recover, and their frequency of eating various types of foods/beverages. The survey was developed in 10 different languages.ResultsThe participants who did not contract COVID-19 consumed vegetables, herbs/spices, and fermented foods/beverages significantly more than the participants who contracted COVID-19. Among the six countries (India/Iran/Italy/Japan/Russia/Spain) with over 100 participants and high correspondence between the location of the participants and the language of the survey, in India and Japan the people who contracted COVID-19 showed significantly shorter recovery time, and greater daily intake of vegetables, herbs/spices, and fermented foods/beverages was associated with faster recovery.ConclusionsOur results suggest that phytochemical compounds included in the vegetables may have contributed in not only preventing contraction of COVID-19, but also accelerating their recovery.

Background: A series of acute, atypical respiratory diseases was identified in Wuhan, China, which was named Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) by the World Health Organization (WHO), and the disease was later declared a pandemic. This disease has psychological effects in addition to physiological symptoms. This study aims to find out the psychological impacts of disease in the form of anxiety and depressive symptoms among hospitalized patients diagnosed with COVID-19. Methods: A multicentric descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among patients diagnosed with COVID-19 who were admitted from July 1, 2021 to August 15, 2021 in six different hospitals. Ethical approval was obtained from the Nepal Health Research Council (reference number 284). COVID-19 was diagnosed using Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) or COVID-19 antigen test. Data were collected from the patients using proforma containing the demographic profile and two questionnaires (Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale and Global Health Questionnaire-12) translated into the Nepali language. Results: Among 360 patients who participated in the study, 194 (53.9%) were males and 166 (46%) were females. Symptoms of anxiety and depression were seen in 161 (44.7%) and 253 (70.3%) of the participants respectively. Similarly 349 (96.9%) of them were found to have clinically significant mental distress. Conclusions: The prevalence of anxiety and depressive symptoms among hospitalized patients diagnosed with COVID-19 is significantly high compared to the general population. Keywords: Anxiety; coronavirus disease-2019; cross-sectional study; depression; psychological effect.

Background Ensuring effective return to work following acquired brain injuries is crucial from the perspectives of both quality of life and the economy. However, techniques of occupational therapy support for return to work remain relatively unelucidated. Aims/Objectives To clarify the specific contents of occupational therapy required for work and work support for clients with acquired brain injuries. Material and Methods An interview-based survey was conducted with participants who had >10 years of occupational therapy experience and had provided work support. We selected participants via snowball sampling. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results A total of 20 participants (15 women and 5 men; 6, 12, 1, and 1 in their 30s, 40s, 50s, and 60s, respectively) were included. Six concepts were generated on reviewing the support for work items considered important by the occupational therapist as follows: “Support for vocational life,” “Support for interpersonal skills,” “Support for work,” “Support for illness, disability, and awareness,” “Support for utilization of compensation measures,” and “Support for goal setting.” Conclusions We clarified the specific contents of work support, including support for vocational life and support for work, that is administered by occupational therapists who provide work support for clients with acquired brain injury. The insights from the study improve understanding of OTs’ roles and contributions in supporting clients with acquired brain injuries in returning to work.

Objectives: Exploring the effects of swallowing function on sleep quality could provide valuable insights into the potential impact of reduced swallowing function on sleep. However, pertinent studies are limited. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between dysphagia risk and sleep health in community-dwelling older adults. Methods: Data for this cross-sectional study were obtained from the Shizuoka and Daiko studies conducted as part of the Japan Multi-Institutional Collaborative Cohort Study. Information on demographics, overall lifestyle, dysphagia risk, as well as sleep quality, duration, satisfaction, and regularity, was obtained using a self-administered questionnaire. Dysphagia risk and sleep quality were assessed using the Dysphagia Risk Assessment Questionnaire for the Community-dwelling Elderly and the Japanese version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Questionnaire Index, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression, adjusted for covariates, was employed to assess the association between dysphagia risk and sleep health. Results: Among the 3058 participants (1633 males, 1425 females) aged ≥60 years, 28.0 % exhibited dysphagia risk, and 19.1 % reported poor sleep quality. Those with dysphagia risk were more likely to experience poor sleep quality than those without dysphagia risk. In male participants, dysphagia was significantly associated with poor sleep quality, unsatisfactory sleep, and sleep irregularity, but was not significantly associated with unsatisfactory or irregular sleep in female participants. The Japanese version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Questionnaire Index components—subjective sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep disturbances, and daytime dysfunction—were associated with dysphagia risk in both sexes. Conclusions: Dysphagia risk is associated with sleep quality in older individuals in Japan. Thus, preserving swallowing function may contribute to enhancing sleep quality.

Yield potential of maize having distinct genetic diversity in Eastern Himalayan Region (EHR) hill ecologies is often limited by Al toxicity caused due to soil acidity. Stress physiological analysis of local check exposed to 0–300 μM Al under sand culture revealed that 150 μM Al as critical and 200 μM Al as tolerable limit. Increase in Al from 0 to 300 μM reduced total chlorophyll, carotenoids by 74.8 % and 44.7 % respectively and enhanced anthocyanin by 35.3 % whereas LA, SLW and SL have reduced by 81.3%, 21.3 % and 47.8 % respectively. R/S ratio was 51.0 and 13.7 % higher at lower Al levels (50 μM and 100 μM) and photosynthetic, transpiration rate and TDM were 62.5 %, 42.9 % and 78.6 % lower at higher Al (300 μM) as compared to control. TRL, RSA, RDW and RV at higher Al (300 μM) were 92.6 %, 98.7 %, 78.7 and 97.5 % lower over control respectively. Root and shoot Al and PUpE at higher Al (300 μM) was 194.0, 69.2 and 830 % higher whereas PUE decreased to 88.5 % over control. Evaluation of 31 indigenous maize cultivars at 0, 150, and 250 μM Al in sand culture, alongside tolerance scoring and assessment, revealed that Megha-9, Megha-10, and MZM-19 exhibits high Al tolerance, Megha-1, MZM-22, and MZM-42 demonstrated moderate tolerance, whereas Uruapara, Sublgarh, and BRL Para were identified as Al-sensitive. Stress physiological parameters like SDW, TDM, TRL, SL and LA contributed 46.02 % of variability to PC1, whereas A, RV, RSA, anthocyanin and Chlorophyll_b, contributed 13.56 % of variability to PC2. Highest values of CMS, SL, LP, LA, TRL and anthocyanin were recorded in cluster I having sensitive cultivars while highest CMS, SL, LA, LP, TRL and RSA were found in cluster II having moderately tolerant cultivars and highest mean values for TRL, RSA, LP, LA, CMS and SL were recorded in cluster III having highly Al stress tolerant cultivars. The traits viz., A, RV, RSA, anthocyanin and Chlorophyll_b, total chlorophyll and TDM were emanated as physio-morphological for assessing Al toxicity stress tolerance in Maize with high divergence values. Tolerant cultivars showing 63.4 % and 22.4 % higher anthocyanin at 150 μM Al and 250 μM Al than moderately tolerant one in acid soil experiment with increased root Al, shoot Al, root P and shoot P by 42.6 %, 11 %, 95.1 % and 34 % respectively were emerged as promising for novel maize improvement under acid soils of EHR.

Synthetic dye waste, without going through the well-treatment process, has the potential to pollute the aquatic environment because it contains organic pollutants that are difficult to degrade naturally. One effective method for dye waste treatment is photodegradation using a photocatalyst-based zinc ferrite (ZnFe2O4) nanoparticle. This research was successfully synthesised ZnFe2O4 nanoparticle by hydrothermal mediated-Lidah mertua (Sansevieria trifasciata) plant extract as more environmentally friendly capping agent. ZnFe2O4 nanoparticles have a crystal size within range of 26.15–37.17 nm, cubic spinel structure, particle size of 5–20 nm and band gap energy (Eg) of 1.8 eV. ZnFe2O4 nanoparticles were proven effective in methylene blue photodegradation of 95.33 % after exposure to mercury lamp irradiation for 2 h at a methylene blue concentration of 30 ppm, a ZnFe2O4 mass of 0.01 % (w/v) and a pH of 12. In addition, this ZnFe2O4 nanoparticles can degrade methylene blue for four cycles with a degradation efficiency of 95.33%–76.95 % better than ZnO.

Short-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs) are listed as a category of globally controlled persistent organic pollutants (POPs) by the Stockholm Convention in 2017. However, SCCP toxicity, particularly their developmental toxicity in avian embryos, has not been well studied. In this study, we observed the early development of chicken embryos (Gallus gallus domesticus) by applying a shell-less (ex-ovo) incubation system developed in our previous studies. After exposing embryos at Hamburger Hamilton stage (HHS) 1 to SCCPs (control, 0.1% DMSO; SCCPs-L, 200 ng/g; SCCPs-M, 2000 ng/g; SCCPs-H, 20,000 ng/g), we observed the development of embryos from the 3rd to 9th incubation day. Exposure to SCCPs-M and -H induced a significant reduction in survival, with an LD50 of 3100 ng/g on the 9th incubation day. Significant dose-dependent decreases in body length were observed from days 4–9. We also found that SCCPs-H decreased the blood vessel length and branch number on the 4th incubation day. Additionally, SCCPs-H significantly reduced the heart rate on the 4th and 5th incubation days. These findings suggest that SCCPs may have potential of developmental and cardiovascular toxicity during the early stages of chicken embryos. Quantitative PCR of the mRNA of genes related to embryonic development showed that SLC16A10 (a triiodothyronine transporter) level decreased in the SCCPs-H group, showing a significant positive correlation with the body length of embryos. THRA level, a thyroid hormone receptor, was significantly decreased in the SCCPs-H group, whereas that of DIO3 level, a deiodinase was significantly increased. These results suggest that SCCPs exposure induces developmental delays via the thyroxine signaling pathway. Analysis of thyroid hormones (THs) in blood plasma also indicated a significant reduction in thyroxine (T4) levels in the SCCPs-H group on the 9th incubation day of embryos. In conclusion, SCCPs induce developmental toxicity by disrupting thyroid functions at the early-life stage of chicken embryos.

Objectives: Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS) is caused by group A Streptococcus (GAS; Streptococcus pyogenes) strains. In Japan, the number of STSS cases has decreased; however, the underlying reason remains unclear. Moreover, information on distribution and prevalence of specific emm types in STSS cases is scarce. Hence, we investigated the reason for the decreased number of STSS cases in Japan. Methods: We genotyped emm of 526 GAS isolates obtained from 526 patients with STSS between 2019 and 2022. The distributions of emm types in each year were compared. Results: The emm1 type was predominant, with the highest proportion in 2019, which decreased after 2020 following the onset of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Strains isolated during the pandemic correlated with strains associated with skin infection, whereas those isolated during the prepandemic period correlated with strains associated with both throat and skin infections. The decrease in the annual number of STSS cases during the COVID-19 pandemic could be due to a decreased proportion of strains associated with pharyngeal infections. Conclusions: Potential associations between pandemic and STSS numbers with respect to public health measures, such as wearing masks and changes in healthcare-seeking behavior, may have affected the number of GAS-induced infections.

Abstract Despite the development of various in vitro differentiation protocols for the efficient derivation of specific cell types, human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) lines have varing ability to differentiate into specific lineages. Therefore, surrogate markers for accurately predicting the differentiation propensity of hiPSC lines may facilitate cell-based therapeutic product development and manufacture. We attempted to identify marker genes that could predict the differentiation propensity of hiPSCs into neural stem/progenitor cells (NS/PCs). Using Spearman’s rank correlation coefficients, we investigated genes in the undifferentiated state, the expression levels of which were significantly correlated with the neuronal differentiation propensity of several hiPSC lines. Among genes significantly correlated with NS/PC differentiation (P

Background: Despite recent advances in medicine, the incidence of pre-term birth is increasing globally. Approximately 70% of neonatal deaths, 36% of infant deaths, and 25–50% of cases of neurological impairment in children can be attributed to pre-term births. Identification of risk factors in women, supervised obstetric care during pregnancy, female empowerment, and patient education are strategies to minimize the burden of preterm deliveries. Materials and Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted over a 1-year period among 658 women in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pramukhswami Medical College, Anand, Gujarat. Detailed history, general, and obstetrical examinations were carried out. Maternal and foetal outcomes were noted. Statistical software STATA 14.2 was used for data analysis. Results: The incidence of pre-term birth in our study was 34.95%. The incidence of late pre-term, very term, and extremely pre-term was 28.42%, 4.71%, and 1.82%, respectively. Pre-mature rupture of the membrane was observed among 20.34% of patients with late pre-term labour. IUGR was identified in 9.52% and 15.94% of the very and late pre-term births, respectively. A statistically significant difference was found in the 1 minute and 5 minute Apgar scores between pre-term babies and term babies. Conclusion: Pre-maturity is a huge health and financial burden in rural and semi-urban central Gujarat. Pre-mature rupture of membranes, previous MTP, extreme physical activity, and maternal anaemia were the major risk factors linked with pre-term labour. Poor neonatal outcomes like LBW, IUGR, and a low Apgar score were significantly associated with the babies delivered pre-mature in our study.

The Lunar Environment heliospheric X-ray Imager (LEXI) and Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer (SMILE) missions will image the Earth’s dayside magnetopause and cusps in soft X-rays after their respective launches in the near future, to specify global magnetic reconnection modes for varying solar wind conditions. To support the success of these scientific missions, it is critical to develop techniques that extract the magnetopause locations from the observed soft X-ray images. In this research, we introduce a new geometric equation that calculates the subsolar magnetopause position (\begin{document}$ {R}_{\mathrm{s}} $\end{document}) from a satellite position, the look direction of the instrument, and the angle at which the X-ray emission is maximized. Two assumptions are used in this method: (1) The look direction where soft X-ray emissions are maximized lies tangent to the magnetopause, and (2) the magnetopause surface near the subsolar point is almost spherical and thus \begin{document}$ {R}_{\mathrm{s}} $\end{document} is nearly equal to the radius of the magnetopause curvature. We create synthetic soft X-ray images by using the Open Geospace General Circulation Model (OpenGGCM) global magnetohydrodynamic model, the galactic background, the instrument point spread function, and Poisson noise. We then apply the fast Fourier transform and Gaussian low-pass filters to the synthetic images to remove noise and obtain accurate look angles for the soft X-ray peaks. From the filtered images, we calculate \begin{document}$ {R}_{\mathrm{s}} $\end{document} and its accuracy for different LEXI locations, look directions, and solar wind densities by using the OpenGGCM subsolar magnetopause location as ground truth. Our method estimates \begin{document}$ {R}_{\mathrm{s}} $\end{document} with an accuracy of \begin{document}$ {10\;\mathrm{c}\mathrm{m}}^{-3} $\end{document}. The accuracy improves for greater solar wind densities and during southward interplanetary magnetic fields. The method captures the magnetopause motion during southward interplanetary magnetic field turnings. Consequently, the technique will enable quantitative analysis of the magnetopause motion and help reveal the dayside reconnection modes for dynamic solar wind conditions. This technique will support the LEXI and SMILE missions in achieving their scientific objectives.

A male pedestrian in his 30’s was hit by a car and immediately taken to hospital by ambulance. On arrival, his blood pressure was 83/64 mmHg and his heart rate was 140 beats/min. Computed tomography showed extravasation of contrast medium from the lateral segment of the liver. Given the exacerbation caused by hypotension, an emergency laparotomy was performed. Temporary hemostasis was achieved by packing with gauze and a subsequent transcatheter arterial embolization. At the 2nd laparotomy, a small amount of active bleeding from the injury site was noted; therefore, an emergency lateral segmentectomy was performed. The postoperative course was uneventful and he was discharged home 8 days later. The pathology of the liver specimen revealed that a 2.5 cm hepatic hemangioma was the cause of bleeding. Traumatic rupture of hepatic hemangiomas is rare, and most reported cases are of giant hemangiomas. Our case demonstrated that even a small hemangioma can elicit life-threatening bleeding in blunt abdominal trauma.

Abstract Background The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships of oral health status and swallowing function with cognitive impairment in community-dwelling older adults from Changsha, Hunan Province, China. Methods In this cross-sectional study, we analyzed the data of 215 participants aged ≥ 50 years which were retrieved from the Xiangya and Panasonic mild cognitive impairment (MCI) Study, a community-based study conducted among the residents of the urban areas of Hunan province in China. Demographic information of all participants was collected. We determined oral function by evaluating oral hygiene, oral dryness, occlusal force, tongue pressure, chewing function, swallowing function, remaining teeth number, and other indicators. The mini-mental state examination (MMSE) was used to screen for cognitive function. The relationship between each oral function evaluation item and cognitive function was investigated using correlation analysis. The associations between oral health status and swallowing function with cognitive impairment were inferred using multiple regression analysis. Results The general characteristics of participants showed statistically significant correlation coefficients in number of teeth remaining (p = 0.003) and number of teeth lost (p

Abstract Background The aims of this study were to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetics (PK) of continuous intravenous administration of remifentanil in mechanically ventilated patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). Methods This was a multicenter, randomized, double-blinded, fentanyl-controlled, non-inferiority phase 3 study. Patients aged ≥ 20 years requiring 6 h to 10 days mechanical ventilation in an ICU and requiring pain relief were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive either remifentanil (n = 98) or fentanyl (n = 98). Dose was titrated from an infusion rate of 1 mL/h (remifentanil: 0.025 µg/kg/min, fentanyl: 0.1 µg/kg/h) until the target level of analgesia (behavioral pain scale [BPS] ≤ 5 or numerical rating score [NRS] ≤ 3) was achieved by escalating the dose in 1 mL/h increasing. Administration was then adjusted to maintain the target level of analgesia until weaning from the ventilator. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients who did not require rescue fentanyl. Safety was assessed according to standard procedures. PK of remifentanil in the arterial blood was assessed in 24 patients. Results The proportion of patients achieving the primary endpoint in the remifentanil and fentanyl groups was 100% (92/92) and 97.8% (88/90), respectively. The difference between the groups was 2.2% (95% confidence interval, − 0.8–5.3) and non-inferiority of remifentanil to fentanyl was verified (p

The presence of the odorant 2-methylisoborneol (2-MIB) in drinking water sources is undesirable. Although 2-MIB production is known to be influenced by temperature, its regulation at the gene level and its relationship with Chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) at different temperatures remain unclear. This study investigates the impact of temperature on 2-MIB production and related gene expression in Pseudanabaena strains PD34 and PD35 isolated from Lake Paldang, South Korea. The strains were cultured at three temperatures (15, 25, and 30 °C) to examine cell growth, 2-MIB production, and mic gene expression levels. 2-MIB production per cell increased with higher temperatures, whereas mic gene expression levels were higher at lower temperatures, indicating a complex regulatory mechanism involving post-transcriptional and enzyme kinetics factors. Additionally, the relationship between Chl-a and 2-MIB involved in metabolic competition was analyzed, suggesting that high temperatures appear to favor 2-MIB synthesis more than Chl-a synthesis. The distinct difference in the total amount of the two products and the proportion of 2-MIB between the two strains partially explains the variations in 2-MIB production. These findings highlight the significant effect of temperature on 2-MIB biosynthesis in Pseudanabaena and provide a valuable background for gene data-based approaches to manage issues regarding 2-MIB in aquatic environments.

Hemodialysis therapy is an extracorporeal circulation treatment that serves as a substitute for renal function. In Japan, patients receive this efficient four-hour treatment, three times per week, allowing them to maintain a social life nearly equivalent to that of healthy individuals. Before the treatment, two punctures are performed to establish extracorporeal circulation, and a high blood flow rate is essential to ensure efficient therapy. Specialized blood vessels created through arteriovenous fistula (AVF) surgery are utilized to achieve high blood flow rates. Although the AVF allows safe and efficient dialysis treatment, AVF stenosis leads to a serious problem in dialysis. To early detect this abnormal blood flow, auscultation and palpation methods are widely used in hospitals. However, these methods can only provide qualitative judgment of the AVF condition, so the results cannot be shared among other doctors and staff. Additionally, since the conventional methods require contact with the skin, some issues require consideration regarding infection and low reproducibility. In our previous study, we proposed an alternative method for auscultation using non-contact optical imaging technology. This study aims to construct a reliable AVF stenosis detection method using Thrill waveform analysis based on the developed non-contact device to solve the problem with the contact palpation method. This paper demonstrates the performance validation of the non-contact imaging in the normal AVF group (206 total data, 75 patients, mean age: 69.1 years) and in the treatable stenosis group (107 total data, 17 patients, mean age: 70.1 years). The experimental results of the Mann–Whitney U test showed a significant difference (p=0.0002) between the normal and abnormal groups, which indicated the effectiveness of the proposed method as a new possible alternative to palpation.

Summary: In vertebrates, retinal neural circuitry for visual perception is organized in specific layers. The outer plexiform layer is the first synaptic region in the visual pathway, where photoreceptor synaptic terminals connect with bipolar and horizontal cell processes. However, molecular mechanisms underlying cone synapse formation to mediate OFF pathways remain unknown. This study reveals that Necl-1/CADM3 is localized at S- and S/M-opsin-containing cones and dendrites of type 4 OFF cone bipolar cells (CBCs). In Necl-1−/− mouse retina, synapses between cones and type 4 OFF CBCs were dislocated, horizontal cell distribution became abnormal, and α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptors were dislocated. Necl-1−/− mice exhibited aberrant short-wavelength-light-elicited signal transmission from cones to OFF CBCs, which was rescued by AMPA receptor potentiator. Additionally, Necl-1−/− mice showed impaired optokinetic responses. These findings suggest that Necl-1 regulates cone synapse formation to mediate OFF cone pathways elicited by short-wavelength light in mouse retina.

Abstract This study presents observations of magnetopause reconnection and erosion at geosynchronous orbit, utilizing in situ satellite measurements and remote sensing ground‐based instruments. During the main phase of a geomagnetic storm, Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES) 15 was on the dawnside of the dayside magnetopause (10.6 MLT) and observed significant magnetopause erosion, while GOES 13, observing duskside (14.6 MLT), remained within the magnetosphere. Combined observations from the THEMIS satellites and Super Dual Auroral Radar Network radars verified that magnetopause erosion was primarily caused by reconnection. While various factors may contribute to asymmetric erosion, the observations suggest that the weak reconnection rate on the duskside can play a role in the formation of asymmetric magnetopause shape. This discrepancy in reconnection rate is associated with the presence of cold dense plasma on the duskside of the magnetosphere, which limits the reconnection rate by mass loading, resulting in more efficient magnetopause erosion on the dawnside.

Introduction: Seizures are the most common neurological emergency and one of the most common reasons for paediatrics hospital admissions. This study aimed to identify the etiology, clinical profile, and immediate outcome of children with the first episode of seizure in Eastern Nepal. Methods: This was a prospective descriptive study carried out in the Tertiary Care Centre from September 2022 to August 2023. Ethical clearance was taken from the Institutional Review Committee (Ref no:654/2022). Convenience sampling was done to include 170 children presenting with the first episode of seizure at age 6 months to 15 years. Variables collected were demographics, clinical presentations, family history, trauma history, laboratory tests, neuroimaging, EEG, final diagnosis, and immediate outcome. Results: A total of 170 patients were admitted with the first episode of seizure with 123 (72.36%) males and 47 (27.64%) females. The mean age of the patients was 5.13±2.95 years with 104 (61.18%) patients under 5 years of age. The most common seizure was generalized tonic-clonic type in 132 (77.64%) patients. The most common associated symptom was fever in 150 (88.23%) children. Neuroimaging was abnormal in 52 (30.59%) patients, with neurocysticercosis seen in 27 (15.88%). The most common etiology was febrile seizure in 92 (54.17%) patients, neurocysticercosis in 27 (15.88%), and meningitis in 12 (7.05%). Conclusions: Febrile seizures, neurocysticercosis, infection, and trauma were the major causes of seizures in children. When simple febrile seizures were unlikely, lumbar puncture, neuroimaging, and laboratory tests were useful tools for diagnosing etiologies of seizures.

IntroductionTaurine has diverse valuable biological functions, including antioxidant activity and regulation of osmotic pressure. Maintaining physical fitness from middle age is important for healthy life expectancy. Although taurine administration improves muscle endurance and strength, its role in maintenance remains unclear. We aimed to clarify the longitudinal taurine intake association with fitness changes.MethodsParticipants comprised men and women aged ≥40 years who participated in the third (2002–2004; Baseline) and seventh (2010–2012; Follow-up) waves of the National Institute for Longevity Sciences-Longitudinal Study of Aging (NILS-LSA) and completed a 3-day dietary weights recording survey at baseline. A table of taurine content was prepared for 751 foods (including five food groups: Seaweed; Fish and shellfish; Meat; Eggs; and Milk and dairy products) from the Standard Tables of Food Composition in Japan (1,878 foods) 2010. Four physical fitness items (knee extension muscle strength, sit-and-reach, one-leg standing with eyes closed, and maximum walking speed) were measured at baseline and follow-up. We analyzed the association of taurine intake with physical fitness change, employing a general linear model (GLM) and trend tests for baseline taurine intake and follow-up fitness change. Adjustments included baseline variables: sex, age, height, weight, educational level, self-rated health, smoking status, depressive symptoms, and clinical history.ResultsThe estimated average daily taurine intake (standard deviation) was 207.5 (145.6) mg/day at the baseline. When examining the association with the four physical fitness parameters, higher taurine intake positively increased the change in knee extension muscle strength (T1; 0.1, T2; 0.8, T3; 1.1 (kgf) GLM, p

Abstract The exotic pet trade poses a major threat to biodiversity conservation. To combat biodiversity loss, it is essential to reduce demand for exotic pets and engage people in civic actions for wildlife conservation. Although messaging has been extensively used in conservation practice, little is known about how it can influence attitudes and various types of actions pertaining to the exotic pet trade. This study examined the impact of conservation messaging in the context of exotic pet ownership and wildlife entertainment visitation as common practices of the exotic pet trade. We randomly assigned participants in the United States to one of five messaging conditions: biodiversity loss and animal abuse (M1), zoonotic disease risks (M2), illegality (M3), social disapproval (M4), and neutral biological information as a control condition (M5). We found that all conservation messages (M1–M4) significantly decreased people's favorable attitudes toward the exotic pet trade and their desire to visit wildlife entertainment. However, conservation messaging did not influence the desire for exotic pet ownership or intentions to take civic actions. Our findings highlight the potential of conservation messaging for attitude change and demand reduction for wildlife entertainment, but different approaches are necessary for promoting more effortful actions such as exotic pet ownership and civic actions.

Background Maternal mortality is an important indicator of health status for any state, but that is largely affected by availability of skilled medical officer in vicinity. Clinical simulation including role play and manikins are important tools of adult learning principles and have been widely used in different clinical settings across the world, however not much used in India. So, we suggest this interventional research with capacity building of the department for future developments.

Abstract Background The effects of oral health on mortality have been reported; however, the association between mortality and Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHQOL) is unknown. We investigated the effect of OHQOL on total mortality in a cohort consisting of dentists. Methods In this cohort study, we analyzed data from the Longitudinal Evaluation of Multi-phasic, Odonatological and Nutritional Associations in Dentists study. We conducted a baseline survey of general and oral health factors. We called for 31,178 participants and collected responses from 10,256 participants. We followed up with 10,114 participants (mean age ± standard deviation, 52.4 ± 12.1 years; females, 8.9%) for 7.7 years, until March 2014, to determine the average total mortality. OHQOL was assessed using the General Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI). The total score was divided into quartiles (Q1 ≤ 51.6, Q2 = 51.7–56.7, Q3 = 56.8–59.9, and Q4 = 60.0), with higher GOHAI scores indicating better OHQOL (score range, 12–60). The association between OHQOL and total mortality was analyzed using the Cox proportional hazards model. Results We documented 460 deaths. Males with low GOHAI scores possessed a remarkably high risk of total mortality. The multivariate adjusted-hazard ratios (aHRs), were 1.93 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.07 − 3.48) for Q1, 1.69 (95% CI, 0.90 − 3.17) for Q2, and 0.65 (95% CI, 0.29 − 1.46) for Q3, relative to Q4 (trend p = 0.001). The aHRs in the multivariate model with all background variables were 1.69 (95% CI, 1.15–2.46) for Q1, 1.53 (95% CI, 1.04–2.27) for Q2, and 1.09 (95% CI, 0.71–1.70) for Q3, relative to Q4 (trend p = 0.001). In females, there was no significant association between the quartiles, in both the multivariate-adjusted model (trend p = 0.52) and multivariate-adjusted model with all background variables (trend p = 0.79). Conclusions A lower OHQOL indicated an increased risk of total mortality in dentists. OHQOL may be used as an indicator for selecting treatment plans and personalized care interventions, thus contributing to increased healthy life expectancy. Trial registration Aichi Cancer Center, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, and Hiroshima University (Approval numbers: 33, 632–3, 8–21, and E2019-1603).

Abstract In the pathway toward environmental sustainability, it is important that we understand how individuals can make a difference through diverse types of engagement. Theories suggest that transformative change toward a sustainable future requires individuals to engage in not only private actions (e.g. household energy saving, recycling) but also social‐signalling and system‐changing civic actions (e.g. opinion sharing, voting, petition signing and protesting). Yet, past research on pro‐environmental behaviour has primarily focused on private actions, while overlooking individual contributions to facilitating widespread change through civic actions. We use the exotic pet trade as a focal case to understand how individuals may act to promote environmental sustainability through different patterns of engagement and what factors might explain these distinct patters of action. Results from an online survey about behavioural intentions in the United States (n = 527) revealed three types of individual action that could transform the exotic pet trade. Private actions clustered separately from civic actions. Within the category of civic actions, a distinction emerged between lower social‐commitment actions and higher social‐commitment actions, based on the perceived level of social engagement and personal efforts involved. We also found that each type of action was associated with unique factors, highlighting the importance of attitudes, perceived social norms, and relational values for variously promoting individual engagement among the U.S. public. Our findings suggest that these distinct types of action should be treated differently when designing future wildlife conservation campaigns and behaviour change interventions. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

The adenohypophysis is comprised of the anterior and intermediate lobes (AL and IL, respectively). Cluster of differentiation 9 (CD9)- and sex-determining region Y-box 2 (SOX2)-positive cells are stem/progenitor hormone-producing cells in the AL. They are located in the marginal cell layer (MCL) facing Rathke’s cleft between the AL and IL (primary niche) and the parenchyma of the AL (secondary niche). We previously showed that, in rats, CD9/SOX2-positive cells in the IL side of the MCL (IL-side MCL) migrate to the AL side (AL-side MCL) and differentiate into prolactin-producing cells (PRL cells) in the AL parenchyma during pregnancy, lactation, and diethylstilbestrol treatment, all of which increase PRL cell turnover. This study examined the changes in CD9/SOX2-positive stem/progenitor cell niches and their proportions by manipulating the turnover of growth hormone (GH)- and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)-producing cells (GH and TSH cells, respectively), which are Pit1 lineage cells, as well as PRL cells. After induction, the isolated CD9/SOX2-positive cells from the IL-side MCL formed spheres and differentiated into GH and TSH cells. We also observed an increased GH cell proportion upon treatment with GH-releasing hormone and recovery from continuous stress and an increased TSH cell proportion upon propylthiouracil treatment, concomitant with alterations in the proportion of CD9/SOX2-positive cells in the primary and secondary niches. These findings suggest that CD9/SOX2-positive cells have the potential to supply GH and TSH when an increase in GH and TSH cell populations is required in the adult pituitary gland.

Abstract Conjugated linoleic acids (CLAs) are polyunsaturated fatty acids primarily found in dairy products and ruminant animal products such as beef, lamb, and butter. Supplementation of CLAs has recently become popular among athletes due to the variety of health-promoting effects, including improvements in physical performance. Preclinical and some clinical studies have shown that CLAs can reduce inflammation and oxidative stress and favorably modulate body composition and physical performance; however, the results of previously published clinical trials are mixed. Here, we performed a comprehensive review of previously published clinical trials that assessed the role of CLAs in modulating inflammation, oxidative stress, body composition, and select indices of physical performance, emphasizing the molecular mechanisms governing these changes. The findings of our review demonstrate that the effect of supplementation with CLAs on inflammation and oxidative stress is controversial, but this supplement can decrease body fat mass and increase physical performance. Future well-designed randomized clinical trials are warranted to determine the effectiveness of (1) specific doses of CLAs; (2) different dosing durations of CLAs; (3) various CLA isomers, and the exact molecular mechanisms by which CLAs positively influence oxidative stress, inflammation, body composition, and physical performance.

Bacground and Objectives: The objective of this study is to investigate how different therapies modulating insulin resistance, either causally or consequently, affect metabolic parameters in treatment-naïve subjects with T2DM. Subjects and Methods: A total of 212 subjects were assigned to receive either a tight Japanese diet (n = 65), pioglitazone at doses ranging from 15–30 mg/day (n = 70), or canagliflozin at doses ranging from 50–100 mg/day (n = 77) for a duration of three months. Correlations and changes (Δ) in metabolic parameters relative to insulin resistance were investigated. Results: Across these distinct therapeutic interventions, ΔHOMA-R exhibited significant correlations with ΔFBG and ΔHOMA-B, while demonstrating a negative correlation with baseline HOMA-R. However, other parameters such as ΔHbA1c, ΔBMI, ΔTC, ΔTG, Δnon-HDL-C, or ΔUA displayed varying patterns depending on the treatment regimens. Participants were stratified into two groups based on the median value of ΔHOMA-R: the lower half (X) and upper half (Y). Group X consistently demonstrated more pronounced reductions in FBG compared to Group Y across all treatments, while other parameters including HbA1c, HOMA-B, TC, TG, HDL-C, non-HDL-C, TG/HDL-C ratio, or UA exhibited distinct regulatory responses depending on the treatment administered. Conclusions: These findings suggest that (1) regression to the mean is observed in the changes in insulin resistance across these therapies and (2) the modulation of insulin resistance with these therapies, either causally or consequentially, results in differential effects on glycemic parameters, beta-cell function, specific lipids, body weight, or UA.

Abstract Background Research on regenerative medicine using basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) has recently advanced in the field of laryngology. We previously reported that local administration of bFGF 1 month after recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) paralysis compensated for atrophy of the thyroarytenoid muscle. The objective of this study was to elucidate the effects of early bFGF administration on the thyroarytenoid muscle after RLN transection and to investigate the underlying mechanisms. Methods A rat model of RLN paralysis was established in this study. One day after RLN transection, low- (200 ng) or high-dose (2000 ng) bFGF or saline (control) was administered to the thyroarytenoid muscle. The larynges were excised for histological and immunohistochemical examinations at 1, 7, 14, 28, and 56 days after administration. Results The cross-sectional thyroarytenoid muscle area was significantly larger in the high-dose group than in the saline and low-dose groups on days 28 and 56. Immunohistochemistry indicated that bFGF significantly increased the number of satellite cells in the thyroarytenoid muscle up to day 14 and that of neuromuscular junctions on days 28 and 56. Conclusions A single, early local administration of high-dose bFGF prevented atrophic changes in the thyroarytenoid muscles by activating satellite cell proliferation and reforming neuromuscular junctions. As increased neuromuscular junctions are expected to maintain myofiber volume, bFGF administration may prevent thyroarytenoid muscle atrophy in the mid to long term. Graphical abstract

Abstract This study aimed to clarify the association of daily physical activity and leisure-time exercise with the risk of dysphagia in community-dwelling Japanese older adults using a questionnaire-based survey. We analyzed 3070 participants (1657 men, 1413 women; age 66 ± 4 years [mean ± SD]) of the Shizuoka and Daiko studies within the Japanese Multi-Institutional Collaborative Cohort study. We used the Dysphagia Risk Assessment for the Community-dwelling Elderly questionnaire to assess dysphagia risk and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire to assess daily physical activity and leisure-time exercise. Logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate the independent association of the amount of physical activity and leisure-time exercise with dysphagia risk. The proportion of participants with dysphagia risk was 27.5% (n = 844) and the risk was significantly higher in women (29.8%, n = 421) than in men (25.5%, n = 423; P = 0.008). Daily physical activity was not associated with dysphagia risk. A greater amount of leisure-time exercise was associated with lower dysphagia risk (P for trend = 0.003) and individuals in the highest leisure-time exercise quartile had a significantly lower odds ratio (0.68, 95% CI 0.52–0.89) than those in the lowest quartile, even after adjusting for the covariates.

Abstract Childhood glaucoma is one of the major causes of blindness in children, however, its diagnosis is of great challenge. The study aimed to demonstrate and evaluate the performance of a deep-learning (DL) model for detecting childhood glaucoma based on periocular photographs. Primary gaze photographs of children diagnosed with glaucoma with appearance features (corneal opacity, corneal enlargement, and/or globe enlargement) were retrospectively collected from the database of a single referral center. DL framework with the RepVGG architecture was used to automatically recognize childhood glaucoma from photographs. The average receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of fivefold cross-validation was 0.91. When the fivefold result was assembled, the DL model achieved an AUC of 0.95 with a sensitivity of 0.85 and specificity of 0.94. The DL model showed comparable accuracy to the pediatric ophthalmologists and glaucoma specialists in diagnosing childhood glaucoma (0.90 vs 0.81, p = 0.22, chi-square test), outperforming the average of human examiners in the detection rate of childhood glaucoma in cases without corneal opacity (72% vs. 34%, p = 0.038, chi-square test), with a bilateral corneal enlargement (100% vs. 67%, p = 0.03), and without skin lesions (87% vs. 64%, p = 0.02). Hence, this DL model is a promising tool for diagnosing missed childhood glaucoma cases.

Background: Legal regulations and fees have been established in Korea to provide visiting oral health care services to individuals with long-term care insurance (LTCI). However, beneficiaries of this service are very limited. Therefore, to improve the Korean system we propose a comparative analysis with the Japanese system. Methods: This study is a descriptive analysis based on secondary data, such as statistics, laws, and service record forms from Korea and Japan. The most recent institutional documents were obtained through a Google search. The variables investigated were financial resources of LTCI, co-payment structure, monthly limit of LTCI benefits, care levels of LTCI, service providers, service costs, contents of service, and the number of cases of service. Results: In both Korea and Japan, LTCI is financed through a combination of taxes and insurance premiums. However, the monthly limit for receiving LTCI services in Japan is about 2.4 times higher than in Korea. Visiting medical and dental treatment is also possible in Japan. Furthermore, nursing staff can provide daily oral health care services according to dental hygienists’ instruction unlike Korea. Oral health care services in Korea are focused on oral hygiene and prevention of oral diseases, while Japan additionally provides oral function screening, patient education for oral health management, and training for nursing staff to enhance oral function, eating, and swallowing of the patients. Conclusion: We concluded that the possibility of visiting dental treatment, differences in monthly limit of LTCI benefits, oral function assessment and guidance, as well as collaboration with other healthcare professionals contributed to the difference in the frequency of utilization of visiting oral health care services between Korea and Japan.

Infectious diseases caused by microorganisms are still a problem in Indonesia, both humans and animals. The problem of bacterial resistance to antibiotics has an impact on increasing morbidity, mortality, and health care. The problem of bacterial resistance to antibiotics has also been found in livestock, which can threaten human health. This situation has led many researchers to search for new bioactive compounds as alternative antibiotic candidates to fight multidrug resistant bacteria such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Staphylococcus spp., and Streptococcus spp. This study aimed to discuss and determine the development of endophytic bacteria isolated from several plants so we can know the role of endophytic bacteria in producing bioactive compounds, especially for application in veterinary medicine. Endophytic bacteria provide great potential to produce various new bioactive compounds obtained from secondary metabolite compounds from their host. Plants are one of the hosts for endophytic bacteria. Bioactive compounds from endophytic bacteria are widely used in health and veterinary applications as antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant. This shows that endophytic bacteria can be a promising source of new antibiotics to overcome the problem of pathogenic bacterial resistance and disease in the world of animal health which also threatens human health. This review discusses some aspects in the phytochemistry of endophytic bacteria producing bioactive compounds and its application in veterinary medicine.

Abstract Background Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is an inherited connective-tissue disorder characterized by skin hyperextensibility, joint hypermobility, and tissue fragility. Intestinal perforation is one of the fatal manifestations of this syndrome, and its management is complicated. Case presentation A 58-year-old woman with a familial history of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome visited the emergency department due to a sudden onset of lower abdominal pain. Plain abdominal computed tomography showed abdominal free air. We found a perforated descending colon and subsequently resected this lesion and performed ileostomy. Fifty-one days after this first operation, the patient had transverse colon perforation and thus underwent the Hartmann procedure as the second operation. In addition, she was diagnosed with small bowel perforation 53 days after the first operation and consequently underwent a third operation—partial resection of the jejunum with functional end-to-end anastomosis. Fifty-eight days after the first operation, she complained of acute abdominal pain. Plain abdominal computed tomography showed fluid collection near the jejunojejunal anastomosis. We detected dehiscence at the entry hole of the linear stapler during the operation and thus performed partial resection of the affected jejunum, followed by jejunostomy. The postoperative course of the fourth operation was uneventful. Genetic testing revealed a novel missense mutation (c.2095G>T, p.Gly699Cys) in the COL3A1 gene, which is presumed to be a pathogenic variant of vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Conclusion Vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome should be considered in the case of repeated intestinal perforation. The identified missense mutation in the COL3A1 gene (c.2095G>T, p.Gly699Cys) might be a novel pathogenic variation causing vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Careful postoperative screening and multidisciplinary management are required.

Abstract Background Cervical cancer is a major cause of cancer-related deaths among women worldwide. Paucity of data on cervical cancer burden in countries like Pakistan hamper requisite resource allocation. Objective To estimate the burden of cervical cancer in Pakistan using available data sources. Methods We performed a systematic review to identify relevant data on Pakistan between 1995 to 2022. Study data identified through the systematic review that provided enough information to allow age specific incidence rates and age standardized incidence rates (ASIR) calculations for cervical cancer were merged. Population at risk estimates were derived and adjusted for important variables in the care-seeking pathway. The calculated ASIRs were applied to 2020 population estimates to estimate the number of cervical cancer cases in Pakistan. Results A total of 13 studies reported ASIRs for cervical cancer for Pakistan. Among the studies selected, the Karachi Cancer Registry reported the highest disease burden estimates for all reported time periods: 1995–1997 ASIR = 6.81, 1998–2002 ASIR = 7.47, and 2017–2019 ASIR = 6.02 per 100,000 women. Using data from Karachi, Punjab and Pakistan Atomic Energy Cancer Registries from 2015–2019, we derived an unadjusted ASIR for cervical cancer of 4.16 per 100,000 women (95% UI 3.28, 5.28). Varying model assumptions produced adjusted ASIRs ranging from 5.2 to 8.4 per 100,000 women. We derived an adjusted ASIR of 7.60, (95% UI 5.98, 10.01) and estimated 6166 (95% UI 4833, 8305) new cases of cervical cancer per year. Conclusion The estimated cervical cancer burden in Pakistan is higher than the WHO target. Estimates are sensitive to health seeking behavior, and appropriate physician diagnostic intervention, factors that are relevant to the case of cervical cancer, a stigmatized disease in a low-lower middle income country setting. These estimates make the case for approaching cervical cancer elimination through a multi-pronged strategy.

Dental caries and periodontal disease are typical oral diseases frequently observed in patients with renal diseases. Tooth loss is an outcome of dental caries and periodontal disease, and the number of existing teeth is an indicator of oral health status. However, the association between the number of existing teeth and end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) has not been investigated in detail. This study aimed to investigate the association between oral health status, expressed by the number of existing teeth, and ESKD. We analyzed data from the second survey of the Longitudinal Evaluation of Multi-phasic, Odontological, and Nutritional Associations in Dentists, a cohort study conducted among members of the Japan Dental Association. From August 2016 to July 2017, self-administered questionnaires were mailed to 16,128 male dentists and 8,722 responded. Among them, 7,479 men with complete data on age, number of existing teeth, and ESKD were included in the analysis. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted, with ESKD as the dependent variable and the number of existing teeth (≥23 teeth and

We can correctly recognize the content of an image by presenting all of the elements within a limited time, such as in a slit view or a divided painting image. It is important to clarify how temporally divided information is integrated and perceived to understand the temporal properties of the information-processing mechanism of visual systems. Previous studies related to this topic have often used two-dimensional pictorial stimuli; however, few have considered the temporal integration of binocular disparity for the recognition of objects defined with disparity. In this study, we examined image recognition properties based on the temporal integration of binocular disparity, by comparing that based on the temporal integration of luminance. The effect of element onset asynchrony (the time lag among presented elements) was somewhat similar between disparity and luminance with respect to randomly divided elements. On the other hand, under slit-vision conditions, the tolerance range of spatiotemporal integration for luminance stimuli was much wider than that for disparity stimuli. These results indicate that the temporal integration mechanism in localized areas is common to disparity and luminance, but that for global motion shows differences between the two mechanisms. Thus, we conclude that global motion has little contribution to the temporal integration of binocular disparity information for image recognition.

Purpose Clinic-based or community-based interventions can improve adherence to guideline-directed medication therapies (GDMTs) among patients with heart failure (HF). However, opportunities for such interventions are frequently missed, as providers may be unable to recognise risk patterns for medication non-adherence. Machine learning algorithms can help in identifying patients with high likelihood of non-adherence. While a number of multilevel factors influence adherence, prior models predicting non-adherence have been limited by data availability. We have established an electronic health record (EHR)-based cohort with comprehensive data elements from multiple sources to improve on existing models. We linked EHR data with pharmacy refill data for real-time incorporation of prescription fills and with social determinants data to incorporate neighbourhood factors.Participants Patients seen at a large health system in New York City (NYC), who were >18 years old with diagnosis of HF or reduced ejection fraction (