Direct and indirect RANK and CD40 signaling regulate the maintenance of thymic epithelial cell frequency and properties in the adult thymus.

Medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) play a crucial role in suppressing the onset of autoimmunity by eliminating autoreactive T cells and promoting the development of regulatory T cells in the thymus. Although mTECs undergo turnover in adults, the molecular mechanisms behind this process remain unclear. This study describes the direct and indirect roles of receptor activator of NF-κB (RANK) and CD40 signaling in TECs in the adult thymus.

Substituting phosphorus and nitrogen in hydroponic fertilizers with a waste derived nutrients solution: pH control strategies to increase substitution ratios.

Hydroponics, despite its potential for efficient crop production, relies heavily on chemical fertilizers derived from nonrenewable resources and thus contributes to environmental burdens and unsustainable use of phosphorus. Integrating hydroponics into a circular phosphorus economy is crucial for mitigating these impacts. This study quantitatively assessed the capacity of filtrates from nitrified biogas digestate (f-NBD), a nutrient solution derived from organic waste, to replace phosphorus and nitrogen in hydroponic chemical nutrient solutions.

TBK1 adaptor AZI2/NAP1 regulates NDP52-driven mitochondrial autophagy.

Damaged mitochondria are selectively eliminated in a process called mitophagy. PINK1 and Parkin amplify ubiquitin signals on damaged mitochondria, which are then recognized by autophagy adaptors to induce local autophagosome formation. NDP52 and OPTN, two essential mitophagy adaptors, facilitate de novo synthesis of pre-autophagosomal membranes near damaged mitochondria by linking ubiquitinated mitochondria and ATG8 family proteins and by recruiting core autophagy initiation components.

Establishing a method for the cryopreservation of viable peripheral blood mononuclear cells in the International Space Station.

The analysis of cells frozen within the International Space Station (ISS) will provide crucial insights into the impact of the space environment on cellular functions and properties. The objective of this study was to develop a method for cryopreserving blood cells under the specific constraints of the ISS. In a ground experiment, mouse blood was directly mixed with a cryoprotectant and gradually frozen at -80 °C.

Impact of in vivo fate of STING agonist-loaded lipid nanoparticles on antitumor immunity.

Therapeutically manipulating the stimulator of interferon genes (STING) pathway has promising potential for enhancing antitumor immunity. Agonists of this pathway (STING agonists) are being evaluated in clinical trials. Loading the STING agonists into lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) increases their safety and efficacy.

Complete sequence randomness of lactate-based copolymers (LAHBs) with varied lactate monomer fractions employing a series of propionyl-CoA transferases.

Previously, we biosynthesized an evolved version of a bio-based polylactide (PLA) on microbial platforms using our engineered lactate-polymerizing enzyme (LPE). This lactate (LA)-based copolyester, LAHB, has advantages over PLA, including improved flexibility and biodegradability, and its properties can be regulated through the LA fraction. To expand the LA-incorporation capacity and improve polymer properties, in the state of in vivo LAHB production, propionyl-CoA transferases (PCTs) that exhibited enhanced production of LA-CoA than the conventional PCTs were selected.

Azelnidipine protects HL-1 cardiomyocytes from hypoxia/reoxygenation injury by enhancement of NO production independently of effects on gene expression.

It remains to be elucidated whether Ca antagonists induce pharmacological preconditioning to protect the heart against ischemia/reperfusion injury. The aim of this study was to determine whether and how pretreatment with a Ca antagonist, azelnidipine, could protect cardiomyocytes against hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) injury in vitro. Using HL-1 cardiomyocytes, we studied effects of azelnidipine on NO synthase (NOS) expression, NO production, cell death and apoptosis during H/R.

A case of vitiligo that followed the path of a varicose vein in the lower leg.

Vitiligo is an acquired chronic depigmenting disorder of the skin and is characterized by the destruction of melanocytes. One of the clinical features of vitiligo is that damage to normal skin frequently results in the formation of depigmented macules, which is known as Köebner's phenomenon (KP). Here, we presented a case of vitiligo, in which depigmented macules followed the course of a dilated varicose vein.

Simultaneous removal of caesium and strontium using different removal mechanisms of probiotic bacteria.

When radioactive materials are released into the environment due to nuclear power plant accidents, they may enter into the body, and exposing it to internal radiation for long periods of time. Although several agents have been developed that help excrete radioactive elements from the digestive tract, only one type of radioactive element can be removed using a single agent. Therefore, we considered the simultaneous removal of caesium (Cs) and strontium (Sr) by utilising the multiple metal removal mechanisms of probiotic bacteria.

Optineurin provides a mitophagy contact site for TBK1 activation.

Tank-binding kinase 1 (TBK1) is a Ser/Thr kinase that is involved in many intracellular processes, such as innate immunity, cell cycle, and apoptosis. TBK1 is also important for phosphorylating the autophagy adaptors that mediate the selective autophagic removal of damaged mitochondria. However, the mechanism by which PINK1-Parkin-mediated mitophagy activates TBK1 remains largely unknown.

Analysis of the spatial distribution of the landslides triggered by the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake, Japan.

The Great Kanto Earthquake that occurred in the southern part of Kanto district, Japan, on September 1, 1923, was reported to have triggered numerous landslides (over 89,080 slope failures over an area of 86.32 km). This study investigated the relationship between the landslide occurrence caused by this earthquake and geomorphology, geology, soil, seismic ground motion, and coseismic deformation.

Identification of an operon and its regulator required for autoaggregation in .

is a halophilic lactic acid bacterium generally used as a starter culture in fermenting soy and fish sauces. Aggregating strains can be useful in fermenting and obtaining clear soy sauce because cell clumps are trapped by the filter cake when the soy sauce mash is pressed. However, the genetic mechanisms of aggregation in are unknown.

Effects of sleep quality on pain, cognitive factors, central sensitization, and quality of life in patients with chronic low back pain.

Background: Sleep quality in patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP) may affect quality of life (QoL), possibly due to worsening pain, central sensitization (CS), and cognitive factors. However, causal relationship among the factors has not been confirmed yet.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that sleep quality in patients with CLBP is attributable to pain, cognitive factors, and CS, and influences QoL, by structural covariance analysis.

Improving physical performance reduces dysphagia via improvement of tongue strength in patients with acute heart failure: a two-wave cross-lagged mediation model analysis.

Background: Physical performance improvement through whole-body exercise may have a positive impact on dysphagia via improvement of maximum tongue pressure (MTP).

Aims: The present study aimed to quantitatively analyze whether improvement in physical performance reduces dysphagia by improving MTP in patients with acute heart failure (AHF).

Methods: A total of 146 patients with AHF and dysphagia were included.

Nanomaterial-based biosensors for avian influenza virus: A new way forward.

Avian influenza virus (AIV) is a zoonotic virus that can be transmitted from animals to humans. Although human infections are rare, the virus has a high mortality rate when contracted. Appropriate detection methods are thus crucial for combatting this pathogen.

Large insertion in radish enhances glucoraphanin content in intergeneric hybrids, ( L. x var. ).

Glucosinolates (GSLs), precursors of isothiocyanates (ITCs), are present in plants have been found to have health benefits. Sulforaphane (4-(methylsulfinyl)butyl ITC) is an ITC stored in the form of 4-(methylsulfinyl)butyl GSL (glucoraphanin, 4MSOB) in vegetables, such as broccoli and kale. Sulforaphane activates Nrf2 expression, a transcription factor responsible for inducing physiological activities such as detoxification in the human body, and it represents a functional component unique to cruciferous vegetables.

Dysregulation of ribosome-associated quality control elicits cognitive disorders via overaccumulation of TTC3.

Ribosome-associated quality control (RQC) pathway is responsible for degradation of nascent polypeptides in aberrantly stalled ribosomes, and its defects may lead to neurological diseases. However, the underlying molecular mechanism of how RQC dysfunction elicits neurological disorders remains poorly understood. Here we revealed that neurons with knockout (KO) of ubiquitin ligase LTN1, a key gene in the RQC pathway, show developmental defects in neurons via upregulation of TTC3 and UFMylation signaling proteins.

Development of Autopolymerizing Resin Material with Antimicrobial Properties Using Montmorillonite and Nanoporous Silica.

Although autopolymerizing resin offers numerous applications in orthodontic treatment, plaque tends to accumulate between the appliance and the mucosa, which increases the number of microorganisms present. In this study, we added cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) loaded montmorillonite (Mont) and nanoporous silica (NPS) to autopolymerizing resin (resin-Mont, resin-NPS) and evaluated their drug release capacity, antimicrobial capacity, drug reuptake capacity, mechanical strength, and color tone for the devolvement of autopolymerizing resin with antimicrobial properties. As observed, resin-Mont and resin-NPS were capable of the sustained release of CPC for 14 d, and a higher amount of CPC was released compared to that of resin-CPC.

Simple and Rapid Detection of ESBL bla gene from an Urban River in Tokyo by Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification.

Extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) are produced mainly by gram-negative bacteria in Enterobacteriaceae. One of the major types of ESBLs is sulfhydryl variable (SHV) -type ESBL. Herein, we attempted to develop a simple and rapid method for the detection of the ESBL bla gene by loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) .

Changes in the higher-level functional capacities for modern daily living in community-dwelling stroke survivors: A preliminary case series.

Along with the development of modern technology, the variety of higher-level activities of daily living has steadily expanded. However, no reports have examined the capacities for the higher-level activities in stroke survivors. Moreover, the relationship between these capacities and executive functions has not been reported.