Autonomous ribosome biogenesis in vitro.

Ribosome biogenesis is pivotal in the self-replication of life. In Escherichia coli, three ribosomal RNAs and 54 ribosomal proteins are synthesized and subjected to cooperative hierarchical assembly facilitated by numerous accessory factors. Realizing ribosome biogenesis in vitro is a critical milestone for understanding the self-replication of life and creating artificial cells.

Simultaneous radio/pump/power-over-multi-core fiber transmission for optically powered radio units eliminating electrical power amplifiers.

We demonstrate simultaneous radio-/pump-/power-over-fiber transmission using a single multi-core fiber for downlink radio-over-fiber transmission. This scheme not only introduces a remotely pumped optical amplifier to eliminate electrical power amplifiers (PAs) in radio units (RUs) but also drives a high-power photodiode, which is the main component of the RU by power-over-fiber. Using this scheme, we achieved a 20-dB improvement in the RF output signal power using a remotely pumped optical amplifier without electrical PAs in the optically powered RU.

Long-term outcomes of intravenous corticosteroid pulse therapy for rapidly progressive alopecia areata: A single-center retrospective analysis of 106 cases and usefulness evaluation of a scoring system originally designed for half-year efficacy prediction for extended periods.

Intravenous corticosteroid pulse therapy (IVPT) has been preferentially conducted for rapidly progressive alopecia areata (RP-AA); however, the evaluation of long-term outcomes has been insufficient. In this study, 106 IVPT-treated RP-AA patients (36 males and 70 females) who were followed up for more than 1 year and up to 6.8 years were retrospectively analyzed.

Evaluating the Accuracy of Chest CT in Detecting COVID-19 Through Tracheobronchial Wall Thickness: Insights From Emergency Department Patients in Mid-2023.

Background The post-pandemic phase of the coronavirus infectious disease that emerged in 2019 (COVID-19) has necessitated updates in radiology, with emerging evidence suggesting tracheobronchial wall thickness as a potential new diagnostic marker. Purpose To evaluate the accuracy of chest computed tomography (CT) scans in identifying COVID-19 by assessing tracheobronchial wall thickness in mid-2023. Material and methods A retrospective review was conducted on 60 patients who underwent thoracoabdominal CT and the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) antigen tests during emergency visits between June and August 2023.

Sensitivity-improved blocking agent-free fluorescence polarization assay through surface modification using polyethylene glycol.

Fluorescence polarization (FP) assays are widely used to quantify biomolecules, and their combination with microfluidic devices has the potential for application in onsite analysis. However, the hydrophobic surface of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-based microfluidic devices and the amphiphilicity of the blocking agents can cause the nonspecific adsorption of biomolecules, which in turn reduces the sensitivity of the FP assay. To address this, we demonstrated an FP assay with improved sensitivity in microfluidic devices using a polyethylene glycol-based surface modification to avoid the use of blocking agents.

Regulatory mechanism of cold-inducible diapause in Caenorhabditis elegans.

Temperature is a critical environmental cue that controls the development and lifespan of many animal species; however, mechanisms underlying low-temperature adaptation are poorly understood. Here, we describe cold-inducible diapause (CID), another type of diapause induced by low temperatures in Caenorhabditis elegans. A premature stop codon in heat shock factor 1 (hsf-1) triggers entry into CID at 9 °C, whereas wild-type animals enter CID at 4 °C.

Photo-switching operation of MoSfield effect transistor by photoisomerization of azobenzene in solution delivered on a microfluidic platform.

Combining the photoisomerization of molecules with an electrical device is important for developing optoelectronic devices. Field effect transistors (FETs) with atomically thin channels are suitable for this purpose because the FET properties respond to chemical changes in molecules. Since the photoisomerization wavelength of the switching molecules can be tuned, complex logic operations can be realized if a specific molecule is delivered to the target FET of an integrated circuit.

Kinetic description of water transport during spontaneous emulsification induced by Span 80.

Spontaneous emulsification is a phenomenon that forms nanometer-sized droplets (nanodroplets) without the application of any external force, and the mechanism has been actively studied for application to various technologies. In this study, we analyzed the kinetics of spontaneous emulsification induced by Span 80. The measurement of water concentration in Span 80 hexadecane solution indicated that the chemical potential of water in the nanodroplets decreased as the amount of water in the nanodroplets decreased.

Successful Multidisciplinary Treatment with Laparoscopic Hepatectomy and Adjuvant Therapy for Metachronous Solitary Hepatic Metastasis after Excision of a Primary Anorectal Malignant Melanoma: A Case Report.

Anorectal malignant melanoma (ARMM) is extremely rare and generally lethal, irrespective of the treatment administered. The disease is often diagnosed late, metastases being present in approximately two-thirds of patients at the time of initial diagnosis. Solitary metastasis of ARMM to a distant organ is exceedingly rare.

Holter Electrocardiographic Approach to Predicting Outcomes of Pediatric Patients With Long QT Syndrome.

Background: This study was performed to clarify the clinical findings of pediatric patients diagnosed with long QT syndrome (LQTS) through electrocardiographic screening programs and to predict their outcome using Holter electrocardiographic approaches.

Methods and results: This retrospective study included pediatric patients with a Schwartz score of ≥3.5 who visited the National Hospital Organization Kagoshima Medical Center between April 2005 and March 2019.

An antioxidant screen identifies ascorbic acid for prevention of light-induced mitotic prolongation in live cell imaging.

Phototoxicity is an important issue in fluorescence live imaging of light-sensitive cellular processes such as mitosis. Among several approaches to reduce phototoxicity, the addition of antioxidants to the media has been used as a simple method. Here, we analyzed the impact of phototoxicity on the mitotic progression in fluorescence live imaging of human cells and performed a screen to identify the most efficient antioxidative agents that reduce it.

Invention of automated numerical algorithm adopting binarization for the evaluation of scalp hair coverage: An image analysis providing a substitute for phototrichogram and global photography assessment for hair diseases.

Background: The efficacy of therapeutic modalities for hair disease can be evaluated globally by photo assessment and more precisely by phototrichogram (PTG). However, the latter procedure is laborious, time consuming, subject to inter-observer variation, and requires hair clipping.

Objective: To establish an automated and patient/investigator friendly methodology enabling quantitative hair amount evaluation for daily clinical practice.

Efficacy of autologous dermal sheath cup cell transplantation in male and female pattern hair loss: A Single-Arm, Multi-Center, phase III equivalent clinical study.

A previous, proof-of-concept clinical study suggested that dermal sheath cup cell injections into the affected areas of male/female pattern hair loss (PHL) may have some amelioratory effects, the clinical efficacy of which needs further examination. A phase III equivalent clinical study was conducted to further probe the therapeutic potential of this novel approach and verify its safety and efficacy in improving the appearance of PHL. Thirty-six participants with PHL were injected with dermal sheath cup cell harvested from non-affected occipital hair follicles twice in quarterly intervals.

Rapid determination of domoic acid in seafood by fluorescence polarization immunoassay using a portable analyzer.

Monitoring phycotoxin accumulation in marine products such as edible shellfish is a regulatory requirement in many countries. Therefore, a simple and rapid onsite quantification method is sought. Herein, we present a fluorescence polarization immunoassay (FPIA), a well-known one-step immunoassay, using a portable fluorescence polarization analyzer for domoic acid (DA), widely referred to as the primary toxin of amnesic shellfish poisoning (ASP).