Effects of TGF-β3 on meniscus repair using human amniotic epithelial cells.

Background: Meniscus injury is one of the most common knee diseases, which is managed through conservative and surgical treatments. In recent years, biotherapy has shown great potential to treat various symptoms caused by meniscus injury repair. Human amniotic epithelial cells (hAECs), which are easy to acquire, non-tumorigenic, and high tri-lineage differentiation potential, are a promising cell source for biotherapy and tissue engineering applications.

Preparation and Properties of Epoxy Modified Acrylic Polymer.

This paper describes the synthesis of a viscosity-reducing agent using butyl acrylate (BA), ethyl methacrylate (EMA), acrylic acid (AA) and -hydroxymethylacrylamide (N-MAM) monomers through emulsion polymerization. A series of viscosity-reducing agents were developed by incorporating varying amounts of glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) monomers. The reaction mechanism of epoxy acrylate viscosity reducer was analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR).

Estimating the Prevalence of Schizophrenia in the General Population of Japan Using an Artificial Neural Network-Based Schizophrenia Classifier: Web-Based Cross-Sectional Survey.

Background: Estimating the prevalence of schizophrenia in the general population remains a challenge worldwide, as well as in Japan. Few studies have estimated schizophrenia prevalence in the Japanese population and have often relied on reports from hospitals and self-reported physician diagnoses or typical schizophrenia symptoms. These approaches are likely to underestimate the true prevalence owing to stigma, poor insight, or lack of access to health care among respondents.

Novel Integration of Spatial and Single-Cell Omics Data Sets Enables Deeper Insights into IPF Pathogenesis.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive lung disease characterized by repetitive alveolar injuries with excessive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. A crucial need in understanding IPF pathogenesis is identifying cell types associated with histopathological regions, particularly local fibrosis centers known as fibroblast foci. To address this, we integrated published spatial transcriptomics and single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) transcriptomics and adopted the Query method and the Overlap method to determine cell type enrichments in histopathological regions.

Sex-specific association of comorbid heart failure on mortality after Alzheimer's disease diagnosis in older adults aged 75 years and above: A health insurance claims data analysis in Japan.

Background: Research on the influence of heart failure on mortality after Alzheimer's disease diagnosis is limited.

Objective: To evaluate the association between comorbid heart failure and mortality following Alzheimer's disease diagnosis, particularly considering sex differences.

Methods: We analyzed administrative claims data from Japan, involving 32,363 individuals (11,064 men and 21,299 women) aged 75 or older newly diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, with 7% having comorbid heart failure.

[Analysis of hospitalization status by major classification according to ICD-10 among public assistance recipients considering sex and age].

Objectives　We evaluated the number of hospitalizations among public assistance recipients for each major classification according to the International Classification of Diseases 10th Revision (ICD-10), adjusting for sex and age differences in the general Japanese population. This study aimed to provide a comprehensive assessment of hospitalization patterns among public assistance recipients by disease category.Methods　We used indirect methods to adjust for sex and age, with public assistance recipients and the entire Japanese population as the observation and reference groups, respectively.

Rapid LC-MS/MS Evaluation of Collagen and Elastin Crosslinks in Human and Mouse Lung Tissue with a Novel Bioanalytical Surrogate Matrix Approach.

Alterations to post-translational crosslinking modifications in the extracellular matrix (ECM) are known to drive the pathogenesis of fibrotic diseases, including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Thus, the methodology for measuring crosslinking dynamics is valuable for understanding disease progression. The existing crosslinking analysis sample preparation and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) methods are typically labor-intensive and time-consuming which limits throughput.

Chronotype and leisure-time physical activity among civil servants in Japan: a cross-sectional analysis of the Aichi workers' cohort study.

Background: The association between chronotype and leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) remains unclear. We investigated the difference in regular LTPA and for a sufficient duration between those with evening-type (ET) and morning-type chronotypes (MT).

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis using the data of the Aichi Workers' Cohort Study.

Impact of diabetes on mortality and hospitalization after dementia diagnosis: Health insurance claims data analysis.

Aim: Japan faces a public health challenge of dementia, further complicated by the increasing complications from diabetes within its rapidly aging population. This study assesses the impact of diabetes on mortality and hospitalization among individuals aged ≥75 years with new dementia diagnoses.

Methods: We analyzed administrative claims data in Japan from 73 324 individuals aged ≥75 years with dementia, of whom 17% had comorbid diabetes.

Association between milk consumption in middle age and frailty in later life: The Aichi Workers' cohort study.

Aim: Several studies have shown that dairy consumption in old age is effective in preventing frailty. However, there is a lack of evidence regarding the association between milk consumption during middle age and the development of frailty in old age. Therefore, we carried out an investigation to explore the association between milk consumption during middle age and development of frailty examined after over 15 years of follow up in a long-term cohort study in Japan.

Diel variations of airborne microbes and antibiotic resistance genes in Response to urban PM chemical properties during the heating season.

Among the components of fine particulate matter (PM), the contributions of airborne microorganisms and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) to health risks have been overlooked. Airborne microbial dynamics exhibit a unique diurnal cycle due to environmental influences. However, the specific roles of PM chemical properties resulting from fossil fuel combustion in driving circadian fluctuations in microbial populations and ARGs remain unclear.

Metabolomic analysis of dietary-restriction-induced attenuation of sarcopenia in prematurely aging DNA repair-deficient mice.

Background: Sarcopenia is characterized by loss of skeletal muscle mass and function, and is a major risk factor for disability and independence in the elderly. Effective medication is not available. Dietary restriction (DR) has been found to attenuate aging and aging-related diseases, including sarcopenia, but the mechanism of both DR and sarcopenia are incompletely understood.

Efficacy of Biportal Endoscopic Decompression for Lumbar Spinal Stenosis: A Meta-Analysis With Single-Arm Analysis and Comparative Analysis With Microscopic Decompression and Uniportal Endoscopic Decompression.

Background And Objective: Biportal endoscopic decompression is a minimally invasive surgical technique for lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of biportal endoscopic decompression through both a single-arm analysis and a comparative analysis.

Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted to identify eligible studies reporting the outcomes of biportal endoscopic decompression for LSS.

Exploring Extracellular Matrix Crosslinking as a Therapeutic Approach to Fibrosis.

The extracellular matrix (ECM) provides structural support for tissues and regulatory signals for resident cells. ECM requires a careful balance between protein accumulation and degradation for homeostasis. Disruption of this balance can lead to pathological processes such as fibrosis in organs across the body.

IL11-mediated stromal cell activation may not be the master regulator of pro-fibrotic signaling downstream of TGFβ.

Fibrotic diseases, such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and systemic scleroderma (SSc), are commonly associated with high morbidity and mortality, thereby representing a significant unmet medical need. Interleukin 11 (IL11)-mediated cell activation has been identified as a central mechanism for promoting fibrosis downstream of TGFβ. IL11 signaling has recently been reported to promote fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transition, thus leading to various pro-fibrotic phenotypic changes.

Effects of hypoxic compound exercise to promote HIF-1α expression on cardiac pumping function, sleep activity behavior, and exercise capacity in Drosophila.

Alteration of HIF-1α expression levels under hypoxic conditions affects the sequence of its downstream target genes thereby producing different effects. In order to investigate whether the effect of hypoxic compound exercise (HE) on HIF-1α expression alters cardiac pumping function, myocardial structure, and exercise capacity, we developed a suitable model of hypoxic exercise using Drosophila, a model organism, and additionally investigated the effect of hypoxic compound exercise on nocturnal sleep and activity behavior. The results showed that hypoxic compound exercise at 6% oxygen concentration for five consecutive days, lasting 1 h per day, significantly improved the cardiac stress resistance of Drosophila.

Prevalence, severity, and risk factors of cancer-related fatigue among working cancer survivors: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to evaluate the prevalence, severity, and risk factors of cancer-related fatigue among currently working cancer survivors.

Methods: We searched the PubMed, Embase, Scopus, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, and ICHUSHI databases. The risk of bias was evaluated independently using the Risk of Bias Assessment Tool for Non-randomized Studies (RoBANS).

Can feature structure improve model's precision? A novel prediction method using artificial image and image identification.

Objectives: This study aimed to develop an approach to enhance the model precision by artificial images.

Materials And Methods: Given an epidemiological study designed to predict response using features with samples, each feature was converted into a pixel with certain value. Permutated these pixels into orders, resulting in distinct artificial image sample sets.

Association of psychological factors with advanced-level functional competency: Findings from the Aichi workers' cohort study, 2002-2019.

Objective: This study examined the longitudinal association of perceived stress, and having someone one can count on in middle age with the advanced-level functional competency in older age, which is crucial for the maintenance of independent life among older adults. The issue is especially relevant in super-aged countries like contemporary Japan, where more and more older people live in a household consisting only of older people.

Methods: Data were collected in 2019 from a total of 1692 retirees of the Aichi Workers' Cohort Study participants in which baseline survey including psychological factors was conducted during their employment in 2002.

Modulated synthesis of cesium phosphomolybdate encapsulated in hierarchical porous UiO-66 for catalysing alkene epoxidation.

The hybrid composite of cesium phosphomolybdate (CsPM) encapsulated in hierarchical porous UiO-66 (HP-UiO-66) was synthesized using a modulated solvothermal method. A variety of characterization results demonstrated that the pore size distribution of CsPM@HP-UiO-66 is broader than traditional microporous CsPM@UiO-66 and cesium phosphomolybdate clusters are uniformly distributed in the octahedral cages of HP-UiO-66. The catalytic properties of the hybrid composite were investigated in alkene epoxidation reaction with -butyl hydroperoxide (-BuOOH) as an oxidant.

Classifying Schizophrenia Cases by Artificial Neural Network Using Japanese Web-Based Survey Data: Case-Control Study.

Background: In Japan, challenges were reported in accurately estimating the prevalence of schizophrenia among the general population. Retrieving previous studies, we investigated that patients with schizophrenia were more likely to experience poor subjective well-being and various physical, psychiatric, and social comorbidities. These factors might have great potential for precisely classifying schizophrenia cases in order to estimate the prevalence.

Experiment and Computational Study on Pd-Catalyzed Methoxyiminoacyl-Directed γ-Alkoxylation of Alkylamides.

The direct alkoxylation of amides has been accomplished via methoxyiminoacyl (MIA)-mediated Pd-catalyzed C-H functionalization. A diverse array of alkylamide substrates is amenable to this protocol, providing γ-C(sp)-alkoxylation of alkylamide derivatives with good to high efficiency. Two aspects of the research were completed to explore the reaction mechanism.