Comparison of Product Features and Clinical Trial Designs for the DTx Products with the Indication of Insomnia Authorized by Regulatory Authorities.

Background: Digital therapeutics (DTx) have attracted attention as the substitutes or add-ons to conventional pharmacotherapy and the number of DTx products authorized with the regulatory reviews of the clinical evidence is increasing. Insomnia is one of the major targets of the DTx due to the benefit from cognitive behavioral interventions and several products have been launched in the market with regulatory reviews. However, common features of the products and the clinical evidence required by each regulatory agency have not been investigated.

Local vaginal bioelectrical impedance can predict preterm delivery in mice.

Preterm birth is a serious pregnancy complication that affects neonatal mortality, morbidity, and long-term neurological prognosis. Predicting spontaneous preterm delivery (PTD) is important for its management. While excluding the risk of PTD is important, identifying women at high risk of PTD is imperative for medical intervention.

Development of marine biodiversity database (BISMaL) to enable estimations past habitat conditions for marine life in the northwestern Pacific.

Global activities involving the collection of marine biodiversity information have provided a large amount of biological observation records that cover various spatiotemporal areas. To predict biological responses or distribution changes in response to environmental changes by using these observation records, it is essential to analyze not only the current marine physicochemical environmental conditions but also the past conditions when the organisms were observed. We developed a new function to estimate the past marine environmental conditions for the observation records in our marine biodiversity database (Biological Information System for Marine Life: BISMaL) and examine whether the database can reliably estimate thermal habitats for both benthic and planktonic marine organisms.

Metagenomic analysis of the microbial communities and associated network of nitrogen metabolism genes in the Ryukyu limestone aquifer.

While microbial biogeochemical activities such as those involving denitrification and sulfate reduction have been considered to play important roles in material cycling in various aquatic ecosystems, our current understanding of the microbial community in groundwater ecosystems is remarkably insufficient. To assess the groundwater in the Ryukyu limestone aquifer of Okinawa Island, which is located in the southernmost region of Japan, we performed metagenomic analysis on the microbial communities at the three sites and screened for functional genes associated with nitrogen metabolism. 16S rRNA amplicon analysis showed that bacteria accounted for 94-98% of the microbial communities, which included archaea at all three sites.

Mechanism of denitrification in subsurface-dammed Ryukyu limestone aquifer, southern Okinawa Island, Japan.

Denitrification crucially regulates the attenuation of groundwater nitrate and is unlikely to occur in a fast-flowing aquifer such as the Ryukyu limestone aquifer in southern Okinawa Island, Japan. However, evidences of denitrification have been observed in several wells within this region. This study analyzed environmental isotopes (δN and ẟO) to derive the rationale for denitrification at this site.

Desynchronization between Food Intake and Light Stimulations Induces Uterine Clock Quiescence in Female Mice.

Background: Dysmenorrhea is associated with breakfast skipping in young women, suggesting that fasting in the early active phase disrupts uterine functions.

Objectives: To investigate the possible involvement of the uterine clock system in fasting-induced uterine dysfunction, we examined core clock gene expressions in the uterus using a 28-h interval-fed mouse model.

Methods: Young female mice (8 wk of age) were divided into 3 groups: group I (ad libitum feeding), group II (time-restricted feeding, initial 4 h of the active period every day), and group III (time-restricted feeding for 8 h with a 28-h cycle).

Effect of PACAP on Heat Exposure.

Heat stroke is a life-threatening illness caused by exposure to high ambient temperatures and relative humidity. The incidence of heat stroke is expected to increase due to climate change. Although pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) has been implicated in thermoregulation, the role of PACAP on heat stress remains unclear.

Two oxytocin analogs, N-(p-fluorobenzyl) glycine and N-(3-hydroxypropyl) glycine, induce uterine contractions ex vivo in ways that differ from that of oxytocin.

Contraction of the uterus is critical for parturient processes. Insufficient uterine tone, resulting in atony, can potentiate postpartum hemorrhage; thus, it is a major risk factor and is the main cause of maternity-related deaths worldwide. Oxytocin (OT) is recommended for use in combination with other uterotonics for cases of refractory uterine atony.

The Circadian Clock, Nutritional Signals and Reproduction: A Close Relationship.

The circadian rhythm, which is necessary for reproduction, is controlled by clock genes. In the mouse uterus, the oscillation of the circadian clock gene has been observed. The transcription of the core clock gene period () and cryptochrome () is activated by the heterodimer of the transcription factor circadian locomotor output cycles kaput () and brain and muscle Arnt-like protein-1 ().

SWOT analysis of noninvasive tests for diagnosing NAFLD with severe fibrosis: an expert review by the JANIT Forum.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease. Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is an advanced form of NAFLD can progress to liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Recently, the prognosis of NAFLD/NASH has been reported to be dependent on liver fibrosis degree.

A meta-synthesis of phenomenological studies on experiences related to diabetes in Sweden focusing on learning to live with diabetes.

Aim: We aimed to survey the findings of phenomenological studies built up in the field of diabetes care in Sweden.

Design: This is a meta-synthesis of phenomenological studies on experiences related to diabetes in Sweden focusing on learning to live with diabetes.

Method: We proceeded by reference to the seven phases of Noblit & Hare.

Cinnamon extract improves abnormalities in glucose tolerance by decreasing Acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family 1 expression in adipocytes.

We previously demonstrated that cinnamon extract (CE) alleviates streptozotocin-induced type 1 diabetes in rats. The present study aimed to elucidate the detailed molecular target of cinnamon in cultured adipocytes and epididymal adipose tissue of type 2 diabetes model mice. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis was employed to determine the molecular target of cinnamon in adipocytes.

Self-organizing map improves understanding on the hydrochemical processes in aquifer systems.

The holistic understanding of hydrochemical features is a crucial task for management and protection of water resources. However, it is challenging for a complex region, where multiple factors can cause hydrochemical changes in studied catchment. We collected 208 groundwater samples from such region in Kumamoto, southern Japan to explicitly characterize these processes by applying machine learning technique.

Monsoon climate controls metal loading in global hotspot region of transboundary air pollution.

Eastern Asia is a major source of global air pollution. The distribution and intensity of these emissions are becoming well characterized, but their impact on the earth surface considering regional hydroclimatological settings has yet to be quantified. Here we show high-resolution spatiotemporal trace metal distributions of precipitation samples collected throughout the Japanese archipelago in 2013, when the world's coal consumption was the greatest, to depict the mass transportation and deposition of pollution.

Dibenzophenazine-Based TADF Emitters as Dual Electrochromic and Electroluminescence Materials.

Previous work has reported the synthesis of donor-acceptor-donor molecules based on dibenzophenazine acceptor group, presenting thermally activated delayed fluorescent (TADF) properties and their application in the assembly of highly efficient electroluminescent devices. Herein, we focus on the characterisation of charge carrier species through UV-Vis-NIR spectroelectrochemical and potentiostatic EPR techniques, in addition to the investigation of electropolymerisation properties of some compounds depicted in this study. The promising electrochromic features of both small molecules and conjugated polymers led to the assembly and investigation of electrochromic devices, evidencing the materials' versatility, applied in such different approaches as electrochromic windows and electroluminescent devices.

Dual-photofunctional organogermanium compound based on donor-acceptor-donor architecture.

A dual-photofunctional organogermanium compound based on a donor-acceptor-donor architecture that exhibits thermally activated delayed fluorescence and mechano-responsive luminochromism has been developed. The developed compound was successfully applied as an emitter for efficient organic light-emitting diodes.

The garlic-derived organosulfur compound diallyl trisulphide suppresses tissue factor function.

Tissue factor (TF) is a critical initiator of extrinsic coagulation that sometimes causes thromboembolism. Diallyl trisulphide (DATS) is a secondary metabolite of allicin generated in crushed garlic, with various pharmacological effects. This study aimed to clarify the effect of DATS on the extrinsic coagulation elicited by TF and arteriosclerosis.

Museum-archived and recent acquisition nitrates from the Atacama Desert, Chile, South America: refinement of the dual isotopic compositions (N O).

Sodium nitrate ores from the Atacama Desert in South America were economically important as they represented huge natural resources for the fertilizer and explosives industries during the early nineteenth to early twentieth centuries. Nitrogen and oxygen isotope ratios (N and O) of these desert nitrates generally show unique compositions (from close to 0 and up to ca. +50 ‰, respectively).

Activation of NLRP3 Inflammasome Complexes by Beta-Tricalcium Phosphate Particles and Stimulation of Immune Cell Migration in vivo.

Beta-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) serves as a bone substitute in clinical practice because it is resorbable, biocompatible, osteointegrative, and osteoconductive. Particles of β-TCP are also inflammatory mediators although the mechanism of this function has not been fully elucidated. Regardless, the ability of β-TCP to stimulate the immune system might be useful for immunomodulation.

Diallyl Trisulfide Prevents Obesity and Decreases miRNA-335 Expression in Adipose Tissue in a Diet-Induced Obesity Rat Model.

Scope: Diallyl trisulfide (DATS), an organosulfur compound generates in crushed garlic, has various beneficial health effects. A growing body of evidence indicates that miRNAs are involved in the pathology of lifestyle diseases including obesity. The anti-obesogenic effect of garlic is previously reported; however, the effects of DATS on obesity, and the relationship between garlic compounds and the involvement of miRNA remains unclear.

Time-Restricted Feeding Regulates Circadian Rhythm of Murine Uterine Clock.

Background: Skipping breakfast is associated with dysmenorrhea in young women. This suggests that the delay of food intake in the active phase impairs uterine functions by interfering with circadian rhythms.

Objectives: To examine the relation between the delay of feeding and uterine circadian rhythms, we investigated the effects of the first meal occasion in the active phase on the uterine clock.

Macrophage potentiates the recovery of liver zonation and metabolic function after acute liver injury.

The liver is an exclusive organ with tremendous regenerative capacity. Liver metabolic functions exhibit spatial heterogeneity, reflecting liver zonation. The mechanisms controlling the proliferation of hepatocytes and the accompanying matrix reconstruction during regeneration have been well explored, but the recovery potential of differentiated metabolic functions and zonation after liver injury remains unclear.