Publications by authors named "Kono H"

The emerging field of quantum life science combines principles from quantum physics and biology to study fundamental life processes at the molecular level. Quantum mechanics, which describes the properties of small particles, can help explain how quantum phenomena such as tunnelling, superposition, and entanglement may play a role in biological systems. However, capturing these effects in living systems is a formidable challenge, as it involves dealing with dissipation and decoherence caused by the surrounding environment.

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The complex signal identification function of CARTO version 8 enables quantitative evaluation of local potential fractionation. We present a case where this advanced technology successfully identified non-pulmonary vein foci associated with fractionated potentials during sinus rhythm.

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Nano-fibrillated bacterial cellulose (NFBC) has very long fibers (>17 μm) with diameters of approximately 20 nm. Hence, they have a very high aspect ratio and surface area. The high specific surface area of NFBC can potentially be utilized as an adsorbent.

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Sequence-dependent mechanical properties of DNA could play essential roles in nuclear processes by affecting histone-DNA interactions. Previously, we found that the DNA entry site of the first nucleosomes from the transcription start site (+ 1 nucleosome) in budding yeast enriches AA/TT steps, but not the exit site, and the biased presence of AA/TT in the entry site was associated with the transcription levels of yeast genes. Because AA/TT is a rigid dinucleotide step, we considered that AA/TT causes DNA unwrapping.

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Background: The clinical outcomes of a novel antitachycardia pacing (ATP) algorithm-intrinsic ATP (iATP)-compared to conventional ATP (cATP) have yet to be fully elucidated.

Methods: This retrospective study analyzed 128 patients and 1962 ventricular tachycardia (VT) episodes treated with the iATP or the cATP at Kokura Memorial Hospital. Patients were categorized into two groups: the iATP group (23 patients, 182 episodes) and the cATP group (105 patients, 1780 episodes).

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We present a general theory of quantum chemistry-based atomic momentum spectroscopy (QC-AMS) for predicting electron-atom Compton profiles due to the intramolecular motion of each atom in diatomic, triatomic and polyatomic molecules. The atomic motion is assumed to be decomposable into normal-mode molecular vibrations and molecular rotations, and the latter are treated classically. An accuracy assessment of the general theory is performed through comparisons with the AMS Compton profiles of HD and NO, predicted by the full quantum chemistry-based AMS theory that is precise but can work only for diatomic molecules.

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OaPAC is a photoactivated enzyme that forms a homodimer. The two blue-light using flavin (BLUF) photoreceptor domains are connected to the catalytic domains with long coiled-coil C-terminal helices. Upon photoreception, reorganization of the hydrogen bonding network between Tyr6, Gln48, and the chromophore in the BLUF domain and keto-enol tautomerization of Gln48 are thought to occur.

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Metabolic reprogramming from oxidative respiration to glycolysis is generally considered to be advantageous for tumor initiation and progression. However, we found that breast cancer cells forced to perform glycolysis acquired a vulnerability to PARP inhibitors. Small-molecule inhibition of mitochondrial respiration-using glyceollin I, metformin, or phenformin-induced overproduction of the oncometabolite lactate, which acidified the extracellular milieu and repressed the expression of homologous recombination (HR)-associated DNA repair genes.

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  • This study analyzed 389 patients aged 65 and older with cervical spinal cord injury (CSCI) but no bone injury to assess the effects of diabetes on neurological recovery.
  • The research found that there were no significant differences in neurological outcomes between diabetic patients and those without diabetes at 6 months post-injury.
  • Additionally, moderate-severe diabetes did not adversely impact recovery, suggesting that diabetic patients had similar improvements in neurological function as their nondiabetic counterparts.
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  • A new class of ferrocene macrocycles with a radially conjugated system was introduced, characterized by their unique stereo configurations determined through X-ray diffraction.
  • The ferrocene rings exhibit a specific herringbone stacking pattern in the solid state due to host-guest interactions.
  • Investigations using UV-visible spectroscopy, electrochemical measurements, and theoretical calculations revealed important electronic properties, and the macrocycle shows potential for nonlinear optical applications, indicating promise in various chemistry fields.
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Herein, we report multicomponent self-assembly and self-sorting of polymer micelles in water using mixtures of an anionic random copolymer bearing sodium sulfonate and dodecyl groups and random copolymers carrying poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and alkyl groups. In pure water, the anionic copolymer is co-self-assembled with the PEG copolymers to form anion/PEG-fused micelles with a controlled aggregation number. By designing the composition or alkyl groups of PEG copolymers, the fused micelle is reversibly self-sorted into discrete anion or PEG micelles in the presence of NaCl.

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Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) is a water-soluble cellulose derivative that is nontoxic, biocompatible, biodegradable, and nonallergenic. As developing an adsorbent material for carbohydrate-binding proteins is challenging, we aimed to synthesize CMC nanohydrogel particles (CMCGPs) with an extremely high lectin adsorption tendency in this study. CMCGPs were used as the backbone of an adsorption carrier that was synthesized by cross-linking CMC with ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether.

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  • A water-soluble aromatic nanobelt was created through a straightforward reaction that modified a parent compound, resulting in an alkyne-functionalized version.
  • This modified nanobelt underwent a specific chemical reaction to attach a dye, making it suitable for cellular studies.
  • Experiments with HeLa cells showed unique uptake patterns of the nanobelt, which were influenced by its belt-like shape, as confirmed by control experiments and theoretical analysis.
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Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID19) can cause gastrointestinal complications as well as respiratory tract disease. Coagulation abnormalities and thrombosis frequently occur in COVID19, especially in cases with severe clinical outcome. The relationship between gastrointestinal perforation and coagulopathy due to COVID19 remains unclear.

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  • Giant congenital melanocytic nevus (GCMN) is a noncancerous skin condition that raises concerns about appearance and potential malignancy, necessitating effective treatment options.
  • This report details three cases where GCMN was treated using full-thickness excision paired with cultured epidermal autograft (CEA) and split-thickness skin graft (STSG), achieving nearly complete healing without nevus recurrence.
  • The method showed better results in skin elasticity and minimizing scarring compared to traditional techniques, despite some instances of hypertrophic scars and keloids in certain patients.
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The "bystander effect," in which the presence of others inhibits rescue actions, has not been specifically examined in the context of cardiac arrest; understanding this effect in relation to rescue with automated external defibrillators (AEDs) is important. This study aims to identify the presence of others as a factor inhibiting rescue actions using an AED, from a social psychology perspective. We collected data through a web-based questionnaire involving registered residents in all 47 prefectures of Japan.

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Introduction: We encountered a case of urinary retention caused by a urethral caruncle.

Case Presentation: An 86-year-old woman presented to our hospital with urinary retention. When the urinary bladder catheter was placed, a smooth, well-defined mass 20 mm in diameter was detected on the posterior wall of the external urethral meatus.

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Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common primary bone tumor in children and adolescents. Prognosis is improving with advances in multidisciplinary treatment strategies, but the development of new anticancer agents has not, and improvement in prognosis for patients with pulmonary metastases has stalled. In recent years, the tumor microenvironment (TME) has gained attention as a therapeutic target for cancer.

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  • Dislocations of the fourth and fifth carpometacarpal joints (CMCJs) are rare and often misdiagnosed, leading to delayed treatment strategies.
  • A 29-year-old male experienced chronic CMCJ dislocations after initially being misdiagnosed with a contusion, requiring advanced imaging for accurate diagnosis.
  • Successful treatment involved open reduction and ligament repair with mini anchors, resulting in full recovery of function and only mild discomfort after eight months.
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  • Zirconia ceramics are valued in dentistry for their biocompatibility, strength, and aesthetic similarity to natural teeth, but there's a rising need for incorporating antibacterial properties into dental restorations.
  • The study investigated how well two antibacterial agents, cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) and benzalkonium chloride (BKC), attach to zirconia surfaces with different crystal structures—tetragonal and monoclinic.
  • Results showed that monoclinic zirconia adsorbed significantly more CPC and BKC than tetragonal zirconia, and in tetragonal zirconia, increased YO content enhanced the adsorption due to complex formation between rare earth elements and the quaternary amines.
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The comprehensive understanding of the orientation of antibodies on a solid surface is crucial for affinity-based sensing mechanisms. In this study, we demonstrated that the orientation of primary antibodies modified on carboxy-functionalized polystyrene (PS) particles can be analyzed using zeta potential behavior at different pH based on the combined Gouy-Chapman-Stern model and the acid dissociation of carboxy groups and antibodies. We observed that at low surface concentrations of the primary antibody, a side-on orientation was predominant.

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  • Zirconia is favored for dental crowns and bridges due to its strength and biocompatibility, but it can lead to secondary caries because of margin leakage.
  • This study investigates adding silver, known for its antibacterial properties, to zirconia to prevent such caries.
  • Silver-doped zirconia was created using the sol-gel method, with effective antibacterial properties found in samples with at least a 0.5% silver content after firing at lower temperatures.*
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We investigated the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage induced by laser filamentation, which was generated by focusing femtosecond near-infrared Ti:Sapphire laser light in water at several repetition rates ranging from 1000 Hz to 10 Hz. Using plasmid DNA (pUC19), the single-strand break, double-strand break, nucleobase lesions, and the fragmented DNA were analyzed and quantified by agarose gel electrophoresis. Additionally, the HO concentration after irradiation was determined.

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Background: We present a case involving a pregnant woman who needed transurethral lithotripsy for ureteral stent removal because of the stent encrustation.

Clinical Case: A 34-year-old woman was diagnosed with calculous pyelonephritis, and a double-loop ureteral stent was placed in her right ureter, after which the pyelonephritis resolved. One week after her delivery, we attempted to remove the ureteral stent; however, the encrustation of the proximal and distal coils made it impossible.

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Experimental light-curing pattern resins were fabricated to produce pattern resin materials with adequate dimensional stability. The light-curing pattern resins consisted of poly(n-butyl methacrylate) or poly(iso-butyl methacrylate) (PiBMA) polymers and methacrylate monomers. The physical properties, amount of residual ash after burning, Vickers hardness, flexural strength, and volumetric polymerization shrinkage of each material were determined.

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