Development and validation of an algorithm for identifying patients undergoing dialysis from patients with advanced chronic kidney disease.

Background: Identifying patients on dialysis among those with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 15 mL/min/1.73 m remains challenging. To facilitate clinical research in advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) using electronic health records, we aimed to develop algorithms to identify dialysis patients using laboratory data obtained in routine practice.

Fungal symbiont transmitted by free-living mice promotes type 2 immunity.

The gut mycobiota is crucial for intestinal homeostasis and immune function. Yet its variability and inconsistent fungal colonization of laboratory mice hinders the study of the evolutionary and immune processes that underpin commensalism. Here, we show that Kazachstania pintolopesii is a fungal commensal in wild urban and rural mice, with an exceptional ability to colonize the mouse gastrointestinal tract and dominate the gut mycobiome.

Comparative single-cell transcriptomic analysis reveals putative differentiation drivers and potential origin of vertebrate retina.

Despite known single-cell expression profiles in vertebrate retinas, understanding of their developmental and evolutionary expression patterns among homologous cell classes remains limited. We examined and compared approximately 240 000 retinal cells from four species and found significant similarities among homologous cell classes, indicating inherent regulatory patterns. To understand these shared patterns, we constructed gene regulatory networks for each developmental stage for three of these species.

Neural crest lineage in the protovertebrate model Ciona.

Neural crest cells are multipotent progenitors that produce defining features of vertebrates such as the 'new head'. Here we use the tunicate, Ciona, to explore the evolutionary origins of neural crest since this invertebrate chordate is among the closest living relatives of vertebrates. Previous studies identified two potential neural crest cell types in Ciona, sensory pigment cells and bipolar tail neurons.

Synthesis of (-)-Monanchoradin A and (-)-Crambescin A2 392 Based on a Cyclization-Carbonylation-Cyclization Cascade.

Syntheses of guanidino alkaloids (-)-monanchoradin A and (-)-crambescin A2 392 are described. The key feature of the syntheses is the cyclization-carbonylation-cyclization cascade of the optically active propargyl guanidine. The bicyclic guanidino cores bearing an asymmetric center and ester or carboxylic acid functionality were constructed in a single step.

Functional diversification process of opsin genes for teleost visual and pineal photoreceptions.

Most vertebrates have a rhodopsin gene with a five-exon structure for visual photoreception. By contrast, teleost fishes have an intron-less rhodopsin gene for visual photoreception and an intron-containing rhodopsin (exo-rhodopsin) gene for pineal photoreception. Here, our analysis of non-teleost and teleost fishes in various lineages of the Actinopterygii reveals that retroduplication after branching of the Polypteriformes produced the intron-less rhodopsin gene for visual photoreception, which converted the parental intron-containing rhodopsin gene into a pineal opsin in the common ancestor of the Teleostei.

Link Between Ferritin, Vitamin D, Performance, and Eating Attitudes in Female Athletes.

Iron and vitamin D deficiencies can affect athletes' health and performance. However, the epidemiology and associated risk factors remain unclear. Forty-three elite female athletics athletes (20.

A case of adrenal cavernous hemangioma resected due to tumor growth accompanied by intratumoral hemorrhage.

Introduction: We describe a case of an adrenal cavernous hemangioma that was surgically resected because of tumor growth and intratumoral hemorrhage.

Case Presentation: A 73-year-old woman presented with an enlarged adrenal tumor and intratumoral hemorrhage during the follow-up of an incidental adrenal tumor. A computed tomography showed that the left adrenal tumor had grown from 23 to 44 mm over 1 year.

Current Application of the Medical Device Single Audit Program (MDSAP) as a Global Regulatory Reliance Framework for the Inspection of Medical Devices.

The globalization and rapid advancements in medical technologies necessitate the harmonization of international regulatory frameworks to ensure the efficient and timely clinical application of medical products, including pharmaceuticals and medical devices. Regulatory reliance, a critical component of this harmonization process, is a powerful tool that provides efficient access for economic entities and regulatory authorities, promoting predictable decision-making and accelerating approvals. The Medical Device Single Audit Program (MDSAP) serves as a regulatory reliance framework for medical device inspections.

Analysis of B-cell receptor repertoire to evaluate immunogenicity of monovalent Omicron XBB.1.5 mRNA vaccines.

Monovalent Omicron XBB.1.5 mRNA vaccines were newly developed and approved by the FDA in Autumn 2023 for preventing COVID-19.

Assessing the complexation of dissolved organic matter with heavy metals (Cu, Pb) in leachate from an old Japanese landfill site using fluorescence quenching.

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) in landfill leachate impacts the toxicity, bioavailability, and migration of heavy metals. The present study investigated the complexation of heavy metals (Cu and Pb) with DOM from two landfill leachate samples, representing an old landfill site containing incineration residues and incombustible waste. The logarithms of the stability constant (log K) and percentage of complexed fluorophores were calculated using both the Ryan-Weber non-linear model and the modified Stern-Volmer model, yielding good agreement.

Exploring relationships among landfill leachate parameters through multivariate analysis for monitoring purposes.

Elucidating the properties of landfill leachate and the relationships among leachate parameters is crucial for efforts to determine appropriate landfill leachate monitoring activity and management strategies. This study investigated the physical, chemical and optical parameters of leachate in an old Japanese landfill over a 13-month period. The parameters were explored based on their relationships with the maximum fluorescence () of three components (microbial humic-like C1, terrestrial humic-like C2 and protein-like C3) deconvoluted from excitation-emission matrix fluorescence spectroscopy coupled with parallel factor analysis.

Characterization and spatiotemporal variations of fluorescent dissolved organic matter in leachate from old landfill-derived incineration residues and incombustible waste.

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) influences the bioavailability and behavior of trace metals and other pollutants in landfill leachate. This research characterized fluorescent dissolved organic matter (FDOM) in leachate from an old landfill in Japan during a 13-month investigation. We employed excitation-emission matrix (EEM) fluorescence spectroscopy with parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC) to deconvolute the FDOM complex mixture into three fluorophores: microbial humic-like (C1), terrestrial humic-like (C2), and tryptophan-like fluorophores (C3).

Characterization of -spliced chimeric RNAs: insights into the mechanism of -splicing.

-splicing is a post-transcriptional processing event that joins exons from separate RNAs to produce a chimeric RNA. However, the detailed mechanism of -splicing remains poorly understood. Here, we characterize -spliced genes and provide insights into the mechanism of -splicing in the tunicate .

Inhibitory mechanisms of docosahexaenoic acid on carbachol-, angiotensin II-, and bradykinin-induced contractions in guinea pig gastric fundus smooth muscle.

We studied the inhibitory actions of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on the contractions induced by carbachol (CCh), angiotensin II (Ang II), and bradykinin (BK) in guinea pig (GP) gastric fundus smooth muscle (GFSM), particularly focusing on the possible inhibition of store-operated Ca channels (SOCCs). DHA significantly suppressed the contractions induced by CCh, Ang II, and BK; the inhibition of BK-induced contractions was the strongest. Although all contractions were greatly dependent on external Ca, more than 80% of BK-induced contractions remained even in the presence of verapamil, a voltage-dependent Ca channel inhibitor.

Magnetic resonance imaging findings in patients with dropped head syndrome.

Background: Dropped head syndrome (DHS) is difficult to diagnose only by clinical examination. Although characteristic images on X-rays of DHS have been studied, changes in soft tissue of the disease have remained largely unknown. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is useful for evaluating soft tissue, and we therefore performed this study with the purpose of investigating the characteristic signal changes of DHS on MRI by a comparison with those of cervical spondylosis.

Blowflies are potential vector for avian influenza virus at enzootic area in Japan.

High pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) poses a significant threat to both domestic and wild birds globally. The avian influenza virus, known for environmental contamination and subsequent oral infection in birds, necessitates careful consideration of alternative introduction routes during HPAI outbreaks. This study focuses on blowflies (genus Calliphora), in particular Calliphora nigribarbis, attracted to decaying animals and feces, which migrate to lowland areas of Japan from northern or mountainous regions in early winter, coinciding with HPAI season.