Metagenomic and metatranscriptomic analyses reveal uncharted microbial constituents responsible for polyhydroxybutyrate biodegradation in coastal waters.

Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) has attracted attention as a representative polymer for biodegradable plastics produced by microorganisms. Since information regarding the fate of PHB released into the environment is limited, it is necessary to identify them based on metagenomic information. We estimated the PHB biodegradability in coastal water samples collected from 15 near shore sites around Japan using oxygen consumption as an indicator in laboratory-scale incubation experiments and conducted 16S rRNA gene-based microbial community profiling.

sp. nov., a crude oil aggregation-forming anaerobic bacterium isolated from marine sediment.

A crude oil aggregation-forming, strictly anaerobic, Gram-stain-positive, spore-forming, rod-shaped, motile and mesophilic bacterium, named strain SH18-2, was isolated from marine sediment near Sado Island in the Sea of Japan. The temperature, salinity and pH ranges of this strain for the growth were 15-40 °C (optimum 35 °C), 0.5-6.

Novel sterilization method of Bacillus atrophaeus and Geobacillus stearothermophilus spores by low concentration chlorine dioxide gas.

Chlorine dioxide (ClO) is a powerful disinfectant widely regarded as a safe and effective hygienic agent in pharmaceutical plants and other manufacturing facilities that require sterility. However, the efficacy of low concentrations of ClO gas on sterilizing spore-forming bacteria remains uncertain. In this study, we investigated the optimal conditions for disinfection of spore-forming bacteria with low concentrations of ClO gas using biological indicators.

Multimodal deep-learning model using pre-treatment endoscopic images and clinical information to predict efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is standard for advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, though often ineffective. Therefore, predicting the response to chemotherapy before treatment is desirable. However, there is currently no established method for predicting response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Stereoselective Preparation and Pd-catalyzed Suzuki-Miyaura Cross-coupling of Alkenyl Sulfoximine.

Although numerous transition-metal catalyzed cross-coupling reactions of alkenyl electrophiles with a sulfur(VI) leaving group, mainly alkenyl sulfones, have been developed, most rely heavily on highly nucleophilic Grignard reagents, and the use of organoboron reagents remains challenging. We report herein facile preparation and the following Pd-catalyzed Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reaction of alkenyl sulfoximine, a monoaza analog of sulfone. The condensation of alkyl sulfoximine with aldehydes, developed in this study, makes alkenyl sulfoximines more readily available.

Associations Between Anticipatory Grief and Post-Bereavement Depression and Post-Loss Grief of Family Members of Dying Patients With Cancer in Palliative Care Units: A Cohort Study.

Anticipatory grief is associated with post-bereavement grief; however, reports on the influence of pre-loss depression are limited. Therefore, we investigated the association between the anticipatory grief of family members and post-loss and post-depression grief adjusted for pre-loss depression. This cohort study included the family members of dying patients with cancer.

Usefulness of Size-Exclusion Chromatography-Multi-Angle Light Scattering to Assess Particle Composition and Protein Impurities for Quality Control of Therapeutic Exosome Preparations.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs), including exosomes, are promising pharmaceutical modalities. They are purified from cell culture supernatant; however, the preparation may contain EVs with the desired therapeutic effects and different types of EVs, lipoproteins, and soluble proteins. Evaluating the composition of particulate impurities and the levels of protein impurities in final preparations is critical for quality control.

A novel mouse model for studies of burn wound conversion using a top hat-shaped brass template.

Introduction: The pathophysiology of burn wound conversion is not fully understood. Animal models are needed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and develop treatments. Here, we established a new reproducible mouse model that simulates this process, thereby facilitating studies of burn wound conversion.

Transient charge carrier dynamics in organic solar cell devices studied by simultaneous optical and electric detection.

For the clarification of dynamics of photogenerated carriers in practical organic solar cell devices, we have developed a methodology to simultaneously acquire reflection-mode transient optical absorption (ΔA) and transient electric current (Δi) signals. For a typical polythiophene:fullerene bulk heterojunction solar cell device, both the ΔA and Δi signals due to the photogenerated carriers are characterized by the power-law decays of ∝t-α, which are interpreted by detrapping-limited recombination at earlier times than ∼1 μs and trap-free diffusion/drift at later times. Furthermore, we have succeeded in observing switching of the power index α for ΔA signals as well as for Δi signals; the time at which switching occurs indicates the extraction of carriers by electrodes (transit times).

Integrating qualitative and quantitative data across multiple labs for model calibration.

The integration of computational models with experimental data is a cornerstone for gaining insight into biomedical applications. However, parameter fitting procedures often require an immense availability and frequency of data that are challenging to obtain from a single source. Here, we present a novel methodology designed to integrate qualitative data from multiple laboratories, overcoming the constraints of single-lab data collection.

Laparoscopic Intraperitoneal Onlay Mesh Repair for Symptomatic Secondary Lumbar Hernia After Retroperitoneoscopic Nephrectomy: A Case Report.

Lumbar hernia (LH) is a rare abdominal wall hernia that occurs within the anatomic boundaries of the 12th rib, iliac crest, external oblique muscles, erector spinae muscles, and vertebral column. Secondary LH after urological surgery is rare, and the limited evidence hinders consensus on optimal surgical treatment. Here, we present a case of laparoscopic intraperitoneal onlay mesh (IPOM) repair for a large, symptomatic secondary LH after retroperitoneoscopic nephrectomy (RN) with mid-term postoperative outcomes.

Long-term outcomes of S-1 and oxaliplatin neoadjuvant chemotherapy with total mesorectal excision and lateral lymph node dissection for rectal cancer.

Purpose: Chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for rectal cancer is limited by its harmful side effects and its insufficient benefit on lateral lymph node metastases. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long-term outcomes of S-1 and oxaliplatin with total mesorectal excision (TME) and lateral lymph node dissection (LLND) without radiation for rectal cancer.

Methods: The inclusion criteria were patients with stage II or III rectal cancer located within 10 cm from the anal verge.

Radiation-induced Bystander Effect in Starfish (Patiria pectinifera) Oocytes.

Although multiple studies suggest that ionizing radiation can induce bystander effects (radiation-induced bystander effect, RIBE) in cultured cell lines, it is still unclear whether RIBE is evolutionarily conserved in invertebrates. In this study, we investigated the frequency of cell death of unirradiated starfish (Patiria pectinifera) oocytes co-cultured with oocytes irradiated with X rays (0, 2 and 4 Gy). We observed increased frequencies of cell death determined by morphological abnormality and TUNEL-positive cells in unirradiated oocytes co-cultured with oocytes irradiated with 2 Gy or 4 Gy oocytes.

[Transposition of the Left Subclavian Artery Before a Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair for Type B Aortic Dissection].

We encountered a patient who had undergone a transposition procedure, which encompassed the performance of subclavian-common carotid arterial end-to-side anastomosis before a thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) when carrying out Stanford type B aortic dissection. A 50-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with a diagnosis of chronic Stanford type B aortic dissection that tended to expand. Transposition was performed in advance of zone 2 TEVAR.

The pivotal role of the Hes1/Piezo1 pathway in the pathophysiology of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis.

Glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIOP) lacks fully effective treatments. This study investigated the role of Piezo1, a mechanosensitive ion channel component 1, in GIOP. We found reduced Piezo1 expression in cortical bone osteocytes from patients with GIOP and a GIOP mouse model.

Rapid test for hepatitis B core-related antigen to identify people living with hepatitis B having high viral load in Cameroon.

This study presents a retrospective assessment of the diagnostic performance of the newly developed hepatitis B core-related antigen rapid diagnostic test (HBcrAg-RDT) in detecting plasma samples with elevated hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA levels (≥200,000 IU/ml) in Yaoundé, Cameroon. Samples were collected consecutively from treatment-naïve adults living with HBV between January 1, 2021, and June 30, 2023. Analyzing 146 samples from participants with a median age of 36 years, the HBcrAg-RDT exhibited a sensitivity of 97.

Potential radiosensitive germline biomarkers in the testes of wild mice after the Fukushima accident.

We investigated potential germline-specific radiosensitive biomarkers in the testes of large Japanese field mice (Apodemus speciosus) exposed to low-dose-rate (LDR) radiation after the Fukushima accident. Fukushima wild mice testes were analysed via RNA-sequencing to identify genes differentially expressed in the breeding and non-breeding seasons when compared to controls. Results revealed significant changes during the breeding season, with Lsp1 showing a considerable upregulation, while Ptprk and Tspear exhibited significant reductions.

Radiological features of the carpometacarpal joint in hamate body fracture on anteroposterior hand X-ray image.

Background: Hamate body fractures are rare and can be overlooked due to the diagnostic difficulty on X-ray. We focused on the carpometacarpal joint space width (CMC-JSW) and examined the features of this fracture on versatile anteroposterior hand X-ray images, initially taken for hand trauma cases.

Methods: Ten patients (nine males and one female; mean age, 34 years) diagnosed with a hamate body fracture on CT in our facility between January 2013 and October 2023 were included in this study.

Synergistic anti-tumor effects of oncolytic virus and anti-programmed cell death protein 1 antibody combination therapy: For suppression of lymph node and distant metastasis in a murine melanoma model.

It is believed that oncolytic viruses (OVs) exert both direct anti-tumor effects by intratumoral injection as well as indirect anti-tumor effects by activating systemic immunity. In phase III clinical trials, OV and anti-programmed cell death-1 (aPD-1) antibody combination therapy showed no significant differences in overall survival and progression-free survival in patients with unresectable advanced melanoma. In the study, OVs can exert only indirect anti-tumor effects in non-injected, systemic lesions.

Gait Acquisition with a Quadrilateral Socket after Ultra-short Transfemoral Amputation because of Staphylococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome.

Background: Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS) is a notifiable disease under Japan's Infectious Disease Control Law and has become a pandemic following COVID-19. STSS often leads to necrotizing fasciitis, with a mortality rate exceeding 30%. Even in surviving patients, limb amputations are common.

Mid-career pitfall of consecutive success in science.

The creativity of scientists often manifests as localized hot streaks of significant success. Understanding the underlying mechanisms of these influential phases can enhance the effectiveness of support systems and funding allocation, fostering groundbreaking discoveries worthy of accolades. Historically, analyses have suggested that hot streaks occur randomly over time.

Bilateral Globus Pallidus Lesions and Delayed Hypoxic Encephalopathy Induced by Overuse of Transdermal Fentanyl Patches.

We describe a rare case of bilateral globus pallidus lesions (BPL) and delayed hypoxic encephalopathy (DHE) induced by the overuse of transdermal fentanyl patches. The patient was a 54-year-old woman, who had a history of unexplained, intractable anal pain, for which several medications were prescribed, but with very limited effectiveness. Four days prior to admission, she was newly prescribed transdermal fentanyl patches at a dose of 4 mg/day.

Establishment of acquired radioresistant cells to fractionated radiation from hTERT-immortalized normal human epithelial cell.

Senescence-like growth arrest (SLGA), which is a radiation-induced cell death pathway, is induced in immortalized normal human epithelial cell (hTERT-RPE1) by the daily fractionated X-irradiation with 1.5 Gy within 30 times. We here demonstrate that pre-treatment induces acquired radioresistance (ARR) that can survive from the lethal fractionated radiation.