Identification of pennaceous barbule cell factor (PBCF), a novel gene with spatiotemporal expression in barbule cells during feather development.

Bird contour feathers exhibit a complex hierarchical structure composed of a rachis, barbs, and barbules, with barbules playing a crucial role in maintaining feather structure and function. Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying barbule formation is essential for advancing our knowledge of avian biology and evolution. In this study, we identified a novel gene, pennaceous barbule cell factor (PBCF), using microarray analysis, RT-PCR, and in situ hybridization.

Dietary exposure experiments on the migration of chemical pollutants from microplastics to bivalves.

Plastics can contain two types of organic contaminants; absorbed from ambient water, and already contained as additives. To investigate the bioaccumulation of these substances, we conducted two types of exposure experiments using mussels and polyethylene microplastics with absorbed PCBs and containing four types of additives (BDE209, DBDPE, UV327 and UV234). After dietary exposure for 15 days, significantly higher concentrations of total PCBs, UV327 and UV234 were detected in the gonad of exposed groups than in the control groups, respectively.

Outcomes in colorectal endoscopic submucosal dissection for large protruded lesions: A retrospective multicenter study.

Colorectal endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is increasingly used for treating early-stage colorectal cancer, including large, protruded lesions (LPL). However, the challenges posed by LPLs, especially those accompanied by severe fibrosis or muscle-retracting sign (MRS), remain unclear. This study aims to investigate ESD outcomes for LPL, focusing on factors such as tumor size and, submucosal fibrosis.

Morphokinetic features in human embryos: Analysis by our original high-resolution time-lapse cinematography-Summary of the past two decades.

Background: The pioneering work by Dr. Payne et al. in time-lapse cinematography for observation of the morphokinetic features of human embryos inspired us to develop a new in vitro culture system with high-resolution time-lapse cinematography (hR-TLC) back in 2001.

Effectiveness of Strategy-Focused Training in Colorectal Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection: A Retrospective Observational Study.

Background: Colorectal ESD, an advanced minimally invasive treatment, presents technical challenges, with globally varying training methods. We analyzed the learning curve of ESD training, emphasizing preoperative strategies, notably gravity traction, to guide ESD instructors and trainee programs.

Method: This retrospective study included 881 cases guided by an experienced supervisor.

The Management of Direct Oral Anticoagulants for Colorectal Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection: A Multicenter Observational Study.

Background: There is a lack of reports on the use of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) during colorectal endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD).

Aims: We aimed to assess whether the use of DOACs is associated with a higher incidence of delayed bleeding (DB) after ESD.

Methods: A total of 4175 colorectal neoplasms in 3515 patients were dissected at our hospitals during study period.

Feasibility and Safety of Endoscopic Control for Patients with Serrated Polyposis Syndrome.

Introduction: Despite advances in endoscopic treatment, patients with serrated polyposis syndrome (SPS) occasionally require surgery due to numerous or unresectable polyps, recurrence, and treatment-related adverse events.

Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 43 patients with SPS undergoing diagnosis and treatment at Omori Red Cross Hospital from 2011 to 2022. Resection of all polyps ≥3 mm in size was planned during the clearing phase; endoscopic control was defined as complete, endoscopic polyp removal.

Effectiveness of switching endoscopists for repeat surveillance colonoscopy: a retrospective study.

Background: Surveillance colonoscopy decreases colorectal cancer mortality; however, lesions are occasionally missed. Although an appropriate surveillance interval is indicated, variations may occur in the methods used, such as scope manipulation or observation. Therefore, individual endoscopists may miss certain areas.

Cold snare defect protrusion and incomplete polyp resection after forced cold snare polypectomy: a prospective observational study.

Background: Cold snare defect protrusions (CSDPs) that occur after cold snare polypectomy (CSP) are considered indicators of incomplete polyp resection (IPR). We have sometimes experienced difficulty resecting polyps with snaring alone; in such cases, a forcible pull on the snare by the endoscopist is necessary. We call this procedure "forced CSP (FCSP).

Relationship between CD4+ T-cell counts at baseline and initial periodontal treatment efficacy in patients undergoing treatment for HIV infection: A retrospective observational study.

Aim: To retrospectively investigate the relationship between the CD4+ T-cell counts at baseline and the efficacy of the initial periodontal treatment of patients undergoing treatment for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection using the periodontal inflamed surface area (PISA).

Materials And Methods: Thirty-three patients with chronic periodontitis who had undergone periodontal examination at baseline and after the initial periodontal treatment were enrolled. PISA was calculated from the periodontal probing depth and bleeding on probing, and the ratio of PISA after treatment to that at baseline (PISA response ratio) was calculated.

Safety and efficacy of a new cold snare technique with clipping for colorectal angioectasia.

Colorectal angioectasia is a major cause of lower gastrointestinal bleeding. Use of antithrombotic agents is expected to increase with aging of the population, and bleeding from angioectasia is an important issue. Although the effectiveness of endoscopic mucosal resection for colorectal angioectasia has been reported, there are no reports of cold snare technique for angioectasia (CSA).

The significance of trophic transfer of microplastics in the accumulation of plastic additives in fish: An experimental study using brominated flame retardants and UV stabilizers.

Marine organisms ingest microplastics directly from water and indirectly from food sources. Ingesting microplastics can lead to the accumulation of plastic-derived chemicals. However, the relative contributions of the two exposure routes to the accumulation of plastic-derived chemicals in organisms are unknown.

Species level mapping of a seagrass bed using an unmanned aerial vehicle and deep learning technique.

Background: Seagrass beds are essential habitats in coastal ecosystems, providing valuable ecosystem services, but are threatened by various climate change and human activities. Seagrass monitoring by remote sensing have been conducted over past decades using satellite and aerial images, which have low resolution to analyze changes in the composition of different seagrass species in the meadows. Recently, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have allowed us to obtain much higher resolution images, which is promising in observing fine-scale changes in seagrass species composition.

Spatial variation in diatom abundance and composition in Biwase Bay and Hamanaka Bay (Eastern Hokkaido, Japan), with reference to environmental features.

This study aims to examine the spatial variation of diatom abundance and composition along the nearshore areas of Biwase Bay and Hamanaka Bay, eastern Hokkaido. Terrestrial input Kiritappu Wetland is expected to affect variation and composition differently depending on the position of the two bays. We conducted an oceanographic survey in June 2014 to measure seawater temperature, salinity, colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM) absorption, nutrient concentrations, and total and size-fractionated chlorophyll (Chl) concentration at 11 stations of the shallowest (<5 m) parts of the bays.

A Pleistocene legacy structures variation in modern seagrass ecosystems.

Distribution of Earth's biomes is structured by the match between climate and plant traits, which in turn shape associated communities and ecosystem processes and services. However, that climate-trait match can be disrupted by historical events, with lasting ecosystem impacts. As Earth's environment changes faster than at any time in human history, critical questions are whether and how organismal traits and ecosystems can adjust to altered conditions.

The feasibility and safety of endoscopic submucosal dissection of gastric lesions larger than 5 cm.

Background: As the indications for endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for early gastric cancer have been revised, diagnostic ESD has increased. However, despite the technical difficulty of ESD for large lesions, the degree to which curative resection can be achieved has not been clarified. This study investigated the feasibility and safety of ESD for gastric lesions larger than 5 cm.

The biogeography of community assembly: latitude and predation drive variation in community trait distribution in a guild of epifaunal crustaceans.

While considerable evidence exists of biogeographic patterns in the intensity of species interactions, the influence of these patterns on variation in community structure is less clear. Studying how the distributions of traits in communities vary along global gradients can inform how variation in interactions and other factors contribute to the process of community assembly. Using a model selection approach on measures of trait dispersion in crustaceans associated with eelgrass () spanning 30° of latitude in two oceans, we found that dispersion strongly increased with increasing predation and decreasing latitude.

The feasibility of endoscopic submucosal dissection for colorectal lesions larger than 10 cm.

Background: Although endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) enables en bloc removal of colorectal neoplasms, its effectiveness for larger lesions (≥ 10 cm in diameter) is undetermined. We aimed to investigate the feasibility and safety of ESD for colorectal lesions ≥ 10 cm wide.

Methods: This retrospective study included 3591 consecutive colorectal lesions managed with ESD from June 2012 through December 2020.

Plastic and natural inorganic microparticles do not differ in their effects on adult mussels (Mytilidae) from different geographic regions.

Microplastics are ubiquitous in the marine environment and studies on their effects on benthic filter feeders at least partly revealed a negative influence. However, it is still unclear whether the effects of microplastics differ from those of natural suspended microparticles, which constitute a common stressor in many coastal environments. We present a series of experiments that compared the effects of six-week exposures of marine mussels to two types of natural particles (red clay and diatom shells) to two types of plastic particles (Polymethyl Methacrylate and Polyvinyl Chloride).