Evolution and Functional Diversification of Serine Racemase Homologs in Bacteria.

Amino acid racemases catalyze the interconversion of L- and D-amino acids, maintaining intracellular levels of both D- and L-amino acids. While alanine and glutamate racemases are widespread in bacteria, serine racemase (SerR) is predominantly found in animals. Recently, homologs of animal SerR were reported in some bacterial genomes, but their evolutionary distribution and functional roles remain poorly understood.

Do the effects of sleep problems on cognitive function differ according to age in daytime workers?

To examine whether the effects of low sleep quality, sleep deprivation, and chronotype on daytime cognitive function varied by age group. All data were collected online. We obtained the data from 366 employed people in their 20s, 40s, or 60s.

Rehabilitation Program Using Sensory Integration Therapy for Dropped Head Syndrome: A Case Report.

Dropped head syndrome (DHS) is characterized by a correctable cervical kyphotic deformity due to weakened cervical paraspinal muscles. Currently, there is no established treatment for the condition. Sensory integration pertains to the processing, integrating, and organizing of sensory information from both the body and the environment.

Superimposed Wavefront Imaging of Diffraction-enhanced X-rays: sparsity-aware CT reconstruction from limited-view projections.

Purpose: In this paper, we describe an algebraic reconstruction algorithm with a total variation regularization (ART + TV) based on the Superimposed Wavefront Imaging of Diffraction-enhanced X-rays (SWIDeX) method to effectively reduce the number of projections required for differential phase-contrast CT reconstruction.

Methods: SWIDeX is a technique that uses a Laue-case Si analyzer with closely spaced scintillator to generate second derivative phase-contrast images with high contrast of a subject. When the projections obtained by this technique are reconstructed, a Laplacian phase-contrast tomographic image with higher sparsity than the original physical distribution of the subject can be obtained.

Differences in Uniquely Identified Peptides Between ddaPASEF and diaPASEF.

Recent advancements in mass spectrometry-based proteomics have made it possible to conduct comprehensive protein analysis. In particular, the emergence of the data-independent acquisition (DIA) method powered by machine learning has significantly improved protein identification efficiency. However, compared with the conventional data-dependent acquisition (DDA) method, the degree to which peptides are uniquely identified by DIA and DDA has not been thoroughly examined.

Serinc5 Regulates Sequential Chondrocyte Differentiation by Inhibiting Sox9 Function in Pre-Hypertrophic Chondrocytes.

The growth plate is the primary site of longitudinal bone growth with chondrocytes playing a pivotal role in endochondral bone development. Chondrocytes undergo a series of differentiation steps, resulting in the formation of a unique hierarchical columnar structure comprising round, proliferating, pre-hypertrophic, and hypertrophic chondrocytes. Pre-hypertrophic chondrocytes, which exist in the transitional stage between proliferating and hypertrophic stages, are a critical cell population in the growth plate.

Slc26a2-mediated sulfate metabolism is important in tooth development.

The sulfate transporter gene SLC26A2 is crucial for skeletal formation, as evidenced by its role in diastrophic dysplasia, a type of skeletal dysplasia in humans. Although SLC26A2-related chondrodysplasia also affects craniofacial and tooth development, its specific role in these processes remains unclear. In this study, we explored the pivotal roles of SLC26A2-mediated sulfate metabolism during tooth development.

From the Laboratory to the Real-World: The Role of Mismatch Negativity in Psychosis.

Mismatch negativity (MMN) has gained attention as a biomarker for psychosis and a translational intermediate phenotype in animal models of psychosis, including rodents and non-human primates. MMN has been linked to global functioning (Global Assessment of Functioning [GAF] score) and prognosis (psychosis onset or remission), suggesting that MMN reflects activities beyond auditory processing alone. This review examines the 45-year history of MMN from the perspective of psychiatric researchers and discusses current advances in computational and translational research on MMN, summarizing the current understanding of the MMN generation mechanism.

Elevated urinary albumin predicts increased time in range after initiation of SGLT2 inhibitors in individuals with type 1 diabetes on sensor-augmented pump therapy.

Aims: We aimed to investigate potential predictors of effectiveness of SGLT2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) in individuals with type 1 diabetes (T1D) on sensor-augmented pump (SAP) therapy.

Methods: We included individuals with T1D receiving SAP therapy at our hospital who were newly initiated on SGLT2i between 2019 and 2020 and were followed for at least 1 year. Data on BMI, blood tests, and continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) were compared before and 12 months after initiation of SGLT2i.

Rho-associated, coiled-coil-containing protein kinase 2 regulates expression of mineralocorticoid receptor to mediate sodium reabsorption in mice.

The mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) is a member of the nuclear receptor family that was initially identified to regulate blood pressure through its ability to modulate kidney sodium handling in response to aldosterone. MR can be regulated by signals other than aldosterone; however, the detailed mechanisms remain to be elucidated. We found that MR is controlled in a Rho-associated coiled-coil-containing protein kinase 2 (ROCK2)-dependent manner.

Association of physical function with masticatory ability and masticatory habits: a cohort study.

Background: Few studies have evaluated masticatory ability and habits in relation to physical function. This study aimed to investigate the association of physical function with both masticatory ability and masticatory habits.

Methods: In this cohort study, we followed up with 146 community-dwelling older adults aged 65-84 years for 1 year.

Long-Term Dysphagia Severity in Patients With Idiopathic Inflammatory Myopathy: A Single-Center Retrospective Study.

Objective To investigate long-term dysphagia severity and survival outcomes in patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathy (IIM). Methods We retrospectively included consecutive Japanese patients with IIM between April 2000 and March 2022. The primary endpoint was the complete oral intake rate according to the Food Intake LEVEL Scale (FILS) within one year after the onset of dysphagia in patients with IIM.

Delayed Trastuzumab-induced Cardiotoxicity Leading to Severe Left Ventricular Dysfunction.

An 81-year-old woman presented to our hospital with dyspnea. She had been treated with trastuzumab for nine years. Chest radiography revealed pleural effusion.

Efficacy and safety of once-weekly insulin icodec versus once-daily basal insulin in Japanese individuals with type 2 diabetes: A subgroup analysis of the ONWARDS 1, 2 and 4 trials.

Aim: To explore the efficacy and safety of once-weekly insulin icodec (icodec) in Japanese adults (≥20 years old) with type 2 diabetes from the global ONWARDS 1, 2 and 4 trials.

Materials And Methods: Insulin-naive (ONWARDS 1) and insulin-experienced (ONWARDS 2 and 4) individuals were randomized to icodec or a once-daily insulin comparator: insulin glargine U100 [ONWARDS 1 (basal insulin only) and 4 (basal-bolus regimen)] or insulin degludec [ONWARDS 2 (basal insulin only)]. The primary outcome was change in glycated haemoglobin from baseline to end of treatment (EOT) (ONWARDS 1: Week 52; ONWARDS 2 and 4: Week 26).

Expression analysis of genes including Zfhx4 in mice and zebrafish reveals a temporospatial conserved molecular basis underlying craniofacial development.

Background: Embryonic craniofacial development involves several cellular and molecular events that are evolutionarily conserved among vertebrates. Vertebrate models such as mice and zebrafish have been used to investigate the molecular and cellular etiologies underlying human craniofacial disorders, including orofacial clefts. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying embryonic development in these two species are unknown.

A Visible-Light-Responsive Fluorescent Diarylethene Having a Betaine Structure.

As a new molecular scaffold of photoswitchable fluorophore, we developed a photochromic diarylethene containing a betaine structure based on pyridinium N-enolate. A facile reaction of a pyridyl-substituted dithienylperfluorocyclopentene derivative with octafluorocyclopentene constructed the betaine structure. The introduction of the betaine moiety provided the diarylethene molecule with bathochromically shifted optical absorption and fluorescing ability, thus enabling the molecule to function as a visible-light-responsive turn-off mode photoswitchable fluorophore.

Is there a target value for time in tight range for individuals with type 1 diabetes on MDI? Data from masked CGM.

Objective: Time in Tight Range (TITR), defined as the percentage of time within the glucose range of 70 to 140 mg/dL, is anticipated to be challenging to maintain without causing hypoglycemia, especially in individuals with type 1 diabetes (T1D). This study aimed to investigate the TITR target value in individuals with T1D on multiple daily injections (MDI).

Methods: The study included 101 individuals with T1D on MDI aged 15 to 75 who were hospitalized at Jikei University School of Medicine from September 2006 to November 2013 to conduct Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM).

Cathepsin B Nuclear Flux in a DNA-Guided "Antinuclear Missile" Cancer Therapy.

Some antinuclear antibodies (ANAs) bind extracellular nucleic acids released into tumor environments and are pulled into the nuclei of live cancer cells through nucleoside salvage pathways, independent of tumor-specific surface antigens. Here we show that ANA nuclear penetration induces nuclear flux by the lysosomal protease cathepsin B and leverage this mechanism to design an antinuclear antibody-drug conjugate (ANADC) with cathepsin B-labile drug linker. The ANADC targets nucleic acid exhaust from necrotic tumors and crosses membrane barriers through nucleoside salvage as a DNA-seeking and tumor agnostic "antinuclear missile" cancer therapy.

Comprehensive Analysis of the Tumour Immune Microenvironment in Canine Urothelial Carcinoma Reveals Immunosuppressive Mechanisms Induced by the COX-Prostanoid Cascade.

A comprehensive understanding of the tumour immune microenvironment (TIME) is essential for advancing precision medicine and identifying potential therapeutic targets. This study focused on canine urothelial carcinoma (cUC) recognised for its high sensitivity to cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitors. Using immunohistochemical techniques, we quantified the infiltration of seven immune cell populations within cUC tumour tissue to identify clinicopathological features that characterise the TIME in cUC.

PIONEER REAL Japan: Primary results from a multicenter, prospective, real-world study of oral semaglutide in adults with type 2 diabetes in Japanese clinical practice.

Aims/introduction: PIONEER REAL Japan was a non-interventional prospective study of oral semaglutide in adults with type 2 diabetes in Japanese clinical practice.

Materials And Methods: Adults naïve to injectable glucose-lowering therapies initiated oral semaglutide in routine clinical practice and were followed for 34-44 weeks. The primary endpoint was change in glycated hemoglobin (HbA) from baseline to end of study; the co-primary endpoint was number of adverse events (AEs).

Immune-related Adverse Event with Checkpoint Inhibitors Might Be an Emerging Underlying Disease of Steroid-related Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head: A Case Report.

Introduction: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are increasingly being used in the treatment of advanced metastatic and immunogenic cancers. However, these therapies could cause immune-related adverse events (irAEs), which require high-dose glucocorticoid administration.

Case Report: A 52-year-old man with metastatic renal cell carcinoma received ICI therapy.