Search for Nucleon and Dinucleon Decays with an Invisible Particle and a Charged Lepton in the Final State at the Super-Kamiokande Experiment.

Search results for nucleon decays p→e^{+}X, p→μ^{+}X, n→νγ (where X is an invisible, massless particle) as well as dinucleon decays np→e^{+}ν, np→μ^{+}ν, and np→τ^{+}ν in the Super-Kamiokande experiment are presented. Using single-ring data from an exposure of  273.4  kton·yr, a search for these decays yields a result consistent with no signal.

Development of Delirium in the Intensive Care Unit in Patients after Endovascular Aortic Repair: A Retrospective Evaluation of the Prevalence and Risk Factors.

Delirium is an acute form of nervous system dysfunction often observed in patients in the intensive care unit. Endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) is considered a minimally invasive surgical treatment for abdominal aortic aneurysm. Although the operation method is widely used, there are few investigations of the rate and risk factors of delirium development after the operation.

Immunogenic properties and mycoplasmal pneumonia of swine (MPS) lung lesions in Large White pigs selected for higher peripheral blood immune capacity.

Immunogenic properties and mycoplasmal pneumonia of swine (MPS) lung lesions were compared between the immunity-selected Large White line and the non-selected Large White line. The selected Large White line showed a higher level of pulmonary MPS lesions compared with the non-selected Large White line. Subsequent to vaccination, the percentage of natural killer cells and T cells (CD3(+) CD4(+) CD8(-) and CD3(+) CD4(-) CD8(+) T cells) were significantly increased in the non-selected line but remained unchanged in the immunity-selected Large White line.

Visual Detection of Human Antibodies Using Sugar Chain-Immobilized Fluorescent Nanoparticles: Application as a Point of Care Diagnostic Tool for Guillain-Barré Syndrome.

Sugar chain binding antibodies have gained substantial attention as biomarkers due to their crucial roles in various disorders. In this study, we developed simple and quick detection method of anti-sugar chain antibodies in sera using our previously developed sugar chain-immobilized fluorescent nanoparticles (SFNPs) for the point-of-care diagnostics. Sugar chain structure on SFNPs was modified with the sugar moieties of the GM1 ganglioside via our original linker molecule to detect anti-GM1 antibodies.

[Introduction of a Clinical Research Experience Program in Hospital Practical Training for Pharmacy Students and Its Evaluation].

Long-term clinical training based on a model core curriculum was conducted to nurture highly competent pharmacists in the clinical field. Pharmacists' responsibilities are expanding, and a system has been developed to help pharmacists gain accreditation, identify specialties, and improve their training. However, this system requires research competency.

Effects of femoral bone tunnel characteristics on graft-bending angle in double-bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a comparison of the outside-in and transportal techniques.

Purpose: Bone tunnel creation techniques influence the 3-dimensional (3D) position of bone tunnels and graft-bending angle in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. This study assessed graft-bending angle and 3D characteristics of femoral bone tunnels and compared them between outside-in (OI) and transportal (TP) techniques.

Methods: Participants comprised 64 patients who underwent anatomic double-bundle ACL reconstruction, allocated to OI and TP groups (n = 32 each).

Factors affecting the achievement of Japanese-style deep knee flexion after total knee arthroplasty using posterior-stabilized prosthesis with high-flex knee design.

Background: Achievement of very deep knee flexion after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) can play a critical role in the satisfaction of patients who demand a floor-sitting lifestyle and engage in high-flexion daily activities (e.g., seiza-sitting).

Immunogenic properties of Landrace pigs selected for resistance to mycoplasma pneumonia of swine.

Mycoplasma pneumonia of swine (MPS) lung lesions and immunogenic properties were compared between a Landrace line that was genetically selected for reduced incidence of pulmonary MPS lesions, and a non-selected Landrace line. The MPS-selected Landrace line showed significantly lower degrees of pulmonary MPS lesions compared with the non-selected Landrace line. When changes in immunity before and after vaccination were compared, the percentage of B cells in the peripheral blood of the MPS-selected Landrace line was significantly lower than that of the non-selected line.

Arthroscopic Visualization of Abnormal Movement of Discoid Lateral Meniscus With Snapping Phenomenon.

Discoid lateral meniscus with snapping phenomenon is a rare pathologic condition. The purpose of this article is to present an arthroscopic technique for the treatment of discoid lateral meniscus with snapping phenomenon. The patient is placed in the supine position for confirmation of snapping.

Effects of Reduction Osteotomy on Gap Balancing During Total Knee Arthroplasty for Severe Varus Deformity.

This study aimed to assess the effects of down-sizing and lateralizing of the tibial component (reduction osteotomy) on gap balancing in TKA, and the clinical feasibility of an uncemented modular trabecular metal tibial tray in this technique. Reduction osteotomy was performed for 39 knees of 36 patients with knee OA with a mean tibiofemoral angle of 21° varus. In 20 knees, appropriate gap balance was achieved by release of the deep medial collateral ligament alone.

Enhancement of the Immunostimulatory Activity of a TLR7 Ligand by Conjugation to Polysaccharides.

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) in the innate immune system recognize specific pathogen-associated molecular patterns derived from microbes. Synthetic small molecule TLR7 agonists have been extensively evaluated as topical agents for antiviral and anticancer therapy, and as adjuvants for vaccine. However, safe and reproducible administration of synthetic TLR7 ligands has been difficult to achieve due to undesirable pharmacokinetics and unacceptable side effects.

A Highly Sensitive Diagnostic System for Detecting Dengue Viruses Using the Interaction between a Sulfated Sugar Chain and a Virion.

We propose a novel method of detecting trace amounts of dengue virus (DENVs) from serum. Our method is based on the interaction between a sulfated sugar chain and a DENV surface glycoprotein. After capturing DENV with the sulfated sugar chain-immobilized gold nanoparticles (SGNPs), the resulting complex is precipitated and viral RNA content is measured using the reverse-transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction SYBR Green I (RT-qPCR-Syb) method.

Greater Activity in the Frontal Cortex on Left Curves: A Vector-Based fNIRS Study of Left and Right Curve Driving.

Objectives: In the brain, the mechanisms of attention to the left and the right are known to be different. It is possible that brain activity when driving also differs with different horizontal road alignments (left or right curves), but little is known about this. We found driver brain activity to be different when driving on left and right curves, in an experiment using a large-scale driving simulator and functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS).

Highly sensitive detection of influenza virus in saliva by real-time PCR method using sugar chain-immobilized gold nanoparticles; application to clinical studies.

A highly sensitive and convenient method for detecting influenza virus was developed using modified end-point melt curve analysis of a RT-qPCR SYBR Green method and influenza virus-binding sugar chain-immobilized gold-nanoparticles (SGNP). Because SGNPs capture influenza viruses, the virus-SGNP complex was separated easily by centrifugation. Viral RNA was detected at very low concentrations, suggesting that SGNP increased sensitivity compared with standard methods.

Heparinase I-specific disaccharide unit of heparin is a key structure but insufficient for exerting anti-prion activity in prion-infected cells.

Glycosaminoglycans reportedly play important roles in prion formation, but because of their structural complexity, the chemical structures affecting prion formation have not been fully evaluated. Here, we compared two types of low molecular weight heparins and found that heparinase I-sensitive structures influenced anti-prion activity in prion-infected cells. Surface plasmon resonance analyses showed significant binding of a representative heparinase I substrate disaccharide unit, GlcNS6S-IdoA2S, to recombinant prion protein (PrP) fragments, such as full-length PrP23-231 and N-terminal domain PrP23-89, but not to PrP89-230.

A case of ruptured aortic arch aneurysm successfully treated by thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair with chimney graft.

We report the case of aortic arch aneurysm rupture treated successfully with thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair (TEVAR) accompanied by aortic arch debranching using the chimney graft technique. A 94-year-old man was transported to the hospital after complaining of chest pain for one day. Contrast-enhanced computed tomographic (CT) images revealed an aortic arch aneurysm rupture.

Advanced application of porcine intramuscular adipocytes for evaluating anti-adipogenic and anti-inflammatory activities of immunobiotics.

We previously established a clonal porcine intramuscular preadipocyte (PIP) line and we were able to establish a protocol to obtain functional mature adipocytes from PIP cells. We hypothesized that both PIP cells and mature adipocytes are likely to be useful in vitro tools for increasing our understanding of immunobiology of adipose tissue, and for the selection and study of immunoregulatory probiotics (immunobiotics) able to modulate adipocytes immune responses. In this study, we investigated the immunobiology of PIP cells and mature adipocytes in relation to their response to TNF-α stimulation.

Synthesis of a chondroitin sulfate disaccharide library and a GAG-binding protein interaction analysis.

Chondroitin sulfate (CS), which belongs to the glycosaminoglycan (GAG) superfamily, is a linear sulfated polysaccharide involved in various biological processes. CS structure is very heterogeneous and contains various sulfation patterns owing to the multiple and random enzymatic modifications that occur during its biosynthesis. The resultant microdomain structure in the CS chain interacts with specific biomolecules to regulate biological functions.

Phylogenetic and Geographic Relationships of Severe Fever With Thrombocytopenia Syndrome Virus in China, South Korea, and Japan.

Background: Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is a tick-borne acute infectious disease caused by the SFTS virus (SFTSV). SFTS has been reported in China, South Korea, and Japan as a novel Bunyavirus. Although several molecular epidemiology and phylogenetic studies have been performed, the information obtained was limited, because the analyses included no or only a small number of SFTSV strains from Japan.

Syntheses of chondroitin sulfate tetrasaccharide structures containing 4,6-disulfate patterns and analysis of their interaction with glycosaminoglycan-binding protein.

Chondroitin sulfate tetrasaccharide ligand conjugates, namely GlcA-GalNAc6S-GlcA-GalNAc4S6S (CS-C+E) 1, GlcA2S-GalNAc6S-GlcA2S-GalNAc4S6S (CS-D+T) 2, GlcA-GalNAc4S6S-GlcA-GalNAc4S (CS-E+A) 3, GlcA-GalNAc4S6S-GlcA-GalNAc6S (CS-E+C) 4, and GlcA-GalNAc4S6S-GlcA-GalNAc4S6S (CS-E+E) 5, were systematically synthesized using a disaccharide building block 6. Synthesized CS tetrasaccharide structures were immobilized onto gold-coated chips to prepare array-type sugar chips, and the binding properties of protein were evaluated by surface plasmon resonance imaging biosensor. CS-D+T, CS-E+A, CS-E+C, and CS-E+E showed greater affinity for basic fibroblast growth factor than did other tetrasaccharides (CS-C+D, C+E, D+D).

Seeding of mesenchymal stem cells into inner part of interconnected porous biodegradable scaffold by a new method with a filter paper.

An appropriate physical support provided by scaffolds creates a supportive environment that directs proliferation and differentiation of stem cells. However, it is difficult to homogenously inoculate stem cells into the inner part of scaffolds at high cell densities. In this study, mesenchymal stem cells were seeded into a hydroxyapatite/poly (D, L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (HAP/PLGA) scaffold that had enough mechanical strength and porous 3-D structure.

Biosignal analysis to assess mental stress in automatic driving of trucks: palmar perspiration and masseter electromyography.

Nowadays insight into human-machine interaction is a critical topic with the large-scale development of intelligent vehicles. Biosignal analysis can provide a deeper understanding of driver behaviors that may indicate rationally practical use of the automatic technology. Therefore, this study concentrates on biosignal analysis to quantitatively evaluate mental stress of drivers during automatic driving of trucks, with vehicles set at a closed gap distance apart to reduce air resistance to save energy consumption.

Fluorescent immunochromatography for rapid and sensitive typing of seasonal influenza viruses.

Lateral flow tests also known as Immunochromatography (IC) is an antigen-detection method conducted on a nitrocellulose membrane that can be completed in less than 20 min. IC has been used as an important rapid test for clinical diagnosis and surveillance of influenza viruses, but the IC sensitivity is relatively low (approximately 60%) and the limit of detection (LOD) is as low as 10³ pfu per reaction. Recently, we reported an improved IC assay using antibodies conjugated with fluorescent beads (fluorescent immunochromatography; FLIC) for subtyping H5 influenza viruses (FLIC-H5).