Green upgrading of SPring-8 to produce stable, ultrabrilliant hard X-ray beams.

SPring-8-II is a major upgrade project of SPring-8 that was inaugurated in October 1997 as a third-generation synchrotron radiation light source. This upgrade project aims to achieve three goals simultaneously: achievement of excellent light source performance, refurbishment of aged systems, and significant reduction in power consumption for the entire facility. A small emittance of 50 pm rad will be achieved by (1) replacing the existing double-bend lattice structure with a five-bend achromat one, (2) lowering the stored beam energy from 8 to 6 GeV, (3) increasing the horizontal damping partition number from 1 to 1.

Improving taxonomic classification of marine zooplankton by molecular approach: registration of taxonomically verified 18S and 28S rRNA gene sequences.

Background: Zooplankton plays an important role in the marine ecosystem. A high level of taxonomic expertise is necessary for accurate species identification based on morphological characteristics. As an alternative method to morphological classification, we focused on a molecular approach using 18S and 28S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequences.

Subarctic-scale transport of Cs to ocean surface off northeastern Japan in 2020.

We studied the spatiotemporal variations in Cs, Cs, and Ra concentrations at the sea surface off southeastern Hokkaido, Japan (off-Doto region) from 2018 to 2022 using low-background γ-spectrometry. The Cs concentrations in the off-Doto region, decay-corrected to the date of the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) accident, exhibited wide lateral variation each year (e.g.

Single- and Multiple-dose Safety, Tolerability, Pharmacokinetics, and Pharmacodynamics of ASP1128, a Novel Peroxisome Proliferator-activated Receptor δ Modulator, in Healthy Participants.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor δ (PPARδ) plays a central role in modulating mitochondrial function in ischemia-reperfusion injury. ASP1128, a potent and selective modulator of PPARδ, is currently under investigation for treating acute kidney injury. This randomized, first-in-human study assessed the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of ASP1128 administered intravenously in healthy participants.

Analysis of absolute amounts of two meiotic cohesin subunits, RAD21L and REC8, in mouse spermatocytes.

RAD2lL and REC8, meiosis-specific paralogs of the canonical cohesin subunit RAD21, are essential for proper formation of axial/lateral elements of the synaptonemal complex, synapsis of homologous chromosomes, and crossover recombination in mammalian meiosis. However, how many meiotic cohesins are present in germ cells has not been investigated because of the lack of an appropriate method of analysis. In the present study, to examine the intracellular amount of meiotic cohesins, we generated two strains of knock-in (KI) mice that expressed a 3×FLAG-tag at the C-terminus of RAD21L or REC8 protein using the CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing system.

Empirical estimation of marine phytoplankton assemblages in coastal and offshore areas using an in situ multi-wavelength excitation fluorometer.

Phytoplankton assemblages are essential for understanding the quality of primary production in marine ecosystems. Here, we describe the development of a methodology for monitoring marine phytoplankton assemblages using an in situ multi-wavelength excitation fluorometer (MEX). The MEX recorded the fluorescence excited with nine light-emitting diodes, temperature, and sensor depth.

Metagenomic analysis provides functional insights into seasonal change of a non-cyanobacterial prokaryotic community in temperate coastal waters.

The taxonomic compositions of marine prokaryotic communities are known to follow seasonal cycles, but functional metagenomic insights into this seasonality is still limited. We analyzed a total of 22 metagenomes collected at 11 time points over a 14-month period from two sites in Sendai Bay, Japan to obtain seasonal snapshots of predicted functional profiles of the non-cyanobacterial prokaryotic community. Along with taxonomic composition, functional gene composition varied seasonally and was related to chlorophyll a concentration, water temperature, and salinity.

Development of a time-series shotgun metagenomics database for monitoring microbial communities at the Pacific coast of Japan.

Although numerous metagenome, amplicon sequencing-based studies have been conducted to date to characterize marine microbial communities, relatively few have employed full metagenome shotgun sequencing to obtain a broader picture of the functional features of these marine microbial communities. Moreover, most of these studies only performed sporadic sampling, which is insufficient to understand an ecosystem comprehensively. In this study, we regularly conducted seawater sampling along the northeastern Pacific coast of Japan between March 2012 and May 2016.

Micro-size plankton abundance and assemblages in the western North Pacific Subtropical Gyre under microscopic observation.

While primary productivity in the oligotrophic North Pacific Subtropical Gyre (NPSG) is changing, the micro-size plankton community has not been evaluated in the last 4 decades, prompting a re-evaluation. We collected samples over three years (2016-2018) from depths of 10 to 200 m (n = 127), and the micro-size plankton were identified and counted to understand the heterogeneity of micro-size plankton community structure. The assemblages were consistent to the those of 4 decades ago.

18S rRNA gene sequences of leptocephalus gut contents, particulate organic matter, and biological oceanographic conditions in the western North Pacific.

Eel larvae apparently feed on marine snow, but many aspects of their feeding ecology remain unknown. The eukaryotic 18S rRNA gene sequence compositions in the gut contents of four taxa of anguilliform eel larvae were compared with the sequence compositions of vertically sampled seawater particulate organic matter (POM) in the oligotrophic western North Pacific Ocean. Both gut contents and POM were mainly composed of dinoflagellates as well as other phytoplankton (cryptophytes and diatoms) and zooplankton (ciliophoran and copepod) sequences.

Catalog of NIMS creep data sheets.

The background of the NIMS Creep Data Sheet Project, together with the preliminary study and facilities, material selection, and testing method, is summarized. The outcomes from the project are explained, focusing on the long-term creep strength of ferritic and austenitic heat-resistant steels. In some cases, the slope of the stress versus time-to-rupture curve in the long term differed from that in the short term in a manner that was markedly dependent on the type of material.

A Preliminary Metagenome Analysis Based on a Combination of Protein Domains.

Metagenomic data have mainly been addressed by showing the composition of organisms based on a small part of a well-examined genomic sequence, such as ribosomal RNA genes and mitochondrial DNAs. On the contrary, whole metagenomic data obtained by the shotgun sequence method have not often been fully analyzed through a homology search because the genomic data in databases for living organisms on earth are insufficient. In order to complement the results obtained through homology-search-based methods with shotgun metagenomes data, we focused on the composition of protein domains deduced from the sequences of genomes and metagenomes, and we utilized them in characterizing genomes and metagenomes, respectively.

A phase I, open-label, single-dose micro tracer mass balance study of C-labeled ASP7991 in healthy Japanese male subjects using accelerator mass spectrometry.

ASP7991 is a calcimimetic that acts on the calcium-sensing receptor on parathyroid cell membranes and suppresses parathyroid hormone (PTH) secretion in the treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism. The mass balance and metabolite profile of [C]ASP7991 were investigated in six healthy male subjects after a single oral dose of [C]ASP7991 [1 mg, 18.5 kBq (500 nCi)] in solution.

NPT-IIb Inhibition Does Not Improve Hyperphosphatemia in CKD.

Introduction: Serum phosphate levels are insufficiently controlled in many patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), and novel therapeutic strategies are needed. Blocking intestinal phosphate absorption mediated by sodium-dependent phosphate co-transporter type 2b (NPT-IIb) holds promise; thus, we evaluated the efficacy, safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of the novel and specific small molecule NPT-IIb inhibitor ASP3325 for the first time in humans.

Methods: We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 1a single (n = 88) and multiple (n = 36) ascending dose study in healthy subjects, and a randomized, open-label, uncontrolled, phase 1b study in hyperphosphatemic ESRD patients on hemodialysis (single oral dose, n = 5; multiple oral doses, n = 17).

Collagen-derived dipeptide prolyl-hydroxyproline promotes osteogenic differentiation through Foxg1.

Prolyl-hydroxyproline (Pro-Hyp) is one of the major constituents of collagen-derived dipeptides. We previously reported that Pro-Hyp promotes the differentiation of osteoblasts by increasing Runx2, osterix and Col1α1 mRNA expression levels. Here, to elucidate the mechanism of Pro-Hyp promotion of osteoblast differentiation, we focus on the involvement of Foxo1 in osteoblast differentiation via Runx2 regulation and the role of Foxg1 in Foxo1 regulation.

Seasonal and geographical distribution of near-surface small photosynthetic eukaryotes in the western North Pacific determined by pyrosequencing of 18S rDNA.

In this study, we investigated the distribution of small photosynthetic eukaryotes in the near-surface layer of the western North Pacific at four stations, including two oceanic stations where the subarctic Oyashio and subtropical Kuroshio currents influence a transition region and the bay mouth and head of the Sendai Bay, from April 2012 to May 2013. Flow cytometry was applied to sort small photosynthetic eukaryotes (<5 μm), and high-throughput sequencing of 18S rDNA was performed. Our taxonomic analysis showed that 19/195 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were frequently distributed among all sites.

Achilles tendinitis as a rare extraintestinal manifestation of ulcerative colitis.

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease often have extraintestinal manifestations (EIMs) involving almost all organ systems, but little has been reported on Achilles tendinitis. Herein, we present a unique case of Achilles tendinitis, which manifested shortly after initiation of mesalazine therapy for ulcerative colitis. A 26-year-old Japanese woman with bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps lasting for 7 days was referred to our hospital.

Citrus limonoid nomilin inhibits osteoclastogenesis in vitro by suppression of NFATc1 and MAPK signaling pathways.

Background: Animal experiment studies have revealed a positive association between intake of citrus fruits and bone health. Nomilin, a limonoid present in citrus fruits, is reported to have many biological activities in mammalian systems, but the mechanism of nomilin on bone metabolism regulation is currently unclear.

Purpose: To reveal the mechanism of nomilin on osteoclastic differentiation of mouse primary bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs) and the mouse RAW 264.

Spatial variation of bacterial community composition at the expiry of spring phytoplankton bloom in Sendai Bay, Japan.

In order to characterize how bacterial communities are propagated over spatial scales in a coastal area, the bacterial community composition was examined along with a transect line set in a bay at an expiry of spring phytoplankton bloom. Four distinctive bacterial communities were found within the bay by a fingerprinting method of 16S rRNA gene amplicons. The most widely distributed one was distributed in the surface and middle layers at whole area of the bay.

Clinical pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the novel SGLT2 inhibitor ipragliflozin.

Ipragliflozin (Suglat(®)) is a potent and selective inhibitor of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 that was recently launched in Japan. Its mechanism of action involves the suppression of glucose re-absorption in the kidney proximal tubules, causing excretion of glucose in the urine. The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview of currently available pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic data on ipragliflozin, including studies in healthy subjects, patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and special populations.

Collagen-derived dipeptide prolyl-hydroxyproline promotes differentiation of MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cells.

Prolyl-hydroxyproline (Pro-Hyp) is one of the major constituents of collagen-derived dipeptides. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of Pro-Hyp on the proliferation and differentiation of MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cells. Addition of Pro-Hyp did not affect MC3T3-E1 cell proliferation and matrix mineralization but alkaline phosphatase activity was significantly increased.

Effect of food on the pharmacokinetics of darexaban, an oral direct factor Xa inhibitor, in healthy Japanese subjects.

Background: Darexaban is a potent direct factor Xa (FXa) inhibitor developed for prophylaxis of venous and arterial thromboembolic disease. This drug is rapidly and extensively metabolized to darexaban glucuronide (YM-222714), which is a pharmacologically active metabolite. The potential effects of food on the harmacokinetics of darexaban glucuronide after darexaban administration were assessed in two studies.

Isolation and characterization of the unicellular diazotrophic cyanobacterium Group C TW3 from the tropical western Pacific Ocean.

A unicellular diazotrophic cyanobacterium strain of Group C, designated TW3, was isolated from the oligotrophic Kuroshio Current of the western Pacific Ocean. To our knowledge, this represents the first successful laboratory culture of a Group C unicellular diazotroph from oceanic water. TW3 cells are green rods, 2.

A study of lesions induced in Seriola dumerili infected naturally with Streptococcus dysgalactiae.

An outbreak of disease in Seriola dumerili occurred from August to October in 2007 and 2008. The fish developed lesions of the caudal peduncle, pectoral and/or dorsal fin and the heart. The lesions were characterized by moderate to severe infarction with areas of microabscessation and multifocal granulomatous inflammation associated with the presence of Streptococcus dysgalactiae antigen.