Scaling of shoot and root respiration of woody and herbaceous plants.

Woody and herbaceous plants are the main components of global terrestrial ecosystems, and their growth, adaptation and survival depend largely on the metabolism of shoots and roots. Therefore, understanding size-scaling of metabolic rates in woody and herbaceous plants, and in shoots and roots, is a fundamental issue in ecology. However, few empirical studies have examined metabolic scaling exponents across a wide range of plant sizes.

Single Dose of Attenuated Vaccinia Viruses Expressing H5 Hemagglutinin Affords Rapid and Long-Term Protection Against Lethal Infection with Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A H5N1 Virus in Mice and Monkeys.

Background/objectives: In preparation for a potential pandemic caused by the H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus, pre-pandemic vaccines against several viral clades have been developed and stocked worldwide. Although these vaccines are well tolerated, their immunogenicity and cross-reactivity with viruses of different clades can be improved.

Methods: To address this aspect, we generated recombinant influenza vaccines against H5-subtype viruses using two different strains of highly attenuated vaccinia virus (VACV) vectors.

Method for long-term room temperature storage of mouse freeze-dried sperm.

Permanent preservation of genetic resources may be indispensable for the future of humanity. This requires liquid nitrogen, as is the case for preserving animal sperm. However, this technique is expensive and poses a risk of irrecoverable sample loss on non-replenishment of liquid nitrogen in case of natural disasters.

A Case of Fat Embolism Syndrome Treated with Methylprednisolone.

A 74-year-old woman presented with sudden dyspnea 22 h after orthopedic surgery. Echocardiography revealed significant right ventricular dilatation, suggesting the development of acute pulmonary embolism. However, contrast computed tomography showed no signs of pulmonary thromboembolism, leading to suspicion of fat embolism syndrome (FES).

Generation of a SARS-CoV-2-susceptible mouse model using adenovirus vector expressing human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 driven by an elongation factor 1α promoter with leftward orientation.

Introduction: To analyze the molecular pathogenesis of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), a small animal model such as mice is needed: human angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (hACE2), the receptor of SARS-CoV-2, needs to be expressed in the respiratory tract of mice.

Methods: We conferred SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility in mice by using an adenoviral vector expressing hACE2 driven by an elongation factor 1α (EF1α) promoter with a leftward orientation.

Results: In this model, severe pneumonia like human COVID-19 was observed in SARS-CoV-2-infected mice, which was confirmed by dramatic infiltration of inflammatory cells in the lung with efficient viral replication.

Machine learning-based prediction of elevated N terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide among US general population.

Aims: Natriuretic peptide-based pre-heart failure screening has been proposed in recent guidelines. However, an effective strategy to identify screening targets from the general population, more than half of which are at risk for heart failure or pre-heart failure, has not been well established. This study evaluated the performance of machine learning prediction models for predicting elevated N terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels in the US general population.

Does Complementary Shoulder and Hand Ultrasound in the Diagnosis of Patients with Polymyalgia Rheumatica Differ in Clinical Course After Glucocorticoid Induction Compared to After a Simple Clinical Diagnosis?

Background/objective: Patients with polymyalgia rheumatica experience flares and require a lengthy course of glucocorticoid treatment. Ultrasound application is often used for diagnosing polymyalgia rheumatica. This study aimed to determine whether polymyalgia rheumatica diagnosed with ultrasound complementation has a more favorable clinical course compared with that of only clinically diagnosed patients.

Catheter-based examination for pulmonary microcirculatory function in patients with pulmonary hypertension.

A device that can evaluate human pulmonary microcirculation is currently unavailable. This study aimed to establish a novel approach for assessing pulmonary microcirculation in patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH). We used a guidewire embedded with temperature and pressure sensors to measure the following pulmonary microcirculatory function indicators: pulmonary flow reserve, pulmonary index of microcirculatory resistance (PIMR), and pulmonary resistive reserve ratio.

CVIT expert consensus document on primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for acute coronary syndromes (ACS) in 2024.

Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) has significantly contributed to reducing the mortality of patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) even in cardiogenic shock and is now the standard of care in most of Japanese institutions. The Task Force on Primary PCI of the Japanese Association of Cardiovascular Intervention and Therapeutics (CVIT) proposed an expert consensus document for the management of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) focusing on procedural aspects of primary PCI in 2018 and updated in 2022. Recently, the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) published the guidelines for the management of acute coronary syndrome in 2023.

Multi-Dimensional Analysis of Japanese Telemedicine Patient Satisfaction.

Introduction: Telemedicine is a growing segment of the healthcare industry. As telemedicine gains prominence in Japan, the importance of telemedicine patient satisfaction research will also grow. This study examines whether Japanese patients are equally impacted by the same latent dimensions discovered in the multi-dimensional service satisfaction model used by a United States (U.

Microbial community analysis of sand filters used to treat mine water from a closed uranium mine.

Rapid sand filters (RSFs) are employed in a drinking water treatment to remove undesirable elements such as suspended solids and dissolved metal ions. At a closed uranium (U) mine site, two sets of tandemly linked paired RSF systems (RSF1-RSF2 and RSF1-RSF3) were utilized to remove iron and manganese from mine water. In this study, a 16S rRNA-based amplicon sequencing survey was conducted to investigate the core microbes within the RSF system treating the mine water.

Nationwide epidemiological survey of juvenile idiopathic arthritis during transition to young adulthood in Japan using the National Database of Designated Incurable Diseases of Japan.

Objectives We aimed to assess the unmet medical needs of young adult patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis by evaluating real-world treatment data. Methods We analyzed data on juvenile idiopathic arthritis in the 20-29 age group from the National Database of Designated Incurable Diseases of Japan, which records severe cases or those requiring high-cost medical care registered between April 2018 and March 2020. Results Overall, 322 patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis transitioning to adulthood were included.

Delayed global standardization and prefectural disparities in systematic lupus erythematosus treatment in Japan: a nationwide study using the National Database of Health Insurance Claims and Specific Health Checkups of Japan.

Objectives: To evaluate the status of the global standardization of, and prefectural differences in, systematic lupus erythematosus (SLE) treatments in Japan.

Methods: The Japanese National Database of Health Insurance Claims and Specific Health Checkups (NDB Japan) was used. A patient with SLE was defined as having a disease with ICD10 code M321 or M329 between April 2019 and March 2020, for which oral corticosteroids (OCS), immunosuppressive agents or biologic agents were prescribed at least once during a given month.

State-of-the-art percutaneous coronary intervention for left main coronary artery disease in Japan.

Percutaneous coronary intervention for left main coronary artery disease (LM-PCI) represents a high-risk yet life-saving procedure that has evolved significantly over the years. This review outlines the current state-of-the-art practices for LM-PCI in Japan in detail, emphasizing the integration of coronary physiology and intracoronary imaging alongside with evidence-based standardized technique using latest drug-eluting stents. These advancements enable precise lesion assessment, stent sizing, and optimal deployment, thereby enhancing procedural safety and efficacy.

Association of door-to-balloon time and one-year outcomes in hospital survivors of ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

In this study of 19,824 ST-elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients from the J-PCI OUTCOME registry (January 1, 2017, to December 31, 2018), we investigated the association between door-to-balloon time (DTB) and 1-year post-discharge cardiovascular outcomes. Patients with DTB >90 min were older and had higher comorbidities. The incidence of 1-year major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) showed an incremental increase: 3.

Double-filtration plasmapheresis reduces type I interferon bioavailability and inducing activity in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Type I interferons (IFN-Is) play a significant role in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) pathogenesis. Double-filtration plasmapheresis (DFPP) is a treatment option for SLE; however, its effect on IFN-Is remains unclear. Therefore, we investigated the effects of DFPP on IFN-Is.

Effects of Transradial Access on In-Hospital Outcomes in Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for Coronary Artery Bypass Graft: Insights from the Japanese Nationwide Database.

Because of its superior safety profile and improved outcomes, trans-radial percutaneous coronary intervention (TRI) has become the preferred access in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of native coronary disease. This study investigated the impact of TRI on in-hospital outcomes after PCI for coronary artery bypass graft vessels (GV-PCI). We analyzed patients who underwent GV-PCI in 2019-2022 from the Japanese nationwide registry.

Vegetation at the former open-pit Ningyo-toge mine, 36 years after closure treatment: Impact of soil cover on woody plant establishment and dominance of the perennial herb Miscanthus sinensis.

Soil cover is a prevailing method used at mine sites to ensure the safety of hazardous materials and restore ecological functions when the base materials are unfavorable for plant growth. The former open-pit Ningyo-toge Mine was backfilled with overburden and neutralized smelting residues and covered with soil in 1987. After 36 years, the vegetation remained dominated by the perennial herb Miscanthus sinensis, and woody plant establishment did not progress successfully.