Visualization of sucrose distribution biosynthesized in vitro from external [1-C]sorbitol in apple (Malus domestica) fruit utilizing MALDI-TOF MSI.

To clarify the cause of graded distribution of sucrose in apple fruit flesh, a quarter cut of young apple fruit was cultured for 72 h on agar-solidified MS medium supplemented with 0.5 M [1-C]sorbitol, with the longitudinal or horizontal cut face being attached with the medium, and distribution of C-labelled sucrose in a specimen obtained by slicing the fruit along with the cut face was visualized utilizing MALDI-TOF MSI. Heat map images on the distribution of the peaks of sorbitol containing C-atom indicated that external [1-C]sorbitol had penetrated evenly into the tissue.

Quality of Life and Oral Function in Patients With Jaw Defects Following Oral Tumour Surgery.

Objectives: To evaluate various oral functions in patients with jaw defects after oral tumour surgery and to clarify factors associated with their quality of life (QoL).

Background: In patients with jaw defects, oral function and QoL are severely impaired. No studies have evaluated oral functions of patients with jaw defects and examined their relationships with QoL.

Comparative analysis of intraoperative MRI and early postoperative MRI findings in glioma surgery patients.

Objective: The extent of resection (EOR) is an important prognostic factor for both low- and high-grade gliomas. Intraoperative MRI (iMRI) has been used to increase the EOR in glioma surgery. While a recent study reported differences between iMRI and early postoperative MRI (epMRI), their specific relationship to postoperative clinical symptoms remains unclear.

Early radiological reduction of periventricular anastomosis after direct bypass surgery for adult moyamoya disease.

Objective: Periventricular anastomosis (PA), a recently recognized cause of hemorrhage in moyamoya disease, is reducible after bypass surgery. The timing of the reduction, however, remains poorly understood. The objectives of the present study were to demonstrate radiological reduction of PA occurring within 48 hours after surgery and to identify factors associated with reduction.

2024 Charles F. Prentice Medal award lecture: Moments of inspiration.

In this Prentice Medal Award lecture, I shall recount my career in vision science in the context of three types of inspiration-"being inspired," "personal inspiration," and "inspiring others." My research has derived inspiration from a variety of sources, such as contemporary and historical research doyens in the ophthalmic field and beyond, artists, Greek philosophers, and abstract constructs such as principles and adages. A given moment of inspiration can range from being a profound experience to a subtle realization during a quiet moment of reflection.

Investigations on the Origin of Topotactic Phase Transition of LaCoO Thin Films with In Situ XRD and Ambient Pressure Hard X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy.

With the applications of in situ X-ray diffraction (XRD), electrical - measurement, and ambient pressure hard X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (AP-HAXPES), the characteristics of the topotactic phase transition of LaCoO (LCO) thin films are examined. XRD measurements show clear evidence of structural phase transition (SPT) of the LCO thin films from the perovskite (PV) LaCoO to the brownmillerite (BM) LaCoO phases through the intermediate LaCoO phase at a temperature of 350 °C under high-vacuum conditions, ∼10 mbar. The reverse SPT from BM to PV phases is also found under ambient pressure (>100 mbar) of air near 100 °C.

Investigating the effects of home-based rehabilitation after intensive inpatient rehabilitation on motor function, activities of daily living, and caregiver burden.

Background: Home-based rehabilitation involves professional rehabilitation care and guidance offered by physical, occupational, and speech therapists to patients in their homes to help them recuperate in a familiar living environment. The effects on the patient's motor function and activities of daily living (ADLs), and caregiver burden for community-dwelling patients are well-documented; however, little is known about the immediate benefits in patients discharged from the hospital. Therefore, we examined the effects of continuous home-based rehabilitation immediately after discharge to patients who received intensive rehabilitation during hospitalization.

Recovery in Mother-To-Mother Peer Supporters Who Have Experienced Difficulties in Child-Rearing: A Phenomenological Study.

Aims: To elucidate the meaning of recovery for mothers who have experienced difficulties in child-rearing, using insights gained through their activities as mother-to-mother peer supporters.

Design: Phenomenological study.

Methods: From January to October 2022, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 mothers active as peer supporters at community child-rearing support centres in Japan.

Values associated with Nordic Walking: An international cross-sectional survey among individuals practicing walking with poles.

Introduction: The article is devoted to the sociological exploration of the social phenomenon that Nordic Walking has become in Europe and worldwide over the recent decades.

Aim: It is based on the results of original international sociological research study on the issue of sociodemographic profiles of Nordic Walkers in the context of the values associated with this sports activity.

Methods: A cross-sectional quantitative study with convenience sampling study was performed among 416 Poles, 132 Europeans from 11 countries (Germany, the UK, Spain, France, Italy, Portugal, Ireland, Denmark, Austria, Sweden, and Norway), and 212 participants from 5 non-European countries (the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan).

Simultaneous Detection of Multiple Analytes at Ambient Temperature Using Eukaryotic Artificial Cells with Modular and Robust Synthetic Riboswitches.

Cell-free systems, which can express an easily detectable output (protein) with a DNA or mRNA template, are promising as foundations of biosensors devoid of cellular constraints. Moreover, by encasing them in membranes such as natural cells to create artificial cells, these systems can avoid the adverse effects of environmental inhibitory molecules. However, the bacterial systems generally used for this purpose do not function well at ambient temperatures.

Potential role of circulating tumor cells and cell-free DNA as biomarkers in oral squamous cell carcinoma: A prospective single-center study.

Metastasis in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma has been associated with a poor prognosis. However, sensitive and reliable tests for monitoring their occurrence are unavailable, with the exception of PET-CT. Circulating tumor cells and cell-free DNA have emerged as promising biomarkers for determining treatment efficacy and as prognostic predictors in solid tumors such as breast cancer and colorectal cancer.

Low-Energy Trauma: Severe Liver Injury in an Elderly Patient from a Seated Fall.

BACKGROUND Appropriate management of patients who have fallen is crucial for reducing damage and mortality. We report the case of a patient who fell from a seated position, which caused traumatic liver injury, with gastrointestinal symptoms as the primary patient concern. CASE REPORT A woman in her 80s who was living independently fell from a seated position during the daytime.

Association between psychological distress and schizotypy in adults: A cross-sectional study.

Background: Schizotypy refers to a personality type characterized by behavioral and cognitive abnormalities similar in nature but less severe than those of schizophrenia. Schizotypy often progresses to schizophrenia, so identifying risk factors may facilitate early schizophrenia diagnosis and improve treatment. Psychological distress may be associated with schizotypy, highlighting its importance.

Health Utility of Pain Response Versus Nonresponse to Palliative Radiation Therapy for Symptomatic Bone Metastases: Analyses Based on Real-World Data from 26 Centers.

Utility values of responders and nonresponders are essential inputs in cost-effectiveness studies of radiation therapy for painful bone metastases but, to our knowledge, they have not been reported separately. We sought to determine the utility values of responders and nonresponders using data from a prospective observational study on bone metastases. The original prospective observational study was conducted at 26 centers in Japan.

Identification of Early and Late Responders to Anti-IL-13 Antibody Tralokinumab in Atopic Dermatitis: A Real-World Japanese Study.

Tralokinumab, an anti-IL-13 antibody, is an effective treatment for patients with atopic dermatitis (AD). However, predictive factors for responders to tralokinumab remain unclear in real-world practice. This study aimed to identify predictive factors for early and late responders to tralokinumab treatment.

Clinicopathological significance of androgen receptor expression and tumor infiltrating lymphocytes in triple-negative breast cancer: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a serious disease with limited treatment options. We explored the significance of androgen receptor (AR) expression and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in predicting neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) resistance in TNBC, hypothesizing that AR/TIL classification using pretreatment biopsies can identify NAC-resistant subgroups and improve the understanding of apocrine differentiation.

Methods: This retrospective study included 156 consecutive patients with TNBC treated with NAC.

Cacao agroforestry adoption by smallholder farmers and forest loss prevention in the Maya Golden Landscape, Belize.

Unsustainable land use practices have led to increased forest loss rates. Implementing cacao agroforestry can reduce forest loss by preventing the clear-cutting of forests for monoculture plantations. However, research is needed on its effectiveness in preventing forest loss and the factors influencing its adoption between full-time and part-time farmers.

The centenarian blueprint: lessons in defying Parkinson's disease.

Recent advancements in neurology have shifted focus from mere diagnosis to comprehensive management of movement disorders, particularly Parkinson's Disease (PD), which is rapidly increasing in prevalence due to global ageing trends. While age is a key risk factor for PD, centenarians often exhibit a remarkably low prevalence of the disease, presenting an intriguing paradox. This viewpoint explores potential reasons for this low prevalence, drawing on studies from regions with high centenarian populations, known as Blue Zones.

Isatuximab plus pomalidomide and dexamethasone in frail individuals with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma in Japan.

This post-marketing surveillance (PMS) assessed the safety and effectiveness of isatuximab plus pomalidomide and dexamethasone (Isa-Pd) for relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) in frail individuals during real-world use in Japan. Data from all individuals with RRMM treated with Isa-Pd in Japan between October 2020 and October 2021 were collected, with follow-up continued up to 12 months after starting Isa-Pd or until discontinuation. In the overall PMS population, 40 participants were classified as frail (33.

Causal effects of promotion to managerial positions on mental health and satisfaction in Japanese male workers.

Purpose: We estimated the static and dynamic effects of promotion to managerial positions on mental health and satisfaction using the recent estimation method; we addressed the gap in extant research by considering the heterogeneity in treatment timing to reconfirm evidence regarding the causal effects of promotion.

Methods: We used a modified estimation method of two-way fixed effects recommended by (Callaway and Sant'Anna, J Econom 225:200-230, 2021). To check for robustness, we compared the analyses using propensity sample matching, an alternative treatment timing heterogeneity-robust analysis, and a normal two-way fixed effects event study.

Echocardiographic findings of patients with transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy.

Transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM) is becoming increasingly recognized with the aging population, advancements in understanding of disease pathobiology and the potential benefits of emerging therapies. Bone scintigraphy, including Tc-labeled pyrophosphate scintigraphy, is currently considered the first-line modality for identifying ATTR-CM. Therefore, it is important to increase the preset probability using inexpensive and simple tests including echocardiography.

Influence of ecological and social factors on huddling behaviour and cluster organisation in Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata).

Huddling behaviour is present in many animal species. This behaviour involves maintaining close physical contact with conspecifics to minimise heat loss and, in general, reduce energy expenditure. Additionally, this behaviour also facilitates complex social interactions within a population.

Ten new resin glycosides, ipoalbins I-X, from Ipomoea alba seeds.

Ipomoea alba L. (Convolvulaceae) is an annual vine native to tropical America that is cultivated primarily for ornamental purposes. Its seeds are used in traditional medicine as a laxative, and young shoots are consumed as food.