Ammonia Decomposition Catalyzed by Co Nanoparticles Encapsulated in Rare Earth Oxide.

We fabricated Co-based catalysts by the low-temperature thermal decomposition of R-Co intermetallics (R = Y, La, or Ce) to reduce the temperature of ammonia cracking for hydrogen production. The catalysts synthesized are nanocomposites of Co/RO with a metal-rich composition. In the Co/LaO catalyst derived from LaCo, Co nanoparticles of 10-30 nm size are enclosed by the LaO matrix.

Electrically Switching Ferroelectric Order in 3R-MoS Layers.

Transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) with rhombohedral (3R) stacking order are excellent platforms to realize multiferroelectricity. In this work, we demonstrate the electrical switching of ferroelectric orders in bilayer, trilayer, and tetralayer 3R-MoS dual-gate devices by examining their reflection and photoluminescence (PL) responses under sweeping out-of-plane electric fields. We observe sharp shifts in excitonic spectra at different critical fields with pronounced hysteresis.

Tenascin-X deficiency causing classical-like Ehlers Danlos syndrome type 1 in humans is a significant risk factor for GI and tracheal ruptures.

Background: Classical-like Ehlers Danlos Syndrome type 1 (clEDS1) is a very rare form of Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS) caused by tenascin-X (TNX) deficiency, with only 56 individuals reported. TNX is an extracellular matrix protein needed for collagen stability. Previous publications propose that individuals with clEDS1 might be at risk for gastrointestinal (GI) tract perforations and/or tracheal ruptures.

Japan's Conditional/Time-Limited Early Approval System in Regenerative Medicine: A Case Study of Rise and Falls of Autologous Skeletal Myoblast Sheets.

Japan's conditional/time-limited early approval program, initiated in 2014, aimed to advance regenerative medicine by expediting market access. However, the withdrawal of autologous skeletal myoblast sheets (Heartsheet) due to ineffectiveness raises concerns about the balance between rapid approval and scientific integrity. While the program seeks to boost innovation, it risks endorsing costly, unclear treatments under national health care.

Association of self-monitoring performance of cognitive performance with personal diurnal preference when sleep-deprived.

In modern society, many workers struggle with sleep deprivation due to their work schedules and excessive workloads. Accurate self-awareness and self-monitoring abilities are crucial for workers to adopt risk-coping strategies and protective behaviors when fatigued. The current study examined the relationship between chronotypes and self-monitoring performance during 24 h of sleep deprivation.

Controlling Sign and Magnitude of Circularly Polarized Luminescence of Axially Chiral Schiff-Base Boron Difluoride Complexes Bearing Polyethylene Glycol Chains.

The synthesis, structure, and circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) properties of axially chiral boron difluoride complexes are described. A series of optically pure bis (boron difluoride) complexes were prepared in 5 steps from commercially available (S)- or (R)-BINOL as starting materials. The complexes were found to exhibit similar yellow photoluminescence in solution, regardless of the type of substituents on the nitrogen atoms.

Construction of a Vibrational Circular Dichroism Instrument Equipped With a Thermoelectrically Cooled Detector for Prolonged Measurements.

A vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) instrument having a thermoelectrically cooled detector (denoted as a TEC unit) was constructed in this study. An electronic device, instead of liquid nitrogen, was employed in the instrument to cool the detector. The feasibility of the system was examined by recording the VCD spectra of liquid pinenes and insect wings.

Lyme neuroborreliosis in Japan: Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato as a cause of meningitis of previously undetermined etiology in hospitalized patients outside of the island of Hokkaido, 2010-2021.

Background And Purpose: Clinical manifestations of Lyme borreliosis (LB), caused by Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (Bbsl), include erythema migrans, Lyme neuroborreliosis (LNB), carditis, and arthritis. LB is a notifiable disease in Japan with <30 surveillance-reported LB cases annually, predominately from Hokkaido Prefecture. However, LB, including LNB, may be under-diagnosed in Japan since diagnostic tests are not readily available.

Exploring experimental models of prostate cancer in chemoprevention: Oxidative stress as a key pathway to translational research.

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second most common cancer in men globally. Its growth is driven by oxidative stress associated with inflammation, aging, and environmental factors, including diet and lifestyle. These factors contribute to multiple stages of PCa progression, including progression to castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC).

Pre-emptive treatment for cytomegalovirus viraemia to prevent cytomegalovirus disease in solid organ transplant recipients.

Background: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a significant cause of morbidity and death in solid organ transplant recipients. Pre-emptive treatment of patients with CMV viraemia using antiviral agents has been suggested as an alternative to routine prophylaxis to prevent CMV disease. This is an update of a Cochrane review first published in 2006 and updated in 2013.

Removable dialkoxybenzyl linker for enhanced HPLC purification of peptide hydrazides.

High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) plays a crucial role in purifying peptides and proteins and monitoring their reactions. Peptide hydrazides are widely employed intermediates in modern peptide/protein chemistry. However, they often exhibit peak tailing during HPLC purification and analysis.

Effects of tryptophan-selective lipidated GLP-1 peptides on the GLP-1 receptor.

Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) are widely used as antidiabetic and anti-obesity agents. Although conventional GLP-1 RAs such as liraglutide and semaglutide are acylated with fatty acids to delay their degradation by dipeptidylpeptidase-4 (DPP-4), the manufacturing process is challenging. We previously developed selectively lipidated GLP-1 peptides at their only tryptophan residue (peptide A having one 8-amino-3,6-dioxaoctanoic acid (miniPEG) linker and peptide B having three miniPEG linkers).

Thiazolidinone-Based Electron-Collecting Monolayers for n-i-p Perovskite Solar Cells.

The development of efficient electron-collecting monolayer materials is desired to lower manufacturing costs and improve the performance of regular (negative-intrinsic-positive, n-i-p) type perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Here, we designed and synthesized four electron-collecting monolayer materials based on thiazolidinone skeletons, with different lowest-unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) levels (rhodanine or thiazolidinedione) and different anchoring groups to the transparent electrode (phosphonic acid or carboxylic acid). These molecules, when adsorbed on indium tin oxide (ITO) substrates, lower the work function of ITO, decreasing the energy barrier for electron extraction at the ITO/perovskite interface and improving the device performance.

HIF1α Plays a Crucial Role in the Development of TFE3-Rearranged Renal Cell Carcinoma by Orchestrating a Metabolic Shift Toward Fatty Acid Synthesis.

Tumor development often requires cellular adaptation to a unique, high metabolic state; however, the molecular mechanisms that drive such metabolic changes in TFE3-rearranged renal cell carcinoma (TFE3-RCC) remain poorly understood. TFE3-RCC, a rare subtype of RCC, is defined by the formation of chimeric proteins involving the transcription factor TFE3. In this study, we analyzed cell lines and genetically engineered mice, demonstrating that the expression of the chimeric protein PRCC-TFE3 induced a hypoxia-related signature by transcriptionally upregulating HIF1α and HIF2α.

Usefulness of Myelin Quantification Using Synthetic Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Predicting Outcomes in Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke.

Background: Synthetic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an innovative MRI technology that enables the acquisition of multiple quantitative values, including T1 and T2 values, proton density, and myelin volume, in a single scan. Although the usefulness of myelin measurement with synthetic MRI has been reported for assessing several diseases, investigations in patients with stroke have not been reported. We aimed to explore the utility of myelin quantification using synthetic MRI in predicting outcomes in patients with acute ischemic stroke.

MEDIATOR15 destabilizes DELLA protein to promote gibberellin-mediated plant development.

Mediator, a transcriptional coactivator, regulates plant growth and development by interacting with various transcriptional regulators. MEDIATOR15 (MED15) is a subunit in the Mediator complex potentially involved in developmental control. To uncover molecular functions of Arabidopsis MED15 in development, we searched for its interactors.

Quantitative Analysis of Hepatitis D Virus Using gRNA-Sensitive Semiconducting Polymer Dots.

Hepatitis D virus (HDV) significantly influences the progression of liver diseases. Through clinical observations and database analyses, it has been established that patients coinfected with HDV and hepatitis B virus (HBV) experience accelerated progression toward cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and liver failure compared to those infected solely with HBV. A higher viral load correlates with increased replicative activity, enhanced infectivity, and more severe disease manifestations.

Predicting rapid decline in kidney function among type 2 diabetes patients: A machine learning approach.

Background: Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is one of the typical complications of type 2 diabetes (T2D), with approximately 10 % of DKD patients experiencing a Rapid decline (RD) in kidney function. RD leads to an increased risk of poor outcomes such as the need for dialysis. Albuminuria is a known kidney damage biomarker for DKD, yet RD cases do not always show changes in albuminuria, and the exact mechanism of RD remains unclear.

Virucidal activity of olanexidine gluconate against SARS-CoV-2.

Antiseptics have been used for infection control against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Ethanol (EtOH) was found to be effective against SARS-CoV-2, while chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) was less effective. Therefore, virucidal activity may differ between different classes of antiseptic agents.

Comparative evaluation of two dose-volume histogram prediction tools for treatment planning: Treatment planning quality and dose verification accuracy.

Purpose: This study aims to compare treatment plans created using RapidPlan and PlanIQ for twelve patients with prostate cancer, focusing on dose uniformity, dose reduction to organs at risk (OARs), plan complexity, and dose verification accuracy. The goal is to identify the tool that demonstrates superior performance in achieving uniform target dose distribution and reducing OAR dose, while ensuring accurate dose verification.

Methods: Dose uniformity in the planning target volume, excluding the rectum, and dose reduction in the OARs (the rectum and bladder) were assessed.

Differential expression of osteoblast-like cells on self-organized titanium dioxide nanotubes.

Background/purpose: Titanium dioxide nanotube (TNT) structures have been shown to enhance the early osseointegration of dental implants. Nevertheless, the optimal nanotube diameter for promoting osteogenesis remains unclear due to variations in cell types and manufacture of nanotubes. This study aimed to evaluate the differences in MC3T3-E1 and Saos-2 cells behavior on nanotubes of varying diameters.

Creating an extracellular matrix-like three-dimension structure to enhance the corrosion resistance and biological responses of titanium implants.

Background/purpose: Titanium (Ti) is extensively used in dental and orthopedic implants due to its excellent mechanical properties. However, its smooth and biologically inert surface does not support the ingrowth of new bone, and Ti ions may have adverse biological effects. The purpose is to improve the corrosion resistance of titanium and create a 3D structured coating to enhance osseointegration through a very simple and fast surface treatment.