Effect of L. on Improving Insulin Secretory Capacity and Resistance in Elderly Patients Aged 80 Years Old or Older Who Develop Diabetes After COVID-19 Infection.

(1) Background: It has been reported that people affected by COVID-19, an infectious disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, suffer from various diseases, after infection. One of the most serious problems is the increased risk of developing diabetes after COVID-19 infection. However, a treatment for post-COVID-19 infection diabetes has not yet been established.

Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Potential of Mulberry Fruit Extract in High-Fat Diet-Induced Male Reproductive Dysfunction: A Comprehensive Review.

High-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity represents a significant challenge to male reproductive health, affecting approximately 13% of the global adult population. This comprehensive review synthesizes current evidence regarding mulberry ( L.) fruit extract's therapeutic potential for HFD-induced male reproductive dysfunction.

Decrease in Facial Bone Density with Aging and Maintenance Effect of Calcium Maltobionate Ingestion in Japanese Adult Women: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel-Group Trial.

Background/objectives: Facial bone density, including the jawbone, declines earlier than that of the lumbar spine and calcaneus. Calcium maltobionate is reported to mitigate bone resorption and maintain bone density of the lumbar spine in post-menopausal women, but its effects on facial bone density remain understudied. Therefore, this study compared variations in facial bone mineral density with variations in calcaneal bone mineral density and bone resorption markers among healthy women, examining differences between pre- and post-menopause and the effects of continuous calcium maltobionate intake.

Guidance on Energy Intake Based on Resting Energy Expenditure and Physical Activity: Effective for Reducing Body Weight in Patients with Obesity.

Objective: In treating obesity, energy intake control is essential to avoid exceeding energy expenditure. However, excessive restriction of energy intake often leads to resting energy expenditure (REE) reduction, increasing hunger and making weight loss difficult. This study aimed to investigate whether providing nutritional guidance that considers energy expenditure based on the regular evaluation of REE and physical activity could effectively reduce body weight (BW) in patients with obesity.

Evaluation of Fitting Accuracy of Light- and Auto-Polymerizing Reline Materials Using Three-Dimensional Measurement Techniques.

Light-polymerizing reline materials offer improved chairside workability compared to conventional auto-polymerizing reline materials, addressing the partial denture (RPD) incompatibility caused by residual ridge resorption owing to long-term use. This study evaluates the fitting accuracy of relined materials by combining conventional fitting tests with three-dimensional (3D) measurements for detailed analysis. Light-polymerizing reline material (HikariLiner, Tokuyama, Tokyo, Japan, LP) and auto-polymerizing material (Rebase III, Tokuyama, AP) were used.

Electric Conductivity Transitions of Water-Absorbable Polybenzimidazole Films.

Transitions seen in the electric properties of water-absorbable poly(2,5-benzimidazole) (ABPBI) films were confirmed by electric conductivity, dielectric constant, and time-domain nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements. The electric resistance of the films was measured at room temperature using a high-resistance meter, and the dielectric constant at room temperature was measured using an LCR meter in the frequency range of 90 Hz to 8 MHz. The water absorption ratio at equilibrium absorption for the films was 37%, which corresponded to a volume fraction of water of 0.

Mechanical Properties and Decomposition Behavior of Compression Moldable Poly(Malic Acid)/-Tricalcium Phosphate Hybrid Materials.

Calcified tissues in living organisms, such as bone, dentin, and enamel, often require surgical intervention for treatment. However, advances in regenerative medicine have increased the demand for materials to assist in regenerating these tissues. Among the various forms of calcium phosphate (CaP), tricalcium phosphate (TCP)-particularly its α-TCP form-stands out due to its high solubility and efficient calcium release, making it a promising candidate for bone regeneration applications.

Influence of Monomer Size on CO Adsorption and Mechanical Properties in Microporous Cyanate Ester Resins.

Molecular simulations offer valuable insights into thermosetting polymers' microstructures and interactions with small molecules, aiding in the development of advanced materials. In this study, we design two cyanate resin models featuring monomers of different sizes and employ a previously developed method to generate crosslinked structures. We then analyze their crosslinking processes and physicochemical properties.

X-Ray Shielding Polymer Based on Sequential Polycondensation of BiPh and Carboxylic Acids and Radical Polymerization.

Transparent X-ray shielding polymer films were developed by bulk photo copolymerization of in situ prepared bismuth carboxylate prepolymers with polymerizable exomethylene moieties and ,-dimethylacrylamide (DMAA). The bismuth-containing prepolymers were prepared via the polycondensation of BiPh, 2-octenylsuccinic acid (OSA), and itaconic acid (IA) bearing an exomethylene group for polymerization. OSA was a chain extender by intermolecular condensation and a stopper by intramolecular cyclization to inhibit cross-linkage.

The Effects of Oral Semaglutide on Hepatic Fibrosis in Subjects with Type 2 Diabetes in Real-World Clinical Practice: A Post Hoc Analysis of the Sapporo-Oral SEMA Study.

Background/objectives: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is an important common comorbidity in subjects with type 2 diabetes, and liver fibrosis is a factor directly related to its prognosis. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists are useful treatment options for MASLD; however, the efficacy of oral semaglutide in treating liver steatosis/fibrosis has not been fully elucidated.

Methods: A secondary analysis of a multicenter, retrospective, observational study investigating the efficacy and safety of oral semaglutide in Japanese subjects with type 2 diabetes in a real-world clinical setting (the Sapporo-Oral SEMA study) was conducted.

Rhoifolin Suppresses Cell Proliferation and Induces Apoptosis in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells In Vitro and In Vivo.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most prevalent malignant tumor, ranking fifth in terms of fatality with poor prognosis and a low survival rate. Rhoifolin (ROF), a flavonoid constituent, has previously been shown to suppress the proliferation of breast and pancreatic cancer cells. However, its inhibitory effect on HCC has remained unexplored.

Glucose-Lowering Agents Developed in the Last Two Decades and Their Perioperative Implications.

The last two decades have provided far more options f both patients and their physicians in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. While dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP-4is) and glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) have been approved for nearly two decades, sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT-2is) are relatively new. Of interest to perioperative physicians, these drugs present specific perioperative concerns, prompting many societies to issue guidelines.

Molecular Epidemiology, Drug-Resistant Variants, and Therapeutic Implications of Hepatitis B Virus and Hepatitis D Virus Prevalence in Nigeria: A National Study.

Information on circulating HBV (sub-)genotype, variants, and hepatitis D virus (HDV) coinfection, which vary by geographical area, is crucial for the efficient control and management of HBV. We investigated the genomic characteristics of HBV (with a prevalence of 8.1%) and the prevalence of HDV in Nigeria.

The Importance of Lung Innate Immunity During Health and Disease.

The lung is a vital organ for the body as the main source of oxygen input. Importantly, it is also an internal organ that has direct contact with the outside world. Innate immunity is a vital protective system in various organs, whereas, in the case of the lung, it helps maintain a healthy, functioning cellular and molecular environment and prevents any overt damage caused by pathogens or other inflammatory processes.

Ex Vivo Propagation of Pinctada Birnavirus Using Mantle Tissue Fragment Culture: Application for Measuring Replication at Different Temperatures, TCID Assay, and UV Sensitivity.

Pinctada birnavirus (PiBV) is the causative agent of summer atrophy in pearl oyster ( (Gould)). The disease, which induces mass mortality in juveniles less than 1 year old and abnormalities in adults, was first reported in Japan in 2019. Research on the disease has been hindered by the lack of cell lines capable of propagating PiBV.

Divergent Effects of Capsid Proteins on Type I Interferon Signaling.

Viruses in the family can infect mammals and birds. Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) significantly affects the livestock industry by causing porcine circovirus-associated diseases, such as postweaning multisystem wasting syndrome, respiratory disease complex, and dermatitis nephropathy syndrome. Additionally, beak and feather disease virus in parrots, canine circovirus in dogs, and columbid circovirus (pigeon circovirus) in racing pigeons induce immunosuppression, followed by secondary infections in these hosts.

Scrub Typhus and Influenza A Co-Infection: A Case Report.

Scrub typhus, caused by , is a neglected and reemerging disease that causes considerable morbidity and mortality. It now extends beyond the Tsutsugamushi Triangle, the region wherein it has traditionally been endemic. Influenza has also resurged since the infection control measures against COVID-19 were relaxed.

Real-Time Quantification of Gas Leaks Using a Snapshot Infrared Spectral Imager.

We describe the various steps of a gas imaging algorithm developed for detecting, identifying, and quantifying gas leaks using data from a snapshot infrared spectral imager. The spectral video stream delivered by the hardware allows the system to combine spatial, spectral, and temporal correlations into the gas detection algorithm, which significantly improves its measurement sensitivity in comparison to non-spectral video, and also in comparison to scanning spectral imaging. After describing the special calibration needs of the hardware, we show how to regularize the gas detection/identification for optimal performance, provide example SNR spectral images, and discuss the effects of humidity and absorption nonlinearity on detection and quantification.

An Approach to Fall Detection Using Statistical Distributions of Thermal Signatures Obtained by a Stand-Alone Low-Resolution IR Array Sensor Device.

Infrared array sensor-based fall detection and activity recognition systems have gained momentum as promising solutions for enhancing healthcare monitoring and safety in various environments. Unlike camera-based systems, which can be privacy-intrusive, IR array sensors offer a non-invasive, reliable approach for fall detection and activity recognition while preserving privacy. This work proposes a novel method to distinguish between normal motion and fall incidents by analyzing thermal patterns captured by infrared array sensors.

A Comprehensive Analysis of a Social Intelligence Dataset and Response Tendencies Between Large Language Models (LLMs) and Humans.

In recent years, advancements in the interaction and collaboration between humans and have garnered significant attention. Social intelligence plays a crucial role in facilitating natural interactions and seamless communication between humans and Artificial Intelligence (AI). To assess AI's ability to understand human interactions and the components necessary for such comprehension, datasets like Social-IQ have been developed.

Development of an Aerial Manipulation System Using Onboard Cameras and a Multi-Fingered Robotic Hand with Proximity Sensors.

Recently, aerial manipulations are becoming more and more important for the practical applications of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) to choose, transport, and place objects in global space. In this paper, an aerial manipulation system consisting of a UAV, two onboard cameras, and a multi-fingered robotic hand with proximity sensors is developed. To achieve self-contained autonomous navigation to a targeted object, onboard tracking and depth cameras are used to detect the targeted object and to control the UAV to reach the target object, even in a Global Positioning System-denied environment.

Evaluating the Reliability and Consistency of Treadmill Gait Analysis Using an RGB-D Camera: Effects of Assistance and No Assistance.

This study aimed to assess the intraday reliability of markerless gait analysis using an RGB-D camera versus a traditional three-dimensional motion analysis (3DMA) system with and without a simulated walking assistant. Gait assessments were conducted on 20 healthy adults walking on a treadmill with a focus on spatiotemporal parameters gathered using the RGB-D camera and 3DMA system. The intraday reliability of the RGB-D camera was evaluated using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC 1, 1), while its consistency with the 3DMA system was determined using ICC (2, 1).

Expert Comment Generation Considering Sports Skill Level Using a Large Multimodal Model with Video and Spatial-Temporal Motion Features.

In sports training, personalized skill assessment and feedback are crucial for athletes to master complex movements and improve performance. However, existing research on skill transfer predominantly focuses on skill evaluation through video analysis, addressing only a single facet of the multifaceted process required for skill acquisition. Furthermore, in the limited studies that generate expert comments, the learner's skill level is predetermined, and the spatial-temporal information of human movement is often overlooked.

Incorporating Multimodal Directional Interpersonal Synchrony into Empathetic Response Generation.

This study investigates how interpersonal (speaker-partner) synchrony contributes to empathetic response generation in communication scenarios. To perform this investigation, we propose a model that incorporates multimodal directional (positive and negative) interpersonal synchrony, operationalized using the cosine similarity measure, into empathetic response generation. We evaluate how incorporating specific synchrony affects the generated responses at the language and empathy levels.

DynamicVLN: Incorporating Dynamics into Vision-and-Language Navigation Scenarios.

Traditional Vision-and-Language Navigation (VLN) tasks require an agent to navigate static environments using natural language instructions. However, real-world road conditions such as vehicle movements, traffic signal fluctuations, pedestrian activity, and weather variations are dynamic and continually changing. These factors significantly impact an agent's decision-making ability, underscoring the limitations of current VLN models, which do not accurately reflect the complexities of real-world navigation.