Adsorption structures and bonding states of cesium and barium adsorbed on various sites of vermiculite.

The adsorption reaction on clay minerals is crucial for understanding the environmental behavior of various cations, including cesium (Cs). However, its details remain unclear because of multiple adsorption sites of the clay minerals, a significant difference between concentrations in the atomic-scale experiments and the actual environment, and difficulties of evaluating bonding states of the adsorbed cations. It is expected that systematic experiments at the atomic-scale with a wide concentration range and application of density functional theory (DFT) calculations overcome the problems and bring crucial insights to link laboratory experiment results with environmental sample analysis.

Enlargement of the human prefrontal cortex and brain mentalizing network: anatomically homogenous cross-species brain transformation.

To achieve a better understanding of the evolution of the large brain in humans, a comparative analysis of species differences in the brains of extant primate species is crucial, as it allows direct comparisons of the brains. We developed a method to achieve anatomically precise region-to-region homologous brain transformations across species using computational neuroanatomy. Utilizing three-dimensional neuroimaging data from humans (Homo sapiens), chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes), and Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata), along with the anatomical labels of their respective brains, we aimed to create a cross-species average template brain that preserves neuroanatomical correspondence across species.

Medial Patellofemoral Ligament Repair with Suture Tape Augmentation Can Yield Good Midterm Clinical Outcomes Regardless of Skeletal Maturity and Joint Laxity.

While several studies have reported short-term clinical outcomes after medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) repair with suture tape augmentation, there is still a dearth of knowledge regarding midterm clinical outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the midterm clinical outcomes of MPFL repair with suture tape augmentation in patients with patellar dislocation. We retrospectively reviewed the clinical records of patients who underwent MPFL repair with suture tape augmentation for at least one episode of patellar dislocation between 2015 and 2020.

Estimating the paths and mechanical behaviors of the plantar aponeurosis during dynamic movements using a multiple-marker foot model incorporating anatomically-detailed plantar aponeurosis morphology.

Background: Several foot models have been developed to estimate the behaviors of the plantar aponeurosis (PA) during movements. However, these models did not consider the actual path of the PA, and their validity remains insufficiently investigated due to the absence of direct PA measurement during movements.

Research Question: Would developing a foot model that considers the actual path of the PA improve the accuracy of estimating the PA behavior during movements?

Methods: The foot model was developed based on the CT scans of the six feet with 20 markers attached.

Optical Fresnel zone plate flat lenses made entirely of colored photoresist through an i-line stepper.

Light manipulation and control are essential in various contemporary technologies, and as these technologies evolve, the demand for miniaturized optical components increases. Planar-lens technologies, such as metasurfaces and diffractive optical elements, have gained attention in recent years for their potential to dramatically reduce the thickness of traditional refractive optical systems. However, their fabrication, particularly for visible wavelengths, involves complex and costly processes, such as high-resolution lithography and dry-etching, which has limited their availability.

Optimising reaction conditions in flasks for performances in organic light-emitting devices.

A method for correlating reaction conditions with device performance was developed by combining Design-of-Experiments and machine-learning strategies in multistep device fabrication processes. This method allowed the "from-flask-to-device" optimisation of a macrocyclisation reaction yielding a mixture of methylated []cyclo--phenylenes, and a crude raw material was directly applied to the fabrication of Ir-doped organic light-emitting devices spin-coating. The method succeeded in eliminating energy-consuming and waste-producing separation and purification steps during device fabrication.

Identification of deposits from modern and ancient large tsunamis by means of environmental DNA.

We examined the potential of environmental DNA (eDNA) for identifying tsunami deposits in the geological record using lake-bottom sediments in the Tohoku region, Japan. The presence of eDNA from marine organisms in a lacustrine event deposit provides very strong evidence that the deposit was formed by an influx of water from the ocean. The diverse DNA assemblage in the deposit formed by the 2011 Tohoku-oki tsunami included DNA of marine origin indicating that eDNA has potential as an identifying proxy for tsunami deposits.

Centrophilic retrotransposon integration via CENH3 chromatin in Arabidopsis.

In organisms ranging from vertebrates to plants, major components of centromeres are rapidly evolving repeat sequences, such as tandem repeats (TRs) and transposable elements (TEs), which harbour centromere-specific histone H3 (CENH3). Complete centromere structures recently determined in human and Arabidopsis suggest frequent integration and purging of retrotransposons within the TR regions of centromeres. Despite the high impact of 'centrophilic' retrotransposons on the paradox of rapid centromere evolution, the mechanisms involved in centromere targeting remain poorly understood in any organism.

Structural insights into how Cas9 targets nucleosomes.

The CRISPR-associated endonuclease Cas9 derived from prokaryotes is used as a genome editing, which targets specific genomic loci by single guide RNAs (sgRNAs). The eukaryotes, the target of genome editing, store their genome DNA in chromatin, in which the nucleosome is a basic unit. Despite previous structural analyses focusing on Cas9 cleaving free DNA, structural insights into Cas9 targeting of DNA within nucleosomes are limited, leading to uncertainties in understanding how Cas9 operates in the eukaryotic genome.

A chemigenetic indicator based on a synthetic chelator and a green fluorescent protein for imaging of intracellular sodium ions.

A chemigenetic indicator with an affinity suitable for imaging of intracellular sodium ions (Na) in mammalian cells was developed. The indicator, based on a chimera of green fluorescent protein (GFP) and HaloTag labeled with a synthetic crown ether chelator, was produced by a combination of rational design and directed evolution. In mammalian cells the indicator exhibited an approximately 100% increase in excitation ratio when the cells were treated with 20 mM Na and an ionophore.

Continuous-flow synthesis of carboxylic acids from alcohols platinum and silicon dioxide-catalyzed hydrogen peroxide oxidation.

A continuous-flow method for the direct oxidation of alcohols to carboxylic acids is reported, employing hydrogen peroxide (HO) and a platinum (Pt) catalyst within a flow reactor system. This approach allows for precise control over the contact time between the reactants and the catalyst, enabling optimization of reaction conditions. By analyzing the yields of both aldehydes and carboxylic acids as a function of weight hourly space velocity (WHSV), selective synthesis of carboxylic acids was achieved without the formation of corresponding aldehydes.

Optimal dose of tranexamic acid in traumatic brain injury: Systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: Tranexamic acid (TXA) has been used to treat traumatic brain injury (TBI); however, no definitive conclusions have been drawn regarding its effectiveness or dosage. This study evaluated the optimal TXA dose for treating TBI using a network meta-analysis (NMA).

Methods: Five databases were searched for peer-reviewed randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published from inception to May 2024.

Relationship Between the 25-Question Geriatric Locomotive Function Scale and Falls: A One-Year Longitudinal Observational Study of 1,173 Healthy Community-Dwelling Residents Aged 65 and Older.

Introduction This study aimed to explore the relationship between the 25-question Geriatric Locomotive Function Scale (GLFS-25) score (i.e., total score and domain scores) and falls (i.

Inhibitory effects of the selective μ-opioid receptor antagonist UD-030 on methamphetamine-induced conditioned place preference.

Although methamphetamine (METH) and other addictive substance use disorders are a major social problem worldwide, appropriate pharmacotherapies have not yet been discovered. Subtype-nonselective opioid receptor antagonists, such as naltrexone (NTX), have been reported to suppress METH addiction, but unclear are the opioid receptor subtypes that are involved in this beneficial effect. To clarify the role of μ-opioid receptors (MOPs), we examined effects of the novel nonpeptidic MOP-selective antagonist UD-030 on the acquisition and expression of METH-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) using behavioral tests in C57BL/6J mice.

A Pharmacovigilance Study on Psychotropic Agent-Induced Urinary Retention Using the Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report Database.

Introduction: Psychotropic drugs have been reported to cause urinary retention (UR) via anticholinergic and other mechanisms. However, UR has not received much attention because of its non-fatal symptoms. We investigated the occurrence of UR associated with psychotropic drugs using the Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report (JADER) database.

A Method for Bioluminescence-Based RNA Monitoring Using Split-Luciferase Reconstitution Techniques.

A bioluminescence-based RNA monitoring method in living cells was developed using a split NanoLuc (NLuc) reconstitution technique. For specific recognition of a target RNA sequence, a mutant PUM-HD (mPUM) was used. The method was applied to β-actin mRNA in various cells, including primary cultures of rat hippocampal neurons.

Structural insights into the agonist selectivity of the adenosine A receptor.

Adenosine receptors play pivotal roles in physiological processes. Adenosine A receptor (AR), the most recently identified adenosine receptor, is expressed in various tissues, exhibiting important roles in neuron, heart, and immune cells, and is often overexpressed in tumors, highlighting the therapeutic potential of AR-selective agents. Recently, we identified RNA-derived N-methyladenosine (mA) as an endogenous agonist for AR, suggesting the relationship between RNA-derived modified adenosine and AR.

Structural mechanisms of potent lysophosphatidic acid receptor 1 activation by nonlipid basic agonists.

Lysophosphatidic acid receptor 1 (LPA) is one of the G protein-coupled receptors activated by the lipid mediator, lysophosphatidic acid (LPA). LPA is associated with a variety of diseases, and LPA agonists have potential therapeutic value for treating obesity and depression. Although potent nonlipid LPA agonists have recently been identified, the mechanisms of nonlipid molecule-mediated LPA activation remain unclear.

Dipteran-specific Daedalus controls Zucchini endonucleolysis in piRNA biogenesis independent of exonucleases.

PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) protect germline genomes and maintain fertility by repressing transposons. Daedalus and Gasz act together as a mitochondrial scaffold for Armitage, a necessary factor for Zucchini-dependent piRNA processing. However, the mechanism underlying this function remains unclear.

A cadaveric study of wrist-joint moments in chimpanzees and orangutans with implications for the evolution of knuckle-walking.

Understanding the mechanism underlying the evolution of knuckle-walking in African great apes but not in humans may provide important implications about the origin and evolution of human bipedal locomotion. In this study, aiming to reveal possible structural adaptations of the chimpanzee's forearm and hand musculature related to knuckle-walking, we measure the passive elastic moment of the chimpanzee's and orangutan's wrist as it was rotated into extension, immobilizing the metacarpophalangeal joint at three different positions: extended (as in knuckle-walking), flexed (as in fist-walking), and an intermediate position. Our findings demonstrate that when the metacarpophalangeal joints are extended, the rigidity of the wrist joint in the extended direction increases.

Biofilm Formation on Excavation Damaged Zone Fractures in Deep Neogene Sedimentary Rock.

Deep underground galleries are used to access the deep biosphere in addition to mining and other engineering applications, such as geological disposal of radioactive waste. Fracture networks developed in the excavation damaged zone (EDZ) are concerned with accelerating mass transport, where microbial colonization might be possible due to the availability of space and nutrients. In this study, microbial biofilms at EDZ fractures were investigated by drilling from a 350-m-deep gallery and subsequent borehole logging at the Horonobe Underground Research Laboratory (URL).