Menstrual variations of sleep-wake rhythms in healthy women.

The ovarian steroid hormones, estrogen and progesterone, the levels of which fluctuate dynamically with the estrous cycle, alter circadian behavioral rhythms in mammals. However, it remains unclear whether the sleep-wake rhythm fluctuates with the menstrual cycle in humans. To ascertain the relationship between the menstrual cycle and sleep-wake rhythms, we evaluated the objective and long-term sleep-wake rhythms of ten healthy women using a recently developed wearable device.

Photocatalytic production and biological activity of D-arabino-1,4-lactone from D-fructose.

Lactones play crucial roles in various fields, such as pharmaceuticals, food, and materials science, due to their unique structures and diverse biological activities. However, certain lactones are difficult to obtain in large quantities from natural sources, necessitating their synthesis to study their properties and potential. In this study, we investigated the photocatalytic conversion of D-fructose, a biomass-derived and naturally abundant sugar, using a TiO photocatalyst under light irradiation in ambient conditions.

Improving Molecular Design with Direct Inverse Analysis of QSAR/QSPR Model.

Recent advances in machine learning have significantly impacted molecular design, notably the molecular generation method combining the chemical variational autoencoder (VAE) with Gaussian mixture regression (GMR). In this method, a mathematical model is constructed with X as the latent variable of the molecule and Y as the target properties and activities. Through direct inverse analysis of this model, it is possible to generate molecules with the desired target properties.

Transcriptional dynamics during karyogamy in rice zygotes.

Upon fertilization, male and female nuclei fuse to form the zygotic nucleus in angiosperms. Karyogamy is considered to be essential for proper embryogenesis; however, the transcriptional dynamics during karyogamy in plant zygotes remain unclear. In this study, we performed a single-cell transcriptome analysis of rice zygotes at six early developmental stages (15 min, 30 min, 1 h, 2 h, 4 h, and 6 h after gamete fusion) to reveal gene expression profiles during karyogamy in plant zygotes.

Transcriptional Regulation in Bacteria.

The goal of research in the post-genomic era, now that the full extent of the genes encoded on microbial genomes is known [https://www [...

Maresin-like 1 Ameliorates Neuropathology of Alzheimer's Disease in Brains of a Transgenic Mouse Model.

(1) Background: Impeded resolution of inflammation contributes substantially to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD); consequently, resolving inflammation is pivotal to the amelioration of AD pathology. This can potentially be achieved by the treatment with specialized pro-resolving lipid mediators (SPMs), which should resolve neuroinflammation in brains. (2) Methods: Here, we report the histological effects of long-term treatment with an SPM, maresin-like 1 (MarL1), on AD pathogenesis in a transgenic 5xFAD mouse model.

Impact of container type on the microbiome of airag, a Mongolian fermented mare's milk.

Airag, a fermented mare's milk in Mongolia, exhibits diverse flavors and microbiota due to distinct production processes and environments in nomadic households. Recently, there has been a shift from the traditional cow skin container, 'khokhuur', to a plastic container for airag production, potentially impacting the microbiota and quality. To address this notion, we aimed to elucidate the differences in the microbiota between airag samples from a plastic container and those from a khokhuur.

Enhancement of Spontaneous Orientation Polarization in Glassy Organic Semiconductor Mixtures.

The alignment of permanent dipole moments and the resulting spontaneous orientation polarization (SOP) are commonly observed in evaporated neat films of polar organic molecules and lead to a so-called giant surface potential. In the case of mixed films, often enhanced molecular orientation is observed, i.e.

Impact of epinephrine on neurological outcomes in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest after automated external defibrillator use in Japan.

OHCA (out-of-hospital cardiac arrest) patients have improved neurological outcomes with public-access automated external defibrillator (PAD) use. However, the benefit of epinephrine administration after PAD use remains controversial. The purpose of the study was to investigate the impact of epinephrine administration on neurological outcomes in OHCA patients after PAD use.

Administration of a Selective Antagonist for Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide Receptor in the Hippocampus Causes Anxiolytic Effects in the Male Rat.

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) affects rodents' stress-related behaviors, such as anxiety-like behavior or fear conditioning. However, previous studies have investigated the effect of intracerebroventricular, but not hippocampal, injection of this PAC1R-selective antagonist (PACAP-6-38) on anxiety-like behavior. However, it has been reported that administration of PACAP-6-38 to the dorsal hippocampus reduces the fear response in a fear conditioning test.

Inhibition of shoot branching in Arabidopsis by the artificially produced canonical-strigolactone.

Strigolactones (SLs) are apocarotenoid plant hormones that regulate shoot branching. The natural SLs can be divided into two groups, canonical and non-canonical SLs according to those chemical structures. In a model plant, Arabidopsis thaliana, it has been thought to produce only non-canonical SLs.

Charging and Discharging of Poly(-aminophenylboronic Acid) Doped with Phytic Acid for Enzyme-Free Real-Time Monitoring of Human Sweat Lactate.

In this study, we realized a real-time and enzyme-free measurement of lactate in sweat in the same way as an enzyme-based amperometric method. A conductive polymer, which is based on polyaniline (PANI), was strongly coated on a glassy carbon electrode as a poly -aminophenylboronic acid (PANI-PBA) membrane by drop-casting, which is a convenient method, owing to adhesive phytic acid (PA) molecules with negative charges included as a dopant. This polymer membrane had a functional structure with PBA in the PANI main chain, which expectedly induced electrical charges upon diol binding to lactate, owing to the formation of deprotonated boronate esters with negative charges.

Isolation and characterization of Iwanai Valley virus, a new tick-borne nairovirus from Ixodes ovatus ticks in Hokkaido, Japan.

Most members of the genus Orthonairovirus, represented by Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus and Nairobi sheep disease virus, are tick-borne, and some have become a public health concern in recent years. Here, we report the isolation and genetic and biological characterization of a new orthonairovirus, designated as "Iwanai Valley virus" (IWVV), from Ixodes ovatus ticks in Hokkaido, Japan. The amino acid sequence of the viral nucleoprotein (NP) was found to be 34-45% identical to those of known orthonairoviruses.

Preferred Orientation of Hydroxyapatite Ceramics Along the -Axis Promotes Osteoblast Differentiation.

Hydroxyapatite (HAp) is similar to the main inorganic components of bone and tooth enamel. Furthermore, it possesses biocompatibility, making it suitable for clinical use in artificial bones. This study aimed to verify whether the preferred orientation of HAp influences osteogenesis.

The Remarkable Diversity of Vertebrate Bitter Taste Receptors: Recent Advances in Genomic and Functional Studies.

Bitter taste perception is crucial for animal survival. By detecting potentially harmful substances, such as plant secondary metabolites, as bitter, animals can avoid ingesting toxic compounds. In vertebrates, this function is mediated by taste receptors type 2 (T2Rs), a family of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) expressed on taste buds.

Exploring Molecular Descriptors and Acquisition Functions in Bayesian Optimization for Designing Molecules with Low Hole Reorganization Energy.

Organic semiconductors have been widely studied owing to their potential applications in various devices, such as field-effect transistors, light-emitting diodes, solar cells, and image sensors. However, they have a limitation of significantly lower carrier mobility compared to silicon, which is a widely used inorganic semiconductor. Therefore, to address such limitations, these molecules should be further explored.

Mosquito populations originating from nonendemic areas have the potential to transmit recently emerging Japanese encephalitis virus genotype IV.

Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) genotype IV (GIV) is one of the least common and most neglected genotypes worldwide, having been identified only on a few Indonesian islands until it was recently found to be the cause of outbreaks that occurred in several Australian states in early 2022. Given the limited availability of information, the vector range for JEV GIV remains unknown; thus, understanding this range could prove invaluable for future prevention efforts in new areas. Herein, we experimentally exposed four mosquito colonies originated from various countries with no previous reports of GIV to JEV GIV strain 19CxBa-83-Cv, which was isolated from Theobald collected in Bali in 2019.

Neural Mechanism of Musical Pleasure Induced by Prediction Errors: An EEG Study.

Background/objectives: Musical pleasure is considered to be induced by prediction errors (surprise), as suggested in neuroimaging studies. However, the role of temporal changes in musical features in reward processing remains unclear. Utilizing the Information Dynamics of Music (IDyOM) model, a statistical model that calculates musical surprise based on prediction errors in melody and harmony, we investigated whether brain activities associated with musical pleasure, particularly in the θ, β, and γ bands, are induced by prediction errors, similar to those observed during monetary rewards.

The blood flow and vascular responses in dynamically exercising skeletal muscles evoked by combination of cold stimulation and voluntary apnea in humans.

Purpose: We evaluated (1) the combined effects of cold stimulation and voluntary breath holding (apnea) on heart rate, blood pressure, blood flow and vascular responses in dynamically exercising muscles in humans, and (2) if some interactions exist between cold stimulation and apnea on the cardiovascular responses.

Methods: Nine males and 1 female performed three trials entailing a dynamic two-legged knee extension exercise at a constant workload that elicited heart rates around 100 beats min. During the trials the participants performed either: (1) immersed their right hand into ice water maintained at 4 °C (cold pressor test; CPT); (2) performed maximal-duration apnea; and (3) performed a combination of CPT and apnea.

Theoretical Evaluation of Complex Dielectric Constant for Gamma Relaxation of Poly(methyl methacrylate), A Study of Quantum Chemistry and Linear Response Theory.

It is widely accepted that the γ relaxation of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) arises from the hindered rotational motion of the side chain around the C-C bond, which links to the main chain. However, the physical model to explain this process has been unknown. The hybrid density functional theory calculation showed that the PMMA intramolecular hindered rotation has an activation energy of 6.

Family events and child behavior in late childhood: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Children's social behavior develops through diverse experiences. However, the relationship between children's experiences of celebratory events and their behavioral development has not been previously quantified. Therefore, this study aimed to quantitatively explore this relationship.

Association between parents' perceived social support and children's psychological adjustment: a cross-sectional study.

Background: This study examined the relationship between parents' perceived social support and their children's psychological adjustment.

Methods: This cross-sectional survey study was conducted in 52 kindergartens and 78 preschools in Nagoya, Aichi, a major metropolitan area in Japan. Parents of eighth-grade children aged 13-14 years (N = 1,195) completed a questionnaire.