Functions of Smartphone Apps and Wearable Devices Promoting Physical Activity: Six-Month Longitudinal Study on Japanese-Speaking Adults.

Background: Smartphone apps and wearable activity trackers are increasingly recognized for their potential to promote physical activity (PA). While studies suggest that the use of commercial mobile health tools is associated with higher PA levels, most existing evidence is cross-sectional, leaving a gap in longitudinal data.

Objective: This study aims to identify app-use patterns that are prospectively associated with increases in and maintenance of PA.

Mechanistic Insights into Oxygen-Independent DNA Photodegradation by Pheophorbide a: Implications for Future Photodynamic Therapy Applications.

This study explores the unique properties of Pheophorbide a (Phed a) in the photodegradation of G-quadruplex DNA under anoxic conditions, emphasizing its potential for photodynamic therapy (PDT) in hypoxic tumor environments. We used electron spin resonance (ESR), circular dichroism (CD), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopies to assess the radical generation and DNA interaction capabilities of Phed a compared to Pyropheophorbide a (Pyro a) under both oxygenated and anoxic conditions. Our results reveal that Phed a effectively degrades G-quadruplex DNA in the absence of oxygen, whereas Pyro a does not.

Random epigenetic inactivation of the X-chromosomal HaMSter gene causes sex ratio distortion in persimmon.

In contrast to the recent progress in the genome sequencing of plant sex chromosomes, the functional contribution of the genes in sex chromosomes remains little known. They were classically thought to be related to sexual dimorphism, which is beneficial to male or female functions, including segregation ratios. Here we focused on the functional evolution of the sex ratio distortion-related locus Half Male Sterile/Inviable (HaMSter), which is located in the short sex-linked region in diploid persimmon (Diospyros lotus).

Toward defining the Anthropocene onset using a rapid increase in anthropogenic fingerprints in global geological archives.

One of the remaining issues regarding the Anthropocene is the lack of stratigraphic evidence indicating when the cumulative human pressure from the early Holocene began to fundamentally change the Earth system. Herein, we compile anthropogenic fingerprints from various high-precision-dated proxy records for 137 global sites to determine the age of the unprecedented surge in these records over the last 7700 y. The cumulative number of fingerprints revealed an unprecedented surge in diverse anthropogenic fingerprints starting in 1952 ± 3 CE, corresponding to the onset of the Great Acceleration.

Workers' experiences of improvements in the work environment and mental health problems: a web-based 1-year prospective study of Japanese employees.

Objectives: This study aimed to prospectively investigate the association between work environment improvements and multiple mental health outcomes in a large sample of Japanese employees.

Methods: A web-based longitudinal study surveyed 20 000 Japanese employees, 7970 of whom completed a follow-up after 1 year. Various types of work environment improvements experienced by workers were assessed using a 24-item checklist.

Prolonged perceived stress predicts fingernail cortisol increase: A longitudinal study.

Cortisol levels in fingernail samples are known to represent cumulative hormone levels. However, findings on the association between fingernail cortisol and perceived stress have been inconsistent. Since the effect of confounding factors cannot be excluded in cross-sectional studies, this study longitudinally examined the effects of perceived stress and negative life events on changes in fingernail cortisol levels over a period of six months.

Expanding the Genome-Editing Toolbox with Cas9 Using a Unique Protospacer Adjacent Motif Sequence.

The genome-editing efficiency of the CRISPR-Cas9 system hinges on the recognition of the protospacer adjacent motif (PAM) sequence, which is essential for Cas9 binding to DNA. The commonly used (SpyCas9) targets the 5'-NGG-3' PAM sequence, which does not cover all the potential genomic-editing sites. To expand the toolbox for genome editing, SpyCas9 has been engineered to recognize flexible PAM sequences and Cas9 orthologs have been used to recognize novel PAM sequences.

Assessment of differences in mechanical properties and thickness of temporal and occipital bones and correlation with age in Japanese forensic samples.

The mechanical properties and thickness of adult temporal and occipital bones were examined in modern Japanese forensic samples. Cranial bones were obtained from 293 Japanese corpses (179 men and 114 women). During autopsy, left temporal (LT), right temporal (RT), and occipital (O) bone samples were extracted from each skull.

Efficient production of polyhydroxybutyrate using lignocellulosic biomass derived from oil palm trunks by the inhibitor-tolerant strain Burkholderia ambifaria E5-3.

Lignocellulosic biomass is a valuable, renewable substrate for the synthesis of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), an ecofriendly biopolymer. In this study, bacterial strain E5-3 was isolated from soil in Japan; it was identified as Burkholderia ambifaria strain E5-3 by 16 S rRNA gene sequencing. The strain showed optimal growth at 37 °C with an initial pH of 9.

Dynamic symptom associations in posttraumatic stress disorder: a network approach.

The current study aimed to investigate the within-day symptom dynamics in PTSD patients, specifically focusing on symptoms that most predict changes in other symptoms. The study included a baseline diagnostic assessment, followed by an assessment using the experience sampling method (ESM) via a smartphone. Participants answered questions related to their PTSD symptoms four times per day for 15 consecutive days (compliance rate 75%).

The Neural Correlates of Individual Differences in Reinforcement Learning during Pain Avoidance and Reward Seeking.

Organisms learn to gain reward and avoid punishment through action-outcome associations. Reinforcement learning (RL) offers a critical framework to understand individual differences in this associative learning by assessing learning rate, action bias, pavlovian factor (i.e.

Size-classified aerosol-bound heavy metals and their effects on human health risks in industrial and remote areas in Japan.

Airborne aerosols were collected in six size classes (PM, PM, PM, PM, PM and PM) to investigate aerosol health risks in remote and industrial areas in Japan. We focused on heavy metals and their water-dispersed fractions. The average concentration of heavy metals was 18 ± 25-86 ± 48 ngm for PM, 46 ± 19-154 ± 80 for PM ngm, 98 ± 49-422 ± 186 ngm for PM, 321 ± 305-1288 ± 727 ngm for PM and 65 ± 52-914 ± 339 ngm or PM, and these concentrations were higher in industrial areas.

Revisiting the Transtheoretical Model for Physical Activity: A Large-Scale Cross-Sectional Study on Japanese-Speaking Adults.

Background: The Transtheoretical Model (TTM) has been the basis of health promotion programs, which are, for example, used to tailor behavioral interventions according to the stages of change. Empirical studies have shown that the TTM effectively describes the processes of behavioral adaptation to acquire healthier lifestyles; however, it has been argued that TTM-based interventions are not superior to non-TTM-based interventions for promoting physical activity (PA). Evidence has also highlighted some inconsistencies with theoretical assumptions, especially regarding how each process-of-change strategy emerges across the stages.

Detection of Fibril Nucleation in Micrometer-Sized Protein Condensates and Suppression of Sup35NM Fibril Nucleation by Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation.

Elucidating the link between amyloid fibril formation and liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) is crucial in understanding the pathologies of various intractable human diseases. However, the effect of condensed protein droplets generated by LLPS on nucleation (the initial step of amyloid formation) remains unclear because of the lack of available quantitative analysis techniques. This study aimed to develop a measurement method for the amyloid droplet nucleation rate based on image analysis.

Multiple episodes of ice loss from the Wilkes Subglacial Basin during the Last Interglacial.

The Last Interglacial (LIG: 130,000-115,000 years ago) was a period of warmer global mean temperatures and higher and more variable sea levels than the Holocene (11,700-0 years ago). Therefore, a better understanding of Antarctic ice-sheet dynamics during this interval would provide valuable insights for projecting sea-level change in future warming scenarios. Here we present a high-resolution record constraining ice-sheet changes in the Wilkes Subglacial Basin (WSB) of East Antarctica during the LIG, based on analysis of sediment provenance and an ice melt proxy in a marine sediment core retrieved from the Wilkes Land margin.

Effects of heat exposure on the thermoregulatory responses of young children.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether young children's thermoregulation during heat exposure varies with age and body size. A total of 34 young children (aged 6 months-8 years)-18 boys and 16 girls-participated in the study. They were divided into five groups according to age (<1 year, 1 year, 2-3 years, 4-5 years, and 8 years).

Comprehensive analysis of peptide-coding genes and initial characterization of an LRR-only microprotein in .

In the past two decades, many plant peptides have been found to play crucial roles in various biological events by mediating cell-to-cell communications. However, a large number of small open reading frames (sORFs) or short genes capable of encoding peptides remain uncharacterized. In this study, we examined several candidate genes for peptides conserved between two model plants: and .

Statistical analysis of the thickness and biomechanical properties of Japanese children's skulls.

Objective: The structure and strength of a child's skull are important in accurately determining what and how external forces were applied when examining head injuries. The aims of this study were to measure skull thickness and strength in children, evaluate sex differences, and investigate the correlation between skull thickness and strength and age.

Materials And Methods: Skulls were obtained from 42 Japanese dead bodies under 20 years of age.

RNA-binding protein LIN28A upregulates transcription factor HIF1α by posttranscriptional regulation via direct binding to UGAU motifs.

Hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF1α) is a transcription factor that regulates angiogenesis under hypoxic conditions. To investigate the posttranscriptional regulatory mechanism of HIF1α, we performed a cell-based screening to reveal potential cis-elements and the regulatory RNA-binding proteins that act as trans-factors. We found that LIN28A promoted HIF1α protein expression independently of the downregulation of microRNA let-7, which is also directly mediated by LIN28A.

PRC2-dependent regulation of ganglioside expression during dedifferentiation contributes to the proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells.

Phenotypic switching between contractile (differentiated state) and proliferative (dedifferentiated state) vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) is a hallmark of vascular remodeling that contributes to atherosclerotic diseases. Gangliosides, a group of glycosphingolipids, have been detected in atherosclerotic lesions and are suspected to contribute to the disease process. However, the underlying mechanism, specifically with respect to their role in VSMC phenotype switching, is not clear.

Viscosity-aided electromechanical poration of cells for transfecting molecules.

Cell poration technologies offer opportunities not only to understand the activities of biological molecules but also to investigate genetic manipulation possibilities. Unfortunately, transferring large molecules that can carry huge genomic information is challenging. Here, we demonstrate electromechanical poration using a core-shell-structured microbubble generator, consisting of a fine microelectrode covered with a dielectric material.