Self-Wrinkling in Polyacrylamide Hydrogel Bilayers.

Swelling of a gel film attached to a soft substrate can induce surface instability, which results in the formation of highly ordered patterns such as wrinkles and folds. This phenomenon has been exploited to fabricate functional devices and rationalize morphogenesis. However, obtaining centimeter-scale patterns without immersing the film in a solvent remains challenging.

A bacterial sulfoglycosidase highlights mucin O-glycan breakdown in the gut ecosystem.

Mucinolytic bacteria modulate host-microbiota symbiosis and dysbiosis through their ability to degrade mucin O-glycans. However, how and to what extent bacterial enzymes are involved in the breakdown process remains poorly understood. Here we focus on a glycoside hydrolase family 20 sulfoglycosidase (BbhII) from Bifidobacterium bifidum, which releases N-acetylglucosamine-6-sulfate from sulfated mucins.

Quantitation of guanidine derivatives as representative persistent and mobile organic compounds in water: method development.

Persistent and mobile organic compounds (PMOCs) are highly soluble in water, thereby posing a threat to water resource quality. Currently, there are no methods that can accurately quantify guanidine derivative PMOCs, other than 1,3-diphenylguanidine (DPG) and cyanoguanidine (CG), in aqueous media. In this study, we developed a quantitation method that combines solid-phase extraction and liquid chromatography (LC)-tandem mass spectrometry to detect seven guanidine derivatives in aquatic environments and applied it to environmental water samples.

Higher Intake of Vegetable Protein and Lower Intake of Animal Fats Reduce the Incidence of Diabetes in Non-Drinking Males: A Prospective Epidemiological Analysis of the Shika Study.

Although nutrient intake and alcohol consumption are both closely associated with the incidence of diabetes, their interrelationships remain unclear. Therefore, we herein have investigated the interrelationships among nutrient intake, alcohol consumption, and the incidence of diabetes using longitudinal data. This study included 969 residents ≥40 years living in Japan.

A double-helical S,C-bridged tetraphenyl--phenylenediamine and its persistent radical cation.

A structurally constrained, double-helical S,C-bridged tetraphenyl--phenylenediamine (TPPD) has been synthesized. The stable radical cation of the S,C-bridged TPPD was generated by chemical oxidation, and the electron spin was found to be delocalized over the entire π-conjugated framework. The excellent conformational stability of the neutral molecule facilitated the separation of its enantiomers.

Bone Strength of the Calcaneus Is Associated with Dietary Calcium Intake in Older Japanese Men, but Not Women.

The relationship between calcium intake and bone strength in older Asian individuals, including Japanese, is controversial; therefore, we herein investigated this relationship in older Japanese populations. We performed a cross-sectional analysis of 314 participants older than 65 years who voluntarily participated in a medical examination and responded to questionnaires. The osteo-sono assessment index (OSI) measured at the right calcaneus using a quantitative ultrasonic device was used as an indicator of bone strength.

Integrative approach for discovering of the new species within the genus Allocreadium Looss, 1900 (Trematoda: Allocreadiidae) and framing of biogeographical hypotheses for the genus.

In July 2012 new Allocreadium species was isolated from Carassius gibelio caught in the Arsenyevka River, Primorsky region, Russia. Analyses on the morphometrics and internal organs' topology revealed that these worms are morphologically closest with A. isoporum but both species are independent according to high genetic distances based on the 28S gene fragment (5.

Relationship between Vitamin Intake and Resilience Based on Sex in Middle-Aged and Older Japanese Adults: Results of the Shika Study.

Epidemiological studies reported that resilience, generally regarded as the ability to manage stress in the face of adversity, correlates with mental health in middle-aged and older adults. Currently, there is limited information on eating habits that affect resilience. Therefore, this cross-sectional study investigated the relationship between vitamin intake and resilience based on sex in community-dwelling middle-aged and older individuals in Shika town, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan.

Physiological Functions of Proteinogenic Amino Acid.

The symposium entitled "Physiological Functions of Proteinogenic Amino Acid" is being held at the 22nd IUNS-ICN International Congress of Nutrition in December 2022 in Tokyo, Japan. The symposium is cochaired by Dr. Shigeki Furuya from Kyushu University and Dr.

Effects of Enzamin, a Microbial Product, on Alterations of Intestinal Microbiota Induced by a High-Fat Diet.

In the human intestinal tract, there are more than 100 trillion microorganisms classified into at least 1000 different species. The intestinal microbiota contributes to the regulation of systemic physiologic functions and the maintenance of homeostasis of the host. It has been reported that the alteration of the intestinal microbiota is involved in metabolic syndromes, including type II diabetes and dyslipidemia, inflammatory bowel disease, allergic disease, and cancer growth.

Assessing the changes in river water quality across a land-use change (forest to oil palm plantation) in peninsular Malaysia using the stable isotopes of water and nitrate.

Land conversion from natural forests to plantations (e.g., oil palm) in Southeast Asia is one of the most intensive land-use changes occurring worldwide.

Automated Quantitative Analysis of Anterior Segment Inflammation Using Swept-Source Anterior Segment Optical Coherence Tomography: A Pilot Study.

Background: The aim of this study is to develop an automated evaluation of anterior chamber (AC) cells in uveitis using anterior segment (AS) optical coherence tomography (OCT) images. Methods: We analyzed AS swept-source (SS)-OCT (CASIA 2) images of 31 patients (51 eyes) with uveitis using image analysis software (Python). An automated algorithm was developed to detect cellular spots corresponding to hyper-reflective spots in the AC, and the correlation with Standardization of Uveitis Nomenclature (SUN) grading AC cells score was evaluated.

Role of mixing thermodynamic properties on the Soret effect.

We demonstrate that the modified Kempers model, a recently developed theoretical model for the Soret effect in oxide melts, is applicable for predicting the composition dependence of the Soret coefficient in three binary molecular liquids with negative enthalpies of mixing. We compared the theoretical and experimental values for water/ethanol, water/methanol, water/ethylene glycol, water/acetone, and benzene/n-heptane mixtures. In water/ethanol, water/methanol, and water/ethylene glycol, which have negative enthalpies of mixing across the entire mole fraction range, the modified Kempers model successfully predicts the sign change of the Soret coefficient with high accuracy, whereas, in water/acetone and benzene/n-heptane, which have composition ranges with positive enthalpies of mixing, it cannot predict the sign change of the Soret coefficient.

Two new kathlaniid species (Nematoda: Cosmocercoidea) parasitic in salamanders of the genus Andrias (Amphibia: Caudata: Cryptobranchidae).

The new nematode species, Falcaustra hanzaki n. sp. and Urodelnema takanoensis n.

Synthesis of Electromagnetic Wave-Absorbing Co-Ni Alloys and Co-Ni Core-Shell Structured Nanoparticles.

Co-Ni alloy nanoparticles, a potential candidate for microwave absorption material, were successfully synthesized by tuning the reduction timing of Co and Ni ions by introducing oleylamine as a complexing agent and 1-heptanol as a reducing solvent. The formation mechanism elucidated using time-resolved sampling and in situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectrophotometry measurements suggested that the delay in the reduction of Co ions via complexation with oleylamine facilitated the co-reduction of Co with Ni ions and led to the formation of Co-Ni alloys. The successful synthesis of Co-Ni alloys experimentally confirmed the differences in magnetic properties between alloy and core-shell structured CoNi particles.

Hesperetin induces apoptosis in A549 cells via the Hsp70‑mediated activation of Bax.

Hesperetin, a predominant flavonoid found in citrus fruits, has received considerable attention for its potential anticancer activity through the reduction of cell viability and the induction of apoptosis. Several effector mechanisms have been demonstrated underlying the antitumor properties of hesperetin but its specific mechanisms have not yet been fully elucidated. In the present study, how hesperetin affects the proliferation of A549 cells and the related cell proliferation regulatory mechanisms, were inevstigated.

The complete mitogenome of Echinoparyphium aconiatum (Digenea: Echinostomatidae) and a comparison with other digenean species.

Echinoparyphium aconiatum (Digenea: Echinostomatidae) is an intestinal parasite of anatid and snail-eating birds. In Eurasia, it is also common in lymnaeid snails, which may serve as the first and second intermediate hosts. The systematics of its genus, Echinoparyphium, have long been inadequate, with poor descriptions and extensive synonymy.

Measurement of Skin Thickness Using Ultrasonography to Test the Usefulness of Elastic Compression Stockings for Leg Edema in Pregnant Women.

Background: One of the most common treatments for leg edema during pregnancy is the use of compression stockings. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the objective effectiveness in pregnant women, by measuring the changes of skin thickness using ultrasonography. Methods: Pregnant women were diagnosed with leg edema using the pitting edema method at 36 weeks of gestation.

Depressive symptoms predict antibody titers after a second dose of the SARS-CoV-2 BNT162b2 vaccine among hospital workers in Japan.

Background: Although factors associated with the antibody response to the BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine have been reported, psychological factors have not been examined. Depression or anxiety may affect vaccine reactions because these factors influence immune responses. This study aimed to determine whether psychological status at the time of vaccination predicts antibody responses.

A new sampling method with zirconium-loaded resin for phosphate oxygen isotope analysis in oligotrophic freshwater systems.

Rationale: The phosphate oxygen isotope ratio ( ) is a useful technique to trace the sources and biogeochemical cycles of phosphorus (P) in aquatic ecosystems. However, has not been widely used in oligotrophic freshwater systems due to technical and methodological difficulties in collecting sufficient phosphate (PO ) for the analysis, which sometimes requires hundreds of liters of the water sample. In this study, a new approach (PaS-Zir) was developed for the analysis in oligotrophic freshwater systems using zirconium (Zr)-loaded (ZrIRC) resin, which has a high affinity for PO .

A Koshihikari X Oryza rufipogon Introgression Line with a High Capacity to Take up Nitrogen to Maintain Growth and Panicle Development under Low Nitrogen Conditions.

Nitrogen (N) is an important macronutrient for plant growth and development. Currently, N fertilizers are required for the efficient production of modern crops such as rice due to their limited capacity to take up N when present at low concentrations. Wild rice represents a useful genetic resource for improving crop responses to low nutrient stress.

Priority effects shape the structure of infant-type Bifidobacterium communities on human milk oligosaccharides.

Bifidobacteria are among the first colonizers of the infant gut, and human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) in breastmilk are instrumental for the formation of a bifidobacteria-rich microbiota. However, little is known about the assembly of bifidobacterial communities. Here, by applying assembly theory to a community of four representative infant-gut associated Bifidobacterium species that employ varied strategies for HMO consumption, we show that arrival order and sugar consumption phenotypes significantly affected community formation.