Virtual reality navigation for the early detection of Alzheimer's disease.

Objective: The development of non-invasive clinical diagnostics is paramount for the early detection of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Neurofibrillary tangles in AD originate from the entorhinal cortex, a cortical memory area that mediates navigation via path integration (PI). Here, we studied correlations between PI errors and levels of a range of AD biomarkers using a 3D virtual reality navigation system to explore PI as a non-invasive surrogate marker for early detection.

CSF Mitochondrial DNA: Biomarker of Body Composition and Energy Metabolism in Parkinson's Disease.

Objective: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cell-free mitochondrial DNA (cf-mtDNA) is a potential biomarker for Parkinson's disease (PD), but its clinical relevance remains unclear. We investigated associations between CSF cf-mtDNA levels, body composition, nutritional status, and metabolic biomarkers in PD.

Methods: CSF cf-mtDNA levels, defined as the copy numbers of two regions of the mtDNA circular molecule (mt64-ND1 and mt96-ND5), were quantified in 44 PD patients and 43 controls using multiplex digital PCR.

Wandering the Plasmodesmata Field as a Leaf Vein Pattern Finder.

The role of auxin in leaf vein patterning, as expressed through auxin signaling and polar transport, is well established and supported by both experimental and computational data. In contrast, the involvement of plasmodesmata (PDs) in the auxin-driven vein patterning process has only been considered in computational models. Recent experimental data have provided support for the involvement of PDs, specifically their facilitation of auxin movement, in the patterned vein formation process.

Cerebrospinal fluid sphingolipid and sterol metabolite profiles of neurologically normal subjects.

Although glycosphingolipids (GSLs) and sterol metabolites are known to be involved in many diseases, including neurodegenerative disorders, the quantification of these molecules in humans has been scarcely investigated. Similarly, the effects of age, sex, and statin use have not been sufficiently investigated or reported in the literature. In this study, we measured the levels of human cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) GSLs of various fatty acid acyl chain lengths and sterol metabolites using hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography and electrospray tandem mass spectrometry in a neurologically normal population.

[BRAF V600E-positive intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma with suspected malignant transformation of the bile duct adenoma:a case report].

A 69-year-old woman was diagnosed with extrahepatic portal vein occlusion and liver cirrhosis. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a ring-enhanced liver tumor. A liver tumor biopsy detected small bile duct proliferation without atypia and a map-like pattern on immunostaining for glutamine synthetase, resulting in a focal nodular hyperplasia diagnosis.

CSF GPNMB in Parkinson's disease: A potential association with age and microglial activation.

Background: Recent evidence suggests a link between glycoprotein non-metastatic melanoma protein B (GPNMB) and Parkinson's disease (PD) pathogenesis. Although elevated plasma GPNMB levels associated with disease severity have been reported in PD, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) alterations remain elusive.

Objective: To explore CSF GPNMB alterations and its clinical significance in PD.

Brain network and energy imbalance in Parkinson's disease: linking ATP reduction and -synuclein pathology.

Parkinson's disease (PD) involves the disruption of brain energy homeostasis. This encompasses broad-impact factors such as mitochondrial dysfunction, impaired glycolysis, and other metabolic disturbances, like disruptions in the pentose phosphate pathway and purine metabolism. Cortical hubs, which are highly connected regions essential for coordinating multiple brain functions, require significant energy due to their dense synaptic activity and long-range connections.

A Chromosome-Level Genome Sequence Reveals Regulation of Salt Stress Response in Mesembryanthemum crystallinum.

Salt stress disturbs plant growth and photosynthesis due to its toxicity. The ice plant Mesembryanthemum crystallinum is a highly salt-tolerant facultative crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) plant. However, the genetic basis of the salt tolerance mechanisms in ice plants remains unclear.

Flattened red nucleus in progressive supranuclear palsy detected by quantitative susceptibility mapping.

Introduction: Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) involves midbrain structures, including the red nucleus (RN), an iron-rich region that appears as a high-contrast area on quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM). RN may serve as a promising biomarker for differentiating parkinsonism. However, RN deformation in PSP remains elusive.

Increase in Adult Patients with Varicella Zoster Virus-Related Central Nervous System Infections, Japan.

An increase in the number of herpes zoster patients has been reported since universal varicella immunization was introduced, perhaps because of reduced opportunities for varicella patients to experience the natural booster effect caused by reexposure. We investigated recent trends of varicella zoster virus (VZV)-related central nervous system (CNS) infections at a university hospital in Japan. We enrolled patients with suspected CNS infection during 2013-2022 and tested cerebrospinal fluid samples by real-time PCR for DNA from 7 human herpesviruses.

Activation of α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor augments nerve growth factor action on PCtrk cells.

Although cigarette smoking is known to be a critical risk factor for various organ systems and cancers, accumulating evidence indicates that nicotine - a main constituent of cigarette smoking - can exert neuroprotective effects on neuronal cells through nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). However, the precise molecular mechanisms for nicotinic neuroprotective actions remain to be fully elucidated. In this study, we examine the effects of agonists, such as nicotine and PNU282987, on tropomyosin-related kinase (Trk)-dependent neuroprotective pathways in PC12 cells overexpressing a Trk neurotrophin receptor (PCtrk cells).

Uric acid and alterations of purine recycling disorders in Parkinson's disease: a cross-sectional study.

The relationship between reduced serum uric acid (UA) levels and Parkinson's disease (PD), particularly purine metabolic pathways, is not fully understood. Our study compared serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of inosine, hypoxanthine, xanthine, and UA in PD patients and healthy controls. We analyzed 132 samples (serum, 45 PD, and 29 age- and sex-matched healthy controls; CSF, 39 PD, and 19 age- and sex-matched healthy controls) using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

Comparative analysis of salinity tolerance mechanisms in two maize genotypes: growth performance, ion regulation, and antioxidant responses.

This study investigates the differential responses of two maize genotypes, SC180 and SC168, to salt stress, aiming to elucidate the mechanisms underlying salinity tolerance and identify traits associated with improved stress resilience. Salinity stress, imposed by 150 mM NaCl, adversely affected various growth parameters in both genotypes. SC180 exhibited a more pronounced reduction in shoot length (13.

Transmission of global clones of NDM-producing Enterobacterales and interspecies spread of IncX3 plasmid harbouring bla in Tokyo.

Objective: The aim of this study is to characterise the molecular characteristics of NDM-producing Enterobacterales, which have been on the increase in recent years in Japan, where IMP-producing bacteria are dominant among carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales.

Methods: We collected 21 strains of NDM-producing Enterobacterales detected between 2015 and 2022 at five hospitals in Tokyo and performed illumina whole genome sequencing. For the seven selected strains, nanopore long-read sequencing was also performed to characterise the plasmids harbouring bla.

High prevalence of hepatitis C virus among criminals in rehabilitation facilities in Japan.

Objective: There is a high prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) carriers in prison in several developed countries, but the situation in Japan has not been well reported. This study aimed to determine the state of HCV infection among criminals in Japan.

Methods: We enrolled 533 criminals in rehabilitation facilities (354 men and 179 women) who underwent a medical check-up from April 2014 to March 2022.

Functional Hydrogels Promote Vegetable Growth in Cadmium-Contaminated Soil.

Over the years, the concentration of cadmium in soil has increased due to industrialization. Cadmium in the soil enters the human body through plant accumulation, seriously endangering human health. In the current study, two types of hydrogels were successfully synthesized using a free radical polymerization method: an ion-type hydrogel referred to as DMAPAA (-(3-(Dimethyl amino) propyl) acrylamide)/DMAPAAQ (,-Dimethyl amino propyl acrylamide, methyl chloride quaternary) and a non-ion-type hydrogel known as DMAA (,-Dimethylacrylamide).

Potassium transporter OsHAK17 may contribute to saline-alkaline tolerant mechanisms in rice (Oryza sativa).

Rice production is seriously affected by saline-alkaline stress worldwide. To elucidate the saline-alkaline tolerance mechanisms in a novel tolerant rice variety, Shwe Nang Gyi (SNG), we investigated ion accumulation in SNG and Koshihikari (KSH), which is a saline-alkaline sensitive rice variety, and the candidates for saline-alkaline inducible genes in SNG using RNA-seq. SNG had superior ion accumulation capacity, such as K and Zn, compared to KSH.

Dual Benefits of Hydrogel Remediation of Cadmium-Contaminated Water or Soil and Promotion of Vegetable Growth under Cadmium Stress.

This study aims to solve the problem of cadmium heavy metal ion pollution caused by the abuse of chemical fertilizers and activities such as mining, which pose a serious threat to the plant growth environment. We successfully synthesized DMAPAA (-(3-(Dimethyl amino) propyl) acrylamide)/DMAPAAQ (, -Dimethyl amino propyl acrylamide, methyl chloride quaternary) hydrogels via free radical polymerization. Subsequently, we conducted experiments on this hydrogel for growing vegetables under cadmium stress conditions in aqueous solutions and soil.

Exogenous riboflavin (vitamin B2) application enhances salinity tolerance through the activation of its biosynthesis in rice seedlings under salinity stress.

Salinity stress triggers the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to impaired plant growth. Riboflavin (RIB; vitamin B2) is synthesized by plants, fungi, and microorganisms and is a precursor of the coenzymes, flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) and flavin mononucleotide (FMN), which are important for cellular metabolism. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the mechanistic basis of the RIB-mediated alleviation of salinity stress in rice.

[A case of fascioliasis].

A 38-year-old rice farmer visited a hospital for abdominal pain. Computed tomography (CT) showed a liver tumor and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a hypovascular tumor, both in segment 4. Thus, he was diagnosed with liver abscess.

Immune escape and waning immunity of COVID-19 monovalent mRNA vaccines against symptomatic infection with BA.1/BA.2 and BA.5 in Japan.

Background: Repeated emergence of variants with immune escape capacity and waning immunity from vaccination are major concerns for COVID-19. We examined whether the surge in Omicron subvariant BA.5 cases was due to immune escape or waning immunity through vaccine effectiveness (VE) evaluation.