Adhesion-based cell sorting platform using on-chip centrifugation.

Cell sorting is an important fundamental process for the selection and purification of target cell types for cell analysis in the life sciences and medical fields. In particular, demand is increasing for high-throughput cell sorting technology for the analysis of rare cells. Toward this end, we developed a centrifugal force-based cell sorting technique that relies on the adhesion force of cells as a marker.

Multiple Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantations in Pediatric Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Prognostic Significance of Remission and Severe Sinusoidal Obstruction Syndrome.

Background: Relapsed or refractory cases of pediatric acute myeloid leukemia (AML) have poor outcomes despite advancements in chemotherapy and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). While a second HSCT is often a salvage option, its outcomes vary widely, and prognostic factors remain unclear.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate outcomes and identify prognostic factors in pediatric patients with AML who underwent multiple HSCTs.

Prevalence and related factors of early-phase diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis in a community-dwelling population - A cross-sectional observational study.

Background: The concept of early-phase diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (EDISH) was recently introduced and its prevalence at the thoracic spine level was revealed. Some cases of EDISH progress to diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) in association with being overweight. The prevalence and distribution of EDISH in the whole spine and related factors are unclear.

Epidemiology and risk factors of hallux valgus in Japanese population: HAPPI study.

Introduction: Hallux valgus (HV) is a common foot deformity characterized by lateral deviation of the great toe. Despite known associations with gender, age, and footwear, the prevalence of HV and its associated risk factors in Japan remain unclear. We conducted the first-ever prospective population-based cohort study (HAPPI study) in Japan to elucidate the prevalence of HV and identify its associated risk factors.

Spatial colocalization and molecular crosstalk of myofibroblastic CAFs and tumor cells shape lymph node metastasis in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Lymph node metastasis (LNM) is a critical prognostic factor for patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Previous research has implicated the partial epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition of tumor cells and myofibroblastic cancer-associated fibroblasts (myCAFs) in the LNM process. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood.

Safety and efficacy of arsenic trioxide in intensification therapy for newly diagnosed childhood acute promyelocytic leukemia: results from the JPLSG AML-P13 study.

Arsenic trioxide (ATO) in combination with all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) has been shown to be effective in both adult and pediatric patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). Addition of ATO to conventional chemotherapy could lead to a reduction in the doses of cytotoxic agents, but the long-term safety of ATO is not fully understood, especially in children. The Japan Children's Cancer Group conducted a risk-stratified prospective study to investigate safety and efficacy of ATO in children with newly diagnosed APL by replacing all three intensification phases with ATO.

Controlled Disassembly of Poly(methyl acrylate) Microparticle-Based Polymers using Ethanol-Water Mixtures.

Understanding and controlling the degradation conditions of polymers is essential to achieve an environmentally friendly recycling of polymeric materials without deterioration. In this study, we investigated the disassembly of microparticle-based polymer films into the individual microconstituents under mild conditions such as low temperature and aqueous solutions of ethanol. The solvation of the microparticles and the microparticle-assembled structures are key factors for controlling the disassembly of microparticle-based polymers without performing chemical reactions.

Estimated radiation doses to potential adoptive-owners of dogs and cats rescued from Chernobyl and Fukushima.

The radiological accidents that occurred at the Chernobyl and Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plants resulted in the release of a substantial amount of radioactive material into the environment, requiring evacuation of residents. Evacuations caused involuntary abandonment of many pets, and both feral dogs and cats can still be found in exclusion zones of Chernobyl and Fukushima, likely offspring of pets left behind. Animal welfare groups have provided care for these forsaken animals, oftentimes rescuing them and subsequently facilitating their adoption, or in some cases reuniting them with their original owners.

Effects of reversine and proTAME treatment on chromosome segregation during mouse oocyte maturation.

Aneuploidy in oocytes is a leading cause of implantation failure, miscarriage and congenital disorders. During meiosis, proper timing of chromosome segregation is regulated by the spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) and the anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C). However, how pharmacological manipulation of these regulatory pathways affects aneuploidy remains incompletely understood.

Evidence that mitochondria in macrophages are destroyed by microautophagy.

Microautophagy is an intracellular degradation process in which degradatory organelles, such as the lysosome, directly take up substrates by invagination and/or protrusion of their membranes. Here, we provide evidence that Rab32-positive, lysosome-related organelles in macrophages incorporate various other organelles, including endosomes and mitochondria. Our data indicates that, upon exposure to a mitochondria-damaging reagent, mitochondria can be directly engulfed by the lysosome-like organelles independently of macroautophagy or ESCRT machinery.

Online Databases in Circular RNAs.

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been attracting attention as biomarkers of various diseases, including cancer, because, as non-coding RNA (ncRNA)/protein sponges, they regulate gene expression and can be detected in various body fluids. Several comprehensive databases have been published to allow easy identification of target circRNAs.In all, 43 circRNA-related databases have been established and are listed in Database Commons since the development of the first comprehensive database of circRNAs, Circ2Traits, in 2013.

Morphologic changes in striatonigral neurons in a rat model of levodopa-induced dyskinesia.

We aimed to elucidate morphological changes in striatonigral projection neurons in a rat model of levodopa-induced dyskinesia (LID). Male Wistar rats underwent unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine lesioning to establish a hemiparkinsonian model. At 8 weeks postoperatively, the rats were allocated to either the levodopa-treated group or the saline-treated control group.

Biomechanical Effects of a Passive Lower-Limb Exoskeleton Designed for Half-Sitting Work Support on Walking.

The half-sitting posture is essential for many functional tasks performed by industrial workers. Thus, passive lower-limb exoskeletons, known as wearable chairs, are increasingly used to relieve lower-limb loading in such scenarios. However, although these devices lighten muscle effort during half-sitting tasks, they can disrupt walking mechanics and balance.

Successful Colonic Stenting Across the Ileocecal Valve With Severe Malignant Stenosis Using Ultra-thin Scope and Single-balloon Overtube.

Self-expanding metallic stents (SEMSs) are an established palliative option for malignant colonic obstruction, including in cases with proximal lesions. However, SEMS placement across the ileocecal valve (ICV) can be technically challenging because of the anatomical curvature and luminal stenosis. Herein, we report a successful case of colonic stenting for a malignant ileocecal obstruction using an ultra-thin scope and a single-balloon overtube.

Oren-gedoku-to inhibits calcification of human aortic valve interstitial cells in vitro and aortic valve in spontaneously hypertensive rats in vivo.

Despite being the most common adult heart valve disease in developed countries, no medicinal treatment exists for calcific aortic valve stenosis (CAS). We previously demonstrated that tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α promotes aortic valve calcification (AVC) via the bone morphogenic protein (BMP) 2-alkaline phosphatase (ALP) pathway. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effects of Kampo, a traditional Japanese herbal medicine, on TNF-α-induced AVC involving CAS progression.

Utilising rice straw to prepare a culture medium for synthesizing lactic acid bacteria biofilms and regulating silage fermentation.

To effectively utilize crop by-product resources, we developed a low-cost natural culture medium using rice straw as material, successfully synthesized a lactic acid bacteria (LAB) biofilm conducive to silage, and activated LAB activity to drive the silage fermentation process. Commercial freeze-dried LAB strains FG1 (Lactiplantibacillus plantarum) and TH14 (Lacticaseibacillus casei) and their corresponding culture medium, used for the preparation of silage from orchard grass and timothy grass. The crude protein and mineral content in fresh grass was higher than 14.

Objective evaluation for Endoscopic Sinus Surgeries' proficiency by image analysis for postoperative 3D sinus models.

Objective: Objective assessment for endoscopic sinus surgery skill proficiency is challenging, partly due to the great diversity of anatomies. Recently developed 3D-printed sinus models provide standardized anatomy with realistic tissue-feel. In this study, we developed a method to evaluate endoscopic sinus surgery skill proficiency through pre- and post-operative image analysis of CT images of dissected 3D sinus models and validated it by comparing to other surgical proficiency indices.

The mediating role of depression in the association between social capital and school absenteeism among students: a multilevel mediation analysis in Japanese elementary and junior high schools.

Background: School absenteeism is a significant issue affecting children and adolescents worldwide. This study aimed to examine the mediating role of depression in the association between social capital and school absenteeism among students in Japanese elementary and junior high schools.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using data from 7765 students (aged 9-15 years, 49.

Surgical Management of a Giant Mediastinal Schwannoma Associated with Neurofibromatosis Type 1: A Case Report.

Introduction: Neurogenic tumors commonly develop in the posterior mediastinum in both pediatric and adult patients. In patients with neurofibromatosis type 1, distinguishing benign schwannomas from malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors is challenging. In this study, we aimed to present the surgical management of a giant schwannoma that required differentiation from a malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor.

The JSH Morning Hypertension Eradication Program Project.

Hypertension is the greatest risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and significantly contributes to cardiovascular mortality. In Japan, the hypertensive population is estimated at 43 million, with only 27% achieving well-controlled blood pressure (BP). The onset of major cardiovascular events, including stroke, myocardial infarction, heart failure, and aortic dissection, frequently occurs during the early morning hours.

Glass-forming ability of LaO-NbO evaluated via thermophysical properties under microgravity.

The LaO-NbO binary system is a unique glass-forming system without conventional network former oxides, exhibiting two distinct glass-forming regions: LaO-rich and NbO-rich compositions. To evaluate its glass-forming ability, the temperature dependence of density, viscosity, and surface tension was measured using the electrostatic levitation furnace aboard the International Space Station (ISS-ELF). Melt density showed linear temperature dependence, and thermal expansion coefficients at 2000 K varied from 2.

Network analysis reveals causal relationships among individual background risk factors leading to influenza susceptibility.

Influenza is a serious infectious disease that spreads rapidly and causes numerous deaths worldwide. Although the biological and environmental risk factors for influenza susceptibility have been extensively studied, individual risk factors, such as medical history and lifestyle, and their complicated relationships remain unclear. In this study, we aimed to reveal individual-specific causal relationships among influenza risk factors using large-scale health checkup data collected from residents of a rural community.

[A study on the effectiveness of dental health guidance in the workplace in Aomori Prefecture: Implementation of the Dental Lifestyle Support Program focusing on primary prevention of dental diseases].

Objective　The study aim was to evaluate the effectiveness of dental health guidance in improving self-reported oral symptoms and oral health behaviors through two interventions: dental checkups using the Dental Lifestyle Support Program questionnaire and dental health guidance provided by dental hygienists in workplace settings.Methods　This study targeted employees without dental checkups at five workplaces in the Aomori Prefecture. Support materials ("tools") were created based on the Dental Lifestyle Support Program.

SQSTM1/p62 drives radiosensitivity in cervical cancer via autophagy-independent mechanisms.

Cervical cancer comprises squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs), which are generally radiosensitive; meanwhile, adenocarcinomas respond poorly to radiation. Here, we explored the role of selective autophagy receptors in modulating radiosensitivity across these subtypes. We found that SQSTM1/p62 was highly expressed in human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive SCC cell lines (HeLa, ME180) and clinical SCC specimens, but was low or undetectable in HPV-negative adenocarcinomas and the C33A cell line.

Cognitive constraints and lexicogrammatical variability in ASD: from diagnostic discriminators to intervention strategies.

Introduction: This study examines whether specific lexicogrammatical features can reliably differentiate individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) from non-ASD individuals. Classification models using logistic regression and deep neural networks (DNN) demonstrated high performance-80% accuracy, 82% precision, 73% sensitivity, and 87% specificity. To clarify which linguistic variables contribute to this differentiation, the analysis focused on identifying key syntactic features associated with ASD-specific patterns of lexicogrammatical choices.