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Although many dyes have been introduced into cellulose, whether bound to its backbone or within a cellulose matrix, few studies have determined whether the backbone statically or dynamically quenches the photoluminescence of the dye. To advance cellulosic fluorescent films, the influence of the cellulose backbone on photoluminescence must be understood. We determined the fluorescence properties of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) and fluorescein-labeled cellulose (FLC) in water and alcohol, including their quantum yields [Formula: see text], lifetimes [Formula: see text], and rates of radiative [Formula: see text] and nonradiative [Formula: see text] decay. Dissolved FLC had a ~ 30× lower [Formula: see text] than FITC, suggesting that incorporating FITC into the cellulose backbone remarkably reduces the fluorescence efficiency. The FLC solutions had a six-fold lower [Formula: see text] than their FITC counterparts but a 10-20 times higher [Formula: see text]. Presumably, this was because the cellulose backbone interacted weakly with the fluorescein moieties, suggesting a quenching mechanism that can be termed quasi-static, corresponding to static quenching between the fluorescein moieties and cellulose backbone, in addition to the fluorescence quenching caused by the intramolecular nonradiative processes of fluorescein, as observed in conventional molecules. Using the Strickler‒Berg formula, we deduced the analytical radiative decay rate constants [Formula: see text] and eventually estimated the number of very short-lived fluorescein moieties per single fluorescent fluorescein moiety, corresponding well with static quenching., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

The tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) is a crucial factor in controlling tumor growth. A therapeutic method activating TIL is desired for treating patients with metastatic tumors. Here, we show that treating a local tumor with a combination therapy of UV-irradiated hemagglutinating virus of Japan envelope (HVJ-E) plus agonist antibodies, including OX40, against T cell costimulatory molecules induces systemic anti-tumor effects in a T cell-dependent manner in multiple cancer cell lines. Transcriptome and T cell receptor repertoire analyses revealed that HVJ-E + anti-OX40 antibody treatment activates CD4 and CD8 T cells and promotes T cell trafficking between tumors. These systemic anti-tumor effects required an association between Nkg2d and Nkg2d ligands. Our findings provide insights into how systemic anti-tumor effects are induced and may help the development of therapeutic strategies for eliciting such effects., Competing Interests: A.I. and K.N. applied for a patent based on the study with Osaka University., (© 2024 The Author(s).)

Poly(amic ‍acid) ‍nanoparticles ‍prepared ‍by ‍‍precipitation ‍polymerization with a dispersant were evaluated by small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). The particle size evaluation of poly(amic acid) nanoparticles in the liquid phase by SAXS was performed to gain insight into the size control of poly(amic acid) nanoparticles, and showed good agreement with visual observation by FE-SEM, explaining the effect of the dispersant in obtaining polyimide nanoparticles with small particle size. This indicates that the particle size is maintained without change during the solvent evaporation process. The polyamide nanoparticles controlled by the dispersant effect maintained their size after imidization, and polyimide nanoparticles with a minimum radius of about 60 nm were prepared., Competing Interests: We declare we have no competing interests., (© 2024 The Authors.)

Ultrasound spectroscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) methods were developed to visualize the interaction between sodium caseinate (SC) and whey protein isolate (WPI) with a mild preheat treatment (57°C, 10 min) followed by adding glucono-δ-lactone (GDL). Ultrasonic velocity changes during incubation at 25°C after adding GDL for four kinds of mixtures (no-treated SC plus no-treated WPI, preheated SC plus no-treated WPI, no-treated SC plus preheated WPI and preheated SC plus preheated WPI) were monitored. The results reveal that the mild preheating treatment of the proteins affected the timing of the increase in compressibility of each system. CLSM observation with individualized dyes which have different maxima of excitation and emission wavelengths, showed the preheated SC plus no-treated WPI mixture had a slightly coarse structure and the highest correlation coefficient, suggesting the highest colocalization of the SC and WPI among the four kinds of mixed-protein systems. Furthermore, the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observation suggests that there are some differences among the gels, namely, preheated WPI leads to the formation of developed three-dimensional gel networks with filamentous structures, whereas SC promotes the formation of cluster-like crowded networks composed of more fine aggregated particles instead of developed filamentous structures. These results demonstrated that although SC is known as a heat-stable protein, pretreated SC could lead to an increase of the collaboration with WPI in the presence of GDL. This finding anticipated the possibility creating a food material with another texture using a milk-protein mixed system., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: Disruption of the oxidative stress defense system is involved in developing various diseases. Sulfur compounds such as glutathione (GSH) and cysteine (CysSH) are representative antioxidants in the body. Recently, supersulfides, including reactive persulfide and polysulfide species, have gained attention as potent antioxidants regulating oxidative stress and redox signaling. However, their involvement in the pathogenesis of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) remains unclear., Methods: To clarify the changes in sulfur compounds within the sinus mucosa of each CRS subtype, we measured sulfur compound levels in the sinus mucosa of control individuals ( n  = 9), patients with eosinophilic CRS (ECRS) ( n  = 13), and those with non-ECRS (nECRS) ( n  = 11) who underwent sinus surgery using mass spectrometry., Results: GSH and CysSH levels were significantly reduced, and the glutathione disulfide (GSSG)/GSH ratio, an oxidative stress indicator, was increased in patients with ECRS. Despite the absence of notable variations in supersulfides, patients with ECRS and nECRS exhibited a significant reduction in glutathione trisulfide (GSSSG), which serves as the precursor for supersulfides., Conclusions: This study is the first quantitative assessment of supersulfides in normal and inflamed sinus mucosa, suggesting that sulfur compounds contribute to the pathogenesis of CRS., Level of Evidence: N/A., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest., (© 2024 The Author(s). Laryngoscope Investigative Otolaryngology published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of The Triological Society.)

mRNA is a promising modality for expressing a protein in vivo . Drug delivery systems are required for the efficient transfection of mRNA into cells. In this study, we evaluated several drug delivery systems for transfecting mRNA into tumors. A lipid nanoparticle delivered mRNA to the draining lymph nodes and liver, even by intratumoral injection. A liposome-based system did not consistently provide mRNA for different types of tumor cells. We found that PBS introduced mRNA into several tumors, and calcium ions enhanced the efficiency, particularly in male mice. The circular dichroism spectrometer suggested a structural change in mRNA in PBS. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that calcium ions promoted the formation of mRNA nanoparticles in PBS. Transfection of mRNAs coding OX40-ligand, interleukin (IL)-36γ, and IL-23 by PBS + calcium ions attenuated tumor growth. Our results indicate that combining PBS with calcium ions promotes the transfection of mRNA into tumors. These data provide information for the development of methods for transfection of mRNA for cancer therapy., Competing Interests: K.N. applied for a patent based on the studies conducted at Osaka University and Gunma University., (© 2024 The Author(s).)

Oxygen is critical for all metazoan organisms on the earth and impacts various biological processes in physiological and pathological conditions. While oxygen-sensing systems inducing acute hypoxic responses, including the hypoxia-inducible factor pathway, have been identified, those operating in prolonged hypoxia remain to be elucidated. Here we show that pyridoxine 5'-phosphate oxidase (PNPO), which catalyses bioactivation of vitamin B6, serves as an oxygen sensor and regulates lysosomal activity in macrophages. Decreased PNPO activity under prolonged hypoxia reduced an active form of vitamin B6, pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP), and inhibited lysosomal acidification, which in macrophages led to iron dysregulation, TET2 protein loss and delayed resolution of the inflammatory response. Among PLP-dependent metabolism, supersulfide synthesis was suppressed in prolonged hypoxia, resulting in the lysosomal inhibition and consequent proinflammatory phenotypes of macrophages. The PNPO-PLP axis creates a distinct layer of oxygen sensing that gradually shuts down PLP-dependent metabolism in response to prolonged oxygen deprivation., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Limited.)

We report the preparation of chiral silica using a linear polysiloxane main chain with a preferred-handed helical structure as the template. Poly(methylvinyl siloxane) (PMVS) with a cysteine derivative side chain designated as PMVS-Cys was prepared using anionic polymerization and an ene-thiol reaction. PMVS-Cys forms a helical conformation in both solution and film via hydrogen bonding between amide groups at side chains. The helical structure remains during the calcination process, resulting in silica with helical structure. The silica with a helical structure shows optical activity.

Background: Airway obstruction caused by viscous mucus is an important pathophysiologic characteristic of persistent inflammation, which can result in organ damage., Objective: We investigated the hypothesis that the biophysical characteristics of accumulating granulocytes affect the clinical properties of mucus., Methods: Surgically acquired nasal mucus samples from patients with eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis and neutrophil-dominant, noneosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis were evaluated in terms of computed tomography density, viscosity, water content, wettability, and protein composition. Isolated human eosinophils and neutrophils were stimulated to induce the formation of extracellular traps, followed by the formation of aggregates. The biophysical properties of the aggregated cells were also examined., Results: Mucus from patients with eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis had significantly higher computed tomography density, viscosity, dry weight, and hydrophobicity compared to mucus from patients with noneosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis. The levels of eosinophil-specific proteins in mucus correlated with its physical properties. Eosinophil and neutrophil aggregates showed physical and pathologic characteristics resembling those of mucus. Cotreatment with deoxyribonuclease and heparin, which slenderizes the structure of eosinophil extracellular traps, efficiently induced reductions in the viscosity and hydrophobicity of both eosinophil aggregates and eosinophilic mucus., Conclusions: The present study elucidated the pathogenesis of mucus stasis in infiltrated granulocyte aggregates from a novel perspective. These findings may contribute to the development of treatment strategies for eosinophilic airway diseases., (Copyright © 2024 American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Transcription control is a major determinant of cell fate decisions in somatic tissues. By contrast, early germline fate specification in numerous vertebrate and invertebrate species relies extensively on RNA-level regulation, exerted on asymmetrically inherited maternal supplies, with little-to-no zygotic transcription. However delayed, a maternal-to-zygotic transition is nevertheless poised to complete the deployment of pre-gametic programs in the germline. Here, we focus on early germline specification in the tunicate Ciona to study zygotic genome activation. We first demonstrate that a peculiar cellular remodeling event excludes localized postplasmic Pem-1 mRNA, which encodes the general inhibitor of transcription. Subsequently, zygotic transcription begins in Pem-1-negative primordial germ cells (PGCs), as revealed by histochemical detection of elongating RNA Polymerase II, and nascent Mef2 transcripts. In addition, we uncover a provisional antagonism between JAK and MEK/BMPRI/GSK3 signaling, which controls the onset of zygotic gene expression, following cellular remodeling of PGCs. We propose a 2-step model for the onset of zygotic transcription in the Ciona germline and discuss the significance of germ plasm dislocation and remodeling in the context of developmental fate specification., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

This study aimed the efficacy of meloxicam (MX) in treating acute clinical mastitis (ACM) without systemic symptoms in Holstein cows by studying improvement in udder pain, changes in prostaglandin E 2 (PGE 2 ) and bradykinin (BK) levels in the milk, and milk yield (MY) after healing. Forty-two cows with ACM were randomly assigned to the MX treatment group (T group; n=21) and the control group (C group; n=21). At onset of illness (day 0), the T group received a 0.5 mg/kg subcutaneous (SC) injection of MX whereas the C group received 15 mL SC of saline solution as a placebo. Udder tenderness (UT) was measured, and milk samples were collected on days 0-3. There was little change in the MY of the T group before and after healing, whereas MY in the C group was significantly lower than after healing. UT on day 3 in the T group was significantly lower than that in the C group. PGE 2 levels significantly decreased from day 0 to day 3 in both groups. A significant negative correlation between PGE 2 and linear score was observed on day 1 in the T group, but not in the C group. In ACM without systemic symptoms, the administration MX may be useful for restoring MY and reducing udder pain after healing.

In the last decade, it has become evident that various RNA viruses infect helminths including Order Ascaridida. However, there is still no information available for viruses infecting Anisakis. We herewith demonstrate the presence of a novel rhabdovirus from Anisakis larvae detected by next-generation sequencing analysis and following RT-PCR. We determined the nearly all nucleotide sequence (12,376 nucleotides) of the viral genome composed of seven open reading frames, and we designated the virus as Suzukana rhabdo-like virus (SkRV). BLASTx search indicated that SkRV is a novel virus belonging to the subfamily Betanemrhavirus, rhabdovirus infecting parasitic nematodes of the Order Ascaridida. SkRV sequence was detectable only in the total RNA but not in the genomic DNA of Anisakis, ruling out the possibility of SkRV being an endogenous viral element incorporated into the host genomic DNA. When we individually tested Anisakis larvae obtained from Scomber japonicus migrating in the coastal waters of Japan, not all but around 40% were SkRV-positive. In the phylogenetic trees of Betanemrhavirus and of the host Ascaridida nematodes, we observed that evolutional distances of viruses were, to some extent, parallel with that of host nematodes, suggesting that viral evolution could have been correlated with evolution of the host. Although biological significance of SkRV on Anisakis larvae is still remained unknown, it is interesting if SkRV were somehow related to the pathogenesis of anisakiasis, because it is important matter of public health in Japan and European countries consuming raw marine fishes., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest There is nothing to be declared of COI condition in our study., (Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Anesthetic agents, particularly intravenous anesthetics, may affect immune function and tumorigenic factors. We herein investigated whether the anti-inflammatory effects of anesthetic agents are attributed to their antioxidant properties. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of remimazolam, a new anesthetic, remain unclear. We hypothesized that remimazolam exerts anti-inflammatory effects due to its antioxidant properties, which may affect the postoperative inflammatory response. This retrospective clinical study examined this hypothesis using laboratory and clinical approaches., Methods: The antioxidant effects of remimazolam and dexmedetomidine were assessed by electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy, and postoperative inflammatory responses were compared in 143 patients who underwent transcatheter aortic valve replacement at Kindai University Hospital between April 2021 and December 2022. The primary endpoint was the presence or absence of the antioxidant effects of the anesthetics themselves using ESR., Results: Remimazolam at clinical concentrations exerted antioxidant effects, whereas dexmedetomidine did not. Increases in C-reactive protein (CRP) levels on POD3 from preoperative values were significantly smaller in the remimazolam group than in the dexmedetomidine group (1.33 ± 1.29 vs. 2.17 ± 1.84, p = .014)., Conclusions: Remimazolam exerted stronger anti-inflammatory effects than dexmedetomidine, and these effects were enhanced by its antioxidant properties, which may have affected postoperative CRP production., (© 2024 The Authors. Immunity, Inflammation and Disease published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

In this study, thin fiber composite polymer electrolyte membranes (PEMs) were prepared using short side-chain perfluorosulfonic acid (PFSA) ionomers, Aquivion, to create composite PEMs with improved proton conductivity and improved mechanical properties. PFSA thin fiber webs prepared by blow spinning and successive hot pressing were used as the porous substrate. Herein, PFSA ionomers were used for both the substrate and the matrix of the composite PEMs, and their structures, properties, and fuel cell performance were characterized. By adding the PFSA thin fiber webs to the matrix, the proton conductivity was enhanced and the mechanical properties were slightly improved. The prepared PFSA thin fiber composite PEM showed better FC performance than that of the pristine PFSA one for the high-temperature low-humidity condition in addition to the low-temperature high-humidity one. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the all PFSA composite membranes containing a PFSA thin fiber framework.

Parotid tumors present a wide range of histological features, from benign to malignant. Periostin, an extracellular matrix protein specifically expressed in the periosteum and periodontal ligament, is isolated from osteoblast cell lines. It regulates fibrosis and collagen deposition and plays an important role in myocardial repair after myocardial infarction. It is also known to be involved in otorhinolaryngological-diseases. This study included 36 patients [38 specimens; 16 men and 20 women, mean age 59.2 (range 26-82) years] who underwent parotid tumor resection at the Division of Otorhinolaryngology, Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University, between April 2017 and March 2022 and were clinically and pathologically diagnosed as having benign parotid tumors. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections from the surgical specimens were autoclaved and immunostained with anti-periostin antibodies to evaluate the expression and distribution of periostin. Histologically, the tumors were diagnosed as pleomorphic adenomas in 15 cases (15 specimens), Warthin's tumors in 13 cases (15 specimens), basal cell adenomas in 2 cases (2 specimens), oncocytomas in 4 cases (4 specimens), and myoepitheliomas in 2 cases (2 specimens). An increased expression of periostin was found in 32 of 38 samples (84.2%) in the stroma of benign parotid tumors. Four distinct patterns of periostin expression were observed in benign parotid gland tumors: negative, superficial, infiltrative, and diffuse. Statistically significant differences were found between periostin expression patterns and histological classification of the tumors. Our results suggest that periostin may be involved in the pathogenesis of benign parotid tumors and could serve as a new biomarker for these tumors.