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Abstract The influence of the so‐called “Airbnb effect” on local housing markets has grown into a global concern for affordability crisis, gentrification, and displacement. We analyzed the impacts of short‐term rental (STR) on the rental housing market and explored the relative factors for the rent gaps in Tokyo and Osaka: two major metropolitan areas in Japan. This research builds upon the rent gap theory by Neil Smith and clarifies the rent gaps by following previous work. Our results demonstrate that landlords in Osaka, more depopulated with unoccupied housings, have already removed a significant number of residential rental units from the housing market, and those of Tokyo, less depopulated with less unoccupied housings, is likely to evict their tenants to shift more profitable touristic short‐term rentals when their long‐term rentals’ rent revenue decreases. We concluded that the rent gaps affected by the depopulated societal context require tougher limits on touristic short‐term rentals to mitigate “transnational displacement.” The future of community livability depends upon municipalities’ ordinance as well as their strategies: how to leverage unoccupied housing to survive an era of shrinking economy.

Ectopic adrenocortical tissue can arise along the path of embryonic migration, such as the celiac axis, broad ligament, adnexa of the testis, and spermatic cord. Occasionally, ectopic adrenocortical tissues undergo marked hyperplasia and develop into ectopic adrenocortical adenomas. This report describes the case of a 60-year-old man who was incidentally found to have a lipid-containing mass with early enhancement and delayed washout in the right renal hilum. A renal cell carcinoma was suspected, and robot-assisted partial nephrectomy was performed, but the final diagnosis was an ectopic adrenocortical adenoma. We should include ectopic adrenocortical adenoma in the differential diagnosis when we find a lipid-containing tumor adjacent to the kidney.

Informal science education researchers have become increasingly interested in how out-of-school spaces that offer STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) programs inform learners’ STEM achievement, interests, and affective outcomes. Studies have found that these spaces can offer critical learning and developmental opportunities for underrepresented racially minoritized (URM) students (Black, Latinx, low socioeconomic status) in STEM subjects. Shifting away from the leaky STEM pipeline analogy, researchers have posited contemporary understandings to explain why the minoritization of URM girls persists. Informal learning environments such as STEM summer camps are being studied to assess how URM girls experience and interact with STEM in novel ways. These environments can inform the research field about how URM girls’ perceptions of their STEM identities, abilities, efficacy, and belonging in STEM develop as they engage in those spaces. This mixed-method study used a multiple-case-study approach to examine how aspects of URM middle school girls’ STEM identities positively changed after participating in a one-week, sleep-away, single-gender STEM summer camp held at a university in the Southwestern U.S. Drawing on intersectionality and STEM identity, we used ecological systems theory to design our research study, examining how URM middle school girls narrate their STEM identities in this informal learning environment. Using quantitative analyses and deductive coding methods, we explored how elements of girls’ STEM identities were shaped during and after their participation in the STEM summer camp. Findings from our study highlight (1) quantitative changes in girl participants’ STEM identities, sense of belonging in STEM, and perceived STEM ability belief, (2) qualitative results supporting our quantitative findings, and (3) how the intersectionality of participants’ race and gender played a role in their STEM identities. This study points to the potential of STEM informal learning camps as a way of developing and fostering URM girls’ STEM identities.

In recent years, the effects of androgens on metabolic and body weight regulation systems and their underlying mechanisms have been gradually revealed in females. In women and experimental animals of reproductive age, androgen excess can adversely affect metabolic functioning, appetite, and body weight regulation. In addition, excess androgens can increase the risk of metabolic disorders, such as obesity, insulin resistance, and diabetes. These unfavorable effects of androgens are induced by alterations in the actions of hypothalamic appetite-regulatory factors, reductions in energy expenditure, insulin resistance in skeletal muscle, and β-cell dysfunction. Interestingly, these unfavorable effects of androgens on metabolic and body-weight regulation systems are neither observed nor evident in ovariectomized animals and post-menopausal women, indicating that the adverse effects of androgens might be dependent on the estrogen milieu. Recent findings may provide novel sex- and age-specific strategies for treating metabolic diseases.

Background The intake of Saccharina japonica (SJ), a widely consumed brown seaweed, has been reported to decrease blood pressure (BP) in hypertensive rats. It has been suggested that this effect is related to an increase in fecal sodium excretion (SE) by alginate (Alg) to the gastrointestinal tract; however, the mechanism is still unclear. This study investigated how different seaweeds with different amounts of Alg suppressed BP increase and enhanced fecal SE in 2-kidney, 1-clip renovascular hypertensive (2K1C) rats given SJ diet. Methods Rats with 2K1C or sham operation were fed a normal-/high-salt diet with some kinds of seaweeds (5.0%, w/w) or SJ extract with different Alg contents for 6 weeks. We measured systolic BP every week and mean arterial pressure at the end, and measured the total and molecular weights of Alg in each seaweed. Then, we evaluated the relationship of the Alg amount in each seaweed with the suppression of BP increase in 2K1C rats. Finally, urinary and fecal SE for 24 h was measured. Results The intake of SJ, SJ extract, Saccharina ochotensis (SO) blades and SO roots suppressed BP increase in 2K1C rats, but the strength was not proportional to the amounts of Alg contained in the seaweeds. Although SJ intake increased fecal SE in 2K1C rats fed a high-salt diet, the fecal SE was much less than urinary SE. Conclusion The sodium excretion in feces by Alg in SJ may not be one of the major mechanisms by which SJ intake attenuates hypertension in 2K1C rats.

Abstract In biological systems, the synthesis of nucleic acids, such as DNA and RNA, is catalyzed by enzymes in various aqueous solutions. However, substrate specificity is derived from the chemical properties of the residues, which implies that perturbations of the solution environment may cause changes in the fidelity of the reaction. Here, we investigated non-promoter-based synthesis of RNA using T7 RNA polymerase (T7 RNAP) directed by an RNA template in the presence of polyethylene glycol (PEG) of various molecular weights, which can affect polymerization fidelity by altering the solution properties. We found that the mismatch extensions of RNA propagated downstream polymerization. Furthermore, PEG promoted the polymerization of non-complementary ribonucleoside triphosphates, mainly due to the decrease in the dielectric constant of the solution. These results indicate that the mismatch extension of RNA-dependent RNA polymerization by T7 RNAP is driven by the stacking interaction of bases of the primer end and the incorporated nucleotide triphosphates (NTP) rather than base pairing between them. Thus, proteinaceous RNA polymerase may display different substrate specificity with changes in dielectricity caused by molecular crowding conditions, which can result in increased genetic diversity without proteinaceous modification.

Abstract We performed zircon U–Pb dating on the Pliocene Tanigawa-dake granites (Makihata and Tanigawa bodies) and the Cretaceous Minakami quartzdiorite, Northeast Japan Arc. Concordia ages were estimated to be 3.95 ± 0.11 Ma (± 2 sigma) for the Makihata body, 3.18 ± 0.13 Ma and 3.32 ± 0.15 Ma for the Tanigawa body, and 109.4 ± 2.2 Ma for the Minakami quartzdiorite. The Minakami quartzdiorite is possibly correlated to the bedrock in the Ashio belt because the age of the Minakami quartzdiorite is consistent with the zircon U–Pb ages of the earliest Tadamigawa granites (107–62 Ma) which are distributed to the northeast of the Tanigawa-dake region and belong to the Ashio belt. All the zircon U–Pb ages of the Tanigawa-dake granites are older than the previously reported cooling ages, i.e., K–Ar ages and zircon fission-track ages, being consistent with their difference in closure temperature. On the basis of these results, we concluded that the intrusive ages of the Tanigawa-dake granites are ~ 4–3 Ma, which are among the youngest exposed plutons on Earth. The U–Pb ages of the Makihata body and the Tanigawa body are different significantly in the 2 sigma error range. Thus, the Tanigawa body intruded later than the Makihata body by ~ 0.7 Myr. Graphical Abstract

Abstract Background Previous research indicates that patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) are more likely to have poor oral health and impairments in oral functions, which may be due to few remaining teeth and impaired tongue and lip motor function. However, the oral health of those patients following comprehensive cognitive assessment by a dementia specialist has not been sufficiently investigated. Therefore, this study aimed to clarify the oral function of patients with MCI and the association between oral health and lower cognitive function. Methods This cross-sectional study included 96 participants (men: 35; women: 61; mean age: 73.3 ± 8.5 years) who visited a dementia clinic between December 2017 and January 2020. Participants’ cognitive function was assessed by a dementia specialist using neuropsychological and hematological tests and neuroimaging immediately after enrollment. The participants were divided into the healthy and MCI groups according to comprehensive cognitive assessment. Participants’ age, sex, body mass index, primary disease, education level, drinking habits, smoking habits, living environment, employment status, and exercise habits were evaluated. Moreover, oral outcomes, including the number of existing teeth, number of functional teeth (natural and prosthetic teeth which were occluded with antagonists), denture use, oral dryness, tongue and lip motor function, tongue pressure, occlusal force, masticatory ability, and swallowing ability were recorded. The Mann–Whitney U test, χ2, and Fisher’s exact tests were used for between-group comparisons. Furthermore, logistic regression analysis using MCI diagnosis as the target variable was performed. Results A comprehensive evaluation of the cognitive function of the study participants by the dementia specialist revealed that 48 participants (mean age: 69.8 ± 8.8 years) were healthy and 48 (mean age: 76.9 ± 6.7 years) had MCI. MCI participants were significantly older (p

Abstract Background Registered dietitians are rarely employed at community pharmacies in Japan, even though dietetic advice might benefit some patients. Objective To clarify the present status of dietetic consultation provided by registered dietitians and their collaboration with pharmacists in community pharmacies. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey of pharmacists and registered dietitians who work in community pharmacies. The surveyed items were: frequency of dietetic consultation, awareness of one’s knowledge and ability to conduct dietetic consultation, concerns, pharmacists’ recognition of the need for nutritional support at community pharmacies, and cooperation between registered dietitians and pharmacists. Results Sixty-six registered dietitians, 53 pharmacists in pharmacies with registered dietitians/dietitians, and 110 pharmacists in pharmacies without registered dietitians/dietitians responded. The frequency of dietetic consultation regarding obesity and hypertension was significantly higher for registered dietitians than for pharmacists. The ability to conduct dietetic consultation regarding diseases/conditions such as kidney disease not requiring dialysis, hyperuricemia, gout, obesity and hypertension was also significantly higher for dietitians than pharmacists. More than 70% of pharmacists recognized the importance of nutritional support at community pharmacies, while 56.1% of registered dietitians noted that they were not able to fully utilize their occupational abilities. Registered dietitians were divided into two groups: registered dietitians who answered that they were able to utilize their occupational abilities and those that answered they were not. The former group was more likely to ask pharmacists about patients’ medication for dietetic consultation and to be asked to provide dietetic consultation to patients. The latter group was more likely to find difficulty in scheduling dietetic consultation. Conclusion Our results suggest that registered dietitians in community pharmacies have a greater explanatory ability than pharmacists concerning nutritional and dietary management for patients. It may be important for pharmacists to improve cooperation with registered dietitians by providing more opportunities for dietetic consultation.

The pink teeth phenomenon has occasionally been observed in forensic autopsies. This study aimed to establish an experimental pink tooth model and an objective color tone evaluation method in order to clarify changes in the color tone of teeth and the relationship with hemoglobin monoxide and its decomposition products and with red pigment-producing bacteria, under various external environmental factors. It was confirmed that the color tone evaluation with ΔE and the L*C*h color space was useful. The results of various examinations using this model showed that color development was suppressed under aerobic conditions, faded early under light, became bright red under a low temperature and showed a tendency to be reddish at 3 days under high humidity and in the presence of soft tissue. The biochemical analysis revealed a significant increase in carboxyhemoglobin at 7 days and a tendency toward increasing the total heme pigment and bilirubin levels over time. The bacteriological analysis revealed that red pigment-producing bacteria increased over time but that the color faded after 7 days. These results suggest that putrefaction greatly affects the pink teeth phenomenon, whereas red pigment-producing bacteria have little effect on the occurrence of pink teeth. However, further studies are needed to clarify bacteriological involvement.

Abstract Aim As an emergency measure during the coronavirus disease pandemic, the monitoring interval for clozapine use was temporarily extended beyond the regulatory requirement in Japan, which is the safest monitoring interval worldwide. In this study, we aimed to explore the effect of this measure on patients undergoing clozapine treatment. Methods This retrospective chart review study included patients with treatment‐resistant schizophrenia (TRS) who were undergoing clozapine treatment at four psychiatric institutions in Japan. Demographic characteristics and clinical information of these patients were collected on April 27, 2020, when Japanese psychiatrists were virtually allowed to prescribe clozapine beyond the regulatory requirement. Furthermore, information of adverse events related to the emergency measure was collected and analyzed. Results Of the 41 patients with TRS included in this study, 19 patients underwent extended hematological monitoring during clozapine treatment. No psychiatric or hematological adverse events were observed in the patients during the extended monitoring interval. Conclusion This study suggested that there were few adverse events of clozapine‐treated patients related to emergency measures in Japan. However, hematological monitoring intervals during clozapine treatment have been emergently extended worldwide; hence, it is necessary to verify the results of these measures.

Abstract Background In Japan, between 2010 and 2020, there were two post-graduate training curricula for post-graduate medical education, as follows: comprehensive rotation programmes (CRPs), which require rotation in at least seven clinical departments; and limited rotation programmes (LRPs), which require rotation in fewer clinical departments. The curriculum that should be used for standardized Japanese post-graduate training has long been debated. Multiple studies show that post-graduate trainees who trained with CRPs were more satisfied and confident and gained more clinical experience than those who trained with LRPs. However, a comparison of objective measurements of the clinical knowledge of Japanese post-graduate trainees has not been reported. The aim of this study is to objectively measure and compare the clinical knowledge of trainees in CRPs and LRPs using a component of the Professional and Linguistic Assessment Board test (PLAB test). Methods A nationwide cross-sectional study was conducted in February and March 2020. Post-graduate trainees who graduated from medical school were voluntarily recruited from general hospitals in Japan. To objectively measure the trainees’ basic clinical knowledge, the PLAB test was adapted from the UK. The cut-off point was set at 63%, as recommended by the UK General Medical Council. A statistical analysis was conducted to determine whether post-graduate programme differences contributed to the trainees’ test scores. Results Twenty-two facilities volunteered to participate after recruitment, and 97 trainees from 19 facilities participated in the study. Thirty-one participants (32%) were in a CRP, and 66 participants (68%) were in an LRP. According to multiple logistic regression, the adjusted odds ratio of CRP trainees being in the high-scoring group was 5.16 (95% CI: 1.28-20.73, p

Sodium alginate (SALG) is a substance derived from brown seaweed that has been shown to reduce blood pressure (BP). However, its effects on renovascular hypertension caused by 2-kidney, 1-clip (2K1C) are not yet clear. Previous research suggests that hypertensive rats have increased intestinal permeability, and that SALG improves the gut barrier in inflammatory bowel disease mouse models. Therefore, the goal of this study was to determine whether the antihypertensive effects of SALG involve the intestinal barrier in 2K1C rats. Rats were fed either a 1.0% SALG diet or a control diet for six weeks after being subjected to 2K1C surgery or a sham operation. The systolic BP was measured weekly, and the mean arterial BP was measured at the end of the study. Intestinal samples were taken for analysis, and plasma lipopolysaccharide (LPS) levels were measured. The results showed that BP in 2K1C rats was significantly higher than in SHAM rats when fed CTL, but not when fed SALG. The gut barrier in 2K1C rats was improved by SALG intake. Plasma LPS levels also differed depending on the animal model and diet. In conclusion, dietary SALG may alleviate 2K1C renovascular hypertension by altering the gut barrier.

Background Advanced non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has a high mortality rate and poor prognosis. However, outcomes have gradually improved after the introduction of novel immunotherapies, including immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Although programmed death‐ligand 1 (PD‐L1) expression in tumor tissues is a known biomarker for guiding ICI treatment of NSCLC, challenges such as difficulty of liquid biopsy and heterogeneous results during treatment persist. This study evaluated the potential of miR200b as a surrogate biomarker for PD‐L1 expression. Methods We used the human lung cancer cell lines H226, H460, H520, A549, and H1975. miR200b expression in blood and bronchoscopy specimens of NSCLC patients was evaluated using reverse‐transcription‐quantitative PCR. Using flow cytometry, PD‐L1 expression in vitro, as well as in tumor tissues, was evaluated after transfection with a mimic miR200b or siRNA. Results miR200b expression negatively correlated with PD‐L1 expression in all cell lines. The induction or knockdown of miR200b also altered PD‐L1 expression in vitro. The patient group with a PD‐L1 tumor proportion score ≥ 50% had significantly lower miR200b expression in the bronchoscopy specimens (P = 0.025) and serum‐derived exosomes (P = 0.022) than that with PD‐L1 tumor proportion score

Abstract Background There has been increasing attention regarding quadratus lumborum block (QLB) and erector spinae plane block (ESPB) as effective truncal blocks. There have been reports of combined QLB and ESPB usage in hip surgery resulting in a symbiotic increase in effectiveness. However, there have been no reports regarding robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN), which requires multiple port holes ranging from near the xiphoid process to below the umbilicus. We hypothesized that the combined use of QLB and ESPB was an option for anesthesia and analgesia during RAPN. Case presentation Anterior QLB and ESPB were applied to two patients undergoing scheduled RAPN. With intravenous patient-controlled analgesia, the post-surgery numerical rating scale scores were < 3/10 at rest and < 5/10 upon movement, throughout the perioperative time. Conclusions The combination of QLB and ESPB could be an option for the postoperative analgesia in RAPN.

Abstract Background Pleomorphic carcinoma (PC) of the lung is a rare type of lung cancer with aggressive characteristics and a poor prognosis. Because it is rare, the molecular characteristics of PC remain unclear. Methods A gene mutation analysis was performed using next‐generation sequencing (NGS) in patients with PC of the lung who had undergone surgical resection. Results A total of nine patients were enrolled in the study. All the patients were male and eight had a history of smoking. Eight tumors contained spindle cells and three contained giant cells. Mutations considered significant were found in eight of the nine patients: in TP53 in five patients, in MET in two patients, and in ALK, ERBB2, PIK3CA, APC, NF1, and CDKN2A in one patient each. No EGFR mutation was detected in our analysis. Co‐mutations were detected in three patients: TP53 with MET and NF1, TP53 with ERBB2, and PIK3CA with CDKN2A. Conclusions TP53 mutations were detected most frequently in PC of the lung with NGS analysis. Different co‐mutations were seen in several specimens. Key points Significant findings of the study This study demonstrates that mutations in the TP53 gene are frequently found and co‐mutations are sometimes found in pleomorphic carcinoma of the lung using genomic profiling analysis. What this study adds Our results will help to analogize the genetic characteristics and potential target of molecular‐targeted agents of pleomorphic carcinoma of the lung.

Introduction As most patients with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)‐mutant non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) develop progressive disease after treatment with osimertinib, it is important to develop more effective treatment options. Afatinib has been shown to be more effective in in vitro studies than osimertinib when used in cancer cell lines containing some specific EGFR mutations. Therefore, afatinib may be an effective solution, especially when used in combination with an anti‐VEGF agent such as bevacizumab. Methods A phase II multicenter, open‐label, single‐arm trial has been initiated to evaluate the efficacy and safety of afatinib and bevacizumab combination as salvage therapy for EGFR‐mutated lung cancer in patients previously treated with osimertinib. The primary endpoint will be the objective response rate (ORR) and secondary endpoints are progression‐free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), disease control rate (DCR), and adverse events (AEs). Discussion A previous study indicated that afatinib inhibits lung cancer cells with specific EGFR mutations more effectively than other EGFR‐TKIs such as osimertinib. Therefore, we expect that combination therapy using afatinib and bevacizumab will be effective in patients previously treated with osimertinib (registration no. jRCTs031190077).

Background: Capsaicin, a pungent component of chili pepper, has been reported to decrease blood pressure (BP) and to cause vasorelaxation via nitric oxide (NO) production. However, it is still unclear how dietary capsaicin effects on renovascular hypertension. To examine this, we observed the effects of dietary capsaicin on BP in 2-kidney, 1-clip renovascular hypertension (2K1C) rats, and investigated the participation of NO in the mechanism. Methods: Rats with 2K1C or sham-operated rats (SHAM) were treated with 0.006% capsaicin diet (CAP) or control diet (CTL) for 6 weeks. Systolic BP (SBP) was measured by tail-cuff method once a week. In the end, mean arterial BP (MAP) was measured in the rats under anesthesia. These observations were performed also in the rats taking a NO synthase (NOS) inhibitor (LN). After rats were euthanized, thoracic aortas were collected and used for western blot analyses to evaluate the phosphorylated ratio of endothelial NOS (eNOS), protein kinase A (PKA) and B (Akt), in order to explore a mechanism of the effects on BP by dietary capsaicin. Results: SBP and MAP in 2K1C rats were significantly higher than in SHAM rats when fed CTL, but not when fed CAP. Those in 2K1C-CAP rats were significantly lower than in 2K1C-CTL rats. LN suppressed the effect of dietary capsaicin. The ratios of phosphorylated (p-) eNOS/eNOS and p-Akt/Akt, but not p-PKA/PKA, were significantly increased in rats fed CAP compared with rats fed CTL. Conclusion: Dietary capsaicin may alleviate 2K1C renovascular hypertension, probably via enhancing phosphorylation of Akt and eNOS. Abbreviations: 2K1C: 2-kidney, 1-clip hypertension model; Akt: protein kinase B; Ang II: angiotensin II; ANOVA: measures analysis of variance; BP: blood pressure; EC: endothelial cell; eNOS: endothelial nitric oxide synthase; GAPDH: glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase; L-NAME, LN: Nω-Nitro-L-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride; MA: mesenteric arteries; MAP: mean arterial blood pressure; NO: nitric oxide; PKA: protein kinase A; PVDF: polyvinylidene difluoride; SBP: Systolic blood pressure; SHR: spontaneously hypertensive rats; SN: sympathetic nervous; TRPV1: transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1; WKY: Wistar Kyoto rats.

Roya Rafie,1 Seyed Ahmad Hosseini,1 Eskandar Hajiani,2 Amal Saki Malehi,3 Seyed Ali Mard4 1Nutrition and Metabolic Diseases Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran; 2Research Center for Infectious Diseases of the Digestive System, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran; 3Health Research Institute, Thalassemia and Hemoglobinopathy Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran; 4Alimentary Tract Research Center, Imam Khomeini Hospital Clinical Research Development Unit, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, IranCorrespondence: Seyed Ahmad HosseiniNutrition and Metabolic Diseases Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, IranTel +98-6133367543Fax +98-6133720299Email Seyedahmadhosseini@yahoo.comBackground: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common chronic liver disorders. The main causes of NAFLD are associated with insulin resistance, severe lipid metabolism disorders, oxidative stress and inflammation. Previous studies have reported that ginger has positive metabolic results.Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of ginger powder supplement on lipid profiles, insulin resistance, liver enzymes, inflammatory cytokines and antioxidant status in patients with NAFLD.Methods: In this randomized clinical trial, 46 people with NAFLD were parted into two groups and subjected to the ginger or placebo capsules (3 capsules daily, each containing 500 mg of ginger or wheat flour) over 12 weeks. All patients received a diet with balanced energy and physical activity during the intervention period. Liver ultrasonography, anthropometric indices and biochemical parameters were measured before and after intervention.Results: No significant difference was found between the two groups in the baseline variables at the beginning of the study. At the end of the study, serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C), fasting blood glucose, and insulin resistance index (HOMA), C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and fetuin-A in the group receiving a ginger supplement significantly decreased compared to placebo. However, there was no significant difference between the two groups in body weight, fasting insulin, HDL-C, triglyceride, adiponectin, alpha-tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), fatty liver index (FLI), fatty liver grade and blood pressure.Conclusion: The ginger supplement may be used as a complementary therapy along with existing therapies to reduce insulin resistance, liver enzymes and inflammation in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver.Keywords: ginger, liver enzymes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, lipid profiles, insulin resistance

Abstract Background Although animal models of PCOS have been used in many studies, none of them can reproduce both the reproductive and metabolic phenotypes of PCOS. In addition, behavioral parameters have not been evaluated in PCOS animal models. Purpose We tried to produce an improved rat model of PCOS, and the reproductive, metabolic, and behavioral phenotypes of the model rats were evaluated. Methods Female rats were implanted with silicon tubes containing oil‐dissolved dihydrotestosterone (Oil‐DHT) as a new PCOS model. Their phenotypes were compared with those of conventional PCOS model rats (DHT), into which tubes containing crystalline DHT were implanted, and non‐DHT‐treated rats (control). Results Both the Oil‐DHT and DHT rats showed greater body weight gain, food intake, and fat depot weight than the control rats. Furthermore, these groups showed fewer estrous stages and increased numbers of cystic follicles. The DHT rats exhibited lower ovarian and uterine weights than the control rats, whereas no such changes were observed in the Oil‐DHT rats. The Oil‐DHT and DHT rats showed less locomotor activity in the light phase than the control rats. Conclusions Our proposed PCOS model reproduced both the reproductive and metabolic phenotypes of PCOS and may have potential for PCOS research.

Abstract Background It is known that metabolic and nutritional disturbances induce reproductive dysfunction in females. The main cause of these alterations is reduced gonadotrophin‐releasing hormone (GnRH) secretion from the hypothalamus, and the underlying mechanisms have gradually been elucidated. Methods The present review summarizes current knowledge about the effects of nutrition/metabolism on reproductive functions, especially focusing on the GnRH regulation system. Main findings Various central and peripheral factors are involved in the regulation of GnRH secretion, and alterations in their activity combine to affect GnRH neurons. Satiety‐related factors, i.e., leptin, insulin, and alpha‐melanocyte‐stimulating hormone, directly and indirectly stimulate GnRH secretion, whereas orexigenic factors, i.e., neuropeptide Y, Agouti‐related protein, orexin, and ghrelin, attenuate GnRH secretion. In addition, kisspeptin, which is a potent positive regulator of GnRH, expression is reduced by metabolic and nutritional disturbances. Conclusion These neuroendocrine systems may be defensive mechanisms, which help organisms to survive adverse conditions by temporarily suppressing reproduction.

Background. The effect of left subclavian artery tortuosity during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) remains unclear. Methods. Of 245 ACS patients (from November 2019 and May 2021), 79 who underwent PCI via a left radial approach (LRA) were included. We measured the angle of the left subclavian artery in the coronal view on CT imaging as an indicator of the tortuosity and investigated the association between that angle and the clinical variables and procedural time. Results. Patients with a left subclavian artery angle of a median of

Substrate-induced gene expression (SIGEX) is a high-throughput promoter-trap method. It is a function-based metagenomic screening tool that relies on transcriptional activation of a reporter gene green fluorescence protein (gfp) by a metagenomic DNA library upon induction with a substrate. However, its use is limited because of the relatively small size of metagenomic DNA libraries and incompatibility with screening metagenomes from anaerobic environments. In this study, these limitations of SIGEX were addressed by fine-tuning metagenome DNA library construction protocol and by using Evoglow, a green fluorescent protein that forms a chromophore even under anaerobic conditions. Two metagenomic libraries were constructed for subseafloor sediments offshore Shimokita Peninsula (Pacific Ocean) and offshore Joetsu (Japan Sea). The library construction protocol was improved by (a) eliminating short DNA fragments, (b) applying topoisomerase-based high-efficiency ligation, (c) optimizing insert DNA concentration, and (d) column-based DNA enrichment. This led to a successful construction of metagenome DNA libraries of approximately 6 Gbp for both samples. SIGEX screening using five aromatic compounds (benzoate, 3-chlorobenzoate, 3-hydroxybenzoate, phenol, and 2,4-dichlorophenol) under aerobic and anaerobic conditions revealed significant differences in the inducible clone ratios under these conditions. 3-Chlorobenzoate and 2,4-dichlorophenol led to a higher induction ratio than that for the other non-chlorinated aromatic compounds under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. After the further screening of induced clones, a clone induced by 3-chlorobenzoate only under anaerobic conditions was isolated and characterized. The clone harbors a DNA insert that encodes putative open reading frames of unknown function. Previous aerobic SIGEX attempts succeeded in the isolation of gene fragments from anaerobes. This study demonstrated that some gene fragments require a strict in vivo reducing environment to function and may be potentially missed when screened by aerobic induction. The newly developed anaerobic SIGEX scheme will facilitate functional exploration of metagenomes from the anaerobic biosphere.

Targeting cancer cells that are highly dependent on the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) metabolite is a promising therapeutic strategy. Nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) is the rate-limiting enzyme catalyzing NAD+ production. Despite the high efficacy of several developed NAMPT inhibitors (i.e., FK866 (APO866)) in preclinical studies, their clinical activity was proven to be limited. Here, we report the synthesis of new NAMPT Inhibitors, JJ08, FEI191 and FEI199, which exhibit a broad anticancer activity in vitro. Results show that these compounds are potent NAMPT inhibitors that deplete NAD+ and NADP(H) after 24 h of drug treatment, followed by an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation. The latter event leads to ATP loss and mitochondrial depolarization with induction of apoptosis and necrosis. Supplementation with exogenous NAD+ precursors or catalase (ROS scavenger) abrogates the cell death induced by the new compounds. Finally, in vivo administration of the new NAMPT inhibitors in a mouse xenograft model of human Burkitt lymphoma delays tumor growth and significantly prolongs mouse survival. The most promising results are collected with JJ08, which completely eradicates tumor growth. Collectively, our findings demonstrate the efficient anticancer activity of the new NAMPT inhibitor JJ08 and highlight a strong interest for further evaluation of this compound in hematological malignancies.

Oxytocin (OT) affects many behavioral, psychological, and physiological functions, including appetite and body weight regulation. Central and peripheral OT levels are markedly affected by gonadal steroids, especially estrogen, and the anorectic effects of estrogen are partially mediated by OT in rodents. In this study, the relationship between the estrogen milieu and serum OT levels was evaluated in women of reproductive age under physiological (n = 9) and supraphysiological estrogenic conditions (n = 7). Consequently, it was found that serum OT levels were increased in physiological (the ovulatory phase) and supraphysiological (on the day of the human chorionic gonadotropin trigger in an ovarian stimulation cycle) estrogenic conditions, and that serum OT levels were positively correlated with serum estradiol levels. On the other hand, serum OT levels were negatively correlated with serum progesterone levels, and there was no correlation between serum and follicular OT levels. These results suggest that OT levels may be positively and negatively regulated by estrogen and progesterone, respectively, in humans. However, the physiological roles of these actions of gonadal steroids on OT remain unclear.

Background & Aims: Clinical education is the main part of nursing education and without it training efficient and competent nurses is far reaching. Any problem in clinical education may damage the efficiency of education program. The present study tries to investigate the stress factors in clinical education among nursing students in Nursing and Midwifery College in Khorram Abad. Materials & Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 95 cases were selected and studied. The data were collected and analyzed. Result: The results show that among the environmental and education factors, there are some stressful factors facing the emergency patients such as excessive number of the students in a single ward, the initial care giving in the presence of public, lack of adequate skill and making stress on the part of the instructor while doing his/her duty as well as students' fear of being infected to infectious diseases. Conclusion: Since the stressful factors may affect clinical education negatively and have negative effects on the aims of clinical education, it is recommended to remove or reduce these factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oral ulcers caused by herpes zoster virus infection are commonly encountered in daily clinical practice. However, in rare cases, sepsis or viremia can occur with serious outcomes; hence, these must be managed effectively. Here, we report a case of a patient with extensive ulceration caused by varicella zoster virus infection. Antiviral treatment was started early, and oral health management was started simultaneously, with oral hygiene instructions for pain control. As a result, the patient was able to resume oral food intake and was discharged from the hospital within a week. This case suggested that oral health management comprising supportive care, with the assistance of dentists and dental hygienists, as well as antiviral therapy, are important in the treatment of oral ulcers associated with herpes zoster virus infection.

Sima Mohammadhossini,1 Fazlollah Ahmadi,2 Mahin Gheibizadeh,3 Amal Saki Malehi,4 Kourosh Zarea31Nursing & Midwifery School, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran; 2Department of Nursing, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran; 3Nursing Care Research Center in Chronic Diseases, Nursing & Midwifery School, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran; 4Biostatistics and Epidemiology Department, Public Health Faculty, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, IranCorrespondence: Kourosh ZareaNursing Care Research Center in Chronic Diseases, Nursing & Midwifery School, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Postal Box 159, Ahvaz City, Khuzestan Province 61357-15794, IranTel +98 916 615 4943Email Zarea_k@ajums.ac.irIntroduction: Burn patients have various physical needs. To provide full care for such patients, we need a broad range of services. The current study aims at showing the physical needs of burn patients.Methods: The current qualitative study has been done through content analysis. The data were collected from 20 in-depth, unstructured individual interviews with hospitalized patients with burns on more than 25% of their body, nurses, physiotherapists, and psychologists. The participants were selected by purposive sampling. The data were analyzed with a conventional content analysis approach using the Elo and Kyngas method.Results: By analyzing the data, 7 main categories were obtained from 932 primary codes: the necessity to provide optimal physiotherapy, the necessity of the patient’s overall physical assessment, the necessity of monitoring and coordination in care, healthy nutrition for burn patients, the need for pharmacotherapy, the need for pain reliefs, and finally the theme for comprehensive physical care needs in burn patients.Conclusion: According to the findings, by applying the extracted categories, it is possible to provide quality care based on the patient’s individual needs. This can help speed up the treatment and shorten the length of hospitalization significantly.Keywords: care needs, burn, physical domain, qualitative study

Background and Aim: This study aimed to analyze the factors affecting time and experience of relapse in the patients with Hodgkin's lymphoma, using cure fraction. Material and Methods: This retrospective study included all the patients diagnosed as Hodgkin's lymphoma in the Center for oncology and hematology in Shafa Hospital in Ahwaz City from 2002 to 2012. We used survival analysis and cure fraction models In order to answer the question, "why are some people in the study don’t experience recurrence?". We used mixture and nonmixture cure models using Weibull, exponential, log-normal, loglogistic and gamma distributions, and a logistic model for estimation of the proportion of safe individuals; and Cureregr8 instruction for study of its associated factors. STATA13 software was used for data analysis. Akaike information criterion (AIC) was used to compare the performance of these models. Results: Parametric model of Weibull distribution had the lowest AIC (804.3171). Factors affecting long-term survival of the patients with Hodgkin's lymphoma, were hemoglobin > 10.5 (P-value = 0.018) and stage of the disease (P-value = 0.032). Factors affecting short-term survival of the patients included age >30 years (P-value = 0.001), involvement of the groin site (P-value = 0.010) Stage of disease (P-value < 0.001) and bone marrow involvement (Pvalue = 0.003). Conclusion: When the study population includes two susceptible and non-susceptible (safe or healed) subgroups in regard to recurrence of Hodgkin's lymphoma, use of cure models for separate evaluation of the variables associated with the long and short term survival and cure rates is appropriate.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is frequently seen in females of reproductive age and is associated with metabolic disorders that are exacerbated by obesity. Although body weight reduction programs via diet and lifestyle changes are recommended for modifying reproductive and metabolic phenotypes, the drop-out rate is high. Thus, an efficacious, safe, and continuable treatment method is needed. Recent studies have shown that oxytocin (OT) reduces body weight gain and food intake, and promotes lipolysis in some mammals, including humans (especially obese individuals), without any adverse effects. In the present study, we evaluated the changes in endogenous OT levels, and the effects of acute and chronic OT administration on body weight changes, food intake, and fat mass using novel dihydrotestosterone-induced PCOS model rats. We found that the serum OT level was lower in PCOS model rats than in control rats, whereas the hypothalamic OT mRNA expression level did not differ between them. Acute intraperitoneal administration of OT during the dark phase reduced the body weight gain and food intake in PCOS model rats, but these effects were not observed in control rats. In contrast, chronic administration of OT decreased the food intake in both the PCOS model rats and control rats. These findings indicate that OT may be a candidate medicine that is efficacious, safe, and continuable for treating obese PCOS patients.

Abstract Aims Thermoregulatory responses in homeothermic animals, including humans, are classified into involuntary autonomous and voluntary behavioral thermoregulatory responses. Although behavioral thermoregulatory responses are probably driven by positive (pleasant) and/or negative (unpleasant) emotions, the neuronal mechanisms underlying the induction of negative emotions by hot and cold environments remain poorly understood. The bed nucleus of the stria terminalis is a brain region implicated in stress responses and negative emotions, such as fear, anxiety, and aversion. Various stimuli that cause negative emotions, such as immobilization stress, fox odor, gastric distension, and inflammatory pain, increase noradrenaline release in the rat bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, especially in the ventral bed nucleus of the stria terminalis. It has been reported that the negative emotional component of pain is mediated by noradrenergic neurotransmission in the ventral bed nucleus of the stria terminalis. However, the role of intra‐ventral bed nucleus of the stria terminalis noradrenergic neurotransmission in the induction of negative emotion by exposure to hot and cold environments remains to be elucidated. For the first step to address this issue, the effects of hot and cold environments on noradrenaline release in the ventral bed nucleus of the stria terminalis were examined. Methods In vivo microdialysis analyses in unanesthetized, freely moving male Sprague‐Dawley rats were performed to examine hot and cold environments‐induced noradrenaline release in the ventral bed nucleus of the stria terminalis. Results Exposure to hot (38°C) and cold (8°C) environments significantly increased noradrenaline release in the ventral bed nucleus of the stria terminalis. Conclusions The results suggest that exposure to hot and cold environments enhances noradrenergic neurotransmission in the ventral bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, which may induce negative emotion, and thereby drive avoidance behaviors, that is, escape from hot and cold environments.

Summary: The interaction of the human FcγRIIA with immune complexes (ICs) promotes neutrophil activation and thus must be tightly controlled to avoid damage to healthy tissue. Here, we demonstrate that a fungal-derived soluble β-1,3/1,6-glucan binds to the glycosphingolipid long-chain lactosylceramide (LacCer) to reduce FcγRIIA-mediated recruitment to immobilized ICs under flow, a process requiring high-affinity FcγRIIA-immunoglobulin G (IgG) interactions. The inhibition requires Lyn phosphorylation of SHP-1 phosphatase and the FcγRIIA immunotyrosine-activating motif. β-glucan reduces the effective 2D affinity of FcγRIIA for IgG via Lyn and SHP-1 and, in vivo, inhibits FcγRIIA-mediated neutrophil recruitment to intravascular IgG deposited in the kidney glomeruli in a glycosphingolipid- and Lyn-dependent manner. In contrast, β-glucan did not affect FcγR functions that bypass FcγR affinity for IgG. In summary, we have identified a pathway for modulating the 2D affinity of FcγRIIA for ligand that relies on LacCer-Lyn-SHP-1-mediated inhibitory signaling triggered by β-glucan, a previously described activator of innate immunity.

In fractured reservoirs with relatively low matrix permeability, i.e. small matrix block size with respect to capillary threshold height, diffusion becomes an important recovery mechanism. In this work, we have attempted to model the mass transfer between the matrix and fracture by considering a fractured porous media as a single matrix block with an adjacent fracture. An appropriate model should be applicable in the case of the matrix being saturated with both saturated and undersaturated oils. The proposed model presents such versatility. The model is a modification for the formulation of Jamili et al. [Jamili, A., Whillhite, G.P. and Green, D.W., Modeling Gas-Phase Mass Transfer Between Fracture and Matrix in Naturally Fractured Reservoir, SPE132622 (2011)], which suffered from several drawbacks such as the use of the classical Fick's law, and of Hua and Whitson [Hua Hu, Whitson, C.H. and Yuanchang, Q.i., A Study of Recovery Mechanism in a Nitrogen Diffusion Experiment, SPE21893 (1991)] to calculate diffusion mass transfer coefficients between the fracture and matrix, and the use of Darcy's law to model convection mass transfer between the fracture and matrix. In this work, these drawbacks were surveyed and amended. Subsequently, the improved model has been validated through a gas injection experiment. Following model validation, the effects on the recovery rate of matrix permeability, initial gas saturation and injection rate are investigated. The numerical analysis showed that the effect of gas injection rate on the recovery rate is considerable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bycatch of harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) by gillnets is a recognised threat to populations. To develop effective mitigation measures, understanding the mechanics of bycatch is essential. Previous studies in experimental conditions suggested foraging activity is an important factor influencing porpoises' reaction to gillnets. We acoustically observed the behaviour of wild harbour porpoises around a bottom-gillnet set-up in a commercial fishing ground, especially foraging activity. Passive acoustic event recorders (A-tags) were fixed to the ends of the gillnet, and recorded for 1 392 hours. Although harbour porpoises frequently and repeatedly appeared around the net each day, incidental bycatch occurred only three times during the observations. The stomach contents of two individuals contained mainly Ammodytes sp., which were observable around the bottom-gillnet but not targeted by the fishery. A total of 276 foraging incidents were acoustically detected, and 78.2% of the foraging activity was in the bottom layer (deeper than 25 m). Porpoises appeared around the net with more frequency on the day of a bycatch incident than on the days without bycatch. These results suggest that the harbour porpoises appeared around the bottom-gillnet to forage on fish distributed in the fishing ground, but not captured by this bottom-gillnet. Thus, porpoises face the risk of becoming entangled when foraging near a gillnet, with the probability of bycatch simply increasing with the length of time spent near the net. Bycatch mitigation measures are discussed.

Purpose To analyze the structure of the choriocapillaris in healthy eyes by using averaged en face images acquired using swept source optical coherence tomography angiography and to examine the changes in the macular profile in relation to age, sex, axial length, and choroidal thickness. Methods This prospective, cross-sectional study included 81 eyes of 81 subjects without ophthalmologic or systemic diseases who underwent a full ophthalmologic examination, including 3 × 3-mm macular optical coherence tomography angiography. Four to nine choriocapillaris en face images were registered and averaged. The averaged images were then binarized and analyzed. Results The averaged choriocapillaris images showed a continuous capillary meshwork, whereas the unaveraged images had a granular appearance. The mean total area and size of flow voids were 0.99 ± 0.20 mm2 and 567.8 ± 201.5 μm2, respectively, and these values correlated positively with age (p = 0.002, R = 0.336 and p = 0.026, R = 0.247, respectively). Age-related gains in the mean total area and flow void size were 4.20 × 10−3 mm2 and 3.07 μm2 per year, respectively. However, the mean total area and flow void size had no significant correlation with axial length, subfoveal choroidal thickness, or sex. Conclusions Multiple averaged en face swept source optical coherence tomography angiography is more effective than a single optical coherence tomography angiography scan for better visualizing the choriocapillaris. The total area and size of flow voids within a 3 × 3-mm macular area positively correlated with age. This technique can be useful for investigating the changes arising in macular diseases.

Background Studies describing the effectiveness of extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) for peripartum cardiopulmonary arrest are lacking. Case Presentation A 39‐year‐old woman underwent elective cesarean section. Right after surgery, she fell into a cardiac arrest and was promptly transferred to our institute by ambulance. On arrival, we immediately initiated ECPR, within 63 min of the cardiac arrest. Return of spontaneous circulation was achieved 80 min after induction of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. As the hemodynamics of the patient stabilized, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was discontinued on day 3 of hospitalization. The patient’s cerebral performance category score was 3 at discharge, which improved to 2 after 3 months. Conclusion This case suggests that prompt interhospital transfer and ECPR might be effective for peripartum cardiac arrest due to nonhemorrhagic events.

The pink teeth phenomenon has been observed in cases of hanging and drowning, but the relationship of this phenomenon with cause of death has not been positively affirmed. To date, teeth with a pinkish tone have been simply regarded as pink teeth. However, we speculated that classification and evaluation of the degree and region of discoloration with reference to how color is classified in prosthodontic dentistry may produce novel findings regarding the pink teeth phenomenon. Therefore, we classified the degree and region of discoloration on teeth into three grades and attempted to evaluate the relationship of grade with various cadaveric factors in 68 cases of pink teeth. The degree and region scores of discoloration did not show significant differences in terms of sex, age, cause of death, and place of discovery, but the degree of discoloration in terms of time after death showed a significant increase at 6 months (p < 0.01) and a significant decrease after 7 months (p < 0.05), while the region score also showed a significant decrease after 7 months. Furthermore, in 18 cases of drowning, the degree of discoloration significantly increased with time after death (p < 0.01). Thus, it was clarified that time after death was most strongly related to the pink teeth phenomenon, suggesting cadaveric decomposition may affect the occurrence of pink teeth. Further investigation in cases of early postmortem changes would be required to determine whether pink teeth in putrefactive cadavers have utility in medico–legal assessments.