Observation of 2D-magnesium-intercalated gallium nitride superlattices.

Since the demonstration of p-type gallium nitride (GaN) through doping with substitutional magnesium (Mg) atoms1,2, rapid and comprehensive developments, such as blue light-emitting diodes, have considerably shaped our modern lives and contributed to a more carbon-neutral society3-5. However, the details of the interplay between GaN and Mg have remained largely unknown6-11. Here we observe that Mg-intercalated GaN superlattices can form spontaneously by annealing a metallic Mg film on GaN at atmospheric pressure. To our knowledge, this marks the first instance of a two-dimensional metal intercalated into a bulk semiconductor, with each Mg monolayer being intricately inserted between several monolayers of hexagonal GaN. Characterized as an interstitial intercalation, this process induces substantial uniaxial compressive strain perpendicular to the interstitial layers. Consequently, the GaN layers in the Mg-intercalated GaN superlattices exhibit an exceptional elastic strain exceeding -10% (equivalent to a stress of more than 20 GPa), among the highest recorded for thin-film materials12. The strain alters the electronic band structure and greatly enhances hole transport along the compression direction. Furthermore, the Mg sheets induce a unique periodic transition in GaN polarity, generating polarization-field-induced net charges. These characteristics offer fresh insights into semiconductor doping and conductivity enhancement, as well as into elastic strain engineering of nanomaterials and metal-semiconductor superlattices13.

Aberrant CHCHD2-associated mitochondriopathy in Kii ALS/PDC astrocytes.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis/Parkinsonism-Dementia Complex (ALS/PDC), a rare and complex neurological disorder, is predominantly observed in the Western Pacific islands, including regions of Japan, Guam, and Papua. This enigmatic condition continues to capture medical attention due to affected patients displaying symptoms that parallel those seen in either classical amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or Parkinson's disease (PD). Distinctly, postmortem examinations of the brains of affected individuals have shown the presence of α-synuclein aggregates and TDP-43, which are hallmarks of PD and classical ALS, respectively. These observations are further complicated by the detection of phosphorylated tau, accentuating the multifaceted proteinopathic nature of ALS/PDC. The etiological foundations of this disease remain undetermined, and genetic investigations have yet to provide conclusive answers. However, emerging evidence has implicated the contribution of astrocytes, pivotal cells for maintaining brain health, to neurodegenerative onset, and likely to play a significant role in the pathogenesis of ALS/PDC. Leveraging advanced induced pluripotent stem cell technology, our team cultivated multiple astrocyte lines to further investigate the Japanese variant of ALS/PDC (Kii ALS/PDC). CHCHD2 emerged as a significantly dysregulated gene when disease astrocytes were compared to healthy controls. Our analyses also revealed imbalances in the activation of specific pathways: those associated with astrocytic cilium dysfunction, known to be involved in neurodegeneration, and those related to major neurological disorders, including classical ALS and PD. Further in-depth examinations revealed abnormalities in the mitochondrial morphology and metabolic processes of the affected astrocytes. A particularly striking observation was the reduced expression of CHCHD2 in the spinal cord, motor cortex, and oculomotor nuclei of patients with Kii ALS/PDC. In summary, our findings suggest a potential reduction in the support Kii ALS/PDC astrocytes provide to neurons, emphasizing the need to explore the role of CHCHD2 in maintaining mitochondrial health and its implications for the disease.

Inhibitory Roles of Apolipoprotein E Christchurch Astrocytes in Curbing Tau Propagation Using Human Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Models.

Genetic variants in the apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene affect the onset and progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The APOE Christchurch (APOE Ch) variant has been identified as the most prominent candidate for preventing the onset and progression of AD. In this study, we generated isogenic APOE3Ch/3Ch human-induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from APOE3/3 healthy control female iPSCs and induced them into astrocytes. RNA expression analysis revealed the inherent resilience of APOE3Ch/3Ch astrocytes to induce a reactive state in response to inflammatory cytokines. Moreover, cytokine treatment changed astrocytic morphology with more complexity in APOE3/3 astrocytes, but not in APOE3Ch/3Ch astrocytes, indicating resilience of the rare variant to a reactive state. Interestingly, we observed robust morphological alterations containing more intricate processes when cocultured with iPSC-derived cortical neurons, in which APOE3Ch/3Ch astrocytes reduced complexity compared with APOE3/3 astrocytes. To assess the impacts of tau propagation effects, we next developed a sophisticated and sensitive assay utilizing cortical neurons derived from human iPSCs, previously generated from donors of both sexes. We showed that APOE3Ch/3Ch astrocytes effectively mitigated tau propagation within iPSC-derived neurons. This study provides important experimental evidence of the characteristic functions exhibited by APOE3Ch/3Ch astrocytes, thereby offering valuable insights for the advancement of novel clinical interventions in AD research.

Effect of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors on serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

AIMS/INTRODUCTION: We aimed to evaluate factors that influence changes in blood low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels after treatment with sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed clinical data of outpatients newly initiated on SGLT2 inhibitors (n = 176) and other oral antidiabetic drugs (n = 227). The patients were classified into four subgroups according to statin administration and baseline LDL-C levels (<120 or ≥120 mg/dL). Clinical characteristics were compared among the subgroups. Multivariate analysis was carried out to identify factors contributing to changes in LDL-C. RESULTS: The median follow-up period was 13.0 weeks (range 11.9-14.1 weeks, min 8 weeks, maximum 16 weeks) in the SGLT2i group, and 12.0 weeks (range 10.0-14.0 weeks, min 8 weeks, maximum 16 weeks) in the control group. Both groups showed a significant decrease in LDL-C (SGLT2i group -3.8 ± 24.7 mg/dL, control group -3.4 ± 15.0 mg/dL). Multivariate regression analyses showed that in both groups, the change in LDL-C depended on statin use and baseline LDL-C levels. Stratified analyses showed that LDL-C level was significantly decreased in statin users with baseline LDL-C ≥120 mg/dL (from 148.9 ± 33.5 to 109.3 ± 17.9 mg/dL, P = 0.002), and significantly increased in statin non-users with baseline LDL-C <120 mg/dL (from 96.3 ± 27.3 to 104.7 ± 24.8 mg/dL, P = 0.002). These changes were more characteristic for SGLT2 inhibitors than for other oral antidiabetic drugs (P for interaction = 0.010 and <0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: LDL-C levels and statin medication at baseline influence changes in LDL-C after SGLT2 inhibitors treatment in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes.

Fluoride-treated rare earth-free magnesium alloy ZK30: An inert and bioresorbable material for bone fracture treatment devices.

Bone fractures represent a common health problem, particularly in an increasingly aging population. Bioresorbable magnesium (Mg) alloy-based implants offer promising alternatives to traditional metallic implants for the treatment of bone fractures because they eliminate the need for implant removal after healing. The Mg-Y-rare-earth (RE)-Zr alloy WE43, designed for orthopedic implants, has received European Conformity mark approval. However, currently, WE43 is not clinically used in certain countries possibly because of concerns related to RE metals. In this study, we investigated the use of a RE-free alloy, namely, Mg-Zn-Zr alloy (ZK30), as an implant for bone fractures. Hydrofluoric acid (HF) treatment was performed to improve the corrosion resistance of ZK30. HF-treated ZK30 (HF-ZK30) exhibited lower corrosion rate and higher biocompatibility than those of WE43 in in vitro experiments. After implanting a rod of HF-ZK30 into the fractured femoral bones of mice, HF-ZK30 held the bones and healed the fracture without deformation. Treatment results of HF-ZK30 were comparable to those of WE43, indicating the potential of HF-ZK30 as a bioresorbable and safe implant for bone repair.

Evaluation of changes in glycemic control and diabetic complications over time and factors associated with the progression of diabetic complications in Japanese patients with juvenile-onset type 1 diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the changes in glycemic control and diabetic complications over time in Japanese patients with juvenile-onset type 1 diabetes mellitus and to clarify the factors associated with the progression of diabetic complications. METHODS: We tracked 129 patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (21.8 ± 4.1 years old [mean ± SD] with a diabetes duration of 12.6 ± 5.7 years) for up to 19 years and analyzed data on glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and indicators related to the severity of diabetic complications (estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR], urinary albumin excretion rate [UAE], carotid intima-media thickness [CIMT], and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity [baPWV]) using linear mixed model and decision tree analysis. RESULTS: Although the HbA1c and UAE levels improved over time, the eGFR, CIMT, and baPWV worsened. Decision tree analysis showed that HbA1c and the glycoalbumin/HbA1c ratio for eGFR; HbA1c and systolic blood pressure for UAE; low-density lipoprotein cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio, glycoalbumin/HbA1c ratio, and body mass index (BMI) for CIMT; and HbA1c for baPWV were associated factors. CONCLUSIONS: In this retrospective observational study, glycemic control and albuminuria improved; however, renal function and arteriosclerosis worsened over time. HbA1c levels, glycemic excursion, and blood pressure are associated with nephropathy progression. HbA1c levels, glycemic excursion, lipid levels, and BMI are associated with the progression of atherosclerosis.

Astrocytic APOE4 genotype-mediated negative impacts on synaptic architecture in human pluripotent stem cell model.

The APOE4 genotype is the strongest risk factor for the pathogenesis of sporadic Alzheimer's disease (AD), but the detailed molecular mechanism of APOE4-mediated synaptic impairment remains to be determined. In this study, we generated a human astrocyte model carrying the APOE3 or APOE4 genotype using human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) in which isogenic APOE4 iPSCs were genome edited from healthy control APOE3 iPSCs. Next, we demonstrated that the astrocytic APOE4 genotype negatively affects dendritic spine dynamics in a co-culture system with primary neurons. Transcriptome analysis revealed an increase of EDIL3, an extracellular matrix glycoprotein, in human APOE4 astrocytes, which could underlie dendritic spine reduction in neuronal cultures. Accordingly, postmortem AD brains carrying the APOE4 allele have elevated levels of EDIL3 protein deposits within amyloid plaques. Together, these results demonstrate the novel deleterious effect of human APOE4 astrocytes on synaptic architecture and may help to elucidate the mechanism of APOE4-linked AD pathogenesis.

Change in fatty acid composition of plasma triglyceride caused by a 2 week comprehensive risk management for diabetes: A prospective observational study of type 2 diabetes patients with supercritical fluid chromatography/mass spectrometry-based semi-target lipidomic analysis.

AIMS/INTRODUCTION: Hypertriglyceridemia is common in patients with diabetes. Although the fatty acid (FA) composition of triglycerides (TGs) is suggested to be related to the pathology of diabetes and its complications, changes in the fatty acid composition caused by diabetes treatment remain unclear. This study aimed to identify short-term changes in the fatty acid composition of plasma triglycerides after diabetes treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was a sub-analysis of a prospective observational study of patients with type 2 diabetes aged between 20 and 75 years who were hospitalized to improve glycemic control (n = 31). A lipidomic analysis of plasma samples on the 2nd and 16th hospital days was conducted by supercritical fluid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. RESULTS: In total, 104 types of triglycerides with different compositions were identified. Most of them tended to decrease after treatment. In particular, triglycerides with a lower carbon number and fewer double bonds showed a relatively larger reduction. The inclusion of FA 14:0 (myristic acid), as a constituent of triglyceride, was significantly associated with a more than 50%, and statistically significant, reduction (odds ratio 39.0; P < 0.001). The total amount of FA 14:0 as a constituent of triglycerides also decreased significantly, and its rate of decrease was the greatest of all the fatty acid constituents. CONCLUSIONS: A 2 week comprehensive risk management for diabetes resulted in decreased levels of plasma triglycerides and a change in the fatty acid composition of triglycerides, characterized by a relatively large reduction in FA 14:0 as a constituent of triglycerides.

Changes of HbA1c variability after the switch to a longer-acting insulin analog in people with type 1 diabetes.

This study investigated whether longer-acting basal analogs (insulin degludec and insulin glargine U300) could reduce visit-to-visit hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) variability in patients with type 1 diabetes. Ninety adults with type 1 diabetes for whom the basal insulin was switched to a longer-acting insulin analog were analyzed retrospectively. The coefficient of variation of HbA1c levels (CV-HbA1c) during the year before and after the switch was compared. The CV-HbA1c after the switch was not significantly different from that before the switch (4.39 ± 2.24% vs 4.25 ± 2.07%; P = 0.506). The linear regression model revealed that CV-HbA1c before the switch was independently associated with the change of CV-HbA1c (regression coefficient per standard deviation = -0.568, P < 0.001), whereas the other variables were not (all P > 0.05). In conclusion, CV-HbA1c remained unchanged after the switch on average, but CV-HbA1c before the switch was associated with the decrease of CV-HbA1c in individuals with type 1 diabetes.

Photon extraction enhancement of praseodymium ions in gallium nitride nanopillars.

Lanthanoid-doped Gallium Nitride (GaN) integrated into nanophotonic technologies is a promising candidate for room-temperature quantum photon sources for quantum technology applications. We manufactured praseodymium (Pr)-doped GaN nanopillars of varying size, and showed significantly enhanced room-temperature photon extraction efficiency compared to unstructured Pr-doped GaN. Implanted Pr ions in GaN show two main emission peaks at 650.3 nm and 651.8 nm which are attributed to 3P0-3F2 transition in the 4f-shell. The maximum observed enhancement ratio was 23.5 for 200 nm diameter circular pillars, which can be divided into the emitted photon extraction enhancement by a factor of 4.5 and the photon collection enhancement by a factor of 5.2. The enhancement mechanism is explained by the eigenmode resonance inside the nanopillar. Our study provides a pathway for Lanthanoid-doped GaN nano/micro-scale photon emitters and quantum technology applications.

Multimodal analyses of a non-human primate model harboring mutant amyloid precursor protein transgenes driven by the human EF1α promoter.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the leading cause of dementia which afflicts tens of millions of people worldwide. Despite many scientific progresses to dissect the AD's molecular basis from studies on various mouse models, it has been suffered from evolutionary species differences. Here, we report generation of a non-human primate (NHP), common marmoset model ubiquitously expressing Amyloid-beta precursor protein (APP) transgenes with the Swedish (KM670/671NL) and Indiana (V717F) mutations. The transgene integration of generated two transgenic marmosets (TG1&TG2) was thoroughly investigated by genomic PCR, whole-genome sequencing, and fluorescence in situ hybridization. By reprogramming, we confirmed the validity of transgene expression in induced neurons in vitro. Moreover, we discovered structural changes in specific brain regions of transgenic marmosets by magnetic resonance imaging analysis, including in the entorhinal cortex and hippocampus. In immunohistochemistry, we detected increased Aß plaque-like structures in TG1 brain at 7 years old, although evident neuronal loss or glial inflammation was not observed. Thus, this study summarizes our attempt to establish an NHP AD model. Although the transgenesis approach alone seemed not sufficient to fully recapitulate AD in NHPs, it may be beneficial for drug development and further disease modeling by combination with other genetically engineered models and disease-inducing approaches.

Single transcription factor efficiently leads human induced pluripotent stem cells to functional microglia.

BACKGROUND: Microglia are innate immune cells that are the only residential macrophages in the central nervous system. They play vital physiological roles in the adult brain and during development. Microglia are particularly in the spotlight because many genetic risk factors recently identified for neurodegenerative diseases are largely expressed in microglia. Rare polymorphisms in these risk alleles lead to abnormal activity of microglia under traumatic or disease conditions. METHODS: In the present study, to investigate the multifaceted functions of human microglia, we established a novel robust protocol to generate microglia from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) using a combination of cytokines and small chemicals essential for microglia ontogeny. Moreover, we highly enhanced the microglial differentiation efficiency by forcing the expression of PU.1, a crucial transcription factor for microglial development, during posterior mesoderm differentiation. RESULTS: By our novel method, we demonstrated the generation of a greater number of hiPSC-derived microglia (hiMGLs, approximately 120-folds) than the prior methods (at most 40-folds). Over 90% of the hiMGLs expressed microglia-specific markers, such as CX3CR1 and IBA-1. Whole-transcriptome analysis revealed that these hiMGLs are similar to human primary microglia but differ from monocytes/macrophages. Furthermore, the specific physiological functions of microglia were confirmed through indices of lipopolysaccharide responsiveness, phagocytotic ability, and inflammasome formation. By co-culturing these hiMGLs with mouse primary neurons, we demonstrated that hiMGLs can regulate the activity and maturation of neurons. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, our new simple, rapid, and highly efficient method for generating microglia from hiPSCs will prove useful for future investigations on microglia in both physiological and disease conditions, as well as for drug discovery.

Laser slice thinning of GaN-on-GaN high electron mobility transistors.

As a newly developed technique to slice GaN substrates, which are currently very expensive, with less loss, we previously reported a laser slicing technique in this journal. In the previous report, from the perspective of GaN substrate processing, we could only show that the GaN substrate could be sliced by a laser and that the sliced GaN substrate could be reused. In this study, we newly investigated the applicability of this method as a device fabrication process. We demonstrated the thinning of GaN-on-GaN high-electron-mobility transistors (HEMTs) using a laser slicing technique. Even when the HEMTs were thinned by laser slicing to a thickness of 50 mm after completing the fabrication process, no significant fracture was observed in these devices, and no adverse effects of laser-induced damage were observed on electrical characteristics. This means that the laser slicing process can be applied even after device fabrication. It can also be used as a completely new semiconductor process for fabricating thin devices with thicknesses on the order of 10 mm, while significantly reducing the consumption of GaN substrates.

Correction to: Glycemic control of people with diabetes over months after the 2018 North Osaka Earthquake.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1007/s13340-020-00438-6.].

Amyloid ß (Aß) ELISA of Human iPSC-Derived Neuronal Cultures.

Amyloid ß (Aß) peptides are the main component of the characteristic insoluble deposits in brain parenchyma and small blood vessels in the patients afflicted with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA). These small peptides are attributed to the pathogenesis of both AD and CAA, suggesting an important index for disease stage and progression. In the brain tissue, Aßs are released mainly from neuronal cells into extracellular space. Here, we describe a step-by-step protocol to measure Aßs secreted from human pluripotent stem cell-derived neuronal cells.

Lifestyle changes and their impact on glycemic control and weight control in patients with diabetes during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic in Japan.

AIMS/INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to reveal lifestyle changes and their impact on glycemic control and weight control in patients with diabetes during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in Japan. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 1,402 outpatients with diabetes at a clinic in Osaka, Japan, who responded to an interview sheet regarding lifestyle changes during the COVID-19 pandemic between 28 March and 30 May 2020. The association of lifestyle changes with hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and weight changes from February to May 2020 was investigated using the linear regression model. We also investigated the association with clinically important change of HbA1c (by ≥0.3%) and bodyweight (by ≥3%), using the cumulative link model. RESULTS: Leisure time and other outside physical activities were decreased in one-quarter of patients during the COVID-19 pandemic, whereas the amount of meals and snacks was decreased and increased in approximately 10%, respectively. The change in leisure time physical activities was inversely associated with HbA1c and weight changes, whereas the quantitative change of meals with the decline in eating out and that of snacks were positively associated with HbA1c and weight changes (all P < 0.05). The quantitative change of meals without the decline in eating out was also positively associated with weight change (P = 0.012). The cumulative link model for clinically important HbA1c and weight change showed broadly similar associations, except for that between snacks and bodyweight (P = 0.15). CONCLUSIONS: A considerable number of outpatients with diabetes experienced lifestyle changes during the COVID-19 pandemic. The lifestyle changes were associated with HbA1c and weight changes.

Acute effects of whole body vibration exercise on post-load glucose metabolism in healthy men: a pilot randomized crossover trial.

PURPOSE: Exercise on a whole body vibration (WBV) platform, namely WBV exercise (WBVE), has long-term beneficial effects on glucose metabolism, similarly to conventional moderate-intensity exercise. Conventional moderate-intensity exercise reduces post-load plasma glucose levels at the acute phase. This study aimed to reveal acute effects of WBVE on post-load glucose metabolism. METHODS: This randomized crossover trial enrolled 18 healthy men. They completed the following three interventions in a random order: (1) a 2-hour 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) without WBVE (OGTT-alone), (2) 20-minute WBVE before an OGTT (WBVE → OGTT), and (3) 20-minute WBVE during an OGTT (OGTT → WBVE). Post-load glucose metabolism in the WBVE → OGTT and OGTT → WBVE interventions were compared with that in the OGTT-alone intervention. RESULTS: Plasma glucose levels in the WBVE → OGTT and OGTT → WBVE interventions were not significantly different from those in the OGTT-alone intervention at any time point except 15 min, wherein the WBVE → OGTT intervention had higher glucose levels (111 [interquartile range, 102-122] mg/dL vs 122 [111-134] mg/dL, P = 0.026). Higher plasma glucagon levels were observed at 0 min in the WBVE → OGTT intervention and at 60 min in the OGTT → WBVE intervention (P = 0.010 and 0.015). Cortisol, Growth hormone, and adrenaline levels were significantly increased after WBVE, whereas noradrenaline levels were not. Serum insulin levels in the WBVE → OGTT intervention were significantly higher than those in the OGTT-alone intervention at 0 min (P = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: WBVE did not decrease post-load plasma glucose levels at the acute phase. Acute effects of WBVE on post-load glucose metabolism would not be identical to those of conventional exercise. The unique trial number and the name of the registry: UMIN000036520, www.umin.ac.jp , date of registration, June 12, 2019.

Smart-cut-like laser slicing of GaN substrate using its own nitrogen.

We have investigated the possibility of applying lasers to slice GaN substrates. Using a sub-nanosecond laser with a wavelength of 532 nm, we succeeded in slicing GaN substrates. In the laser slicing method used in this study, there was almost no kerf loss, and the thickness of the layer damaged by laser slicing was about 40 µm. We demonstrated that a standard high quality homoepitaxial layer can be grown on the sliced surface after removing the damaged layer by polishing.