Hybridization and reticulate evolution in Diphasiastrum (flat-branched clubmosses, Lycopodiaceae) - New data from the island of Taiwan and Vietnam.

In the species groups related to Diphasiastrum multispicatum and D. veitchii, hybridization was investigated in samples from northern and southern Vietnam and the island of Taiwan, including available herbarium specimens from southeast Asia. The accessions were analyzed using flow cytometry (living material only), Sanger sequencing and multiplexed inter-simple sequence repeat genotyping by sequencing. We detected two cases of ancient hybridization involving different combinations of parental species; both led via subsequent duplication to tetraploid taxa. A cross D. multispicatum × D. veitchii from Malaysia represents D. wightianum, a tetraploid taxon according to reported DNA content measurements of dried material (genome formulas MM, VV and MMVV, respectively). The second case involves D. veitchii and an unknown diploid parent (genome formula XX). Three hybridogenous taxa (genome formulas VVX, VVXX, VVVX) were discernable by a combination of flow cytometry and molecular data. Taxon I (VVX, three clones found on Taiwan island) is apparently triploid. Taxon II represents another genetically diverse and sexual tetraploid species (VVXX) and can be assigned to D. yueshanense, described from Taiwan island but occurring as well in mainland China and Vietnam. Taxon III is as well most likely tetraploid (VVVX) and represented by at least one, more likely two, clones from Taiwan island. Taxa I and III are presumably asexual and new to science. Two independently inherited nuclear markers recombine only within, not between these hybrids, pointing towards reproductive isolation. We present an evolutionary scheme which explains the origin of the hybrids and the evolution of new and fully sexual species by hybridization and subsequent allopolyploidization in flat-branched clubmosses.

The effect of Daikenchuto on blood flow of the superior mesenteric artery and portal vein in ELBW: A prospective study.

BACKGROUND: Focal intestinal perforation (FIP) is a devastating complication of premature birth, and extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants are at highest risk. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) and portal vein (PV) blood flow velocities to investigate the association between intestinal blood flow and FIP. In addition, the herbal formula Daikenchuto (TJ-100) is expected to improve intestinal blood flow disorders; therefore, we evaluated its effect. METHODS: We conducted a prospective cohort study of 15 ELBW infants from January 2020 to August 2021. Measured variables included birth weight, 5-minute Apgar score, time of oral feeding initiation, ductus arteriosus (PDA) closure (percent), diastolic and systolic blood pressure, SMA and PV blood flow velocity, and FIP onset data. Fifteen infants were divided into three groups: a non-surgery group (Group I; 6), a surgery group with FIP (Group II; 4), and a TJ-100 administration group (Group III; 5). The main outcome parameters included SMA and PV blood flow velocities with TJ-100. RESULTS: SMA and PV blood flow differed significantly for the SMA of Group I and the SMA and PV of Group III (P < 0.01, P = 0.01, and P = 0.04, respectively). There was a correlation between SMA and PV in Group III (P = 0.03). CONCLUSION: TJ-100 may increase SMA and PV blood flow and improve intestinal blood flow in ELBW infants at risk of FIP. Therefore, the effects of TJ-100 should undergo further study.

Bowel movement frequency, stool consistency, and risk of disabling dementia: a population-based cohort study in Japan.

OBJECTIVES: This population-based study aimed to evaluate the association between bowel habits from midlife and dementia. STUDY DESIGN: This was a cohort study using certification records for national long-term care insurance in Japan. METHODS: Participants aged 50 to 79 years who reported bowel habits from eight districts within the Japan Public Health Center-based Prospective Study (JPHC Study) were followed from 2006 to 2016 for incident dementia. Hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were estimated for men and women separately using Cox proportional hazards models accounting for various lifestyle factors and medical histories. RESULTS: Among 19,396 men and 22,859 women, 1889 men and 2685 women were diagnosed with dementia. In men, the multivariable-adjusted HRs compared with bowel movement frequency (BMF) of once/day were 1.00 (95% CI: 0.87-1.14) for twice/day or more, 1.38 (1.16-1.65) for 5-6 times/week, 1.46 (1.18-1.80) for 3-4 times/week, and 1.79 (1.34-2.39) for <3 times/week (P for trend <0.001). In women, the corresponding HRs were 1.14 (0.998-1.31), 1.03 (0.91-1.17), 1.16 (1.01-1.33), and 1.29 (1.08-1.55) (P for trend = 0.043). Harder stool was associated with higher risk (P for trend: 0.0030 for men and 0.024 for women), with adjusted HRs compared to normal stool of 1.30 (1.08-1.57) for hard stool and 2.18 (1.23-3.85) for very hard stool in men, and 1.15 (1.002-1.32) and 1.84 (1.29-2.63) in women. CONCLUSIONS: Lower BMF and harder stool were each associated with higher risk of dementia.

Effect of acid suppressant medications on the laxative action of magnesium preparations in patients with opioid-induced constipation: A pharmacovigilance analysis of the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System.

Objective: Magnesium oxide is widely used for treating opioid-induced constipation, a serious analgesic-associated problem. Opioid analgesic users are often prescribed non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which are sometimes combined with acid suppressants to prevent gastrointestinal adverse events. Magnesium preparations combined with acid suppressants may diminish magnesium preparations' laxative effect. This study was aimed at evaluating the effect of magnesium preparations combined with acid suppressants on the incidence of opioid-induced constipation by using the Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System. Methods: Adverse events were defined per the Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities; the term 'constipation (preferred term code: 10010774)' was used for analysis. After adjusting for patient background factors using propensity score matching, acid suppressants' effect on constipation incidence was evaluated in opioid users prescribed magnesium preparations alone as laxatives by using a test for independence. Key Findings: The Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System contains 14,475,614 reports for January 2004 to December 2021. Significantly increased constipation incidence was related to magnesium preparations combined with acid suppressants, especially proton pump inhibitors (P < 0.0001, McNemar's test). Conclusion: Magnesium preparations combined with acid suppressants may diminish magnesium preparations' laxative effect; healthcare professionals should pay attention to this issue.

Luminous, relativistic, directional electron bunches from an intense laser driven grating plasma.

Bright, energetic, and directional electron bunches are generated through efficient energy transfer of relativistic intense (~ 1019 W/cm2), 30 femtosecond, 800 nm high contrast laser pulses to grating targets (500 lines/mm and 1000 lines/mm), under surface plasmon resonance (SPR) conditions. Bi-directional relativistic electron bunches (at 40° and 150°) are observed exiting from the 500 lines/mm grating target at the SPR conditions. The surface plasmon excited grating target enhances the electron flux and temperature by factor of 6.0 and 3.6, respectively, compared to that of the plane substrate. Particle-in-Cell simulations indicate that fast electrons are emitted in different directions at different stages of the laser interaction, which are related to the resultant surface magnetic field evolution. This study suggests that the SPR mechanism can be used to generate multiple, bright, ultrafast relativistic electron bunches for a variety of applications.

Practices and perspectives of primary care physicians in Japan and the United States about diagnosing dementia: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: While dementia is a common problem in Japan and the US, primary care physicians' practices and perspectives about diagnosing dementia in these different healthcare systems are unknown. METHODS: Qualitative research was conducted in an ethnographic tradition using semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis in primary care settings across Japan and in the Midwest State of Michigan, US. Participants were a total of 48 primary care physicians, 24 each from Japan and the US participated. Both groups contained a mixture of geographic areas (rural/urban), gender, age, and years of experience as primary care physicians. RESULTS: Participants in Japan and the US voiced similar practices for making the diagnosis of dementia and held similar views about the desired benefits of diagnosing dementia. Differences were found in attitudes about the appropriate timing of formally diagnosing dementia. Japanese physicians tended to make a formal diagnosis when problems that would benefit from long-term care services emerged for family members. US physicians were more proactive in diagnosing dementia in the early stages by screening for dementia in health check-ups and promoting advance directives when the patients were still capable of decision-making. Views about appropriate timing of diagnostic testing for dementia in the two systems reflect what medical or nursing care services physicians can use to support dementia patients and caregivers. CONCLUSIONS: Benefits of making the diagnosis included the need to activate the long-term care services in Japan and for early intervention and authoring advance directives in the US. Testing to establish an early diagnosis of dementia by primary care physicians only partly relates to testing and treatment options available. Benefits of making the diagnosis included the need to activate the long-term care services in Japan and for early intervention and authoring advance directives in the US.

Persistent truncus arteriosus with an anomalous coronary artery in a cat.

A 6-month-old, female, domestic shorthair cat weighing 1.8 kg presented with cardiomegaly seen on radiographs taken at a primary care veterinary center. Echocardiography revealed a single enlarged vessel overriding a ventricular septal defect and severe hypertrophy of the right ventricular free wall. There was no evidence of a pulmonary arterial trunk originating from the heart. The blood flow through the ventricular septal defect exhibited right-to-left shunting. The cat suddenly experienced dyspnea and died at home, and a postmortem examination was performed. A single large vessel was noted leaving the heart, from which the right and left pulmonary arteries arose separately; a main pulmonary artery was absent. There was only one single anomalous coronary ostium that arose from the brachiocephalic artery and divided into two branches. The walls of the extracardiac coronary artery were thick, but neither infarcts nor narrowing was observed within the coronary arteries. There were no abnormalities in the intracardiac coronary artery. These findings revealed a persistent truncus arteriosus with an anomalous coronary artery. A combination of these anomalies might have contributed to the early death of the cat.

Safety and efficacy of PD-1/PD-L1 blockade in patients with preexisting antinuclear antibodies.

PURPOSE: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) show promising clinical activity in advanced cancers. However, the safety and efficacy of PD-1/PD-L1 blockade in patients with preexisting antinuclear antibodies (ANA) are unclear. METHODS: 191 patients treated with nivolumab, pembrolizumab, atezolizumab, or durvalumab for unresectable advanced cancers between September 2014 and December 2018 were identified retrospectively. Patients were divided into positive (ANA titers ≥ 1:160) and negative ANA groups (ANA titers < 1:160). Development of immune-related adverse events (irAEs), the overall response rate (ORR), and disease control rate (DCR) were monitored. RESULTS: Positive ANA titers were seen in 9 out of 191 patients. Four patients in the positive ANA group and 69 patients in the negative group developed irAEs of any grade without a significant difference between the groups. The development of endocrine, pulmonary, and cutaneous irAEs was not significant, whereas positive ANA was significantly higher in patients who developed colitis (2/9) than in patients who did not (3/182, P = 0.0002). DCR in the positive and negative ANA group was 37.5% and 67.5%, respectively, and was not statistically significant, but had better efficacy in patients without ANA (P = 0.08). ANA-related autoimmune diseases such as SLE, Sjögren's syndrome, MCTD, scleroderma, dermatomyositis, and polymyositis was not induced in either group. However, one patient with preexisting dermatomyositis had a flare up after initiation of atezolizumab. CONCLUSION: Further studies to identify predictive factors for the development of irAEs are required to provide relevant patient care and maximize the therapeutic benefits of ICIs.

Ephrin type-A receptor 2 on tumor-derived exosomes enhances angiogenesis through the activation of MAPK signaling.

Exosomes are potent players in the development of metastases and they play an important role in cancer angiogenesis and exacerbation. However, it is unclear how proteins on exosomes affect development of blood vessel networks. In this study, we focused on relationships between membrane proteins on exosomes and angiogenesis using human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). Lung tumor cell-derived exosomes induced tube formation and growth of endothelial cells in vitro in a dose-dependent manner involving MAPK activation, but this was not seen in normal lung epithelial cells. Ephrin type-A receptor 2 (EphA2) was identified by proteomic analysis and an inhibition assays showed it is a major MAPK activator on exosomes. Thus EphA2 on exosomes participates in angiogenesis as a ligand of the ephrin signaling pathway. These results support the development of novel therapeutic strategies such as blockade of remote cancer communications through exosomes.

Cigarette smoking and cervical cancer risk: an evaluation based on a systematic review and meta-analysis among Japanese women.

BACKGROUND: There is a body of evidence to suggest that cigarette smoking increases the risk of cervical cancer in women, but no study has examined the magnitude of the association in Japanese women. Here, we evaluated the association between cigarette smoking and the risk of cervical cancer in Japanese women based on a systematic review of epidemiological evidence. METHODS: Original data were obtained from a MEDLINE search using PubMed or from a search of the 'Ichushi' database, as well as by a manual search. Evaluation of associations was based on the strength of evidence and the magnitude of association, together with biological plausibility as evaluated previously by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Meta-analysis of associations was also conducted to obtain a summarized overview of the data. RESULTS: We identified two cohort studies and three case-control studies. All five studies had indicated strong positive associations between cigarette smoking and the risk of cervical cancer. Our summary estimate indicated that the relative risk (RR) for individuals who had ever-smoked relative to never-smokers was 2.03 (95% confidence interval: 1.49-2.57). Four studies had also demonstrated dose-response relationships between cigarette smoking and the risk of cervical cancer. CONCLUSION: We conclude that there is convincing evidence that cigarette smoking increases the risk of cervical cancer among Japanese women.

Vegetative growth after flowering through gibberellin biosynthesis regulates pod setting rate in soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.).

Pod setting rate in soybean is an important trait that determines pod number, which is highly correlated with seed yield. Using two soybean cultivars with different pod setting rates, we examined the relationship between plant growth regulation by gibberellin (GA) and pod setting rate. Plant growth rate (PGR) after flowering was significantly higher in 'Fukuyutaka' (low pod setting rate) than in 'Kariyutaka' (high pod setting rate); this difference was caused by increasing of GA biosynthesis-related genes expression. Additionally, pod setting rate in 'Fukuyutaka' was lower than that in 'Kariyutaka'. Furthermore, when 'Kariyutaka' was treated with GA after flowering, the PGR increased and pod setting rate decreased. These results suggest that pod setting rate in soybean is regulated by vegetative growth after flowering through GA biosynthesis.

Cold thermal oral stimulation produces immediate excitability in human pharyngeal motor cortex.

BACKGROUND: Current strategies of swallowing therapy include facilitation of swallowing initiation by sensory modulation. Although thermal tactile oral stimulation is a common method to treat dysphagic patients to improve swallowing movement, little is known about the possible mechanisms. This study is aimed to investigate whether thermal oral (tongue) stimulation can modulate the cortico-pharyngeal neural motor pathway in humans. METHODS: Eighteen healthy volunteers participated and were intubated with an intraluminal catheter for recording pharyngeal electromyography. Each participant underwent baseline transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) cortico-pharyngeal motor evoked potential (MEP) measurements bilaterally. MEPs were then measured during thermal stimulation over the dorsal tongue, applied using the Peltier device at three different temperatures; 45°C, 37°C, and 15°C, in a pre-ordered manner. Each of the three temperatures was given twice with a 5-min resting time between each trial. Averaged MEP amplitude changes were analyzed using ANOVA and post-hoc t-tests. KEY RESULTS: Two-way repeated measures ANOVA with factors of Temperature × Trial in amplitude of MEP demonstrated a significant effect of Temperature both in the stronger (F2,34  = 5.775, P = .007) and weaker (F2,34  = 4.771, P = .017) pharyngeal hemispheres. Subsequent post-hoc tests showed the significant increase in pharyngeal MEPs at 15° compared to 37° in both hemispheres (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES: Cold oral stimulation was able to induce significant changes in pharyngeal cortical excitability, demonstrating evidence for a sensorimotor interaction between oral and pharyngeal cortical areas.

The Study of Nursing NAVI.

We have examined the nurses' thinking process in their professional judgment and action in the Partogram of 170 labors by 17 Midwifery students in 2 years.

Evidence-based cancer prevention recommendations for Japanese.

A comprehensive evidence-based cancer prevention recommendation for Japanese was developed. We evaluated the magnitude of the associations of lifestyle factors and infection with cancer through a systematic review of the literature, meta-analysis of published data, and pooled analysis of cohort studies in Japan. Then, we judged the strength of evidence based on the consistency of the associations between exposure and cancer and biological plausibility. Important factors were extracted and summarized as an evidence-based, current cancer prevention recommendation: 'Cancer Prevention Recommendation for Japanese'. The recommendation addresses six important domains related to exposure and cancer, including smoking, alcohol drinking, diet, physical activity, body weight and infection. The next step should focus on the development of effective behavior modification programs and their implementation and dissemination.

Reappraisal of classification of distal cholangiocarcinoma based on tumour depth.

BACKGROUND: In the eighth edition of the AJCC cancer staging classification, the T system for distal cholangiocarcinoma (DCC) has been revised from a layer-based to a depth-based approach. The aim of this study was to propose an optimal T classification using a measured depth in resectable DCC. METHODS: Patients who underwent pancreatoduodenectomy for DCC at 32 hospitals between 2001 and 2010 were included. The distance between the level of the naive bile duct and the deepest cancer cells was measured as depth of invasion (DOI). Invasive cancer foci were measured as invasive tumour thickness (ITT). Log rank χ2 scores were used to determine the cut-off points, and concordance index (C-index) to assess the survival discrimination of each T system. RESULTS: Among 404 patients, DOI was measurable in 182 (45·0 per cent) and ITT was measurable in all patients, with median values of 2·3 and 5·6 mm respectively. ITT showed a positive correlation with DOI (rS = 0·854, P < 0·001), and the cut-off points for prognosis were 1, 5 and 10 mm. Median survival time was shorter with increased ITT: 12·4 years for ITT below 1 mm, 5·2 years for ITT at least 1 mm but less than 5 mm, 3·0 years for ITT at least 5 mm but less than 10 mm, and 1·5 years for ITT 10 mm or more (P < 0·001). This classification exhibited more favourable prognostic discrimination than the T systems of the seventh and eighth editions of the AJCC (C-index 0·646, 0·622 and 0·624 respectively). CONCLUSION: ITT is an accurate approach for depth assessment in DCC. The four-tier ITT classification with cut-off points of 1, 5 and 10 mm seems to be a better T system than those in the seventh and eighth editions of the AJCC classification.

Self-harm and Suicide Attempts in a Japanese Psychiatric Hospital.

OBJECTIVE: Self-harm and attempted suicide are risk factors for suicide in psychiatric hospital in-patients. This study aimed to analyse the circumstances of self-harm and suicide attempts in a Japanese psychiatric hospital so as to improve management and care. METHODS: Incident reports of self-harm and suicide attempts during a 12.4-year period from November 2000 to March 2013 were reviewed. A descriptive analysis was conducted in terms of age, sex, and diagnosis of patients, as well as level, ward, situations, and causes of incidents. RESULTS: During the study period, 90 cases of self-harm and attempted suicide involving 58 patients were reported. The rate of self-harm and suicide attempts was 0.05 per 1000 patient-days. The types of selfharm and suicide attempts included hanging (n = 25), wrist cutting (n = 19), ingestion of foreign objects (n = 17), and others (n = 29). The single case of completed suicide involved hanging, in a patient with schizophrenia. Among 55 patients with relevant data, the most common clinical diagnosis was mood disorder (41.8%), followed by schizophrenia (36.4%). Mood disorder was 3.5 times as prevalent in females as in males (14 vs. 4). Fourteen patients with mood disorder (n = 8) or schizophrenia (n = 6) were repeatedly involved in 46 of 89 cases of self-harm or attempted suicide; 11 were female. One woman with mood disorder attempted suicide 9 times within the same year. The top 3 management and care factors related to self-harm and suicide attempts were failure to adhere to preventive procedures (28%), insufficient therapeutic communication (28%), and difficulty in predicting suicide (20%). CONCLUSION: Self-harm and suicide attempts at this psychiatric hospital occurred at a rate of 0.05 per 1000 patient-days between late 2000 and early 2013. Efforts are needed to increase compliance with suicide prevention procedures and therapeutic communication, so as to improve management and care of psychiatric in-patients and prevent them from committing suicide.

Issues with the surgical treatment of antiresorptive agent-related osteonecrosis of the jaws.

Antiresorptive agent-related osteonecrosis of the jaw is a rare but significant complication in patients using antiresorptive agents such as bisphosphonates and denosumab. Although the disease is well recognized, and many studies have been performed on the management of this condition, the treatment of severe osteonecrosis is still a challenge. Most recent studies have shown an advantage of surgical treatment over conservative treatment for stage 2/3 patients, but there is no consensus on the appropriate surgical procedures for antiresorptive agent-related osteonecrosis of the jaw. Furthermore, patients with severe systemic conditions may not be appropriate for extensive surgical treatment, and the treatment protocol for such patients has not been established. In this review, issues regarding the current surgical treatment for antiresorptive agent-related osteonecrosis of the jaws are discussed, with an emphasis on the clinical aspects.

Predictive performance of a genetic risk score using 11 susceptibility alleles for the incidence of Type 2 diabetes in a general Japanese population: a nested case-control study.

AIMS: To assess the predictive ability of a genetic risk score for the incidence of Type 2 diabetes in a general Japanese population. METHODS: This prospective case-control study, nested within a Japan Public Health Centre-based prospective study, included 466 participants with incident Type 2 diabetes over a 5-year period (cases) and 1361 control participants, as well as 1463 participants with existing diabetes and 1463 control participants. Eleven susceptibility single nucleotide polymorphisms, identified through genome-wide association studies and replicated in Japanese populations, were analysed. RESULTS: Most single nucleotide polymorphism loci showed directionally consistent associations with diabetes. From the combined samples, one single nucleotide polymorphism (rs2206734 at CDKAL1) reached a genome-wide significance level (odds ratio 1.28, 95% CI 1.18-1.40; P = 1.8 × 10-8 ). Three single nucleotide polymorphisms (rs2206734 in CDKAL1, rs2383208 in CDKN2A/B, and rs2237892 in KCNQ1) were nominally significantly associated with incident diabetes. Compared with the lowest quintile of the total number of risk alleles, the highest quintile had a higher odds of incident diabetes (odds ratio 2.34, 95% CI 1.59-3.46) after adjusting for conventional risk factors such as age, sex and BMI. The addition to the conventional risk factor-based model of a genetic risk score using the 11 single nucleotide polymorphisms significantly improved predictive performance; the c-statistic increased by 0.021, net reclassification improved by 6.2%, and integrated discrimination improved by 0.003. CONCLUSIONS: Our prospective findings suggest that the addition of a genetic risk score may provide modest but significant incremental predictive performance beyond that of the conventional risk factor-based model without biochemical markers.