Search Results (13)

In this paper, the antifungal activity of medium-chain fatty acids with 8 to 11 carbon atoms in their chemical structures, medium-chain fatty acid lactones, and a partially fluorinated medium-chain fatty acid was determined. As the length of the alkyl chain increased in medium-chain fatty acids with 8 to 11 carbon atoms, the MIC and MFC became smaller, with increased antifungal activity (octanoic acid, 225 µg/mL(MIC), 450 µg/mL (MFC); nonanoic acid, 225 µg/mL (MIC), 450 µg/mL (MFC); decanoic acid, 112.5 µg/mL (MIC), 225 µg/mL (MFC); undecanoic acid, 112.5 µg/mL (MIC), 225 µg/mL (MFC)), whereas the antifungal activity of γ-undecalactone, in which the carboxyl group of the medium-chain fatty acid with 11 carbon atoms was converted to a five-membered lactone ring, also had antifungal activity (γ-undecalactone, 112.5 µg/mL (MIC), 225 µg/mL (MFC)). The antifungal activity of the partially fluorinated fatty acid with 11 carbon atoms and δ-undecalactone was not observed and their MICs were not evaluated in this study. The equation derived through multiple regression analysis revealed that the polarizability value was significantly related to the MICs or MFCs of fatty acids containing 8 to 11 carbon atoms and γ-undecalactone (R² = 0.78, p < 0.05). C. albicans cultured at 37 °C with γ-undecalactone at the MIC formed hyphae or biofilms, which were observed using scanning electron microscopy in this study. Dead C. albicans were observed when cultured at 37 °C with γ-undecalactone at the MFC, indicating that in order to demonstrate complete killing, C. albicans must be killed at or above the MFC of γ-undecalactone when cultured at 37 °C. γ-undecalactone exhibited no hemolytic activity at the MFC, similar to negative controls. Our results show that γ-undecalactone has an antifungal effect against C. albicans over the MFC, without hemodialysis as the observed cytotoxicity. Full article

High-precision analyses of baseball pitching have traditionally relied on optical motion capture systems, which, despite their accuracy, are complex and impractical for widespread use. Classifying sequential pitching phases, essential for biomechanical evaluation, conventionally requires manual expert labeling, a time-consuming and labor-intensive process. Accurate identification of phase boundaries is critical because they correspond to key temporal events related to pitching injuries. This study developed and validated a smartphone-based system for automatically classifying the five key pitching phases—wind-up, stride, arm-cocking, arm acceleration, and follow-through—using pose estimation artificial intelligence and machine learning. Slow-motion videos (240 frames per second, 1080p) of 500 healthy right-handed high school pitchers were recorded from the front using a single smartphone. Skeletal landmarks were extracted using MediaPipe, and 33 kinematic features, including joint angles and limb distances, were computed. Expert-annotated phase labels were used to train classification models. Among the models evaluated, Light Gradient Boosting Machine (LightGBM) achieved a classification accuracy of 99.7% and processed each video in a few seconds demonstrating feasibility for on-site analysis. This system enables high-accuracy phase classification directly from video without motion capture, supporting future tools to detect abnormal pitching mechanics, prevent throwing-related injuries, and broaden access to pitching analysis. Full article

The volatiles of different aerial parts of three kumquat species (Fortunella margarita Swingle–Nagami, Fortunella japonica Swingle–Marumi, and Fortunella crassifolia Swingle–Meiwa) growing in Greece were analyzed via GC-MS and evaluated for their antimicrobial properties against nine human pathogenic microorganisms. A total number of 23 compounds were identified in the peel, 38 in the leaves, and 30 in the flowers of the examined species. Limonene was the dominant metabolite in the peels of all three species, germacrene-D was present in the leaves of Nagami and Marumi kumquats, while limonene was the most abundant in the flower of Marumi and Meiwa kumquat but with significant differences in the composition of the total fracture of the essential oil, since compounds with high antimicrobial activity were only present in the flower of Meiwa kumquat. The essential oils from the leaf and peel of the three kumquat species were either inactive or showed weak antimicrobial activity, respectively, against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains and pathogenic fungi. Only the essential oil from the flower of F. crassifolia Swingle (Meiwa) showed a stronger effect (MIC values 3.5–7.48 mg/mL) against all the assayed microorganisms. Furthermore, through multivariate statistical analysis, we studied the relationships between the samples regarding their origin (species and plant part), as well as between the chemical composition of the corresponding essential oils and their antimicrobial activity. Considering its chemical profile and antimicrobial activity, the Greek Meiwa flowers’ essential oil seemed a promising essential oil for further exploitation in the food and/or medicinal industry. Full article

Background/Purpose: The effect of the ABO blood group on the survival of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is unclear. The aim of the present study is to determine the prognostic impact of ABO blood types on the survival of a Japanese population of patients with HCC who underwent surgical resection. Methods: Patients with HCC (n = 480) who underwent an R0 resection between 2010 and 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Survival outcomes were investigated according to ABO blood type (A, B, O, or AB). Outcomes for type A (n = 173) and non-type A (n = 173) groups after surgery were compared using 1-to-1 propensity score matching to control for variables. Results: In the study cohort, 173 (36.0%), 133 (27.7%), 131 (27.3%), and 43 (9.0%) of participants had Type A, O, B, and AB, respectively. Type A and non-type A patients were successfully matched based on liver function and tumor characteristics. Recurrence-free survival (RFS; hazard ratio [HR] 0.75, 95% confidence interval [Cl] 0.58–0.98, p = 0.038) and overall survival (OS; HR: 0.67, 95% Cl: 0.48–0.95, p = 0.023) for patients with blood type A were both significantly decreased relative to non-type A patients. Cox proportional hazard analysis demonstrated that patients with HCC who have blood type A had a worse prognosis than those with non-type A blood. Conclusion: ABO blood type may have a prognostic impact on patients with HCC after hepatectomy. Blood type A is an independent unfavorable prognostic factor for recurrence-free and overall survival (RFS and OS) after hepatectomy. Full article

The pyrolysis of biomass material results in pyroligneous acid (PA) and biochar, among other by-products. In agriculture, PA is recognized as an antimicrobial agent, bio-insecticide, and bio-herbicide due to antioxidant activity provided by a variety of constituent materials. Application of PA to crop plants and soil can result in growth promotion, improved soil health, and reduced reliance on polluting chemical crop inputs. More detailed information regarding chemical compound content within PA and identification of optimal chemical profiles for growth promotion in different crop species is essential for application to yield effective results. Additionally, biochar and PA are often applied in tandem for increased agricultural benefits, but little is known regarding the optimal proportion of each crop input. This work reports on the effect of combined applications of different proportions of PA (200- and 800-fold dilutions) and chemical fertilizer rates (100%, 75%, 50%, and 0%) in the presence or absence of biochar on Komatsuna (Brassica rapa var. perviridis, Japanese mustard spinach) plant growth. To elucidate the chemical composition of the applied PA, four different spectroscopic measurements of fluorescence excitation were utilized for analysis—excitation-emission matrix, ion chromatography, high-performance liquid chromatography, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. It was determined that PA originating from pyrolysis of Japanese pine wood contained different classes of biostimulants (e.g., tryptophan, humic acid, and fulvic acid), and application to Komatsuna plants resulted in increased growth when applied alone, and in different combinations with the other two inputs. Additionally, application of biochar and PA at the higher dilution rate increased leaf accumulation of nutrients, calcium, and phosphorus. These effects reveal that PA and biochar are promising materials for sustainable crop production. Full article

The impact of climate change has become increasingly severe in drylands, resulting in heat stress and water deficiency and, consequently, reducing agricultural production. Biochar plays an important role in improving soil fertility. The properties of sandy soils where water deficiency occurs with a greater frequency need to be enhanced by biochar amendments to increase the water retention capacity (WRC). Few studies have reported the effects of biochar on the readily available water (RAW) of these soils or an evaluation of the optimal application rate of the biochar. In this study, we aimed to assess the effect of different biochar types and application rates on the soil properties related to water retention. Under laboratory conditions, we amended sandy soil with four different types of biochar (woodchip (WBC), waterweed of Ludwigia grandiflora (WWBC), poultry litter (PLBC) and bagasse (BBC)) at rates of 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%. Soils treated with zeolite and perlite, both conventional materials, were arranged for a comparative study. The water content in the amended soils was recorded at saturation, field capacity, wilting point and oven-dry. Our results show a reduction in the bulk density by increasing the amendment rate across all biochar types. Although the WRC increased with the application rate, the RAW reduced and peaked at a 5% (v/v) biochar content for almost all the biochar types. WBC and WWBC showed the highest RAW increments of 165% and 191%, respectively, at a 10% (v/v) rate. In most cases, higher rates (such as 75% (v/v) of PLBC) caused negative effects on the RAW. Following these results, it is clear that both the biochar type and the application rate significantly influence the hydrological properties and the RAW capacity of sandy soils. A 5% (v/v) biochar amendment could significantly improve the readily available water to mitigate drought in sandy agricultural soils. Full article

IgA nephropathy (IgAN) has been considered to have a relationship with infection in the tonsil, because IgAN patients often manifest macro hematuria just after tonsillitis. In terms of oral-area infection, the red complex of periodontal bacteria (Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis), Treponema denticol (T. denticola) and Tannerella forsythia (T. forsythia)) is important, but the relationship between these bacteria and IgAN remains unknown. In this study, the prevalence of the red complex of periodontal bacteria in tonsil was compared between IgAN and tonsillitis patients. The pathogenicity of IgAN induced by P. gingivalis was confirmed by the mice model treated with this bacterium. The prevalence of P. gingivalis and T. forsythia in IgAN patients was significantly higher than that in tonsillitis patients (p < 0.001 and p < 0.05, respectively). A total of 92% of tonsillitis patients were free from red complex bacteria, while only 48% of IgAN patients had any of these bacteria. Nasal administration of P. gingivalis in mice caused mesangial proliferation (p < 0.05 at days 28a nd 42; p < 0.01 at days 14 and 56) and IgA deposition (p < 0.001 at day 42 and 56 after administration). Scanning-electron-microscopic observation revealed that a high-density Electron-Dense Deposit was widely distributed in the mesangial region in the mice kidneys treated with P. gingivalis. These findings suggest that P. gingivalis is involved in the pathogenesis of IgAN. Full article

We previously obtained two intergeneric hybrids with different ploidies, i.e., aneuploid (2n = 28) and eutriploid, from diploid−diploid crosses between ‘Kiyomi’ tangor (Citrus unshiu Marcow. × C. sinensis (L.) Osbeck) and Meiwa kumquat (Fortunella crassifolia Swingle) as novel breeding materials for a seedless kumquat. In this study, we attempted to clarify the construction of the parental genomes of these hybrids by SSR genotyping and genomic in situ hybridization (GISH)−chromomycin A3 (CMA) analysis. SSR genotyping in NSX43 (LG5) and CiBE2227 (LG8) loci revealed that both hybrids inherited one allele from ‘Kiyomi’ tangor and two heterozygous alleles from Meiwa kumquat. The GISH analysis failed due to the high genomic homology between Citrus and Fortunella. At the same time, the CMA karyotype compositions of the two intergeneric hybrids (H15-701: 2A + 1B + 3C + 13D + 7E + 1F + 1Dst; H15-702: 3A + 1B + 2C + 15D + 4E +1F + 1Dst) and both parents (‘Kiyomi’ tangor: 1A + 2B + 2C + 6D + 7E; Meiwa kumquat: 2A + 2C + 12D + 1F + 1Dst) were completely revealed. We identified the parental genome construction and polyploidization processes in both intergeneric hybrids on the basis of these SSR genotypes and CMA karyotype compositions according to the following theory: the SSR genotypes and chromosome compositions were the same as those of the somatic chromosome and two-fold after the first division (even number) in unreduced gametes caused by first-division restitution (FDR) and second-division restitution (SDR), respectively. Consequently, we determined that both intergeneric hybrids may have had two genomes derived from the 2n male unreduced gamete as a result of the FDR of the Meiwa kumquat. In addition, most horticultural traits of the leaves, flowers, and fruits of both hybrids showed intermediate traits of the parents, but the fruit sizes and flowering habits were more like those of the two inherited genomes of Meiwa kumquat. Full article

Recently, green materials and technologies have received considerable attention in geotechnical engineering. One of such techniques is microbially-induced carbonate precipitation (MICP). In the MICP process, CaCO₃ is achieved bio-chemically within the soil, thus enhancing the strength and stiffness. The purpose of this study is to introduce the wastepaper fiber (WPF) onto the MICP (i) to study the mechanical properties of MICP-treated sand with varying WPF content (0–8%) and (ii) to assess the freeze–thaw (FT) durability of the treated samples. Findings revealed that the ductility of the treated samples increases with the increase in WPF addition, while the highest UCS is found with a small fiber addition. The results of CaCO₃ content suggest that the WPF addition enhances the immobilization of the bacteria cells, thus yielding the precipitation content. However, shear wave velocity analysis indicates that a higher addition of WPF results in rapid deterioration of the samples when subjected to freeze–thaw cycles. Microscale analysis illuminates that fiber clusters replace the solid bonding at particle contacts, leading to reduced resistance to freeze–thaw damage. Overall, the study demonstrates that as a waste material, WPF could be sustainably reused in the bio-cementation. Full article

This study aimed to assess the clinical outcomes and predictive factors of neoadjuvant modified short-course radiotherapy (mSC-RT) for locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). Data from 97 patients undergoing mSC-RT followed by radical surgery for LARC were retrospectively analyzed. A 2.5 Gy dose twice daily up to a total dose of 25 Gy in 10 fractions was administered through mSC-RT, and this was delivered with oral chemotherapy in 95 (97.9%) patients. Radical surgery was performed 6 (range, 3–13) weeks after mSC-RT. The median follow-up among surviving patients was 43 (8–86) months. All patients completed neoadjuvant radiotherapy with no acute toxicity grade ≥ 3. Three- and five-year local control rates were 96.3% and 96.3%, respectively. Three- and five-year overall survival (OS) rates were 92.7% and 79.8%, respectively. Univariate analyses revealed that poor OS was associated with no concurrent administration of capecitabine, C-reactive-protein-to-albumin ratio ≥ 0.053, carcinoembryonic antigen ≥ 3.4 ng/mL, and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) ≥ 1.83 (P = 0.045, 0.001, 0.041, and 0.001, respectively). Multivariate analyses indicated that NLR ≥ 1.83 was independently associated with poor OS (p = 0.018). mSC-RT followed by delayed surgery for LARC was deemed feasible and resulted in good clinical outcomes, whereas poor OS was associated with high NLR. Full article

The summertime flowers of the ever-flowering Meiwa kumquat (Fortunella crassifolia Swingle) are the most useful for fruit production in Japan; however, summertime flowers bloom in three or four successive waves at approximately 10 day intervals, resulting in fruit of different maturity occurring on the same tree. Soil water deficit (SWD) treatment has been shown to reduce the flowering frequency and improve harvest efficiency; therefore, in this study, the effects of SWD treatment on the accumulation of soluble sugars in each tree organ above-ground were examined and it was discussed how SWD affects the whole-tree water relations and sugar accumulation by osmoregulation. The number of first-flush summertime flowers was higher in SWD-treated trees than non-treated control (CONT) trees (177.0 and 58.0 flowers, respectively), whereas the second- and third-flush flowers were only observed in CONT trees. The soluble sugar content was higher in SWD treated trees than CONT trees for all organs and tended to be higher in current-year organs than previous-year organs; however, when the sugar content of the current-year spring stems exceeded approximately 100 mg g⁻¹ dry weight, the current-year leaf water potential decreased sharply and the rate of increase in the number of first-flush flowers also tended to decrease. SWD treatment significantly increased the total sugar content of the xylem tissue of the scaffold branches to three times the value in CONT trees (p = 0.001); however, the increase was observed even in sucrose, a disaccharide, similar to that in monosaccharides such as glucose and fructose. These results suggest that the increased sugar levels in the xylem tissue resulted from not only osmoregulation but also other factors as well; therefore, these sugars may affect whole-tree water relations as well as the development of flower buds. Full article

In recent years, “green curtains” have become one of the most prevalent thermal mitigation methods in Japan. They can be considered as green infrastructure for achieving thermal comfort and reducing energy use. To examine the thermal mitigation effect of the green curtain for practical applicability in the condominium, the indoor and balcony temperatures for 48 days both in households with and without green curtains were analyzed. The balcony globe temperature of the households with green curtains was 0.6 °C lower than that of the households without green curtains, during air-conditioner usage. Furthermore, the air-conditioner usage time of the households with green curtains was 40% less than that of the households without green curtains. The results showed that green curtains are effective for achieving both thermal mitigation and energy saving in a condominium. Full article

A ploidy chimera of the Meiwa kumquat (Fortunella crassifolia Swingle), which had been induced by treating the nucellar embryos with colchicine, and had diploid (2n = 2x = 18) and tetraploid (2n = 4x = 36) cells, was examined for its ploidy level, morphological characteristics, and sizes of its cells in its leaves, flowers, and fruits to reveal the ploidy level of each histogenic layer. Furthermore, the chimera was crossed with the diploid kumquat to evaluate the ploidy level of its reproductive organs. The morphological characteristics and the sizes of the cells in the leaves, flowers, and fruits of the chimera were similar to those of the tetraploid Meiwa kumquat and the ploidy periclinal chimera known as “Yubeni,” with diploids in the histogenic layer I (L1) and tetraploids in the histogenic layer II (L2) and III (L3). However, the epidermis derived from the L1 of the chimera showed the same result as the diploid Meiwa kumquat in all organs and cells. The sexual organs derived from the L2 of the chimera were significantly larger than those of the diploid. Moreover, the ploidy level of the seedlings obtained from the chimera was mostly tetraploid. In the midrib derived from the L3, the chimera displayed the fluorescence intensity of a tetraploid by flow cytometric analysis and had the same size of the cells as the tetraploid and the Yubeni. According to these results, the chimera is thought to be a ploidy periclinal chimera with diploid cells in the outermost layer (L1) and tetraploid cells in the inner layers (L2 and L3) of the shoot apical meristem. The chimera had desirable fruit traits for a kumquat such as a thick pericarp, a high sugar content, and a small number of developed seeds. Furthermore, triploid progenies were obtained from reciprocal crosses between the chimera and diploid kumquat. Full article