Search Results (513)

Cassava is the sixth most important food crop and is cultivated in more than 100 countries. The crop tolerates low soil fertility and drought, enabling it to play a role in climate adaptation strategies. Cassava generally requires careful preparation to remove toxic hydrogen cyanide (HCN) before its consumption, but HCN concentrations can vary considerably between varieties. Climate change and low inputs, particularly carbon and nutrients, affect agriculture in Pacific Island countries where cassava is commonly grown alongside traditional crops (e.g., taro). Despite increasing popularity in this region, there is limited experimental data about cassava crop management for different local varieties, their relative toxicity and nutritional value for human consumption, and their interaction with changing climate conditions. To help address this knowledge gap, three field experiments were conducted at the Koronivia Research Station of the Fiji Ministry of Agriculture. Two varieties of cassava with contrasting HCN content were planted at three different times coinciding with the start of the wet (September-October) or dry (April) seasons. A time series of measurements was conducted during the full 18-month or differing 6-month durations of each crop, based on destructive harvests and phenological observations. The former included determination of total biomass, HCN potential, carbon isotopes (δ¹³C), and elemental composition. Yield and nutritional value were significantly affected by variety and time of planting, and there were interactions between the two factors. Findings from this work will improve cassava management locally and will provide a valuable dataset for agronomic and biophysical model testing. Full article

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) specifically infects hepatocytes and has a complex life cycle owing to the stabilization and pooling of covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) in the nucleus of infected hepatocytes. We previously reported that the suppression of dedicator of cytokinesis 11 (DOCK11) decreases cccDNA and HBV-DNA levels and identified it as a new HBV therapeutic target. The DOCK11-associated gene, Wnt/β-catenin signaling regulator tankyrase (TNKS), was identified using in vitro methods; however, its function in the HBV life cycle remains unknown. Here, we used various inhibitors, antagonists, and short-hairpin RNA treatments related to TNKS signaling in HBV-infected hepatocytes. The role of TNKS-related Wnt/β-catenin signaling in the HBV life cycle was evaluated using immunoprecipitation assays with DOCK11 and bulk RNA sequencing methods. TNKS and Wnt/β-catenin signaling inhibitors significantly repressed cccDNA and HBV-DNA levels. Conversely, certain Wnt/β-catenin signaling agonists enhanced the HBV life cycle. DOCK11 directly binds to β-catenin to regulate HBV using its nuclear transport system. SKL2001, normally used as a Wnt/β-catenin signaling agonist, strongly reduced cccDNA in HBV-infected hepatocytes and in combination with entecavir predominantly eradicated HBV without cytotoxicity. Therefore, DOCK11 and other Wnt/β-catenin signaling molecules may be therapeutic targets to prevent persistent HBV infection. Full article

Interstitial pneumonia is a general term for diseases in which inflammation occurs mainly in the interstitium of the lung. It is also pointed out that interstitial pneumonia reduces alveolar function and makes it difficult to take in oxygen through inspiration, causing symptoms such as dyspnea and coughing, which may eventually lead to respiratory failure. At present, there is no effective treatment, and only conservative treatment exists. This time, we report that the therapeutic effect was confirmed in patients with interstitial pneumonia who took platinum palladium. In this case, improvement tendencies were observed in patients with Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), but improvement tendencies were also observed in many other lung diseases. In order to explore the mechanism, AMPK was measured at the in vitro level, and blood KL-6 and hydrogen peroxide levels in the patient were measured at the in vivo level. AMPK values were significantly elevated by more than 800%, and KL-6 and hydrogen peroxide levels were also significantly decreased by drinking platinum palladium. Platinum palladium exhibits a strong antioxidant effect and is the only substance in the world that can approach all four types of active oxygen. In addition, when it was actually administered to patients, there were cases of dramatic improvement, and it was confirmed that KL-6, a parameter of lung function, decreased in 16 out of 32 patients, and furthermore, oxygen inhalation was completed. Patients were also seen. It was suggested that increasing the number of cases in the future may help improve interstitial pneumonia. Full article

Accurate wind resource assessment is essential for offshore wind energy development, particularly in nearshore sites where atmospheric stability and internal boundary layers significantly influence the horizontal wind distribution. In this study, we investigated wind estimation methods using a high-resolution, 100 m grid Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model and coastal onshore wind measurement data. Five estimation methods were evaluated, including a control WRF simulation without on-site measurement data (CTRL), observation nudging (NDG), two offline methods—temporal correction (TC) and the directional extrapolation method (DE)—and direct application of onshore measurement data (DA). Wind speed and direction data from four nearshore sites in Japan were used for validation. The results indicated that TC provided the most accurate wind speed estimate results with minimal bias and relatively high reproducibility of temporal variations. NDG exhibited a smaller standard deviation of bias and a slightly higher correlation with the measured time series than CTRL. DE could not reproduce temporal variations in the horizontal wind speed differences between points. These findings suggest that TC is the most effective method for assessing nearshore wind resources and is thus recommended for practical use. Full article

Root and tuber vegetables—such as beetroot (Beta vulgaris), carrot (Daucus carota), cassava (Manihot esculenta), potato (Solanum tuberosum), taro (Colocasia esculenta), and Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus)—are increasingly recognized not only for their nutritional value but also for their richness in bioactive compounds, including polyphenols, dietary fiber, resistant starch, and prebiotic carbohydrates that exhibit varying levels of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and glycemic-regulating properties. Incorporating these vegetables into baked goods offers both functional and technological benefits, such as improved moisture retention, reduced acrylamide formation, and suitability for gluten-free formulations. The processing conditions can significantly influence the stability and bioavailability of these bioactive components, while the presence of antinutritional factors—such as phytates, cyanogenic glycosides, and FODMAPs (fermentable oligo-, di-, monosaccharides, and polyols)—needs careful optimization. The structured narrative literature review approach allowed collecting studies that examine both the beneficial and potential drawbacks of tuber-based ingredients. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the chemical composition, health-promoting effects, and technological roles of edible tubers in bakery applications, also addressing current challenges related to processing, formulation, and consumer acceptance. Special emphasis is placed on the valorization of tuber by-products, enhancement of functional properties, and the promotion of sustainable food systems using zero-waste strategies. Full article

Mycotoxins are synthesized by various fungal species and are known to exert toxic effects on vertebrates and other animals, even at low concentrations. However, the current countermeasure for mycotoxin contamination is random inspection of samples prior to shipment. In this study, we focused on Chlorella sorokiniana (CS) from Ishigaki Island, Japan, and examined its ability to detoxify deoxynivalenol (DON), ochratoxin A (OTA), and fumonisin B1 (FB1) in vitro and in vivo. The binding of CS to DON, OTA, and FB1 was evaluated in vitro. The detoxification of CS was demonstrated by monitoring its concentrations in the plasma and urine samples of male ICR mice. Plasma and urine samples were collected 30 min, 2 h, and 24 h after an oral administration of 5 mg/kg mycotoxins and/or 500 mg/kg CS. CS bound to more than 80% and 40% of DON and OTA, respectively, whereas the binding of CS to FB1 was less than 10%. The concentrations of DON and OTA in plasma and urine samples were substantially reduced by CS co-administration, whereas CS did not affect FB1 absorption. The co-administration of CS substantially inhibited the systemic absorption of DON and OTA. Full article

Background: Zolbetuximab, a monoclonal antibody targeting claudin-18.2 (CLDN18.2), which was recently approved as first-line treatment for advanced gastric cancer (AGC), presents unique safety challenges, particularly infusion-related gastrointestinal toxicity and hypoalbuminemia. This study aimed to present our experience with zolbetuximab administration in patients with AGC, focusing on the safety and management effectiveness of our adapted protocol in routine clinical practice. Methods: This study presents our single-institution real-world experience implementing a proactive management protocol (“Project VYLOY”) using zolbetuximab to mitigate these toxicities. We adopted a standardized stepwise infusion protocol and antiemetic premedication to reduce infusion-related nausea and vomiting. Patients with CLDN18.2-positive advanced gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma who received zolbetuximab combined with chemotherapy were included. Results: Twenty-four patients were included. The median infusion duration was 215 min, with an interruption rate of 25.0%. In cycle 1, 62.5% experienced infusion-associated adverse events, primarily grade 1 nausea (54%) and vomiting (25%). Hypoalbuminemia (grade ≥ 2) occurred in 57% of first-line patients, potentially linked to zolbetuximab-induced gastritis and gastrointestinal protein loss. Proactive antiemetic support and infusion rate adjustments substantially reduced infusion interruptions in subsequent cycles (10.9%). Patients without prior gastrectomy had higher nausea and vomiting rates, confirming the stomach’s role in mediating toxicity. Conclusions: Our results suggest that proactive management can improve the safety and tolerability of zolbetuximab, especially by reducing infusion-related toxicity in real-world practice. Full article

As a soft actuator for fish robots, an oblique cone dielectric elastomer actuator (DEA) module inspired by the structure of white muscles in fish was proposed in the authors’ previous study. However, a mathematical model of an oblique cone DEA was not established, and designing a drive module that took into account its driving characteristics and passivity for integration into a fish robot remained a challenge. The purpose of this paper is to develop a vertebrate fish robot using multiple oblique cone DEA modules to achieve fish-like bending capability. First, an oblique cone DEA module was modeled for the design of a fish robot. The relationships among bending angle, blocking torque, driving voltage, and design parameters were established and confirmed by comparing the calculated and experimental results. Based on the modeling results, we designed an oblique cone DEA module-connected vertebrate fish robot. Finally, the experimental results of the fabricated fish robot demonstrated that the model-based design enabled flexible body swinging and swimming through a multiple-module-connected vertebrate structure. Full article

Preterm birth and low birth weight remain major contributors to neonatal morbidity and mortality, yet the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. Maternal microbiota has been implicated in adverse pregnancy outcomes, but key mediators remain unidentified. We previously showed that the microbiota-derived peptide corisin induces epithelial apoptosis via mitochondrial membrane depolarization and reactive oxygen species accumulation. In this retrospective preliminary study, we evaluated the association between maternal serum corisin levels and pregnancy outcomes in 84 eligible women. Among them, 10 experienced preterm birth, and 22 delivered low-birth-weight infants. Corisin levels were significantly elevated in these groups compared with women with full-term, normal-weight deliveries. Preterm birth was associated with increased tissue factor, while low birth weight correlated with higher thrombin–antithrombin complex and soluble thrombomodulin and lower fibrinogen levels. Corisin concentrations showed negative correlations with maternal BMI, birth weight and length, and estimated fetal weight. Positive correlations were observed between corisin, myeloperoxidase, and several coagulation markers. These preliminary findings suggest that elevated maternal corisin levels are associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes and may reflect underlying mechanisms involving oxidative stress and coagulation activation. Further investigation is warranted to clarify its potential role as a microbiota-derived biomarker in pregnancy complications. Full article

Salivary gland cancers (SGCs) pose a therapeutic challenge due to their aggressive nature and limited treatment options. Ion transporters, particularly the sodium/iodide symporter (SLC5A5), which transport iodine in the form of iodide anion (I⁻) into cells, have emerged as potential therapeutic targets in tumors of glandular origin. Our research indicates that SLC5A5 is expressed predominantly in ductal cells of human and murine SGC cells. We assessed the effects of potassium iodide (KI), a source of iodide ions. KI treatment reduced SGC cell proliferation and viability without impacting migration. KI increased ROS levels and triggered caspase-dependent apoptosis, as indicated by the upregulation of the pro-apoptotic protein BAX, downregulation of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2, and induction of SGC cell shrinkage. KI did not affect NF-κB or TNF-α and SLC5A5 expression. Adding the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine reversed KI-induced growth inhibition, underscoring ROS-induced oxidative stress’s crucial role in growth inhibition. While KI administered in drinking water to mice increased epidermal growth factor (EGF) expression in non-malignant salivary gland tissues, KI decreased EGF receptor (EGFR) expression in malignant SGC cell cultures, where EGFR signaling is frequently dysregulated in SGCs but promoted AKT phosphorylation. Combining KI and anti-EGFR treatment did not yield synergistic anti-SGC cell effects. The study underscores the therapeutic potential of KI as a standalone treatment in vitro for SGC cells. However, the upregulation of EGF in non-malignant tissues and, therefore, the possibility to enhance EGFR-driven signals and AKT phosphorylation after KI treatment in cancer patients could indicate a risk of rendering SGC cells more drug resistant, warranting further investigation to optimize its clinical application. Full article

Taro blight is a major disease affecting taro cultivation. Traditional methods for disease prevention rely on manual identification, which is limited by subjectivity and scope. An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) was utilized to capture spectral images of natural taro fields, facilitating the efficient monitoring of taro blight. Field survey data were integrated with these images to develop a model for monitoring taro blight severity. The back propagation neural network (BPNN) model showed optimal performance during the early and middle stages of taro formation when hyperspectral parameters were used as input variables. In the early stage, the BPNN model achieved a coefficient of determination (R²) of 0.92 and an RMSE of 0.054 on the training set, and it obtained an R² of 0.89 with a root mean square error (RMSE) of 0.074 on the validation set. The random forest regression (RFR) model performed best during the early stage of taro formation with multispectral vegetation indices as input variables. The models exhibited robust predictive capabilities across various stages, especially during the early stage of taro formation. The results demonstrate that UAV remote sensing, combined with characteristic parameters and disease indices, presents a precise taro blight monitoring method that can substantially improve disease management in taro cultivation. Full article

Background/Objectives: Improving one’s diet for the purpose of promoting health is constrained by people’s ingrained eating habits, as the eating patterns that align with their established habits do not necessarily correspond to a healthy way of eating. In addressing the issue of improving diet while taking both health and habits into consideration, this paper focuses on three concepts of complementarity related to food combinations and presents an approach using Japanese data. Methods: This paper first organizes three concepts of complementarity related to food combinations. The three concepts of complementarity are formulated based on (i) nutrients, (ii) habits, and (iii) recipes. The definitions of measurement scales corresponding to these concepts are also discussed. Results: Using data from a specific region in Japan, we analyzed three types of complementarities related to food combinations across different gender and age groups. This approach enabled us to visualize the potential for dietary improvements and identify effective strategies tailored to each group. For instance, among females aged 50 and above in this region, it was found that recipes incorporating combinations such as (α) milk and pasta, (β) salmon and pasta, (γ) horse mackerel or sardines with carrots, and (δ) onions with taro can efficiently support dietary improvement for this demographic, building upon their established dietary habits. The differences in recommended recipes for each group are due to variations in nutrients that tend to be insufficient and differences in established eating habits. Conclusions: A combination of foods with high (i) complementarity of nutrients constitutes a healthy diet, whereas a combination of foods with low (ii) complementarity in habits reflects dietary behaviors that are not sufficiently practiced within the relevant sub-population at present. Meanwhile, combinations of foods with high (iii) complementarity in recipes can serve as tools to bridge the gap between healthy eating patterns and established dietary habits. Full article

This study investigates the production of biomass briquettes using waste coconut shell charcoal and cinnamon sawdust, bound by eco-friendly, non-edible binders: cassava peel starch, giant taro starch, and pine resin. The production process involved carbonization of coconut shells, followed by crushing, blending with sawdust, pressing, and a 12-day sun-drying period. The briquettes were tested for calorific value, density, compressive strength, and shatter resistance. The calorific values ranged from 26.07–31.60 MJ/kg, meeting the industrial standards, while densities varied between 0.83 g/cm³ and 1.14 g/cm³, ensuring compactness and efficient combustion. Among the binders, cassava peel starch provided the best bonding strength, resulting in high-density briquettes with superior durability and energy release, showing a calorific value and compressive strength of 2.11 MPa. Giant taro starch also improved durability, though with slightly lower calorific values but better bonding than pine resin. Pine resin, while contributing to high calorific values, reduced compressive strength with increased resin content, making it less suitable for high mechanical strength applications. Proximate analysis revealed that cassava peel starch-based briquettes had moisture content from 6.5% to 8.6%, volatile matter from 15.2% to 23.5%, ash content from 2.1% to 3.2%, and fixed carbon between 69% and 76.2%. Giant taro starch-based briquettes exhibited 63.2% to 75% fixed carbon, while pine resin-based briquettes had the highest fixed carbon content (66.4% to 78.3%), demonstrating the potential of non-edible adhesives for sustainable, high-performance fuel production. Full article

Background/Objectives: Submacular hemorrhage (SMH) associated with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) can lead to significant vision loss, and the optimal management strategy remains uncertain. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of pneumatic displacement (PD) without tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) for SMH secondary to nAMD. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 22 eyes with SMH secondary to nAMD treated with PD without t-PA. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central retinal thickness (CRT), number of intravitreal injections, and postoperative complications were assessed at baseline and follow-up. Multiple logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with visual outcomes. Results: In the 22 eyes that completed the 6-month follow-up, BCVA (logMAR) was 0.88 ± 0.46 at baseline and 0.76 ± 0.63 at 6 months (p = 0.24). In the 15 eyes with 12-month follow-up, BCVA improved significantly from 0.92 ± 0.47 at baseline to 0.56 ± 0.51 at 12 months (p = 0.01). CRT significantly decreased at 3 months (p < 0.01). During this period, patients received an average of 8.13 ± 2.90 intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injections. A shorter duration from symptom onset to treatment was associated with better visual outcomes (p = 0.02). Postoperative vitreous hemorrhage occurred in 31.8% of cases. Conclusions: PD without t-PA, in combination with anti-VEGF therapy, improved visual outcomes over 12 months. Early intervention and continuous anti-VEGF administration appear to be key factors in optimizing treatment outcomes. Further studies are needed to establish standardized treatment protocols for SMH associated with nAMD. Full article