Intrinsic Visible Plasmonic Properties of Colloidal PtIn₂ Intermetallic Nanoparticles

コロイド状C1-PtIn2ナノ粒子による可視プラズモン特性の発現 --新規可視プラズモン材料としての金属間化合物ナノ粒子の設計指針--. 京都大学プレスリリース. 2024-01-12.Materials that intrinsically exhibit localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) in the visible region have been predominantly researched on nanoparticles (NPs) composed of coinage metals, namely Au, Ag, and Cu. Here, as a coinage metal-free intermetallic NPs, colloidal PtIn₂ NPs with a C1 (CaF₂-type) crystal structure are synthesized by the liquid phase method, which evidently exhibit LSPR at wavelengths similar to face-centered cubic (fcc)-Au NPs. Computational simulations pointed out differences in the electronic structure and photo-excited electron dynamics between C1-PtIn₂ and fcc-Au NPs; reduces interband transition and stronger screening with smaller number of bound d-electrons compare with fcc-Au are unique origins of the visible plasmonic nature of C1-PtIn₂ NPs. These results strongly indicate that the intermetallic NPs are expected to address the development of alternative plasmonic materials by tuning their crystal structure and composition

Relation of leg phase angle from bioelectrical impedance analysis with voluntary and evoked contractile properties of the plantar flexors

Introduction: Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) can noninvasively and quickly assess electrical properties of the body, such as the phase angle. Phase angle is regarded as the quantity and/or quality of skeletal muscle and is associated with exercise performance, such as jump height and walking speed. Although the phase angle derived from BIA is assumed to be a useful way to assess muscle function, the relationship between the phase angle and neuromuscular properties has not been fully investigated. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association of phase angle with voluntary and evoked contractile properties in 60 adults (age, 21–83 years; 30 females and 30 males).Methods: The phase angle of the right leg at 50 kHz was evaluated using BIA. The twitch contractile properties (peak twitch torque [PTtwitch], rate of twitch torque development [RTDtwitch], and time-to-PTtwitch [TPTtwitch]) of the plantar flexors were measured using tibial nerve electrical stimulation. Maximal voluntary isometric contractions (MVICs) were performed to measure the maximal muscle strength and explosive muscle strength, from which the peak MVIC torque (PTMVIC) and rate of torque development (RTD) over a time interval of 0–200 ms were assessed, respectively. The root mean square (RMS) values of electromyographic (EMG) activity during the PTMVIC and RTD measurements (EMG-RMSMVIC and EMG-RMSRTD, respectively) were calculated. The RTD and EMG-RMSRTD were normalized using PTMVIC and EMG-RMSMVIC, respectively.Results and discussion: Phase angle significantly correlated with twitch contractile properties (|r| ≥ 0.444, p < 0.001), PTMVIC (r = 0.532, p < 0.001), and RTD (r = 0.514, p < 0.001), but not with normalized RTD (r = 0.242, p = 0.065) or normalized EMG-RMSRTD (r = −0.055, p = 0.676). When comparing measurement variables between the low- and high-phase angle groups while controlling for sex and age effects, the high-phase angle group showed greater PTtwitch, RTDtwitch, PTMVIC, and RTD (p < 0.001) and shorter TPTtwitch (p < 0.001) but not normalized RTD (p = 0.184) or normalized EMG-RMSRTD (p = 0.317). These results suggest that the leg phase angle can be an indicator of voluntary and evoked muscle contractile properties but not the neuromuscular activity of the plantar flexors, irrespective of sex and age

Density of juvenile of tri-spine horseshoe crab Tachypleus tridentatus in the Sone Estuary, Kitakyushu, Japan, with notes on sediment particle sizes in habitats and breeding areas

2016年7月16–18日に福岡県北九州市曽根干潟においてカブトガニの幼体密度・成長段階組成および幼体生息場所・成体産卵場所の底質を調査した．また，海岸に打ち上げられたカブトガニ成体の遺骸のサイズおよび性についても調査した．貫川河口南に生息する幼体の前体幅は8.0–52.0mm (N=68)であった．カブトガニ幼体の密度は875個体/haであった．幼体の密度は岸側から沖に向かうほど著しく低下したが，底質の中央粒径値には差がほとんどみられなかった．打ち上げられた成体の遺骸55個体の前体幅を測定した結果，215.0–377.0mmであった．性比は雄40％，雌56％であり，残りの4％は雌雄を判別できなかった．遺骸には尾剣が折れた個体，卵が体内に残存している個体がみられた．曽根干潟の北方に位置する吉田海岸から南に位置する松山埋立地までの産卵に利用されている7地点の底質は中央粒径値が0.77–2.58mmの砂・礫であった．このことから，曽根干潟では粒径の大きい底質においても産卵が行われていることが明らかとなった．The density and composition of developmental stages of juveniles of the tri-spine horseshoe crab Tachypleus tridentatus (Leach, 1819) and sedimentary environment of juveniles' habitats and adults' breeding areas were investigated at the Sone tidal flat, Fukuoka Prefecture during 16 to 18 July, 2016. The sizes and sexes of dead adults beached on the shore were also examined. The carapace width of juveniles collected at the mouth of the Nuki River ranged from 8.0 to 52.0mm (N=68). The density of juveniles was about 875indiv./ha, with the density decreasing in the offshore direction. However, mean diameters of sedimentary particles did not differ considerably among five line transects set up from the inshore to offshore. The carapace width of beached dead adults ranged from 215.0 to 377.0mm (N=55) with sex proportions of 40% male, 56% female, and 4% unidentified. Some dead adults bore a broken tail spine or contained eggs in the bodies. Mean sizes of sedimentary particles at the seven breeding areas located along the inner part of the flat ranged 0.77 to 2.58mm, and tended to be more coarse than at other breeding areas in Japan.本研究は公益財団法人福武財団「平成28，29年度瀬戸内海文化研究・活動支援助成」によって行われたのでここに感謝を記す

Association between the examination rate of treatment-resistant schizophrenia and the clozapine prescription rate in a nationwide dissemination and implementation study

Background: The decision to initiate clozapine treatment should be made on an individual basis and may be closely related to the early detection of treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS), although there is evidence that the early use of clozapine results in a better response to treatment. Therefore, we investigated the relationship between the examination rate of TRS and the prescription rate of clozapine. Methods: After attending a 1-day educational program on schizophrenia based on the "Guidelines for the Pharmacological Treatment of Schizophrenia," we asked the participating facilities to submit records of whether or not TRS was evaluated for each patient. We calculated the clozapine prescription rate from the schizophrenic patients prescribed clozapine and all of the schizophrenic patients. Forty-nine facilities in 2017 were included in the study. Results: There were dichotomous distributions in the examination rate of TRS and a non-normal distribution in the prescription rate of clozapine. There was a significant correlation between the prescription rate of clozapine and the examination rate of TRS (r s = 0.531, P = 1.032 × 10−4). A significant difference was found in the prescription rate of clozapine between the three groups of facilities according to the examination rate of TRS. Conclusion: As a preliminary problem for the use of clozapine, in Japan, the examination rate of TRS varies, and there are many facilities that typically do not consider the possibility of TRS; this trend leads to a low rate of clozapine use. Clearly, further clinician training is needed for the early detection and appropriate management of TRS that includes an explanation of TRS and how to introduce clozapine therapy to patients and their families

Change of prescription for patients with schizophrenia or major depressive disorder during admission : real-world prescribing surveys from the effectiveness of guidelines for dissemination and education psychiatric treatment project

Background Polypharmacy of additional psychotropics alongside the main treatment drug (antipsychotics in schizophrenia and antidepressants in major depressive disorder) is common in Japan. Our goal is to align psychotropic prescription in Japan with international standards, while reducing the differences between facilities. To achieve this goal, we aimed to compare prescriptions at the time of hospital admission and discharge. Methods Data on prescriptions at admission and discharge from 2016 to 2020 were collected. We divided the patients into four groups: (1) mono_mono group, monotherapy of the main drug at admission and discharge; (2) mono_poly group, monotherapy at admission and polypharmacy at discharge; (3) poly_poly group, polypharmacy at admission and discharge; and (4) poly_mono group, polypharmacy at admission and monotherapy at discharge. We compared the changes in dosage and number of psychotropics among the four groups. Results For both schizophrenia and major depressive disorder, the patients who received monotherapy with the main drug at admission were likely to receive main drug monotherapy at discharge and vice versa. For schizophrenia, the polypharmacy was prescribed more often in the mono_poly group than that in the mono_mono group. The prescription was not changed at all for more than 10% of the patients. Conclusions It is critical to avoid a polypharmacy regimen to ensure that guideline-compliant treatment is provided. We expect higher rates of monotherapy with the main drug after the EGUIDE lectures

The Origin and Contribution of Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts in Colorectal Carcinogenesis

Background & Aims: Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play an important role in colorectal cancer (CRC) progression and predict poor prognosis in CRC patients. However, the cellular origins of CAFs remain unknown, making it challenging to therapeutically target these cells. Here, we aimed to identify the origins and contribution of colorectal CAFs associated with poor prognosis. Methods: To elucidate CAF origins, we used a colitis-associated CRC mouse model in 5 different fate-mapping mouse lines with 5-bromodeoxyuridine dosing. RNA sequencing of fluorescence-activated cell sorting–purified CRC CAFs was performed to identify a potential therapeutic target in CAFs. To examine the prognostic significance of the stromal target, CRC patient RNA sequencing data and tissue microarray were used. CRC organoids were injected into the colons of knockout mice to assess the mechanism by which the stromal gene contributes to colorectal tumorigenesis. Results: Our lineage-tracing studies revealed that in CRC, many ACTA2+ CAFs emerge through proliferation from intestinal pericryptal leptin receptor (Lepr)+ cells. These Lepr-lineage CAFs, in turn, express melanoma cell adhesion molecule (MCAM), a CRC stroma-specific marker that we identified with the use of RNA sequencing. High MCAM expression induced by transforming growth factor β was inversely associated with patient survival in human CRC. In mice, stromal Mcam knockout attenuated orthotopically injected colorectal tumoroid growth and improved survival through decreased tumor-associated macrophage recruitment. Mechanistically, fibroblast MCAM interacted with interleukin-1 receptor 1 to augment nuclear factor κB–IL34/CCL8 signaling that promotes macrophage chemotaxis. Conclusions: In colorectal carcinogenesis, pericryptal Lepr-lineage cells proliferate to generate MCAM+ CAFs that shape the tumor-promoting immune microenvironment. Preventing the expansion/differentiation of Lepr-lineage CAFs or inhibiting MCAM activity could be effective therapeutic approaches for CRC