Hokkaido University

Objectives: To investigate the efficacy of anifrolumab on disease activity and glucocorticoid tapering patterns in Japanese patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods: We analysed disease activity and glucocorticoid tapering in the Japanese subpopulation (anifrolumab, n = 24; placebo, n = 19) of the TULIP-2 trial, which showed the efficacy and safety of anifrolumab in patients with moderate-to-severe active SLE. Results: The percentage of patients who achieved a British Isles Lupus Assessment Group–based Composite Lupus Assessment response at Week 52 was greater in the anifrolumab group than placebo [50.0% (12/24) vs. 15.8% (3/19); p = 0.014]. Lupus low disease activity state (LLDAS) was achieved at Week 52 by 9/24 (37.5%) and 3/19 (15.8%) patients receiving anifrolumab and placebo, respectively. During the 52-week study period, in the anifrolumab vs. placebo groups, 5/24 (20.8%) patients were in LLDAS ≥50% of observed time vs. 0/19 (0.0%), and 14/24 (58.3%) vs. 6/19 (31.6%) patients were classified into favourable glucocorticoids tapering pattern. Anifrolumab had an acceptable tolerability profile, consistent with the overall population. Conclusions: In the Japanese subpopulation of the TULIP-2 trial, anifrolumab resulted in an improvements in disease activity to those reported for the overall population, suggesting a beneficial effect for disease control.

The Wurster's Blue skeleton embedded in an axially chiral indolo[2,3‐c]carbazole framework can act as a key chromophore to realize three‐way‐output electrochromic response (UV‐Vis‐near IR absorption, fluorescence, and circular dichroism) upon reversible electrochemical interconversion with the corresponding neutral electron donor, which was effectively synthesized by gold(I)‐catalyzed cascade cyclization of 2‐azidophenyl‐1,3‐butadiyne with a 2‐phenyl‐1‐naphthyl terminal group.

In dental practice, there are two major diseases: dental caries and periodontal disease. Although dental treatment techniques have advanced along with advances in dental materials, some diseases such as root surface caries and horizontal bone resorption have not yet achieved satisfactory treatment results. Since these diseases are infections caused by oral bacteria, we believe that materials with long-lasting antimicrobial properties would help control these diseases. In addition, materials that can adhere to wet hard tissues would contribute to treatment. In this review, new materials developed based on this idea, the antimicrobial material “cetylpyridinium chloride-montmorillonite” and the hard tissue adhesive implantable material “phosphorylated pullulan” was introduced.

The response of snow cloud bands to the increase in air temperatures and sea surface temperatures (SSTs) over the Sea of Japan was investigated. We focused on a typical snowfall event in Japan by intense cloud bands around the Japan-Sea Polar-Airmass Convergence Zone (JPCZ) on 25-26 December 2021. After confirming that a regional atmospheric model fairly reproduced the mesoscale system in the event, we conducted two sensitivity experiments with air temperatures or SSTs imposed as boundary values uniformly increasing by 4 K. The results revealed that, in the model experiment with higher SST, more water vapor is supplied to the planetary boundary layer, which encouraged the higher clouds along the convergence zone. The experiment identified the dominance of the transversal mode (T-mode) of cloud bands in the east of the zone. This is presumably because of the cloud advection from the top near the JPCZ and vertical shear response to local SST increase over the Sea of Japan away from the JPCZ. In contrast, the experiment with higher air temperatures exhibited wider areas dominated by the longitudinal-mode (L-mode) cloud bands over the Sea of Japan.

In this minireview, digital microfluidics (DMF) is presented as an innovative option for automated organic synthesis at the microscale. Using DMF, valuable compounds, were successfully synthesized at the microliter scale. Additionally, organic reactions within the DMF devices were monitored using microcoil NMR and electrostatic spray ionization, allowing for kinetic analysis of rapid reactions. As DMF technology continues to advance and be integrated with synthetic organic chemistry, further miniaturization, automation, and acceleration of organic synthesis processes are anticipated.

Bubble plumes in density stratified liquids induce a narrowly closed convective circulation around them. This localized dynamic process limits the application of bubble plumes to ventilate large aquatic systems experiencing water quality issues, such as reservoirs, lakes, and coastal waters. However, choosing a suitable bubbling condition, i.e. bubble size and gas flow rate, bubble plumes can drive long-range horizontal density currents and ultimately cause the global destratification of the water body. We experimentally investigate how a bubble plume creates a density current that supports the destratification of a strongly two-layer stratified 2 m-long flume. The result leads to the establishment of a mathematical model for predicting the suitable range of the gas flow rate and the time required for the entire destratification of a reservoir. Furthermore, a real-scale experiment in a stratified dam lake of 600 m in horizontal longest length allowed us to confirm the robustness of the model and demonstrate its applicability to aquatic environments.

Enhanced inflammatory and immune responses have been observed in patients with major depressive disorder, pointing to anti-inflammatory substances as potential seeds for developing novel antidepressants. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid metabolites, such as resolvin D and E series, maresins, and protectins (collectively known as specialized pro-resolving mediators) demonstrate anti-inflammatory effects. This study examined the antidepressant-like effects of maresin-1 (MaR1) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced depression-like behaviors in mice. Using the tail suspension test (TST) and the forced swim test (FST), we assessed depression-like behaviors 26 and 28 h after intraperitoneal injection of LPS (0.8 mg/kg), respectively. An open field test (OFT) was also conducted to evaluate locomotor activity 24 h after LPS injection. Intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection of MaR1 (10 ng/mouse) immediately after the LPS challenge mitigated the increased immobility time in the TST and FST, without affecting locomotor activity in the OFT, indicating the preventive effects of MaR1 on LPS-induced depression-like behaviors. Furthermore, i.c.v. injection of MaR1 23 h after the LPS challenge reduced the immobility time in both tests, underscoring its therapeutic potential. These findings suggest that MaR1 could be a promising seed for developing novel antidepressants. Fullsize Image

Rib spalling is a common hazard in underground coal mining, particularly as shallow coal resources in the eastern region of China become depleted. As mining shifts to deeper coal resources, especially in areas with thin bedrock and thick alluvium, rib spalling induced by overburden pressure and mining activity becomes more frequent and severe. This makes rib spalling a complex issue involving overburden behavior and mining techniques. To investigate the correlation between overburden movement and rib spalling in longwall mining panels with thin bedrock and thick alluvium, the 14,030 panel in Zhaogu No. 2 Coal Mine was selected as the research subject. A physical experiment was carried out to explore the relationship between the failure morphology of the overburden and rib spalling. The results indicate that rib spalling is primarily caused by strong impact loads resulting from the symmetric arch morphology of the overburden. Subsequently, a coupled support method was proposed based on numerical simulations using UDEC codes, combining flexible reinforcement techniques with optimized support stiffness. This method offers a practical and effective solution for mitigating rib spalling.

In this study, attempts have been made to utilize ammonia in the industrial heating field, in which highly preheated air around 1000°C is used under high temperature atmosphere inside the furnace 1200°C. The high temperature inlet air and atmosphere are realized in the bench-scale furnace. Ammonia and methane in the fraction of 30%-NH3 and 70%-CH4 based on lower heating value, corresponding volumetric fraction of 55%-NH3 and 45%-CH4 is used as fuel under the fixed thermal input of 40-kW. On the furnace, the nozzle burner is installed in which fuel nozzles are installed inner side of the annular air nozzle, and furthermore, injection nozzles called “F2 nozzle” are installed on the top side of the furnace to inject NH3 separately from the air. To stabilize the combustion field, CH4 is injected from the burner for all cases. Results of exhaust gas measurements show that over 1000ppm of NOx is emitted for NH3 burner injection, however, in the case F2#1-NH3 injection from x = 0.3-m where x is the distance from the burner, NOx is drastically decreased to 464ppm even with high temperature inlet air and atmosphere. NOx concentration is further decreased by increasing the distance of the F2-NH3 nozzle from the air, then, NOx is reduced to 160ppm for F2#6-NH3 injection which is located at 3.3-m from the burner air. Furthermore, unburned NH3 and N2O are not detected for all cases of examined. As a result of species measurement inside the furnace for F2#6 NH3 injection case, it is found that the O2 concentration is significantly low at the upstream of NH3 injection position, thus, injecting NH3 into the low O2 concentration region is considered to be effective to reduce NOx even for NH3 combustion with high temperature inlet air and atmosphere.

The formation of autophagosomes is a pivotal step in autophagy, a lysosomal degradation system that plays a crucial role in maintaining cellular homeostasis. After autophagy induction, phase separation of the autophagy-related (Atg) 1 complex occurs, facilitating the gathering of Atg proteins and organizes the autophagosome formation site, where the initial isolation membrane (IM)/phagophore is generated. The IM then expands after receiving phospholipids from endomembranes such as the endoplasmic reticulum. This process is driven by the collaboration of lipid transfer (Atg2) and scrambling (Atg9) proteins. The IM assumes a cup shaped morphology and undergoes closure, resulting in the formation of a double membrane-bound autophagosome. The Atg8 lipidation system is hypothesized to be a pivotal factor in this process. This review presents an overview of the current understanding of these processes and discusses the basic mechanisms of autophagosome formation.

Indigenous Knowledge (IK) systems offer valuable insights into local environmental patterns and climatic changes, yet they remain underutilized within formal scientific frameworks. This study synthesizes findings from integrative approaches combining IK with scientific knowledge to enhance climate resilience. Utilizing a review of literature sourced from Web of Science, Scopus, and Science Direct, the paper identifies key areas where IK significantly augments scientific understanding of climate phenomena. Findings suggest that hybrid knowledge systems improve the accuracy and acceptance of climate forecasts, empowering local communities and enhancing adaptive capacities. This synthesis underscores the need for creating inclusive frameworks that respect and integrate diverse knowledge systems for sustainable climate resilience.

On January 1, 2024, a destructive earthquake struck the Noto Peninsula in Japan, triggering a tsunami in the Sea of Japan. A 3D lidar, which was installed on a gravel beach 150 km from the epicenter before the earthquake, successfully measured nearshore waves and topographic changes during the tsunami event. This study is focused on the analysis of a novel data set to elucidate the swash zone processes caused by the tsunami, with a particular focus on the combined effects of the tsunami and wind waves on high wave runup and morphological changes. The observation data show that the mean sea level was elevated by 1 m when the largest tsunami arrived at the beach. In addition to the tsunami, wind waves reaching a height of 2 m induced wave setup of approximately 1 m and swash exceeding a height of 2 m. The empirical formulas considering the observed change in foreshore slope reasonably reproduced the observed runup heights, suggesting that an increase in the tsunami water level indirectly amplified wind wave runup by increasing the foreshore slope on the concave profile beach. High wind wave runup largely eroded the gravel beach, with the elevation of the upper beach face decreasing by 0.5 m during the tsunami event. We found that the area on the beach face affected by wind waves expanded in response to changes in the tsunami water level.

The smoky brown cockroach, Periplaneta fuliginosa, is a peridomestic pest inhabiting broad regions of the world from temperate to subtropical zones. In common with other related species such as the American cockroach, Periplaneta americana, female-emitted sex pheromone components, named periplanones, are known to be key volatiles that elicit long-range attraction and courtship rituals in males. How periplanones are processed in the nervous system has been entirely unexplored in P. fuliginosa. By using pheromone compounds, periplanones A, B, C, and D, as stimulants to the antenna, we identified four distinct types of interneurons (projection neurons) that relay pheromonal signals from a single olfactory glomerulus of the first-order olfactory center (antennal lobe) to higher-order centers in the ipsilateral hemibrain. All glomeruli innervated by pheromone-responsive projection neurons clustered near the antennal nerve entrance of the antennal lobe. The projection neuron with dendrites in the largest glomerulus was tuned specifically to periplanone-D, and adding other components to periplanone-D counteracted the excitation elicited by periplanone-D alone. Likewise, the projection neuron with dendrites in the second largest glomerulus and that with dendrites in a medium-sized glomerulus were tuned to periplanone-A and periplanone-B, respectively. Our results are, therefore, consistent with behavioral findings that periplanone-D alone acts as a primary sex attractant and that other components act as potential behavioral antagonists. Moreover, a comparison of the glomeruli in P. fuliginosa and P. americana suggested that there are differences in the sizes of homologous glomeruli, as well as in the ligands they process.

Lattice-matched InAs/GaAs0.08Sb0.92 superlattices were grown on InAs substrates via metalorganic vapor-phase epitaxy, and the excitation intensity dependence of photoluminescence (PL) was measured from 20 to 300 K. The observed spectra were compared with the calculated spontaneous emission transitions. At 20 K, the changes in the calculated and measured spectral shapes with the carrier density in the wells closely concur. The blue shift of the emission peak, as the excitation intensity increased, was due to emission from a higher-order band. We determined the specific wavelengths at which the luminescence intensity increased rapidly at certain excitation intensities. These results broaden the spectral range. At 300 K, the PL spectrum was obtained only under strong excitation. Furthermore, higher-order transitions were also dominant in this case.

Recent rapid sea ice reduction in the Pacific sector of the Arctic Ocean is potentially associated with inflow of Pacific-origin water via the Bering Strait. For the first time, we detected remarkable subsurface warming around the Chukchi Borderland in the Arctic Ocean over the recent two decades (i.e., the early 21st century). A statistically significant decadal trend of 16.6 ± 10.6 MJ m− 2 year− 1 in the subsurface ocean heat content during 1999–2020 was captured by shipboard hydrographic data, and associated with the transport of Pacific Summer Water from Barrow Canyon northwest of the Alaskan coast, where similar warming appeared. Satellite-derived geostrophic ocean velocity indicated that the northwestward ocean current flowing from Barrow Canyon to the Chukchi Borderland became faster in the late 2010s, in association with southeastward shift of the Beaufort Gyre, circulating clockwise around the Canada Basin. Therefore, we suggest that warming of the Pacific Summer Water passing over the Chukchi shelf and intensification of the northwestward ocean current along the shelf–basin boundary both acted to enhance the heat transport and contributed to the positive trend in downstream subsurface ocean heat content. Our findings fill important gaps in the understanding of ocean heat distribution/transport, which is a key factor for sea ice freezing/melting, in the central Arctic.