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Studies of person-organization fit (P-O fit) have shown that a fit between the values of the individual and the values of the organization leads to higher job satisfaction. Here, we extended past research by investigating P-O fit on employees’ well-being. We tested what characteristics of the person and the organization contributed to an effective P-O fit in Japan. Specifically, we examined the role of employees’ levels of interdependence and perceptions of their organizational contexts as clan culture or market culture. This allowed us to test what type of organizational culture formed an effective P-O fit for employees with highly interdependent cultural values in Japan. A longitudinal survey of 456 workers in Japan conducted in 2021 and 2022 revealed that clan culture—organizational culture emphasizing interpersonal harmony—was positively related to employees’ well-being, and the effects were stronger for employees with high levels of interdependence. Conversely, market culture—organizational culture emphasizing competition and achievement—was unrelated to employees’ well-being. In fact, it was negatively related to those employees’ well-being who scored high on interdependence. Taken together, these results showed that the effects of organizational culture on employees’ well-being depended on the levels of their interdependence. It seems that interdependence (P) and clan culture (O) provide an ideal P-O fit for Japanese companies.

Background:Recent studies have shown that thiazolidinediones reduce neointimal hyperplasia after bare metal stent (BMS) implantation, but this drug group sometimes cause fluid retention that may lead to heart failure.Objectives:To examine the safety and efficacy of pioglitazone in patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) treated with primary BMS implantation.Methods:Diabetic or non-diabetic patients with STEMI (<12 h from onset) successfully treated with primary BMS implantation were randomised to either the pioglitazone (15 mg, up to 30 mg) or control groups. Patients in cardiogenic shock were excluded. Primary efficacy end point was percentage neointimal volume within the stented segment at 6 months using three-dimensional intravascular ultrasound. Safety end point was a composite of all-cause mortality, reinfarction, or heart failure requiring hospitalisation.Results:Between October 2005 and July 2007, 96 patients were randomised into the pioglitazone (n = 48) or control group (n = 48). At follow-up, mean (SD) percentage neointimal volume and neointimal volume index were significantly reduced in the pioglitazone group (22 (13)% vs 28 (13)%, p = 0.04; 1.5 (0.9) vs 2.0 (0.8) mm3/mm, p = 0.02, respectively). During 6 months, two control patients died, four patients (one in the pioglitazone group, three controls) had stent thrombosis resulting in reinfarction and three patients (two in the pioglitazone group, one control) had heart failure, resulting in a similar incidence of safety end point (3 vs 6).Conclusions:Treatment of pioglitazone reduced neointimal hyperplasia in patients with STEMI treated with primary stent implantation without placing the patient at increased risk of complications. Additional larger trials will be necessary to establish the clinical benefit of pioglitazone.

Unlike humans, which are the sole remaining representatives of a once larger group of bipedal apes (hominins), the \"lesser apes\" (hylobatids) are a diverse radiation with numerous extant species. Consequently, the lesser apes can provide a valuable evolutionary window onto the possible interactions (e.g., interbreeding) of hominin lineages coexisting in the same time and place. In the present work, we employ chromosomal analyses to verify the hybrid ancestry of an individual (Larcon) produced by two of the most distant genera of lesser apes, Hylobates (lar-group gibbons) and Nomascus (concolor-group gibbons). In addition to a mixed pelage pattern, the hybrid animal carries a 48-chromosome karyotype that consists of the haploid complements of each parental species: Hylobates lar (n = 22) and Nomascus leucogenys leucogenys (n = 26). Studies of this animal's karyotype shed light onto the processes of speciation and genus-level divergence in the lesser apes and, by extension, across the Hominoidea.

BackgroundIn recent years, the concept of D2TRA (difficult-to-treat rheumatoid arthritis) has become widespread, and D2TRA patients are defined as a state in which activity cannot be controlled even with the use of various molecular-targeted drugs. In this study, we investigated the ultrasound synovial findings in D2TRA patients. However, ultrasound findings in D2TRA patients are unknown.ObjectivesIn this study, we investigated the ultrasound findings of D2TRA patients.MethodsA total of 750 RA patients who underwent ultrasound examination were included. Ultrasond examination was performed at the of bilateral first to fifth metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints, first interphalangeal (IP) and second to fifth proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints, wrist joints (three part of radial, medial and ulnar) and first to fifth metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joints. Of all 750 RA patients, 517 RA patients (68.9%) who treated bDMARDs/JAKi were included and devided in D2TRA patients and non-D2TRA patients. The patients‘ characteristics, total gray scale (GS) and power Doppler (PD) score (GSUS/ PDUS) were compared between D2TRA patients and non-D2TRA patients.ResultsThere were 40 D2TRA patients and 477 non-D2TRA patients. Mean age was 61.2 vs. 65.0 years (p=0.133), mean disease duration of RA was 17.6 vs. 14.9 years (p=0.199), CDAI was 12.6 vs. 9.8 (0.166), and CRP level was 0.79 vs. 0.28 mg/dL (p=0.233), MMP-3 level was 295.6 vs 10.8ng/mL (p=0.057), respectively. In the D2TRA group, concomitant use ratio of MTX was low (50.0 vs 70.9 %, p=0.011), but there was no difference in the average dose of MTX (8.9 vs 9.2 mg/w, p=0.581). The concomitant use ratio of glucocorticoid (32.5 vs 12.6 %, p=0.002) and the average dose of glucocorticoid (7.7 vs 3.1 mg/d, p=0.003) were higher in D2TRA group. Regarding ultrasound findings, GSUS score (16.2 vs 9.5, p=0.011) and PDUS score (11.0 vs 6.4, p=0.034) were significantly higher in the D2TRA group.Table 1.D2TRA(n=40)non D2TRA(n=477)p valueAge (years)61.2±17.365.0±14.10.113Female, %77.582.10.390BMI (kg/m2)22.5±4.922.3±3.40.750Disease duration (years)17.6±9.614.9±12.70.199RF+, %95.089.90.410RF titer (mg/dL)754.3±1284.7301.2±423.40.032CCP+, %94.885.20.144CCP titer (U/mL)227.0±183.2134.0±165.60.001MTX use, %50.070.90.011MTX dose (mg/week)8.9±2.69.2±3.60.581Glucocorticoid use, %32.512.60.002Glucocorticoid dose (mg/day)7.7±4.43.1±1.80.003DAS28 ESR3.2±1.93.0±1.40.668DAS28 CRP2.8±1.42.7±1.20.438SDAI13.4±12.610.1±9.50.120CDAI12.6±12.09.8±9.30.166HAQ0.90±0.980.66±0.740.137ESR (mm/h)26.2±30.217.6±20.60.085CRP (mg/dL)0.79±2.670.28±0.770.233MMP-3 (ng/mL)295.6±611.9105.8±157.20.057GSUS16.2±15.79.5±9.50.011PDUS11.0±13.06.4±7.70.034ConclusionThe definition of D2TRA is resistant to multiple mode of bDMARDs/JAKi. Although, disease activity and inflammatory markers tended to be worse in the D2TRA group, there was no statistically significant difference in this study. However, ultrasound findings were significantly worse in D2TRA. Suppression of synovitis might be important to prevent D2TRA.Reference[1]Watanabe R, Okano T, Gon T, Yoshida N, Fukumoto K, Yamada S, Hashimoto M. Difficult-to-treat rheumatoid arthritis: Current concept and unsolved problems. Front Med (Lausanne). 2022 Oct 24;9:1049875.Acknowledgements:NIL.Disclosure of InterestsTadashi Okano Speakers bureau: Abbvie, Chugai, Eli Lilly, Janssen and Novartis Pharma, Grant/research support from: Abbvie, Asahi Kasei, Chugai, Eisai, Eli Lilly and Tanabe Mitsubishi, Kenji Mamoto: None declared, Yutaro Yamada: None declared, Shohei Anno: None declared, Asami Yagami: None declared, Yuka Domae: None declared, Shingo Washida: None declared, Yuko Yoshida: None declared, Tatsuya Koike: None declared, Hiroaki Nakamura: None declared.

BackgroundBiological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) and janus kinase inhibitors (JAKi) are generally more effective combined with methotrexate (MTX) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, in clinical practice, bDMARDs/JAKi is sometimes used without MTX for such as elderly patients with poor renal function. To date, there are few reports evaluating ultrasound finding of intra-articular synovitis in patients with RA treated bDMARDs/JAKi with or without MTX.ObjectivesUltrasound finding of intra-articular synovitis in patients with RA treated bDMARDs/JAKi with or without MTX was compared by using propensity score matching.MethodsA total of 750 RA patients who underwent ultrasound examination were included. Ultrasond examination was performed at the of bilateral first to fifth metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints, first interphalangeal (IP) and second to fifth proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints, wrist joints (three part of radial, medial and ulnar) and first to fifth metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joints. Of all 750 RA patients, 517 RA patients (68.9%) who treated bDMARDs/JAKi were divided into with or without MTX. Then, patients were matched using the propensity score adjusted for age, sex, duration of RA, disease activity (CDAI), CRP level, and MMP-3 level. The total gray scale (GS) and power Doppler (PD) score (GSUS/ PDUS) were compared between bDMARDs/JAKi treated patients without and with MTX.ResultsThere were 159 (30.8%) patients without MTX and 358 (69.2%) patients with MTX. The 151 patients in each group were matched. The mean MTX dose of bDMARDs/JAKi with MTX group was 8.8±3.5 mg/week. Patients’ characteristic of bDMARDs/JAKi without MTX and bDMARDs/JAKi with MTX were shown in Table 1. Ultrasound synovial findings were significantly suppressed in the MTX combined group, GSUS 11.6 ± 11.8 vs 8.5 ± 8.0 (p = 0.009) and PDUS 8.3 ± 9.9 vs 5.5 ± 6.2 (p = 0.004). Moreover, US findings were compared in TNF user, non-TNF user and JAKi user. Notably, ultrasound findings were worse in non-TNF inhibitor users without MTX.Table 1.Patients’ characteristic of bDMARDs/JAKi without MTX and bDMARDs/JAKi with MTX.bDMARDs/JAKi without MTX(n=151)bDMARDs/JAKi with MTX(n=151)p valueAge, y70.2±10.868.4±12.80.186Female, %82.177.50.390BMI, kg/m221.9±3.422.7±3.40.029Disease duration, y16.7±11.616.2±13.30.756RF+, %91.490.10.843CCP+, %87.385.40.728DAS28 ESR3.2±1.33.3±1.50.393DAS28 CRP2.8±1.22.8±1.20.949SDAI11.9±10.511.2±10.70.552CDAI11.7±10.410.9±10.50.499HAQ0.76±0.720.80±0.870.645ESR mm/h16.1±19.321.3±21.50.028CRP, mg/dL0.18±0.450.26±0.710.204MMP-3, ng/mL128.0±160.1114.1±184.90.488Figure 1.Ultrasound findings of bDMARDs/JAKi without MTX and bDMARDs/JAKi with MTX.ConclusionUltrasound synovial findings in patients with bDMARDs/JAKi was more suppressed with MTX. It was considered necessary to keep in mind that synovitis may persist in patients who are not concomitant with MTX and are using non-TNF inhibitors.Reference[1]Kaneko Y, Atsumi T, Tanaka Y, Inoo M, Kobayashi-Haraoka H, Amano K, Miyata M, Murakawa Y, Yasuoka H, Hirata S, Nagasawa H, Tanaka E, Miyasaka N, Yamanaka H, Yamamoto K, Takeuchi T. Comparison of adding tocilizumab to methotrexate with switching to tocilizumab in patients with rheumatoid arthritis with inadequate response to methotrexate: 52-week results from a prospective, randomised, controlled study (SURPRISE study). Ann Rheum Dis. 2016 Nov;75(11):1917-1923.Acknowledgements:NIL.Disclosure of InterestsTadashi Okano Speakers bureau: Abbvie, Chugai, Eli Lilly, Janssen and Novartis Pharma, Grant/research support from: Abbvie, Asahi Kasei, Chugai, Eisai, Eli Lilly and Tanabe Mitsubishi, Kenji Mamoto: None declared, Yutaro Yamada: None declared, Shohei Anno: None declared, Yuka Domae: None declared, Asami Yagami: None declared, Shingo Washida: None declared, Yuko Yoshida: None declared, Tatsuya Koike: None declared, Hiroaki Nakamura: None declared.

Emdogain has been used clinically for periodontal regeneration, although the underlying molecular mechanisms are not clear at present. In this study, we hypothesized that Emdogain stimulated degradation of type I collagen via osteoblasts. We showed that Emdogain enhanced cell-mediated degradation of type I collagen in an MMP-dependent manner. Although MG-63 cells spontaneously produced a zymogen form of MMP-1, treatment with Emdogain significantly induced the generation of the active form of this enzyme. We demonstrated that MMP-3 was produced from MG63 cells in response to Emdogain in a MEK1/2-dependent manner. Concomitantly, blocking of MEK1/2 activation by U0126 significantly inhibited the generation of the active form of MMP-1 without affecting the total production of this collagenase. These results suggest that Emdogain facilitates tissue regeneration through the activation of the collagenase, MMP-1, that degrades matrix proteins in bone tissue microenvironments.

Mouse monoclonal anti-Fas (CD95) antibody clone CH-11 has been widely used in research on apoptosis. CH-11 has the ability to bind to Fas protein on cell surface and induce apoptosis. Here, we used polystyrene beads coated with CH-11 to investigate the role of lipid rafts in Fas-mediated apoptosis in SKW6.4 cells. Unexpectedly, by treatment of the cells with CH-11-coated beads Fas protein was detached from cell surface and transferred to the surface of CH-11-coated beads. Western blot analysis showed that Fas protein containing both extracellular and intracellular domains was attached to the beads. Fas protein was not transferred from the cells to the surface of the beads coated with other anti-Fas antibodies or Fas ligand. Similar phenomenon was observed in Jurkat T cells. Furthermore, CH-11-induced apoptosis was suppressed by pretreatment with CH-11-coated beads in Jurkat cells. These results suggest that CH-11 might possess distinct properties on Fas protein compared with other anti-Fas antibodies or Fas ligand, and also suggest that caution should be needed to use polystyrene beads coated with antibodies such as CH-11.

Ceramide is not only structurally but also functionally a key molecule in diverse kinds of sphingolipids. In the past decade, ceramide has been shown to be of crucial significance in several cell functions including apoptosis, cell growth, senescence, and cell cycle control. Among them, the role of ceramide in apoptosis induction has extensively been studied, and ceramide-targeting molecular medicine for apoptosis-based diseases such as malignant tumors, atherosclerosis and neurodegenerative disorders appears to come out to the clinical field. We here describe the recent advances in research of ceramide-mediated apoptosis signaling. We also show the relation of ceramide level through regulation of ceramide-related enzymes (sphingomyelinase, ceramidase, sphingomyelin synthase and glucosylceramide synthase) with diseases such as cancer, leukemia, bacterial infections, AIDS, Alzheimers disease, atherosclerosis, diabetes mellitus and atopic dermatitis. The strategies to construct the ceramide-targeting medicine for intractable diseases such as cancer and leukemia are discussed.

A newly identified CX3C‐chemokine, fractalkine, expressed on activated endothelial cells plays an important role in leucocyte adhesion and migration. Co‐immobilized fractalkine with fibronectin or intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 enhanced adhesion of THP‐1 cells, which express the fractalkine receptor (CX3CR1), compared with that observed for each alone. That adherence was fractalkine‐dependent and was confirmed in blocking studies. However, soluble fractalkine induced little chemotaxis in THP‐1 cells in comparison to monocyte chemotactic protein‐1 (MCP‐1), which induced a strong chemotactic response. Moreover, the membrane form of fractalkine expressed on ECV304 cells reduced MCP‐1 mediated chemotaxis of THP‐1 cells. These results indicate that fractalkine may function as an adhesion molecule between monocytes and endothelial cells rather than as a chemotactic factor.

We have developed a new procedure for Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of plants in the genus Beta using shoot-base as the material for Agrobacterium infection. The frequency of regeneration from shoot bases was analyzed in seven accessions of sugarbeet ( Beta vulgaris) and two accessions of B. maritima to select materials suitable for obtaining transformed plants. The frequency of transformation of the chosen accessions using Agrobacterium strain LBA4404 and selection on 150-mg/l kanamycin was found to be higher than that in previously published methods. Genomic DNA analysis and beta-glucuronidase reporter assays showed that the transgene was inherited and expressed in subsequent generations. In our method, shoot bases are prepared by a simple procedure, and transformation does not involve the callus phase, thus minimizing the occurrence of somaclonal variations.