Explore the vast range of titles available.

Recent studies in streams and ponds have demonstrated that the distribution and biomass of aquatic organisms can be estimated by detection and quantification of environmental DNA (eDNA). In more open systems such as seas, it is not evident whether eDNA can represent the distribution and biomass of aquatic organisms because various environmental factors (e.g., water flow) are expected to affect eDNA distribution and concentration. To test the relationships between the distribution of fish and eDNA, we conducted a grid survey in Maizuru Bay, Sea of Japan, and sampled surface and bottom waters while monitoring biomass of the Japanese jack mackerel (Trachurus japonicus) using echo sounder technology. A linear model showed a high R(2) value (0.665) without outlier data points, and the association between estimated eDNA concentrations from the surface water samples and echo intensity was significantly positive, suggesting that the estimated spatial variation in eDNA concentration can reflect the local biomass of the jack mackerel. We also found that a best-fit model included echo intensity obtained within 10-150 m from water sampling sites, indicating that the estimated eDNA concentration most likely reflects fish biomass within 150 m in the bay. Although eDNA from a wholesale fish market partially affected eDNA concentration, we conclude that eDNA generally provides a 'snapshot' of fish distribution and biomass in a large area. Further studies in which dynamics of eDNA under field conditions (e.g., patterns of release, degradation, and diffusion of eDNA) are taken into account will provide a better estimate of fish distribution and biomass based on eDNA.

Recent development of environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis allows us to survey underwater macro-organisms easily and cost effectively; however, there have been no reports on eDNA detection or quantification for jellyfish. Here we present the first report on an eDNA analysis of marine jellyfish using Japanese sea nettle (Chrysaora pacifica) as a model species by combining a tank experiment with spatial and temporal distribution surveys. We performed a tank experiment monitoring eDNA concentrations over a range of time intervals after the introduction of jellyfish, and quantified the eDNA concentrations by quantitative real-time PCR. The eDNA concentrations peaked twice, at 1 and 8 h after the beginning of the experiment, and became stable within 48 h. The estimated release rates of the eDNA in jellyfish were higher than the rates previously reported in fishes. A spatial survey was conducted in June 2014 in Maizuru Bay, Kyoto, in which eDNA was collected from surface water and sea floor water samples at 47 sites while jellyfish near surface water were counted on board by eye. The distribution of eDNA in the bay corresponded with the distribution of jellyfish inferred by visual observation, and the eDNA concentration in the bay was ~13 times higher on the sea floor than on the surface. The temporal survey was conducted from March to November 2014, in which jellyfish were counted by eye every morning while eDNA was collected from surface and sea floor water at three sampling points along a pier once a month. The temporal fluctuation pattern of the eDNA concentrations and the numbers of observed individuals were well correlated. We conclude that an eDNA approach is applicable for jellyfish species in the ocean.

Based on CytB gene copy number in a 2 μL template DNA solution at the 47 sampling station, spatial variation of jack mackerel eDNA in west Maizuru Bay was estimated by approximation.Vertical bar on the cruise track (gray line) indicates local sa values (i.e., fish biomass observed using quantitative echo sounder), which is the integrated sv of a water column with a cross-sectional area of 1 m2.

Japanese giant salamander ( Andrias japonicus ) is one of the largest amphibian species in the world and an iconic species in Japan. However, as its distribution has recently declined across the country, rapid and extensive monitoring of the distribution is urgently needed for its efficient conservation. Here, we used environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis to assess the Japanese giant salamander’s distribution in western Japan and, for that purpose, we collected 410 water samples from 12 rivers. We then developed a new eDNA assay for multi-copy nuclear DNA (nuDNA) of the giant salamander and compared the eDNA detectability of the nuDNA marker with that of a previous mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) marker. Throughout the survey, we detected target eDNA from 162 water samples using either of the markers, which generally corresponded to the known natural distribution of the species. Additionally, the use of the nuDNA marker allowed for higher detection rate of target eDNA than the mtDNA marker. Moreover, the detection rate of target eDNA decreased substantially in water samples with higher conductivity and also partly in those with higher pH, suggesting their negative impacts on the salamander’s ecology. Our results demonstrated that eDNA analysis with multi-copy nuDNA marker is highly useful for efficient and sensitive surveillance of Japanese giant salamander’s distribution. Our study provided the methodology for efficiently monitoring the Japanese giant salamander’s distribution via eDNA analysis and facilitating conservation activities for them.

While log-amplitude mel-spectrogram has widely been used as the feature representation for processing speech based on deep learning, the effectiveness of another aspect of speech spectrum, i.e., phase information, was shown recently for tasks such as speech enhancement and source separation. In this study, we extensively investigated the effectiveness of including phase information of signals for eight audio classification tasks. We constructed a learnable front-end that can compute the phase and its derivatives based on a time-frequency representation with mel-like frequency axis. As a result, experimental results showed significant performance improvement for musical pitch detection, musical instrument detection, language identification, speaker identification, and birdsong detection. On the other hand, overfitting to the recording condition was observed for some tasks when the instantaneous frequency was used. The results implied that the relationship between the phase values of adjacent elements is more important than the phase itself in audio classification.

Severe myelosuppression is a serious concern in the management of rheumatic disease patients receiving methotrexate (MTX) therapy. This study was intended to explore factors associated with the development of MTX-related myelosuppression and its disease severity. We retrospectively examined a total of 40 cases of MTX-related myelosuppression that had been filed in the registries of participating rheumatology and hematology divisions. Data before onset were compared with those of 120 controls matched for age and sex. Cytopenia was graded according to the National Cancer Institute criteria for adverse events. Data before and at onset were compared between the severe and non-severe groups. Non-use of folic acid supplements, concurrent medications, and low renal function were significantly associated with the development of myelosuppression (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, and p = 0.002, respectively). In addition, significantly lower MTX dosages, higher blood cell counts, and lower hemoglobin levels were seen in the myelosuppression group (p < 0.001). No patients exhibited leukocytopenia, neutropenia, or thrombocytopenia in routine blood monitoring taken within the past month. One-fourth developed myelosuppression within the first two months (an early-onset period). Myelosuppression was severe in approximately 40% of patients. Hypoalbuminemia and non-use of folic acid supplements were significantly associated with the severity of pancytopenia (p = 0.001 and 0.008, respectively). Besides these two factors, early onset and the use of lower doses of MTX were significantly associated with the severity of neutropenia (p = 0.003, 0.007, 0.003, and 0.002, respectively). Myelosuppression can occur abruptly at any time during low-dose MTX therapy, but severe neutropenia is more likely to occur in the early-onset period of this therapy. Contrary to our expectations, disease severity was not dependent on MTX doses. Serum albumin levels and folic acid supplementation are the important factors affecting the severity of MTX-related pancytopenia and neutropenia.

Evans syndrome presents as concurrent autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) and immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is the most frequent autoimmune disorder associated with Evans syndrome. We herein report a case of new-onset Evans syndrome associated with SLE after BNT162b2 mRNA coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination in a 53-year-old woman. Blood examination at diagnosis showed hemolytic anemia with a positive Coombs test and thrombocytopenia. Hypocomplementemia and the presence of lupus anticoagulant indicated a strong association with SLE. Prednisolone administration rapidly restored hemoglobin level and platelet count. This case suggests that mRNA COVID-19 vaccination may cause an autoimmune disorder. Physicians should be aware of this adverse reaction by mRNA COVID-19 vaccination and should consider the benefits and risks of vaccination for each recipient.

Combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema (CPFE) is a syndrome characterized by the coexistence of emphysema and fibrotic interstitial lung disease (ILD). The aim of this study was to examine the effect of CPFE on lung cancer risk and lung cancer-related mortality in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We conducted a multicenter retrospective cohort study of patients newly diagnosed with lung cancer at five community hospitals between June 2006 and December 2021. Patients were followed until lung cancer-related death, other-cause death, loss to follow-up, or the end of the study. We used the cumulative incidence function with Gray's test and Fine-Gray regression analysis for survival analysis. A total of 563 patients with biopsy-proven lung cancer were included (82 RA patients and 481 non-RA patients). The prevalence of CPFE was higher in RA patients than in non-RA patients (40.2% vs.10.0%) at lung cancer diagnosis. During follow-up, the crude incidence rate of lung cancer-related death was 0.29 and 0.10 per patient-year (PY) in RA and non-RA patients, and 0.32 and 0.07 per PY in patients with CPFE and patients without ILD or emphysema, respectively. The estimated death probability at 5 years differed between RA and non-RA patients (66% vs. 32%, p<0.001) and between patients with CPFE and patients without ILD or emphysema (71% vs. 24%, p<0.001). In addition to clinical cancer stage and no surgery within 1 month, RA and CPFE were identified as independent predictive factors for increased lung cancer-related mortality (RA: adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 2.49; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.65-4.76; CPFE: adjusted HR 2.01; 95% CI 1.24-3.23). RA patients with lung cancer had a higher prevalence of CPFE and increased cancer-related mortality compared with non-RA patients. Close monitoring and optimal treatment strategies tailored to RA patients with CPFE are important to improve the poor prognosis of lung cancer.

Purpose Patients with terminal cancer undergoing multidisciplinary palliative care often have oral health problems, but these details are still unclear. This cross-sectional study aimed to elucidate the oral health of patients with terminal-stage cancer who are inpatient recipients of acute-phase palliative care, and to unveil the factors affecting their oral health. Methods Participants were 121 patients with terminal-stage cancer (68 males, 53 females, mean age: 73.6 ± 11.1 years) and oral health complaints. They received palliative care at Tokyo Medical and Dental University Medical Hospital between April 2017 and August 2019. Their demographic and medical details were extracted, retrospectively, from their medical records, and their oral health status, such as the number of natural teeth, removable denture usage, Oral Health Assessment Tool (OHAT), and Dysphagia Severity Scale, were evaluated. All outcomes were assessed by a dentist from the palliative care team. Results The problems with soft tissue, saliva, and oral cleanliness were observed. The absence of posterior occlusal support was common, and the use of removable dentures was often inadequate. In contrast, swallowing function was relatively well-conserved and 46.3% of the participants were capable of nutrition intake solely by mouth. Multiple regression analysis revealed a significant association between total OHAT score and age, consciousness level, prognostic level, and method of nutritional intake. Conclusion The results revealed that the oral health of terminal cancer patients under palliative care declined despite receiving routine oral care from nurses, and suggest the importance of including dental professionals in multidisciplinary palliative care.

Objectives We assessed the impact of tocilizumab (TCZ), a humanised monoclonal anti-interleukin-6 receptor antibody, on antibody response following administration of the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV23). Methods A total of 190 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) received PPV23. Patients were classified into TCZ (n=50), TCZ + methotrexate (MTX) (n=54), MTX (n=62) and RA control (n=24) groups. We measured serotype-specific IgG concentrations of pneumococcal serotypes 6B and 23F using ELISA and functional antibody activity using a multiplexed opsonophagocytic killing assay, reported as the opsonisation indices (OIs), before and 4–6 weeks after vaccination. Positive antibody response was defined as a 2-fold or more increase in the IgG concentration or as a ≥10-fold or more increase in the OI. Results IgG concentrations and OIs were significantly increased in all treatment groups in response to vaccination. The TCZ group antibody response rates were comparable with those of the RA control group for each serotype. MTX had a negative impact on vaccine efficacy. Multivariate logistic analysis confirmed that TCZ is not associated with an inadequate antibody response to either serotype. No severe adverse effect was observed in any treatment group. Conclusions TCZ does not impair PPV23 immunogenicity in RA patients, whereas antibody responses may be reduced when TCZ is used as a combination therapy with MTX.