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Some algae are known to grow on shellfish shells. Most of these have been reported in aquatic environments. The species specificity for substrate shells varies, and some algae grow only on the shells of a certain species of shellfish, such as Pseudocladophora conchopheria (Cladophorales, Ulvophyceae) on Lunella coreensis (Trochida, Gastropoda). There are very few reports of algae that grow on land snails. In this study, we discovered green algae growing on the shells of six species of door snails (Clausiliidae) from nine localities in Japan. These green algae formed a green mat composed of thalli embedded in the extracellular matrix. The thallus was composed of aggregated oval cells and peripheral branched filaments. The cells possessed a single parietal chloroplast with a pyrenoid surrounded by two starch sheaths and transversed by a thylakoid. Oil droplets in the cell and ring-like structures on the cell wall surface were frequently observed. The 18S rDNA sequences of all shell-attached algae on different clausiliid species from different localities were almost identical and formed a new clade in the family Kornmanniaceae (Ulvales, Ulvophyceae). No other algae forming visible colonies on the clausiliid shell were found. These findings indicate the presence of specificity between the alga and clausiliid shells. Based on the results of morphological observation and molecular phylogenetic analysis, we propose a new genus and new species of shell-attached green alga, Annulotesta cochlephila.

Purpose To assess the use of glycochenodeoxycholate-3-sulfate (GCDCA-S) and chenodeoxycholate 3- or 24-glucuronide (CDCA-3G or -24G) as surrogate endogenous substrates in the investigation of drug interactions involving OATP1B1 and OATP1B3. Methods Uptake of GCDCA-S and CDCA-24G was examined in HEK293 cells transfected with cDNA for OATP1B1, OATP1B3, and NTCP and in cryopreserved human hepatocytes. Plasma concentrations of bile acids and their metabolites (GCDCA-S, CDCA-3G, and CDCA-24G) were determined by LC–MS/MS in eight healthy volunteers with or without administration of rifampicin (600 mg, po). Results GCDCA-S and CDCA-24G were substrates for OATP1B1, OATP1B3, and NTCP. The uptake of [ 3 H]atorvastatin, GCDCA-S, and CDCA-24G by human hepatocytes was significantly inhibited by both rifampicin and pioglitazone, whereas that of taurocholate was inhibited only by pioglitazone. Rifampicin elevated plasma concentrations of GCDCA-S more than those of other bile acids. The area under the plasma concentration–time curve for GCDCA-S was 20.3 times higher in rifampicin-treated samples. CDCA-24G could be detected only in plasma from the rifampicin-treatment phase, and CDCA-3G was undetectable in both phases. Conclusions We identified GCDCA-S and CDCA-24G as substrates of NTCP, OATP1B1, and OATP1B3. GCDCA-S is a surrogate endogenous probe for the assessment of drug interactions involving hepatic OATP1B1 and OATP1B3.

Purpose To demonstrate the relative importance of organic anion-transporting polypeptides (OATPs) and cytochrome P450 3A (CYP3A) in the hepatic elimination of substrate drugs. Methods A cocktail of subtherapeutic doses of bosentan, repaglinide, clarithromycin, darunavir, simeprevir, and midazolam (CYP3A probe) was administered orally to eight healthy volunteers. Rifampicin (OATP inhibitor; 600 mg, p.o.) and itraconazole (CYP3A inhibitor; 200 mg, i.v.) were coadministered with the cocktail in the second and third phases, respectively. Based on the extended clearance concept, in vivo β values (fraction of metabolism plus biliary excretion among all the intracellular fates of drugs including basolateral efflux) and R dif values (ratio of diffusional uptake to active uptake) were estimated. Results Rifampicin increased plasma AUCs of bosentan (×3.2), repaglinide (×1.9), clarithromycin (×1.9) and simeprevir (×7.2). Itraconazole increased those of clarithromycin (×2.3), simeprevir (×2.2) and midazolam (×3.7), which had relatively small β values. The plasma AUC of bosentan (with relatively large β and small R dif ) was dominated by OATP-mediated uptake. The AUC of simeprevir was also dominated by OATP-mediated uptake because of its small R dif value. Conclusions The DDI study clarified the rate-determining processes of OATP/CYP3A substrates. Our analyses provide valuable information for predicting complex drug–drug interactions involving multiple processes.

INTRODUCTION: Persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC), which is asymptomatic and occurs in 0.3%–0.5% of the general population, is typically detected incidentally but can complicate cardiac procedures owing to its potential to cause arrhythmias. This condition involves an additional venous return pathway to the right atrium, which can alter the cardiac anatomy and is associated with other cardiac aortic anomalies.CASE PRESENTATION: A 75-year-old male patient required a central venous port for chemotherapy and radiation therapy for mid-thoracic esophageal cancer. Preoperative computed tomography images revealed that the PLSVC ran ventrally to the aortic and left pulmonary arteries, directly communicating with the right atrium. A peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) port was planned. The catheter tip of the PICC port was placed within the left superior vena cava instead of the more common right superior vena cava, because the appropriate vessels could not be identified in the right upper arm. This anomaly necessitated a review of findings on the preoperative imaging and underscored the importance of early detection through echocardiography and radiographic guidance to prevent procedural complications. Reconstructed three-dimensional images and radiography-guided catheterization support the navigation of PICC port insertion.CONCLUSIONS: PLSVC, which is often asymptomatic, requires careful preprocedural planning and imaging to ensure safe PICC port insertion.

With the increasing popularity of the EC (e-commerce) market, more and more consumers' consumption approaches have shifted from physical stores to online shopping. Due to the different popularity of networks in various countries, there are also differences in the products and frequencies of online purchases. At the same time, the network usage rate of the young people in Japan and China has reached more than 90%, with college students around 20 years old accoun ting for the highest percentage. Therefore, this paper focused on the college students' online purchase of clothing, and compared the consumption behaviors of Japanese and Chinese college students to explore the characteristics of Japanese and Chinese college students' consumption behaviors. After summarizing the theoretical research in the past, based on the online sales of cloth ing, we conducted a questionnaire survey among college students in Japan and China from the perspective of Marketing Mix. The results show that when the college students in Japan and China purchase clothing, there was a big difference in CD purchase channel, CD commodity price, CD commodity quality and CD network comments.

The antitumor efficacy of an intratumoral injection of a genetically engineered oncolytic vaccinia virus carrying human IL‐7 and murine IL‐12 genes (hIL‐7/mIL‐12‐VV) was demonstrated in CT26.WT‐bearing mice. In the CT26.WT‐bearing mouse model, the efficacy of the combination of hIL‐7/mIL‐12‐VV plus the anti‐programmed cell death protein (PD)‐1 antibody was determined to be correlated with the timing of administration: greater efficacy was observed when hIL‐7/mIL‐12‐VV was administered before the anti‐PD‐1 agent instead of simultaneous administration. To identify an optimal dosing regimen for first‐in‐human clinical trials, a multiple model‐informed drug‐development (MIDD) approach was used through development of a quantitative systems pharmacology (QSP) model and an agent‐based model (ABM). All models were built and verified using available literature and preclinical study data. Multiple dosing scenarios were explored using virtual populations by altering the interval between hIL‐7/hIL‐12‐VV and pembrolizumab administration. In contrast with observations from preclinical studies, both the QSP and the ABM models demonstrated no antagonistic effect on the dose‐dependent antitumor efficacy of hIL‐7/hIL‐12‐VV by pembrolizumab in simulations of clinical therapy. Based on the MIDD strategy, it was recommended that the highest dose of hIL‐7/hIL‐12‐VV and pembrolizumab should be administered on the same day, but with pembrolizumab administration following hIL‐7/hIL‐12‐VV administration. Multiple different modeling approaches uniquely supported and informed the first‐in‐human clinical trial design by guiding the optimal dose and regimen selection.

The elderly are constantly in danger of falling and injuring themselves without anyone realizing it. A safety-monitoring system based on microwaves can ease these concerns. The authors have proposed safety-monitoring systems that use multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) radar to localize persons by capturing their biological activities such as respiration. However, our studies to date have focused on localization, which is easier to achieve than an estimation of human postures. This paper proposes a human posture identification scheme based on height and a Doppler radar cross section (RCS) as estimated by a MIMO array. This scheme allows smart home applications to dispense with contact and wearable devices. Experiments demonstrate that this method can identify the supine position (i.e., after a fall) with 100% accuracy, and the average identification rate is 95.0%.

A haptonema is an elongated microtubule-based motile organelle uniquely present in haptophytes. The most notable and rapid movement of a haptonema is “coiling”, which occurs within a few milliseconds following mechanical stimulation in an unknown motor-independent mechanism. Here, we analyzed the coiling process in detail by high-speed filming and showed that haptonema coiling was initiated by left-handed twisting of the haptonema, followed by writhing to form a helix from the distal tip. On recovery from a mechanical stimulus, the helix slowly uncoiled from the proximal region. Electron microscopy showed that the seven microtubules in a haptonema were arranged mostly in parallel but that one of the microtubules often wound around the others in the extended state. A microtubule stabilizer, paclitaxel, inhibited coiling and induced right-handed twisting of the haptonema in the absence of Ca2+, suggesting changes in the microtubule surface lattice. Addition of Ca2+ caused bend propagation toward the proximal region. These results indicate that switching microtubule conformation, possibly with the aid of Ca2+-binding microtubule-associated proteins is responsible for rapid haptonematal coiling.

This study investigated the taxonomic affiliation of the algal strain nak-9, which has been reported to absorb radioactive cesium with high efficiency, using light and electron microscopy, and molecular phylogenetic analysis based on 18S ribosomal RNA gene (rDNA) sequences. This alga is spherical and coccoid, with a smooth cell wall, large vacuole, crystalline structure, reddish globule, and refractile granules (lamellate vesicles). The cells possess one to several greenish parietal chloroplasts with a bulging pyrenoid surrounded by lamellate vesicles. The chloroplasts include orderly thylakoid lamellae but no girdle lamella. Molecular phylogenetic analysis suggests that strain nak-9 is a member of the eustigmatophycean clade, which includes Goniochloris, Pseudostaurastrum, and Trachydiscus. On the basis of these results, we propose that strain nak-9 (NIES-2860) comprises a new species and new genus of the Eustigmatophyceae, Vacuoliviride crystalliferum gen. et sp. nov.

Hatena arenicola (Katablepharidophycota) is a single-celled eukaryote that temporarily possesses a chlorophyte alga of the genus Nephroselmis as an intracellular symbiont. In the present study, we investigated the molecular diversity of the endosymbiont Nephroselmis in a natural population of the host H. arenicola. We sequenced the host’s 18S rRNA gene and the endosymbiont’s plastid-encoded 16S rRNA gene. The results indicated that almost identical strains of the host harbored at least three distinct strains of the algal endosymbiont affiliated to the clade Nephroselmis rotunda. This finding supports our previous hypothesis that H. arenicola and its symbiotic alga are in an early stage of secondary endosymbiosis.