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Plant-parasitic nematodes (PPNs), such as root-knot nematodes (RKNs) and cyst nematodes (CNs), are among the most devastating pests in agriculture. RKNs and CNs induce redifferentiation of root cells into feeding cells, which provide water and nutrients to these nematodes. Plants trigger immune responses to PPN infection by recognizing PPN invasion through several different but complementary systems. Plants recognize pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) sderived from PPNs by cell surface–localized pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), leading to pattern-triggered immunity (PTI). Plants can also recognize tissue and cellular damage caused by invasion or migration of PPNs through PRR-based recognition of damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs). Resistant plants have the added ability to recognize PPN effectors via intracellular nucleotide-binding domain leucine-rich repeat (NLR)-type immune receptors, leading to NLR-triggered immunity. Some PRRs may also recognize apoplastic PPN effectors and induce PTI. Plant immune responses against PPNs include the secretion of anti-nematode enzymes, the production of anti-nematode compounds, cell wall reinforcement, production of reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide, and hypersensitive response–mediated cell death. In this review, we summarize the recognition mechanisms for PPN infection and what is known about PPN-induced immune responses in plants.

The lactate threshold (LT1), which is defined as the first rise in lactate concentration during incremental exercise, has not been non-invasively and conveniently determined in a clinical setting. We aimed to visualize changes in lactate concentration in sweat during exercise using our wearable lactate sensor and investigate the relationship between the lactate threshold (LT1) and ventilatory threshold (VT1). Twenty-three healthy subjects and 42 patients with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) were enrolled. During exercise, the dynamic changes in lactate values in sweat were visualized in real-time with a sharp continuous increase up to volitional exhaustion and a gradual decrease during the recovery period. The LT1 in sweat was well correlated with the LT1 in blood and the VT1 (r = 0.92 and 0.71, respectively). In addition, the Bland–Altman plot described no bias between the mean values (mean differences: − 4.5 and 2.5 W, respectively). Continuous monitoring of lactate concentrations during exercise can provide additional information for detecting the VT1.

Phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligonucleotides (PMOs) are a promising type of antisense oligonucleotides, but their challenging synthesis makes them difficult to access. This research presents an efficient synthetic approach for PMOs using the H -phosphonate approach. The use of phosphonium-type condensing reagents significantly reduced coupling times compared with the current synthetic approach. Furthermore, phosphonium-type condensing reagents facilitated the fragment condensation of PMO, synthesizing up to 8-mer containing all four nucleobases with remarkable coupling efficacy. This is the first report on the convergent synthesis of PMOs. This approach would facilitate the large-scale synthesis of PMOs and accelerate their popularity and accessibility as a next-generation therapy.

Chitosan has various tissue regeneration effects. This study was designed to investigate the nerve regeneration effect of Schwann cell (SC)-encapsulated chitosan-collagen hydrogel nerve conduit (CCN) transplanted into a rat model of sciatic nerve defect. We prepared a CCN consisting of an outer layer of chitosan hydrogel and an inner layer of collagen hydrogel to encapsulate the intended cells. Rats with a 10-mm sciatic nerve defect were treated with SCs encapsulated in CCN (CCN+), CCN without SCs (CCN−), SC-encapsulated silicone tube (silicone+), and autologous nerve transplanting (auto). Behavioral and histological analyses indicated that motor functional recovery, axonal regrowth, and myelination of the CCN+ group were superior to those of the CCN− and silicone+ groups. Meanwhile, the CCN− and silicone+ groups showed no significant differences in the recovery of motor function and nerve histological restoration. In conclusion, SC-encapsulated CCN has a synergistic effect on peripheral nerve regeneration, especially axonal regrowth and remyelination of host SCs. In the early phase after transplantation, SC-encapsulated CCNs have a positive effect on recovery. Therefore, using SC-encapsulated CCNs may be a promising approach for massive peripheral nerve defects.

Nerve guidance conduits (NGCs) composed of biocompatible polymers have been attracting attention as an alternative for autograft surgery in peripheral nerve regeneration. However, the nerve tissues repaired by NGCs often tend to be inadequate and lead to functional failure because of the lack of cellular supports. This paper presents a chitosan-collagen hydrogel conduit containing cells to induce peripheral nerve regeneration with cellular support. The conduit composed of two coaxial hydrogel layers of chitosan and collagen is simply made by molding and mechanical anchoring attachment with holes made on the hydrogel tube. A chitosan layer strengthens the conduit mechanically, and a collagen layer provides a scaffold for cells supporting the axonal extension. The conduits of different diameters (outer diameter approximately 2–4 mm) are fabricated. The conduit is bioabsorbable with lysozyme, and biocompatible even under bio absorption. In the neuron culture demonstration, the conduit containing Schwann cells induced the extension of the axon of neurons directed to the conduit. Our easily fabricated conduit could help the high-quality regeneration of peripheral nerves and contribute to the nerve repair surgery.

Complexity of quantum phases of matter is often understood theoretically by using gauge structures, as is recognized by the Z 2 and U(1) gauge theory description of spin liquids in frustrated magnets. Anomalous Hall effect of conducting electrons can intrinsically arise from a U(1) gauge expressing the spatial modulation of ferromagnetic moments or from an SU(2) gauge representing the spin-orbit coupling effect. Similarly, in insulating ferro and antiferromagnets, the magnon contribution to anomalous transports is explained in terms of U(1) and SU(2) fluxes present in the ordered magnetic structure. Here, we report thermal Hall measurements of MnSc 2 S 4 in an applied field up to 14 T, for which we consider an emergent higher rank SU(3) flux, controlling the magnon transport. The thermal Hall coefficient takes a substantial value when the material enters a three-sublattice antiferromagnetic skyrmion phase, which is in agreement with the linear spin-wave theory. In our description, magnons are dressed with SU(3) gauge field, which is a mixture of three species of U(1) gauge fields originating from the slowly varying magnetic moments on these sublattices. Strongly correlated and topological phases of matter can be often described using the tools of quantum field theory. Here the authors report the thermal Hall effect in the antiferromagnetic skyrmion lattice of MnSc 2 S 4 , revealing transport features that can be attributed to an emergent SU(3) gauge field.

Purpose We investigated the experiences of Japanese men with sexual dysfunction associated with various prostate cancer treatments. Methods We included 38 Japanese men who underwent the following initial treatments for prostate cancer: radical prostatectomy ( n  = 10), external beam radiotherapy ( n  = 12), brachytherapy ( n  = 5), and androgen deprivation therapy ( n  = 11). Semi-structured interviews were conducted regarding sexual dysfunction associated with prostate cancer treatment. Data were analyzed using a content analysis method. To obtain a unique experience for each treatment, we confirmed and organized the treatment method from which the code that constituted each category was derived. The category reliability was calculated based on Scott’s formula for the matching rate of the classification by three qualitative researchers. The criterion for good reliability was set at 70%. Results Japanese men with sexual dysfunction associated with prostate cancer treatments experienced the following: a desire to maintain sexual function and conflict in decision-making concerning the initial treatment for prostate cancer; a loss of values related to sexual dysfunction; an uncertainty regarding the consequences of sexual dysfunction; a sense of calm with fewer adverse effects of sexual dysfunction at the early treatment stage; an effort to accept sexual dysfunction; and management of their changed body at the later treatment stages. The concordance rates for the categories were 70% and 78%. Additionally, there were glimpses of experiences common to all treatments and trends in treatment-specific experiences. Conclusion It is necessary to provide care based on the experience of Japanese men with sexual dysfunction after prostate cancer treatment.

Percutaneous drainage can be used to treat infected pulmonary bullae unresponsive to antibiotics; however, it carries a high risk of bronchopleural fistula and empyema. We report the case of an elderly man with an infected pulmonary bulla successfully treated with percutaneous drainage followed by open‐window thoracostomy (OWT) for persistent air leakage. Although the infection was controlled, closing the OWT was challenging due to recurrent bronchial fistulae despite repeated surgeries. This case highlights the need to carefully identify and close all bronchial openings in the cyst wall to achieve successful closure after OWT in patients with severely infected bullae. This report describes an elderly man with an infected pulmonary bulla successfully treated with percutaneous drainage followed by open‐window thoracostomy (OWT) for persistent air leakage. Despite infection control, repeated failures of window closure occurred due to newly appearing bronchial fistulae. The case highlights the importance of meticulous identification and closure of all bronchial communications to achieve definitive healing after OWT performed for an infected pulmonary bulla.

Tendon and ligament disorders, such as tendinopathy, cause pain and limit levels of activities of daily living. Thus, devising methods to heal them is crucial. Although treatment with autologous platelet rich plasma (PRP) is reportedly useful against tendon injury, PRP requires blood sampling and its quality varies. Here we show that platelet-like cells (ASCL-PLCs) derived from a heterologous human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cell line (ASCL) promote significant tendon repair in a collagenase-induced injury model in rat Achilles tendons. Single administration of human ASCL-PLCs to rat Achilles tendon after 2 weeks of collagenase treatment significantly increased tendon strength and improved semi-quantitative histological evaluation scores in 4 weeks relative to PBS-treated controls. Moreover, xeno-graft reactions were not evident in ASCL-PLC-administered rats. In vitro , ASCL-PLC treatment significantly upregulated Col1a1 , Lox and Mkx gene expression in NIH3T3 fibroblasts and activated ERK signaling. Overall, ASCL-PLCs could serve as a useful tool to repair injured tendons and treat tendinopathy. This approach eliminates the need for blood sampling, ensures consistent quality, supports xeno-transplantation, and increases injured tendon strength.

Identifying the cause of death is important for the study of end-of-life patients using claims data in Japan. However, the validity of how cause of death is identified using claims data remains unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to verify the validity of the method used to identify the cause of death based on Japanese claims data. Our study population included patients who died at two institutions between January 1, 2018 and December 31, 2019. Claims data consisted of medical data and Diagnosis Procedure Combination (DPC) data, and five definitions developed from disease classification in each dataset were compared with death certificates. Nine causes of death, including cancer, were included in the study. The definition with the highest positive predictive values (PPVs) and sensitivities in this study was the combination of “main disease” in both medical and DPC data. For cancer, these definitions had PPVs and sensitivities of > 90%. For heart disease, these definitions had PPVs of > 50% and sensitivities of > 70%. For cerebrovascular disease, these definitions had PPVs of > 80% and sensitivities of> 70%. For other causes of death, PPVs and sensitivities were < 50% for most definitions. Based on these results, we recommend definitions with a combination of “main disease” in both medical and DPC data for cancer and cerebrovascular disease. However, a clear argument cannot be made for other causes of death because of the small sample size. Therefore, the results of this study can be used with confidence for cancer and cerebrovascular disease but should be used with caution for other causes of death.