Jumonji University

Bovine leukemia virus (BLV) causes enzootic bovine leukosis (EBL), yet its pathogenic mechanisms remain largely unclear. In particular, the role of BLV genomic integration sites (IS(s)) in BLV-induced leukemogenesis has not been fully elucidated. Here, we identified a total of 235 ISs from 99 BLV-infected cattle with lymphoma, of which 4.3% and 46.8% were located within exon and intron, respectively, while no preferential integration into CpG islands or repetitive regions was observed. All identified ISs were distinct, and no identical sites were detected among the samples. We identified 246 genes related with these ISs and protein–protein interaction analysis of these genes demonstrated one “IS-Clustered genes” composed of 85 among 246 genes. This “IS-Clustered genes” contains 12 cancer genes (14.1%) with high significantly proportion. Notably, with 55 among 99 cattle tested (55.6%) harboring ISs within this cluster, suggesting its crucial involvement in BLV-induced pathogenesis. Furthermore, integrated analysis of known lymphoma- and IS-related genes and the 85 “IS-Clustered genes” showed that key genes formed a shared cluster, indicating a potential “common EBL-associated cluster.” These findings provide important insights into the role of BLV integration in EBL development and may contribute to elucidating its molecular mechanisms underlying onset of EBL. In addition, these findings may also aid in the development of therapeutic strategies and facilitate early diagnosis.

Probiotics utilizing lactic acid bacteria (LAB) have gained considerable attention in recent trends promoting self-managed health. Specifically, LAB-mediated immune modulation has been a key focus due to its potential to reduce the risk of pathogenic invasion and enhance host immunity. Immunoglobulin A (IgA) plays a crucial role in innate defense against various pathogens. Although only a limited number of probiotic LAB strains have been shown to increase IgA production, this capability remains of great interest. Here, we report a new strain, Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris C60 (C60), which promotes IgA production through functional modulation of intestinal B cells and dendritic cells (DCs). Heat-killed (HK)-C60 increased both pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine productions in DCs via the Toll-like receptor (TLR)- Myeloid differentiation primary response 88 (MyD88) signaling pathway, as demonstrated in both a physiological mouse model and in vitro cultures using bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs). Notably, intragastric administration of HK-C60 significantly increased systemic IgA production, which was associated with the functional modification of B cells in the Peyer’s patches (PPs) of the small intestine. Immunophenotyping of PP cells from HK-C60-administered mice revealed both an expansion and functional upregulation of B cells. Mechanistically, we identified that DC-derived interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-10 play essential roles in the C60-mediated increase in IgA production by B cells. Finally, we evaluated the effect of C60 on IgA production using human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Consistent with our findings in the mouse model, PBMCs produced IgA upon HK-C60 stimulation in an IL-6- and IL-10-dependent manner. Our results suggest that C60 is a novel probiotic strain capable of enhancing IgA production in the intestinal environment, highlighting its potential for probiotic applications aimed at immune modulation.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1038/s41598-025-18576-9.

Low energy availability (LEA) in female athletes negatively impacts physical health and athletic performance. Adolescents exhibit the later chronotype (sleep-wake cycle) among all age groups. Adequate dietary intake is essential to improve LEA; however, many female collegiate athletes do not meet energy requirements, with notably low breakfast protein intake. PURPOSE: To compare nutritional intake and physical activity in female college athletes between morning and evening chronotypes. METHODS: Twenty-one female college athletes were classified by chronotype using the Morningness - Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ) developed by Horne and Ostberg into high and low MEQ score groups (high and low groups, respectively). Dietary survey was done using the 4-day food record and athletes' food intake frequency questionnaire. Physical activity during non-training hours was tracked via triaxial accelerometers. Nutrient intake and physical activity were assessed via the dietary record method at 8 time points, every 3 hours starting at midnight. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS ver. 26 (p < 0.05), with Wilcoxon's rank sum test for non-normally distributed variables and independent Student's t-test for normally distributed variables. RESULTS: The MEQ score was 58 ± 8, with 11 and 10 athletes in the high (58 ± 6) and low (46 ± 4) groups, respectively. Total energy intake was 2525 ± 757 and 1943 ± 662 kcal/day (p = 0.08), while breakfast energy intake was 497 ± 152 and 319 ± 187 kcal (p < 0.03) for the high and low groups, respectively. Physical activity from 0-3 p.m. and 9-12 p.m. were significantly higher in the high group than in the low group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The near-morning chronotype female athletes had a higher early-morning energy intake and higher physical activity excluding training time than the near-evening chronotype athletes.

Aim: Women with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) face specific challenges during pregnancy and childbirth, such as treatment restrictions and the absence of guidelines. This study therefore assessed the status of perinatal management and the needs of women with FH.Methods: We contacted 240 board-certified FH specialists, and these physicians screened eligible patients for the survey. Two internet-based surveys were conducted between August 2023 and March 2024: one for physicians and one for women with FH.Results: A total of 72 physicians completed the questionnaires. Fifty-seven percent had managed pregnant women with FH, and 64% reported difficulties, including “selecting and adjusting treatment options” and “the absence of guidelines on pregnancy and childbirth for women with FH.” Few physicians referred their patients to obstetricians prior to pregnancy. Eighty-three women with FH completed a questionnaire. Among those who had given birth after being diagnosed with FH, the most common problems reported were “could not be treated,” “obstetricians’ insufficient knowledge of FH,” and “insufficient information about pregnancy and delivery for women with FH.” Half of these women discontinued treatment for over one year. In addition, 78% of women indicated a need for counseling on pregnancy-related matters.Conclusion: Many physicians have reported challenges in managing pregnant women with FH, and some women have lost years of treatment during pregnancy-related periods. Women with FH should receive advice on planned pregnancy and breastfeeding to balance FH treatment with childbearing and parenting, and obstetricians should actively collaborate with physicians.

わが国における糖質科学分野の技術力は高く，新規糖質の開発が盛んである．これらの新規糖質は生体内で各々特徴的な代謝経路を有しており，その特性を活用して実用化されている．新規糖質の中には，経口摂取後，消化管腔内において生体由来の糖質消化酵素によって消化されにくい，かつ/または，吸収されにくい特徴を有する難消化吸収性糖質がある．その代謝的特徴から難消化吸収性糖質は，低エネルギーの甘味料（難吸収性単糖や糖アルコールなど）あるいは，澱粉の代替（食物繊維）として加工食品に利用されている．難消化吸収性糖質を食品素材として商品・実用化する際の食品表示上の課題として，熱量算出時のエネルギー換算係数および分類がある．本稿では，難消化吸収性糖質のエネルギー換算係数の評価方法および運用に関する（一社）日本食物繊維学会の取り組みに関して簡単に紹介する．また，海外における難消化吸収性糖質の食品表示ならびに製品開発における難消化吸収性糖質の利用について紹介し，我が国の難消化吸収性糖質・糖類の食品表示上の分類に関する課題を共有する．

ABSTRACTChicory (Cichorium intybus L.; witloof) contains bioactive compounds such as sesquiterpene lactones (SLs) and inulin, providing potential health benefits. However, the effects of cooking and processing on chicory's nutritional composition remain underexplored, particularly regarding its metabolite profile during low‐temperature processing. We aimed to investigate how different heating temperatures and processing times affect the nutritional composition of the whole chicory plants. We employed a targeted metabolomics approach to analyze the impact of low (30°C, 60°C) and high (100°C, microwave)‐temperature processing on chicory's nutritional profile, focusing on amino acids, sugars, organic acids, fatty acids, and other metabolites in both leaves and roots. Lower temperatures (≤ 60°C) influenced the concentration of nutritional components (sugars, free amino acids, organic acids), branched‐chain amino acids (which improve exercise performance), and γ‐aminobutyric acid (which has antihypertensive effects), depending on the composition of raw chicory. In contrast, high temperatures (100°C) and microwave processing, especially in chicory leaves, induced the formation of low molecular weight sugars from polysaccharides and glycosides, reduced free amino acid concentrations, and triggered heat‐induced aminocarbonyl reactions. This study provides valuable information for improving the flavor profile and potential health benefits of chicory by identifying optimal heat processing parameters to maintain desirable nutritional value.

Background/Objectives: Vegetable leftovers constitute more than half of Vietnamese school lunch waste, partly due to limited ingredient variety, which may reduce meal acceptance. Methods: This cross-over study assessed the impact of diversifying vegetable options on intake and satisfaction among 40 students at a suburban Vietnamese primary school. Five new menus were developed by redistributing a 100 g vegetable portion into smaller servings of multiple vegetable types, combining them creatively with protein-rich foods or rice while maintaining nutritional value and cost. Students alternated between current and new menus over four weeks. Sensory evaluations using a 5-point hedonic scale and food weighing were conducted daily. Results: Most students increased vegetable intake during the new menu period. Mean intake was significantly higher with new menus (81.5 g; 95%CI: 77.1–85.9) compared to current menus (71.1 g; 95%CI: 65.2–75.1) (p &lt; 0.001). Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that enhancing vegetable variety in combination can significantly improve intake and sensory characteristics without additional costs. This scalable strategy offers a practical solution for schools to foster healthier eating habits among students.

The digestion behavior of a food bolus comprising bread particles in the presence of gastric peristalsis remains poorly understood. This study systematically investigated the effect of bread type on in vitro gastric digestion behavior using a human gastric digestion simulator (GDS) that is capable of quantitatively simulating gastric peristalsis. A food bolus consisting of 60 g of bread (white bread, bagel, German bread, French bread, or croissant), 15 mL of a simulated salivary fluid, and 240 mL of a simulated gastric fluid was used for gastric digestion in vitro using the GDS for 3 h at 37 °C. Direct observation of the gastric digestion behavior in the GDS vessel demonstrated that the structure and composition of breads considerably influenced the physical digestion processes of bread particles. These processes include their fracture, rubbing, disintegration, swelling owing to the penetration of gastric fluid, and release of fat from their surface. Fluorescence microscopy enabled an improved understanding of the variations in the microstructure and major component distribution of the breads during the gastric digestion in vitro. The results showed how the different breads influenced gastric digestibility in vitro through quantitative gastric peristalsis. The GDS can also be applicable to studying gastric digestibility in vitro of other types of bread.

【目的】ニワトリChiオボトランスフェリンOTrfは卵白中最も加熱感受性が高い主要成分で，金属イオンが配位することにより加熱安定性が変化することが知られている．以前，Chi OTrfと他の5種の家禽；アヒルDuk，ホロホロチョウGui，ウズラJpq，ダチョウOst，シチメンチョウTkyについて，金属共存時のOTrfの加熱変性温度に関する比較研究を報告したが，今回は，加熱凝集抑制効果について比較解析した．