Osaka Gakuin University

This study was aimed at assessing the effects of cerebral sympathetic nervous system activity and renal denervation (RD) on the intrarenal renin-angiotensin system (RAS) and salt-induced nocturnal polyuria (NP). To establish a mouse model, NP was induced by Nω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester and a high-salt diet. Mice were subjected to dietary, pharmacological, and RD interventions, with blood pressure, urine output, renal norepinephrine, kidney protein expression, and c-Fos positive cells in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) assessed using standardized physiological, biochemical, and histological methods. Renal angiotensinogen (AGT) and PVN c-Fos were significantly increased in NP model mice, indicating sympathetic activation. RD lowered renal AGT and the diurnal polyuria index versus sham (1.070±0.091 vs. 1.595±0.136 arbitrary units, P<0.01; 0.182±0.018 vs. 0.338±0.021, P<0.01). Cerebral sympathetic activation may promote intrarenal RAS activity and salt-induced NP; therefore, RD may be a potential therapeutic strategy to improve NP.

Purpose: Peripapillary and macular retinoschisis can occur without visible optic pits or advanced glaucomatous optic atrophy, a condition referred to as no optic pit retinoschisis (NOPIR). This study sought to further define the clinical features of NOPIR in a single-center case series. Methods: A retrospective study of consecutive cases of NOPIR was performed at The University of Osaka Hospital in Japan. The clinical characteristics and treatment history of patients were reviewed. Results: In total, 13 eyes of 12 patients with NOPIR were included. At baseline, the mean (±SD) age was 65.8 ± 10.3 years, mean intraocular pressure was 14.9 ± 3.9 mm Hg, and mean refractive error was -2.12 ± 2.4 diopters. Two eyes had moderate glaucoma at baseline. Ten eyes (91%) did not have glaucoma at baseline; however, glaucoma developed later after the initial diagnosis. The mean time from baseline to glaucoma diagnosis was 31.6 ± 15.2 months. Of the 13 eyes, retinoschisis associated with NOPIR was treated with vitrectomy in 6 eyes and with observation in 7 eyes. The time to resolution of retinoschisis was shorter in the surgery group (mean ± SD 14.7 ± 7.6 months) than in the observation group (52.4 ± 21.4 months) (P = .005). The time to diagnosis of glaucoma was also shorter in the surgery group (9.5 ± 12.8 months) than in the observation group (35.6 ± 16.1 months) (P = .02). Conclusions: Eyes with NOPIR can have glaucoma present at the time of diagnosis, but it more commonly develops later thereafter. Screening for glaucoma and visual field testing should be considered in eyes with NOPIR.

Abstract Hippocampus is known to replay activity patterns to recall and process memories, which is often related to Hopfield-type attractor dynamics. Another line of theoretical studies suggests that hippocampal replay prioritizes replay of experiences to accelerate value learning for efficient decision making. It is unknown how hippocampal attractor dynamics perform prioritized memory sampling, and more broadly, how we can consistently relate dynamical (bottom-up) and functional (top-down) theories of hippocampal replay. In this paper, we propose an extended Hopfield-type attractor network model with momentum, kinetic energy, and conservation of the total energy, which is called momentum Hopfield model. We show that our model can be interpreted as CA3-CA1 network model with intrinsic oscillation, and such network model reproduces hippocampal replay in 1-D and 2-D spatial structures. We also prove that our model functionally works as Markov-chain Monte Carlo sampling in which recall frequencies of memory patterns can be arbitrarily biased. Using this property, we implemented prioritized experience replay using our model, which actually accelerated reinforcement learning for spatial navigation. Our model explains how dynamics of hippocampal circuits realize efficient memory sampling, providing a theoretical link between dynamics and functions of hippocampal replay.

ABSTRACT In this study, we investigated the historical and projected precipitation trends over Peninsular Malaysia (PM) using ground‐based precipitation records and high‐resolution CMIP6 GCMs from NEX‐GDDP‐CMIP6. Long‐term records from 518 reliable gauges were analysed for 1973–2022 to understand past spatial and monsoonal precipitation trends. Ten GCMs were assessed and bias‐corrected using a linear scaling method, with the five best‐performing models selected to construct a multi‐model ensemble (MME). Future trends for 2051–2100 were evaluated under the SSP2‐4.5 and SSP5‐8.5 scenarios. The results indicate a spatially heterogeneous distribution of precipitation, which is heavily influenced by topography and monsoonal regimes. Historically, negative trends have dominated the Southwest Monsoon (SWM). Meanwhile, positive trends have been observed during the Northeast Monsoon (NEM), particularly along the east coast. Under SSP2‐4.5, the future trends showed modest increases and smaller negative areas. Meanwhile, more widespread and intense declines in precipitation were projected for SSP5‐8.5, particularly along the southeastern coast. These findings highlight the climatic sensitivity of PM under varying emission pathways and emphasise the importance of integrating reliable observational data and robust model ensembles for future water resource planning and climate adaptation strategies.

This study investigated whether wakeful targeted memory reactivation (TMR) during short rest intervals improves motor learning. Participants were randomly assigned to three groups and performed a sequential key-press task under each condition: (1) TMRregular group: auditory cues played at the same speed as the previous task, (2) TMRfast group: auditory cues played 1.3 times faster, and (3) TMRrandom group: auditory cues randomized in pitch. To examine the motor learning effect of cue structure, we compared motor learning across three groups (TMRregular, TMRfast, and TMRrandom). The TMRfast group enhanced early learning gains compared with the TMRregular group. Electroencephalogram data revealed stronger functional connectivity centered on the lateral orbitofrontal cortex (lOFC) in the TMRfast group than in the TMRregular group. Together, these findings suggest that wakeful TMR can enhance early motor learning depending on cue timing and structure, highlighting the importance of optimizing sensory parameters for learning improvement.

Abstract Purpose: Postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) is a potentially fatal complication of distal pancreatectomy (DP) but the optimal prevention method is unknown. The standard methodology for DP is to dissect the pancreas using a stapler alone. This pilot study evaluated post-DP remnant closure by stapling plus a PGA felt patch and examined the predictors of POPF. Methods: We prospectively enrolled and analyzed 26 patients scheduled for DP in which the remnants were closed with staples and a PGA felt patch. Results: Primary disease included 17 pancreatic adenocarcinomas, 3 pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms, 2 mucinous cystic neoplasms, 2 solid pseudopapillary neoplasms, and 2 other disorders. The mean main pancreatic duct diameter at the excision site was 2.3 mm. The mean pancreatic parenchyma thickness was 12.3 mm. The mean pancreatic dissected line was 0.5 mm to the left from the left edge of the portal vein. We observed nine biochemical leaks and the formation of nine grade B POPFs. We found significant differences in the BMI, pancreatic parenchymal thickness, and pancreatic dissection line between patients with and without POPF. Conclusion: Although stapling and applying PGA felt did not show efficacy in preventing POPF, the pancreatic dissecting line was suggested as a risk factor.