Takenaka (Japan)

Guttae are a hallmark of Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) and the disease’s progression. A posterior fibrillar layer (PFL) that covers central guttae has been previously described, but its formation and progression remain unclear. This study aims to further investigate the characteristics of guttae and the PFL in FECD. In a well-characterized prospective FECD patient cohort, a total of 43 DMEK (Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty) specimens were immunostained for ZO1 or COL1, flat-mounted, and analyzed using differential interference contrast (DIC), autofluorescence (excited at 480 nm), and polarized light microscopy. Guttae and PFL were quantified and correlated with clinical data. Guttae were visualized by DIC and autofluorescence imaging and classified into two types with gradual transition: peripheral, knob-like guttae and central, flat guttae. Guttae with low autofluorescence often were covered by corneal endothelial cells (CEnC). Central guttae were found to be covered by a PFL that contained COL1 and was visualized using polarized light microscopy. The PFL displayed a fibrous structure that blurred guttae in DIC illumination. Its presence correlated with clinical parameters, such as anterior scatter and post-operative corneal edema resolution providing insight into the relation of PFL and FECD severity. The combination of DIC, autofluorescence, and polarized light microscopy provides a robust method for investigating guttae and the PFL. This could facilitate preoperative assessment of corneal donor tissue and enhance postoperative clinical diagnostics by detailed detection of guttae and PFL in patients.

In this study, we conducted dynamic performance verification tests on High Damping Rubber Bearing (HDR). A test specimen was a full-scale HDR with a rubber outer diameter of 1,500mm. Large displacements of 875 mm and high velocities of 1,660 mm/s were applied to the specimen. We confirmed that the HDR showed stable dynamic characteristics under sinusoidal waves with various loading conditions. Furthermore, the HDR exhibited stable behavior even when a seismic response wave exceeding 1,500mm/s under low compressive stress was applied.

Advances in microfabrication technology have enabled precise control of surface geometry, which strongly influences cellular behavior, including adhesion, alignment, and differentiation. However, previous studies have employed diverse substrate materials and fabrication conditions, making it difficult to rigorously evaluate the pure geometric effects of the microstructures. Consequently, variations in physicochemical and mechanical properties, such as surface chemistry and stiffness, have confounded the interpretation of geometry-specific effects. To clarify the influence of microgeometry on cell behavior, particularly cell differentiation, stripe- and mesh-patterned polystyrene substrates were used to systematically investigate the relationship between surface geometry and cell behavior. Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) and C2C12 myoblasts were seeded on the substrates, and their adhesion morphology and alignment were observed using calcein-AM staining. Osteogenic and myogenic differentiation were subsequently induced, and the expression of differentiation markers was analyzed by immunostaining and RT-qPCR. In hMSCs, osteogenic differentiation was promoted in geometries that facilitated intercellular contact, whereas it was suppressed in highly confined geometries, such as stripes and meshes with greater ridge heights. In C2C12 myoblasts, a clear enhancement of myogenic differentiation was observed on striped substrates, where cells exhibited elongated morphologies aligned with the grooves, accompanied by an elevated expression of myogenin and dystrophin. These findings indicate that the differentiation-promoting or differentiation-suppressive effects of microgeometry are cell type-dependent and are governed by cellular alignment, intercellular interactions, and adhesion morphology. The insights gained from this study may contribute to the rational design of next-generation regenerative scaffolds and highlight the potential applications of microgeometric substrates in drug-screening platforms.

Abstract This study presents the design and construction of an office building - that harmonizes with nature through the integration of semi-indoor and semi-outdoor spaces. The space configuration enables office workers to choose their preferred environmental conditions while contributing to reducing the air-conditioning load and maximizing the daylight use. The plan creates a gradual transition from conventional workspace to the semi-outdoor space Seasonal Terrace, with controlled air-conditioning, ventilation, and lighting systems adopting to occupants’ work style and comfort needs.

This study analyzes the impact of spatial configuration in special nursing homes on caregivers’ burden and residents’ quality of life (QOL). Data were collected from 46 facilities in Tokyo and Tochigi before COVID-19, classifying configurations by the proportion of rooms facing common areas and the number of common spaces. Results indicate that the hall-type, integrated layout—often presented as a standard model for unit care—yields lower QOL ratings. In contrast, corridor-type and mixed-type layouts with a higher proportion of corridor-facing rooms, as well as segmented common spaces, prove advantageous.

Black Ivory Coffee (BIC), produced through the digestion of Arabica coffee beans by Asian elephants, is recognized for its smooth, chocolaty flavor and low bitterness. However, the biological mechanisms underlying its unique taste remain poorly understood. In this study, we conducted a preliminary analysis of the gut microbiome of BIC-producing elephants and compared it with that of control elephants. 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis revealed significant differences in microbial community structure, including the enrichment of specific bacterial genera such as Acinetobacter and family such as Izemoplasmataceae in the BIC group. Functional prediction using PICRUSt2 indicated that the BIC elephant gut microbiome harbors key enzymes involved in the degradation and utilization of pectin and cellulose—major components of coffee cherries and beans. Notably, genes related to pectin transport and downstream metabolism, including K08191 and K01812, were significantly more abundant in BIC elephants. These pathways may contribute to the degradation of specific compounds, such as 2-furfuryl furan, which has been previously shown to decrease after gastrointestinal passage. Comparative analysis with other animals revealed that only elephants harbored a complete set of pectin-degrading genes. Our findings suggest that the gut microbiota of BIC elephants facilitates microbial fermentation of coffee components, potentially influencing the chemical profiles of Black Ivory Coffee.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1038/s41598-025-24196-0.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a common disease and a clinically significant problem. When patients are treated with antidiabetic medications, issues related to target blood glucose levels can arise. Although achieving lower glucose targets is beneficial, it increases the risk of hypoglycemia. Because conventional treatments are often ineffective in addressing this issue, new strategies are needed. Heparin-warfarin treatment partially resolved portal vein thromboses (PVTs); subsequently, I unexpectedly observed that heparin-warfarin therapy could ameliorate mild to moderate T2DM, reducing the need for antidiabetic medications to one or none. One to two weeks after initiating heparin-warfarin treatment, I had to reduce the use of diabetes medications to one or zero to continue the therapy and avoid hypoglycemia. It remains unclear whether additional heparin-warfarin treatment can further improve glycemic control in patients who require only one diabetes medication. A 72-year-old male with a history of cerebral infarction and T2DM was initially treated with heparin-warfarin and later received additional heparin-warfarin therapy to resolve PVTs. The patient underwent transesophageal echocardiography and cardiac CT to assess chronic thrombi. Heparin-warfarin treatment improved T2DM and partially resolved PVTs and thrombi in the ascending aorta (AAo). With additional therapy, T2DM further improved, allowing a reduction in diabetes medications from 3 to 0. After discontinuation of diabetes medication, the patient experienced neither hypoglycemia nor hyperglycemia, and blood glucose levels ranged from 90 to 120 mg/dL before meals. Some thrombi were partially resolved. Overall, additional heparin-warfarin therapy improved the patient’s T2DM, reduced the need for diabetes medications from three to none, and partially resolved PVTs and AAo thrombi. Heparin-warfarin therapy may represent a safer and more effective option for patients with T2DM.

Dynamic loading tests were conducted on 1300φ lead rubber bearings using E-Isolation. FEM analysis calculated lead temperature changes using force and deformation data from these tests. We demonstrated that the relationship between yield stress and strain rate depends on temperature, and this follows the Arrhenius law. The activation energy of lead was determined, and yield force was formulated against lead temperature and strain rate. The derived equation matched well with existing experimental formulas and simulated well the experimental data.

A series of the proposed GRSA-based computational morphogenesis subjected to dead load and seismic load was performed for a metal gridshell with square plane to investigate the relationship between the design variables (roof geometry or member section) and the design philosophy (structural or economical rationality). Furthermore, the steel amount, dynamic characteristic, seismic performance and buckling load of the form-founded models were analyzed by linear static analysis, non-linear response history analysis, linear buckling analysis and non-linear buckling analysis.

New admixtures have been developed for high-fluidity, super-low shrinkage concretes. The properties of fresh and hardened high-fluidity, super-low shrinkage concretes using these admixtures were examined in laboratory experiments. It was found that the concretes using these admixtures have the effect of improving carbonation resistance by the experiments. Furthermore, the cause or mechanism was examined, and it was found that the amount of pores larger than 400 or 500 Å was reduced. It is expected that the concretes will have high durability not only in terms of improving crack resistance by reducing shrinkage, but also in terms of improving carbonation resistance.