Thermoelectric performance in the layered Zintl phase n‐type Mg3+
δ
(Sb,Bi)2 is reported. Insertion of the excess Mg into the compounds is crucial for realizing n‐type carrier transport with ...multivalley and isotropic character. An excellent ZT of 1.51 ± 0.06 at 716 K is achieved in the sintered polycrystals at the composition of Mg3.2Sb1.5Bi0.49Te0.01.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Harpellales (Zoopagomycotina) is a fungal order of which species inhabit the intestine of aquatic arthropods by attaching their thalli to the host’s gut lining. Harpellales consists of 270 species ...with over half found in Chironomidae larvae. The aim of this research is to document a species, S. pedifer, new to Japan with a chironomid host association and to list all Chironomidae-commensal species of Harpellales with host and country information.
Two species in Harpellales, Stachylina subgrandis and Smittium aggregatum were recorded for the first time in Japan. Stachylina subgrandis was identified in the midgut, and Sm. aggregatum was ...identified in the hindgut of Tanytarsini (Chironomidae) larvae. Three of the four larvae examined had dual infections with these species at each part of the gut. Smittium aggregatum has a well-developed holdfast, consisting of long obovoid cells arranged side by side surrounded by a substance for adhering to the gut lumen. The development process of the holdfast cell arrangement was observed and illustrated here.
How do large-bodied frugivores contribute to seed dispersal of large-diaspore plants? This study examined seed dispersal effectiveness for two large-diaspore tree species, Astrotrichilia asterotricha ...(AA) and Abrahamia deflexa (AD), in a Madagascan forest. I evaluated fruit removal rates through focal tree observations and factors affecting seedling recruitment up to the 2-year-old seedling stage. I confirmed brown lemur (Eulemur fulvus) as the sole disperser, removing 58.8% and 26.0% of fruits produced by AA and AD. Brown lemurs frequently visited large-crowned AA trees with high density of fallen fruits and more adjacent fruiting trees during seasons with low fruit diversity. Most AA seedlings were removed by predators, although canopy openness slightly improved seedling establishment. Although AD seeds were severely attacked by predators under mother trees, the seedlings survived under dispersal conditions distant from the mother trees, and with low density of diaspores. AD had a higher cumulative probability from fruit removal to seedling recruitment (6.5%) than AA (1.5%) in the first rainy season. This study clarifies the significance of seed dispersal to tree recruitment strategies, which vary among different combinations of tree species and large frugivores, i.e. quantitative dispersal to reach suitable microhabitats, and qualitative dispersal to escape from dangerous zones near mother trees.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
Nivolumab, an immune checkpoint inhibitor, is beneficial to patients with platinum-refractory recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (R/M-HNSCC). However, platinum-sensitive ...R/M-HNSCC has not yet been studied. Hence, in this prospective study, we evaluated the efficacy and safety of nivolumab in patients with platinum-sensitive R/M-HNSCC. This prospective single-arm study was conducted in a single institution in Japan. Patients with platinum-sensitive R/M-HNSCC (defined as head and neck cancer that recurred or metastasized at least 6 months after platinum-based chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy) were enrolled. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS). The secondary endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS), overall response rate (ORR), immune-related adverse events (irAEs), and quality of life (QOL). This study was registered at the University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN000031324). Twenty-two patients with platinum-sensitive R/M-HNSCC were enrolled. The median OS was 17.4 months, and the 1-year OS rate was 73%. The median PFS was 9.6 months, 1-year PFS rate was 48%, and ORR was 36%. Sixteen irAEs were recorded in 12 patients; however, no grade 4 or 5 irAEs were observed. The QOL assessments revealed that nivolumab did not decrease the QOL of patients. Nivolumab is effective against platinum-sensitive R/M-HNSCC with acceptable safety.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
Activation of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) by proteolytic processing is triggered in cancer microenvironments, and subsequent signaling through the MET receptor is involved in cancer progression. ...However, the structure of HGF remains elusive, and few small/medium-sized molecules can modulate HGF. Here, we identified HiP-8, a macrocyclic peptide consisting of 12 amino acids, which selectively recognizes active HGF. Biochemical analysis and real-time single-molecule imaging by high-speed atomic force microscopy demonstrated that HiP-8 restricted the dynamic domains of HGF into static closed conformations, resulting in allosteric inhibition. Positron emission tomography using HiP-8 as a radiotracer enabled noninvasive visualization and simultaneous inhibition of HGF-MET activation status in tumors in a mouse model. Our results illustrate the conformational change in proteolytic activation of HGF and its detection and inhibition by a macrocyclic peptide, which may be useful for diagnosis and treatment of cancers.
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
In the aqueous electrochemical reduction of CO2, the choice of electrolyte is responsible for the catalytic activity and selectivity, although there remains a need for more in-depth understanding of ...electrolyte effects and mechanisms. In this study, using both experimental and simulation approaches, we report how the buffer capacity of the electrolytes affects the kinetics and equilibrium of surface reactant species and the resulting reaction rate of CO2 with varying partial CO2 pressure. Electrolytes investigated include KCl (nonbuffered), KHCO3 (buffered by bicarbonate), and phosphate-buffered electrolytes. Assuming 100% methane production, the simulation successfully explains the experimental trends in maximum CO2 flux in KCl and KHCO3 and also highlights the difference between KHCO3 and phosphate in terms of pK a as well as the impact of the buffer capacity. To examine the electrolyte impact on selectivity, the model is run with a constant total current density. Using this model, several factors are elucidated, including the importance of local pH, which is not in acid/base equilibrium, the impact of buffer identity and kinetics, and the mass-transport boundary-layer thickness. The gained understanding can help to optimize CO2 reduction in aqueous environments.
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IJS, KILJ, NUK, PNG, UL, UM
Background
Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) is a novel, minimally invasive treatment for esophageal achalasia. We retrospectively examined and evaluated the results following POEM to verify the ...technique’s efficacy and safety.
Methods
We retrospectively analyzed data for patients who underwent POEM at eight Japanese facilities between September 2008 and October 2015. Pre- and postoperative assessments 3 months and 1 year after POEM included patient interviews, endoscopy, and manometry.
Results
A total of 1346 patients underwent POEM during the study period. Achalasia was the straight type in 1105 patients (82%) and the sigmoid type in 241 patients (18%). The average patient age was 47.2 years (range 3–95 years); 617 patients (46%) were men and 729 (54%) were women. Previous treatment included balloon dilatation in 381 patients (28%) and Heller–Dor operation in 43 patients (3%). The average operation time was 99.6 min. The mean length of the myotomy in the esophageal body was 10.8 cm, and the myotomy extended into the stomach a mean of 2.8 cm. The response rate (Eckardt score ≤ 3) was 95.1% 3 months postoperatively and 94.7% 1 year postoperatively. We noted 50 adverse events (3.7%) of Clavien–Dindo classification grade ≤ IIIa, and all resolved with conservative treatment. There were no Clavien–Dindo classification grade ≥ IIIb adverse events. After POEM, erosive esophagitis according to the Los Angeles classification was absent in 37% of the patients, grade A in 33%, B in 24%, C in 6%, and D in 0.2%. Symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux disease after POEM was confirmed in 14.8% of the patients; both erosive esophagitis and symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux disease responded to treatment with a proton-pump inhibitor.
Conclusion
Our results confirmed the safety and efficacy of POEM in a large patient series and support POEM as the first-line and standard treatment for esophageal achalasia.
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OBVAL, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
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