Editorial:Transcriptome analysis in tumor microenvironment and tumor heterogeneity

Cancer,a disease as intricate as it is devastating,continues to challenge the medical and scientific community[1].Its complex nature is epitomized by the tumor microenvironment and tumor heterogeneity.As we delve deeper into the realms of cancer research,the advent of transcriptome analysis has emerged as a powerful torchbearer,illuminating our understanding of these enigmatic facets of cancer biology[2].

The Role of Jasmonates as Antibulbing Substances in the Bulb Formation of Onion

Onion plants form spherical bulbs under long-day conditions.Substances regulating bulb formation remain unknown.In the course of chemical studies on the bulb formation,α-linolenic acid was isolated from onion extracts as an antibulbing substance,the amount of which was synchronized with the bulb formation.Since allene oxide synthase inhibitor canceled the antibulbing activity ofα-linolenic acid,it was disclosed that jasmonic acid concerns this regulation.Structure-activity-relationship study revealed that its(3R,7S)stereochemistry is necessary for showing its antibulbing activity.It is concluded that(3R,7S)-jasmonate derived fromα-linolenic acid actually participates in the regulation of bulb formation.

Phase engineering of Ni-Mn binary layered oxide cathodes for sodiumion batteries

Nickel-manganese binary layered oxides with high working potential and low cost are potential candidates for sodium-ion batteries,but their electrochemical properties are highly related to compositional diversity.Diverse composite materials with various phase structures of P3,P2/P3,P2,P2/O3,and P2/P3/O3 were synthesized by manipulating the sodium content and calcination conditions,leading to the construction of a synthetic phase diagram for Na_(x)Ni_(0.25)Mn_(0.75)O_(2)(0.45≤x≤1.1).Then,we compared the electrochemical characteristics and structural evolution during the desodiation/sodiation process of P2,P2/P3,P2/03,and P2/P3/O3-Na_(x)Ni_(0.25)Mn_(0.75)O_(2).Among them,P2/P3-Na0.75Ni0.25Mn0.75O2exhibits the best rate capability of 90.9 mA h g^(-1)at 5 C,with an initial discharge capacity of 142.62 mA h g^(-1)at 0.1 C and a capacity retention rate of 78.25%after 100 cycles at 1 C in the voltage range of 2-4.3 V.The observed superior sodium storage performance of P2/P3 hybrids compared to other composite phases can be attributed to the enhanced Na^(+)transfer dynamic,reduction of the Jahn-teller effect,and improved reaction reversibility induced by the synergistic effect of P2 and P3 phases.The systematic research and exploration of phases in Na_(x)Ni_(0.25)Mn_(0.75)O_(2)provide new sights into high-performance nickel-manganese binary layered oxide for sodium-ion batteries.

Nitrogen Flow in the Rural Ecosystem of Mikasa City in Hokkaido, Japan

This study of Mikasa City in 2001, which analyzed N flow between N production and N load in seven agricultural and settlement subsystems, i.e., paddy, onion, wheat, vegetable, dairy, chicken, and citizen subsystems, aimed to compare N flow in each subsystem, to determine the main sources of the N load, and to evaluate the influence of agricultural production and food consumption on N cycling in a rural area. The results showed that in Mikasa city, 38.5% of the N load came from point sources and the remainder from non-point sources with intensive vegetable farming imparting a serious N load. Because of the internal N cycling in the dairy subsystem, chemical fertilizer application was reduced by 70.2%, and 23.72 Mg manure N was recycled to the field; therefore, the N utilization efficiency was raised from 18.1% to 35.1%. If all the manure N in the chicken subsystem was recycled, chemical fertilizer application would be reduced by 8.1% from the present level, and the point sources of N pollution would be reduced by 20.8%.

Nitrous oxide fluxes from upland soils in central Hokkaido,Japan

Nitrous oxide (N2O) fluxes from soils were measured using the closed chamber method during the snow-free seasons (middle April to early November),for three years,in a total of 11 upland crop fields in central Hokkaido,Japan.The annual mean N2O fluxes ranged from 2.95 to 164.17 μgN/(m2·h),with the lowest observed in a grassland and the highest in an onion field.The instantaneous N2O fluxes showed a large temporal variation with peak emissions generally occurring following fertilization and heavy rainfall events around harvesting in autumn.No clear common factor regulating instantaneous N2O fluxes was found at any of the study sites.Instead,instantaneous N2O fluxes at different sites were affected by different soil variables.The cumulative N2O emissions during the study period within each year varied from 0.15 to 7.05 kgN/hm2 for different sites,which accounted for 0.33% to 5.09% of the applied fertilizer N.No obvious relationship was observed between cumulative N2O emission and applied fertilizer N rate (P > 0.4).However,the cumulative N2O emission was significantly correlated with gross mineralized N as estimated by CO2 emissions from bare soils divided by C/N ratios of each soil,and with soil mineral N pool (i.e.,the sum of gross mineralized N and fertilizer N) (P < 0.001).

A preliminary study on the effects of line and selective thinning on bird communities in Hokkaido, northern Japan

In Japan, selective thinning is a common thinning method, though line thinning receives much attention because of its economic merits. In this study, we examined effects of the two thinning methods on bird communities in Todo fir (Abies sachalinensis) plantations in Hokkaido, Japan. We surveyed bird species in forests under four different management types - unthinned, selectively thinned, line-thinned plantation, and naturally regenerated forest (here after referred to as natural forest) stands - using a line-transect method. We also investigated vegetation structure (canopy tree and understory) of these stands. Bird species richness did not differ between natural forests and plantations, while bird total abundance was greater in plantations than in natural forests. Bird species richness and total abundance were comparable among the three management types for plantations. Abundances of 10 bird species were different among the four management types, and five species were more abundant in line-thinned plantations. However, two species were more abundant in selectively thinned stands than in line-thinned stands, and they frequently appeared in natural forests. There were no distinct differences in vegetation structure among the management types for plantations. Our results suggest that line thinning could be beneficial for some bird species in plantations.

Seroprevalence of Helicobacter pylori in dyspeptic patients and its relationship with HIV infection,ABO blood groups and life style in a university hospital,Northwest Ethiopia

瞄准：在消化不良的病人之中决定 Helicobacter pylori (H pylori ) 的流行并且估计在 H pylori 感染，血型， HIV 感染和病人的生活方式之间的关系。方法：在基于医院的代表性的研究， Gondar 医院的大学的病人出席门诊病人部门被注册。Socio 人口统计的信息用问询表被收集。浆液用一个商业工具包为 anti-H pylori IgG 抗体被分析。HIV serostatus 被连接酶的免疫吸着剂试金(ELISA ) 决定。Blood grouping 被幻灯片凝集试验执行。结果：215 个消化不良的病人的一个总数在学习被包括。116 个病人(54%) 是女性，(46%) 99 是男性。Anti-H pylori IgG 抗体在重量的单位被检测一 of 184 (85.6%) 病人。流行在 50 年并且在上面的病人是显著地更高的。百分之五个病人被发现是为 HIV 的血清反应阳性的二十个点。没有重要协会为 H pylori 在性别，土佬血型，香的食谱的消费，社会经济的地位和 seropositivity 之间被发现。然而，白酒消费显著地与 H pylori 血清学被联系。结论：H pylori 感染的流行与白酒吸入和老年的历史被联系。象为 H pylori 感染的风险因素的不同饮食，酒精和社会经济的地位的效果需要进一步的学习。

Relationship of general trust with individual health and life related factors among frail elderly residents at home in Hokkaido rural areas in Japan

General Trust (GT), defined as a default expec-tation of other people’s trustworthiness, is assumed to be a predictor for promotion of health and welfare in individuals as well as for strengthening of social capital in the community. An improvement of health and quality of life of the elderly is recently a crucial agenda. Thus, the purpose of the study was to explore which factors regarding health and life associated with GT among frail elderly people living at homes in Japanese rural area. The study selected the subjects who were designated within three mildest degrees in seven stages of long-term care levels and who met at an item and more in the national basic check-list. 209 participants were interviewed by trained health personnel using a structured questionnaire. GT was measured by a dichotomous outcome of inquiring “do you trust people in general?”. In the univariable analysis, educational status (p = 0.004), activity competence index including instrumental activity of daily living (IADL) (p = 0.020), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) (p = 0.029) and Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS) (p = 0.010) were significantly related to GT. By logistic regression analysis using a stepwise method with a like-lihood ratio, educational status alone was sig-nificantly associate with GT (p = 0.010, odds ratio = 1.195 [95% confidence interval;1.043 - 1.371]). Health related factors had nothing to do with GT. Our finding suggested that the higher educated elderly might have had more opportunities to encounter the others and more indispensability to deliberately discern their trustworthiness than the lower, and consequently had higher GT through social intelligence being strengthened.

A Survey of Community Pharmacists about Work-Related Issues, How they Solve them, and who they Consult with to Solve them: Comparison of Results from the Hokkaido Area vs. a Nationwide Survey

We surveyed the drug information retrieval practices among community pharmacists in more rural Hokkaido and in entire Japan in order to explore local characteristics of work-related issues, how community pharmacists access information to address such issues, and with whom they consult to solve them. Based on the findings, we propose a strategy for improvements in similar support systems. The percentage of respondents who had experience with home care services was significantly lower in the Hokkaido group (56.0% of 207) than in the nationwide group (70.0% of 250), as was the percentage of respondents who consulted the pharmacist association and branch board (13.0% and 20.4%, respectively). The Hokkaido group also made significantly less use of websites such as d.m3.com and e.CareNet.com. The results of this survey thus indicate that the drug information retrieval in the Hokkaido group had a low implementation rate of home care services. In addition, there were low levels of utilization of the local pharmacist association, and low utilization of the websites d.m3.com and e.CareNet.com. To enhance the Hokkaido community-based integrated care system (and ones like it), we propose that it is necessary to: 1) support activities of local pharmacist associations, and 2) promote proactive implementation of drug information retrieval through education.

Fixed-ratio combinations of basal insulin and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists as a promising strategy for treating diabetes

The maintenance of appropriate glycemic control is important for the prevention of diabetic complications in people with type 2 diabetes(T2D). Numerous oral antidiabetic drugs are now clinically available, but in particular, the introduction of injection regimens using insulin and/or glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist(GLP-1RA)s represents promising step-up options for oral antidiabetic drug treatment. The recently licensed fixed-ratio combination(FRC) products,which comprise basal insulin and a GLP-1RA, have potent anti-hyperglycemic effects and reduce the undesirable side-effects of each component, such as body weight gain, hypoglycemia, and gastrointestinal symptoms. Two FRCs-insulin degludec/Liraglutide and insulin glargine/Lixisenatide-are now clinically available and, to date, several phase Ⅱ/Ⅲ trials have been conducted in particular groups of subjects with T2D. However, their utility in real-world clinical settings is of interest for most clinicians. Recently reported real-world clinical trials of these two FRCs in various situations have demonstrated their efficacy regarding glycemic control and the quality of life of people with T2D. Their long-term safety and efficacy require confirmation, but a treatment strategy that includes an FRC may be compatible with the concept of “well-balanced” therapy in certain groups of patients with T2D who have inadequate glycemic control.

Regulation of the growth of sprouting roots of black locust seedlings using root barrier panels

How can we regulate an invasive alien species of high commercial value?Black locust(Robinia pseudoacacia L.)has a unique capacity for seed dispersal and high germination.Field surveys indicate that black locust increases its growing area with sprouting roots and the elongation of horizontal roots at a soil depth of 10 cm.Therefore,a method to regulate the development of horizontal roots could be eff ective in slowing the invasiveness of black locust.In this study,root barrier panels were tested to inhibit the growth of horizontal roots.Since it is labor intensive to observe the growth of roots in the fi eld,it was investigated in a nursery setting.The decrease in secondary fl ush,an increase in yellowed leafl ets,and the height in the seedlings were measured.Installing root barrier panels to a depth of 30 cm eff ectively inhibit the growth of horizontal roots of young black locust.

Relative importance of tidal flats and artificial habitats for two spoonbill species and related interspecific differences

Artificial/seminatural environments,such as aquacultural ponds,saltpans,and croplands,have recently been acknowledged as important habitats for coastal waterbirds.Although coastal waterbirds tend to use artificial habitats around tidal flats as roosting sites during high-tide,it remains unclear whether the importance of surrounding habitats relative to tidal flats varies among landscape types,seasons,species,or tidal conditions.The Black-faced Spoonbill(Platalea minor)and Eurasian Spoonbill(P.leucorodia)are two closely related sympatric species in East Asia with narrow and wide distribution ranges and habitat requirements,respectively.We therefore expect that both species will use surrounding artificial habitats across seasons at high tides,but Blackfaced Spoonbills will use them less frequently than Eurasian Spoonbills.Here,we address these hypotheses in the Imazu tidal flat and its surrounding environments in southern Japan.We investigated the habitat use and behavioral patterns of both species through route and behavioral surveys during the fall migration and wintering seasons in 2021.We found that both species used surrounding habitats including artificial ones more frequently than the tidal flat regardless of the tidal condition or season,but spoonbills used these habitats more frequently in winter than in autumn.We also found that Eurasian Spoonbills foraged in surrounding artificial habitats more frequently than Black-faced Spoonbills.These results not only demonstrate how coastal waterbirds exploit surrounding habitats relative to tidal flats but also suggest that the importance of surrounding habitats varies among species and seasons.Our study thus emphasizes that valuing and managing surrounding habitats in addition to tidal flats are key to conserving globally declining waterbirds.

水脱盐用电容去离子化炭材料研究进展

本文综述了炭材料用于水脱盐的电容去离子化(CDI)电极的研究进展。首先,基于盐吸附容量(SAC)、吸附速率(SAR)和电荷效率(CE)比较了各种类型的CDI反应池,包括流动型(FB)、膜型(M)、流经电极型(FTE)以及流动电极(FE)型反应池。进而,基于电容和电池两种类型重点讨论了炭电极材料的研究进展。研究表明,具有短路运行模式的流动电极(FE)反应池可望用于实际应用以解决未来日益增长的缺水需求。

Conjunctival cyst with apocrine hidrocystoma-like features:a case report

Dear Editor,I am Takafumi Igarashi from Hokkaido University Hospital,Japan.Apocrine hidrocystoma is a benign cystic tumor arising in the apocrine sweat glands proposed by Mehregan^([1])in 1964.It is likely that apocrine hidrocystoma arises in the uvula,ears,chest,and shoulders,as well as the (peri)ocular regions such as the eyelid,and sclera^([2-4]).

Soft ground tunnel lithology classification using clustering-guided light gradient boosting machine

During tunnel boring machine(TBM)excavation,lithology identification is an important issue to understand tunnelling performance and avoid time-consuming excavation.However,site investigation generally lacks ground samples and the information is subjective,heterogeneous,and imbalanced due to mixed ground conditions.In this study,an unsupervised(K-means)and synthetic minority oversampling technique(SMOTE)-guided light-gradient boosting machine(LightGBM)classifier is proposed to identify the soft ground tunnel classification and determine the imbalanced issue of tunnelling data.During the tunnel excavation,an earth pressure balance(EPB)TBM recorded 18 different operational parameters along with the three main tunnel lithologies.The proposed model is applied using Python low-code PyCaret library.Next,four decision tree-based classifiers were obtained in a short time period with automatic hyperparameter tuning to determine the best model for clustering-guided SMOTE application.In addition,the Shapley additive explanation(SHAP)was implemented to avoid the model black box problem.The proposed model was evaluated using different metrics such as accuracy,F1 score,precision,recall,and receiver operating characteristics(ROC)curve to obtain a reasonable outcome for the minority class.It shows that the proposed model can provide significant tunnel lithology identification based on the operational parameters of EPB-TBM.The proposed method can be applied to heterogeneous tunnel formations with several TBM operational parameters to describe the tunnel lithologies for efficient tunnelling.

Landscape gradient of autumn photosynthetic decline in Abies sachalinensis seedlings

Understanding what environmental factors are genetically linked to a phenologic al event is critical for predicting responses to climate change.Photo synthetic phenology often varies among a species of evergreen conifers due to local adaptation.However,few empirical studies have revealed relevant relationships between climatic factors in provenance environments and photosynthetic phenology.This study evaluated the effects of environmental conditions of the growing site and seed source provenance on the seasonal changes in maximal photochemical quantum yield of photo systemⅡ(Fv/Fm)in a common garden experiment with 2-year-old seedlings of Sakhalin fir(Abies sachalinensis),a representative species with local adaptation,from four seed source provenances.A logistic model was constructed to explain the seasonal variation of Fv/Fmfrom July to October and the relationships between the estimated model parameters and representative factors featuring provenance environments were evaluated.The landscape gradient of the detected model parameters responsible for the provenance environments was visualized in a map of the distribution area.The lowest temperature was the most plausible factor in the growing environment to explain the seasonal changes of Fv/Fm.Among the representative meteorological factors of provenance environments,the lowest temperatures in July showed significant relationships with two model parameters,explaining the lower limit of Fv/Fmand the higher sensitivity of autumn Fv/Fmdecline.The estimated spatial maps of model parameters consistently showed that the higher the lowest temperature in July in the provenance environment,the lower the Fv/Fmin October and the greater the decrease in the autumn Fv/Fmdecline.Therefore,the lowest summer temperature could be associated with the local adaptation of autumn photosynthetic phenology in A.sachalinensis.

Testing phaeophytinization as an index of ozone stress in trees

Ground-level ozone pollution is a menace for vegetation in the northern hemisphere,limiting photosynthetic pigments and suppressing photosynthesis in trees and other types of plants.Phaeophytinization is the process of converting chlorophylls into phaeophytins,for example by acidifi cation.Ozone is a highly oxidizing molecule and well known to degrade chlorophylls;however,the eff ect of ozone on phaeophytinization in leaves of higher plants is largely unknown.To reveal ozone eff ect on phaeophytinization and evaluate the potential of phaeophytinization as an index of ozone stress in trees,the absorbance at the optical density of 665 nm was measured before(OD_(665))and after(OD_(665a))acidifi cation in three independent experiments with nearly 30 conditions of ozone exposure.Both current ambient and elevated ozone widely aff ected phaeophytinization,as indicated by decreases or increases in the phaeophytinization quotient OD_(665)/OD_(665a).These eff ects were commonly moderate to large in magnitude and practically signifi cant,and occurred even in ozone-asymptomatic leaves.It emerges that the ozone eff ect on phaeophytinization is bimodal,likely depending on the intensity of ozone stress.These results indicate a promising feature of OD_(665)/OD_(665a)as a thorough index of ozone stress in the future,but further studies are needed to reveal the underlying biochemical mechanisms of the bimodal eff ect on phaeophytinization.

Median neuropathy after multiple punctures of the forearm for catheterization:A case report

BACKGROUND Neuropathy may occur at some sites after catheterization for close examination of cardiac disease.Although the radial artery is considered a relatively uncomplicated site for catheterization,the radial artery and median nerve are in relatively close proximity,with the risk of median nerve injury depending on the angle of puncture.The purpose of this study was to report the outcomes of surgery performed for conservative therapy-resistant median neuropathy following forearm catheterization.CASE SUMMARY A 50-year-old woman experienced palsy from the right thumb to the radial side of the ring finger after catheterization from the radial artery of the right forearm.Paresthesia developed at the same site and a positive tinel-like sign was seen for the median nerve area at the high level of the puncture site.Nerve conduction study showed reduced compound muscle action potentials and loss of sensory nerve action potentials.Symptoms did not improve despite pharmacotherapy and the patient gradually developed flexion restrictions of the index and middle fingers.Median nerve injury and associated flexor tendon adhesion was diagnosed,and the patient was referred for surgery at 3 mo after injury.When the same area was opened,no injury to the median nerve epithelium was obvious,but the area of the positive tinel-like sign was highly adherent to surrounding tissue and to the flexor digitorum superficialis of the index and middle fingers.The surgery was terminated with adequate adhesion release.Rehabilitation was initiated postoperatively,improving neurological symptoms and range of motion of the fingers.Six months after surgery,the patient returned to daily activities without discomfort.CONCLUSION This case provides the appropriate diagnosis and treatment for a suspected peripheral nerve injury.

Epalrestat Enhances MTS Reduction Activity Independent of Cell Numbers in Bovine Aortic Endothelial Cells

The 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium (MTS) assay is used as a major method to evaluate cell viability. However, in some cases, the results may reflect mitochondrial status regardless of viability. Epalrestat (EPS) is currently available for the treatment of diabetic neuropathy. In this study, we report that EPS at near-plasma concentrations increases MTS reduction activity independent of cell number in bovine aortic endothelial cells. Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is a key transcription factor that plays a pivotal role in inducing the expression of genes encoding detoxifying and defensive proteins. Sulforaphane (an Nrf2 activator) also increased MTS-reducing activity, similar to EPS. Knockdown of Nrf2 by short interfering RNA suppressed EPS-induced MTS reduction. These results suggest that EPS increases MTS reduction activity via the Nrf2 pathway. Furthermore, the results that EPS increases ATP production and that electron transfer chain inhibitors suppress EPS-induced MTS reduction activity suggest that EPS may activate mitochondrial status. Because mitochondrial disorders cause numerous diseases, we suggest that EPS has new beneficial properties that may prevent the development and progression of disorders caused by mitochondrial dysfunction.

Helicobacter pylori eradication treatment for primary gastric diffuse large B-cell lymphoma:A single-center analysis

BACKGROUND Unlike the already established effect of Helicobacter pylori(H.pylori)eradication on gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue(MALT)lymphoma,its therapeutic effect on primary gastric diffuse large B-cell lymphoma(DLBCL)is still unclear.AIM To clarify the efficacy of H.pylori eradication treatment for primary gastric DLBCL.METHODS We reported on 3 new cases,and added them to 3 previously reported cases.We analyzed the usefulness of H.pylori eradication treatment for gastric DLBCL for a total of 6 cases at our center.RESULTS Of the 6 patients(27-90 years old,3 males and 3 females),all 3 patients with single lesions(one transformed from MALT lymphoma)achieved complete remission(CR)after H.pylori eradication.Regarding the 2 newly reported cases,CR was maintained for more than 6 years with eradication treatment alone.In contrast,none of the 3 patients with 2 lesions achieved CR.In 1 newly reported case,endoscopic CR was achieved in one lesion,while stable disease was obtained in the other lesion.Two patients with progressive disease responded to standard chemo therapy±radiation and remained in CR for more than 6 years.CONCLUSION We believe it is worthwhile to attempt H.pylori eradication for elderly patients with primary gastric DLBCL in a single lesion with a small tumor burden.