Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Krystian Mokrzynski, Shosuke Ito, Kazumasa Wakamatsu, Theodore G. Camenish, Tadeusz Sarna, Michal Sarna
Summary: The photoreactivity of natural melanins isolated from hair samples of donors with different skin phototypes was studied, with melanins from blond and chestnut hair showing the highest photoreactivity. These melanins also exhibited the highest quantum efficiency of singlet oxygen photogeneration at 332 nm and 365 nm, supporting their potential contribution to UVA-induced melanoma.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Dandan Wang, Fei Liang, Xinyuan Zhang, Zhanggui Hu, Yicheng Wu
Summary: Two new mixed cyanurate birefringent crystals were synthesized using a mild hydrothermal method, showcasing a unique crystalline structure and a large band gap. Theoretical calculations suggested their potential application as ultraviolet birefringent polarizers and for optical anisotropy modulation in other pi-conjugated systems.
CRYSTAL GROWTH & DESIGN
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Zhenyu Zhao, Binjian Du, Yi Xin, Zihan Ren, Fei Xing, Fang Zhang
Summary: In this study, two-dimensional selenium nanosheets were prepared by the liquid phase exfoliation method with different solvents. The nonlinear absorption properties of the nanosheets were investigated and demonstrated optical limiting effects in three wavebands and three solvents, especially in the ultraviolet waveband. The research expands the potential applications of selenium in the field of nonlinear optics.
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Jeehyun Yang, Murthy S. Gudipati, Bryana L. Henderson, Benjamin Fleury
Summary: Detailed modeling is essential for analyzing spectral data from exoplanets, but the incorporation of simultaneous UV-photochemical and thermochemical processes is challenging. In this study, we used an automatic reaction mechanism generator to build a high-fidelity thermochemical model with enhanced UV photochemistry. Our results showed that photochemical reactions driven by Lya photons can enhance thermal chemistry, leading to the formation of CH4, H2O, and CO2 in H-2-dominated systems with trace amounts of CO. Our model also suggested that above 2000 K, thermal chemistry becomes dominant.
ASTROPHYSICAL JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Thanyaporn Pinthong, Maytinee Yooyod, Jinjutha Daengmankhong, Nantaprapa Tuancharoensri, Sararat Mahasaranon, Jarupa Viyoch, Jirapas Jongjitwimol, Sukunya Ross, Gareth M. M. Ross
Summary: This study aimed to develop a porous hydrogel system suitable for medium to heavy-exudating wounds. The hydrogels were based on AMPs and additional components were added to create the porous structure. Manuka honey was incorporated and improved the gel appearance and mechanical properties. The porous hydrogels showed excellent swelling performance and rapid absorption of surface liquid, making them potentially useful for a range of wound types.
Article
Construction & Building Technology
M. S. M. Al-kahtani, Han Zhu, Yasser E. Ibrahim, S. I. Haruna
Summary: The use of bio-based polyurethane improves the durability and mechanical properties of cement mortar. Experimental tests were conducted to investigate the effects of polyurethane binder on flowability, water absorption rate, shrinkage properties, compressive strength, and flexural strength. The results show that the addition of an optimal amount of polyurethane binder enhances the flexural strength of the mortar, but reduces compressive strength. The polyurethane also helps control crack propagation and reduce water absorption capacity of the cement mortar.
CASE STUDIES IN CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Soheila Haghighi, Azadeh Haghighatzadeh, Amin Attarzadeh
Summary: In this research, a laser-dressed double GaAsSb/GaAs parabolic quantum well was modeled to investigate the optoelectronic features. The effects of well geometry and antimony content were considered. The laser-dressed electronic characteristics were explored using the Schrodinger equation, Floquet technique, and Kramers-Henneberger transformation. Additionally, the linear and third-order nonlinear optical properties were examined.
EUROPEAN PHYSICAL JOURNAL PLUS
(2023)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Francisco Fiol, Victor Revilla-Cuesta, Carlos Thomas, Juan M. Manso
Summary: This study evaluates the performance of Self-Compacting Concrete (SCC) with different contents of coarse Recycled Precast-Concrete Aggregate (RPCA) and two cement contents under marine conditions. The results show that SCC with adequate durability under marine conditions can be produced. The addition of RPCA reduces water absorption and SCC carbonation, but leads to greater weight variations due to reactions with chlorides, sulfates, and salt deposition. However, SCC compressive strength is not adversely affected, and the projected service life of all mixes is over 100 years, making SCC a feasible option for construction in marine environments.
CONSTRUCTION AND BUILDING MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Leonardo A. Dos Santos, Antonio Garcia Munoz, David K. Sing, Mercedes Lopez-Morales, Munazza K. Alam, Vincent Bourrier, David Ehrenreich, Gregory W. Henry, Alain Lecavelier des Etangs, Thomas Mikal-Evans, Nikolay K. Nikolov, Jorge Sanz-Forcada, Hannah R. Wakeford
Summary: This study aims to characterize the atmosphere, interior, host star, and environment of the well-studied exoplanet HD 189733 b through observations and theoretical models. Utilizing the Hubble Space Telescope's ultraviolet capabilities, we have observed tentative but repeatable in-transit absorption of singlyionized carbon and neutral hydrogen. Our models indicate that the outflow of HD 189733 b is mostly neutral until an altitude of about 2 R (p), then becomes singly ionized. Furthermore, our observations suggest that the exosphere of this planet interacts with a stellar wind at least 1 order of magnitude stronger than solar.
ASTRONOMICAL JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Emmanouil Orfanakis, Ioulia Karagiannaki, Aikaterini Zoumi, Vassilios Katsoudas, Stavroula Skoulika, Fragiskos Gaitis, Michalis Velegrakis
Summary: This study analyzed the polyphenolic content of EVOO samples using the official method recommended by the IOC and UV absorption spectroscopy. The results showed that UV absorption spectroscopy offers an efficient and cost-effective alternative.
ANALYTICAL LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
J. Liu, W. Xu, H. Xu, S. Zhang, J. Jin
Summary: This study found that treatment with umbilical cord MSC could alleviate the increase of CD8-CD17A(+)T lymphocytes in Crohn's disease patients and improve T cells dysfunctions.
BULLETIN OF EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
(2022)
Review
Energy & Fuels
Aseel Mohammed Ali Zakar, Salah A. Naman, Sabah M. Ahmed
Summary: Different types of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) were fabricated using TiO2 as a semiconductor with two groups of flowers, nursery flowers from Duhok city and mountain flowers. The stability and efficiency of these cells were examined, with mountain flower dyes showing higher stability and efficiency. This study contributes to a better understanding of the stability and efficiency of DSSC, providing valuable insights for future research in this field.
IEEE JOURNAL OF PHOTOVOLTAICS
(2021)
Article
Communication
Reinhard E. Kunz, Christian Zabel, Verena Telkmann
Summary: The aim of this research was to understand the flow experience of Virtual Reality (VR) gaming and explore its influencing factors. Based on a large survey of German VR users, it was found that gaming motives, content quality, system quality, and usage barriers significantly influence the flow experience in VR gaming. Additionally, age, gamer identification, and VR technology experience had interaction effects with these relationships. This study contributes to a better understanding of the multidimensional conception of flow and its antecedents and consequences.
JOURNAL OF MEDIA ECONOMICS
(2022)
Article
Thermodynamics
K. B. Minko, G. G. Yankov, V. I. Artemov
Summary: This study numerically investigated the formation process of a zone with increased air content during condensation, revealing significant nonstationarity in the air pocket zone.
THERMAL ENGINEERING
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yasuaki Tamura, Akira Ito, Kazumasa Wakamatsu, Takafumi Kamiya, Toshihiko Torigoe, Hiroyuki Honda, Toshiharu Yamashita, Hisashi Uhara, Shosuke Ito, Kowichi Jimbow
Summary: This review summarizes the development of a novel chemo-thermo-immunotherapy (CTI therapy) that exploits the unique biological properties of cancer cells. The authors have successfully conjugated a melanogenesis substrate with magnetite nanoparticles, providing a selective drug delivery system for melanoma cells. This approach combines targeted chemotherapy with thermo-immunotherapy, showing promising results in mouse models and limited clinical trials on advanced melanoma patients.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Eline S. van der Valk, Lotte Kleinendorst, Patric J. D. Delhanty, Bibian van der Voorn, Jenny A. Visser, M. M. van Haelst, Laura C. G. de Graaff, Martin Huisman, Anne White, Shosuke Ito, Kazumasa Wakamatsu, Yolanda B. de Rijke, Erica L. T. van den Akker, Anand M. Iyer, Elisabeth F. C. van Rossum
Summary: Patients with a novel POMC gene variant presented with obesity, hyperphagia, and hypocortisolism, related to an ACTH defect at the prohormone convertase 2 cleavage site. The study demonstrated that adequate cleavage of ACTH to alpha-MSH and d-alpha-MSH is also crucial for feeding control in humans.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ENDOCRINOLOGY & METABOLISM
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Sandra Del Bino, Shosuke Ito, Juliette Sok, Kazumasa Wakamatsu
Summary: Human skin contains two distinct components: eumelanin and pheomelanin. Eumelanin consists of DHI and DHICA, while pheomelanin consists of BT and BZ. Specific degradation products can be used to quantitatively analyze these melanin monomer units. The ratio of DHI to DHICA is constant regardless of the degree of pigmentation, and the high content of DHICA may provide an antioxidant property to the epidermal melanin.
PIGMENT CELL & MELANOMA RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Dermatology
Yoko Niki, Naoko Adachi, Masaki Fukata, Yuko Fukata, Shinichiro Oku, Chieko Makino-Okamura, Seiji Takeuchi, Kazumasa Wakamatsu, Shosuke Ito, Lieve Declercq, Daniel B. Yarosh, Tomas Mammone, Chikako Nishigori, Naoaki Saito, Takehiko Ueyama
Summary: This study found that by inhibiting the degradation of tyrosinase, the rate-limiting enzyme in melanin synthesis, an increase in melanin content and tyrosinase protein levels can be achieved in melano-genic cells. The palmitoylation site of tyrosinase was identified as Cys500, and the DHHC2, DHHC3, and DHHC15 proteins were found to be involved in tyrosinase palmitoylation. These findings suggest that palmitoylation plays an important role in regulating melanogenesis by controlling the protein levels of tyrosinase.
JOURNAL OF INVESTIGATIVE DERMATOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Emily E. Puckett, Isis S. Davis, Dawn C. Harper, Kazumasa Wakamatsu, Gopal Battu, Jerrold L. Belant, Dean E. Beyer, Colin Carpenter, Anthony P. Crupi, Maria Davidson, Christopher S. DePerno, Nicholas Forman, Nicholas L. Fowler, David L. Garshelis, Nicholas Gould, Kerry Gunther, Mark Haroldson, Shosuke Ito, David Kocka, Carl Lackey, Ryan Leahy, Caitlin Lee-Roney, Tania Lewis, Ashley Lutto, Kelly McGowan, Colleen Olfenbuttel, Mike Orlando, Alexander Platt, Matthew D. Pollard, Megan Ramaker, Heather Reich, Jaime L. Sajecki, Stephanie K. Sell, Jennifer Strules, Seth Thompson, Frank van Manen, Craig Whitman, Ryan Williamson, Frederic Winslow, Christopher B. Kaelin, Michael S. Marks, Gregory S. Barsh
Summary: Color variation in large mammals is not well understood, unlike in small mammals. The American black bear exhibits color variation, including a cinnamon morph similar to the brown bear. A single major locus in the TYRP1 gene was identified to affect hair color, and a specific missense alteration was found to decrease pigment production.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Shosuke Ito, Alessandra Napolitano, Tadeusz Sarna, Kazumasa Wakamatsu
Summary: This study investigated the effects of iron and copper on the oxidation of dopamine to neuromelanin. The results showed that iron and copper not only accelerated the oxidation process, but also promoted cross-linking and degradation reactions.
JOURNAL OF NEURAL TRANSMISSION
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Waijiao Cai, Kazumasa Wakamatsu, Fabio A. Zucca, Qing Wang, Kai Yang, Niyaz Mohamadzadehonarvar, Pranay Srivastava, Hitomi Tanaka, Gabriel Holly, Luigi Casella, Shosuke Ito, Luigi Zecca, Xiqun Chen
Summary: By studying samples of substantia nigra from patients with Parkinson's disease, we found increased ratios of pheomelanin to dopamine in the melanin content, as well as reduced levels of eumelanins derived from both DOPA and dopamine. Additionally, an increase in pheomelanin relative to dopamine pheomelanin was observed in Parkinson's disease. These findings provide insights into the roles of pheomelanin and eumelanin in the pathophysiology of Parkinson's disease.
PROGRESS IN NEUROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yasuaki Tamura, Akira Ito, Kazumasa Wakamatsu, Toshihiko Torigoe, Hiroyuki Honda, Shosuke Ito, Kowichi Jimbow
Summary: N-Pr-4-S-CAP is selectively incorporated into melanoma cells and induces CD8(+) T cell-dependent anti-melanoma immunity, leading to the inhibition of melanoma growth. Administration of N-Pr-4-S-CAP could be a potential prophylactic therapy against local recurrence and distant metastasis of melanoma.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ana-Maria Pena, Shosuke Ito, Thomas Bornschlogl, Sebastien Brizion, Kazumasa Wakamatsu, Sandra Del Bino
Summary: To understand the impact of solar light exposure on human skin, researchers explored the chemical analysis of native and UVA-exposed melanins using non-invasive methods like multiphoton FLIM imaging and phasor and bi-exponential fitting analyses. They found that multiphoton FLIM could distinguish between different types of melanins and detect structural changes induced by UVA exposure. The study demonstrated the potential of using these techniques for characterizing mixed melanins in the skin under sunlight exposure conditions.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kazumasa Wakamatsu, Shosuke Ito
Summary: Eumelanin and pheomelanin are pigments that determine the colors in animals and are produced in melanocytes in various tissues. The quantity and quality of melanin, including the ratio of eumelanin to pheomelanin, play a role in the diversity of animal colors. Methods for simultaneous measurement of eumelanin and pheomelanin have been developed to study the biochemical and genetic basis of pigmentation. The photoreactivity of melanin is also a major research focus due to its potential link to UVA-induced melanoma risk.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Clinical Neurology
Toshiharu Nagatsu, Akira Nakashima, Hirohisa Watanabe, Shosuke Ito, Kazumasa Wakamatsu, Fabio A. Zucca, Luigi Zecca, Moussa Youdim, Maximilian Wulf, Peter Riederer, Johannes M. Dijkstra
Summary: The dark pigment neuromelanin (NM) is abundant in dopamine (DA) neurons in the substantia nigra (SN) and norepinephrine (NE) neurons in the locus coeruleus (LC) in the human brain. During the progression of Parkinson's disease (PD), NM levels in these neurons decrease. The synthesis pathway involves conversion of tyrosine to L-DOPA, then to DA or NE, followed by autoxidation and conversion to eumelanic or pheomelanic NM.
JOURNAL OF NEURAL TRANSMISSION
(2023)
Letter
Oncology
Thomas P. Dooley, Sydney Anderson, Shosuke Ito, Kazumasa Wakamatsu
PIGMENT CELL & MELANOMA RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Huijuan Bi, Jonas Tranell, Dawn C. Harper, Weifeng Lin, Jingyi Li, Anders R. Hellstroem, Marten Larsson, Carl-Johan Rubin, Chao Wang, Shumaila Sayyab, Susanne Kerje, Bertrand Bed'hom, David Gourichon, Shosuke Ito, Kazumasa Wakamatsu, Michele Tixier-Boichard, Michael S. Marks, Daniel Globisch, Leif Andersson
Summary: This study identifies a mutation in the COMTD1 gene that causes a defect in pheomelanin pigmentation in chickens. The COMTD1 protein is found in pigment cells and may play a protective role against oxidative stress. This study provides a model for further investigation of COMTD1 function.
Article
Oncology
Yo Tanaka, Misako Sato-Matsubara, Daisuke Tsuruta, Hiroshi Tanaka, Chiho Kadono, Koji Sugawara, Norifumi Kawada, Kazumasa Wakamatsu, Shosuke Ito, Katsutoshi Yoshizato
Summary: CYGB plays a regulatory role in the melanogenic process by maintaining redox homeostasis through controlling intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide.
PIGMENT CELL & MELANOMA RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Tiffany S. Slater, Shosuke Ito, Kazumasa Wakamatsu, Fucheng Zhang, Peter Sjovall, Martin Jarenmark, Johan Lindgren, Maria E. McNamara
Summary: The authors present a chemical taphonomy model for fossil melanins based on experimental data obtained from extant bird feathers, which predicts the composition of fossil melanins and provides evidence for the molecular preservation of phaeomelanin in 10 million year old frogs.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)