A research group led by Professor Satoshi Nakai of the Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering at Hiroshima University has demonstrated that DHA and EPA can be produced using the seasoning waste liquid produced when making pickles such as Hiroshima greens. DHA and EPA from seasoning waste liquid from pickles are used in foods and supplements as ingredients that help maintain health. Currently, the main raw material is fish oil, but given the future increase in demand, new production methods that do not rely on fish are required. The research group focused on a microorganism called Thraustochytlid that can produce DHA and EPA. When this microorganism was grown using waste liquid from seasonings from pickles such as Hiroshima greens, it was confirmed that DHA and EPA could be produced without sterilizing the waste liquid. It was also found that DHA and EPA can be produced even if the seasoning waste liquid from Hiroshima greens is used repeatedly. On the other hand, when seasoning waste liquid was repeatedly used, microbial growth and DHA/EPA production decreased. One of the reasons for this is
Figure 1: Electron microscope pseudocolor images of salt minerals (blue) and clay minerals (brown) in Ryugu's sand, and illustration of ammonium molecules (NH 4 + )). (Kyoto University)
A research group led by Professor Hideki Ohdan of the Department of Gastrointestinal and Transplant Surgery at Hiroshima University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Dr. Yukitoshi Shidawara, and Dr. Kentaro Ide of Hiroshima Prefectural Hospital investigated the risk of production of de novo donor-specific antibodies (dnDSA), which newly appear after kidney transplantation, in 210 patients who underwent kidney transplantation at Hiroshima University Hospital. dnDSA causes antibody-related rejection and affects long-term survival of transplanted kidneys. In addition to HLA molecular mismatch analysis, which is widely used worldwide, the research group focused on patient genetic variations (single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), which are widely present in the general population), and analyzed genes related to follicular helper T cells (Tfh cells), which assist in antibody production. As a result, we found that not only the HLA compatibility between donor and patient, but also the genetic background related to Tfh cells of the patient caused dnDSA production.
An international joint research group consisting of Associate Professor Takayuki Ishii of the Okayama University Graduate School of Advanced Research (Planetary Materials Research Institute), Specially Appointed Assistant Professor Jun Takaichi of Hiroshima University, Ehime University, Teikyo University of Science, Kyoto University, High Brightness Photon Science Research Center, and the Beijing High Pressure Research Center in China is working on a Kawai-type multi-anvil high-pressure generator 2) at the large synchrotron radiation facility SPring-8 1). Using a combination of synchrotron radiation and X-rays, we precisely measured the water-containing volume of Dave Maoite, a major mineral in the Earth's lower mantle, at high temperatures and pressures up to the conditions at the top of the lower mantle. This result was published in the British geoscience journal Communications Earth & Environment on July 24th. The water content of Dave Maoite is difficult to determine experimentally, which has been a major barrier to building deep Earth water cycle models. From the results of this experiment, the volumes of Dave Maoite synthesized under dry and hydrated conditions are almost the same, and the water solubility is lower than the conventional estimate.
In collaboration with Professor Shinse Yamaga and Professor Chisa Shukuminami of the Department of Biomolecular Functions, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Hiroshima University, and Professor Kenta Sumiyama of the Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Assistant Professor Hitomi Watanabe, Professor Gen Kondo of the Institute of Medical Biology, Kyoto University, and others, they identified an enhancer (*2) that controls the expression of the transcription factor Scx (*1), which is essential for the maturation of tendons and ligaments, and clarified its role. Our research group first analyzed the activity of candidate genomic regions using lacZ Tg mouse (*3) embryos and revealed that a 5.3kb genomic region that includes part of the mouse Scx gene and its downstream region has enhancer activity. Furthermore, we found that the evolutionarily highly conserved region (CSE) contained in this 5.3kb region also has enhancer activity. Next, when we created and analyzed mice lacking CSE using genome editing technology, we found that Scx expression was significantly reduced during the limb formation process. Also, usually
Hiroshima University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Department of Public Health (Associate Professor Masaru Tahara), in collaboration with Waseda University (Professor Emeritus Shigenobu Shibata) and Combi Co., Ltd. Life Science Division (Headquarters: Taito-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Yasuji Matsuura), conducted a study aimed at clarifying the relationship between postpartum mental health and regularity of mealtimes among women in Japan who have their first child between 0 and 12 months old. The results of this study revealed that people with regular mealtimes had significantly lower scores on the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Questionnaire (EPDS) (*1), an indicator of postnatal depression symptoms, than those with irregular meal times. On the other hand, no significant relationship was found between breakfast intake frequency and EPDS score. This study shows that not only the content of meals, but also the perspective of ``when to eat'' may be important when considering postpartum mental health. (*1) EPDS: The higher the score, the stronger the depressive symptoms.
