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Month: July 2022

Fast, facile synthesis of antibacterial amino acid Schiff base copper complexes

Posted on by Tokyo University of Science

Schiff base-metal complexes exhibit promising antibacterial and antioxidant properties. However, conventional methods for their preparation can be time-consuming. To reduce the reaction time and improve the quality and quantity of the products, researchers designed a new synthesis technique that uses microwave irradiation and methanol for the preparation of amino acid Schiff base copper complexes in just 10 minutes. The resulting products exhibit desirable properties, such as mild antioxidant activity and antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli.

Ever since their development in the late 19th century, Schiff bases have been a popular group of organic compounds, owing to their wide variety of desirable properties. The presence of both nitrogen and oxygen in their structure makes them versatile molecules with an array of applications, ranging from dyes and catalysts to environmental sensors and raw materials for chemical synthesis.

Recently, there has been growing interest in the biological activity of Schiff bases, as researchers have discovered that metal complex derivatives of Schiff bases can serve as antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anticancer agents. Among these compounds, studies have shown that amino acid Schiff base copper (Cu) complexes have the most promising antimicrobial properties; however, the reaction time taken to create these compounds can range from hours to days.

In a recent breakthrough published on 18 June 2022 in Applied Microbiology, a team of researchers led by Professor Takashiro Akitsu from the Tokyo University of Science reported a two-step synthesis procedure that produced amino acid Schiff base Cu (II) complexes within a mere 10 minutes! The team included Dr. Estelle Léonard and Dr. Antoine Fayeulle from ESCOM, TIMR (Integrated Transformations of Renewable Matter), Centre de Recherche Royallieu, University of Technology of Compiègne, France.

“Amino acid Schiff base Cu (II) complexes have the potential to be used as antimicrobial agents but their wider applications are being limited by conventional methods for synthesis that often takes several hours and sometimes days. With our research, we aim to overcome this challenge by making the synthesis process more facile,” comments Prof. Akitsu on the rationale behind their study.

The team used microwave irradiation to prepare these compounds, owing to its ability to greatly accelerate the reaction while providing controlled heating. This method also ensures higher yields, better purity, and fewer by-products. Additionally, they chose methanol as the solvent for the reactions. With a high loss tangent of 0.659, which determines the ability to convert microwave energy into heat, and a high microwave absorption rate, methanol was ideal for accelerating the reactions and lowered the global reaction time to 10 minutes.

To gauge the antibacterial properties of the compounds, the researchers tested them against various bacteria. They found that the one- and two-chlorine substituted complexes showed better action against bacteria, with remarkable activity against E. coli, than the molecules with no chlorine groups. The team also noted the presence of light antioxidant properties in the one- and two-chlorinated complexes. In the future, the team aims to check for the toxicity of these compounds toward kidney, liver, and skin cells.

This new synthesis technique minimizes the global reaction time, maximizes the reaction conditions, and produces high purity products with promising antibacterial activity. The insights from this study can be used as a framework for the development of fast and facile synthesis techniques for biologically active amino acid derivatives of Schiff base metal complexes. “Bacterial infectious diseases are a major threat to public health. Our study aims to contribute towards the improvement of health care systems in developing nations that are often affected by infectious epidemics,” concludes Prof Akitsu.

***

Reference

Title of original paper: Synthesis, Identification and Antibacterial Activities of Amino Acid Schiff Base Cu(II) Complexes with Chlorinated Aromatic Moieties

Journal: Applied Microbiology

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/applmicrobiol2020032

About The Tokyo University of Science

Tokyo University of Science (TUS) is a well-known and respected university, and the largest science-specialized private research university in Japan, with four campuses in central Tokyo and its suburbs and Hokkaido. Established in 1881, the university has continually contributed to Japan’s development in science by inculcating the love for science in researchers, technicians, and educators.

With a mission of “Creating science and technology for the harmonious development of nature, human beings, and society”, TUS has undertaken a wide range of research from basic to applied science. TUS has embraced a multidisciplinary approach to research and undertaken intensive study in some of today’s most vital fields. TUS is a meritocracy where the best in science is recognized and nurtured. It is the only private university in Japan that has produced a Nobel Prize winner and the only private university in Asia to produce Nobel Prize winners within the natural sciences field.

Website: https://www.tus.ac.jp/en/mediarelations/

About Professor Takashiro Akitsu from Tokyo University of Science

Prof. Takashiro Akitsu is a professor in the Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Tokyo University of Science (TUS), Japan. He graduated from Osaka University and obtained his Ph.D. in Physical and Inorganic Chemistry in 2000 and went on to study physical and bioinorganic chemistry at Stanford before moving to TUS. He joined the TUS as a Junior Associate Professor in 2008 and became a Professor in 2016. He has published 220 articles and book chapters and served as an editorial board member in many international peer-reviewed journals. His current research areas involve the study of imines, Schiff bases, coordination chemistry, and crystal structures.

Funding information

This research was funded by TIMR UTC‐ESCOM, and this work was supported by a

Grant‐in‐Aid for Scientific Research (A) KAKENHI (20H00336).

EdUHK research on informal digital learning of English and L2 willingness to communicate

Posted on by eduhk

A study by The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK) suggests that learners of English as a foreign language (EFL) are more likely to initiate communicating, if they are frequently engaged in Informal Digital Learning of English (IDLE).

In Applied Linguistics and Foreign Language Education, willingness to communicate in a second language (L2 WTC) is widely defined as ‘a readiness to enter into discourse at a particular time with a specific person or persons, using L2’; L2 WTC is considered the last psychological step before actual L2 speaking. With greater L2 learning opportunities in out-of-school digital contexts, young EFL learners are increasingly engaged in IDLE, or independent English activities in informal digital settings without teacher involvement or assessment. Several recent studies investigated the extent to which IDLE can play a role in EFL learners’ L2 WTC. Concurrently, the so-called ‘emotional turn’ or ‘affective turn’ has facilitated research examining the role of emotions in L2 WTC in exam-oriented Asian countries, where English learners tend to experience positive and negative emotions simultaneously throughout and beyond their K–12 formal English learning.

The study by Dr Lee Ju Seong at the Department of English Language Education, used the Korean educational system to examine the relationships between IDLE, positive and negative emotions, and L2 WTC. It specifically explores how enjoyment and anxiety influence the relationship between IDLE and L2 WTC in the exam-oriented EFL context, as well as whether gender and educational stage play any role in these relationships.

The participants included 1,265 Korean EFL learners (764 secondary and 501 tertiary students, and 400 males and 865 females) from 10 secondary schools and one university in two major Korean cities, who completed an online survey.

Using moderated mediation structural equation modelling, the findings revealed that enjoyment and anxiety in learning and speaking English partially mediated the relationship between IDLE and L2 WTC, with enjoyment being a stronger mediator than anxiety. That means practising IDLE predicted a higher level of enjoyment and a lower level of anxiety, which influenced students’ willingness to communicate in English positively.

Furthermore, the relationship between IDLE and second-language anxiety was stronger in females than in males, suggesting that IDLE may be more beneficial to women in terms of reducing English-speaking anxiety. Gender, on the other hand, did not moderate any of the paths between the two emotion factors and L2 WTC. This suggests that men and women’s emotional states influenced their L2 WTC in similar ways.

In light of the findings, the authors recommended that EFL teachers pay more attention to emotions and their impact on students’ L2 WTC by fostering a positive classroom environment to reduce anxiety, and that teachers assist individual students in designing and participating in their own IDLE activities.

The study was conducted together with Dr Xie Qin, Assistant Professor at the Department of Linguistics and Modern Language Studies, EdUHK, and Dr Lee Kilryoung at the Department of English Education, The Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, South Korea.

To learn more about the research, please click here.

Faculty of Commerce and Accountancy, Thammasat University sustains its championship, maintains its international education accreditation standards

Posted on by Thammasat University

Faculty of Commerce and Accountancy, Thammasat University focuses on producing quality educational personnel with the latest global recognition through the accreditation of international education standards from the world’s leading institutes of business administration, EQUIS (2012 – 2024) from the European Union for the third time and AMBA (2018 – 2024) from United Kingdom for the second time.

Prof. Dr. Ruth Banomyong, Dean of the Faculty of Commerce and Accountancy, Thammasat University revealed that the Faculty of Commerce and Accountancy focuses on maintaining education accreditation standards in order to produce excellent quality personnel for the business sector and the Thai labor market, and utilize knowledge and competence to further develop Thailand in the future. The Faculty of Commerce and Accountancy is very proud as it has been fully accredited for international education standards from 2 major world’s business administration institutes, EQUIS (EFMD Quality Improvement System) from the European Union and AMBA (Association of MBAs) from the United Kingdom with different and comprehensive educational quality assessment criteria in all aspects of leading educational standards. By which each institute has a quality assessment that has very strict rules.

The details are as follows:

1. EQUIS (European Quality Improvement System): The Faculty of Commerce was accredited in 2012 onwards, an accreditation under the international non-profit organization European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD) is the organization that provides business administration education standards for Business Schools and Business School Programmes, Corporate Universities and Online Courses both at the higher education level, Graduate Studies, Program for Executives. It also certifies the various academic activities of the Faculty, including research and academic collaborations.

2. AMBA (Association of MBAs): The Faculty of Commerce was accredited in 2018 onwards. AMBA is the UK’s international quality accreditation body for graduate business administration programs, the AMBA has been instrumental in setting the criteria for managing graduate studies and is committed to raising international standards and quality for the benefit of the Institute of Business Administration students and alumni as well as employers.

UiTM inks MOU with UNPAM to promote international collaboration

Posted on by Dr Duratul Ain Tholibon

UiTM has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Universitas Pamulang, Indonesia (UNPAM). UNPAM is a university that was founded in 2000 by Yayasan Prima Jaya, chaired by Drs. Wayan. The goal of its establishment is to create affordable educational facilities for all levels of society without forgetting the quality of education. Therefore, UNPAM always appoints educators and administrative staff who are competent in its field.

UNPAM also constantly conducts development in the field of curriculum that is adapted to the needs of the industry, so that UNPAM graduates can be marketable and well-received in their career life. In addition to supporting lecture activities, UNPAM has provided various facilities such as laboratories and libraries. With the implementation of low-cost education at UNPAM, it is hoped that all levels of society in Indonesia can enjoy a college education.

The MoU agreement that has been initiated by Ts. Dr. Duratul Ain Tholibon, senior lecturer from the Centre for Civil Engineering Studies, UiTM Pahang Branch, Jengka Campus has met the performance indicator of PI No. 90 i.e. new MoUs with international universities related to academic or research activities. This MoU agreement was signed on a desk-to-desk basis, which was represented by YBhg. Prof. Ts. Dr Mohd Ilham Bin Adenan, Rector of UiTM Pahang Branch, and witnessed by Associate Professor Dr. Nazirah Ramli, Deputy Rector of Academic Affairs, UiTM Pahang Branch while UNPAM was represented by Dr. E. Nurzaman, Rector of Universitas Pamulang, Indonesia and witnesses by Dr. Rr. Dewi Anggraeni, Vice Rector, Universitas Pamulang.

This MoU agreement will be forged for three years to increase collaboration between UiTM and UNPAM. It is hoped that this MoU will strengthen, promote, and expand international collaboration in the fields of academia, culture, and research. This MoU signing initiative is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) No.17, which focuses on partnerships for the goals. It is hoped that these efforts will highlight UiTM Pahang Branch Campus’ global visibility.

Climate stress harming agriculture in Kazakhstan, air temp increase

Posted on by Muhammad Sheraz

A UNDP report says that the average annual air temperature in Kazakhstan has increased by 1.5-2 0 in the last 50 years. Kazakhstan, like other countries in Central Asia, is included in the group of countries more vulnerable due to climate change. The reason for it is dry environmental conditions and being a landlocked country.

The Report sights more and more evidence of climate change in the Central Asian region in form of the fluctuations of temperature rise, as well as waves of cold and heat, more droughts occur, the lack of water and related conflicts increase.

Glaciers in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, being “water stations” of Central Asia, decrease dramatically. In Tajikistan only, where about 60% of freshwater of Central Asia is stored, their volume reduced by 30% in a few recent decades, and more than 1000 glaciers are almost extinct. Alongside this, droughts and dust storms in this region occur almost with double frequency in the last decades.

Climate change is also affecting agriculture in the region. To discuss the climatic changes and their effects on agriculture, more than 100 leading scientists, academics, and experts from Kazakhstan, Russia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan gathered in Kazakhstan’s largest city and business hub, Almaty, for an international conference entitled: “Adaptation of crop production to the conditions of global climate change: problems and solutions”.

Kazakh National Agrarian Research University Rector Professor Tlektes Yespolov, who is also the Chairman of the Board, presided and moderated the Conference that was organized by the Kazakh Scientific Research Institute of Agriculture and Plant Industry and held in the Almaty region’s Karasai district.

In his speech, Professor Yespolov termed climate change and its impact on the environment as one of the major challenges of the 21st century. He said that weather patterns are changing on the planet. Unusual rainstorms, hailstorms, floods, hurricanes, and snow blockages are affecting agricultural patterns and productivity also.

In addition, anthropogenic factors have played, are taking place, and are playing an equally important role, especially in the degradation of soil and other agricultural lands and, in general, the entire biodiversity – vegetation, wildlife, and microorganisms.
Professor Yespolov said that more than 10 million hectares of arable land are lost annually in the world: from erosion – 6 million hectares, alienation for non-agricultural needs – 3 million hectares, salinization, and waterlogging – 2-3 million hectares.

Kazakhstan faces the threat of water shortage that would intensify drought. According to forecasts, the shortage of water, including the transboundary aspect, may increase up to 40% by 2030, and this may create serious obstacles to economic and social development and the preservation of natural systems. Such water deficiency may cause the degradation of lake and river ecosystems, agriculture, fisheries, and tourism.

The UNDP report says that aquatic ecosystems in Kazakhstan are particularly vulnerable, so unless timely measures are taken, the tragedy of the Aral Sea may be repeated on Balkhash Lake, in the Ural River delta, and other ecosystems and the well-being of many millions of people living there depends on their condition.

Climate stress factors are harming agriculture productivity. Kazakhstan is among the top 10 wheat exporting countries of the world but it is feared that by 2030, wheat yields can be reduced by almost 40%, which threatens food security in the entire Centra Asian region.

Kazakhstan’s rural population in several regions of the country is dependent on livestock, fodder sources, and pasture conditions. These regions have been facing abnormal droughts due to climate change. UNDP says that in many villages, people were unprepared: they were left without water and fodder, and a lot of livestock died. At the same time, rising temperatures and changing rainfall patterns can also lead to outbreaks of agricultural pests.

Referring to the UNDP report, Professor Yespolov said that Central Asia, including Kazakhstan, is more affected by climate change than the rest because the agricultural regions are located in the zone of risky farming. It has been proven that up to 70% of the risks in these regions are associated with weather dynamics.

“Crop losses from adverse weather conditions in some years range from 50 to 70%,” revealed Professor Yespolov.

To support and boost the country’s agriculture sector, the Kazakh Government has been developing a project, the Agro-Industrial Complex, and has set targets that would be achieved between 2021 and 2030. These are:

1. Providing 90 % of the country’s population with socially significant food products
2. Increasing the income of rural entrepreneurs;
3. An increase in labor productivity in the agriculture sector by three times compared to 2020;
4. Doubling the exports of agricultural products over this period.
Kazakh National Agrarian Research University (KazNARU) has been playing a central role in achieving the goals of the Ago-Industrial Complex.

“The current state and role of agro-industrial production in Kazakhstan in economic development are one of the most pressing issues. Kazakhstan has the potential not only to develop the country’s agro-industrial complex and the well-being of the population but also to become the world’s leading agricultural state by exporting a wide range of agricultural products,” said Professor Tlektes Yespolov in concluding his remarks at the International Conference.

Birzhan Usubaliev Director of the Kyrgyz Research Institute of Agriculture, Maksat Nurdinov Director of the Kyrgyz Research Institute of Animal Husbandry and Pastures, Dr. Ismail Abdelkhamid Director of the Department of Programs and Projects of the Islamic Organization for Food Security attended the Conference.

Gani Kaliev, the President of the Academy of Agricultural Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Darkhan Balpanov, Academician of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and several regional governors and experts attended the conference and shared their opinions.

The participants of the Conference also took part in a “Field Day”.

#agriculture #kaznaru #climatechange #watersecurity #waterscarcity #drought #soil #kazakhstan #centralasia #research #internationalconference #sustainabledevelopment

Stevens Initiative grants funding to AUS for innovative virtual exchange program

Posted on by American University of Sharjah

The Stevens Initiative announced that the American University of Sharjah (AUS) is one its newest grantees to receive funding for virtual exchanges between young people in the United States and the Middle East and North Africa. AUS’ Transformative Sustainability Project (TSP) and Virtual Language Exchange (VLE) Project are two of four new Stevens Initiative-funded exchanges, awarded funding to institutions based in the UAE that will give young people experiential learning opportunities to explore topics impacting their local and global communities.

The Stevens Initiative is an international leader in virtual exchange, which brings young people from diverse places together to collaborate and connect through everyday technology. Created in 2015 as a lasting tribute to Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens, the Initiative invests in virtual exchange programs between the U.S. and the Middle East and North Africa; shares research, resources, and promising practices to improve impact; and advocates for broader adoption.

AUS’ TSP gives undergraduate college students in the United Arab Emirates and the United States the tools to transform their local and global contexts into more sustainable communities in the context of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. TSP helps participants shift their perspectives by asking them to grapple with some of the largest global problems and how people from different regions can work together to solve them. Through international collaboration, participants get hands on experience tackling issues that they otherwise would not engage with in their day to day lives. TSP empowers the leaders of tomorrow with tools to address interconnected global challenges and grow in sustainable ways.

AUS’ VLE provides participants in the United Arab Emirates and the United States a unique cross-cultural experience by examining diverse worldviews, languages, and cultures while critically thinking about media representations that shape their world knowledge. This program examines linguistics, culture in both historical and geographical contexts, and the use and interpretation of signs and symbols in participating communities. The VLE builds meaningful relationships among a diverse group of participants through collaborations on visual projects and open dialogues that strengthen multi-cultural understandings.

“We are excited to add these new programs to a long list of unique virtual exchanges that contribute to our vision of providing an opportunity to empower young people to drive positive change for our future. Each grantee works to create the next generation of globally-minded leaders, using virtual exchange as a tool to teach young people about the world around them,” said Christine Shiau, Director of the Stevens Initiative at the Aspen Institute.

Virtual exchange prepares young people for their future lives and careers by exposing them to global, collaborative environments where they can develop friendships, build skills, and take on new perspectives. Together, these new virtual exchange programs will immerse young people in topics such as linguistics and the study of symbols, storytelling, the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and some of the world’s most pressing global concerns.

With the addition of AUS, the Initiative will expand its total reach by summer 2023 to nearly 75,000 young people in 17 MENA countries and in 49 U.S. states, Puerto Rico, five tribal communities, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Washington, D.C. Overall, 91 grantees have partnered with the Initiative between 2016 and today.

“Virtual exchange can be very effective in creating immersive experiences that leave a lasting and meaningful impression and we are very thankful to the Stevens Initiative for enabling us to harness its transformative power. With the TSP grant, we are looking forward to engaging, challenging, and enriching bright young minds across the world on all aspects of Sustainable Development”, said Kristina Katsos, Program Manager of the TSP and Instructor in the Department of International Studies of the American University of Sharjah.

Speaking about the VLE project, Dr. Susan Smith, Associate Professor in Mass Communication at AUS, said: “The Virtual Language Exchange program builds significant relationships with diverse student participants by creating collaborations through projects and dialogue that strengthen cross-cultural understandings.”

The Transformative Sustainability Project and the Virtual Language Exchange are funded by the Stevens Initiative, with support from the government of the United Arab Emirates. Learn more about the Stevens Initiative, which receives support from additional funders and is administered by the Aspen Institute, at https://www.stevensinitiative.org/.

How RSTKA’s floating hospital ship made an effort in reducing pollution emitted from its voyage

Posted on by Universitas Airlangga News

Ksatria Airlangga Floating Hospital (RSTKA), which is three meters tall and 27 meters long, has a similar shape as ships in general. However, on the roof of this ship, eight pieces of solar panels are installed as a power source. RSTKA seeks to sail more environmentally friendly. Ship engines, which previously used fuel oil (BBM), are now hybrid by utilizing alternative energy.

“Since October 2021, RSTKA ships have been using solar panels. The cost of fuel can be reduced by using these solar panels,” said Mudatsir, captain of the RSTKA ship.

Mudatsir mentioned that the use of 1,500 liters of diesel fuel, which usually costs 15 million per month, can be decreased to as much as 500 liters at the cost of 10 million per month. “We’re glad because with these solar panels, it can be cost-effective,” he said.

“Solar heat from solar panels accommodates power in the battery, then it is directly connected to the electrical needs on the ship, especially for this RSTKA ship, there is medical equipment that must always be sterile and need electrical energy,” explained Mudatsir.

He added that the capacity of the solar panels themselves reaches 1800 watts. Although the source of electricity from the RSTKA ship is still hybrid, Mudatsir feels that the use of solar panels can reduce dependence on diesel fuel.

Independent waste management

In addition to using solar panels as a more environmentally friendly sailing effort, Mudatsir also shared how RSTKA manages the waste produced.

“On the way to East Nusa Tenggara, we started sorting waste based on organic and inorganic types, the organic waste is processed into oil or fuel,” he said. Meanwhile, inorganic waste is handed over to communities on the mainland for further recycling.

Waste pollution can be minimized by sorting and utilizing organic and inorganic waste. Until now, RSTKA ships continue to reduce the use of oil fuel and implement waste management. It is done so that the humanitarian sailing to provide healthcare services carried out does not cause more pollution. RSTKA always supports the implementation of environmentally friendly activities. (*)

Novel, sensitive, robust single-cell RNA sequencing technique outperforms competition

Posted on by Tokyo University of Science

The novel terminator-assisted solid-phase complementary DNA amplification and sequencing (TAS-Seq) method provides high-precision data on gene expression

Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) is one of the most important methods to study biological function in cells, but it is limited by potential inaccuracies in the data it generates. Now, a research team from Japan has developed a new method called terminator-assisted solid-phase complementary DNA amplification and sequencing (TAS-Seq), which overcomes these limitations and provides higher-precision data than existing scRNA-seq platforms.

The advent of single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) has revolutionized the fields of medicine and biology by providing the ability to study the inner workings of thousands of cells at one go. But scRNA-seq methods are limited by potential inaccuracies in determining cell composition and inefficient complementary DNA (cDNA) amplification—a process by which a double-stranded DNA that ‘complements’ the single-stranded RNA is generated and replicated millions of times—by the commonly-used template-switching reaction.

Recently, a research team from Japan, led by Assistant Prof. Shigeyuki Shichino and Prof. Kouji Matsushima of Tokyo University of Science, has developed a new and improved technique for scRNA-seq. The new method, terminator-assisted solid-phase cDNA amplification and sequencing (TAS-Seq), uses simple materials and equipment to provide higher-precision scRNA-seq data than current, widely-used technologies. “Our technique, TAS-Seq, combines genetic detection sensitivity, robustness of reaction efficiency, and accuracy of cellular composition to enable us to capture important cellular information,” reveals Assistant Prof. Shichino. The study was published in Communications Biology on June 27, 2022. The research team also included Associate Prof. Satoshi Ueha of Tokyo University of Science, Prof. Taka-aki Sato of the University of Tsukuba, and Prof. Shinichi Hashimoto of Wakayama Medical University.

TAS-Seq uses a template independent enzyme for cDNA amplification called terminal transferase (TdT). But TdT is difficult to handle. To surmount this challenge, the research team included dideoxynucleotide phosphate (ddNTP) as a ‘terminator’ for the cDNA amplification reaction. “ddNTP spike-in, specifically dideoxycytidine phosphate (ddCTP), stops the excessive extension of polyN-tail by TdT in a stochastic manner, and greatly reduces the technical difficulties of the TdT reaction,” explains Assistant Prof. Shichino. TAS-Seq also uses a nanowell/bead-based scRNA-seq platform, which allows the isolation of single cells in tissue samples, thereby decreasing cell sampling bias and improving the accuracy of cell composition data.

The research team then verified the efficiency of TAS-Seq and compared it to the current, widely used scRNA-seq techniques, 10X Chromium V2 and Smart-seq2, using murine and human lung tissue samples. They found that TAS-Seq could not only detect more genes overall, but also identify more highly variable genes, when compared to major scRNA-seq platforms. Assistant Prof. Shichino says, “We found that TAS-Seq may outperform 10X Chromium V2 and Smart-seq2 in terms of gene detection sensitivity and gene drop-out rates, indicating that TAS-Seq might be one of the most sensitive high-throughput scRNA methods. We can detect genes across a wide range of expression levels more uniformly and also detect growth factor and interleukin genes more robustly.”

An added advantage of the new method is that TAS-Seq is less susceptible to batch effects. TAS-Seq data was also highly correlated with flow-cytometric data on the tissue samples, indicating that it can generate highly accurate cell composition data.

Speaking on the future, Assistant Prof. Shichino reveals, “We have already completed development of TAS-Seq2, an improved, extensively-optimized version of TAS-Seq. TAS-Seq2 has 1.5 to 2 times more sensitive gene detection in mouse spleen cells.” The research team has also established ImmunoGenetics, a venture company from Tokyo University of Science, to provide scRNA-seq services using TAS-Seq and TAS-Seq2.

scRNA-seq is an important tool for medical and biology researchers. The development of TAS-Seq and TAS-Seq2 will lead to the discovery of new therapeutic targets for diseases and advancements in the field of ‘spatial transcriptomics,’ which also relies on solid-phase cDNA synthesis. It will also accelerate the development of single-cell omics technology, thereby promoting our understanding of the principles of biology and disease development and progression.

***

Reference

Title of original paper: TAS-Seq is a robust and sensitive amplification method for bead-based scRNA-seq

Journal: Communications Biology

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-022-03536-0

About The Tokyo University of Science

Tokyo University of Science (TUS) is a well-known and respected university, and the largest science-specialized private research university in Japan, with four campuses in central Tokyo and its suburbs and in Hokkaido. Established in 1881, the university has continually contributed to Japan’s development in science through inculcating the love for science in researchers, technicians, and educators.

With a mission of “Creating science and technology for the harmonious development of nature, human beings, and society”, TUS has undertaken a wide range of research from basic to applied science. TUS has embraced a multidisciplinary approach to research and undertaken intensive study in some of today’s most vital fields. TUS is a meritocracy where the best in science is recognized and nurtured. It is the only private university in Japan that has produced a Nobel Prize winner and the only private university in Asia to produce Nobel Prize winners within the natural sciences field.

Website: https://www.tus.ac.jp/en/mediarelations/

About Assistant Professor Shigeyuki Shichino and Professor Kouji Matsushima from Tokyo University of Science

Assistant Prof. Shigeyuki Shichino is part of the Research Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science. His research focuses on system genome science, including transcriptome, single-cell, and interactome network, and experimental pathology, including lung fibrosis, macrophage/fibroblast biology, and single-cell RNA sequencing. He has published 21 papers.

Prof. Kouji Matsushima is part of the Research Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science. His research focuses on inflammation, immunology, and cancer immunotherapy. He was conferred a Lifetime Honorary Membership Award by the International Cytokine and Interferon Society in 2019. In 2021, he won the Takeda Prize for Medical Science.

Neural network model helps predict site-specific impacts of earthquakes

Posted on by Hiroshima University

A new study published by Hiroshima University (HU) researchers in the Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America introduced a novel AI-based technique for estimating site amplification factors (AF) from data on microtremors of the ground.

Subsurface soil conditions, which determine how earthquakes affect a site, vary substantially. Softer soils, for example, tend to amplify ground motion from an earthquake, while hard substrates may dampen it. Ambient vibrations of the ground or microtremors can be used to investigate soil conditions. Measuring microtremors provides valuable information about the AF of a site, thus its vulnerability to earthquake damage.

“The proposed method would contribute to more accurate and more detailed seismic ground motion predictions for future earthquakes,” said lead author and HU Associate Professor Hiroyuki Miura.

The study used 2012-2020 microtremor data from 105 sites in western Japan’s Chugoku district. The model performed well on the test data, demonstrating its potential as a predictive tool for characterizing site AF from microtremor data.

DOI: 10.1785/0120210300

Chula Dementia Day Center helps prepare for old age with a clear mind and away from Alzheimer’s

Posted on by Chulalongkorn University

Dementia Day Center, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, the Thai Red Cross Society prepares for Thailand’s anticipated aging society by offering various rehabilitation services to help slow down the decline of people with dementia, while planning to launch a professional course for caregivers, and establishing the “Bright Brain Club” to persuade people of all ages to learn and care for early brain health to avoid the possibility Alzheimer’s disease.

Alzheimer’s disease is the leading and most common cause of dementia in older adults. The higher the average life expectancy of Thai people, the greater the chance of dementia. Associate Professor Sukcharoen Tangwongchai, M.D. the Head of the Dementia Day Center, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, reveals that 6 out of 10 people with dementia are caused by Alzheimer’s disease. It is estimated that there are currently about 600,000 people with dementia in Thailand.

Alzheimer’s specialist Associate Professor Sukcharoen Tangwongchai, M.D.
“Alzheimer’s” is an incurable disease, but we can slow the decline to the disease’s terminal stage as much as possible. However, diagnosis and treatment when symptoms occur may be too slow. This disease is not only the patients’ problem but also affects caregivers who have to take care of patients 24/7. It can cause stress and various forms of challenges for the caregivers. Therefore, raising awareness to prevent the disease is necessary for everyone,” Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sukcharoen voiced his concern about the near future when Thai society becomes a full-fledged super age society in the year 2031 in which 28 percent of the population would be the elderly. This means the tendency to find more patients with dementia will increase drastically.

Early symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease
Dementia is cognitive impairment in 6 areas: memory and learning, language use, concentration, management abilities, motor skills, and social thinking. This has an impact on a patient’s daily life and makes them dependent on their caregivers. Some may display mental or behavioral symptoms as well. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, of which early symptoms are memory loss.

“We may notice forgetful behavior. The person can’t remember what just happened, keeps repeating the same thing or question over and over again, misplacing things, like putting the phone in the refrigerator, the toothbrush in the pantry, kitchen stuff in the bathroom, forgetting appointments, or whether they have already eaten, etc. These symptoms are different from the typical age-related forgetfulness in old people. The early signs of Alzheimer’s are that these episodes happen frequently, and take a long time for them to ponder but could never recall what happened, while for ordinary people, they will remember much later.”

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sukcharoen explained that in addition to forgetfulness that affects daily life, Alzheimer’s patients have difficulties in communication, concentration, reasoning, making a decision, or fixing problems. They would have faulty logic, dimensional and spatial problems, as well as sequential activities that they used to be familiar with such as using a phone or electrical equipment. Then their condition will worsen until they are unable to perform routine activities. They also would suffer personality changes. Some people may experience mood swings and become very irritable.

“The personality of Alzheimer’s patients will change, while they develop other mental or behavioral problems, such as paranoia, jealousy like never before, use of profanity, anxiety attacks, reduced interest in their surroundings, isolation from friends and family, passiveness, and seclusion from others.”

Risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease
Alzheimer’s disease is caused by a variety of reasons, with the main risk factors being:

-Aging: People between the ages of 65-70 have a 1-2 percent chance of getting the disease, which increases every 5 years.

-Females are at greater risk of developing this disease than males.

-People with a family history of the disease are at higher risk.

-Less educated people have a higher risk than those with higher education, perhaps because the latter are more likely to perform tasks that require analytical thinking, keeping their brain active at all times.

-Hearing loss because the deterioration of the auditory nerve causes the brain to be less stimulated.

-Severe brain trauma, such as accidents that cause concussions, or loss of consciousness

-Health conditions include high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease that are not treated or controlled.

-Obesity in middle age increases the risk

-Depression in the elderly

-Substance abuse, smoking, drinking exceeding 21 standard drinks per week.

-lack of social interaction, isolation

-Lethargy or lack of activities that allow brain exercise

“However, we may find Alzheimer’s disease in people 50 years of age or younger accounting for about 2-5 percent. This group of people has a history of parents or siblings suffering from the disease, and they are found to have mutated genes that are genetically inherited,” added Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sukcharoen.

Early diagnosis increases the quality of life.
When there is a suspected onset of Alzheimer’s disease, the doctor will diagnose the case based on probing the patient’s history from the patient and close relatives or caregivers that can provide information about the patient’s daily ability and behavioral regression of brain function, along with subjecting the patient to a brain performance test using a visual assessment test on memory, concentration, decision-making, directions, language, and calculations, etc., followed by a blood test, CT or MRI brain scan to determine the root cause of the problem.

“The sooner the disease is diagnosed, the better the patients and those around them will be able to plan their lives to cope with the symptoms. Treating Alzheimer’s patients is not about curing the disease, but about planning their lives and supporting them based on the symptoms and problems to slow down dementia as much as possible,” Assoc.Prof. Dr. Sukcharoen emphasized.

Therapeutic activities for Alzheimer’s disease without medication
The approach to Alzheimer’s treatment is both drug- and non-drug-based. Drug treatment is used to help improve cognition and memory, relieve dementia, and improve brain activity, coupled with psychiatric drugs to treat the mental symptoms in question and improve the patient’s behaviors.

But most importantly there is the non-drug treatment, the main approach used by the Dementia Day Center King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, to care for people with dementia and their caregivers throughout its two years of service.

“The non-drug treatment is aimed at patients and caregivers care because successful caring for people with dementia for their improved quality of life, depends partly on caregivers. We focus on therapeutic activities to stimulate the brain, and cognition, reduce behavioral problems, and help patients practice more of their routine activities, says Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sukcharoen.

“The nature of the activities is varied and three group therapy activities are offered each day, and also attended by caregivers so that they can apply what they learn to caring for the patients at home. Patients and caregivers are advised to attend the activities as a course of at least three days a week for three-month,” Assoc. Prof. Dr.Sukcharoen added while also mentioning that an assessment of the symptoms, basic abilities, and readiness of patients and caregivers is given before the activities so that the proper type can be offered.

The Dementia Care Center for Alzheimer’s disease
The Center is open from 9.00 am with 2 morning activities between 09.00-12.00, and one more activity in the afternoon from 1-2 p.m. Each activity lasts about 45 minutes due to the inability of dementia patients to concentrate for an extended period.

“Every morning, there is an orientation session with clients in a bright light therapy room, for about half an hour, followed by group activities for cognitive stimulation, such as brainteaser, crafts, and memory jogging which lets patients reminisce, and share good stories and feelings, art, cooking, singing, art therapy, music therapy, gardening, tree planting, recreational activities, and gaming, etc. Moreover, there are exercises such as stretching, yoga, and ADL Training (Activities of Daily Living) activities like brushing one’s teeth, taking a shower, combing one’s hair, eating, etc.”

In addition, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sukcharoen said that the Center also offers “Seal Robot” therapy for people with dementia in many countries around the world.

“There are studies that suggest that seal robots can help people with Alzheimer’s disease communicate. Robots have touch sensors, and voice recognition, and can interact with patients. When patients carry, cuddle and talk to the robot, it can respond to them, and encourage them to communicate better.”

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sukcharoen reveals that patients who participate in the Center’s various activities have shown improved memory and language ability, improved mood, decreased behavioral problems, and are generally happier. The Center also receives positive feedback from caregivers.

“The activities selected by the Center all help to stimulate the brain activity. The patients are happier. The activities are adjusted to suit the clients’ ability and motivate them to join next time. Some people, after completing the course, also want to come again for a new course. We also found that these activities can slow down the disease to a satisfactory level,” Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sukcharoen emphasized.

“Caregivers also have a better understanding of how to care for patients, having learned how to cope with patients through activities. More importantly, it is the social interactions, which are not just among patients, but also among the caregivers, all of which is to improve the quality of life for both.”

In the future, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sukcharoen said that the Center has plans to do more individual brain training for cases that have problems preventing them from participating in group activities. In addition, it will develop an online service platform using virtual reality devices and other innovations in collaboration with the cognitive impairment and dementia research unit of Chulalongkorn University Faculty of Medicine, as well as offer an online course for professional caregivers of people with dementia.

The Clear Brain Club prevents Alzheimer’s before it’s too late.
Dementia is preventable, says Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sukcharoen, reiterating evidence from several studies that people can slow the development of dementia at an early age.

“If you don’t want to have dementia, and to always have a bright brain, you need to start at an early age. Lead a healthy lifestyle, which is easy to do, starting with no stress, no depression, have social interaction, constant and regular exercise, annual health checkups, taking care of personal health issues, eating five groups of healthy foods, avoiding substance abuse and alcohol, abstain from smoking, sleep well, learn new things in life, do leisure activities, practice meditation,” Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sukcharoen suggested.

For this reason, the Dementia Day Center has set up a “Bright Brain Club” to encourage the general public to recognize, understand, and possess skills to care for themselves, and their mental and brain health to prevent dementia when entering an advanced age.

“The club is established with no membership fees for anyone 45 years of age or older because people of this age who are preparing to go into the geriatric stage are beginning to have chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia, the conditions which we need them to start paying attention to now. Most importantly, some people with stress, and depression from everyday life, if not properly cared for, early on will have a high risk of dementia in the future. Therefore, everyone should take care of their brain health before it’s too late.”

The Bright Brain Club is part of the Dementia Day Center located on the 15th floor of the Sor Tor Building Currently, there are about over a thousand members. Members can participate in regular club activities free of charge, such as workshops, seminars on physical and mental health issues, film screenings and discussions afterward, or listen to audio materials via podcast or YouTube.

“We want to encourage older people to prevent dementia early on by looking after themselves, paying attention to their physical and mental health to lessen the burden for their loved ones, the society, and the country in the future.So come and join our club,” Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sukcharoen said.

Alzheimer’s care center Dementia Care Center
Contact the Dementia Care Center, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital for appointments to attend therapy or join the Bright Brain Club at the Sor Tor Building 15th Floor, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, The Thai Red Cross Society, Tel. +66-2256-40000 ext. 71501, 71507 or via Facebook “Dementia Day Center, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, The Thai Red Cross Society,” or visit https://www.dcarechula.com/