High Altitude Pulmonary Edema Associated with Climbing Mount Fuji: A Case Report.

A 51-year-old man presented to the emergency department with rapidly progressive dyspnea that developed while climbing Mount Fuji. He had climbed Mount Fuji twice without experiencing similar symptoms. On arrival, his oxygen saturation was 91% on 10 L/min of oxygen with a non-rebreather mask.

Population impact of malaria control interventions in the health district of Kati, Mali.

Background: WHO and its partners have adopted alternative control interventions since the failure to eradicate malaria worldwide in the 1960s and 1970s. The aim of these interventions has been to redesign the control interventions to make them more effective and more efficient. The purpose of this study is to assess the population impact of control interventions implemented at the community health area level.

Risk of autism spectrum disorder at 18 months of age is associated with prenatal level of polychlorinated biphenyls exposure in a Japanese birth cohort.

Prenatal exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) has a detrimental effect on early cognitive development. Based on these observations, some researchers suggested that prenatal exposure to PCB may be an environmental cause of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). To investigate the potential link between prenatal exposure to PCB, we analyzed the link between the level of prenatal PCB exposure and ASD risk evaluated at 18 months of age and behavioral problems at 5 years old based on longitudinal birth cohort data collected in urban areas in Japan based on the data from 115 mother-infant pairs.

Age-associated aberrations of the cumulus-oocyte interaction and in the zona pellucida structure reduce fertility in female mice.

One of the major age-related declines in female reproductive function is the reduced quantity and quality of oocytes. Here we demonstrate that structural changes in the zona pellucida (ZP) were associated with decreased fertilization rates from 34- to 38-week-old female mice, equivalent to the mid-reproductive of human females. In middle-aged mouse ovaries, the decline in the number of transzonal projections was accompanied by a decrease in cumulus cell-oocyte interactions, resulting in a deterioration of the oocyte quality.

Usefulness of a new anthropomorphic phantom simulating the chest and abdomen regions in PET tests.

Objective: To investigate the clinical utility of a new anthropomorphic phantom that reproduces the chest and abdomen better than the conventional National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) body phantom, count rates and image quality of PET images obtained from patients were evaluated.

Methods: Anthropomorphic phantoms were used to include radioactivity in the lung, liver, kidney, and background regions. Two NEMA body phantoms were used for chest and abdominal assessments.

[A Comparative Study of the Compressed SENSE Accelerated Fat-suppressed 3D-turbo Spin Echo Sequence Method and Conventional Fat-suppressed 3D-TSE Method for Lingual Neurovascular Bundle Visualization].

Purpose: This study aimed to compare the compressed SENSE (C-SENSE) accelerated fat-suppressed 3D-turbo spin echo (TSE) method and the conventional SENSE accelerated fat-suppressed 3D-TSE method to examine the usefulness of C-SENSE technology in reducing imaging time.

Methods: Fat-suppressed 3D-TSE using either C-SENSE or SENSE technology was utilized to capture consecutive preoperative images of 34 patients with tongue cancer. SNR, CNR, and visual evaluation were then used to compare both types of technology.

Development of a novel multiplex digital PCR-based method for the detection of HTLV-1 proviral deletion.

The human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1), a retrovirus, integrates into host DNA and causes adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL) in some individuals. Two types of defective proviruses, Type 1 and Type 2, are often observed in ATL cells. Here, we developed a 3-plex digital PCR (dPCR) method to detect HTLV-1 proviral deletions by comparing the ratios of copy numbers quantified using specific primer-probes for the LTR, pol, and pX regions.

ProC6C, a novel multi-stage malaria vaccine, elicits functional antibodies against the minor and central repeats of the Circumsporozoite Protein in human adults.

Introduction: ProC6C is a multi-stage malaria vaccine which includes Circumsporozoite Protein (PfCSP), Pfs48/45 and Pfs230 sequences, designed to elicit functional antibodies that prevent sporozoite invasion of human hepatocytes (PfCSP) and parasite development in mosquitoes (Pfs48/45 and Pfs230). ProC6C formulated on Alhydrogel was evaluated in combination with Matrix-M in a Phase 1 trial in Burkina Faso. The PfCSP antibody responses were assessed for magnitude, specificity, avidity and functionality.

Current Status of Cooperation Between Obstetric Care Institutes and Psychiatrists in Japan.

In May 2024, we requested all obstetric institutes (n = 1970) that are members of the Japan Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (JAOG) to provide information concerning the collaboration between obstetric institutes and psychiatrists in Japan, such as (1) pregnancy and delivery management of all pregnant women with psychiatric complications, and (2) availability of smooth collaboration with associated psychiatry (or psychiatrists) regarding pregnant women with psychiatric complications. Of the 1970 obstetric institutes, 1483 (75.2%) responded with valid information (completion of data submitted).

Usefulness of driver's eye movement measurement to detect potential risks under combined conditions of taking second-generation antihistamines and calling tasks.

Background: Concerns persist regarding the potential reduction in driving performance due to taking second-generation antihistamines or performing hands-free calling. Previous studies have indicated a potential risk to driving performance under an emergency event when these two factors are combined, whereas a non-emergency event was operated effectively. Currently, there is a lack of a discriminative index capable of detecting the potential risks of driving performance impairment.

Predicting dupilumab effectiveness with Type-2 biomarkers: A real-world study of severe asthma.

Background: The therapeutic effectiveness of dupilumab for severe asthma in real-world settings is yet to be prospectively investigated across multiple institutions, and uncertainties persist regarding predictive factors for its effectiveness. We aimed to assess the effectiveness of dupilumab and identify predictors of its effectiveness in real-world settings using two type-2 biomarkers: FeNO concentration and blood eosinophil count.

Methods: This prospective multicenter study included 103 patients with severe asthma.

Analytical Sensitivity Analysis and Clinical Impact Modeling of Rapigen Rapid Diagnostic Tests for Malaria.

Laboratory benchmarking allows objective analysis of the analytical performance of malaria rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs). We present the analytical detection limits of the Rapigen BIOCREDIT Malaria Ag Pf/Pv (pLDH/pLDH), the Rapigen BIOCREDIT Malaria Ag Pf (pLDH/HRPII), and two best-in-class WHO-prequalified comparator RDTs, generated using standardized panels containing recombinant antigen, in vitro cultured parasites, international standards, and clinical samples. Detection limit antigen concentrations of HRP2, PfLDH, and PvLDH were determined for the Rapigen and comparator RDTs.

Plasma vitamin D levels are correlated with the pathogenesis of human T-cell leukemia virus type 1-associated diseases.

The active form of vitamin D (VD) exerts hormonal effects by regulating the expression of genes involved in T-cell activity, cell differentiation, and proliferation. Human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is a causative agent of life-threatening diseases, adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) and HTLV-1-associated myelopathy (HAM). Among ATL patients, hypercalcemia is one of the most serious complications due to bone resorption.

Challenges for early diagnosis of neonatal herpes infection in Japan.

Background: This study aimed to analyze the recent prevalence of neonatal herpes simplex virus infection, maternal symptoms in the presence of neonate who has herpes simplex virus infection, and mode of delivery in Japan.

Methods: We requested 2.078 obstetrical facilities that are members of the Japan Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (JAOG) to provide information on neonatal herpes simplex virus infection involving deliveries at or after 22 weeks of gestation between 2020 and 2022.

Infusion Reactions in HER2-Positive Gastric Cancer: Switching from Trastuzumab to Its Biosimilar.

This study presents a safety analysis of infusion reactions (IRs) in gastric cancer patients who switched from reference trastuzumab to its biosimilar, trastuzumab-NK, at the Saitama Cancer Center in Japan from April 2018 to March 2022. IRs were identified if patients developed symptoms such as fever, chills, infusion-related reactions, hypersensitivity, rash, pruritus, urticaria, systemic disorders, or immune system disorders on the day of administration or the following day. The incidence of IRs was 14% in the reference trastuzumab group, 33% in the trastuzumab-NK group, and 33% in the switching group.

Compact and transportable system for detecting lead-shielded highly enriched uranium using Cf rotation method with a water Cherenkov neutron detector.

The global challenge of on-site detection of highly enriched uranium (HEU), a substance with considerable potential for unauthorized use in nuclear security, is a critical concern. Traditional passive nondestructive assay (NDA) techniques, such as gamma-ray spectroscopy with high-purity germanium detectors, face significant challenges in detecting HEU when it is shielded by heavy metals. Addressing this critical security need, we introduce an on-site detection method for lead-shielded HEU employing a transportable NDA system that utilizes the Cf rotation method with a water Cherenkov neutron detector.

Antibody gene features associated with binding and functional activity in malaria vaccine-derived human mAbs.

The impact of adjuvants on malaria vaccine-induced antibody repertoire is poorly understood. Here, we characterize the impact of two adjuvants, Alhydrogel® and AS01, on antibody clonotype diversity, binding and function, post malaria vaccination. We expressed 132 recombinant anti-Pfs230D1 human monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) from participants immunized with malaria transmission-blocking vaccine Pfs230D1, formulated with either Alhydrogel® or AS01.

A clinical case of anaphylaxis after eating oatmeal contaminated with booklice (Liposcelis bostrychophila).

A 52-year-old man presented to our department with generalized erythema, watery stools, and vomiting 30 min after ingesting coconut, oatmeal, and vegetable juice. On arrival, his blood pressure was 120/79 mm Hg, heart rate was 126 beats per min, blood oxygen saturation was 96%, and lip cyanosis was observed. The patient experienced diffuse redness throughout the body and was diagnosed as having severe anaphylaxis.

Patients with diabetes and obesity exhibit characteristics in eating and coping behaviors and personality traits.

Aims/introduction: In patients with diabetes, obesity is an aggravating factor for glycemic control and its vascular complications. However, the psychological and behavioral characteristics of those patients with obesity have not been fully clarified. This study investigated eating and coping behavior, personality traits, quality of life (QOL), and depression status in patients with diabetes with or without obesity.