Publications by authors named "A Maekawa"

Fractional flow reserve (FFR) has been well validated as a modality for evaluating myocardial ischemia, demonstrating the superiority of FFR-guided percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) over conventional angiography-guided PCI. As a result, the strategy for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is shifting toward FFR guidance. However, the advantage of FFR-guided CABG over angiography-guided CABG remains unclear.

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Introduction: Early detection of neurodegeneration is essential for optimizing interventions. The highly reproducible progression of neurodegeneration in the decrepit () mouse allows investigation of early biomarkers and mechanisms of brain injury.

Methods: Using high-frequency ultrasound, the common carotid arteries of female and male and control mice were imaged longitudinally at time points bracketing the disease progression (50, 75, and 125 days of age) ( = 6 mice/group/sex).

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A questionnaire survey was designed and performed to assess the current status of "next generation" hepatobiliary and pancreatic (HBP) surgeons regarding surgical training, career, recruiting, and work-life balance in Japan. Using a valid email address, a questionnaire was sent to members of the Japanese Society of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgeons (JSHBPS) who were under 45 years old. The questionnaire comprised 50 questions across the following four sections: (i) board certification of JSHBPS, (ii) research activity and overseas study, (iii) recruiting, and (iv) work-life balance.

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Article Synopsis
  • Specific Pathogen-Free (SPF) animals, like the BALB/c mice, are essential for reliable research as they are bred to be free from harmful pathogens.
  • This study aimed to explore the natural infection of BALB/c mice by Bartonella henselae, a widespread bacterium, by analyzing various tissues for the presence of its DNA.
  • All tested mice showed positive results for B. henselae DNA, indicating that this bacterium can infect laboratory mice, which may compromise research outcomes if not addressed.
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Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a complex autoimmune disease characterized by fibrosis, vascular abnormalities, and immune dysfunction, with no definitive cure. Patients with progressive pulmonary fibrosis face a high mortality risk, underscoring the urgent need for effective treatments. Although fibroblasts are recognized as key drivers of fibrosis, the precise molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood.

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