Bifunctional DEGS2 has higher hydroxylase activity toward substrates with very-long-chain fatty acids in the production of phytosphingosine ceramides.

Phytosphingosine (PHS) is a sphingolipid component present mainly in epithelial tissues, including the epidermis and those lining the digestive tract. DEGS2 is a bifunctional enzyme that produces ceramides (CERs) containing PHS (PHS-CERs) via hydroxylation and sphingosine-CERs via desaturation, using dihydrosphingosine-CERs as substrates. Until now, the role of DEGS2 in permeability barrier functioning, its contribution to PHS-CER production, and the mechanism that differentiates between these two activities have been unknown.

Emergency Visits and Hospitalization After Chat Message, Voice Call, or Video Call for Telehealth in Obstetrics and Gynecology Using Telehealth Service User Data in Japan: Cross-sectional Study.

Background: In obstetric and gynecologic practices, synchronous telehealth services via chat message, voice calls, and video calls have been increasingly equipped to improve patients' health care accessibility and clinical outcomes. Nevertheless, differences in clinical outcomes between communication tools remain unknown, especially in terms of safety.

Objective: This study compared the occurrence of emergency visits and hospitalization after telehealth services through different communication tools, including chat messages, voice calls, and video calls.

Adjunctive brexpiprazole in patients with major depressive disorder and anxiety symptoms: an exploratory study.

Background: Major depressive disorder (MDD) with concurrent anxiety symptoms may signal a difficult-to-treat patient. Brexpiprazole is a serotonin-dopamine activity modulator: a partial agonist at 5-HT and dopamine D receptors at similar potency, and an antagonist at 5-HT and noradrenaline alpha receptors. The objective of this Phase IIIb study was to explore effectiveness, safety, and tolerability of brexpiprazole adjunctive to antidepressant (ADT) monotherapy in patients with MDD and anxiety symptoms (NCT02013531).

The effect of brexpiprazole in adult outpatients with early-episode schizophrenia: an exploratory study.

The aim of this study was to evaluate flexibly dosed brexpiprazole for early-episode schizophrenia through the assessment of efficacy, social functioning, and tolerability. This was an exploratory, 16-week, open-label, flexible-dose (1, 2, 3, or 4 mg/day; target dose 3 mg/day) study in outpatients with early-episode schizophrenia (18-35 years old, ≤5 years' duration of illness). Efficacy was assessed by the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale score (PANSS) and social functioning was assessed by changes from baseline in PANSS modified prosocial subscale, personal and social performance (PSP), and specific levels of functioning (SLOF) scales.

Brexpiprazole as an adjunctive treatment in young adults with major depressive disorder who are in a school or work environment.

Background: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a common, debilitating disorder with substantial socioeconomic burden. Many patients with MDD experience symptoms that impair functioning and productivity, often negatively affecting work or educational pursuits. This Phase 3b open-label study evaluated adjunctive brexpiprazole in young adults with MDD, who were in work or study.

The effect of brexpiprazole (OPC-34712) and aripiprazole in adult patients with acute schizophrenia: results from a randomized, exploratory study.

The aim of this study was to explore the effects of brexpiprazole and aripiprazole on efficacy, cognitive functioning, and safety in patients with acute schizophrenia. Patients who would benefit from hospitalization/continued hospitalization for acute relapse of schizophrenia were enrolled and randomized (2 : 1) to target doses of open-label brexpiprazole 3 mg/day or aripiprazole 15 mg/day for 6 weeks. Outcomes included change from baseline to week 6 in the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale total score, Barratt Impulsiveness Scale 11-item score, and Cogstate computerized cognitive test battery scores.