Metal allergy as a persistent factor for psoriasis.

Purpose: Psoriasis is a complex, chronic inflammatory keratosis of unclear origin that is challenging to treat. In patients with psoriasis suspected of having metal allergies, the removal of oral metallic prostheses contributes to the alleviation of psoriasis symptoms. However, the relationship and mechanism of the metal removal effect and improvement in psoriasis symptoms in patients with metal allergies are unknown.

A single amino acid substitution in the Borna disease virus glycoprotein enhances the infectivity titer of vesicular stomatitis virus pseudotyped virus by altering membrane fusion activity.

Borna disease virus 1 (BoDV-1) causes acute fatal encephalitis in mammals, including humans. Despite its importance, research on BoDV-1 cell entry has been hindered by low infectious viral particle production in cells and the lack of cytopathic effects, which are typically useful for screening. To address these issues, we developed a method to efficiently produce vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) pseudotyped with glycoprotein (G) of members of the genus Orthobornavirus, including BoDV-1.

Association between gender and self-assessment skills amongst Japanese dental students.

Background/purpose: Self-assessment in dental education is considered a fundamental skill for proficient oral healthcare providers. While previous studies looked at self-assessment in education, few have done so at Japanese institutions. This study aimed to assess potential associations between gender and self-assessment skills in Japanese dental students.

Controlling redox state by edaravone at transplantation site enhances bone regeneration.

In cell-based bone augmentation, transplanted cell dysfunction and apoptosis can occur due to oxidative stress caused by the overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Edaravone (EDA) is a potent free radical scavenger with potential medical applications. This study aimed to investigate the effect of controlling oxidative stress on bone regeneration using EDA.

A deep learning-based automated diagnosis system for SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging.

Images obtained from single-photon emission computed tomography for myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI SPECT) contain noises and artifacts, making cardiovascular disease diagnosis difficult. We developed a deep learning-based diagnosis support system using MPI SPECT images. Single-center datasets of MPI SPECT images (n = 5443) were obtained and labeled as healthy or coronary artery disease based on diagnosis reports.

Cholecystokinin-Induced Duodenogastric Bile Reflux Increases the Severity of Indomethacin-Induced Gastric Antral Ulcers in Re-fed Mice.

Background/aims: We examined the involvement of cholecystokinin (CCK) in the exacerbation of indomethacin (IND)-induced gastric antral ulcers by gastroparesis caused by atropine or dopamine in mice.

Methods: Male mice were fed for 2 h (re-feeding) following a 22-h fast. Indomethacin (IND; 10 mg/kg, s.

Myelodysplasia after clonal hematopoiesis with APOBEC3-mediated CYBB inactivation in retroviral gene therapy for X-CGD.

Stem cell gene therapy using the MFGS-gp91 retroviral vector was performed on a 27-year-old patient with X-linked chronic granulomatous disease (X-CGD) in 2014. The patient's refractory infections were resolved, whereas the oxidase-positive neutrophils disappeared within 6 months. Thirty-two months after gene therapy, the patient developed myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), and vector integration into the MECOM locus was identified in blast cells.

Gastroparesis Worsens Indomethacin-Induced Gastric Antral Ulcers by Bile Reflux via Activation of 5-HT and Dopamine D Receptors in Mice.

Background/aims: We examined the contributions of gastric emptying and duodenogastric bile reflux in the formation of gastric antral ulcers induced by NSAIDs in mice.

Methods: We used the murine re-fed indomethacin (IND) experimental ulcer model. Outcome measures included the appearance of gastric lesions 24 h after IND treatment and the assessment of gastric contents and the concentration of bile acids 1.

Measurement of Direct-Photon Cross Section and Double-Helicity Asymmetry at sqrt[s]=510 GeV in p[over →]+p[over →] Collisions.

We present measurements of the cross section and double-helicity asymmetry A_{LL} of direct-photon production in p[over →]+p[over →] collisions at sqrt[s]=510  GeV. The measurements have been performed at midrapidity (|η|<0.25) with the PHENIX detector at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider.

Intestinal Epithelial Inactivity of Dual Oxidase 2 Results in Microbiome-Mediated Metabolic Syndrome.

Background & Aims: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is characterized by obesity, glucose intolerance, and hepatic steatosis. Alterations in the gut microbiome play important roles in the development of MetS. However, the mechanisms by which this occurs are poorly understood.

Genetic diversity analysis and parentage verification of Taishu horses using 31 microsatellites.

The Taishu horse in Tsushima is one of eight Japanese native breeds. The breed is on the verge of extinction due to a rapid decrease in numbers since the 1960s owing to motorization in Japan. In this study, we aimed to confirm the pedigree information of 52 horses by genotyping 31 microsatellites in order to avoid inbreeding.

Iodine contrast exposure and incident COVID-19 infection.

Background: Iodine and particularly its oxidated forms have long been recognized for its effective antiseptic properties. Limited and data suggest that iodine exposure may rapidly inactivate, reduce transmission, and reduce infectivity of SARS-CoV-2. We hypothesized that iodine exposure may be associated with decreased incident COVID-19 infection.

Excess iodine exposure acutely increases salivary iodide and antimicrobial hypoiodous acid concentrations in humans.

The lactoperoxidase (LPO)-hydrogen peroxide-halides reaction (LPO system) converts iodide and thiocyanate (SCN) into hypoiodous acid (HOI) and hypothiocyanite (OSCN), respectively. Since this system has been implicated in defense of the airways and oropharynx from microbial invasion, in this proof-of-concept study we measured the concentrations of these analytes in human saliva from a convenience clinical sample of 40 qualifying subjects before and after acute iodine administration via the iodinated contrast medium used in coronary angiography to test the hypothesis that an iodide load increases salivary iodide and HOI concentrations. Saliva was collected and salivary iodide, SCN, HOI and OSCN were measured using standard methodology.

[Cytomegalovirus associated myelitis in a non-immunocompromised adult due to initial cytomegalovirus infection].

The patient was a 30-year-old man who developed muscle weakness in both lower extremities, sensory deficits below the fourth thoracic spinal cord level, and bladder rectal dysfunction owing to cytomegalovirus (CMV) associated myelitis. His blood tests showed mononucleosis, hepatic dysfunction, and the presence of serum CMV-IgM antibodies, and T-weighted imaging on MRI displayed a continuous high signal on the ventral side of the spinal cord. Although his medical history and laboratory tests did not indicate that he was immunocompromised, we speculated he had CMV-associated myelitis.

Development of non-bias phenotypic drug screening for cardiomyocyte hypertrophy by image segmentation using deep learning.

The number of patients with heart failure and related deaths is rapidly increasing worldwide, making it a major problem. Cardiac hypertrophy is a crucial preliminary step in heart failure, but its treatment has not yet been fully successful. In this study, we established a system to evaluate cardiomyocyte hypertrophy using a deep learning-based high-throughput screening system and identified drugs that inhibit it.

Relationship between Antenatal Mental Health and Facial Emotion Recognition Bias for Children's Faces among Pregnant Women.

The importance of identification of facial emotion recognition (FER) bias for a child's face has been reinforced from the perspective of risk screening for future peripartum mental health problems. We attempted to clarify the relationship of FER bias for children's faces with antenatal depression and bonding failure among pregnant women, taking into consideration their broad social cognitive abilities and experience in child raising. This study had a cross-sectional design, and participants were women in their second trimester of pregnancy.

The complement C3-complement factor D-C3a receptor signalling axis regulates cardiac remodelling in right ventricular failure.

Failure of the right ventricle plays a critical role in any type of heart failure. However, the mechanism remains unclear, and there is no specific therapy. Here, we show that the right ventricle predominantly expresses alternative complement pathway-related genes, including Cfd and C3aR1.

Thoracic empyema caused by Alloscardovia omnicolens and Bifidobacteriumdentium.

A 62-year-old man was admitted to our emergency department with the complaint of worsening dyspnea after initiating anti-tuberculous therapy (isoniazid [300 mg/day], rifampicin [600 mg/day], ethambutol [750 mg/day], and pyrazinamide [1,500 mg/day]) for tuberculous pleuritis. His oral hygiene status was poor. The patient had no significant past medical history.

Blood Taurine Dynamics in Captive Lions: Relationship with Feed and Bile Acid Composition.

Taurine is an essential nutrient for felines including lions. Various severe symptoms induced by taurine deficiency have been reported for domestic and captive felines. Particularly for captive lions in zoos, little information related to taurine requirements is available.

Japanese rock ptarmigan displays high levels of polyunsaturated fatty acid in egg yolk compared to chicken and quail.

Egg yolk from captive and wild Japanese rock ptarmigan were analyzed for fatty acid composition. Compared to commercially reared poultry species, the ptarmigan yolk samples displayed higher level of polyunsaturated fatty acids as opposed to monounsaturated fatty acids. The difference between the commercial controls and ptarmigan were larger than the difference between groups of ptarmigan, indicating that the fatty acid profile of Japanese rock ptarmigan might be partly attributed to genetic factors rather than feed, despite wild and captive birds having vastly different diets, and captive birds having been artificially bred for several generations.

Fecal Glucocorticoid Metabolites as a Noninvasive Indicator of Stress in the Tsushima Leopard Cats (): Application to Health Care.

This study investigates whether the measurement of glucocorticoid metabolites (GCMs) in feces is a useful method for the noninvasive evaluation of stress in the endangered Tsushima leopard cats (). Feces were collected from six seemingly healthy and five diseased (renal dysfunction, adrenal tumor, hernia, feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), feline leukemia virus (FeLV)) Tsushima leopard cats in captivity. Fecal GCMs were measured by enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for cortisol.

Duodenal cholinergic tuft cell number is increased in functional dyspepsia.

Background: Low-grade duodenal inflammation has recently been identified in patients with functional dyspepsia (FD). Chemosensory tuft cells were reported to be associated with gastrointestinal diseases. We therefore assessed duodenal tuft cell density and microinflammation in patients with FD to determine whether these measures could serve as useful biomarkers, and also correlated tuft cell density and microinflammation in FD patients.