Microthrombosis at the Ultra-early Stages after Experimental Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Results in Early Brain Injury.

Introduction: Early Brain Injury (EBI) significantly contributes to poor neurological outcomes and death following subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). The mechanisms underlying EBI post-SAH remain unclear. This study explores the relationship between serial cerebral blood flow (CBF) changes and neurological symptoms, as well as the mechanisms driving CBF changes in the ultra-early stages after experimental SAH in mice.

Contextual and psychosocial factors associated with latrine utilization in rural communities in Ethiopia.

Background: Although proper latrine utilization is one of the best ways to reduce the risk of infection, it remains a challenge in the majority of rural communities in developing countries such as Ethiopia. Studies have demonstrated the link between individual behavior and latrine use, but there is a paucity of evidence on individual risk perception, perceived social pressure norms, social identity, and perceived ability, which plays an indubitable role in health and behavior change, especially in rural communities.

Objective: This study aimed to identify contextual and psychosocial factors associated with latrine utilization among rural communities in Lomabosa district, Ethiopia.

Mutations in the 5' untranslated region fine-tune the translational control of heterologously expressed genes.

Strict control of the expression levels of heterologously introduced protein-coding genes is important for the functional analysis of the protein of interest and its effective use in new situations. For this purpose, various promoters with different expression strengths, codon optimization, and expression stimulation by low molecular weight compounds are commonly used. However, methods to control protein expression levels by combining regulation of translation efficiency have not been studied in detail.

Transcriptomic signatures of WNT-driven pathways and granulosa cell-oocyte interactions during primordial follicle activation.

Primordial follicle activation (PFA) is a pivotal event in female reproductive biology, coordinating the transition from quiescent to growing follicles. This study employed comprehensive single-cell RNA sequencing to gain insights into the detailed regulatory mechanisms governing the synchronized dormancy and activation between granulosa cells (GCs) and oocytes with the progression of the PFA process. Wntless (Wls) conditional knockout (cKO) mice served as a unique model, suppressing the transition from pre-GCs to GCs, and disrupting somatic cell-derived WNT signaling in the ovary.

Generation of human iPSC-derived 3D bile duct within liver organoid by incorporating human iPSC-derived blood vessel.

In fetal development, tissue interaction such as the interplay between blood vessel (BV) and epithelial tissue is crucial for organogenesis. Here we recapitulate the spatial arrangement between liver epithelial tissue and the portal vein to observe the formation of intrahepatic bile ducts (BDs) from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC). We co-culture hiPSC-liver progenitors on the artificial BV consisting of immature smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells, both derived from hiPSCs.

Human iPSC-liver organoid transplantation reduces fibrosis through immunomodulation.

Donor organ shortages for transplantation remain a serious global concern, and alternative treatment is in high demand. Fetal cells and tissues have considerable therapeutic potential as, for example, organoid technology that uses human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) to generate unlimited human fetal-like cells and tissues. We previously reported the in vivo vascularization of early fetal liver-like hiPSC-derived liver buds (LBs) and subsquent improved survival of recipient mice with subacute liver failure.

Recognition of HIV-1-infected fibrocytes lacking Nef-mediated HLA-B downregulation by HIV-1-specific T cells.

Unlabelled: Fibrocytes were reported to be host cells for HIV-1, but the immunological recognition of HIV-1-infected fibrocytes has not been studied. Here, we investigated the recognition of HIV-1-infected fibrocytes by HIV-1-specific CD8 T cells. CD8 T cells specific for five HIV-1 epitopes (HLA-A*24:02-restricted, HLA-B*52:01-restricted, and HLA-C*12:02-restricted epitopes) produced IFN-γ and expressed CD107a after coculture with HIV-1-infected fibrocytes.

Two cases of airway-centered fibroelastosis treated with an antifibrotic agent and corticosteroids.

Airway-centered fibroelastosis is characterized by peribronchovascular fibroelastosis, predominantly in the upper lobes, with little-to-no pleural involvement. In this study, we describe two cases of airway-centered fibroelastosis diagnosed based on radiological and pathological findings. The first case comprised a 44-year-old man whose forced vital capacity improved over three months following treatment with nintedanib.

Prophylactic vaccination inducing anti-Env antibodies can result in protection against HTLV-1 challenge in macaques.

Human T cell leukemia/T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) infection occurs by cell-to-cell transmission and can induce fatal adult T cell leukemia. Vaccine development is critical for the control of HTLV-1 transmission. However, determining whether vaccine-induced anti-Env antibodies can prevent cell-to-cell HTLV-1 transmission is challenging.

Diagnostic yields and safety of thoracoscopic cryobiopsies in Japan: A single-center retrospective observational study.

Background: Thoracoscopy is useful for diagnosing unexplained pleural effusions. A sufficient specimen volume is often difficult to obtain using forceps biopsies (FBs) but can be obtained with pleural cryobiopsies (CBs). This study aimed to assess the utility and safety of CB during thoracoscopy in the Japanese population.

PHF2 regulates sarcomeric gene transcription in myogenesis.

Myogenesis is regulated mainly by transcription factors known as Myogenic Regulatory Factors (MRFs), and the transcription is affected by epigenetic modifications. However, the epigenetic regulation of myogenesis is poorly understood. Here, we focused on the epigenomic modification enzyme, PHF2, which demethylates histone 3 lysine 9 dimethyl (H3K9me2) during myogenesis.

Progranulin-deficient macrophages cause cardiotoxicity under hypoxic conditions.

Myocardial infarction (MI) induces structural and electrical cardiac remodeling in response to ischemic insult, causing lethal arrhythmias and sudden death. Progranulin (PGRN) is a glycoprotein mainly expressed in macrophages that modulates the immune responses. In this study, we investigated the direct influence of PGRN knockout (Grn) macrophages on post-MI pathophysiology.

Epitope-dependent effect of long-term cART on maintenance and recovery of HIV-1-specific CD8 T cells.

HIV-1-specific CD8 T cells are anticipated to become effector cells for curative treatment using the "shock and kill" approach in people living with HIV-1 (PLWH) under combined antiretroviral therapy (cART). Previous studies demonstrated that the frequency of HIV-1-specific CD8 T cells is reduced under cART and their functional ability remains impaired. These studies analyzed T-cell responses to a small number of HIV-1 epitopes or overlapping HIV-1 peptides.

HIV-1 protective epitope-specific CD8 T cells in HIV-1-exposed seronegative individuals.

Although previous studies have reported HIV-1-specific T cell responses in HIV-1-exposed seronegative (HESN) individuals, there has been no detailed analysis of these T cells against HIV-1 infection. We investigated HIV-1-specific CD8 T cell responses in 200 Japanese HESN men who have sex with men (MSM). T cell responses to 143 well-characterized HIV-1 epitope peptides were analyzed by intracellular cytokine staining assay consisting of 3-week cultures of PBMCs stimulated with peptides.

Why too soon? Predictors of time to diabetic peripheral neuropathy among newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus patients: a multicenter follow-up study at health-care setting of Ethiopia.

Background: Due to the rising number of diabetic patients, the burden of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is clearly posing a major challenge to the long-term viability of the health-care system. Despite this, most DPN epidemiological research in eastern Africa, including Ethiopia, has so far been limited to survey studies. Thus, we determined the incidence of DPN and its predictors among diabetic patients in tertiary health-care setting of southwest Ethiopia.

Carrier conversion from terahertz wave to dual-wavelength near-infrared light for photonic terahertz detection in wireless communication.

THz waves are promising wireless carriers for next-generation wireless communications, where a seamless connection from wireless to optical communication is required. In this study, we demonstrate carrier conversion from THz waves to dual-wavelength NIR light injection-locking to an optical frequency comb using asynchronous nonpolarimetric electro-optic downconversion with an electro-optic polymer modulator. THz wave in the W band was detected as a stable photonic RF beat signal of 1 GHz with a signal-to-noise ratio of 20 dB via the proposed THz-to-NIR carrier conversion.

Progranulin deficiency exacerbates cardiac remodeling after myocardial infarction.

Myocardial infarction (MI) is a lethal disease that causes irreversible cardiomyocyte death and subsequent cardiovascular remodeling. We have previously shown that the administration of recombinant progranulin (PGRN) protects against myocardial ischemia and reperfusion injury. However, the post-MI role of PGRN remains unclear.

Flexible Attachment and Detachment of Centromeres and Telomeres to and from Chromosomes.

Accurate transmission of genomic information across multiple cell divisions and generations, without any losses or errors, is fundamental to all living organisms. To achieve this goal, eukaryotes devised chromosomes. Eukaryotic genomes are represented by multiple linear chromosomes in the nucleus, each carrying a centromere in the middle, a telomere at both ends, and multiple origins of replication along the chromosome arms.

Spatial distribution and determinants of stunting, wasting and underweight in children under-five in Ethiopia.

Background: The burden of malnutrition in children under five remains an important child health issue where significant regional variations are observed in Ethiopia. The main aim of the current study was to explore the spatial distribution of stunting, wasting, and underweight in children under five in Ethiopia.

Methods: The secondary data from EDHS, 2016, was employed, and a total of 7960 under-five children were included in the analysis.

VGF nerve growth factor inducible has the potential to protect pancreatic β-cells.

VGF nerve growth factor inducible (VGF) is a secreted polypeptide involved in metabolic regulation. VGF-derived peptides have been reported to regulate insulin secretion in the plasma of patients with type 2 diabetes and model mice. However, the protective effects of VGF on pancreatic β-cells in diabetic model are not well understood.

One-Step Pharmaceutical Preparation of PEG-Modified Exosomes Encapsulating Anti-Cancer Drugs by a High-Pressure Homogenization Technique.

The use of exosomes encapsulating therapeutic agents for the treatment of diseases is of increasing interest. However, some concerns such as limited efficiency and scalability of conventional drug encapsulation methods to exosomes have still remained; thus, a new approach that enables encapsulation of therapeutic agents with superior efficiency and scalability is required. Herein, we used RAW264 macrophage cell-derived exosomes (RAW-Exos) and demonstrated that high-pressure homogenization (HPH) using a microfluidizer decreased their particle size without changing their morphology, the amount of exosomal marker proteins, and cellular uptake efficiency into RAW264 and colon-26 cancer cells.

Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma complicated by pneumonia in a non-endemic area.

Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) is a human T-cell leukemia virus type 1-inducing unevenly-distributed T-cell malignancy, which is often complicated by opportunistic infections. Here, we discuss the case of a 75-year-old woman presenting with pneumonia (PCP) who was subsequently diagnosed with ATLL in Tokyo, a non-endemic area of ATLL. In addition to the elevated soluble interleukin-2 receptor and the detection of flower cells in the screening blood test, the high-resolution computed tomography findings, atypical of PCP, were clues to the diagnosis of ATLL.

Association of Chlamydia trachomatis infection with pregnancy outcomes among Japanese pregnant women: The Japan environment and children's study.

This study aimed to investigate the impact of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) infection on pregnancy outcome in pregnant Japanese women. We utilized the data from a nationwide birth cohort study, the Japan Environment and Children's Study (JECS), for this study. We enrolled 26,385 individuals who could refer to data on pregnancy outcomes and confounding factors, with data on CT.

Immunological Control of HIV-1 Disease Progression by Rare Protective HLA Allele.

Rare HLA alleles such as HLA-B57 are associated with slow progression to AIDS. However, the evidence for the advantage of rare protective alleles is limited, and the mechanism is still unclear. Although the prevalence of HLA-B*67:01 is only 1.