Association between heated tobacco product use and airway obstruction: a single-centre observational study, Japan.

Background: While heated tobacco products (HTPs) may affect pulmonary function, the evidence supporting the utility of screening for HTP use in clinical settings is insufficient. We examined the association between HTP use and airway obstruction after switching from cigarettes.

Method: The study subjects were patients aged ≥20 years undergoing surgery from December 2021 to September 2022 who completed spirometry and reported tobacco (cigarette and HTP) use status during the preoperative assessment.

Successful weaning of a patient with severe COVID-19 pneumonia under prolonged midazolam sedation using morphine.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic continues to spread around the world. In April 2021, Japan experienced a fourth wave of COVID-19 infections, which led to the breakdown of the medical system. Osaka, Japan, was particularly affected, with many severe cases and the highest number of COVID-19-associated deaths in Japan.

Endocannabinoid Signaling from 2-Arachidonoylglycerol to CB Cannabinoid Receptor Facilitates Reward-based Learning of Motor Sequence.

The endocannabinoid system modulates synaptic transmission, controls neuronal excitability, and is involved in various brain functions including learning and memory. 2-arachidonoylglycerol, a major endocannabinoid produced by diacylglycerol lipase-α (DGLα), is released from postsynaptic neurons, retrogradely activates presynaptic CB cannabinoid receptors, and induces short-term or long-term synaptic plasticity. To examine whether and how the endocannabinoid system contributes to reward-based learning of a motor sequence, we subjected male CB-knockout (KO) and DGLα-KO mice to three types of operant lever-press tasks.

Theobromine up-regulates cerebral brain-derived neurotrophic factor and facilitates motor learning in mice.

Theobromine, which is a caffeine derivative, is the primary methylxanthine produced by Theobroma cacao. Theobromine works as a phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitor to increase intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). cAMP activates the cAMP-response element-binding protein (CREB), which is involved in a large variety of brain processes, including the induction of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF).

New Magnetic Resonance Imaging Features Predictive for Post-Treatment Ambulatory Function: Imaging Analysis of Metastatic Spinal Cord Compression.

Study Design: This is a retrospective, single-institute, radiographical study.

Objective: The study aimed to determine the correlation of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings observed in metastatic spinal cord compression (MSCC) with post-treatment ambulatory status.

Summary Of Background Data: Previous studies have reported various predictors of ambulatory outcome in patients with MSCC, but the relationship between the MRI features and post-treatment ambulatory function remains to be elucidated.