Publications by authors named "Hiroshi Fujii"

Objectives: The efficacy of avacopan as remission induction therapy for Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Autoantibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) is well-established. However, concerns regarding liver injury post-avacopan treatment remain, especially in Japan. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate drug-induced liver injury (DILI) associated with avacopan treatment.

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The skin ulcers sometimes appear in patients with anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (MDA5) antibody-positive dermatomyositis (DM), and usually associates with disease activity. Here, we report a case of 41-year-old woman with anti-MDA5 antibody-positive DM, who developed refractory skin ulcers during the remission induction therapy, which were proven to be associated with clinically silent Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia with septic thrombi in her lung. The patient was referred to our hospital for the treatment of amyopathic DM with interstitial lung disease.

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Background: In posterior-stabilized (PS) total knee arthroplasty (TKA), joint extension gap decreases after placement of a femoral trial component which causes imbalance between the extension and flexion gaps. Previous studies have demonstrated that capsular release around the intercondylar notch can enlarge the extension gap; however, its impact on the flexion gap is unknown. This study assessed the effect of capsular release around the intercondylar notch on both extension and flexion gaps.

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Objectives: Systemic sclerosis is characterised by ischaemic skin ulcers on the fingertips, and low-energy shock wave therapy is suggested as a novel treatment for ischaemic lesions with angiogenic effects. We aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of shock wave therapy for skin ulcers in patients with systemic sclerosis.

Methods: In this phase 3 pivotal study, we analysed 60 systemic sclerosis patients with digital ulcers that did not disappear after >4 weeks of existing treatment: 30 patients were treated with extracorporeal shock wave therapy and 30 with conventional treatment.

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  • Deltoid muscle detachment and atrophy can happen after shoulder surgeries, particularly after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR).
  • A study involving 72 patients analyzed changes in deltoid muscle structure and function over two years using MRI and muscle strength tests.
  • Results showed a significant decrease in both the affected and unaffected deltoid muscle volumes at 1 month post-surgery, but both sides returned to preoperative levels by 12 months, with notable reductions in muscle thickness also observed.
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  • * Factors linked to elevated IgG4 included male sex, older age, lower lipid and polyunsaturated fatty acid intake, and higher carbohydrate intake in both genders, with additional specific associations for men related to kidney function and blood sugar levels.
  • * The findings suggest that elevated serum IgG4 levels are connected to age, gender, and diet, which may reflect similar patterns seen in IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD).
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Farnesoid X receptor (FXR) regulates bile acid synthesis, lipid metabolism, and glucose homeostasis in metabolic organs. FXR-knockout (FXR-KO) mice lacking the last exon of the FXR gene develop normally and display no prenatal and early postnatal lethality, whereas human patients with mutations in the DNA-binding domain of the FXR gene develop severe hepatic dysfunction. In this study, we generated novel FXR-KO mice lacking the DNA-binding domain of the FXR gene using CRISPR-Cas9 technology and evaluated their phenotypes.

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Enthesitis is a characteristic manifestation of spondyloarthropathy (SpA). Historically, Behçet's syndrome (BS) was classified within SpA. Although they are now classified separately, the association between BS and SpA remains controversial.

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The induction of autoimmune diseases during tumour necrosis factor-alpha inhibitor (TNFi) usage has been described. Herein, we report a rare case of a 49-year-old woman with antimelanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (MDA5) antibody (Ab)-positive dermatomyositis (DM), which developed 5 weeks after the introduction of an etanercept biosimilar to rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Four of the five known cases, including ours, of anti-MDA5Ab-positive DM complicated with RA revealed anti-MDA5Ab-positive DM following TNFi usage.

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Resonance Raman (rR) spectroscopy has been applied to study the nature of the iron-oxo (Fe=O) moiety of oxoiron(IV) porphyrin π-cation radical complex (CompI). While the axial ligand effect on the nature of the Fe=O moiety has been studied with rR spectroscopy, the porphyrin ligand effect has not been studied well. Here, we investigated the porphyrin ligand effect on the Fe=O moiety with rR spectroscopy.

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  • Mutations in the complement factor H gene are linked to atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS), and new structural variations have been discovered in this context.
  • An 8-month-old girl with aHUS was found to have a novel combination of a fusion gene and gene duplication, inherited from her family, which includes relatives with similar conditions.
  • This research highlights a previously unreported genomic alteration associated with aHUS, suggesting new pathways for understanding this syndrome.
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  • Atherosclerosis is a serious risk for patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), often worsened by the disease itself, medications, and metabolic issues; this study examines the impact of belimumab (BEL) on both disease activity and metabolic factors.
  • A study of 106 SLE patients on BEL showed over 80% retention rate after two years, with improvements in disease activity and a reduction in prednisolone (PSL) dosage, along with better patient satisfaction regarding side effects compared to those on PSL.
  • Notably, patients who reduced their PSL dosage by at least 5 mg experienced significant improvements in cholesterol and triglyceride levels, suggesting that lowering PSL while using BEL may help reduce cardiovascular
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  • * The atypical group included 21 patients showing common issues like acetabular dysplasia and minimal osteoarthritis, with most displaying varus alignment in their knees.
  • * The findings suggest that recognizing this new subtype of coxitis knee, specifically acetabular dysplasia-associated gonarthritis, is crucial for effective patient management, especially in areas with high prevalence of these conditions.
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  • Immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4) is a crucial protein in the immune system, with elevated levels linked to various IgG4-related diseases that cause inflammation in organs, predominantly affecting males.
  • The study analyzed the relationship between gut microbiota and serum IgG4 levels in a population of 191 men and 207 women aged 40 and older, utilizing advanced genetic sequencing methods.
  • Results indicated that different gut microbiota patterns significantly influence IgG4 levels differently for men and women, highlighting the need for a gender-specific approach in understanding these levels and their implications for health.
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Background: In systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), autoreactive B cells are thought to develop by-passing immune checkpoints and contribute to its pathogenesis. Toll-like receptor (TLR) 7 and 9 signaling have been implicated in their development and differentiation. Although some B cell subpopulations such as T-bet + double negative 2 (DN2) cells have been identified as autoreactive in the past few years, because the upregulated surface markers of those cells are not exclusive to them, it is still challenging to specifically target autoreactive B cells in SLE patients.

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Abio/bio hybrids, which incorporate biocatalysts that promote efficient and selective material conversions under mild conditions into existing catalytic reactions, have attracted considerable attention for developing new catalytic systems. This study constructed a H -forming biocathode based on a carbon material combined with whole-cell biocatalysis of genetically-engineered-hydrogenase-overproducing Escherichia coli for the photoelectrochemical water splitting for clean H production. Low-cost and abundant carbon materials are generally not suitable for H -forming cathode due to their high overpotential for proton reduction; however, the combination of the reduction of an organic electron mediator on the carbon electrode and the H formation with the reduced mediator by the redox enzyme hydrogenase provides a H -forming cathodic reaction comparable to that of the noble metal electrode.

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Dermatomyositis (DM) is associated with interstitial lung disease (ILD) and malignancy. However, the coexistence of ILD and malignancy (DM-ILD-malignancy) is rare, and limited information exists regarding its management. Herein, we report the case of a 70-year-old man who developed DM with rapidly progressive ILD and advanced gastric cancer and provide a literature review of managing DM-ILD-malignancy.

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Background: 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA), a natural amino acid that is marketed alongside sodium ferrous citrate (SFC) as a functional food, blocks severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) proliferation in vitro and exerts anti-inflammatory effects. In this phase II open-label, prospective, parallel-group, randomized trial, we aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of 5-ALA in patients with mild-to-moderate coronavirus disease 2019.

Methods: This trial was conducted in patients receiving 5-ALA/SFC (250/145 mg) orally thrice daily for 7 days, followed by 5-ALA/SFC (150/87 mg) orally thrice daily for 7 days.

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  • * In the study, FABP5 was found to be upregulated in metastatic CRC cells and tissues, and this upregulation correlated with hypomethylation of its promoter region, suggesting a connection between DNA methylation and cancer aggressiveness.
  • * The research indicates that NF-κB, a key transcription factor, regulates FABP5 expression, creating a feedback loop where FABP5 enhances NF-κB activity through IL-8 production, potentially driving CRC progression.
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  • Citrus farming is important in Japan, with new cultivars gaining interest both locally and globally, but breeders' rights issues are arising affecting export strategies.
  • A new identification system using DNA markers has been developed to protect breeders' rights for eight Japanese citrus cultivars, utilizing a method called the chromatographic printed array strip.
  • This system allows for quick and cost-effective detection of cultivar-specific DNA markers, providing a valuable tool for regulating and protecting breeders' rights against unauthorized use.
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  • Male sterility is crucial for developing seedless citrus varieties, with Kishu mandarin's cytoplasm proposed as a model for cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS).
  • The study identified specific DNA markers linked to male sterility and established associations between these markers and pollen grain count, revealing different functional capacities among various haplotypes.
  • Findings indicate that P-class pentatricopeptide repeat genes are potential nuclear factors in controlling CMS, providing insights that can enhance seedless citrus breeding programs.
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