The role of sonic hedgehog signaling in the oropharyngeal epithelium during jaw development.

Sonic hedgehog (Shh) is expressed in the oropharyngeal epithelium, including the frontonasal ectodermal zone (FEZ), which is defined as the boundary between Shh and Fgf8 expression domains in the frontonasal epithelium. To investigate the role of SHH signaling from the oropharyngeal epithelium, we generated mice in which Shh expression is specifically deleted in the oropharyngeal epithelium (Isl1-Cre; Shh). In the mutant mouse, Shh expression was excised in the oropharyngeal epithelium as well as FEZ and ventral forebrain, consistent with the expression pattern of Isl1.

The non-canonical bivalent gene Wfdc15a controls spermatogenic protease and immune homeostasis.

Male infertility can be caused by chromosomal abnormalities, mutations and epigenetic defects. Epigenetic modifiers pre-program hundreds of spermatogenic genes in spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) for expression later in spermatids, but it remains mostly unclear whether and how those genes are involved in fertility. Here, we report that Wfdc15a, a WFDC family protease inhibitor pre-programmed by KMT2B, is essential for spermatogenesis.

The Effectiveness of Leukocyte-Poor Platelet-Rich Plasma Injections for Symptomatic Mild to Moderate Osteoarthritis of the Knee With Joint Effusion or Bone Marrow Lesions in a Japanese Population: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial.

Background: Intra-articular platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections have been proposed for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis (OA); however, their effectiveness in Japanese patients remains unclear.

Purpose: To investigate whether 3 intra-articular injections of leukocyte-poor PRP (LP-PRP) improve symptoms and joint function in symptomatic Japanese patients with mild to moderate knee OA.

Study Design: Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1.

Comparative effectiveness of cefmetazole versus carbapenems and piperacillin/tazobactam as initial therapy for bacteremic acute cholangitis: A retrospective study.

Introduction: Carbapenems and piperacillin/tazobactam (PIPC/TAZ) are commonly used as the initial therapy to treat extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacterales in acute cholangitis. However, the overuse of these antibiotics contributes to the spread of antimicrobial resistance. Cefmetazole (CMZ) is stable to hydrolysis by ESBLs, so it may be an alternative to carbapenems and PIPC/TAZ.