Tooth loss-associated neuroplasticity of mastication-related motor cortical neurons.

Objectives: The cerebral cortex contains neurons that play a pivotal role in controlling rhythmic masticatory jaw movements. However, the population characteristics of individual cortical neuronal activity during mastication and the impact of tooth loss on these characteristics remain unclear. Thus, in this study, we aimed to determine the activity patterns of mastication-related motor cortical neurons elicited during mastication and examine the effects of tooth extraction on neuronal activity using two-photon Ca imaging in head-restrained awake mice.

Simultaneous Remote Laparoscopic Training for Trainees Among Multiple Institutions: Can Remote Coaching Replace On-Site Coaching?

Introduction: Regional disparities in medical practice between urban and rural areas in Japan represent a critical issue, and extend to the field of surgical education. To address these disparities, we evaluated the effectiveness of simultaneous remote coaching across multiple facilities using a standardized laparoscopic training method.

Methods: A total of 28 trainees from a university hospital and 3 rural hospitals were categorized into remote and on-site coaching groups.

Protective role of school climate for impacts of COVID-19 on depressive symptoms and psychotic experiences among adolescents: a population-based cohort study.

Background: Schools are central places for adolescent social lives, which is a major factor greatly affecting adolescent mental health; school climate (i.e. quality of the school social environments) can be a proximal social determinant for adolescent mental health.

The Potential of Hair-Follicle-Associated Pluripotent (HAP) Stem Cells for Regenerative Medicine.

Nestin-expressing hair-follicle-associated pluripotent (HAP) stem cells from mouse and human have been shown to differentiate into neurons, glia, keratinocytes, smooth muscle cells, cardiac muscle cells, and melanocytes in vitro. HAP stem cells have promoted the recovery of peripheral nerve and spinal cord injuries in mouse models by differentiating into glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-positive Schwann cells. HAP stem cells enclosed on polyvinylidene fluoride membranes (PFM) were transplanted into the severed thoracic spinal cord of nude mice.

Rapidly Worsening Infective Endocarditis With Severe Mitral Stenosis.

Infective endocarditis (IE) rarely results in mitral stenosis (MS), but MS in patients with IE can be life-threatening. We present a case of prosthetic MS secondary to IE. A 69-year-old Japanese man underwent mitral valve replacement with a bioprosthetic valve 2 years previously.