Neuronal subtype-dependent kinetics of EPSCs induced by thalamocortical projections from the ventroposteromedial thalamic nucleus to the insular cortex in rats.

Cerebrocortical neurons receive glutamatergic inputs via thalamocortical projections, and their activities are simultaneously controlled by GABAergic interneurons. Few studies have demonstrated the difference in the amplitude of evoked excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) via thalamocortical projections onto glutamatergic excitatory (ENs) and GABAergic inhibitory neurons (INs); the strength of excitation among neural subtypes varies among sensory cortices. The present study aimed to reveal the profile of thalamocortical inputs to ENs and inhibitory neurons in the insular cortex (IC) by evaluating the amplitude and latency of EPSCs evoked in the connection from the ventroposteromedial (VPM) thalamic nucleus to the IC.

Monitoring measurable residual disease in NUP98::NSD1-positive acute myeloid leukemia.

Background: NUP98 fusion genes are detected in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) subgroups that have a poor prognosis. An appropriate therapeutic approach should therefore be established. Treatment intensification according to the minimal residual disease (MRD) level can lead to a better prognosis in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

Catheter Ablation in Older Patients with Atrial Fibrillation.

The prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF) increases with age and treatment with catheter ablation is performed frequently. Catheter ablation may have a lower rate of success and a higher rate of complications in older patients.We compared the characteristics, success rates, and complications of catheter ablation in patients with AF categorized into late old-aged (≥ 75 years, n = 148), early old-aged (65-74 years), n = 129), and middle-aged (< 65 years, n = 91) groups.

[A Case of Intestinal Metastasis of Testicular Choriocarcinoma Revealed Through Gastrointestinal Bleeding].

A 26-year-old male presented to a hospital with complaints of hemoptysis and right scrotal swelling. Computed tomography (CT) revealed right testicular swelling, multiple lung metastases, and small intestinal wall thickening. The patient's β-human chorionic gonadotropin, alpha-fetoprotein, lactate dehydrogenase, and hemoglobin levels were 103.

Pancreatic extracellular volume fraction on routine contrast-enhanced computed tomography can predict pancreatic fibrosis and postoperative pancreatic fistula.

Background/objectives: Postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) is a critical complication of pancreatectomy, with a higher risk associated with the absence of pancreatic fibrosis. We investigated whether pancreatic extracellular volume fraction (ECV) calculated from preoperative contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CE-CT) images can be used to predict pancreatic fibrosis and POPF.

Methods: This retrospective study included patients who underwent CE-CT before pancreatectomy.

Successful Treatment of Acute Eosinophilic Myocarditis due to Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis in an Older Man, Followed by Dual Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography.

An 83-year-old man with a 5-month history of asthma presented to the emergency department with chest oppression and dyspnea. Electrocardiography showed ST-segment depression. Transthoracic echocardiography showed no asynergy with an ejection fraction of 62%.

Robotic Left Hepatectomy Using the Glissonean Approach and Saline-Linked Bipolar Clamp-Crush Technique.

Background: We have previously reported a saline-linked bipolar clamp-crush technique as a novel robotic liver resection method. Herein, we present the surgical techniques and outcomes of robotic left hepatectomy using the Glissonean approach and our liver transection technique.

Methods: The key procedures included the following: (1) encircling the left Glissonean pedicle using the Tip-Up fenestrated grasper, (2) dissecting the liver parenchyma using the saline-linked bipolar clamp-crush technique, (3) moving the endoscope one trocar to the right to facilitate visualisation of the liver transection plane, and (4) stapling the left pedicle and left hepatic vein.

The clinicopathological and prognostic significance of autonomic nerves in salivary duct carcinoma.

Many researchers have focused on the role of the autonomic nervous system in the tumor microenvironment. Autonomic nerves include the sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves, which are known to induce cancer growth and metastasis. However, in salivary duct carcinoma (SDC), a rare and highly malignant tumor, the issue should be investigated from both biological and therapeutic perspectives.

Laboratory Performance Study of the Japanese Official Method to Detect Genetically Modified Papaya Line PRSV-YK.

Since the establishment of procedures for the safety assessment of food products that use recombinant DNA technology, the manufacture, import, and sale of genetically modified (GM) foods that have not undergone safety assessment are prohibited under the Food Sanitation Act. Therefore, a performance study to confirm the GM food testing operations of each laboratory is very important to ensure the reliability of the GM food monitoring system. In 2022, GM papaya line PRSV-YK-which has not yet been authorized in Japan-was selected for testing, and a papaya paste and a DNA solution were used as the test samples.

Hidrocystoma-like tumours with RET or ALK fusion: a study of four cases.

Hidrocystoma is thought to be a benign retention cyst of sweat ductal units. The lesion is usually located in the periorbital skin; however, lesions with similar histopathological features are rarely observed in extra-facial sites. Herein, we present four cases of hidrocystoma-like tumours in extra-facial skin sites that harboured a RET or ALK rearrangement.

Ethanol Ablation of Refractory Premature Ventricular Complex Originating from a Left Ventricular Summit Communicating Vein after Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation Failed in a Dilated Cardiomyopathy Patient.

During follow-up of a 60-year-old patient with dilated cardiomyopathy, a Holter electrocardiogram revealed monomorphic premature ventricular complexes (PVCs) accounting for 21-30% of total beats. Oral beta-blockers led to no improvement in PVC burden. The first radiofrequency catheter ablation attempt identified the PVC arising from the left ventricle summit communicating vein (CV) but failed to eliminate the PVC's origin.

Allogeneic Hematopoietic cell Transplantation Using Alemtuzumab in Asian Patients with Inborn Errors of Immunity.

Alemtuzumab is used with reduced-toxicity conditioning (RTC) in allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT), demonstrating efficacy and feasibility for patients with inborn errors of immunity (IEI) in Western countries; however, the clinical experience in Asian patients with IEI is limited. We retrospectively analyzed patients with IEI who underwent the first allogeneic HCT with alemtuzumab combined with RTC regimens in Japan. A total of 19 patients were included and followed up for a median of 18 months.

Impact of BK polyomavirus viremia on the outcomes of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Although it is known that BK polyomavirus (BKPyV) causes hemorrhagic cystitis (HC) after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), the clinical significance of BKPyV viremia has not been fully evaluated. We retrospectively analyzed the results of quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) evaluations for detecting BKPyV in the whole blood samples of patients undergoing allogeneic HSCT during the period from January 2010 to June 2020 at a single institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University. BKPyV was detected in the blood of 28 of the 107 evaluated patients, and the cumulative incidence of was 27.

Modulation of circularly polarized luminescence by swelling of microgels functionalized with enantiopure [Ru(bpy)] luminophores.

Chemoresponsive microgels functionalized with enantiomeric - or -[Ru(bpy)] showed tunable chiroptical properties upon swelling and shrinking. The tuning is triggered by a modulation of the local mobility of [Ru(bpy)] upon addition of fructose, controlling interactions and distances between [Ru(bpy)] and phenylboronic acid.

D-alanine Inhibits Murine Intestinal Inflammation by Suppressing IL-12 and IL-23 Production in Macrophages.

Background And Aims: Free D-amino acids, which have different functions from L-amino acids, have recently been discovered in various tissues. However, studies on the potential interactions between intestinal inflammation and D-amino acids are limited. We examined the inhibitory effects of D-alanine on the pathogenesis of intestinal inflammation.

Ovarian Mesonephric-like Adenocarcinoma Recurring With a Rhabdomyosarcoma Component: A Case Report.

Mesonephric-like adenocarcinoma (MLA) has recently been described as a tumor of the endometrium or ovaries, which, morphologically and immunohistochemically, resembles mesonephric adenocarcinoma arising mostly in the uterine cervix. Herein, we report, to our knowledge, the first case of ovarian MLA that developed into an extremely rapidly growing recurrent mesonephric-like carcinosarcoma, as confirmed by a genomic profiling test. A 51-year-old woman underwent chemotherapy with complete debulking surgery for ovarian carcinoma.

The inter-laboratory validation study of EpiSensA for predicting skin sensitization potential.

The Epidermal Sensitization Assay (EpiSensA) is a reconstructed human epidermis (RhE)-based gene expression assay for predicting the skin sensitization potential of chemicals. Since the RhE model is covered by a stratified stratum corneum, various kinds of test chemicals, including lipophilic ones and pre-/pro-haptens, can be tested with a route of exposure akin to an in vivo assay and human exposure. This article presents the results of a formally managed validation study of the EpiSensA that was carried out by three participating laboratories.

Activation of multiple neuromodulatory systems in alert rats acquiring conditioned taste aversion revealed by positron emission tomography.

Conditioned taste aversion (CTA) is an essential ability for animals to consume food safely and is regulated by neuromodulatory systems including the dopamine, noradrenaline, serotonin, and acetylcholine systems. However, because few studies focused on a comprehensive understanding of whole-brain activities, how these neuromodulators contribute to the process of CTA remains an open issue. F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-positron emission tomography (PET) can visualize activated regions within the whole brain simultaneously and noninvasively.

Application of Extended Reality (Virtual Reality and Mixed Reality) Technology in Laparoscopic Liver Resections.

Background and purpose Laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) has recently gained popularity owing to advances in surgical techniques. Difficulties in LLR may be influenced by anatomical factors. This study presents a comprehensive overview of LLR performed using extended reality (XR) technology.