Plasmodium falciparum histidine-rich protein 2 exhibits cell penetration and cytotoxicity with autophagy dysfunction.

Plasmodium falciparum is a major cause of severe malaria. This protozoan infects human red blood cells and secretes large quantities of histidine-rich protein 2 (PfHRP2) into the bloodstream, making it a well-known diagnostic marker. Here, however, we identified PfHRP2 as a pathogenic factor produced by P.

Robot-assisted nephroureterectomy using the GelPoint Platform with a focus on optimizing the port position and specimen retrieval.

Introduction: One of the factors that makes robot-assisted nephroureterectomy difficult is that the optimal port position differs between nephrectomy and bladder cuff excision. In addition, how best to retrieve the specimen after resection while minimizing the size of the wound is a challenge in robot-assisted surgery. To solve these problems, we designed a surgical technique for robot-assisted nephroureterectomy using the GelPoint Platform with a focus on port position optimization and specimen retrieval.

Efficacy of educational stepwise robot-assisted radical prostatectomy procedure for urology residents.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of an educational stepwise robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) procedure for urology residents.

Methods: We performed a detailed evaluation of 42 RARP procedures performed by a single urology resident from July 2019 to February 2022. The RARP procedures were divided into the following nine steps: (1) bladder dissection, (2) endopelvic fascia dissection, (3) bladder neck dissection, (4) seminal vesicle dissection, (5) Denonvilliers' fascia dissection, (6) dorsal vascular complex ligation, (7) dissection of the prostatic apex, (8) posterior anastomosis, and (9) urethro-vesical anastomosis.

Robot-assisted partial nephrectomy in younger versus older adults with renal cell carcinoma: a propensity score-matched analysis.

Purpose: Our study aimed to compare the surgical outcomes of robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) between younger and older patients after adjusting for their background differences. We particularly assessed RAPN outcomes and safety in older patients.

Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 559 patients clinically diagnosed with T1 renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and treated with RAPN between 2013 and 2022 at five institutions in Japan.

A study of the effect of half-day climatotherapy on changes in salivary cortisol levels.

In our previous study setting, climatotherapy programme consisted of six sessions - four in the mid-mountain area and two in a flat park. For all sessions, the subjects underwent climatotherapy in the morning under slightly cool conditions. During each session, the subjects' blood pressure, pulse rate, skin temperature, blood lactate, salivary cortisol and mood profile were recorded, and meteorological data were collected at the sites.

Action of GABAB receptor on local network oscillation in somatosensory cortex of oral part: focusing on NMDA receptor.

The balance of activity between glutamatergic and GABAergic networks is particularly important for oscillatory neural activities in the brain. Here, we investigated the roles of GABA receptors in network oscillation in the oral somatosensory cortex (OSC), focusing on NMDA receptors. Neural oscillation at the frequency of 8-10 Hz was elicited in rat brain slices after caffeine application.

Early Mobilization Using a Mobile Patient Lift in the ICU: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objectives: To ascertain whether a mobile patient lift facilitates early mobilization in ventilated ICU patients.

Design: A single-center, open-label, randomized controlled trial.

Setting: An academic ICU in Tokyo.

Benefits of an accelerated climatotherapy programme for busy people: comparisons according to area and season.

An accelerated climatotherapy programme was evaluated for use with busy people in mid-mountain and flat lowland areas. A total of 43 urban residents participated in this climatotherapy programme. Participants' blood pressure, pulse rate, peripheral skin temperature and levels of salivary amylase, salivary cortisol and blood lactate were measured, and they completed the Profile of Mood Status questionnaire.

Impact of early urinary catheter removal on successful voiding and physical function in stroke patients.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to identify factors related to the success of trial without catheter (TWOC) in patients with stroke and to examine the effect of the timing of urinary catheter removal on the course of stroke.

Methods: Patients who were admitted to the Stroke Care Unit of our institution between March 2018 and October 2021 were included. To identify factors related to success of TWOC, a multivariate analysis was performed on the patient's condition at admission and catheter indwelling time.

The importance of laparoscopic surgery for young urologists remains unwavering even in the era of robot-assisted surgery.

Robot-assisted surgery (RAS) cannot be achieved without the performance of laparoscopic surgical techniques by a patient-side surgeon (PSS). In many medical institutions in Japan, young urologists often take on the role of a PSS. Participating in RAS as a PSS provides a good opportunity to acquire not only the knowledge necessary for surgery, but also skills in laparoscopic surgical techniques.

Effect of Positive Biopsy Core Rate on Low-dose-rate Brachytherapy Outcomes in Intermediate-risk Prostate Cancer.

Background/aim: Intermediate-risk prostate cancer (PCa) is a highly heterogeneous disease. Although low-dose-rate brachytherapy (LDR-BT) is mainly used for low- to intermediate-risk PCa, limited reports have evaluated the detailed differences in outcomes, including differences between patients with ISUP grade group (GG) 2 and GG3 intermediate-risk PCa. This study aimed to investigate the differences in outcomes between intermediate-risk Japanese patients with GG2 and GG3 PCa who underwent LDR-BT.

Asian Intensive Reader of Pneumoconiosis program: examination for certification during 2008-2020.

This study examined physicians' participation and performance in the examinations administered by the Asian Intensive Reader of Pneumoconiosis (AIR Pneumo) program from 2008 to 2020 and compared radiograph readings of physicians who passed with those who failed the examinations. Demography of the participants, participation trends, pass/fail rates, and proficiency scores were summarized; differences in reading the radiographs for pneumoconiosis of physicians who passed the examinations and those who failed were evaluated. By December 2020, 555 physicians from 20 countries had taken certification examinations; the number of participants increased in recent years.

Insulin receptor expression to predict resistance to axitinib and elucidation of the underlying molecular mechanism in metastatic renal cell carcinoma.

Background: The study aimed to examine the significance of insulin receptor (INSR) expression in predicting resistance to axitinib in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC).

Methods: Clinicopathological data were collected from 36 consecutive patients with metastatic RCC who received axitinib. Thirty-three primary tumours were obtained for immunohistochemistry.

Factors Associated with Complications after Total Pharyngo-Laryngo-Esophagectomy and Free Jejunal Flap Reconstruction.

Introduction: Free jejunal flap (FJF) reconstruction is a standard procedure for pharyngeal and cervical esophageal defects resulting from head and neck cancer resection. However, improvements in patients' quality of life after surgery require a further statistical approach.

Methods: An observational, retrospective, multivariate analysis was designed to report the incidence of postoperative complications and their association with clinical factors in 101 patients who underwent total pharyngo-laryngo-esophagectomy and FJF reconstruction for head and neck cancer at a university hospital between January 2007 and December 2020.

Reconstruction for Bilateral Internal Jugular Vein Perfusion Disruption.

When resecting the internal jugular veins bilaterally in surgery for head and neck cancer, it is necessary to perform neck dissection in two stages or to reconstruct the internal jugular veins in one stage. Reconstruction of the internal jugular vein using grafting or direct anastomosis to the external jugular vein have both been reported. We report the case of a 53-year-old man with accidental injury to the left internal jugular vein after resection of the right internal jugular vein for supraglottic cancer.

Efficacy of fresh-frozen cadaveric surgical training for arteriovenous fistula in vascular access.

Background: Creation of an arteriovenous fistula (AVF) as vascular access is a basic operation that should be learned by all surgeons involved in renal failure treatment. AVF creation is often challenging for inexperienced young surgeons because it requires comprehensive surgical techniques. For such young surgeons, we introduced cadaveric surgical training (CST) for AVF creation using fresh-frozen cadavers (FFCs).

Prostate-specific Antigen Levels Following Brachytherapy Impact Late Biochemical Recurrence in Japanese Patients With Localized Prostate Cancer.

Background/aim: Evaluation of long-term outcomes is essential for the successful treatment of localized prostate cancer; however, the risk of late recurrence following brachytherapy is still not clear. This study aimed to evaluate the long-term outcomes of low-dose-rate brachytherapy (LDR-BT) for localized prostate cancer in Japanese patients and identify factors associated with late recurrence after treatment.

Patients And Methods: This single-center, cohort study included patients who underwent LDR-BT at the Tokushima University Hospital in Japan between July 2004 and January 2015; 418 patients, who were followed-up at least 7 years after LDR-BT, were included in the study.

Assistent guide: A novel device for ureteral stent placement in robot-assisted intracorporeal ileal conduit.

Introduction: Ureteral stent placement in robot-assisted intracorporeal ileal conduit formation (RICIC) is more challenging than extracorporeal urinary diversion. We developed a novel dedicated device called the Assistent guide for safe and smooth performance of ureteral stent placement by the patient-side surgeon (PSS).

Methods: This study reviewed the clinical records of 59 patients underwent RICIC with a total of 110 ureteral stent placements: 59 stents were placed using the Assistent guide, and 51 stents were placed using a suction tip.

Comparison of Antera 3D® and TcPO2 for Evaluation of Blood Flow in Skin.

Background: There is a need for quick skin blood flow tests that can be performed in the wound healing field. Antera 3D® is a compact scanner using multispectral imaging. It can perform quick assessment of skin conditions.