Rice Kefiran Ameliorates Obesity and Hepatic Steatosis Through the Change in Gut Microbiota.

Obesity is a global epidemic and a significant risk factor for various diseases. Obesity and dysbiosis are associated, drawing attention to the mechanisms that regulate the gut microbiota. In this study, we focused on the postbiotic effects of rice kefiran (Kef), a functional product of cultured in a rice-based medium, on obesity and its complications.

Antibiotic effects on gut microbiota modulate diet-induced metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis development in C57BL/6 mice.

The potential involvement of the gut microbiota in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) pathogenesis has garnered increasing attention. In this study, we elucidated the link between high-fat/cholesterol/cholate-based (iHFC)#2 diet-induced MASH progression and gut microbiota in C57BL/6 mice using antibiotic treatments. Treatment with vancomycin (VCM), which targets gram-positive bacteria, exacerbated the progression of liver damage, steatosis, and fibrosis in iHFC#2-fed C57BL/6 mice.

Single slice MR image estimation of 3D supraspinatus intramuscular fatty infiltration in older adults: relevance for clinical practice and research.

Objective: (1) To compare older adults stratified by supraspinatus tendon tear status (STT status)-no tear (Intact), partial-thickness (PT) tear, full-thickness (FT) tear-by 3D Dixon fat fraction (3D-FF); 2D fat fraction (2D-FF); and 2D Goutallier grade (2D-GG) at the Y-shaped view, and 1.4 cm and 2.8 cm medial to the Y-shaped view.

Impacts of liver macrophages, gut microbiota, and bile acid metabolism on the differences in iHFC diet-induced MASH progression between TSNO and TSOD mice.

Background: Tsumura-Suzuki non-obese (TSNO) mice exhibit a severe form of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) with advanced liver fibrosis upon feeding a high-fat/cholesterol/cholate-based (iHFC) diet. Another ddY strain, Tsumura-Suzuki diabetes obese (TSOD) mice, are impaired in the progression of iHFC diet-induced MASH.

Aim: To elucidate the underlying mechanisms contributing to the differences in MASH progression between TSNO and TSOD mice.

Prediction of pacemaker-induced cardiomyopathy using a convolutional neural network based on clinical findings prior to pacemaker implantation.

Risk factors for pacemaker-induced cardiomyopathy (PICM) have been previously reported, including a high burden of right ventricular pacing, lower left ventricular ejection fraction, a wide QRS duration, and left bundle branch block before pacemaker implantation (PMI). However, predicting the development of PICM remains challenging. This study aimed to use a convolutional neural network (CNN) model, based on clinical findings before PMI, to predict the development of PICM.

Isoliquiritigenin inhibits NLRP3 inflammasome activation with CAPS mutations by suppressing caspase-1 activation and mutated NLRP3 aggregation.

The nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain leucine-rich repeat and pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome contributes to the development of inflammatory diseases. Cryopyrin-associated periodic syndrome (CAPS) is an autoinflammatory disease caused by NLRP3 gene mutations that results in excessive IL-1β production. We previously identified isoliquiritigenin (ILG), a component of Glycyrrhiza uralensis extracts, as a potent inhibitor of the NLRP3 inflammasome.

Awake Fiberoptic Tracheal Intubation in a Patient With Traumatic Retropharyngeal Hematoma.

Retropharyngeal hematoma is a rare disease triggered by neck trauma and can result in airway obstruction, requiring early recognition and consideration of tracheal intubation. We present a case of a 42-year-old woman brought to the emergency department with dyspnea after a traffic trauma, and a mild stridor was heard on cervical auscultation, indicating airway compromise. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) scan showed retropharyngeal hematoma.

Correlation of desmoglein 1 and 3 immunohistochemistry with autoantibody levels and clinical severity in pemphigus.

Background: Pemphigus is a chronic potentially fatal autoimmune bullous disorder. Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) and pemphigus foliaceus (PF) are the two common subtypes. PV is the most common and aggressive type characterized by oral mucosal erosions and cutaneous lesions.

The innate immune receptor RP105 promotes metabolic syndrome by altering gut microbiota composition and intestinal barrier function.

Radioprotective 105 (RP105) plays a key role in the development of high-fat diet (HFD)-induced metabolic disorders; however, the underlying mechanisms remain to be understood. Here, we aimed to uncover whether RP105 affects metabolic syndrome through the modification of gut microbiota. We confirmed that body weight gain and fat accumulation by HFD feeding were suppressed in Rp105 mice.

Impact of Vancomycin Treatment and Gut Microbiota on Bile Acid Metabolism and the Development of Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis in Mice.

The potential roles of the gut microbiota in the pathogenesis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, including non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), have attracted increased interest. We have investigated the links between gut microbiota and NASH development in Tsumura-Suzuki non-obese mice fed a high-fat/cholesterol/cholate-based (iHFC) diet that exhibit advanced liver fibrosis using antibiotic treatments. The administration of vancomycin, which targets Gram-positive organisms, exacerbated the progression of liver damage, steatohepatitis, and fibrosis in iHFC-fed mice, but not in mice fed a normal diet.

Spectrum of imaging findings in soft-tissue necrosis.

Soft tissue necrosis can occur at different tissue levels, with numerous underlying causes. In this pictorial review, we highlight myonecrosis, and its accompanying stages, fat necrosis, devitalized soft tissue seen with infection, and necrotizing soft tissue infections. Imaging examples are provided with each entity.

Roles of Macrophages in Advanced Liver Fibrosis, Identified Using a Newly Established Mouse Model of Diet-Induced Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis.

Macrophages play critical roles in the pathogenesis of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). However, it is unclear which macrophage subsets are critically involved in the development of inflammation and fibrosis in NASH. In TSNO mice fed a high-fat/cholesterol/cholate-based diet, which exhibit advanced liver fibrosis that mimics human NASH, we found that Kupffer cells (KCs) were less abundant and recruited macrophages were more abundant, forming hepatic crown-like structures (hCLS) in the liver.

Prediction of Atrial Fibrillation Being Asymptomatic at First Onset by Cardiac Pacing.

Asymptomatic or silent atrial fibrillation (AF) has long been a clinical problem due to the incidence of ischemic stroke. A method is needed to predict the development of silent AF before the occurrence of ischemic stroke. This study was focused on the symptoms of AF, especially palpitation, in pacemaker patients.

Meniscal Allograft Transplantation: A Pictorial Review.

Meniscal allograft transplantation may be indicated in a subset of patients with high-grade meniscectomy or irreparable meniscal injury and persistent knee pain that is resistant to conservative management. Meniscal allograft transplantation has demonstrated good to excellent results in short-term to midterm follow-up studies and satisfactory outcomes in long-term studies. The goals of this article are to review the indications, preoperative imaging assessment, surgical techniques, and postoperative assessment of uncomplicated and complicated meniscal allograft transplants.

Low-velocity, civilian firearm extremity injuries-review and update for radiologists.

Firearm injuries are a preventable epidemic in the USA. Extremities are commonly affected in gunshot injuries. Such injuries may be complex with concomitant osseous, soft tissue, and neurovascular components.

Update of pediatric soft tissue tumors with review of conventional MRI appearance-part 2: vascular lesions, fibrohistiocytic tumors, muscle tumors, peripheral nerve sheath tumors, tumors of uncertain differentiation, and undifferentiated small round cell sarcomas.

There are numerous soft tissue tumors and tumor-like conditions in the pediatric population. Magnetic resonance imaging is the most useful modality for imaging these lesions. Although certain soft tissue lesions exhibit magnetic resonance features characteristic of a specific diagnosis, most lesions are indeterminate, and a biopsy is necessary for diagnosis.

Update of pediatric soft tissue tumors with review of conventional MRI appearance-part 1: tumor-like lesions, adipocytic tumors, fibroblastic and myofibroblastic tumors, and perivascular tumors.

There are numerous soft tissue tumors and tumor-like conditions in the pediatric population. Magnetic resonance imaging is the most useful modality for imaging these lesions. Although certain soft tissue lesions exhibit magnetic resonance features characteristic of a specific diagnosis, most lesions are indeterminate, and a biopsy is necessary for diagnosis.

Current concepts of spondylosis and posterior spinal motion preservation for radiologists.

Spinal fusion is performed to eliminate motion at a degenerated or unstable segment. However, this is associated with loss of motion at the fused levels and increased stress on adjacent levels. Motion-preserving implants have been designed in effort to mitigate the limitations of fusion.