TRPV4 channels promote vascular permeability in retinal vascular disease.

This study aimed to determine the role of transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 (TRPV4), a calcium (Ca)-permeable cation channel, in the pathophysiology of retinal vascular disease. The retinal vein occlusion (RVO) murine model was created by irradiating retinal veins using lasers. TRPV4 expression and localization were evaluated in RVO mice retinas.

Mechanochemistry of Group 4 Element-Based Metal-Organic Frameworks.

Mechanochemical synthesis is emerging as an environmentally friendly yet efficient approach to preparing metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). Herein, we report our systematic investigation on the mechanochemical syntheses of Group 4 element-based MOFs. The developed mechanochemistry allows us to synthesize a family of HfO(OH)(OOC)-based MOFs.

Evaluation of a simultaneous adsorption device for cytokines and platelet-neutrophil complexes in vitro and in a rabbit acute lung injury model.

Background: Platelet-neutrophil complexes (PNCs) readily migrate into tissues and induce tissue damage via cytokine or other pathogenic factors release. These actions are involved in onset and progression of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Thus, simultaneous removal of cytokines and activated neutrophils, including PNCs by blood purification may prevent development of ARDS and enhance drug effects.

Brentuximab vedotin maintenance after autologous stem cell transplantation for refractory gray zone lymphoma with long-term remission.

Gray zone lymphoma (GZL) is a rare type of B-cell lymphoma characterized by features of both diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL). The prognosis of GZL is poorer than that of cHL and mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma. However, an optimal treatment strategy for relapsed/refractory (R/R) GZL has not been established in the clinical setting.

Pancreatic glycoprotein 2 is a first line of defense for mucosal protection in intestinal inflammation.

Increases in adhesive and invasive commensal bacteria, such as Escherichia coli, and subsequent disruption of the epithelial barrier is implicated in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, the protective systems against such barrier disruption are not fully understood. Here, we show that secretion of luminal glycoprotein 2 (GP2) from pancreatic acinar cells is induced in a TNF-dependent manner in mice with chemically induced colitis.

Transformation Scoring System (TSS): A new assessment index for clinical transformation of follicular lymphoma.

Although histologic analysis is the gold standard for diagnosing follicular lymphoma (FL) transformation, many patients are diagnosed with transformation by clinical factors as biopsy specimens often cannot be obtained. Despite the frequency of clinical diagnosis, no clinical assessment tool has yet been established for FL transformation in the rituximab era. We derived and validated a transformation scoring system (TSS) based on retrospective analyses of 126 patients with biopsy-proven FL and histologic transformation (HT) at two hospitals of the National Cancer Center of Japan.

Association between subjective well-being and presence of primary care dentists in community-dwelling elderly people: A cross-sectional study.

Objective: The aim was to investigate the relationships between subjective well-being and the existence of primary care dentists in community-dwelling elderly people.

Background: Some studies have reported subjective well-being focusing on oral health, but no studies have examined the relationship between subjective well-being and primary care dentists.

Methods: This cross-sectional study used data from community-dwelling elderly people aged ≥70 years (n = 624).

A typical case of giant cell arteritis with vision loss due to delayed diagnosis.

A 75-year-old woman lost vision because of delayed recognition of GCA. Early diagnosis and treatment of GCA are important for preventing visual complications. Physicians must remember to evaluate the entire body, not just a single organ/system.

Hemoadsorption of high-mobility-group box 1 using a porous polymethylmethacrylate fiber in a swine acute liver failure model.

Background: High-mobility-group box chromosomal protein 1 has been identified as an important mediator of various kinds of acute and chronic inflammation. In this study, we aimed to develop a column that effectively adsorbs high-mobility-group box chromosomal protein 1 by altering the pore size of the fiber.

Materials And Methods: First, we produced three types of porous polymethylmethacrylate fiber by altering the concentration of polymethylmethacrylate dissolved in dimethylsulfoxide.

Association between secondhand smoke exposure and early eruption of deciduous teeth: A cross-sectional study.

Introduction: Secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure is a risk factor for early childhood caries. Here we examined the association between SHS exposure and early tooth eruption (ETE) to clarify the additional etiology of an increased chance of contact between the tooth's surface and acid produced by fermenting oral bacteria.

Methods: Data of 388 child-mother pairs who attended health checkups at public health centers were assessed for children aged ≥18 months.

A retrospective study of the safety and efficacy of paclitaxel plus ramucirumab in patients with advanced or recurrent gastric cancer with ascites.

Background: Ramucirumab has recently proved to be effective for advanced or recurrent gastric cancer (AGC). Ascites and peritoneal metastasis are among the most common complications of AGC. However, there are few data on the safety and efficacy of paclitaxel plus ramucirumab in patients with AGC with ascites.

Osseous changes of the mandibular condyle affect backward-rotation of the mandibular ramus in Angle Class II orthodontic patients with idiopathic condylar resorption of the temporomandibular joint.

To evaluate whether osseous changes of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) condyle affect backward rotation of the mandibular ramus in Angle Class II orthodontic patients with idiopathic condylar resorption (ICR). Twenty Japanese women with Class II malocclusion with ICR (ICR group) and 24 women with Class II malocclusion without ICR (non-ICR group) were examined. Pre-treatment panoramic radiographs were used to measure condylar ratios.

Insomnia and depression impair oral health-related quality of life in the old-old.

Aim: A previous study reported that the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of Japanese individuals dropped sharply as they reached old-old age. The aim of present study was to explore the risk factors of OHRQoL by investigating the association of OHRQoL with oral indices, lifestyle and psychological distress.

Methods: A questionnaire survey was carried out to assess the OHRQoL, oral indices, lifestyle, and psychological distress of patients who were of ≥75 years of age and who regularly visited a dental clinic for maintenance.

[Susceptibilities of bacteria isolated from patients with lower respiratory infectious diseases to antibiotics (2006)].

From October 2006 to September 2007, we collected the specimen from 356 patients with lower respiratory tract infections in 14 institutions in Japan, and investigated the susceptibilities of isolated bacteria to various antibacterial agents and patients' characteristics. Of 414 strains that were isolated from specimen (mainly from sputum) and assumed to be bacteria causing in infection, 407 strains were examined. The isolated bacteria were: Staphylococcus aureus 64, Streptococcus pneumoniae 96, Haemophilus influenzae 87, Pseudomonas aeruginosa (non-mucoid) 52, P.

The role of tobacco use on dental care and oral disease severity within community dental clinics in Japan.

Background: To examine facilitators of dental smoking intervention practices in Japan, where smokeless tobacco is rarely used, we evaluated the characteristics of dental care for smokers.

Methods: Community dentists volunteered to record the treated disease or encounter with patients that was principally responsible for their dental care on the survey day. Patients were classified into groups receiving gingival/periodontal treatment (GPT), caries/endodontic treatment (CET), prosthetic treatment (PRT), periodical check-up/orthodontic treatment (POT), or other encounters/treatments.

Association between perception of dentist oversupply and expectations of dentistry: a survey of dental graduates in Japan.

Background: The perception that there is a surplus of dentists may be an opportunity to explore attractive career options in dentistry in Japan.

Methods: A self-administered questionnaire was mailed to 2,114 graduates of a private dental school in Japan. We asked about the perception of oversupply, rated by a visual analogue scale, work environment factors, potential areas of dentistry and necessary medical subjects for their dental practice.

Antimicrobial susceptibility of pathogens isolated from more than 10,000 patients with infectious respiratory diseases: a 25-year longitudinal study.

The Study Group on Antimicrobial Susceptibility of Pathogens Isolated from Respiratory Infections was established in 1981 in Japan to elucidate trends in such susceptibilities in patients with infectious respiratory diseases; the Group has conducted nationwide research in collaboration with 21 medical institutions. Examination of more than 10,000 patients by 2005 allowed a summary of study findings. Streptococcus pneumoniae started to become resistant to penicillin G in the 1990s, and the isolation rate of penicillin-intermediate and penicillin-resistant S.

[Susceptibilities of bacteria isolated from patients with lower respiratory infectious diseases to antibiotics (2005)].

From October 2005 to September 2006, we collected the specimen from 366 patients with lower respiratory tract infections in 12 institutions in Japan, and investigated the susceptibilities of isolated bacteria to various antibacterial agents and patients' characteristics. Of 411 strains that were isolated from specimen (mainly from sputum) and assumed to be bacteria causing in infection, 406 strains were examined. The isolated bacteria were: Staphylococcus aureus 70, Streptococcus pneumoniae 85, Haemophilus influenzae 78, Pseudomonas aeruginosa (non-mucoid) 46, P.

Discovery and stereoselective synthesis of the novel isochroman neurokinin-1 receptor antagonist 'CJ-17,493'.

A novel central nervous system (CNS) selective neurokinin-1 (NK(1)) receptor antagonist, (2S,3S)-3-[(1R)-6-methoxy-1-methyl-1-trifluoromethylisochroman-7-yl]-methylamino-2-phenylpiperidine 'CJ-17,493' (compound (+)-1), was synthesized stereoselectively using a kinetic resolution by lipase-PS as a key step. Compound (+)-1 displayed high and selective affinity (K(i)=0.2 nM) for the human NK(1) receptor in IM-9 cells, potent activity in the [Sar(9), Met(O(2))(11)]SP-induced gerbil tapping model (ED(50)=0.

Six-month aerobic exercise training ameliorates central sleep apnea in patients with chronic heart failure.

Background: Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is common in patients with heart failure and carries an independent risk for poor long-term prognosis. We aimed to study the effects of supervised, aerobic exercise training for 6 months on SDB in patients with chronic heart failure.

Methods And Results: We enrolled 18 patients having both systolic dysfunction (left ventricular ejection fraction <45%) and SDB (apnea-hypopnea index [AHI] >10).

Cisplatin (CDDP)-induced acute toxicity in an experimental model of hepatic fibrosis.

Cisplatin (CDDP)-induced acute toxicity was investigated in an experimental model of liver fibrosis produced through repeated intraperitoneal injections of swine serum in rats. A significant increase in level of hepatic markers, such as plasma ASAT, LDH, glucose, total cholesterol and bile acid levels, and a significant decrease in the plasma triacylglycerol level were observed. Slight histological changes, such as necrosis, vacuolar degeneration, and the proliferation of bile ducts were observed as compared with the control fibrotic rats.

Predicting human liver microsomal stability with machine learning techniques.

To ensure a continuing pipeline in pharmaceutical research, lead candidates must possess appropriate metabolic stability in the drug discovery process. In vitro ADMET (absorption, distribution, metabolism, elimination, and toxicity) screening provides us with useful information regarding the metabolic stability of compounds. However, before the synthesis stage, an efficient process is required in order to deal with the vast quantity of data from large compound libraries and high-throughput screening.