Regular Smoking Accelerates the Decline in Masticatory Performance in Japanese Men: The Suita Study.

Background: Smoking is presumed to cause a decline in masticatory performance by worsening the intraoral environment in various ways. However, no longitudinal study has examined the relationship between smoking and masticatory performance.

Objectives: To clarify how smoking affects future decline in masticatory performance through a 5-year follow-up study of a general urban population.

Association between decreased occlusal support and diabetes mellitus diagnosed by the oral glucose tolerance test with and without periodontal disease: The Suita Study.

Purpose: Several studies have reported a close association between periodontal disease (PD) and diabetes mellitus (DM). In addition, the decline in masticatory function due to decreased occlusal support may worsen DM due to poor nutritional intake. We aimed to elucidate the relationship between PD, decreased occlusal support, and DM.

Quality of Life and Oral Function in Patients With Jaw Defects Following Oral Tumour Surgery.

Objectives: To evaluate various oral functions in patients with jaw defects after oral tumour surgery and to clarify factors associated with their quality of life (QoL).

Background: In patients with jaw defects, oral function and QoL are severely impaired. No studies have evaluated oral functions of patients with jaw defects and examined their relationships with QoL.

Transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 gene-deficiency attenuates the inhibitory effect of 5,6-dihydroxy-8Z,11Z,14Z,17Z-eicosatetraenoic acid on vascular permeability in mice.

We investigated whether an anti-inflammatory lipid metabolite named 5,6-DiHETE reduces vascular permeability by inhibiting TRPV4 channels in vivo. In wild-type (WT) mice, histamine-induced dye extravasation was reduced by pre-administration of 5,6-DiHETE. In TRPV4-deficient mice, extravasation and histamine-induced edema were already reduced, and 5,6-DiHETE had no additional effect.

A case of needle tract seeding of pancreatic adenosquamous carcinoma after a single endoscopic ultrasound-guided tissue acquisition.

Needle tract seeding (NTS) is a rare complication of endoscopic ultrasound-guided tissue acquisition (EUS-TA). Herein, we report the case of an 83 year-old man who presented with a solid mass in the pancreatic tail, measuring 35 mm in diameter, with cystic degeneration. EUS-TA was performed using a 22-gauge biopsy needle, with a single puncture via the stomach; however, no definitive pathological diagnosis was achieved.

Incidence of Cholecystitis After Endoscopic Biliary Drainage Using a Low Axial Force Covered Self-Expandable Metallic Stent in Patients With Malignant Distal Biliary Obstruction: A Multicenter Prospective Study.

Background And Aim: No prospective studies have verified the incidence of cholecystitis in patients using the covered self-expandable metallic stent. In this study, we aimed to investigate the incidence of cholecystitis and its risk factors after low axial force covered self-expandable metallic stent placement for malignant distal biliary obstruction.

Methods: This multicenter prospective study included patients diagnosed with unresectable distal biliary obstruction between November 2019 and October 2022 who underwent low axial force covered self-expandable metallic stent placement.

Coil Embolization of a Ruptured Traumatic Pseudoaneurysm of the Middle Meningeal Artery: A Case Report.

Traumatic pseudoaneurysms of the middle meningeal artery (MMA) are rare and have a poor prognosis due to their high risk of rupture. This study presents a case of a 53-year-old man who experienced rupture of an MMA pseudoaneurysm 10 days after craniotomy for an acute subdural hematoma caused by a blunt head injury. He also had an accompanying temporal bone fracture extending to the skull base.

Automated analysis of a novel object recognition test in mice using image processing and machine learning.

The novel object recognition test (NORT) is one of the most commonly employed behavioral tests in experimental animals designed to evaluate an animal's interest in and recognition of novelty. However, manual procedures, which rely on researchers' observations, prevent high throughput analysis. In this study, we developed an automated analysis method for NORT utilizing machine learning-assisted exploratory behavior detection.

Treatment Outcomes in Patients with Unruptured Anterior Choroidal Artery Aneurysms: A Single-Center Experience.

Objective: Treatment of anterior choroidal artery (AChA) aneurysms is frequently associated with ischemic complications. This study aimed to report the outcomes of treatment of unruptured AChA aneurysms in our hospital.

Methods: Between January 2015 and March 2022, 40 patients were treated for an unruptured AChA aneurysm in our hospital.

Occurrence of specific pollutants in a mixture of sewage and rainwater from an urbanized area.

Urban runoff appears to be a pathway for transferring new emerging pollutants from land-based sources to the aquatic environment. This paper aimed to identify and describe the groups of pollutants present in rainwater surface runoff as well as their mixture with wastewater in the combined sewer system from urbanized catchments and to determine the correlations between these pollutants. Four leading groups of new emerging pollutants have been identified that may be present in rainwater and municipal wastewater mixtures.

Deep learning analysis for differential diagnosis and risk classification of gastrointestinal tumors.

Objectives: Recently, artificial intelligence (AI) has been applied to clinical diagnosis. Although AI has already been developed for gastrointestinal (GI) tract endoscopy, few studies have applied AI to endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) images. In this study, we used a computer-assisted diagnosis (CAD) system with deep learning analysis of EUS images (EUS-CAD) and assessed its ability to differentiate GI stromal tumors (GISTs) from other mesenchymal tumors and their risk classification performance.

PRSS3/mesotrypsin as a putative regulator of the biophysical characteristics of epidermal keratinocytes in superficial layers.

Mesotrypsin, encoded by the PRSS3 gene, is a distinctive trypsin isoform renowned for its exceptional resistance to traditional trypsin inhibitors and unique substrate specificity. Within the skin epidermis, this protein primarily expresses in the upper layers of the stratified epidermis and plays a crucial role in processing pro-filaggrin (Pro-FLG). Although prior studies have partially elucidated its functions using primary cultured keratinocytes, challenges persist due to these cells' differentiation-activated cell death program.

Biomass recovery of coastal young mangrove plantations in Central Thailand.

Around one-third of the world's most carbon-rich ecosystems, mangrove forests, have already been destroyed in Thailand owing to coastal development and aquaculture. Improving these degraded areas through mangrove plantations can restore various coastal ecosystem services, including CO absorption and protection against wave action. This study examines the biomass of three coastal mangrove plantations (Avicennia alba) of different ages in Samut Prakarn province, Central Thailand.

Therapeutic Outcome of Multidisciplinary Treatment in Unresectable Biliary Tract Cancer: A Multicenter Retrospective Analysis.

Background: There is little established evidence regarding treatment strategies for unresectable biliary tract cancer (BTC). This study aimed to clarify the situation of multidisciplinary treatment for unresectable BTC in the 2000s when there was no international standard first-line therapy.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 315 consecutive patients with unresectable BTC who had been treated at seven tertiary institutions in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan between 1999 and 2008.

Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Tissue Acquisition Using Fork-Tip Needle for Subepithelial Lesions: A Single-Center Validation Study.

Background: The cutoff value for stereomicroscopic on-site evaluation (SOSE) in endoscopic ultrasound-guided tissue acquisition (EUS-TA) has high diagnostic sensitivity when a Franseen needle is employed for upper gastrointestinal subepithelial lesions (SELs) (stereomicroscopically visible white core [SVWC] ≥ 4 mm).

Aim: We aimed to determine whether high diagnostic sensitivity could be obtained when EUS-TA was performed using a Fork-tip needle.

Methods: Twenty-one patients were prospectively registered.

Modeling of microplastics degradation in aquatic environments using an experimental plan.

The aim of this article is to apply advanced predictive modeling techniques to understand the degradation process of microplastics in aquatic environments. Utilizing a Fractional Factorial Central Composite Experimental Plan, this study seeks to develop precise predictive statistical models that enable forecasting the quantity of pollutants generated during the degradation of microplastics under various environmental conditions. This tool was applied to model changes in DOC (dissolved organic carbon) and DEHP (bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate) values during the degradation of microplastics in aquatic ecosystems.

The effect of water ozonation in the presence of microplastics on water quality and microplastics degradation.

The occurrence of microplastics in water treatment plants poses a concern for the quality of treated water. When microplastics pass through water treatment plants, they can be oxidized, changing their surface characteristics and the quality of the treated water. This work aimed to investigate the impact of ozone and the association of ozone and hydrogen peroxide on five different microplastic particles that are commonly detected in water samples.

Consensus statements on endoscopic ultrasound-guided tissue acquisition. Guidelines from the Asian Endoscopic Ultrasound Group.

Objectives: This consensus was developed by the Asian EUS Group (AEG), who aimed to formulate a set of practice guidelines addressing various aspects of endoscopic ultrasound-guided tissue acquisition (EUS-TA).

Methods: The AEG initiated the development of consensus statements and formed an expert panel comprising surgeons, gastroenterologists, and pathologists. Three online consensus meetings were conducted to consolidate the statements and votes.

Elucidation of the Tissue Distribution and Host Immunostimulatory Activity of Exogenously Administered Probiotic-Derived Extracellular Vesicles for Immunoadjuvant.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are cell-derived nanoparticles that can be used as novel biomaterials. In the development of EVs-based therapeutic systems, it is essential to understand the fate of exogenously administered EVs and subsequent biological responses mediated by EVs. Although probiotics and microorganisms that modulate the host immune system also secrete EVs, their tissue distribution and biological reactions after administration to the host have not been sufficiently elucidated.

Balloon enteroscopy-assisted endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography for asymptomatic common bile duct stones on surgically altered anatomy: A high risk factor for post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis.

Background: Post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) pancreatitis (PEP) is more common in patients with asymptomatic common bile duct stones (CBDSs) and normal anatomy than in those with symptomatic CBDS; however, studies on the effect of surgically altered anatomy are lacking. We aimed to investigate whether asymptomatic CBDS in balloon enteroscopy-assisted ERCP cases for surgically altered anatomy also has a high incidence of PEP and analyze the risk factors for PEP.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 108 consecutive patients who underwent initial ERCP for CBDS with surgically altered anatomies and with naive papilla at Kitasato University Hospital from April 2015 to December 2022.

Pancreatic Cancer Cells May Adhere to the External Surface of the Puncture Needle After Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Fine-Needle Aspiration.

Objective: We prospectively investigated whether cells derived from pancreatic cancers adhered to the puncture needle's external surface after endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) and whether wiping the needle with alcohol swabs removed residual cancer cells.

Methods: The participants were 100 consecutive patients who underwent EUS-FNA for suspected pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. In the first pass of EUS-FNA, we prepared aspiration and lavage cytological diagnosis materials from the lumen and external surface of the puncture needle, respectively.

Assessment of machine learning-based methods predictive suitability for migration pollutants from microplastics degradation.

The aim of the work was to assess the usefulness of machine learning in predicting the migration of pollutants from microplastics. The search for methods to reduce unnecessary laboratory analyzes is a necessary action both to protect the environment and from an economic perspective. Multiple regression, artificial neural networks, support vector method and random forest regression were used in the study to predict leaching of plasticizers and other contaminants from microplastics.

The use of artificial neural networks in modelling migration pollutants from the degradation of microplastics.

The objective of this article was to assess the effectiveness of simulation models in predicting the emission of additives from microplastics. The variety of plastics, their chemical structure, physicochemical properties, as well as the influence of environmental factors on their decomposition generate countless cases for analysis in the laboratory. The search for methods to reduce unnecessary laboratory analyses is a necessary action to protect the environment and ensure economic efficiency.