Nodular-bronchiectatic pattern in pulmonary nocardiosis: Immune status and treatment outcomes in a multicenter retrospective study.

Background: Pulmonary nocardiosis is a rare opportunistic infection, with approximately 15 % of patients being immunocompetent. The isolation rate of Nocardia spp. has recently increased, indicating rising clinical concern.

Evaluation of the digestion protocol of mouse neonatal epidermis for single-cell RNA sequencing.

The skin is primarily composed of keratinocytes and forms an effective barrier between the organism and external environment. Neonatal skin analysis is essential for understanding developmental processes and rare skin diseases. However, efficient single-cell dissociation methods for the neonatal mouse epidermis remain underexplored.

Introduction of substituents for tuning the redox properties of benzoate-bridged paddlewheel diruthenium(II,II) complexes: what does the OH group bring?

Benzoate-bridged paddlewheel diruthenium(II,II) complexes ([RuII,II2(RArCO)(L)] (L = axial ligand); [RuII,II2]) exhibit reversible redox activity involving the oxidized species [RuII,III2]. The redox activity can be finely tuned over a broad potential range by altering the substituent R on the benzoate-bridging ligand RArCO. The electronic contributions of the substituents R depend on their type and position, as was empirically demonstrated by Hammett for substituents at the - and -positions.

Single-cell transcriptomic profiling of lung fibroblasts in a bleomycin-induced systemic sclerosis mouse model.

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a complex autoimmune disease characterized by fibrosis, vascular abnormalities, and immune dysfunction, with no definitive cure. Patients with progressive pulmonary fibrosis face a high mortality risk, underscoring the urgent need for effective treatments. Although fibroblasts are recognized as key drivers of fibrosis, the precise molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood.

Determinants of Longitudinal Changes in Exercise Capacity in Patients with Independent Functioning on Hemodialysis.

Objective: Patients with chronic kidney disease reportedly have decreased muscle oxygen utilization, which most substantially decreases exercise capacity, followed by cardiac reserve. However, determinants of longitudinal changes in exercise capacity in patients on hemodialysis and the effects of long-term exercise interventions are unknown. This study was conducted to clarify these concerns.

Lysophospholipase D activity on oral mucosa cells in whole mixed human saliva involves in production of bioactive lysophosphatidic acid from lysophosphatidylcholine.

We reported that lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is present at 0.8 μM in mixed human saliva (MS). In this study, we examined the distribution, origin, and enzymatic generation pathways of LPA in MS.

Crystal Structure of the Native Chromoprotein from Provides Insights into the Pigmentation Mechanism.

The pink-colored protein from the fungus (PsPCP) possesses unusual primary sequences with little resemblance to those of known proteins and exhibits a red color in aqueous solution. To understand the pigmentation mechanism of PsPCP, we elucidated the X-ray crystal structure of the native PsPCP. We identified a highly conjugated polyene ligand 2-dehydro-3-deoxylaetiporic acid A as a chromophore ligand, whose solution exhibits yellow.

High-mobility group box 1 fragment ameliorates chronic pancreatitis induced by caerulein in mice.

Background: Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is a progressive disease characterized by pancreatic fibrosis for which effective treatment options are lacking. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have shown potential for fibrosis treatment but face limitations in clinical application. The high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) fragment mobilizes MSCs from bone marrow into the blood and has emerged as a promising therapeutic agent for tissue regeneration in various pathological conditions.

Development of marine biodiversity database (BISMaL) to enable estimations past habitat conditions for marine life in the northwestern Pacific.

Global activities involving the collection of marine biodiversity information have provided a large amount of biological observation records that cover various spatiotemporal areas. To predict biological responses or distribution changes in response to environmental changes by using these observation records, it is essential to analyze not only the current marine physicochemical environmental conditions but also the past conditions when the organisms were observed. We developed a new function to estimate the past marine environmental conditions for the observation records in our marine biodiversity database (Biological Information System for Marine Life: BISMaL) and examine whether the database can reliably estimate thermal habitats for both benthic and planktonic marine organisms.

Correction: Post-synthetic molecular modifications based on Schiff base condensation reactions for designing functional paddlewheel diruthenium(II,II) complexes.

Correction for 'Post-synthetic molecular modifications based on Schiff base condensation reactions for designing functional paddlewheel diruthenium(II,II) complexes' by Chisa Itoh , , 2024, , 444-448.

Y chromosome haplogroup N in a Japanese population is classified into three subclades, and two DYS385 loci, a duplicated Y-STR, are duplicated again in subclade N-M1819.

DYS385 is one of the major Y chromosome short tandem repeats (Y-STRs) in forensic genetics and exists as 2 copies in the human Y chromosome palindrome P4 region. In this study, we found that some samples were estimated to have ≥ 4 copies of DYS385 in Y chromosome haplogroup N in a Japanese population. Y chromosome haplogroup N is distributed widely in eastern/central Asia, Siberia, and eastern/northern Europe, and is also observed in Japan; however, little is known about haplogroup N subclades in the Japanese population.

Post-synthetic molecular modifications based on Schiff base condensation reactions for designing functional paddlewheel diruthenium(II,II) complexes.

A new synthetic route for constructing functional paddlewheel diruthenium(II,II) complexes ([RuII,II2]) was developed by utilizing Schiff base condensation reactions of formyl-substituted benzoate-bridged [RuII,II2] complexes with various aromatic monoamines under mild conditions. Cyclic voltammetry and DFT calculations revealed that the attached Schiff base groups significantly affected the electronic states of the resulting [RuII,II2] complexes.

Effects of evocalcet on parathyroid calcium-sensing receptor and vitamin D receptor expression in uremic rats.

Little is known about the effect of the recently developed calcimimetic evocalcet (Evo) on parathyroid calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) and vitamin D receptor (VDR) expression. We examined the effects of Evo and cinacalcet (Cina) on CaSR and VDR expression in 5/6 nephrectomized Sprague-Dawley rats fed a high-phosphorus diet for 4 weeks to develop secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT). These uremic rats were divided into 4 groups-baseline control (Nx4W) and groups with additional treatment with either the Vehicle, Evo, or Cina for 2 weeks; normal rats were used as normal controls (NC).

COVID-19 and its impact on the national examination for pharmacists in Japan: An SNS text analysis.

The COVID-19 pandemic has created an extraordinary situation for undergraduate students. The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the national examination for pharmacists in Japan. In this study, we analyzed the content of Twitter to assess the impact of COVID-19 on the national exam, including psychological aspects.

High-mobility group box-1 peptide ameliorates bronchopulmonary dysplasia by suppressing inflammation and fibrosis in a mouse model.

Background: This study aimed to examine the effect of the HMGB1 peptide on Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD)-related lung injury in a mouse model.

Results: HMGB1 peptide ameliorates lung injury by suppressing the release of inflammatory cytokines and decreasing soluble collagen levels in the lungs. Single-cell RNA sequencing showed that the peptide suppressed the hyperoxia-induced inflammatory signature in macrophages and the fibrotic signature in fibroblasts.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on exercise tolerance and patient outcomes with Phase III cardiac rehabilitation in Japan: A multicenter study.

This study aimed to determine how behavioural restrictions due to the emergency declaration following the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic affect exercise tolerance and its outcomes in patients in Phase III cardiac rehabilitation programme. This is a multicenter retrospective cohort study. Participants in outpatient cardiac rehabilitation programmes and cardiopulmonary exercise testing before and after the emergency declarations were included.

COVID-19-Associated Pulmonary Aspergillosis Complicated by Severe Coronavirus Disease: Is Detection of Aspergillus in Airway Specimens Before Disease Onset an Indicator of Antifungal Prophylaxis?

A 55-year-old man was admitted for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related respiratory failure. He was treated with corticosteroids and tocilizumab in the intensive care unit.   was isolated from his sputum on admission.

Single-cell transcriptome analysis of a rat model of bilateral renal ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) causes massive tissue damage. Renal IRI is the most common type of acute renal injury, and the defects caused by it may progress to chronic kidney disease (CKD). Rodent models of renal IRI, with various patterns, have been used to study the treatment of human kidney injury.

GIS-Based Study of Dental Accessibility and Caries in 3-Year-Old Japanese Children.

Objective: This study aimed to reveal the geographic accessibility of dental clinics for most municipalities in Japan in 2015 and to explore the association between dental accessibility and dental caries status in 3-year-old children.

Methods: We computed the accessibility index and accessibility index rate for the population outside a 1-km radius of dental clinics using a geographic information system. We also used spatial autocorrelation analysis (Moran's I statistic) to examine the spatial clustering patterns of dental accessibility in Japanese municipalities.

Single-cell transcriptome analysis reveals cellular heterogeneity in mouse intra- and extra articular ligaments.

Ligaments are collagenous connective tissues that connect bones. Injury of knee ligaments, namely anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and medial collateral ligament (MCL), is common in athletes. Both ligaments have important functions, but distinct regeneration capacities.

Plap-1 lineage tracing and single-cell transcriptomics reveal cellular dynamics in the periodontal ligament.

Periodontal tissue supports teeth in the alveolar bone socket via fibrous attachment of the periodontal ligament (PDL). The PDL contains periodontal fibroblasts and stem/progenitor cells, collectively known as PDL cells (PDLCs), on top of osteoblasts and cementoblasts on the surface of alveolar bone and cementum, respectively. However, the characteristics and lineage hierarchy of each cell type remain poorly defined.

Dec2 negatively regulates bone resorption in periodontitis.

Background And Objectives: The potential role of the transcription factor Differentiated embryo-chondrocyte 2 (Dec2) in the progression of inflammatory diseases such as periodontitis has been unclear. Here, the effect of Dec2 on the expression of RANKL and on osteoclastogenesis was determined.

Material And Methods: Wild-type (WT) and Dec2 knockout (KO) mice as a model for periodontitis were used to assess alveolar bone resorption by microcomputed tomography (CT).