Excessive BMP3b suppresses skeletal muscle differentiation.

Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-3b, also known as growth differentiation factor (GDF)-10, belongs to the transforming growth factor (TGF)-β superfamily. Despite being named a BMP, BMP3b is considered as an intermediate between the TGFβ/activin/myostatin and BMP/GDF subgroups of the TGFβ superfamily. Myoblast differentiation is tightly regulated by various cytokines, including the TGFβ superfamily members.

Investigation of functional connectivity differences based on anxiety tendencies.

Introduction: Anxiety is an emotion necessary for human survival. However, persistent and excessive anxiety can be clinically challenging. Increased anxiety affects daily life and requires early detection and intervention.

Predictive brain activity related to auditory information is associated with performance in speech comprehension tasks in noisy environments.

Introduction: Understanding speech in noisy environments is challenging even for individuals with normal hearing, and it poses a significant challenge for those with hearing impairments or listening difficulties. There are limitations associated with the current methods of evaluating speech comprehension in such environments, especially in individuals with peripheral hearing impairments. According to the predictive coding model, speech comprehension is an active inference process that integrates sensory information through the interaction of bottom-up and top-down processing.

BMP3b regulates bone mass by inhibiting BMP signaling.

Bone morphogenetic protein 3b (BMP3b), also known as growth differentiation factor 10 (GDF10), is a non-osteogenic BMP highly expressed in the skeleton. Although in vitro studies have shown that BMP3b suppresses osteoblast differentiation, the physiological role of BMP3b in regulating bone mass in vivo remains unknown. Here, we show that BMP3b deletion in mice leads to a high bone mass phenotype via an unexpected novel mechanism involving de-repression of canonical BMP/Smad signaling.

Exploring sex differences in auditory saliency: the role of acoustic characteristics in bottom-up attention.

Background: Several cognitive functions are related to sex. However, the relationship between auditory attention and sex remains unclear. The present study aimed to explore sex differences in auditory saliency judgments, with a particular focus on bottom-up type auditory attention.

Basic characteristics of tongue pressure and electromyography generated by articulation of a syllable using the posterior part of the tongue.

The basic function of the tongue in pronouncing diadochokinesis and other syllables is not fully understood. This study investigates the influence of sound pressure levels and syllables on tongue pressure and muscle activity in 19 healthy adults (mean age: 28.2 years; range: 22-33 years).

Preparation, solubility, and anti-inflammatory effects of a complex of diphenylcyclopropenone/β-cyclodextrin derivatives as the treatment of alopecia areata.

Purpose: To investigate the preparation of inclusion complexes of diphenylcyclopropenone (DPCP)/β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) derivatives using a three-dimensional (3D) ball mill, and verify the inclusion behavior of the solid dispersion. Additionally, we aimed to investigate the effect of DPCP/β-CDs complex formation on the spleens of male C57BL/6 mice in terms of anti-inflammatory effects.

Methods: The inclusion complexes of DPCP with β-CD and hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPβCD) were prepared using a 3D ball mill.

The Approach to Sensing the True Fetal Heart Rate for CTG Monitoring: An Evaluation of Effectiveness of Deep Learning with Doppler Ultrasound Signals.

Cardiotocography (CTG) is widely used to assess fetal well-being. CTG is typically obtained using ultrasound and autocorrelation methods, which extract periodicity from the signal to calculate the heart rate. However, during labor, maternal vessel pulsations can be measured, resulting in the output of the maternal heart rate (MHR).

Extracting fetal heart signals from Doppler using semi-supervised convolutional neural networks.

Cardiotocography (CTG) measurements are critical for assessing fetal wellbeing during monitoring, and accurate assessment requires well-traceable CTG signals. The current FHR calculation algorithm, based on autocorrelation to Doppler ultrasound (DUS) signals, often results in periods of loss owing to its inability to differentiate signals. We hypothesized that classifying DUS signals by type could be a solution and proposed that an artificial intelligence (AI)-based approach could be used for classification.

Study of the preparation, characterization, and solubility of lidocaine complexed with 5-sulfosalicylic acid dihydrate.

Objective: This study was to prepare solid dispersions of lidocaine (Lid) with 5-sulfosalicylic acid dihydrate (SSA) by freeze-drying (freeze-dried [FD] Lid/SSA = 1/1) and to evaluate their physical properties.

Methods: Here, we evaluated the physicochemical properties and solubility of solid dispersions of Lid and SSA prepared by freeze-drying (freeze-dried [FD] Lid/SSA = 1/1).

Results: Differential scanning calorimetry measurements showed that after freeze-drying, the endothermic peak due to Lid melting, the dehydration peak, and the endothermic peak due to SSA melting disappeared.

The Usefulness of the Breast Density Assessment Application Used by Breast Radiologists.

Breast density determined by breast radiologists and also automatically estimated by applications has been widely investigated. However, no study has yet clarified whether the use of these applications by breast radiologists improves reading efficacy. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the usefulness of applications when used by breast radiologists.

PD-L1 expression in keratinocyte and infiltration of CD4 + T lymphocyte can predict a severe type of erythema multiforme major induced by the anti-PD-1 antibody, pembrolizumab.

Unlabelled: Skin toxicity is the most common adverse event of treatment with immune check point inhibitors. Among them, erythema multiforme is a rare occurrence with a frequency of 4%, with most of the cases developing grade 1/2 disease. We experienced high grade erythema multiforme major developing with pembrolizumab treatment for anal canal cancer with extensive skin metastases.

Rehabilitation Treatment of a Patient With Total Humeral Endoprosthetic Replacement.

Total humeral endoprosthetic replacement (THR) is a rare surgery for malignant humeral bone tumors. Studies focusing on its surgical methods and functional status are limited. Furthermore, rehabilitation treatment after THR has not been reported.

Development of a Subtraction Processing Technology for Assistance in the Comparative Interpretation of Mammograms.

A comparative interpretation of mammograms has become increasingly important, and it is crucial to develop subtraction processing and registration methods for mammograms. However, nonrigid image registration has seldom been applied to subjects constructed with soft tissue only, such as mammograms. We examined whether subtraction processing for the comparative interpretation of mammograms can be performed using nonrigid image registration.

[A Study on the Uncertainty of the Average Glandular Dose in Quality Control of Mammographic X-ray Units].

【Purpose】 Accurate control of X-ray units and dosimeters and analysis of the uncertainties associated with the accurate measurement of radiation doses are essential for the effective establishment and application of diagnostic reference levels. In this study, the uncertainty of the average glandular dose (AGD) in the quality control of mammography equipment was evaluated in detail, and recommendations were provided to improve the accuracy and safety of radiological practice. 【Methods】 In the uncertainty analysis of the AGD, the relative standard uncertainties in the measurements of the half-value layer, the incident air kerma, and the conversion factor were considered and finally expressed as expanded uncertainties, the intervals of which were clearly defined.

Construction and evaluation of a neurofeedback system using finger tapping and near-infrared spectroscopy.

Introduction: Neurofeedback using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) has been used in patients with stroke and other patients, but few studies have included older people or patients with cognitive impairment.

Methods: We constructed a NIRS-based neurofeedback system and used finger tapping to investigate whether neurofeedback can be implemented in older adults while finger tapping and whether brain activity improves in older adults and healthy participants. Our simple neurofeedback system was constructed using a portable wearable optical topography (WOT-HS) device.

Long-term Health-related Quality of Life and Physical Function of COVID-19 Survivors with ICU-acquired Weakness.

Objectives: This study examined the long-term health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and physical function of coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) survivors diagnosed with intensive care unit-acquired weakness (ICU-AW). The correlation between muscle weakness at ICU discharge and HRQOL was assessed.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on COVID-19 patients admitted to the ICU at Hyogo Medical University Hospital between January 2021 and November 2021.

Efficacy of Computed Tomography-Based Evaluation of Myocardial Extracellular Volume Combined With Red Flags for Early Screening of Concealed Cardiac Amyloidosis in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation.

Background: The prevalence of transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM) in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients remains unclear. We explored the efficacy of computed tomography-based myocardial extracellular volume (CT-ECV) combined with red flags for the early screening of concealed ATTR-CM in AF patients undergoing catheter ablation.

Methods and results: Patients referred for AF ablation at Oita University Hospital were prescreened using the red-flag signs defined by echocardiographic or electrocardiographic findings, medical history, symptoms, and blood biochemical findings.

Identifying factors that indicate the possibility of non-visible cases on mammograms using mammary gland content ratio estimated by artificial intelligence.

Background: Mammography is the modality of choice for breast cancer screening. However, some cases of breast cancer have been diagnosed through ultrasonography alone with no or benign findings on mammography (hereby referred to as non-visibles). Therefore, this study aimed to identify factors that indicate the possibility of non-visibles based on the mammary gland content ratio estimated using artificial intelligence (AI) by patient age and compressed breast thickness (CBT).

Upper Respiratory Symptoms as Long COVID: Insight from a Multicenter Cohort Study.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the clinical features of long COVID cases presenting with upper respiratory symptoms, a topic not yet fully elucidated.

Study Design: Prospective cohort study.

Setting: A multicenter study involving 26 medical facilities in Japan.

Effect of mastitis during early-stage pregnancy on the immunity levels and pregnancy function of goats.

In this study, we investigated the effects of mammary inflammation induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and Staphylococcus aureus (SA) infusions on pregnancy function during early pregnancy in goats. In Experiment 1, pregnant goats were subjected to an intramammary LPS infusion for 1 week from Days 60-66 after natural mating (n = 5), and in Experiment 2, they received intramammary infusions of either saline, LPS, or SA for 1 week from Days 45-51 after natural mating (n = 15). Blood was collected to determine the plasma cytokine, cortisol, 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-prostaglandin F2α (PGFM), and progesterone levels.