TAOK1 suppression improves doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy by preventing cardiomyocyte death and dysfunction.

Aims: Doxorubicin (DOX) is one of the most effective chemotherapeutic agents for various types of cancers. However, DOX often causes cardiotoxicity, which is referred to as DOX-induced cardiomyopathy (DIC). Despite extensive research, only a limited number of effective treatments are currently available.

Association between Motoric Cognitive Risk Syndrome and Indicators of Reflecting Independent Living among Community-Dwelling Older Adults in Japan: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The purpose of this study was to examine whether motoric cognitive risk syndrome (MCR) is associated with various indicators of independent living among community-dwelling older adults in Japan. The study design was a cross-sectional study, and the participants were 107 community-dwelling older adults (mean age 79 ± 7 years) who were living independently. The participants were administered the Questionnaire for Medical Checkup of Old-Old (QMCOO) as an indicator of health status and the Japan Science and Technology Agency Index of Competence (JST-IC) as an indicator of higher levels of functioning capacity, among others.

Prospective Multicenter Study to Clarify the Frequency of Peristomal Skin Disorders and Appropriate Evaluation Time in Patients with Malignant Rectal Tumors.

Objective: This study aimed to understand the effectiveness of regular care in reducing the incidence of severe peristomal skin disorders, as well as to identify their risk factors.

Summary Background Data: Peristomal skin disorders occur frequently in outpatient settings and require appropriate intervention. It remains, however, to be demonstrated when the need to follow up these patients decreases and whether assessing severity of peristomal skin disorders is useful.

Predictive risk factors for resection surface-related complications after laparoscopic simultaneous resection of primary colorectal tumor and synchronous liver metastases: a single-center retrospective study.

Background: Laparoscopic simultaneous resection (LSR) of primary colorectal tumors and synchronous colorectal liver metastases (sCRLM) has been recently performed. This study aimed to evaluate the postoperative outcomes after LSR and determine the risk factors for resection surface-related complications (RSRC), such as postoperative biliary fistula and liver-transection surface abscess.

Methods: Between 2009 and 2022, consecutive patients with sCRLM who underwent LSR were included.

Development of a laparoscopic sigmoidectomy simulator: Sigmaster.

The sigmoid colon simulator was designed to accurately reproduce the anatomical layer structure and the arrangement of characteristic organs in each layer, and to have conductivity so that energy devices can be used. Dry polyester fibers were used to reproduce the layered structures, which included characteristic blood vessels, nerve sheaths, and intestinal tracts. The adhesive strength of the layers was controlled to allow realistic peeling techniques.

Laparoscopic total pelvic exenteration combined with transanal total mesorectal excision for locally advanced prostate cancer with rectal infiltration.

Introduction: Intensive treatment is typically considered for very high-risk patients with locally advanced prostate cancer and an expected survival time of 5 years or longer. Herein, we report a case of locally advanced prostate cancer with rectal infiltration treated with laparoscopic total pelvic exenteration combined with transanal total mesorectal excision.

Case Presentation: A 73-year-old man presented with a ring-shaped mass around the rectum.

A novel treatment based on powder jet deposition technique for dentin hypersensitivity: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of dentin hypersensitivity (DH) treatment using a newly developed device based on a powder jet deposition (PJD) technique that creates a hydroxyapatite (HAP) layer on the dentin surface, thereby alleviating the hypersensitivity. The effect of the PJD treatment was compared with that of conventional treatment using Teethmate Desensitizer (TMD; calcium-phosphate containing material with TTCP (Ca(PO)O) and DCPA (CaHPO)), which has been used clinically in Japan with well-confirmed effectiveness.

Materials And Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted including 35 patients who had symptoms of DH in two or more quadrants.

Endoscopic Surgical Skill Qualification System: propensity-score matched cohort analysis of accredited supervisors in laparoscopic rectal cancer surgery.

Background: The Endoscopic Surgical Skill Qualification System (ESSQS) in Japan evaluates the surgical skills required for laparoscopic surgery as an operator as well as a supervisor. This study aimed to demonstrate the benefits of an ESSQS-certified surgeon's participation in laparoscopic rectal resections as a supervisor (assistant or advisor).

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed laparoscopic resection results for cStage II and III rectal cancer performed at 56 Japanese hospitals between 2014 and 2016.

Endothelial senescence alleviates cognitive impairment in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is among the most prevalent age-related neurodegenerative diseases. Endothelial cell (EC) senescence was discovered in the AD brain, but its function in AD pathogenesis was unidentified. Here we created an AD mouse model with EC senescence (APP/PS1;TERF2DN mice) by intercrossing APP/PS1 mice with Tie2 promoter-driven dominant negative telomeric repeat-binding factor 2 transgenic mice (TERF2DN-Tg mice).

Toward the development of a training program that promotes a "social model of disability" for physical therapists: a discussion on experiential learning surrounding the use of "acceptance of disability" by physical therapists.

[Purpose] This study aimed to extract knowledge for the development of a training program for creating a social model of disability for physical therapists, focusing on the experiential learning of those physical therapists who did not use acceptance of disability according to their subjective judgment. [Participants and Methods] The study included 11 physical therapists who were interviewed about their use of acceptance of disability and the circumstances leading to its non-use. [Results] The study identified the past and current use of acceptance of disability, as well as cases and reasons for its discontinuation, along with changes in clinical content.

Short-term outcomes following intracorporeal vs. extracorporeal anastomosis after laparoscopic right and left-sided colectomy: a propensity score-matched study.

Background: To compare the short-term outcomes of patients undergoing intracorporeal anastomosis (IA) during laparoscopic colectomy to those undergoing extracorporeal anastomosis (EA).

Methods And Materials: The study was a single-centre retrospective propensity score-matched analysis conducted. Consecutive patients who underwent elective laparoscopic colectomy without the double stapling technique between January 2018 and June 2021 were investigated.

Spermidine improves angiogenic capacity of senescent endothelial cells, and enhances ischemia-induced neovascularization in aged mice.

Aging is closely associated with the increased morbidity and mortality of ischemic cardiovascular disease, at least partially through impaired angiogenic capacity. Endothelial cells (ECs) play a crucial role in angiogenesis, and their angiogenic capacity declines during aging. Spermidine is a naturally occurring polyamine, and its dietary supplementation has exhibited distinct anti-aging and healthy lifespan-extending effects in various species such as yeast, worms, flies, and mice.

Two-team lateral lymph node dissection assisted by the transanal approach for locally advanced lower rectal cancer: comparison with the conventional transabdominal approach.

Background: An optimal surgical approach to lateral lymph node dissection (LLND) remains controversial. With the recent popularity of transanal total mesorectal excision, a two-team procedure combining the transabdominal and transanal approaches was established as a novel approach to LLND. This study aimed to clarify the safety and feasibility of two-team LLND (2team-LLND) and compare its short-term outcomes with those of conventional transabdominal LLND (Conv-LLND).

Single-center comparative study of short-term outcomes of transanal and laparoscopic total mesorectal excisions for low and middle rectal cancers.

Background: Transanal total mesorectal excision is a promising surgical treatment for rectal cancer. However, evidence regarding the differences in outcomes between the transanal and laparoscopic total mesorectal excisions is scarce. We compared the short-term outcomes of transanal and laparoscopic total mesorectal excisions for low and middle rectal cancers.

Global Medical Device Clinical Trials Involving Both the United States and Japan: Key Considerations for Development, Regulatory Approval, and Conduct.

As medical device development becomes increasingly global, the opportunities and potential advantages offered by international clinical trial and regulatory approval strategies are also growing. In particular, medical device clinical trials involving sites in both the United States and Japan and intended to support marketing in both countries may warrant particular consideration, given the similarities in their regulatory systems, patients and clinical practice patterns, and market sizes. Since 2003, the US-Japan Harmonization By Doing (HBD) initiative has been focused on identifying and addressing clinical and regulatory barriers to medical devices access in both countries via collaboration between governmental, academic, and industry stakeholders.

Single-stapling technique versus hand-sewn anastomosis in inter-sphincteric resection with transanal total mesorectal excision (Super SST): protocol for a multicentre randomized clinical trial.

Background: Currently, hand-sewn anastomosis is the standard procedure for inter-sphincteric resection (ISR); however, distal purse-string suturing during transanal total mesorectal excision (TaTME) has allowed a single-stapling technique (SST). Although it was originally intended for cases requiring anastomosis of 2 cm or more above the anorectal junction (ARJ), SST could be safely performed in ISR. The aim of this trial is to determine the superiority of SST over hand-sewn anastomosis in ISR with TaTME.

Gliovascular interface abnormality in mice with endothelial cell senescence.

In the brain, neurons, glial cells, vascular endothelial cells (ECs), and mural cells form a functional structure referred to as the neurovascular unit (NVU). The functions of the NVU become impaired with aging. To gain insight into the mechanism underlying the aging-related changes in the NVU, we characterized in the present study the gliovascular interface in transgenic mice expressing a dominant-negative form of the telomeric repeat-binding factor 2 (TERF2) specifically in ECs using the Tie2 promoter.