Automated Assessment of the Pulmonary Artery-to-Ascending Aorta Ratio in Fetal Cardiac Ultrasound Screening Using Artificial Intelligence.

The three-vessel view (3VV) is a standardized transverse scanning plane used in fetal cardiac ultrasound screening to measure the absolute and relative diameters of the pulmonary artery (PA), ascending aorta (Ao), and superior vena cava, as required. The PA/Ao ratio is used to support the diagnosis of congenital heart disease (CHD). However, vascular diameters are measured manually by examiners, which causes intra- and interobserver variability in clinical practice.

Analysis of Inertial Measurement Unit Data for an AI-Based Physical Function Assessment System Using In-Clinic-like Movements.

Assessing objective physical function in patients with cancer is crucial for evaluating their ability to tolerate invasive treatments. Current assessment methods, such as the timed up and go (TUG) test and the short physical performance battery, tend to require additional resources and time, limiting their practicality in routine clinical practice. To address these challenges, we developed a system to assess physical function based on movements observed during clinical consultations and aimed to explore relevant features from inertial measurement unit data collected during those movements.

Discrimination thresholds for glutamic acid and chicken oil in chicken broth assessed by an untrained panel at a research institute.

Glutamic acid (Glu) and fat are recognized as primary flavor components in meat. This study aimed to determine the discrimination threshold of an untrained panel for Glu and fat in meat. Thirty-two untrained panelists were recruited among research institute employees.

NS1 binding protein regulates stress granule dynamics and clearance by inhibiting p62 ubiquitination.

The NS1 binding protein, known for interacting with the influenza A virus protein, is involved in RNA processing, cancer, and nerve cell growth regulation. However, its role in stress response independent of viral infections remains unclear. This study investigates NS1 binding protein's function in regulating stress granules during oxidative stress through interactions with GABARAP subfamily proteins.

BET inhibitor JQ1 induces apoptosis of ovarian and endometrial endometrioid carcinoma cells by downregulating .

Although ovarian endometrioid carcinoma (OEC), frequently associated with endometrial endometrioid carcinoma (EEC), is often diagnosed at an early stage, the prognosis remains poor. The development of new, effective drugs to target these cancers is highly desirable. The bromodomain and extra-terminal domain (BET) family proteins serve a role in regulating transcription by recognizing histone acetylation, which is implicated in several types of cancer.

Association between polypharmacy and the long-term prescription of hypnotics in Japan: a retrospective cross-sectional study.

Introduction: Hypnotic polypharmacy and its long-term prescriptions constitute the inappropriate use of hypnotics. However, the relationship between hypnotic polypharmacy and prolonged prescriptions remains unclear. This study aimed to elucidate the association between hypnotic polypharmacy and the duration of hypnotic prescriptions.

Association of preconception premenstrual disorders with perinatal depression: an analysis of the perinatal clinical database of a single Japanese institution.

Background: Recent studies have identified premenstrual disorders (PMDs) as a risk factor for postpartum depression. However, routine screening for preconception PMDs is not yet common in Japan. This study investigated the association between preconception PMDs and perinatal depression in a single tertiary care setting.

Immediate effect of ischemic loading on quadriceps muscle output by using a pneumatic cuff.

Introduction: Transient ischemic conditioning (TIC) is a technique that involves short periods of ischemia followed by reperfusion, which may enhance muscle strength by increasing blood flow and improving energy supply to muscle fibers. This study aims to investigate the effect of TIC on quadriceps strength and examine its potential as a warm-up exercise in rehabilitation.

Methods: Fifteen healthy male participants underwent TIC on the quadriceps.

Leucine-Rich Alpha-2 Glycoprotein Is Associated With Transmural Inflammation Assessed by Intestinal Ultrasound in Patients With Crohn's Disease.

Background: Intestinal ultrasound (IUS) is a non-invasive tool for evaluating transmural inflammation in Crohn's disease (CD). However, its utility is constrained by operator dependency and limited accessibility.

Aims: To explore the feasibility of serum biomarkers-specifically leucine-rich alpha-2 glycoprotein (LRG)-as an alternative to IUS for assessing transmural inflammation.

The Apparent Lack of the Risk of Intussusception Immediately After Rotavirus Vaccination Among Japanese Infants.

Rotavirus vaccines carry a small risk of intussusception mainly 1-7 days after vaccination in the United States of America, Europe, Australia, and Latin America where the background rate of intussusception is relatively low. Such risks are undetectable in Africa and India where the background rate is the lowest. Because few studies were carried out in high-background-rate countries such as Japan, we examined how intussusception occurred in infants living in Akita prefecture, Japan, while the vaccines were sold in the private market.

Introduction of AI Technology for Objective Physical Function Assessment.

Objective physical function assessment is crucial for determining patient eligibility for treatment and adjusting the treatment intensity. Existing assessments, such as performance status, are not well standardized, despite their frequent use in daily clinical practice. This paper explored how artificial intelligence (AI) could predict physical function scores from various patient data sources and reviewed methods to measure objective physical function using this technology.

Molecular mechanisms of complex-type N-glycan breakdown and metabolism by the human intestinal bacterium Barnesiella intestinihominis.

Intestinal bacteria play a crucial role in human health, for example, by maintaining immune and metabolic homeostasis and protecting against pathogens. Survival in the human intestine depends on the bacterium's ability to utilize complex carbohydrates. Some species are known to use host-derived glycans; for example, Bifidobacteria can utilize O-glycan of mucin.

The cytokine profile correlates with less tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in luminal A breast cancer.

Purpose: Tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) levels are prognostic and predictive factors for breast cancer. Unlike other subtypes, most luminal A breast cancers are immune deserts; however, the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood.

Methods: Immune-related cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors were measured in the sera of 103 patients with breast cancer using a multiplex panel.

Comparison of robotic versus laparoscopic total gastrectomy for gastric cancer: A single-center retrospective cohort study in a Japanese high-volume center.

Background: Robotic-assisted surgery has become increasingly popular worldwide in recent years. This study aimed to compare the surgical outcomes of robotic total gastrectomy (RTG) and laparoscopic total gastrectomy (LTG) to figure out the advantages of RTG.

Methods: The eligible cases in this study were patients who underwent RTG or LTG for gastric adenocarcinoma at our hospital from January 2014 to December 2022.

Barley β-glucan consumption improves glucose tolerance by increasing intestinal succinate concentrations.

Barley is rich in β-glucan, which can alter gut microbiota and metabolome profiles, potentially affecting host metabolism. However, the microbiota and metabolites increased by barley β-glucan remain unclear. In this study, we focused on the gut-microbiota-derived metabolite succinate and investigated the microbiome and metabolome profiles altered by barley β-glucan intake.