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.

Synthesis and Magnetic Properties of Spherical Maghemite Nanoparticles with Tunable Size and Surface Chemistry.

We report the synthesis of uniform populations of spherical maghemite nanoparticles by thermal decomposition of iron precursors with tunable diameters centered at 3.3, 7.5, and 12.

Dynamic extraction of residual solvents from pharmaceutical formulations using a needle-type extraction device.

This study developed a rapid screening method to determine residual solvents contained in a tablet formulation using a needle-type extraction device. For this, the tablet formulation was pulverized and the powdered sample was rapidly inserted into a pipette tip. After fixing the sample with quartz wool, the pipette tip was capped with a silicon septum.

Surface strain at the cervical area and fracture strength of flared root canals reinforced using a zirconia tube and glass-fiber post.

Background/purpose: Recently, an effective core build-up system for teeth with flared root canals is needed. This research aimed to evaluate the effect of foundation restorations using a composite resin core with a fiber post reinforced with a zirconia tube for the surface strain at the cervical area and the fracture load of teeth with flared root canals.

Materials And Methods: Bovine teeth were shaped to mimic human premolars with flared root canals and restored using three types of composite resin foundation restorations with each materials described below: a fiber post (FC), a zirconia tube (ZC), a fiber post and zirconia tube (ZFC).

Genetic Analysis of , , and in Familial Episodic Pain Syndrome (FEPS) in Japan and Proposal of Clinical Diagnostic Criteria.

Familial episodic pain syndrome (FEPS) is an early childhood onset disorder of severe episodic limb pain caused mainly by pathogenic variants of , , and , which encode three voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSCs) expressed as key determinants of nociceptor excitability in primary sensory neurons. There may still be many undiagnosed patients with FEPS. A better understanding of the associated pathogenesis, epidemiology, and clinical characteristics is needed to provide appropriate diagnosis and care.

Gross Hematuria after the COVID-19 mRNA Vaccination: Nationwide Multicenter Prospective Cohort Study in Japan.

Key Points: Little is known about the clinicopathological characteristics and renal outcomes in the patients with gross hematuria (GH) after the vaccination. To fill a clinicopathological knowledge gap regarding vaccination and GH, we conducted a nationwide multicenter prospective cohort study. GH is more likely to occur in patients with IgA nephropathy, with a female bias, but without progressive exacerbation of renal function.

Higher Frequency of Premature Atrial Contractions Correlates With Atrial Fibrillation Detection after Cryptogenic Stroke.

Background: Covert atrial fibrillation (AF) is a major cause of cryptogenic stroke. This study investigated whether a dose-dependent relationship exists between the frequency of premature atrial contractions (PACs) and AF detection in patients with cryptogenic stroke using an insertable cardiac monitor (ICM).

Methods: We enrolled consecutive patients with cryptogenic stroke who underwent ICM implantation between October 2016 and September 2020 at 8 stroke centers in Japan.

Exploring the Link between Altitude of Residence and Smoking Patterns in the United States.

Introduction: Smoking-related diseases affect 16 million Americans, causing approximately 480,000 deaths annually. The prevalence of cigarette smoking varies regionally across the United States, and previous research indicates that regional rates of smoking-related diseases demonstrate a negative association with altitude. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between altitude and the prevalence of cigarette smoking by county ( = 3106) in the United States.

EGFR-TKI rechallenge in patients with EGFR-mutated non-small-cell lung cancer who progressed after first-line osimertinib treatment: A multicenter retrospective observational study.

Background: Rechallenge therapy with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) is known to confer some clinical benefit for patients with metastatic EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, little is known about the efficacy of EGFR-TKI rechallenge after resistance to first-line (1L) osimertinib. This study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of EGFR-TKI rechallenge therapy after resistance to 1L osimertinib in a Japanese clinical setting.

Atrial Fibrillation Detection and Ischemic Stroke Recurrence in Cryptogenic Stroke: A Retrospective, Multicenter, Observational Study.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is known to be a strong risk factor for stroke. However, the risk of stroke recurrence in patients with cryptogenic stroke with AF detected after stroke by an insertable cardiac monitor (ICM) is not well known. We sought to evaluate the risk of ischemic stroke recurrence in patients with cryptogenic stroke with and without ICM-detected AF.

Comparison on removal performance of virus, antibiotic-resistant bacteria, cell-associated and cell-free antibiotic resistance genes, and indicator chemicals by ozone in the filtrated secondary effluent of a sewage treatment plant.

Due to the widespread appearance of viruses, antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARBs), and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in the aquatic environment, more powerful oxidation processes such as ozonation are needed to enhance the efficiency of their inactivation and removal during wastewater treatment. However, information is lacking on the elimination rates of viruses, ARBs, cell-associated ARGs (ca-ARGs), and cell-free ARGs (cf-ARGs) during ozonation. This study examined the kinetics and dose-dependent inactivation of a virus (MS2 coliphage) and an ARB (Ampicillin-resistant [Amp] E.

Methiothepin downregulates SNAP-23 and inhibits degranulation of rat basophilic leukemia cells and mouse bone marrow-derived mast cells.

In the present study, we found that methiothepin (a nonselective 5-hydroxytryptamine [5-HT] receptor antagonist) inhibited antigen-induced degranulation in rat basophilic leukemia cells and mouse bone marrow-derived mast cells. Although antigen stimulation induces release of histamine and serotonin (5-HT) by exocytosis and mast cells express several types of 5-HT receptor, the detailed role of these receptors remains unclear. Here, pretreatment of cells with methiothepin attenuated increased intracellular Ca concentration, phosphorylated critical upstream signaling components (Src family tyrosine kinases, Syk, and PLCγ1), and suppressed TNF-α secretion via inhibition of Akt (a Ser/Thr kinase activated by PI3K)and ERK phosphorylation.

Left atrial appendage flow velocity predicts occult atrial fibrillation in cryptogenic stroke: a CRYPTON-ICM registry.

Background: An insertable cardiac monitor (ICM) and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) are useful for investigating potential embolic sources in cryptogenic stroke, of which atrial fibrillation (AF) is a critical risk factor for stroke recurrence. The association of left atrial appendage flow velocity (LAA-FV) on TEE with ICM-detected AF is yet to be elucidated.

Methods: CRYPTON-ICM (CRYPTOgenic stroke evaluation in Nippon using ICM) is a multicenter registry of cryptogenic stroke with ICM implantation, and patients whose LAA-FV was evaluated on TEE were enrolled.

Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis and Anti-neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-associated Vasculitis Possibly Caused by Enterococcus faecalis Infective Endocarditis.

Infection can induce hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) and anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV). We herein report a 52-year-old man who had HLH and AAV simultaneously, possibly caused by Enterococcus faecalis infective endocarditis. The HLH diagnosis was based on the HLH-2004 criteria.

Genetic and phenotypic analyses of mcr-harboring extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli isolates from companion dogs and cats in Japan.

The emergence of mcr plasmid-mediated colistin-resistant extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacterales among companion dogs and cats poses a risk of the animals acting as reservoirs for cross-species transmission. However, current knowledge of mcr-harboring ESBL-producing Enterobacterales in companion dogs and cats is still limited; thus, the genetic and phenotypic characteristics of the bacterial isolates and plasmids, in companion dogs and cats, remain to be elucidated. Here, we identified mcr gene-harboring ESBL-producing Escherichia coli isolates during whole-genome sequencing of ESBL-producing E.

Genome editing is induced in a binary manner in single human cells.

Even when precise nucleotide manipulations are intended, the outcomes of genome editing can be diverse, often including random insertions and deletions. The combinations and frequencies of these different outcomes in single cells are critical not only in the generation of genetically modified cell lines but also in the evaluation of the clinical effects of genome editing therapies. However, current methods only analyze cell populations, not single cells.

Effects of adrenaline and vasopressin on cerebral microcirculation at baseline and during global brain ischemia and reperfusion in rabbits.

Background: During cardiopulmonary resuscitation, the brain becomes ischemic. Adrenaline and vasopressin have been recommended for use during cardiopulmonary resuscitation. We aimed to investigate the direct effects of adrenaline and vasopressin on the cerebral microvasculature at baseline and during ischemia and reperfusion in rabbits.

Influence of pneumoperitoneum and head-down maneuver on the cerebral microvasculature in rabbits.

Background: With recent advances in robot-assisted techniques, an increasing number of surgeries are being performed with pneumoperitoneum and head-down maneuver (HDM) that may affect the cerebral microcirculation. For the first time, this study investigated the direct influence of pneumoperitoneum and HDM on the cerebral microvasculature in rabbits.

Methods: Adult male rabbits were randomly allocated to the following groups (n = 7 each): control, pneumoperitoneum alone (P), and pneumoperitoneum with HDM (P + HDM) for 120 min.

Graphene delamination from chemical vapor deposited turbostratic multilayer graphene for TEM analysis.

Turbostratic multilayer graphene (MLG) is of great interest due to its unique electronic properties resulting from a linear band dispersion at the K point, which is similar to that of single-layer graphene. The band structure is derived from the stacking structure of turbostratic MLG where graphene layers have random in-plane rotations with respect to each other. Although wafer-scale growth of turbostratic MLG has been demonstrated, the crystallinity of individual graphene layers is still challenging to investigate.

Correlation between antibiotic use and antibiotic resistance: A multicenter study using the Japan Surveillance for Infection Prevention and Healthcare Epidemiology (J-SIPHE) system in Hokkaido, Japan.

Background: The Japan Surveillance for Infection Prevention and Healthcare Epidemiology (J-SIPHE) system aggregates information related to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) measures in participating medical institutions nationwide and is intended to be used for promotion of AMR measures in participating facilities and their communities. This multicenter study aimed to determine the usefulness of the J-SIPHE system for evaluating the correlation between antibiotic use and antibiotic resistance in Hokkaido, Japan.

Methods: Data on antibiotic use and detection rate of major resistant Gram-negative bacteria at 19 hospitals in 2020 were collected from the J-SIPHE system, and data correlations were analyzed using JMP Pro.

Predictive value of post-treatment C-reactive protein-to-albumin ratio in locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients receiving durvalumab after chemoradiotherapy.

Backgrounds: The PACIFIC trial established durvalumab consolidation therapy after concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) as the standard treatment for locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (LA-NSCLC). However, little is known about the predictive factors of durvalumab efficacy in this population. This study aimed to validate the predictive use of inflammation-related parameters in patients with LA-NSCLC treated with CCRT plus durvalumab.

Effects of lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) signaling via LPA receptors on cellular functions associated with ATP reduction in osteosarcoma cells treated with ethidium bromide.

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) signaling via LPA receptors (LPA to LPA) exhibits a variety of malignant properties in cancer cells. Intracellular ATP depletion leads to the development of necrosis and apoptosis. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of LPA receptor-mediated signaling on the regulation of cancer cell functions associated with ATP reduction.