Severe restenosis after stentless treatment with coronary intravascular lithotripsy for calcified nodule lesions: a serial observation with IVUS.

An 82-year-old woman with a history of myocardial infarction presented with worsening effort angina. Coronary angiography (CAG) revealed 75% stenosis in the proximal left anterior descending artery (LAD), with intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) identifying a severe calcified nodule near a previously implanted drug-eluting stent. The lesion was treated with intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) and a drug-coated balloon (DCB), avoiding left main crossover stenting.

Kinematic coordination in the rearfoot, midfoot, and forefoot differs depending on subgroups based on foot stiffness and kinetic parameters during walking.

This study aimed to classify subgroups of healthy young adults based on foot stiffness and related kinetic parameters during gait, as well as to analyze intra-foot sagittal kinematics within each subgroup. Data were collected from 25 males and 24 females using a 3D motion capture system, which measured the rearfoot, midfoot, and forefoot segments. Cluster analysis identified three subgroups based on the following variables: the truss coefficient, windlass coefficient, forward component of ground reaction force (F-GRF), and ankle plantar flexion power.

Neural Drive and Motor Unit Characteristics of the Serratus Anterior in Individuals With Scapular Dyskinesis.

Objective: Scapular dyskinesis is one of the causes of shoulder disorders and involves muscle weakness in the serratus anterior. This study investigated whether motor unit (MU) recruitment and firing property, which are important for muscle exertion, have altered in serratus anterior of the individuals with scapular dyskinesis.

Methods: Asymptomatic adults with (SD) and without (control) scapular dyskinesis were analyzed.

Autoimmunity against melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 induces interstitial lung disease mimicking dermatomyositis in mice.

Anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (MDA5) antibody-positive dermatomyositis (DM) is characterized by amyopathic DM with interstitial lung disease (ILD). Patients with anti-MDA5 antibody-associated ILD frequently develop rapidly progression and present high mortality rate in the acute phase. Here, we established a murine model of ILD mediated by autoimmunity against MDA5.

Murine models of idiopathic inflammatory myopathies.

Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs) are divided into polymyositis and dermatomyositis (DM) with specific cutaneous manifestation. Several myositis-specific autoantibodies (MSAs) have been identified in IIMs and were found to be associated with distinct clinical features, including anti-synthetase syndrome (ASyS) and immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy (IMNM). Moreover, MSA-related clinical features have been identified even within DM.

Possible correlation between serum interleukin-8 levels and the activity of myositis in anti-NXP2 antibody-positive dermatomyositis.

Anti-nuclear matrix protein 2 (NXP2) antibody-positive dermatomyositis (DM) is characterized by extensive and severe myositis. In this study, we evaluated which cytokines/chemokines involved with the activity of the myositis. We performed quantitative immunoassays using the MILLIPLEX Multiplex Assays Using Luminex to evaluate serum levels of interferon-γ, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12p40, and tumor necrosis factor-α in samples collected over time from a 9-year-old female with anti-NXP2 antibody-positive DM.

Sex differences in pelvis, thigh, and shank coordination during walking.

Differences in lower limb kinematics between males and females during functional activities may be attributed to sex differences in the incidence of patellofemoral pain, which is more common in females. To better comprehend the knee joint motion, it is necessary to understand both inter-segmental coordination patterns and angular amplitude. This exploratory study aimed to assess sex differences in pelvis-thigh and thigh-shank coordination patterns in the frontal and horizontal planes during walking.

A case of anti-SAE1/2 antibody-positive dermatomyositis with extensive panniculitis: A possible cutaneous manifestation of treatment resistance.

Dermatomyositis constitutes a heterogeneous group of autoimmune inflammatory conditions with a wide variety of clinical outcomes. The symptomatic heterogeneity carries skin, muscle, and joint manifestations; pulmonary and cardiac involvements; and concomitant malignancy. Any of these symptoms often appear at different combinations and time courses, thus posing difficulty in early diagnosis and appropriate treatment choice.

Unique asymmetric distribution of phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylethanolamine in Toxoplasma gondii revealed by nanoscale analysis.

Toxoplasma gondii is a highly prevalent obligate apicomplexan parasite that is important in clinical and veterinary medicine. It is known that glycerophospholipids phosphatidylserine (PtdSer) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PtdEtn), especially their expression levels and flip-flops between cytoplasmic and exoplasmic leaflets, in the membrane of T. gondii play important roles in efficient growth in host mammalian cells, but their distributions have still not been determined because of technical difficulties in studying intracellular lipid distribution at the nanometer level.

Effects of Gluteus Maximus Muscle Activity and Pelvic Width on Dynamic Frontal Plane Hip Joint Stiffness During Gait in Healthy Young Women.

Context: Excessive hip adduction and internal rotation are abnormal movements that may lead to the onset and progression of patellofemoral pain. Previous studies have reported that lower dynamic frontal plane hip joint stiffness in the gait of women is associated with the magnitude of hip adduction and internal rotation angles. However, the factors contributing to the lack of dynamic frontal plane hip joint stiffness in the gait of young women are unclear.

Blockade of CD122 on memory T cells in the skin suppresses sclerodermatous graft-versus-host disease.

Background: Antigen-stimulated naïve T cells differentiate into effector and memory T cells, of which resident memory T (T) cells reside permanently in organ tissues. Involvement of T cells has been indicated in pathological conditions of various skin diseases. CD122, which is the β chain subunit of interleukin (IL)- 2 and IL-15 receptors, is expressed on immune cells including T cells.

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.

Serum amyloid alpha 1-2 are not required for liver inflammation in the 4T1 murine breast cancer model.

Cancers induce the production of acute phase proteins such as serum amyloid alpha (SAA) in the liver and cause inflammation in various host organs. Despite the well-known coincidence of acute phase response and inflammation, the direct roles of SAA proteins in inflammation in the cancer context remains incompletely characterized, particularly . Here, we investigate the significance of SAA proteins in liver inflammation in the 4T1 murine breast cancer model.

Pharmacist perceptions of a "good death" and differences in perception between patients with cancer, oncologists, and oncology nurses: a questionnaire survey.

Background: For pharmacists expected to encounter the deaths of many of their patients in the near future, it is important to understand the perception of a "good death" for patients with cancer who are likely to be aware of the circumstances of their poor prognosis. In this study, we clarified pharmacists' perceptions of a "good death" and considered the differences in perception among patients with cancer, oncologists, and oncology nurses.

Methods: From April to June 2022, an anonymous questionnaire survey was conducted on pharmacists working in hospitals and pharmacies and on members of the Japanese Society for Pharmaceutical Palliative Care and Sciences.

Murine breast cancers disorganize the liver transcriptome in a zonated manner.

The spatially organized gene expression program within the liver specifies hepatocyte functions according to their relative distances to the bloodstream (i.e., zonation), contributing to liver homeostasis.

COA-Cl Evokes Protective Responses Against HO-and 6-OHDA-Induced Toxic Injury in PC12 Cells.

COA-Cl, a novel adenosine-like nucleic acid analog, has recently been shown to exert neuroprotective effects and to increase dopamine levels both in vivo and in vitro. Therefore, we hypothesized that COA-Cl could protect dopaminergic neurons against toxic insults. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate the protective effects of COA-Cl against hydrogen peroxide (HO)- and 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-induced toxicity in PC12 cells and to elucidate the possible mechanisms.

Relevance of leukaemia inhibitory factor to anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 antibody-positive interstitial lung disease.

Objectives: Anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (MDA5) antibody-positive rapidly progressive interstitial lung disease (RP-ILD) is a life-threatening disease, the aetiology of which remains unclear. To detect potential diagnostic markers, a transcriptome analysis of the lung sample from a patient with anti-MDA5 antibody-positive RP-ILD was performed.

Methods: RNA sequencing analyses of an autopsy lung sample from a 74-year-old woman with anti-MDA5 antibody-positive RP-ILD was performed and compared with an age- and sex-matched normal lung sample.

The effect of lumbopelvic region rotation relative flexibility on thorax-pelvis and pelvis-femur coordination during walking.

Background: Lumbopelvic region rotation relative flexibility (LRRF), which is defined as lumbopelvic region that is relatively less stiffness than the hip region, is associated with low back pain (LBP) symptoms. However, how LRRF is influenced by lumbopelvic region motion during walking is unclear.

Research Question: What is the influence of LBP and LRRF on coordination patterns of the thorax, pelvis, and femur during walking?

Methods: The presence of LRRF was determined based on whether the lumbopelvic rotation occurred in the first 50% of knee flexion or hip external rotation movement.

The Role of PD-L1 on Langerhans Cells in the Regulation of Psoriasis.

Langerhans cells (LCs) are skin-resident cells with potent antigen-presenting cell capabilities, which reportedly play some roles in the development of psoriasis, an inflammatory skin disease mediated by IL-17A‒producing cells, T helper 17 cells, and TCR-γδ T cells. LCs in psoriatic skin lesions but not in normal skin express PD-L1, which binds to PD-1, an immune checkpoint molecule, to negatively regulate immune reactions. The aim of this study is to elucidate the regulatory role of LCs through the PD-1/PD-L1 axis in a murine model of imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like dermatitis.

Remote solid cancers rewire hepatic nitrogen metabolism via host nicotinamide-N-methyltransferase.

Cancers disrupt host homeostasis in various manners but the identity of host factors underlying such disruption remains largely unknown. Here we show that nicotinamide-N-methyltransferase (NNMT) is a host factor that mediates metabolic dysfunction in the livers of cancer-bearing mice. Multiple solid cancers distantly increase expression of Nnmt and its product 1-methylnicotinamide (MNAM) in the liver.