Plasma galectin-9 levels correlate with blood monocyte turnover and predict simian/human immunodeficiency virus disease progression.

Background: Late-stage human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is typically characterized by low CD4 + T-cell count. We previously showed that profound changes in the monocyte turnover (MTO) rate in rhesus macaques infected by the simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) outperforms declining CD4 + T-cell counts in predicting rapid health decline associated with progression to terminal disease. High MTO is associated with increased tissue macrophage death.

The efficacy and safety of intrinsic antitachycardia pacing.

Background: The clinical outcomes of a novel antitachycardia pacing (ATP) algorithm-intrinsic ATP (iATP)-compared to conventional ATP (cATP) have yet to be fully elucidated.

Methods: This retrospective study analyzed 128 patients and 1962 ventricular tachycardia (VT) episodes treated with the iATP or the cATP at Kokura Memorial Hospital. Patients were categorized into two groups: the iATP group (23 patients, 182 episodes) and the cATP group (105 patients, 1780 episodes).

Benefit of minimally invasive extracorporeal circulation on minimally invasive aortic valve replacement through right lateral mini-thoracotomy using femoral cannulation: a propensity-matched analysis.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of minimally invasive extracorporeal circulation on blood transfusion and asymptomatic brain injury in comparison to conventional extracorporeal circulation in the context of minimally invasive aortic valve replacement through right lateral mini-thoracotomy surgery.

Methods: This was a retrospective observational study. Patients who underwent isolated aortic valve replacement through right lateral mini-thoracotomy surgery were divided into two groups: the minimally invasive extracorporeal circulation group and the conventional extracorporeal circulation group.

Asymmetrical Damage of the Wrist Joint Induces Lateralized Cortical Bone Loss in the Metacarpal Diaphysis in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

: Osteoporosis is common in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), occurring either systemically or locally around inflamed joints. Decreased metacarpal bone density is a known marker of RA progression and hand function impairment. Although RA is generally characterized by symmetrical arthritis, some patients exhibit asymmetrical joint involvement.

A Rare Case of Autoimmune-Mediated Lecithin:Cholesterol Acyltransferase Insufficiency Manifesting as the Acute Onset of Extremely Hypo-High-Density Lipoprotein-Cholesterolemia and Spontaneous Improvement: A Case Report with a Review of the Literature.

A 59-year-old Japanese woman was referred for an extremely low level of circulating high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). The serum HDL-C level had long been within the normal range but suddenly decreased asymptomatically to 7 mg/dL. She had no typical symptoms associated with familial lecithin, cholesterol acyltransferase deficiency (FLD), including proteinuria, anemia, and corneal opacity.

Monoclonal antibodies against jellyfish collagen.

Collagens are abundant structural proteins found in both mammalian and marine species, and attractive biomaterials used in various fields. Jellyfish collagen-based products have become increasingly popular because of their clinically proven health benefits such as the effects of skin wound healing and immune stimulation. To develop detection tools for jellyfish collagen, we generated four monoclonal antibodies, MCOL1, 2, 3, and 4, by immunizing mice with moon jellyfish collagen.

Hepatic Encephalopathy Without Hyperammonemia in the Setting of Liver Metastases by a Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumor.

Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a neurological impairment that typically occurs in patients with liver dysfunction or portosystemic shunting. Diagnosing HE can be challenging since it requires a process of exclusion. Ammonia is considered a major contributor to HE, though ruling out HE solely based on ammonia levels has the potential for misdiagnosis.

Survival Rate of Metal Crowns Covered by Public Health Insurance System in Japan: A Quality-of-Care Perspective.

Rather than focusing solely on cost-effectiveness and accessibility, it is also important to assess the quality of treatments available under Japan's Public Health Insurance System (PHIS). The purpose of this retrospective study was to assess the survival rate of metal crowns used to replace first molars in a clinical setting. Only metal crowns made of 12% gold-silver-palladium alloy placed on first molars and available under the PHIS were included.

Clinical and pathologic characteristics of inflamed juvenile conjunctival nevus and its treatment with immunosuppressant eye drops.

Purpose: To clarify the clinical and pathologic findings of 7 patients with inflamed juvenile conjunctival nevus (IJCN) treated with tacrolimus.

Study Design: Retrospective study.

Subjects And Methods: The medical records of 7 male patients diagnosed with IJCN between February 2007 and October 2022 at the Kansai Medical University Hospital and Ideta Eye Hospital were retrospectively reviewed.

Disinfection effect of ozonated water on SARS-CoV-2 in the presence of salivary proteins.

Background: Ozonated water is expected to be an effective disinfectant for SARS-CoV-2 present on environmental fomites; however, ozone is consumed by organic substances, resulting in attenuation of its effect. SARS-CoV-2 present in saliva can contaminate environmental surfaces; therefore, it is essential to understand the effect of organic substances in saliva on the disinfectant properties of ozonated water.

Aim: To assess organic factors in saliva and the extent to which they diminish the effect of ozonated water on SARS-CoV-2.

A Phase 2 study of nivolumab in combination with modified FOLFIRINOX for metastatic pancreatic cancer.

Background: Nivolumab with modified FOLFIRINOX (mFOLFIRINOX) may have additive antitumour effects while minimising chemotherapy cytotoxicity. We assessed the efficacy and safety of nivolumab+mFOLFIRINOX in metastatic pancreatic cancer.

Methods: Thirty-one treatment-naïve patients aged ≥20 years with metastatic unresectable/recurrent pancreatic cancer (≥1 measurable lesion per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours version 1.

Cytocidal Effects of Interstitial Photodynamic Therapy Using Talaporfin Sodium and a Semiconductor Laser in a Rat Intracerebral Glioma Model.

This preclinical study was conducted to investigate the efficacy of interstitial PDT (i-PDT) for malignant gliomas arising deep within the brain, which are difficult to remove. C6 glioma cells were implanted into the basal ganglia of rats, and 3 weeks later, the second-generation photosensitizer talaporfin sodium (TPS) was administered intraperitoneally. Ninety minutes after administration, a prototype fine plastic optical fiber was punctured into the tumor tissue, and semiconductor laser light was irradiated into the tumor from a 2-mm cylindrical light-emitting source under various conditions.

Prognostic factors for wellbeing in patients with hyaline fibromatosis syndrome.

Background: Hyaline fibromatosis syndrome (HFS) is a congenital disorder characterized by subcutaneous skin nodules, congenital multiple arthrogryposis, gingival hyperplasia, and chronic pain. The intellectual ability of patients with HFS is generally normal. This syndrome arises from variants of ANTXR2.

Comprehensive microRNA analyses using vitreous humor of ocular sarcoidosis.

Purpose: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are non-coding RNAs which have attracted attention as biomarkers in a variety of diseases. However, extensive unbiased analysis of miRNA in vitreous humor of sarcoidosis patients has not been reported. In the present study, we comprehensively analyzed the dysregulated miRNAs in ocular sarcoidosis to search for potential biomarkers.

Construction of a -value prediction model and molecular dynamics study of AmNA-containing gapmer antisense oligonucleotide.

RNase H-dependent antisense oligonucleotides (gapmer ASOs) represent a class of nucleic acid therapeutics that bind to target RNA to facilitate RNase H-mediated RNA cleavage, thereby regulating the expression of disease-associated proteins. Integrating artificial nucleic acids into gapmer ASOs enhances their therapeutic efficacy. Among these, amido-bridged nucleic acid (AmNA) stands out for its potential to confer high affinity and stability to ASOs.

Case report: Rare heterozygous variant in the gene causing 46,XY complete gonadal dysgenesis with a non-communicating rudimentary uterus.

The nuclear receptor subfamily 5 group A member 1 () gene encodes NR5A1, also known as steroidogenic factor 1, a crucial transcriptional factor regulating adrenal and gonadal development and function. Although pathogenic variants in are known to cause a spectrum of disorders of sex development (DSD), individuals with 46,XY DSD with fully female internal and external genitalia are relatively rare. Herein, we present the case of a patient with 46,XY complete gonadal dysgenesis (CGD) who had a non-communicating rudimentary uterus due to a c.

Quality and Safety Considerations for Therapeutic Products Based on Extracellular Vesicles.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) serve as an intrinsic system for delivering functional molecules within our body, playing significant roles in diverse physiological phenomena and diseases. Both native and engineered EVs are currently the subject of extensive research as promising therapeutics and drug delivery systems, primarily due to their remarkable attributes, such as targeting capabilities, biocompatibility, and low immunogenicity and mutagenicity. Nevertheless, their clinical application is still a long way off owing to multiple limitations.

Analysis of Carcinogenic Involvement of MicroRNA Pattern in Peripheral Non-Cancerous Tissues and Chronic Viral Liver Injury.

Risk factors for hepatocarcinogenesis include chronic inflammation due to viral infection, liver fibrosis, and aging. In this study, we separated carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic cases due to hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, aiming to comprehensively analyze miRNA expression in liver tissues by age, and identify factors that contribute to carcinogenesis. Total RNA was extracted from 360 chronic hepatitis C (CH), 43 HCV infected hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and surrounding non-tumor (SNT) tissues.

CSF1R inhibition depletes brain macrophages and reduces brain virus burden in SIV-infected macaques.

Perivascular macrophages (PVMs) and, to a lesser degree, microglia are targets and reservoirs of HIV and simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) in the brain. Previously, we demonstrated that colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF1R) in PVMs was upregulated and activated in chronically SIV-infected rhesus macaques with encephalitis, correlating with SIV infection of PVMs. Herein, we investigated the role of CSF1R in the brain during acute SIV infection using BLZ945, a brain-penetrant CSF1R kinase inhibitor.

Changes in the Phenotypes of spp. in Japanese Broiler Flocks.

infections represent a leading cause of foodborne illnesses; resistance to third-generation cephalosporins (TGCs), which are a first-choice antimicrobial for treating human enteritis, has become a serious public health concern worldwide. Because the consumption of undercooked chicken meat products is a major cause of foodborne salmonellosis in Japan, we conducted three surveys at different periods between 2017 and 2022, with the cooperation of four abattoirs (two in Eastern and two in Western Japan). The first survey was conducted at abattoir A, which is located in Eastern Japan.

Aberrant regulation of serine metabolism drives extracellular vesicle release and cancer progression.

Cancer cells secrete extracellular vesicles (EVs) to regulate cells in the tumor microenvironment to benefit their own growth and survive in the patient's body. Although emerging evidence has demonstrated the molecular mechanisms of EV release, regulating cancer-specific EV secretion remains challenging. In this study, we applied a microRNA library to reveal the universal mechanisms of EV secretion from cancer cells.