The pyruvate-GPR31 axis promotes transepithelial dendrite formation in human intestinal dendritic cells.

The intestinal lumen is rich in gut microbial metabolites that serve as signaling molecules for gut immune cells. G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) sense metabolites and can act as key mediators that translate gut luminal signals into host immune responses. However, the impacts of gut microbe-GPCR interactions on human physiology have not been fully elucidated.

Association between the hypokalaemia index based on area over the serum potassium concentration curve and occurrence of acute kidney injury in patients administered liposomal amphotericin B.

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) and hypokalaemia are common adverse events after treatment with liposomal amphotericin B (L-AMB).

Objectives: Because excess potassium (K) leakage occurs during renal tubular injury caused by L-AMB, measuring the decrease in rate of serum K concentration might be more useful to assess the renal impact of L-AMB than hypokalaemia identified from a one-point measurement. The effects of a decrease in K concentration and duration of hypokalaemia on AKI were investigated.

Feasibility of transperineal minimal invasive surgery when performing sacrectomy for advanced primary and recurrent pelvic malignancies.

Background: This study aimed to clarify the efficacy and safety of minimally invasive transabdominal surgery (MIS) with transperineal minimal invasive surgery (tpMIS) for sacrectomy in advanced primary and recurrent pelvic malignancies.

Methods: Using a prospectively collected database, we retrospectively analyzed the clinical, surgical, and pathological outcomes of MIS with tpMIS for sacrectomies. Surgery was performed between February 2019 and May 2023.

Effect of Condensed Water at an Alumina/Epoxy Resin Interface on Curing Reaction.

The adhesion of epoxy adhesives to aluminum materials is an important issue in assembling parts for lightweight mobility. Aluminum surfaces typically possess an oxide layer, which readily adsorbs water. In this study, the aggregation states of water and its effect on the curing reaction were examined by placing a water layer between an amorphous alumina surface and a mixture of epoxy and amine components.

Exploring the Impact of Molecular Structure on Curing Kinetics: A Comparative Study of Diglycidyl Ether of Bisphenol A and F Epoxy Resins.

Epoxy resins are essential for various applications, and their properties depend on the curing reactions during which epoxy and amine compounds form the network structure. We here focus on how the presence or absence of two methyl groups in common epoxy bases, diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A and F (4,4'-DGEBA and 4,4'-DGEBF), affects the curing kinetics. The chemical reactions of both 4,4'-DGEBA and 4,4'-DGEBF, when cured with the same amine, were monitored by Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC).

The Impacts of Laparoscopic Restorative Proctocolectomy for Ulcerative Colitis: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Introduction: Laparoscopic surgery (LAP) is now recognized as the standard procedure for colorectal surgery. However, the standard surgery for ulcerative colitis (UC) is total proctocolectomy with ileal pouch anal anastomosis (IPAA), which may be an overly complex procedure to complete laparoscopically. We conducted this systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy as well as the advantages and disadvantages of LAP-IPAA in patients with UC stratified by the outcome of interest.

FSH-producing pituitary neuroendocrine tumor as a cause of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.

Summary: Functioning gonadotroph tumors are rare neoplasms that can cause ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) in women of reproductive age. Here, we present a case of a follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)-producing pituitary neuroendocrine tumor (PitNET) with irregular menstrual cycles and OHSS in a Japanese woman. A 34-year-old woman with bilateral multi-cystic ovarian mass was referred to our hospital for ovarian surgery.

Associations between Pouchitis and Fecal Calprotectin after Restorative Proctocolectomy in Patients with Ulcerative Colitis.

Introduction: Recently, fecal calprotectin has been identified and used as an assessment tool for the confirmation of disease activity in ulcerative colitis. Although a meta-analysis suggested the usefulness of fecal calprotectin for the assessment of pouchitis, the number of participants was still insufficient. Therefore, we prospectively measured fecal calprotectin levels during pouchoscopy and analyzed their associations with pouchitis.

Feasibility of transanal minimally invasive surgery for total pelvic exenteration for advanced primary and recurrent pelvic malignancies.

Background: The purpose of this study was to clarify the efficacy and safety of transanal minimally invasive surgery (TAMIS) for total pelvic exenteration (TPE) in advanced primary and recurrent pelvic malignancies.

Methods: Using a prospectively collected database, we retrospectively analyzed the clinical, surgical, and pathological outcomes of TAMIS for TPE. Surgery was performed between September 2019 and April 2023.

The Brazilian-Portuguese version of the Upper Extremity Functional Index (UEFI): Translation, cross-cultural adaptation and measurement properties for Brazilian adults after a burn injury.

Objectives: To translate, cross-culturally adapt, validate, verify the reliability and estimate the minimal detectable change (MDC) of the UEFI to Brazilian Portuguese (UEFI-Br) for burns.

Methods: The study was carried out with 131 Brazilian burn cases at two time points, at discharge and at the first outpatient follow-up (15-21 days after discharge) in a Burn Treatment Center. The adaptation process of the UEFI was based on international recommendations.

Have advances in medical therapy for ulcerative colitis impacted surgical treatment?

Aim: The purpose of this study was to examine how the clinical characteristics, indications for surgery, and postoperative course of ulcerative colitis (UC) surgical patients changed before and after the introduction of biological agents.

Methods: Patients who underwent surgery for UC at Hyogo Medical University between 2000 and 2019 were included in the study; those who underwent surgery between 2000 and 2009 were included in the early group (n = 864), and those who underwent surgery between 2010 and 2019 were included in the late group (n = 834); each study factor was retrospectively compared.

Results: The mean ages at surgery (y) were 39.

Identification of a unique subset of tissue-resident memory CD4 T cells in Crohn's disease.

T cells differentiate into highly diverse subsets and display plasticity depending on the environment. Although lymphocytes are key mediators of inflammation, functional specialization of T cells in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has not been effectively described. Here, we performed deep profiling of T cells in the intestinal mucosa of IBD and identified a CD4 tissue-resident memory T cell (Trm) subset that is increased in Crohn's disease (CD) showing unique inflammatory properties.

Being Elderly Is Associated with Infectious and Fatal Postoperative Complications in Ulcerative Colitis Patients.

Introduction: It is well known that the infectious complications and mortality rates are increased among elderly individuals with ulcerative colitis (UC) during medical treatment. However, there have been few reports on surgery in elderly individuals with UC, and some cohort studies have reported surgical complication and mortality rates similar to those in nonelderly individuals.

Methods: UC patients who underwent colectomy at the Hyogo College of Medicine between April 2012 and March 2020 were included in this study.

Host cell membrane proteins located near SARS-CoV-2 spike protein attachment sites are identified using proximity labeling and proteomic analysis.

Coronavirus disease represents a real threat to the global population, and understanding the biological features of the causative virus, that is, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is imperative for mitigating this threat. Analyses of proteins such as primary receptors and coreceptors (cofactors), which are involved in the entry of SARS-CoV-2 into host cells, will provide important clues to help control the virus. Here, we identified host cell membrane protein candidates present in proximity to the attachment sites of SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins, using proximity labeling and proteomic analysis.