All-Cause and Cause-Specific Mortality Associated with Long-Term Exposure to Fine Particulate Matter in Japan: The Ibaraki Prefectural Health Study.

Aims: Long-term exposure to fine particulate matter (PM) is causally associated with mortality and cardiovascular disease. However, in terms of cardiovascular cause-specific outcomes, there are fewer studies about stroke than about coronary heart disease, particularly in Asia. Furthermore, there remains uncertainty regarding the PM-respiratory disease association.

Association between health-related quality of life and perioperative exercise capacity in older postoperative patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

Background: Lung cancer represents a significant global health concern and constitutes the primary cause of cancer-related mortality. Complete surgical resection with curative intent remains the most efficacious treatment modality for improving the survival rate of patients with localized lung cancer. Average life expectancy has increased in many countries, and the number of older patients undergoing surgery has increased.

Risankizumab efficacy and safety based on prior inadequate response or intolerance to advanced therapy: post hoc analysis of the INSPIRE and COMMAND phase 3 studies.

Background And Aims: Treating ulcerative colitis (UC) in patients with prior advanced therapy (AT) exposure may be challenging. We report the efficacy and safety of risankizumab, a monoclonal interleukin 23p19 antibody, in patients with UC and prior inadequate response or intolerance to AT (AT-IR).

Methods: In the 12-week phase 3 INSPIRE induction study, patients were randomized to intravenous risankizumab 1200 mg or placebo.

Identification of pennaceous barbule cell factor (PBCF), a novel gene with spatiotemporal expression in barbule cells during feather development.

Bird contour feathers exhibit a complex hierarchical structure composed of a rachis, barbs, and barbules, with barbules playing a crucial role in maintaining feather structure and function. Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying barbule formation is essential for advancing our knowledge of avian biology and evolution. In this study, we identified a novel gene, pennaceous barbule cell factor (PBCF), using microarray analysis, RT-PCR, and in situ hybridization.

Calculation of the Minimal Clinically Important Difference in Upper and Lower Limb Motor Assessment in Spinal Muscular Atrophy.

Objectives: Physical function assessments in patients with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) are important indicators for assessing the effectiveness of treatment and changes over time in rehabilitation therapy. However, few reports exist on this indicator. This study calculated the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) for assessing motor function in the upper and lower limbs of individuals with SMA to estimate the degree of change within a functional score that is considered clinically meaningful.

Carboplatin in combination with etoposide for advanced small cell lung cancer complicated with idiopathic interstitial pneumonia: a single-arm phase II study.

Background: Acute exacerbation (AEx) of interstitial pneumonia is the most common lethal adverse event related to the pharmacological treatment of patients with lung cancer complicated with interstitial pneumonia. Although small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is linked to poor prognosis, it exhibits good response to chemotherapy. Few previous research studies have investigated the safety and efficacy of treatment for advanced SCLC complicated with idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (IIP).

Effect of Cdk1 gene disruption on cell cycle progression in newt cells.

Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) are key regulators of cell cycle progression, in conjunction with cyclins. The cyclin-CDK system is highly conserved among eukaryotes, and CDK1 is considered essential for progression through the M phase. However, the extent to which cell cycle progression depends on CDK1 varies between cell types.

Comparison of surgical outcomes and postoperative nutritional parameters between subtotal and proximal gastrectomy in patients with proximal early gastric cancer.

Aim: In this study, we evaluated the difference in short-term outcomes and postoperative nutritional status between subtotal gastrectomy (sTG) and proximal gastrectomy (PG) to determine the optimal surgical treatment for early gastric cancer in the upper third of the stomach.

Methods: Patients who underwent laparoscopic or robotic sTG or PG at the Shizuoka Cancer Center in Shizuoka between January 2014 and December 2020 were enrolled in this retrospective study. Patient characteristics, surgical outcomes, endoscopic findings, and postoperative nutritional changes, including blood tests, body weight, psoas muscle, and subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue, were measured and compared between the two groups.

Pharmacological Management of IgG4-Related Disease: From Traditional to Mechanism-Based Targeted Therapies.

IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is an immune-mediated disorder characterized by organ enlargement and dysfunction. The formation of tertiary lymphoid tissues (TLTs) in affected organs is crucial for understanding IgG4-RD, as T follicular helper (Tfh) 2 cells within TLTs drive IgG4+B cell differentiation, contributing to mass formation. Key cytokines IL-4 and IL-10, produced by Tfh2 cells, are essential for this process.

Definition of sinonasal and otological exacerbation in patients with primary ciliary dyskinesia: an expert consensus.

Background: Recurrent infections of the nose, sinuses and ears are common problems for people with primary ciliary dyskinesia. While pulmonary exacerbations in primary ciliary dyskinesia are defined, there is no definition for ear-nose-throat exacerbations, a potential outcome for research and clinical trials.

Methods: We set up an expert panel of 24 ear-nose-throat specialists, respiratory physicians, other healthcare professionals and patients to develop consensus definitions of sinonasal and otological exacerbations in children and adults with primary ciliary dyskinesia for research settings.

Differentiating clinically significant prostate cancer from clinically insignificant prostate cancer using qualitative and semi-quantitative indices of dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI.

Purpose: To investigate the utility of qualitative and semi-quantitative evaluation of DCE-MRI for detecting clinically significant prostate cancer (csPC).

Methods: This retrospective study analyzed 307 lesions in 231 patients who underwent 3.0T MRI.

Parvovirus B19-related membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis presenting with positive glomerular staining for nephritis-associated plasmin receptor: a case report and review of the literature.

Several cases of glomerulonephritis occurring after infection with human parvovirus B19 (PVB19) have been reported. However, the pathogenesis and clinicopathological features of PVB19-related glomerulonephritis remain elusive. We describe the case of a 34 year-old woman who showed nephrotic syndrome and microscopic hematuria 10 days after PVB19 infection.

Cardiac Reprogramming and Gata4 Overexpression Reduce Fibrosis and Improve Diastolic Dysfunction in Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction.

Background: Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a major health concern. Pathological stimuli and interactions between cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) and other cell types may lead to cardiac fibrosis and diastolic dysfunction, which are hallmarks of HFpEF. Interstitial and perivascular cardiac fibrosis correlates with poor prognosis in HFpEF; however, mechanisms of fibrosis remain poorly elucidated, and targeted therapies are lacking.

Laboratory markers predicting tofacitinib efficacy in Japanese patients with rheumatoid arthritis: A pooled analysis of Phase 2/3 randomised controlled clinical trials.

Objectives: We characterised early changes in laboratory parameters in Japanese patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and assessed whether these changes at Month (M)1 were predictive of tofacitinib efficacy at M3.

Methods: This post hoc analysis included data from Japanese patients with RA receiving tofacitinib or placebo pooled from two Phase (P)2 studies in Japan (NCT00603512; NCT00687193) and one global P3 study (NCT00847613). Outcomes: changes from baseline in laboratory parameters (Week 2 and M1/3); efficacy endpoints (Disease Activity Score in 28 joints, based on C-reactive protein [DAS28-4(CRP)], DAS28-4, based on erythrocyte sedimentation rate [DAS28-4(ESR)], and American College of Rheumatology-N index) at M3.

Modified FOLFOXIRI plus cetuximab versus bevacizumab in RAS wild-type metastatic colorectal cancer: a randomized phase II DEEPER trial.

The clinical significance of FOLFOXIRI (5-FU, leucovorin, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan) plus anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody using cetuximab for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) remains controversial. We report results from a randomized phase 2 DEEPER trial (UMIN000018217, jRCTs061180022) to test the superiority of modified (m)-FOLFOXIRI plus weekly cetuximab over bevacizumab in patients with RAS wild-type (wt) mCRC. Primary endpoint was depth of response (DpR).

Engineering a vanillate-producing strain of Pseudomonas sp. NGC7 corresponding to aromatic compounds derived from the continuous catalytic alkaline oxidation of sulfite lignin.

Introduction: Lignin is a promising resource for obtaining aromatic materials, however, its heterogeneous structure poses a challenge for effective utilization. One approach to produce homogeneous aromatic materials from lignin involves the application of microbial catabolism, which is gaining attention. This current study focused on constructing a catabolic pathway in Pseudomonas sp.

The Distress and Benefits of the Bereaved Family Survey: A Mortality Follow-Back Survey.

Context: The Bereaved Family Survey is an important method for evaluating the quality of palliative care.

Objectives: To examine the distress and benefits of bereaved families of patients with or without cancer, who participated in a Bereaved Family Survey, and identify factors associated with distress and benefits.

Methods: We conducted a nationwide cross-sectional, self-reported questionnaire mail survey among the bereaved families of patients who died of cancer, heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, pneumonia, or kidney failure.

Left ventricular size and heart failure: A cardiac MRI assessment of 38,129 individuals from the UK Biobank.

Background: Previous studies suggest that prevalent heart failure (HF) differs based on left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and left ventricular (LV) chamber size. Furthermore, the prevalence of HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is often considered approaching, or exceeding that of HF with reduced ejection fraction in the community.

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate prevalent and incident HF based on LVEF and CMR-determined LV size within a large community-dwelling cohort.

Soluble B-cell maturation antigen levels for disease monitoring in oligosecretory and nonsecretory relapsed multiple myeloma.

Soluble B-cell maturation antigen (sBCMA) is overexpressed on multiple myeloma (MM) cells. We investigated whether sBCMA levels correlated with other myeloma tumor volume indicators and its utility in monitoring oligo-secretory/non-secretory (O-S/Non-S) MM. In 115 patients with newly diagnosed MM, sBCMA was compared with M-protein levels, bone marrow plasma cells (BMPCs), circulating tumor cells (CTCs), and total diffusion volume (tDV; estimated by whole-body diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging) at diagnosis.

High prevalence of ESBL-producing E. coli phylogroup B2 clinical isolates in northeastern Thailand.

Background: Production of extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) is a common resistance mechanism in Enterobacteriaceae, leading to serious hospital-acquired infections. This study aimed to assess phenotypic, phylogenetic, and antibiotic resistance patterns among ESBL-producing Escherichia coli isolates recovered from two rural tertiary hospitals in Thailand.

Results: Among 467 Enterobacteriaceae isolates, E.

The Therapeutic Efficacy of Abatacept for Rheumatoid Arthritis-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease: Insights from a 12-Month Trial Using Semi-Quantitative Chest High-Resolution Computed Tomography Imaging.

Rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD) is a major complication of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but effective treatment remains an unmet need in its management. Our aim was to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of abatacept for RA-ILD. This observational retrospective study included patients with RA-ILD treated with abatacept between 2012 and 2021.