Enhanced auditory responses in visual cortex of blind rats using intrinsic optical signal imaging.

Functional maturation of the visual cortex is induced by visual experiences during critical periods. Blind animals and humans exhibit improved auditory abilities after losing their vision. Here we investigated the response of the visual cortex to white noise stimuli during the progression of photoreceptor degeneration in a rat model of blindness (Royal College of Surgeons [RCS] (rdy/rdy) rats).

Predicting dupilumab effectiveness with Type-2 biomarkers: A real-world study of severe asthma.

Background: The therapeutic effectiveness of dupilumab for severe asthma in real-world settings is yet to be prospectively investigated across multiple institutions, and uncertainties persist regarding predictive factors for its effectiveness. We aimed to assess the effectiveness of dupilumab and identify predictors of its effectiveness in real-world settings using two type-2 biomarkers: FeNO concentration and blood eosinophil count.

Methods: This prospective multicenter study included 103 patients with severe asthma.

Validity study of the Japanese version of the Nijmegen Questionnaire for verifying dysfunctional breathing in Japanese asthma patients.

Background: Dysfunctional breathing (DB) is a clinical condition characterized by irregular breathing patterns presenting a sensation of dyspnea and a feeling of chest tightness. DB is a known comorbidity of asthma that is difficult to control, leading to poor quality of life, so early diagnosis and therapeutic intervention are essential to improve the clinical condition of asthma. The Nijmegen Questionnaire (NQ), developed to screen for DB and translated into various languages, is used worldwide.

Fusobacterium nucleatum putatively affects the alveoli by disrupting the alveolar epithelial cell tight junction, enlarging the alveolar space, and increasing paracellular permeability.

Fusobacterium nucleatum (Fn) is abundant in the human oral cavity and has been associated with periodontal disease, which in-turn has been linked to respiratory disease development. Tight junctions (TJs) line the airway and alveoli surfaces serving as a first line of defense against multiple pathogens. Fn has already been linked to respiratory diseases, however, how Fn affects the alveolar TJ was not fully elucidated.

A Changing Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody Profile in a Patient With a Diagnosis of Eosinophilic Granulomatosis With Polyangiitis.

This report describes a hitherto unique case of eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA), a subtype of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis. The patient was an 81-year-old man whose clinical course involved notable changes in the ANCA profile, specifically a transition from positive proteinase 3 (PR3)-ANCA to myeloperoxidase (MPO)-ANCA, followed by simultaneous positivity for both. The patient's medical history included bronchial asthma, allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, and multiple comorbidities.

Case report: Medical treatment for limbal epithelial stem cell deficiency in patients treated for glaucoma.

Limbal epithelial stem cell deficiency (LSCD) is an abnormal corneal epithelial lesion with several causes. The patient was diagnosed using fluorescein staining. Bullous keratopathy, multiple surgeries, and drug-related damage can cause LSCD in glaucoma patients.

Development of an Adhesive Gel System for Changing the Structure and Properties of Its Adhesive Joint via Reactions with Amine Molecules after Adhesion.

Adhesive gel systems are attracting increasing interest from researchers to use gel materials for artificial biomaterials and engineering materials. Humans, among other living beings, eat foods, get nutrients from them, and use these nutrients to grow up day by day. The shapes and characteristics of their bodies change depending on the nutrients they get.

Induced pluripotent stem cell-derived dendritic cell vaccine therapy genetically modified on the ubiquitin-proteasome system.

We previously reported that dendritic cells (DCs) transduced with the full-length tumor-associated antigen (TAA) gene induced TAA-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) to elicit antitumor responses. To overcome the issue of quantity and quality of DCs required for DC vaccine therapy, we focused on induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) as a new tool for obtaining DCs and reported efficacy of iPSCs-derived DCs (iPSDCs). However, in clinical application of iPSDC vaccine therapy, further enhancement of the antitumor effect is necessary.

Malabaricone C derived from nutmeg inhibits arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase activity and ameliorates psoriasis-like skin inflammation in mice.

As pro-inflammatory lipid mediators, leukotrienes have pathophysiological activities in several inflammatory diseases, including psoriasis. In the biosynthesis of leukotrienes from arachidonic acid, 5-lipoxygenase catalyzes the first two steps. In the present study, we showed that nutmeg (Myristica fragrans) strongly inhibited the catalytic activity of 5-lipoxygenase.

Factors associated with surrogate families' life-sustaining treatment preferences for patients at home or in a geriatric health service facility: A cross-sectional study.

Objective: Recently, end-of-life preference in palliative care has been gaining attention in Japan. The Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare established the Japanese basic policy in November 2018. Patients' decision-making is recommended; however, patients with dementia or other disorders cannot make such decisions by themselves.

Omalizumab and IgE in the Control of Severe Allergic Asthma.

Omalizumab, a human immunoglobulin (Ig)G1 antibody against IgE, is a therapeutic agent for bronchial asthma. The Global Initiative for Asthma guidelines indicate that the use of omalizumab should be considered as an option in step 5 of treatment for patients with the most severe type of bronchial asthma. In patients with atopic asthma who are at a high risk of exacerbation, and in whom symptoms are poorly controlled despite treatment with inhaled corticosteroids, omalizumab is one of the few drugs that improves symptoms, reduces the risk of exacerbation, and improves the quality of life while offering a high level of safety.

A case of IgG4-related conjunctival tumor with severe systemic allergy treated with antibodies against cytokine receptors.

Purpose: To present a case of IgG4-related conjunctival tumor in which anti-IL-5 receptor alpha-chain and anti-IL-4 receptor alpha-chain antibodies were administered for eosinophil sinusitis and severe bronchial asthma, but conjunctivitis could not be controlled.

Observations: A 53-year-old male patient started to receive anti-IL-5 receptor alpha chain antibody to treat eosinophilic sinusitis and eosinophilic severe bronchial asthma. Several months later, proliferative changes of the right palpebral conjunctiva appeared and were treated with tacrolimus and betamethasone eye drops.

Periodontopathic Bacterium Affects Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 Expression in Human Alveolar Epithelial Cells and Mouse Lung.

Background/aim: Despite evidence of an association between pulmonary diseases and periodontopathic bacteria, the molecular mechanisms remain unknown. Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP9) plays important roles in pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and asthma; therefore, we assessed the effects of Fusobacterium nucleatum on MMP9 expression in mouse lung and A549 human alveolar epithelial cells.

Materials And Methods: Heat-killed F.

Tumor RNA transfected DCs derived from iPS cells elicit cytotoxicity against cancer cells induced from colorectal cancer patients in vitro.

Significant efficacy of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) in generating DCs for cancer vaccine therapy was suggested in our previous studies. In clinical application of DC vaccine therapy, however, few DC vaccine systems have shown strong clinical response. To enhance immunogenicity in the DC vaccine, we transfected patient-derived iPSDCs with in vitro transcriptional RNA (ivtRNA), which was obtained from tumors of three patients with colorectal cancer.

Mental Health Status before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Patients First Visiting a Psychosomatic Internal Medicine Clinic in Tokyo, Japan.

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has aggravated anxiety and depression worldwide, particularly in patients with chronic illnesses and mental disorders. Using validated questionnaires, in this paper, we examine the psychological effects of the pandemic in Japan in detail. The General Mental Health Scale (GHQ), the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) were used to assess mental health, state and trait anxiety, and depression, respectively.

Effects of Acclimation to Diluted Seawater on Metabolic and Growth Parameters of Underyearling Masu Salmon ().

We examined the effects of environmental salinity and feeding status on the growth and metabolic parameters of underyearling masu salmon. Fish were first acclimated to salinities of 0 (< 0.1), 11, or 22 psu for 10 days, after which time 50% of the fish in each group were fasted for 5 days followed by refeeding for 5 days.

Long-Term Observation of Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty in Patients with Post-LASIK Granular Corneal Dystrophy Type 2: Two Case Reports.

Introduction: Laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) exacerbates granular corneal dystrophy type 2. Post-LASIK granular corneal dystrophy type 2 is treated by several surgical techniques. To the best of our knowledge, no report has addressed the results of deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty in affected patients.

Our future: Experiencing the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak and pandemic.

Outbreaks of the novel coronavirus disease (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2: SARS-CoV-2) (coronavirus disease 2019; COVID-19) remind us once again of the mechanisms of zoonotic outbreaks. Climate change and the expansion of agricultural lands and infrastructures due to population growth will ultimately reduce or eliminate wildlife and avian habitats and increase opportunities for wildlife and birds to come into contact with livestock and humans. Consequently, infectious pathogens are transmitted from wildlife and birds to livestock and humans, promoting zoonotic diseases.