Distinct features of SARS-CoV-2 humoral immunity against Omicron breakthrough infection.

Background: SARS-CoV-2 Omicron breakthrough infection (Omicron-BTI) after vaccination has been frequently observed. A more detailed understanding of the humoral immunity against Omicron-BTI is required.

Methods: We measured strain-specific live-virus based neutralizing activity, anti-spike IgG, and anti-receptor-binding domain (RBD) IgG titers in individuals with Omicron/BA.

SARS-CoV-2 strain-specific anti-spike IgG ELISA utilizing spike protein produced by silkworms.

Background: A cost-effective and eco-friendly method is needed for the assessment of humoral immunity against SARS-CoV-2 in large populations.

Objective: We investigated the performance of an ELISA that uses silkworm-produced proteins to quantify the strain-specific anti-Spike IgG (anti-S IgG) titer.

Methods: The OD values for the anti-His-tag antibody, a standard material of ELISA quantification, were measured.

Autoimmune gastritis concomitant with gastric adenoma and subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord.

A 62-year-old woman was referred to our department for further investigation of anaemia. Blood test showed macrocytic anaemia. Oesophagogastroduodenoscopy (OGD) revealed proximal-predominant gastric atrophy and flat elevated lesion in the gastric body.

Successful treatment with endoscopic transpapillary drainage for gallbladder perforation associated with steroid treatment for interstitial pneumonia (with video).

This case report highlights the clinical efficacy of endoscopic transpapillary drainage for gallbladder perforation in a high-risk surgical patient with a history of steroid treatment for interstitial pneumonia. The usefulness of endoscopic transpapillary gallbladder drainage in high-risk surgical patients with acute cholecystitis has not been established. In difficult cases of emergent surgery, such as described here, endoscopic transpapillary drainage is a promising method to manage gallbladder perforation and acute cholecystitis recurrence.

Approaches of validation of a 2-week combined repeated oral dose toxicity study with plasma micro sampling toxicokinetics (PMS-TK) in common marmosets.

We investigated the viability of a combined repeated dose toxicity study, including toxicokinetics (TK), in common marmosets according to the ICH-S4, ICH-S3A and ICH-S7A Guidelines using valsartan as test article whose non-clinical repeated dose toxicity studies had been conducted using this species for regulatory purpose. Valsartan was administered orally to 3 animals/sex at 200 mg/kg/day for 2 weeks. In addition to the routine parameters in repeated dose toxicity studies, safety pharmacology parameters (examinations of the central nervous, respiratory and cardiovascular systems) were also evaluated.

Current Ventilator and Oxygen Management during General Anesthesia: A Multicenter, Cross-sectional Observational Study.

Background: Intraoperative oxygen management is poorly understood. It was hypothesized that potentially preventable hyperoxemia and substantial oxygen exposure would be common during general anesthesia.

Methods: A multicenter, cross-sectional study was conducted to describe current ventilator management, particularly oxygen management, during general anesthesia in Japan.

Toward the Atomic-Level Mass Analysis of Biomolecules by the Scanning Atom Probe.

In 1994, a new type of atom probe instrument, named the scanning atom probe (SAP), was proposed. The unique feature of the SAP is the introduction of a small extraction electrode, which scans over a specimen surface and confines the high field, required for field evaporation of surface atoms in a small space, between the specimen and the electrode. Thus, the SAP does not require a sharp specimen tip.

[Effect of Water Intake on Allergy-like Events Associated with Non-ionic Iodine Contrast Agents].

The use of iodine contrast agents occasionally causes serious allergic symptoms including anaphylaxis. At Kyoto University Hospital to prevent nephropathy we began recommending water intake before and after administration of iodine contrast agents in September 2012. In the present study we investigated the effect of water intake on the incidence of allergy-like events after the use of non-ionic iodine contrast agents.

Effects of auxiliary ligands of Pd(II) dimers on induction of chiral nematic phases: chirality inversion and the photo-responsive structural change.

Dinuclear square planar palladium(ii) complexes, [{Pd(ii)La}2(baet)] (La(-) = β-diketonato and baet(2-) = 1,2-diacetyl-1,2-bis(3-methylbutanoyl)ethanato), were prepared and used as chiral dopants to induce chiral nematic phases. The following β-diketones were used as LaH: pentane-2,4-dione (acacH), dibenzoylmethane (dbmH), di-4-nonyloxybenzoylmethane (C9-dbmH) and 3-[4'-(4''-(octyloxy)phenylazo)phenyl]-2,4-dione (C8-azoacacH). When the enantiomers were doped in a nematic liquid crystal, they induced a chiral nematic phase with a helical twisting power (HTP) of 5-50 μm(-1).

[Triexponential diffusion analysis in invasive ductal carcinoma and fibroadenoma].

To simultaneously obtain information on diffusion and perfusion in breast lesions by diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI), we analyzed three diffusion components using a triexponential function. Eighteen subjects [10 with invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC), 8 with fibroadenoma] were evaluated using DWI with multiple b-values. We derived perfusion-related diffusion, fast free diffusion, and slow restricted diffusion coefficients (Dp, Df, Ds) calculated from the triexponential function using the DWI data.

Expression and purification of mouse peptide ESP4 in Escherichia coli.

Pheromones are species-specific chemical signals that regulate a wide range of social and sexual behaviors in many animals. In mice, the male-specific peptide ESP1 (exocrine gland-secreting peptide 1) is secreted into tear fluids and enhances female sexual receptive behavior. ESP1 belongs to the ESP family, a multigene family with 38 genes in mice.

Backbone and side-chain ¹H, ¹⁵N and ¹³C assignments of mouse peptide ESP4.

A peptide or a small protein released from an exocrine gland or in urine is utilized as a chemosignal that elicits social or reproductive behavior in mice. Recently, we identified the male-specific peptide, exocrine gland-secreting peptide 1 (ESP1), in mouse tear fluids that enhanced female sexual receptive behavior, and determined the three dimensional structure. ESP1 appears to be a member of multigene family that consists of 38 genes in mice, which we call the ESP family.

Chirality effects on core-periphery connection in a star-burst type tetranuclear Ru(III) complex: application of vibrational circular dichroism spectroscopy.

Vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) spectroscopy was applied to study the stereochemical properties of a star-burst type tetranuclear Ru(III) complex, Δ-(or Λ-)[{Δ-(or Λ-)-Ru(III)(acac)(2)(taet)}(3)Ru(III)] (acac = acetylacetonato; taet = tetraacetylethanato). By comparing the VCD spectra of eight diastereomeric enantiomers, it was shown that the spectra reflected the homo- or hetero-chiral nature of the bridging part connecting the central core and the peripheral region.

[Evaluation of crosstalk effect on spin-echo images at 1.5 and 3 T].

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the crosstalk effect on spin-echo (SE) images at 1.5 and 3 T MRI. We examined the influence of crosstalk by comparing the full width at half-maximum (FWHM) and slice profile of images of a wedge-shaped phantom for various slice gaps.

[Anesthetic management of radical nephrectomy using cardiopulmonary bypass in patients with vena caval or atrial extension of renal cell carcinoma].

We experienced three cases of anesthesia for radical nephrectomy using cardiopulmonary bypass in patients with vena caval or atrial extension of renal cell carcinoma. Pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) did not occur. One patient with preoperative hepatorenal dysfunction died of multiple organ failure.

Atomic force microscopic studies on the structure of bovine femoral cortical bone at the collagen fibril-mineral level.

The structure of cortical bone at the collagen-mineral level was investigated by means of atomic force microscopy. Surfaces of the specimens treated with collagenase and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) were examined. Images of blob-like objects observed in intact specimen became clearly outlined after collagenase treatment; the sizes of the blob decreased, suggesting that each blob had been fragmented by the collagenase treatment.

Increased carbon monoxide concentration in exhaled air after surgery and anesthesia.

Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is induced by oxidative stress and is thought to confer protection against oxidative tissue injuries. HO-1 catalyzes the conversion of the heme moiety of hemeproteins, such as hemoglobin, myoglobin, and cytochrome P450, to biliverdin, liberating carbon monoxide (CO) in the process. CO reacts with hemoglobin to form carboxyhemoglobin.

Autoimmune pancreatitis successfully treated with ursodeoxycholic acid.

A 51-year-old woman with autoimmune pancreatitis is reported in whom treatment with ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) was beneficial. Complaining of epigastric discomfort, she presented with liver dysfunction of the cholestatic type, and diabetes mellitus. Pancreatic imaging revealed a diffuse swelling of the body, an irregular narrowing of the main pancreatic duct, and a terminal stricture of the common bile duct.