Association between immune checkpoint inhibitor and cytomegalovirus infection: A pharmacovigilance study based on the adverse event reporting system.

Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-induced adverse events due to excessive immune stimulation are problematic in immunotherapy. The activation of viral infection triggered by ICI-induced dysregulated immunity has been proposed; however, this association remains inconsistent. This study investigated the association between ICI administration and cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections, a pathogen linked to immune abnormalities and reactivation, using the Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System.

Relationship between prolonged gestation and nifedipine pharmacokinetics in long-term tocolysis.

In this study, we examined the pharmacokinetics of nifedipine and investigated the maternal and foetal background factors that prolong pregnancy in pregnant women undergoing long-term tocolysis. This prospective observational study included 38 pregnant women hospitalised for threatened preterm labour and treated with nifedipine extended-release tablets in combination with an intravenous ritodrine infusion. Maternal plasma nifedipine concentrations were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography.

Identification and Total Synthesis of an Unstable Anticancer Macrolide Presaccharothriolide Z Produced by sp. A1506.

Saccharothriolides A-F are 10-membered microbial macrolides proposed to be generated from their precursors presaccharothriolides X-Z. Previously, we isolated presaccharothriolide X, and its unique natural prodrug-like properties have intrigued us. However, the other congeners were not detected.

Long-term outcomes of oligometastatic breast cancer patients treated with curative intent: an updated report.

Background: Oligometastatic breast cancer (OMBC) is characterized by limited metastatic tumor numbers and sites. We have reported a 20-year overall survival (OS) rate and relapse-free rate (RFR) of 34.1% and 27.

A Retrospective Analysis of Perioperative Chemotherapy and Coronavirus Disease in Patients With Breast Cancer.

Background/aim: Since January 2020, coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases have been confirmed in Japan, and the number of patients with COVID-19 has been increasing. Two emergency declarations have been made previously and one is currently in effect. Based on our experience of a situation that could affect cancer treatment, this study retrospectively examined the correlation between perioperative anticancer therapy and COVID-19 incidence in patients with breast cancer.

Effects of day length- and temperature-regulated genes on annual transcriptome dynamics in Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica D. Don), a gymnosperm indeterminate species.

Seasonal phenomena in plants are primarily affected by day length and temperature. The shoot transcriptomes of trees grown in the field and a controlled-environment chamber were compared to characterize genes that control annual rhythms and the effects of day length- and temperature-regulated genes in the gymnosperm Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica D. Don), which exhibits seasonally indeterminate growth.

Construction of genetic linkage map and identification of a novel major locus for resistance to pine wood nematode in Japanese black pine (Pinus thunbergii).

Background: Pine wilt disease (PWD), which is caused by the pine wood nematode (PWN) Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, is currently the greatest threat to pine forests in Europe and East Asian countries including Japan. Constructing a detailed linkage map of DNA markers and identifying PWD resistance genes/loci lead to improved resistance in Pinus thunbergii, as well as other Pinus species that are also susceptible to PWD.

Results: A total F mapping population of 188 individuals derived from a cross between the PWD-resistant P.

Potential of Genome-Wide Studies in Unrelated Plus Trees of a Coniferous Species, (Japanese Cedar).

A genome-wide association study (GWAS) was conducted on more than 30,000 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in unrelated first-generation plus tree genotypes from three populations of Japanese cedar D. Don with genomic prediction for traits of growth, wood properties and male fecundity. Among the assessed populations, genetic characteristics including the extent of linkage disequilibrium (LD) and genetic structure differed and these differences are considered to be due to differences in genetic background.

Identification of novel putative causative genes and genetic marker for male sterility in Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica D.Don).

Background: Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) is an important tree for Japanese forestry. Male-sterile marker development in Japanese cedar would facilitate selection of male-sterile plus trees, addressing the widespread social problem of pollinosis and facilitating the identification of heterozygotes, which are useful for breeding.

Results: This study used next-generation sequencing for single-nucleotide polymorphism discovery in libraries constructed from several organs, including male-sterile and male-fertile strobili.

Determination of the antimicrobial susceptibility and molecular profile of clarithromycin resistance in the Mycobacterium abscessus complex in Japan by variable number tandem repeat analysis.

Mycobacterium abscessus complex, including three subspecies-M. abscessus, M. massiliense, and M.

Chemotherapy for alpha-fetoprotein producing gastric cancers expressing human epidermal growth factor receptor 2.

Although, gastric cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) producing human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) positive gastric cancers are rare. AFP producing gastric cancer has a poor prognosis and an appropriate treatment option has not been established to date. A 75-year-old woman with AFP- producing gastric cancer was treated with S-1, an oral fluoropyrimidine derivative, chemotherapy after distal gastrectomy.

Significant response to ramucirumab monotherapy in chemotherapy-resistant recurrent alpha-fetoprotein-producing gastric cancer: A case report.

Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)-producing gastric cancer (AFPGC) is a relatively rare type of gastric cancer characterized by a high incidence of liver and lymph node metastases, and a poor prognosis. Few advanced AFPGC cases treated successfully with conventional chemotherapy have been reported thus far. Although the development of molecular-targeted therapy has improved the prognosis of various types of cancer, there are currently no tailored therapies for AFPGC.

Expression analysis of transporter genes for screening candidate monolignol transporters using Arabidopsis thaliana cell suspensions during tracheary element differentiation.

The mechanism of monolignol transportation from the cytosol to the apoplast is still unclear despite being an essential step of lignification. Recently, ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters were suggested to be involved in monolignol transport. However, there are no reliable clues to the transporters of the major lignin monomers coniferyl and synapyl alcohol.

Analysis of the prognostic value of BMI and the difference in its impact according to age and sex in DLBCL patients.

Studies that have evaluated the prognostic value of body mass index (BMI) in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma have recently been reported. However, the impact of BMI on survival outcomes remains controversial. We retrospectively analyzed the data of 406 diffuse large B-cell lymphoma patients treated with R-CHOP or R-CHOP-like regimens.

Analysis of prognostic value of complete response by PET-CT and further stratification by clinical and biological markers in DLBCL patients.

Positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) is performed as the standard method for response assessment of diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) patients. However, a substantial proportion of patients experience relapse even if they have achieved complete response (CR) defined by PET-CT. We validated the prognostic value of CR by PET-CT and applied the National Comprehensive Cancer Network-International Prognostic Index (NCCN-IPI) and cell of origin (COO) to patients with CR by PET-CT to evaluate their additional predictive ability for survival outcomes.

Central nervous system relapse in patients with diffuse large B cell lymphoma: analysis of the risk factors and proposal of a new prognostic model.

Central nervous system (CNS) relapse in patients with diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is an uncommon event, and the outcome of patients with CNS relapse is poor. However, no reliable prediction models for CNS relapse have been developed. We retrospectively analyzed consecutive de novo DLBCL patients referred to our department between September 2004 and August 2015 and treated with R-CHOP or R-CHOP-like regimens.

Beta-2 microglobulin as a significant prognostic factor and a new risk model for patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

Previous reports have evaluated the prognostic value of serum beta-2 microglobulin (B2MG) level in patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma. However, its role in predicting clinical outcome of patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) in the rituximab era has not been extensively investigated. Here, we evaluated the prognostic value of B2MG and proposed a new prognostic model including B2MG for patients with DLBCL.

Efficacy of scallop shell powders and slaked lime for inactivating avian influenza virus under harsh conditions.

The efficacy and stability of scallop shell powder (SSP) were investigated, in terms of its capacity to inactivate avian influenza virus (AIV), and compared with slaked lime (SL). An environmental simulation was conducted by emulating sunlight and wet-dry conditions. The powders were collected at consecutive 2-week intervals under sunlight and upon every resuspension.

Early measurement of urinary N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase helps predict severe hyponatremia associated with cisplatin-containing chemotherapy.

Background: Although cisplatin is a widely used anticancer drug for treating various types of cancer, its clinical application is limited by severe systemic toxicities, such as nephropathy, hematologic toxicity, and gastrointestinal toxicity. There are no reliable and validated biomarkers to predict adverse events caused by cisplatin.

Methods: Sixty-six patients who underwent cisplatin-containing first-line chemotherapy between June 2010 and November 2013 were retrospectively analyzed.

Evaluation of sprayed hypochlorous acid solutions for their virucidal activity against avian influenza virus through in vitro experiments.

Hypochlorous acid (HOCl) solutions were evaluated for their virucidal ability against a low pathogenic avian influenza virus (AIV), H7N1. HOCl solutions containing 50, 100 and 200 ppm chlorine (pH 6) or their sprayed solutions (harvested in dishes placed at 1 or 30 cm distance between the spray nozzle and dish) were mixed with the virus with or without organic materials (5% fetal bovine serum: FBS). Under plain diluent conditions (without FBS), harvested solutions of HOCl after spraying could decrease the AIV titer by more than 1,000 times, to an undetectable level (< 2.

Transcriptome sequencing and profiling of expressed genes in cambial zone and differentiating xylem of Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica).

Background: Forest trees have ecological and economic importance, and Japanese cedar has highly valued wood attributes. Thus, studies of molecular aspects of wood formation offer practical information that may be used for screening and forward genetics approaches to improving wood quality.

Results: After identifying expressed sequence tags in Japanese cedar tissue undergoing xylogenesis, we designed a custom cDNA microarray to compare expression of highly regulated genes throughout a growing season.

Influence of oral supplementation with sesamin on longevity of Caenorhabditis elegans and the host defense.

Purpose: Nutritional control has been proposed as a potential therapy for slowing the senescence of immune function and decreasing mortality. This study investigated whether sesamin could modify host defense systems and extend the lifespan of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans.

Methods: Nematodes were fed standard food (the bacterium Escherichia coli strain OP50) supplemented with various doses of sesamin/γ-cyclodextrin inclusion compounds starting from young adulthood.