Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition Functions as a Driver for the Direct Conversion of Somatic Cells.

Direct conversion is an innovative new technology that involves the conversion of somatic cells to target cells without passing through a pluripotent state. Forced expression alone or in combination with transcription factors (TFs), which are critical for the generation of target cells, is important for successful direct conversion. However, most somatic cells are unable to directly convert into target cells even with forced expression.

Supra-ceramics: a molecule-driven frontier of inorganic materials.

Discoveries and technological innovations over the past decade are transforming our understanding of the properties of ceramics, such as 'hard', 'brittle', and 'homogeneous'. For example, inorganic crystals containing molecular anions exhibit excellent secondary battery characteristics, and the fusion of inorganic solids and molecules results in innovative catalytic functions and physical properties. Different from the conventional ceramics such as metal oxides that are formed by monatomic cations and anions, unique properties and functions can be expected in molecular-incorporated inorganic solids, due to the asymmetric and dynamic properties brought about by the constituent molecular units.

Catalytic partial oxidation of methane over oxide-ion-conductive lanthanum silicate apatites.

A lanthanum silicate LaSiO (LSO) crystallizes in an apatite-type structure and has been known as a promising oxide-ion conductor. Here, we report the activity of LSO for catalytic partial oxidation of methane (CPOX) to synthesis gas. The LSO catalyst demonstrated relatively high catalytic activity from 500 to 700 °C, with CH conversion reaching 22.

The Utility and Feasibility of Laparoscopic Surgery in Patients Diagnosed With Cervical Cystic Lesions.

Introduction: This observation study aimed to differentiate between lobular endocervical glandular hyperplasia (LEGH) and gastric-type mucinous carcinoma (GAS) while evaluating the feasibility and efficacy of laparoscopic surgery in the preoperative diagnosis of cervical cystic lesions.

Method And Material: A retrospective study was conducted to evaluate the diagnostic process and laparoscopic surgical management of cervical cystic lesions suspected to be LEGH or GAS. Preoperatively and postoperatively, MRI, cytology, histology, tumor marker analysis, and surgical outcomes (blood loss during surgery, operative time) were assessed.

Renal Impairment of Proximal Tubular Injury Caused by Red Yeast Rice Supplement: Report of 2 Cases.

Introduction: Drug-induced tubulointerstitial injury is a common cause of renal impairment. Since the mechanisms of drug-induced tubular injury are diverse, various treatment approaches are needed according to the pathogenesis. Renal biopsy is indispensable to determine not only the pathological diagnosis, but also the underlying mechanism, and to guide appropriate treatment.

Mechanistic Insights on the Formation of a Carbodiimide Ion from Urea in LaONCN Synthesis Based on the "Proanion" Strategy.

This study affords mechanistic insights into the formation mechanism of carbodiimide ions (NCN) from urea during the synthesis of LaONCN by employing the "proanion" strategy without using NH gas. It is a safer, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly approach. Urea, acting as a proanion, decomposes upon heating, facilitating conversion to NCN.

Examination of the Usefulness of Standby Therapy for Refractory Chylous Ascites After Multiple Lymphangiography Interventions.

Chylous ascites is infrequently observed following lymph node dissection in surgeries for gynecological malignancies. If symptoms develop, they can severely debilitate patients and increase the risk of infection, particularly those with a low performance status following the primary operation. Treatment of chylous ascites is often challenging and protracted, with no treatment currently guaranteeing a complete cure.

Niraparib as maintenance therapy in Japan: a retrospective observational study using a Japanese claims database.

Objective: Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is the leading cause of female mortality in gynecologic malignancies, with a rising incidence in Japan. This study aimed to validate the treatment patterns and safety of niraparib as maintenance therapy for EOC following initial chemotherapy in clinical practice in Japan.

Methods: Leveraging claims data between April 2008 and December 2022, this descriptive study comprised EOC-diagnosed patients receiving initial platinum-based chemotherapy, debulking surgery, and niraparib as maintenance therapy.

Chemical Bonding and Crystal Structure Schemes in Atomic/Molecular Layer Deposited Fe-Terephthalate Thin Films.

Advanced deposition routes are vital for the growth of functional metal-organic thin films. The gas-phase atomic/molecular layer deposition (ALD/MLD) technique provides solvent-free and uniform nanoscale thin films with unprecedented thickness control and allows straightforward device integration. Most excitingly, the ALD/MLD technique can enable the in situ growth of novel crystalline metal-organic materials.

Effectiveness and safety of primary prophylaxis with G-CSF for patients with Ewing sarcomas: a systematic review for the Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Use of G-CSF 2022 of the Japan Society of Clinical Oncology.

Background: Multidrug chemotherapy for Ewing sarcoma can lead to severe myelosuppression. We proposed two clinical questions (CQ): CQ #1, "Does primary prophylaxis with G-CSF benefit chemotherapy for Ewing sarcoma?" and CQ #2, "Does G-CSF-based intensified chemotherapy improve Ewing sarcoma treatment outcomes?".

Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Ichushi web databases, including English and Japanese articles published from 1990 to 2019.

Effectiveness and safety of primary prophylaxis with G-CSF during chemotherapy for invasive breast cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis from Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Use of G-CSF 2022.

Introduction: Chemotherapy for breast cancer can cause neutropenia, increasing the risk of febrile neutropenia (FN) and serious infections. The use of granulocyte colony-stimulating factors (G-CSF) as primary prophylaxis has been explored to mitigate these risks. To evaluate the efficacy and safety of primary G-CSF prophylaxis in patients with invasive breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy.

Therapeutic use of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) in patients with febrile neutropenia: a comprehensive systematic review for clinical practice guidelines for the use of G-CSF 2022 from the Japan Society of Clinical Oncology.

Background: Febrile neutropenia represents a critical oncologic emergency, and its management is pivotal in cancer therapy. In several guidelines, the use of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) in patients with chemotherapy-induced febrile neutropenia is not routinely recommended except in high-risk cases. The Japan Society of Clinical Oncology has updated its clinical practice guidelines for the use of G-CSF, incorporating a systematic review to address this clinical question.

Effectiveness and safety of primary prophylaxis of G-CSF during chemotherapy for prostate cancer, Japanese clinical guideline for appropriate use of G-CSF: clinical practice guidelines for the use of G-CSF 2022.

Background: Docetaxel (DTX) is commonly used as a primary chemotherapy, and cabazitaxel (CBZ) has shown efficacy in patients who are DTX resistant. Primary prophylactic granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) therapy is currently used with CBZ treatment in routine clinical care in Japan.

Methods: In this study, we performed a systematic review following the Minds guidelines to investigate the effectiveness and safety of primary prophylaxis with G-CSF during chemotherapy for prostate cancer and to construct G-CSF guidelines for primary prophylaxis use during chemotherapy.

Effectiveness and safety of primary prophylaxis of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor during dose-dense chemotherapy for urothelial cancer: Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Use of G-CSF 2022.

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) decreases the incidence, duration, and severity of febrile neutropenia (FN); however, dose reduction or withdrawal is often preferred in the management of adverse events in the treatment of urothelial cancer. It is also important to maintain therapeutic intensity in order to control disease progression and thereby relieve symptoms, such as hematuria, infection, bleeding, and pain, as well as to prolong the survival. In this clinical question, we compared treatment with primary prophylactic administration of G-CSF to maintain therapeutic intensity with conventional standard therapy without G-CSF and examined the benefits and risks as major outcomes.

Effectiveness and safety of primary prophylaxis with G-CSF after induction therapy for acute myeloid leukemia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of the clinical practice guidelines for the use of G-CSF 2022 from the Japan society of clinical oncology.

Although granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) reduces the incidence, duration, and severity of neutropenia, its prophylactic use for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remains controversial due to a theoretically increased risk of relapse. The present study investigated the effects of G-CSF as primary prophylaxis for AML with remission induction therapy. A detailed literature search for related studies was performed using PubMed, Ichushi-Web, and the Cochrane Library.

BRCA2-positive lung adenocarcinoma treated with olaparib: A case report.

A 66-year-old woman was found to have abnormal shadows on a chest radiograph at a previous hospital 4 years ago, which led to a diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma, cT2aN1M1b stage IVA. First-line treatment included carboplatin and paclitaxel plus thoracic radiotherapy and stereotactic radiation therapy for brain metastases. The patient later underwent second-line pemetrexed treatment, followed by third-line nivolumab, fourth-line docetaxel and bevacizumab, fifth-line tegafur-gimeracil-oteracil, and sixth-line gemcitabine.

Strength Assessment of Water-Glass Sand Mixtures.

For years, the chemical injection process has aided construction works by increasing the strength and water-sealing efficiency of sandy soil. Despite its growing popularity in projects, such as seismic strengthening and liquefaction mitigation, a unified understanding of how chemically treated soil develops its strength, especially under static conditions, remains elusive. Some studies have proposed that strength is derived from the tensile effects of dilatancy, where shearing of the sandy soil causes expansion, creating tension in the interstitial hydrogel and resulting in negative pressure that consolidates the soil particles.

New Triclinic Perovskite-Type Oxide BaCaFeO for Low-Temperature Operated Chemical Looping Air Separation.

We present the discovery of BaCaFeO, a new iron-based oxide with remarkable properties as a low-temperature driven oxygen storage material (OSM). OSMs, which exhibit selective and rapid oxygen intake and release capabilities, have attracted considerable attention in chemical looping technologies. Specifically, chemical looping air separation (CLAS) has the potential to revolutionize oxygen production as it is one of the most crucial industrial gases.

The National Early Warning Score on admission predicts severe disease and in-hospital mortality of the coronavirus disease 2019 Delta variant: A retrospective cohort study.

Background: Clinical risk scores are widely used in emergency medicine, and some studies have evaluated their use in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, no studies have evaluated their use in patients with the COVID-19 Delta variant. We aimed to study the performance of four different clinical scores (National Early Warning Score [NEWS], quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment [qSOFA], Confusion, Respiratory rate, Blood pressure, and Age ≥65 [CRB-65], and Kanagawa score) in predicting the risk of severe disease (defined as the need for intubation and in-hospital mortality) in patients with the COVID-19 Delta variant.