Suppressive effect of vitamin K (menatetrenone) against bone mineral density loss after radiotherapy in uterine cancer patients.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate whether vitamin K (menatetrenone) suppresses bone mineral density (BMD) loss in the irradiated region after radiotherapy (RT) in uterine cancer patients.

Materials And Methods: Our study included 34 patients who underwent whole pelvic irradiation for uterine cancer between 2001 and 2010. The patients were categorized in two groups: (1) Vitamin K (45 mg/day) administration group (group A) with 18 cases and (2) non-administered group (group B) with 16 cases.

Physiological role of the FDH1 gene in methylotrophic yeast Komagataella phaffii and carbon recovery as formate during methylotrophic growth of the fdh1-deletion strain.

During methylotrophic growth of Komagataella phaffii, a large amount of carbon is lost as CO. In this study, we aimed to construct a recovery system for carbon atoms, which emit as CO along the methanol dissimilation pathway in the form of formate when using strain fdh1Δ, the deletion mutant of formate dehydrogenase gene (FDH1). Strain fdh1Δ showed a severe growth defect when using methanol as the sole carbon source.

Association between salt intake and blood pressure among community-dwelling older adults based on their physical frailty status.

The effects of salt reduction and adequate nutrition intake among older adults with physical frailty remain controversial. Therefore, the present study investigated whether the association between daily salt intake and blood pressure among community-dwelling older adults, including the very old people, based on their physical frailty status. This cross-sectional study used data from the SONIC study, a cohort study on older adults, collected between 2010 and 2012.

Role of transforming growth factor-β1 in regulating adipocyte progenitors.

Adipose tissue (AT) metabolism involves coordinating various cells and cellular processes to regulate energy storage, release, and overall metabolic homeostasis. Therein, macrophage and its cytokine are important in controlling tissue homeostasis. Among cytokines, the role of transforming growth factor-β1 (Tgf-β1), a cytokine abundantly expressed in CD206 M2-like macrophage and correlated with the expansion of AT and fibrosis, in AT metabolism, remains unknown.

Clinical significance of the preoperative prognostic nutritional index in patients with resectable non-small cell lung cancer: a multicenter study.

Purpose: To validate the clinical impacts of the prognostic nutritional index (PNI), an immune-nutritional blood marker, in patients with resectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) using multicenter cohort data.

Methods: The subjects of this retrospective multicenter study, involving 11 hospitals, were patients who underwent curative lung resection for pathological stage IA-IIIA NSCLC. We analyzed the relationship between the preoperative PNI and postoperative outcomes.

Anticancer effect of the antirheumatic drug leflunomide on oral squamous cell carcinoma by the inhibition of tumor angiogenesis.

Objectives: Leflunomide (LEF) is a conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug and suppresses T-cell proliferation and activity by inhibiting pyrimidine synthesis using dihydroorotase dehydrogenase (DHODH); however, several studies have demonstrated that LEF possesses anticancer and antiangiogenic effects in some malignant tumors. Therefore, we investigated the anticancer and antiangiogenic effects of LEF on oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).

Methods: To evaluate the inhibitory effect of LEF on OSCC, cell proliferation and wound-healing assays using human OSCC cell lines were performed.

Novel triangle papilla access approach for interdental bone defect regeneration: A case study.

Background: Successful periodontal regeneration depends on primary wound closure and interdental papilla preservation. In this case study, we introduce a novel triangle papilla access approach (T-PAA) performed under a surgical microscope for treating interdental bone defects. In this novel approach, buccal incisions were used to access root surfaces and bone defects, avoiding interdental papilla incisions and preventing papillary collapse and necrosis.

Optimization of dose-dense methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin, and cisplatin therapy for Japanese patients with urothelial carcinoma.

Background: Dose-dense methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin, and cisplatin (dd-MVAC) regimen has been established as a systemic chemotherapy for patients with urothelial carcinoma. However, it is rarely used in Japan owing to the challenges associated with managing the related adverse events. This study aimed to optimize the dd-MVAC protocol for Japanese patients.

Discovery of a Phosphodiesterase 7A Inhibitor of High Isozyme Selectivity Exhibiting Anti-Osteoporotic Effects.

Phosphodiesterases (PDEs) have drawn attention due to their critical roles in physiological and pathological conditions. Many research groups have studied these hydrolytic enzymes to develop new drugs, including apremilast as a PDE4 inhibitor and sildenafil as a PDE5 inhibitor. Targeting PDE7 has also been deemed a rational strategy to ameliorate autoimmune conditions.

Trophectoderm-specific gene manipulation using adeno-associated viral vectors.

In mammals, blastocyst-stage trophectoderm (TE) contacts the maternal body at the time of implantation and forms the placenta after implantation, which supports the development of the fetus. Studying gene function in TE and placenta is important to understand normal implantation and pregnancy processes and their dysfunction. However, genetically modified mice are commonly generated by manipulating pronuclear-stage zygotes, which modify both the genome of the fetus and the placenta.

Sex-Dependent Variations in Gene Expression in Corneal Endothelial Cells Among Healthy Individuals and Patients With Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy.

Purpose: Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) displays a higher incidence in females than in males, yet the underlying mechanism remains unclear. This study aimed to elucidate sex-dependent differential gene expressions in corneal endothelial cells (CECs) from healthy non-FECD individuals and from patients with FECD.

Methods: RNA-Seq data from CECs of non-FECD subjects (3 males, 4 females) and FECD subjects (5 males, 5 females) were analyzed to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the sexes.

Analysis and Categorization of Various Types of Vocal Distortion in Rock, Metal, Pop Styles, and Throat Singing Observed by High-Speed Digital Imaging.

Introduction: Vocal distortion, also known as a scream or growl, is used worldwide as an essential technique in singing, especially in rock and metal, and as an ethnic voice in Mongolian singing. However, the production mechanism of vocal distortion is not yet clearly understood owing to limited research on the behavior of the larynx, which is the source of the distorted voice.

Objectives: This study used high-speed digital imaging (HSDI) to observe the larynx of professional singers with exceptional singing skills and determine the laryngeal dynamics in the voice production of various vocal distortions.

Epidemiology and treatment trends for acute encephalopathy under the impact of SARS-CoV-2 pandemic based on a prospective multicenter consecutive case registry.

Background: Acute encephalopathy is a severe condition predominantly affecting children with viral infections. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the epidemiology, treatment, and management of acute encephalopathy. The study also aimed to understand how the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has affected epidemiological trends.

Efficacy and Limitations of Continuous Local Antibiotic Perfusion in Treating Surgical Site Infections Following Instrumented Spinal Surgery: A Retrospective Multicenter Study.

Introduction: Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most serious postoperative complications following instrumented spinal surgery. We previously reported the potential of continuous local antibiotic perfusion (CLAP) to retain implants for patients with SSI following instrumented spinal surgery. We conducted a retrospective multicenter study to elucidate the efficacy and limitations of CLAP for patients with SSI following instrumented spinal surgery.

Heme regulates protein interactions and phosphorylation of BACH2 intrinsically disordered region in humoral response.

Heme is known to bind to the intrinsically disordered region (IDR) to regulate protein function. The binding of heme to the IDR of transcription factor BACH2 promotes plasma cell differentiation, but the molecular basis is unknown. Heme was found to increase BACH2 IDR interaction with TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1).

Masticatory performance indicates the development of psychological frailty: A 6-year prospective cohort study by the SONIC study group.

Purpose: Although the association between oral health and physical frailty is well established, psychological frailty has not been investigated. Therefore, this prospective cohort study was conducted to examine the association between masticatory performance and psychological frailty in older community-dwelling Japanese individuals.

Methods: The participants included 498 older adults who completed baseline and 3- and 6-year follow-up surveys.

Pediatric Organ Donation, Transplantation, and Updated Brain Death Criteria: An Overview for Pediatricians.

Pediatricians follow patients longitudinally and hold a unique position to address multiple issues, medical and psychosocial, that affect organ donation and transplantation. They are wellpositioned to provide anticipatory guidance during well-child visits and during care for children with end-stage organ failure and can either assist these patients with ongoing medical management or refer these patients for organ transplantation assessment. A pediatrician's trusted relationship with families and patients allows for guidance on medical and ethical issues surrounding brain death, organ donation, and transplantation.

Participation factors in a self-quantification program for family caregivers of community-dwelling older adults with long-term care in Japan.

Objective: This study aimed to examine the characteristics of participation in the self-quantification program for family caregivers (CGs) who provide long-term care to community-dwelling older adults. The family CGs, allocated based on the percentage of the nation's older population who needed care and met the inclusion criteria, who provided caregiving at least once a week for those aged 65 + and who were certified as needing care under the Japanese long-term care insurance program, were collected through online monitors. We compared the characteristics of the program participants and nonparticipants using logistic regression.

[A Case of Pathological Complete Response after Nivolumab Therapy in Unresectable Advanced Gastric Cancer].

A 70-year-old man was admitted to a local hospital with epigastric pain and diagnosed with type-2 gastric cancer. Contrast-enhanced CT scan showed metastases in S3 and S8 of the liver, and the tumor was classified as type cT4aN2H1, cStage ⅣB. Nivolumab monotherapy was initiated after failure of treatment with S-1 plus oxaliplatin and ramucirumab.

A Case of Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Breast Occurring in Benign Phyllodes Tumor.

A 49-year-old woman visited our hospital after noticing an enlarged left breast mass. After a biopsy, she was diagnosed with fibroadenoma and underwent tumor resection. Postoperative pathology revealed squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) within a benign phyllodes tumor.

Standardized evaluation of diabetic retinopathy using artificial intelligence and its association with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease in Japan: A cross-sectional study.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is common in patients with obesity and diabetes and can lead to serious complications. This study aimed to evaluate fundus photographs using artificial intelligence to explore the relationships between diabetic retinopathy (DR), MASLD, and related factors. In this cross-sectional study, we included 1,736 patients with a history of diabetes treatment or glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels of ≥6.

Ultrasonographic features of feline gastrointestinal eosinophilic sclerosing fibroplasia on initial presentation and during follow-up.

The aim of this study is to describe the ultrasonographic features of feline gastrointestinal eosinophilic sclerosing fibroplasia (FGESF) before histological diagnosis and during follow-up after surgical excision and/or medical treatment. This multicentric retrospective case series study includes medical records of cats diagnosed histologically, which had an ultrasound before diagnosis and a minimum of one follow-up ultrasound at least 4 weeks after treatment. Thirty cats were included in the study.