Cathepsin C inhibition reduces neutrophil serine protease activity and improves activated neutrophil-mediated disorders.

Cathepsin C (CatC) is an enzyme which regulates the maturation of neutrophil serine proteases (NSPs) essential for neutrophil activation. Activated neutrophils are key players in the innate immune system, and are also implicated in the etiology of various inflammatory diseases. This study aims to demonstrate a therapeutic potential for CatC inhibitors against disorders in which activated neutrophil-derived neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) play a significant role.

Microbial anabolic and catabolic utilization of hydrocarbons in deep subseafloor sediments of Guaymas Basin.

Guaymas Basin, located in the Gulf of California, is a hydrothermally active marginal basin. Due to steep geothermal gradients and localized heating by sill intrusions, microbial substrates like short-chain fatty acids and hydrocarbons are abiotically produced from sedimentary organic matter at comparatively shallow depths. We analyzed the effect of hydrocarbons on uptake of hydrocarbons by microorganisms via nano-scale secondary ion mass spectrometry (NanoSIMS) and microbial sulfate reduction rates (SRR), using samples from two drill sites sampled by IODP Expedition 385 (U1545C and U1546D).

CD62L expression marks SARS-CoV-2 memory B cell subset with preference for neutralizing epitopes.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2-neutralizing antibodies primarily target the spike receptor binding domain (RBD). However, B cell antigen receptors (BCRs) on RBD-binding memory B (B) cells have variation in the neutralizing activities. Here, by combining single B cell profiling with antibody functional assessment, we dissected the phenotype of B cell harboring the potently neutralizing antibodies in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-convalescent individuals.

Anti-Kv1.4 Antibody Without Myasthenia Gravis: A Rare Cause of Autoimmune Myocarditis and Myositis.

Anti-Kv1.4 antibody is often detected in thymoma-associated myasthenia gravis patients with anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody. Herein, we describe 2 patients with concurrent myocarditis and myositis.

Correlation between antibiotic use and antibiotic resistance: A multicenter study using the Japan Surveillance for Infection Prevention and Healthcare Epidemiology (J-SIPHE) system in Hokkaido, Japan.

Background: The Japan Surveillance for Infection Prevention and Healthcare Epidemiology (J-SIPHE) system aggregates information related to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) measures in participating medical institutions nationwide and is intended to be used for promotion of AMR measures in participating facilities and their communities. This multicenter study aimed to determine the usefulness of the J-SIPHE system for evaluating the correlation between antibiotic use and antibiotic resistance in Hokkaido, Japan.

Methods: Data on antibiotic use and detection rate of major resistant Gram-negative bacteria at 19 hospitals in 2020 were collected from the J-SIPHE system, and data correlations were analyzed using JMP Pro.

Biological Sulfate Reduction in Deep Subseafloor Sediment of Guaymas Basin.

Sulfate reduction is the quantitatively most important process to degrade organic matter in anoxic marine sediment and has been studied intensively in a variety of settings. Guaymas Basin, a young marginal ocean basin, offers the unique opportunity to study sulfate reduction in an environment characterized by organic-rich sediment, high sedimentation rates, and high geothermal gradients (100-958°C km). We measured sulfate reduction rates (SRR) in samples taken during the International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) Expedition 385 using incubation experiments with radiolabeled SO carried out at pressure and temperature.

SARS-CoV-2 Omicron-neutralizing memory B cells are elicited by two doses of BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine.

Multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants have mutations in the spike receptor binding domain (RBD) with potential to evade neutralizing antibody. In particular, the Beta and Omicron variants escape from antibody neutralizing activity in those who received two doses of BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine. Nonetheless, boosting with a third vaccine dose or by breakthrough infection improves the overall breadth of the neutralizing antibodies, but the mechanism remains unclear.

Functional Expression of Choline Transporters in Human Neural Stem Cells and Its Link to Cell Proliferation, Cell Viability, and Neurite Outgrowth.

Choline and choline metabolites are essential for all cellular functions. They have also been reported to be crucial for neural development. In this work, we studied the functional characteristics of the choline uptake system in human neural stem cells (hNSCs).

Legionella pneumophila infection-mediated regulation of RICTOR via miR-218 in U937 macrophage cells.

Background: Inhalation of aerosolized Legionella pneumophila, a Gram-negative bacterium, can cause severe pneumonia. During infection, L. pneumophila replicates intracellularly in macrophages.

Near-unity thermally activated delayed fluorescence efficiency in three- and four-coordinate Au(i) complexes with diphosphine ligands.

The synthesis and photoluminescence properties of three-coordinate Au(i) complexes with rigid diphosphine ligands LMe {1,2-bis[bis(2-methylphenyl)phosphino]benzene}, LEt {1,2-bis[bis(2-ethylphenyl)phosphino]benzene}, and LiPr {1,2-bis[bis(2-isopropylphenyl)phosphino]benzene} are investigated. The LMe and LEt ligands afford two types of complexes: dinuclear complexes [μ-LMe(AuCl)2] (1d) and [μ-LEt(AuCl)2] (2d) with an Au(i)-Au(i) bond and mononuclear three-coordinate Au(i) complexes LMeAuCl (1) and LEtAuCl (2). On the other hand, the bulkiest ligand, LiPr, affords three-coordinate Au(i) complexes, LiPrAuCl (3) and LiPrAuI (4), but no dinuclear complexes.

Nocardia elegans infection: a case report and literature review.

A case of disseminated nocardiosis caused by Nocardia elegans in a 72-year-old man with rheumatoid arthritis, treated with tacrolimus and prednisolone, is reported herein. The patient had impaired vision and was diagnosed with endophthalmitis and an abdominal skin abscess. He was started on trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole treatment, followed by cefepime.

Long-term safety, efficacy, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of omalizumab in children with severe uncontrolled asthma.

Background: Omalizumab is effective and well-tolerated in children with moderate to severe allergic asthma. However, the effects of long-term treatment with omalizumab in this population haven't been well investigated. The objective of this study is to evaluate the long-term safety, efficacy, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of omalizumab in children with uncontrolled severe asthma.

Omalizumab in Japanese children with severe allergic asthma uncontrolled with standard therapy.

Background: Omalizumab has demonstrated clinical benefits in children with moderate to severe allergic asthma. However, no studies have been performed in Japanese asthmatic children. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy including free IgE suppression and safety of omalizumab in Japanese children with severe allergic asthma.

[A CASE OF NATTOU (FERMENTED-SOYBEAN)-INDUCED LATE-ONSET ANAPHYLAXIS FOLLOWING SCUBA DIVING].

We here report a 34-years old male who had nattou-(fermented-soybean) induced late-onset anaphylaxis following SCUBA diving to about 20 m in the ocean off a small remote Japanese island (Kuroshima, Okinawa). He had eaten nattou for breakfast at 7:30 am. He traveled by boat to the dive site, dove twice and then ate lunch at 12:30 on the diving boat (no nattou at lunch).

Numerical investigation of side emission from large-area vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers.

For large-area ion-implanted vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs), side emission from the edges of a chip disturbs the laser emission of a VCSEL mode, and suppression of it is fundamental. In this paper, we present results of a numerical investigation of the side emission from large-area VCSELs. We have modeled a VCSEL structure by an infinitely broad layer structure with mirror loss at the edge surfaces.

Antipruritic effects of the probiotic strain LKM512 in adults with atopic dermatitis.

Background: Evidence suggests that intestinal microbiota play an important role in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis (AD) through induction of immunosuppression and immune tolerance; however, the exact underlying mechanism is unclear. Few studies to date have examined the effects of probiotics on adult-type AD.

Objective: To examine the effects of the probiotic Bifidobacterium animalis subsp lactis LKM512 on adult-type AD and the expression of metabolites that are known to be influenced by gut microbiota in fecal samples.

Gastric Contraction Imaging System Using a 3-D Endoscope.

This paper presents a gastric contraction imaging system for assessment of gastric motility using a 3-D endoscope. Gastrointestinal diseases are mainly based on morphological abnormalities. However, gastrointestinal symptoms are sometimes apparent without visible abnormalities.

Selective tissue factor/factor VIIa Inhibitor, ER-410660, and its prodrug, E5539, have anti-venous and anti-arterial thrombotic effects with a low risk of bleeding.

Introduction: Many anticoagulant drugs target factors common to both the intrinsic and extrinsic coagulation pathways, which may lead to bleeding complications. Since the tissue factor (TF)/factor VIIa complex is associated with thrombosis onset and specifically activates the extrinsic coagulation pathway, compounds that inhibit this complex may provide therapeutic and/or prophylactic benefits with a decreased risk of bleeding.

Materials And Methods: The in vitro enzyme profile and anticoagulation selectivity of the TF/VIIa complex inhibitor, ER-410660, and its prodrug E5539 were assessed using enzyme inhibitory and plasma clotting assays.

Salivary cortisol monitoring: determination of reference values in healthy children and application in asthmatic children.

Venipuncture testing of adrenocortical function in asthmatic infants and young children receiving inhaled corticosteroids can raise cortisol levels and mask physiological responses. This study aimed to establish reference ranges for salivary cortisol levels and evaluate the safety and effects of jet-nebulized budesonide inhalation suspension (BIS) on salivary cortisol levels and patient outcomes in infants and young children with mild or persistent asthma. Reference salivary cortisol levels were determined in healthy children aged 6 months to 4 years old.

Elevated umbilical cord serum TARC/CCL17 levels predict the development of atopic dermatitis in infancy.

Background: Thymus-and-activation-regulated chemokine (TARC; CCL17) is related to both allergy and pregnancy, but the relationships of maternal and umbilical cord blood CCL17 to atopic dermatitis (AD) development have not yet been examined. Objective Seventy paired full-term and normal vaginal delivery newborns and their mothers were enrolled in this study.

Methods: To elucidate the pathogenesis and fetomaternal inheritance of AD in infancy, CCL17, IFN-γ-inducible protein 10 kDa (IP-10; CXCL10), soluble HLA-G (sHLA-G), IgE and eosinophil counts were examined using sera from 70 paired umbilical cord and maternal blood samples.

The indication and effectiveness of low-dose erythromycin therapy in pediatric patients with bronchial asthma.

To elucidate the mechanisms of intractable pediatric bronchial asthma and the indication of low-dose erythromycin (EM) therapy, the serum chemokine levels of and the angiogenic factor were evaluated in 55 pediatric patients with bronchial asthma; 7.4 +/- 3.5 yr old, who had been treated with inhaled steroid, leukotriene receptor antagonist, theophylline and others for more than a year.

Characterization of feline serum ferritin-binding proteins: the presence of a novel ferritin-binding protein as an inhibitory factor in feline ferritin immunoassay.

Ferritin-binding proteins (FBPs) such as anti-ferritin antibody, alpha-2-macroglobulin, apolipoprotein B are expected to interact with circulating ferritin to eliminate it from circulation. However, we found that feline serum more strongly inhibits the detection of canine liver ferritin by immunoassay than its apoferritin; putative FBPs probably conceal ferritin epitopes detected by anti-ferritin antibodies. After complex formation between affinity-purified FBPs and canine liver ferritin, co-immunoprecipitates of the complex by anti-bovine spleen ferritin antibody were found to contain autoantibodies (IgG, IgM, and IgA) to ferritin by immunoblot analysis with antibodies specific for feline IgG, IgM, and IgA.