The Ca-ATPase is an integral transmembrane Ca pump of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). Crystallization of the cytoplasmic surface ATPase molecules of isolated scallop SR vesicles was studied at various calcium concentrations by negative stain electron microscopy. In the absence of ATP, round SR vesicles displaying an assembly of small crystalline patches of ATPase molecules were observed at 18 µM [Ca].
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: Cemented femoral component design including its mechanical behavior in total hip arthroplasty (THA) has influenced the occurrence of postoperative periprosthetic femoral fracture (PPFF). The main aim of this study was to investigate the influence of the calcar collar and surface finish in the cemented femoral component on the risk of PPFF.
Materials And Methods: This retrospective review was undertaken of 1082 primary THAs in 912 patients using cemented femoral components followed for a minimum of five years (mean, 9.
The development of a new large-scale purification protocol is required for research on the reliable bioactivity and drug discovery of extracellular vesicles (EVs). To address this issue, herein, we propose an effective method for preparing high-performance exosomes (EXOs) by using an anion-exchange method. Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) EVs from 4 L of culture supernatant through a 220 nm cut-off filter are divided into two populations at a deproteinization rate of over 99.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFLoneliness is a risk factor for older adults, one exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Although time spent alone is associated with both loneliness and greater well-being, the experience of solitude may depend on the type of activity pursued. We examined formal prosocial activity as one facilitator of positive solitary experiences.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF(1) Background: Protein stimulates the secretion of glucagon (GCG), which can affect glucose metabolism. This study aimed to analyze the metabolic effect of a high-protein diet (HPD) in the presence or absence of proglucagon-derived peptides, including GCG and GLP-1. (2) Methods: The response to HPD feeding for 7 days was analyzed in mice deficient in proglucagon-derived peptides (GCGKO).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWe present three cases with an atypical clinical course of organizing pneumonia (OP) secondary to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Three patients were discharged with satisfactory improvement after standard steroid therapy for COVID-19. Shortly after the completion of treatment, the patients experienced a flare-up of symptoms.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Cent Nerv Syst Dis
February 2022
Postural imbalance, abnormal axial posture, and axial rigidity are the characteristic features of Parkinson's disease (PD), and they are referred to as axial symptoms. The symptoms are difficult to manage since they are often resistant to both L-DOPA and deep brain stimulation. Hence, other treatments that can improve Parkinsonian axial symptoms without adverse effects are required.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective In an extremely aging society, it is beneficial to reconsider the value of medical treatment for extremely elderly patients. We therefore focused on the efficacy of statin therapy in extremely elderly patients. This study investigated the efficacy of statins for secondary prevention in patients over 75 years old.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: We aimed to clarify the role of complement C3a and its receptor C3aR in progression of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).
Materials And Methods: We evaluated the serum levels of C3 and C3a in patients with PDAC. C3aR expression in tissue was assessed using a tissue microarray.
The most frequent diabetic complication, diabetic neuropathy, lacks accessible objective assessments. The concept and definition of diabetic neuropathy should be rethought to achieve the successful development of diagnostic and therapeutic methods.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPancreatic cancer (PC) is a lethal disease where most tumors are too advanced at diagnosis for resection, leaving chemotherapy as the mainstay of treatment. Although the prognosis of unresectable PC is poor, it has been dramatically improved by new chemotherapy treatments, such as the combination of 5-fluorouracil, oxaliplatin, irinotecan, and leucovorin (FOLFIRINOX) or gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel. However, as oxaliplatin and paclitaxel are common neurotoxic drugs, chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a common and severe adverse effect of both treatments.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBACKGROUND : Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and reflux esophagitis remain problems after peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM). This study aimed to elucidate the risk factors and long-term course of reflux esophagitis and symptomatic GERD after POEM. METHODS : This multicenter cohort study involved 14 high volume centers.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFβ cells have a limited capacity for regeneration, which predisposes towards diabetes. Here, we show that, of the MYC family members, Mycl plays a key role in proliferation of pancreatic endocrine cells. Genetic ablation of Mycl causes a reduction in the proliferation of pancreatic endocrine cells in neonatal mice.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFImportance: Researchers and policy makers are expanding the focus from risk factors of disease to seek potentially modifiable health factors that enhance people's health and well-being. Understanding if and to what degree aging satisfaction (one's beliefs about their own aging) is associated with a range of health and well-being outcomes aligns with the interests of older adults, researchers, health systems, and politicians.
Objectives: To evaluate associations between changes in aging satisfaction and 35 subsequent health and well-being outcomes.
N-Doped graphene nanoclusters (N-GNCs) are promising electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) at the cathode of fuel cells. In this study, the dependence of the ORR activity on the size of N-GNCs was investigated using first-principles calculations based on density functional theory. The maximum electrode potential ( ) was estimated from the free energy of the reaction intermediates of the ORR.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis study investigated the effect of romosozumab on bone union in a rat posterolateral lumbar fixation model. Posterolateral lumbar fixation was performed on 8-week-old male Sprague Dawley rats (n = 20). For bone grafting, autogenous bone (40 mg) was harvested from the spinous processes of the 10th thoracic vertebra until the 2nd lumbar vertebra and implanted between the intervertebral joints and transverse processes of the 4th and 5th lumbar vertebrae on both sides.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWorld J Gastrointest Oncol
December 2021
Background: Pancreaticobiliary cancer (PB Ca) is a lethal disease, and a useful diagnostic marker is urgently needed. A correlation between the human microbiota and malignant gastrointestinal diseases was recently reported.
Aim: To investigate the efficacy of the duodenal microbiota for diagnosing PB Ca.
Objective: The authors' objective was to examine the safety and efficacy of salvage intracranial cesium-131 brachytherapy in combination with resection of recurrent brain tumors.
Methods: The authors conducted a retrospective chart review of consecutive patients treated with intraoperative intracranial cesium-131 brachytherapy at a single institution. Permanent suture-stranded cesium-131 seeds were implanted in the resection cavity after maximal safe tumor resection.
Clin J Gastroenterol
April 2022
A 70-year-old woman presented dysphagia and postprandial vomiting, and weight loss of about 15 kg in one year. She was markedly emaciated with a body mass index of 12.4 kg/m and had difficulty in movement.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFQuantum Hall interferometers have been used to probe fractional charge and statistics of quasiparticles. We present measurements of a small Fabry-Perot interferometer in which the electrostatic coupling constants which affect interferometer behavior can be determined experimentally. Near the center of the ν = 1/3 state this device exhibits Aharonov-Bohm interference interrupted by a few discrete phase jumps, and Φ oscillations at higher and lower magnetic fields, consistent with theoretical predictions for detection of anyonic statistics.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWe report a newly designed compact cell to measure XAFS spectra with the conversion electron yield (CEY) method in the soft X-ray region under ambient-pressure gas conditions. Secondary electrons generated from the gas and sample by collision of X-ray-absorption-induced Auger electrons are collected by a positively biased collector electrode to obtain XAFS spectra. It was confirmed that this cell is applicable to soft X-ray surface XAFS measurements for different types of materials such as insulating organic materials and metal oxides under 1 bar gas conditions.
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