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.

Two new species and a new record of infaunal crabs (Decapoda: Brachyura: Pinnotheridae and Varunidae) from Oman and Saudi Arabia.

Recent surveys of shallow subtidal soft-bottom habitats of Oman and the Red Sea coast of Saudi Arabia have uncovered several crabs new to science. Stemming from these efforts, two crab species are herein described as new to science. The first is a new pinnotherid crab, Indopinnixa arabica n.

Orcovita varungan n. sp. (Crustacea: Decapoda: Varunidae) from Muna Island, southern Sulawesi, Indonesia.

A new species of anchialine crab, Orcovita varungan n. sp., is described from Muna Island in southeastern Sulawesi, Indonesia.

Possible Involvement of X-Box Binding Protein-1 in the Onset of Pulpitis.

Objective: Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress plays important roles not only in stress avoidance, but also in cell differentiation and maturation, cell proliferation, and promotion of bone formation. This study aimed to investigate the involvement of ER stress in the onset of pulpitis.

Methods: Immunohistochemical analysis was conducted on human teeth extracted for orthodontic reasons.

Increasing the Apical Sizes of Root Enlarged for Root Canal Obturation Influences the Outcome of Single-Root-Canal Teeth Affected by Apical Periodontitis.

Objective: To investigate the effect of increasing the apical size of roots enlarged for root canal obturation on the outcome of non-surgical endodontic treatment for teeth with apical periodontitis.

Methods: In this retrospective study, we included 210 cases of single-rooted canals treated at our dental units between October 2009 and January 2022. The clinical outcomes of teeth with enlarged root apical size from the International Organization for Standardization standard numbers 25 to 100 were investigated.

Association between Clinical Characteristics and Sarcopenia or Sarcopenic Obesity in Crohn's Disease.

Objective Crohn's disease (CD) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that is associated with malnutrition. Sarcopenia is a malnutrition condition characterized by skeletal muscle loss that impairs the physical function. We investigated the clinical characteristics of patients with CD with sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity (sarcopenic-o).

Optimized versus conventional trigger threshold for pancreatic phase image acquisition using dual-energy CT at 40-keV: a randomized controlled trial.

Purpose: To evaluate the impact of optimized trigger threshold on 40-keV pancreatic phase images acquired with a dual-energy CT (DECT) protocol.

Methods: A cohort of 69 consecutive participants (median age, 72 years) undergoing a pancreatic protocol DECT examination between September to December 2021 were prospectively randomized into two protocols: conventional trigger threshold of 100 HU (Group A, n = 34) and optimized trigger threshold of 30 HU (Group B, n = 35). Pancreatic phase image acquisition was performed with fixed delay of 20 s from the trigger threshold.

Presence of Plasmodium falciparum strains with artemisinin-resistant K13 mutation C469Y in Busia County, Western Kenya.

Malaria remains a key health and economic problem, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. The emergence of artemisinin drug resistance (ART-R) parasite strains poses a serious threat to the control and elimination of this scourge. This is because artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) remain the first-line treatment in the majority of malaria-endemic regions in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Relationship of oral bacterial number with medical hospitalization costs in analysis of Diagnosis Procedure Combination database from single institution in Japan.

Oral bacteria are known to be associated with perioperative complications during hospitalization. However, no presented reports have clarified the relationship of oral bacterial number with medical costs for inpatients. The Diagnosis Procedure Combination (DPC) database system used in Japan provides clinical information regarding acute hospital patients.

Pancreatic cancer detection with dual-energy CT: diagnostic performance of 40 keV and 70 keV virtual monoenergetic images.

Purpose: To compare the diagnostic performance of 40 keV and 70 keV virtual monoenergetic images (VMIs) generated from dual-energy CT in the detection of pancreatic cancer.

Methods: This retrospective study included patients who underwent pancreatic protocol dual-energy CT from January 2019 to August 2022. Four radiologists (1-11 years of experience), who were blinded to the final diagnosis, independently and randomly interpreted 40 keV and 70 keV VMIs and graded the presence or absence of pancreatic cancer.

Risk factors for dental findings of the development of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw: Investigation of 3734 teeth in cancer patients receiving high dose antiresorptive agents.

Background/purpose: Local infection is a risk factor for medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ), along with invasive dental treatment of the bone; the tooth that is the source of infection should be extracted prior to the administration of bone resorption inhibitors. However, which teeth should be extracted remains unclear. This study aimed to determine the relationship between dental findings prior to high-dose antiresorptive agent (ARA) administration and the subsequent development of MRONJ.

Extranodal Extension and Epithelial Cell Adhesion Molecule Over-expression in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Background/aim: Concomitant chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) with cisplatin is commonly administered after neck dissection in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) showing extranodal extension (ENE). This study investigated whether the efficacy of CCRT differed depending on the degree of ENE and whether the expression of epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) was associated with prognosis.

Patients And Methods: Patients with OSCC who underwent neck dissection and had histologically proven neck metastasis (pN+) were investigated retrospectively.

Discovery of 7-Azanorbornane-Based Dual Agonists for the Delta and Kappa Opioid Receptors through an In Situ Screening Protocol.

In medicinal chemistry, the copper-catalyzed click reaction is used to prepare ligand candidates. This reaction is so clean that the bioactivities of the products can be determined without purification. Despite the advantages of this in situ screening protocol, the applicability of this method for transmembrane proteins has not been validated due to the incompatibility with copper catalysts.

Cell-in-cell structure in cancer: evading strategies from anti-cancer therapies.

One of the regulated forms of cell death is the cell-in-cell (CIC) structure, in which a surviving cell is engulfed by another cell, a mechanism that causes the death of the engulfed cell by an adjacent cell. Several investigators have previously shown that the presence of CICs is an independent risk factor significantly associated with decreased survival in patients with various types of cancer. In this review, we summarize the role of CIC in the tumor microenvironment (TME), including changes and crosstalk of molecules and proteins in the surrounding CIC, and the role of these factors in contributing to therapeutic resistance acquisition.

Molecular evidence and differences in gonopod morphology lead to the recognition of a new species of the freshwater crab genus Bott, 1967 (Crustacea, Brachyura, Potamidae) from eastern Taiwan.

A new freshwater crab of the potamid genus Bott, 1967, is described from eastern Taiwan. sp. nov.

Head and neck cancer patients show poor oral health as compared to those with other types of cancer.

Purpose: Several studies have found associations between periodontitis and various types of cancer. Since the site of head and neck cancer (HNC) has contiguity or proximity to the oral cavity, it may be particularly influenced by oral inflammation. This study aimed to determine whether HNC patients have poor oral health as compared to those with other types of cancer.

Lead generation from N-[benzyl(4-phenylbutyl)carbamoyl]amino acid as a novel LPA antagonist for the treatment of systemic sclerosis.

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), a bioactive phospholipid, binds to the G protein-coupled LPA receptor on the surfaces of immune cells, to promote progression of fibrosis of the skin and organs through inducing infiltration of immune cells into tissues, chemokine production, inflammatory cytokine production, and fibroblast transformation. Anti-fibrotic effects of LPA blockade have been reported in animal models of scleroderma and scleroderma patients. In the study reported herein, we identified the novel urea compound 5 as a hit compound with LPA1 antagonist activity from our in-house library and synthesized the lead compound TP0541640 (18) by structural transformation utilizing a structure-based drug design (SBDD) approach.

Shift in symbiotic lifestyle as the major process shaping the evolution of pea crabs (Decapoda: Brachyura: Pinnotheroidea).

The pea crabs, superfamily Pinnotheroidea, are exceptional among brachyuran crabs in their diverse symbiotic associations involving both inquilinism and protective symbiosis. While this group presents a rare opportunity for evolutionary comparative study of host switching and morphological evolution in marine macroinvertebrates, previous phylogenetic studies have been focused on systematics. Here, we reconstructed the most extensive phylogeny of Pinnotheroidea based on two mitochondrial and six nuclear markers, with the aim of elucidating the host switching pathways and the correlation between symbiotic lifestyles and selected morphological adaptations.

[Comparison and clarification of public health and public health nursing competencies: A report of the Committee on Public Health Nursing (2017-2018)].

Objectives　The Committee on Public Health Nursing (2017-2018) of the Japanese Society of Public Health aimed to elucidate the competencies of public health and public health nursing to provide basic materials for public health, public health nursing education, practice, and research.Methods　We studied the core competencies of public health professionals and public health nursing in the United States and examined similarities to and differences from those in Japan.Results　The United States and Japan shared similar public health and public health nursing competencies in that they targeted populations, identified health problems, and clarified health challenges for effective actions.

ACE2 expression and spike S1 protein-mediated immune responses in oral mucosal cells.

Objectives: ACE2, known as a host receptor involved with SARS-CoV-2 infection, binds to viral spike proteins for host cell entry. However, details regarding its induction and function in oral mucosal cells remain unknown.

Materials And Methods: We examined ACE2 expression and its induction by transfected mimic nucleotides and pro-inflammatory cytokines in oral keratinocytes (RT7) and fibroblasts (GT1).

Rare root canal morphology of maxillary second molars: A report of three cases.

Key Clinical Message: Endodontists should be aware that some maxillary second molars can have more than three roots. If any unusual anatomical features are detected during dental radiography or endodontic procedures, it is necessary to conduct cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scanning to prevent procedural mishaps.

Abstract: CBCT can provide three-dimensional reconstructed images of the root canal system.