Brain atrophy in the visual cortex and thalamus induced by severe stress in animal model.

Psychological stress induces many diseases including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD); however, the causal relationship between stress and brain atrophy has not been clarified. Applying single-prolonged stress (SPS) to explore the global effect of severe stress, we performed brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) acquisition and Voxel-based morphometry (VBM). Significant atrophy was detected in the bilateral thalamus and right visual cortex.

Clinicopathological Risk Factors for Distant Metastasis in Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma: A Meta-analysis.

Introduction: Distant metastasis (DM) is not a frequent event in differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) but has an adverse impact on mortality of patients with DTC. In the current study, we aimed to conduct a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the risk factors for DM in DTCs and for each histological subtype.

Methods: Five electronic databases were searched from inception to December 2016 for relevant articles.

Effects of tinnitus treatments on sleep disorders in patients with tinnitus.

Objective: To assess the effects of tinnitus treatments on sleep disorders in patients with tinnitus.

Design: Subjects completed the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI), Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS), and State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). The questionnaire results and the patients' sex, age, time since the onset of tinnitus, and mean hearing level were examined, and differences between a sleep disorder group and a normal sleep group were examined.

Sorafenib suppresses extrahepatic metastasis de novo in hepatocellular carcinoma through inhibition of mesenchymal cancer stem cells characterized by the expression of CD90.

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a pivotal target for eradicating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We previously reported that distinctive CSCs regulating tumorigenicity (EpCAM CSCs) and metastasis (CD90 CSCs) have different epithelial/mesenchymal gene expression signatures. Here, we examined the influence of sorafenib, a multiple-receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor used as a first-line treatment for advanced HCC, on EpCAM and CD90 CSCs.

Clinical characteristics of patients with tinnitus evaluated with the Tinnitus Sample Case History Questionnaire in Japan: A case series.

Background: The Tinnitus Sample Case History Questionnaire was determined as a standardized questionnaire for obtaining patient case histories and for characterizing patients into subgroups at the Tinnitus Research Initiative in 2006. In this study, we developed a Japanese version of this questionnaire for evaluating the clinical characteristics of patients with tinnitus. The Japanese version of the questionnaire will be available for evaluating treatments for tinnitus and for comparing data on tinnitus in research centers.

Molecular alterations of coexisting thyroid papillary carcinoma and anaplastic carcinoma: identification of TERT mutation as an independent risk factor for transformation.

Thyroid papillary carcinoma is the most common endocrine neoplasm and generally carries a favorable prognosis. However, a small subset of papillary carcinomas transforms into anaplastic carcinoma, an undifferentiated cancer with a dismal prognosis. Recent studies using next-generation sequencing revealed the genomic landscape of papillary carcinoma and anaplastic carcinoma.

A Novel mTOR Inhibitor; Anthracimycin for the Treatment of Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Background/aim: Anthracimycin, a secondary metabolite of Streptomyces, has been shown to inhibit the invasion of certain cancer cell lines.

Materials And Methods: In this study we evaluated the effect of anthracimycin on cell growth and signaling pathways in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Results: Anthracimycin suppressed cell proliferation and motility and induced apoptosis in human HCC cell lines.

Paediatric follicular thyroid carcinoma - indolent cancer with low prevalence of RAS mutations and absence of PAX8-PPARG fusion in a Japanese population.

Aims: Paediatric follicular thyroid carcinomas are uncommon, and their clinicopathological features and molecular profiles are still unknown. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the clinicopathological aspects of a large series of follicular thyroid carcinomas (FTCs) in paediatric patients and to analyse the point mutations in codons 12, 13 and 61 of NRAS, HRAS and KRAS genes and the rearrangements of PAX8-PPARG.

Methods And Results: A total of 41 paediatric FTCs less than 21 years of age were enrolled into the present study.

Hepatitis B virus X protein induces hepatic stem cell-like features in hepatocellular carcinoma by activating KDM5B.

Aim: To determine the role of hepatitis B virus X protein (HBx), HBx in regulating hepatic progenitor cell (HPC)-like features in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and the underlying molecular mechanisms.

Methods: We used a retrovirus vector to introduce wild type HBx or empty vector into HepG2 cells. We then used these cells to analyze cell proliferation, senescence, transformation, and stem-like features.

Prognostic impact of vascular invasion in differentiated thyroid carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The role of vascular invasion (VI) as a prognostic marker in thyroid cancer is continuously debated among investigators. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we aimed to investigate the association of VI with tumor recurrence and patient mortality in differentiated thyroid cancers (DTCs).

Methods: We searched five electronic databases for cases of DTC matching our criteria.

Brønsted Acid Catalyzed Nitrile Synthesis from Aldehydes Using Oximes via Transoximation at Ambient Temperature.

The Brønsted acid-catalyzed synthesis of nitriles is described via transoximation under mild conditions using an O-protected oxime as a more stable equivalent of explosive O-protected hydroxylamines. The nitrile was generated via an O-protected aldoxime produced from the aldehyde and an O-protected oxime through transoximation. The reaction could be performed on a 1 g scale.

Microbiomes of the normal middle ear and ears with chronic otitis media.

Objective: The aim of this study was to profile and compare the middle ear microbiomes of human subjects with and without chronic otitis media.

Study Design: Prospective multicenter cohort study.

Methods: All consecutive patients undergoing tympanoplasty surgery for chronic otitis media or ear surgery for conditions other than otitis media were recruited.

Assessment of hyperacusis with a newly produced Japanese version of the Khalfa hyperacusis questionnaire.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the validity and reliability of a Japanese version of the Khalfa hyperacusis questionnaire (KHQ) and proposed a threshold KHQ score for classifying hyperacusis.

Methods: In total, 112 patients with hyperacusis (group A) and 103 patients without hyperacusis (group B). The patients in group A were further classified into the following subgroups: subjects with hyperacusis as their chief complaint (n = 26, group A1) and subjects with hyperacusis accompanied by chief complaints of tinnitus and/or hearing loss (n = 86, group A2).

Prognostic significance of diffuse sclerosing variant papillary thyroid carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: Diffuse sclerosing variant papillary thyroid carcinoma (DSVPTC) is an uncommon variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). The biological behaviors and prognostic outcomes of this variant, however, are still controversial. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to investigate the prognostic significance and outcomes of DSVPTCs in comparison with classical PTCs (cPTCs).

De Novo Emergence of Mesenchymal Stem-Like CD105 Cancer Cells by Cytotoxic Agents in Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Background: Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are considered a pivotal target for the eradication of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Recently, we reported that the CSC markers epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) and CD90 are expressed independently in primary HCCs and cell lines, and CD90 cells share features of metastatic vascular endothelial cells and express the vascular endothelial marker CD105, a co-receptor of transforming growth factor-beta.

Methods: The EpCAM cell lines HuH1 and HuH7 were treated with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) or epirubicin in vitro.

Frequent BRAF and Absence of TERT Promoter Mutations Characterize Sporadic Pediatric Papillary Thyroid Carcinomas in Japan.

Pediatric papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) has unique features but requires further genetic investigation. Moreover, there has been increasing concern about the risk for pediatric PTC in Japan after the Fukushima accident. This study aims to evaluate the frequencies of BRAF and TERT promoter mutations and to examine their significance in non-radiation-associated pediatric PTCs in Japan.

Distinct Patterns of Cerebral Cortical Thinning in Schizophrenia: A Neuroimaging Data-Driven Approach.

Schizophrenia is an etiologically and clinically heterogeneous disorder. Although neuroimaging studies have revealed brain alterations in schizophrenia, most studies have assumed that the disorder is a single entity, neglecting the diversity of alterations observed in the disorder. The current study sought to explore the distinct patterns of altered cortical thickness in patients with schizophrenia and healthy individuals using a data-driven approach.

The changing characteristics and molecular profiles of papillary thyroid carcinoma over time: a systematic review.

Background: The genetic alterations of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) have been reported to change over the past few decades. We performed this systematic review to further examine the trends and modifications of patient demographic, clinicopathological features and molecular profiles of PTC over time.

Methods: A literature search was performed within six electronic databases to identify relevant articles.

Autoantibody to scaffold attachment factor B (SAFB): A novel connective tissue disease-related autoantibody associated with interstitial lung disease.

Objective: To identify and characterize a novel connective tissue disease (CTD)-related autoantibody (autoAb) directed against scaffold attachment factor B (SAFB).

Methods: AutoAb specificity was analyzed using RNA and protein-immunoprecipitation assays. Autoimmune targets were affinity purified using patients' sera and subjected to liquid chromatography mass spectrometry.

Visualization of heterogeneity and regional grading of gliomas by multiple features using magnetic resonance-based clustered images.

Preoperative glioma grading is important for therapeutic strategies and influences prognosis. Intratumoral heterogeneity can cause an underestimation of grading because of the sampling error in biopsies. We developed a voxel-based unsupervised clustering method with multiple magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-derived features using a self-organizing map followed by K-means.

Expression pattern of wolframin, the WFS1 (Wolfram syndrome-1 gene) product, in common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) cochlea.

Wolfram syndrome is an autosomal recessive disorder of the neuroendocrine system, known as DIDMOAD (Diabetes Insipidus, Diabetes Mellitus, Optic Atrophy and Deafness) syndrome, and considered an endoplasmic reticulum disease. Patients show mutations in WFS1, which encodes the 890 amino acid protein wolframin. Although Wfs1 knockout mice develop diabetes, their hearing level is completely normal.

In vivo detection of atherosclerotic plaque using non-contact and label-free near-infrared hyperspectral imaging.

Background And Aims: Detecting detailed atherosclerotic plaques is important to reduce risk factors during surgery. However, there are few methods to evaluate them during surgery. The aim of this study was to establish an in vivo, non-contact, and label-free imaging method for identifying atherosclerotic plaque lesions from outside vessels with a diffuse-reflectance near-infrared (NIR) hyperspectral imaging (HSI) system.

A Reliable Wireless Control System for Tomato Hydroponics.

Agricultural systems using advanced information and communication (ICT) technology can produce high-quality crops in a stable environment while decreasing the need for manual labor. The system collects a wide variety of environmental data and provides the precise cultivation control needed to produce high value-added crops; however, there are the problems of packet transmission errors in wireless sensor networks or system failure due to having the equipment in a hot and humid environment. In this paper, we propose a reliable wireless control system for hydroponic tomato cultivation using the 400 MHz wireless band and the IEEE 802.

Sustained Effect of Hyaluronic Acid in Subcutaneous Administration to the Cochlear Spiral Ganglion.

The spatiotemporal distribution of drugs in the inner ear cannot be precisely evaluated because of its small area and complex structure. In the present study, we used hyaluronic acid (HA)-dispersed luciferin to image transgenic mice and to determine the effect of HA on controlled drug delivery to the cochlea. GFAP-luc mice, which express luciferase in cochlear spiral ganglion cells, were subcutaneously administered HA-luciferin (HA-sc) or luciferin dissolved in saline (NS-sc) or intraperitoneally administered luciferin dissolved in saline (NS-ip).