Bridging the Gap Between Computational Efficiency and Segmentation Fidelity in Object-Based Image Analysis.

A critical issue in image analysis for analyzing animal behavior is accurate object detection and tracking in dynamic and complex environments. This study introduces a novel preprocessing algorithm to bridge the gap between computational efficiency and segmentation fidelity in object-based image analysis for machine learning applications. The algorithm integrates convolutional operations, quantization strategies, and polynomial transformations to optimize image segmentation in complex visual environments, addressing the limitations of traditional pixel-level and unsupervised methods.

Long-Term Coronary Artery Evaluation Using Noncontrast-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Angiography in Patients with Kawasaki Disease.

To evaluate the use of noncontrast-enhanced coronary magnetic resonance angiography (NC-CMRA) for long-term follow-up in patients with Kawasaki disease (KD). In total, 40 (77 aneurysms) patients with KD who underwent NC-CMRA were retrospectively analyzed. Coronary artery aneurysms and dilations observed during the acute phase were classified into three groups according to their diameter based on the American Heart Association criteria.

Detection of Oral Testsosterone Undecanoate Administration in UGT2B17 del/del and del/ins Individuals. Part II: Urinary Endogenous Steroid Sulfate Markers.

The detection of endogenous anabolic androgenic steroids misuse in Asian population using the Steroidal Module of the Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) is a challenge due to the high prevalence of UGT2B17 gene deletion polymorphism with low levels of testosterone (T) glucuronide. In this study, the capabilities of different approaches based on urine analysis for the detection of oral T undecanoate administration were evaluated in 13 Asian volunteers, including 11 subjects with del/del genotype and 2 subjects with del/ins genotype. In the first part of the work, the effect on the urinary steroid profile (SP) and on the isotope ratio mass spectrometry markers was evaluated.

Detection of Oral Testosterone Undecanoate Administration in UGT2B117 del/del and del/ins Individuals. Part I: Urinary Steroid Profile and IRMS Markers.

The detection of endogenous anabolic androgenic steroids misuse in Asian population using the Steroidal Module of the Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) is a challenge due to the high prevalence of UGT2B17 gene deletion polymorphism and low levels of testosterone (T) glucuronide. In this study, the capabilities of different approaches based on urine analysis for detecting oral T undecanoate administration were evaluated in 13 Asian volunteers, including 11 subjects with del/del genotype and 2 subjects with del/ins genotype. In this part of the work, the effect on the urinary steroid profile (SP) and the isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) markers were studied.

Association Between Stress-Induced Weight Loss and Autophagy-Related Gene Expression in the Hippocampus and Midbrain of Depression Model Mice.

Aim: Recent studies have implicated autophagy in both weight regulation and depression. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between stress-induced weight loss and autophagy-related gene expression in a mouse model of depression.

Method: Male C57BL/6 mice were subjected to a chronic immobilization stress (CIS) protocol for 14 days to induce depressive-like behavior.

Reactivation of Epstein-Barr virus by n-butyric acid from Pseudoramibacter alactolyticus induces inflammatory cytokines in periapical granulomas.

Objectives: This study investigates whether latent Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) can be reactivated by n-butyric acid from Pseudoramibacter alactolyticus, and if such reactivation induces expression of interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6 in periapical granulomas.

Methods: We analyzed periapical granulomas and healthy gingival tissues to detect the presence of EBV and P. alactolyticus.

Outcome of endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery for acromegaly: Comparison of using and not using the floor standing pneumatic powered endoscope-holder system.

Introduction: Endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery can be performed by two surgeons, including an endoscopist (PE/2S), and by a single surgeon with an endoscope-holder system (PE/1S + H). We analyzed the surgical outcome, and outcome predictors in acromegaly patients in endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery using floor standing pneumatic endoscope-holder system.

Methods: Endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery was performed with PE/1S+H (n = 51) and PE/2S (n = 20).

The C-terminal 4CXXC-type zinc finger domain of CDCA7 recognizes hemimethylated DNA and modulates activities of chromatin remodeling enzyme HELLS.

The chromatin-remodeling enzyme helicase lymphoid-specific (HELLS) interacts with cell division cycle-associated 7 (CDCA7) on nucleosomes and is involved in the regulation of DNA methylation in higher organisms. Mutations in these genes cause immunodeficiency, centromeric instability, and facial anomalies (ICF) syndrome, which also results in DNA hypomethylation of satellite repeat regions. We investigated the functional domains of human CDCA7 in HELLS using several mutant CDCA7 proteins.

Shifting paradigms in endoscopic sinus surgery: a comprehensive analysis from Japan's national database.

Background: In 2013, Japan established a standardized classification system for categorizing endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) into types I-V, yet no evaluation has been conducted thereof.

Objective: We assessed the ESS trends and status in Japan, focusing on outpatient and inpatient surgeries.

Material And Methods: This descriptive retrospective cohort study used Japan's National Database of Health Insurance Claims and Specific Health Checkups between 2014 and 2021.

Citrin-deficient patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells as a pathological liver model for congenital urea cycle disorders.

Citrin deficiency is a congenital secondary urea cycle disorder lacking useful disease models for effective treatment development. In this study, human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) were generated from two patients with citrin deficiency and differentiated into hepatocyte-like cells (HLCs). Citrin-deficient HLCs produced albumin and liver-specific markers but completely lacked citrin protein and expressed argininosuccinate synthase only weakly.

Compact photonic crystal spectrometer with resolution beyond the fabrication precision.

We present a compact silicon photonic crystal spectrometer with a footprint of 740 × 9 µm and excellent wavelength resolution (∼0.01 nm at single and <0.03 nm at multiple wavelength operation) across a telecom bandwidth of 10 nm.

Individual identification method using samples associated with doping tests: A comparison of mitochondrial and nuclear genetic data.

Doping offenses involve the use or attempted use of any prohibited method or substance as well as substituting samples. Consequently, it has been recommended that short tandem repeat (STR) analysis be used to determine if the doping control samples are from the same athlete. However, it has been recognized that it may be difficult to obtain full STR analysis using negligible amounts of DNA samples.

A giant peripheral ossifying fibroma of the maxilla with extreme difficulty in clinical differentiation from malignancy: a case report and review of the literature.

Background: Peripheral ossifying fibroma is a nonneoplastic inflammatory hyperplasia that originates in the periodontal ligament or periosteum in response to chronic mechanical irritation. Peripheral ossifying fibroma develops more commonly in young females as a solitary, slow-growing, exophytic nodular mass of the gingiva, no more than 2 cm in diameter. While various synonyms have been used to refer to peripheral ossifying fibroma, very similar names have also been applied to neoplastic diseases that are pathologically distinct from peripheral ossifying fibroma, causing considerable nomenclatural confusion.

Simultaneous detection of testosterone, nandrolone, and boldenone esters in dried blood spots for doping control in sports by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

Testosterone, nandrolone, and boldenone, which are listed as doping substances on the World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List, are mostly available commercially in esterified forms. Isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) represents a key tool for identifying these substances, as they are hydrolyzed and discharged in the urine as pseudo-endogenous substances. However, IRMS, which comprises a complicated process, cannot achieve the direct detection of steroid esters in blood samples.

Subgenomic T cell receptor alpha and delta (TRA/TRD) loci in common carp.

In jawed vertebrates, the T cell receptor alpha (TRA) and delta (TRD) genes, which encode the TRα and TRδ chains, respectively, are located as a nested structure on a single chromosome. To date, no animal has been reported to harbor multiple TRA/TRD loci on different chromosomes. Therefore, herein, we describe the first full annotation of the TRA/TRD genomic regions of common carp, an allo-tetraploid fish species that experiences cyprinid-specific whole-genome duplication (WGD) in evolution.

[A Case of Acute Circulatory Failure Due to Carbon Dioxide Embolization during Laparoscopic Hepatectomy].

A 78-year-old man who was diagnosed as having hepatocellular carcinoma(segment 4/8)underwent laparoscopic hepatectomy. About 5 hours after the start of the operation, SpO2 and systolic blood pressure suddenly dropped to 87% and 40 mmHg. EtCO2 level decreased to 8 mmHg and PaCO2 was 48.

[A Case of the Metastatic Colonic Carcinoma from an Endometrial Carcinoma].

A woman in her 80s, had undergone radical surgery for an endometrial carcinoma 9 years earlier, and her 5-year postoperative follow-up had been completed without recurrence. She consulted an orthopedic surgeon with a chief complaint of a mass in the left inguinal region, and was referred to surgery after MRI scan revealed lymph node metastases in the left inguinal and external iliac region and a sigmoid colon tumor. Due to postoperative adhesion of the uterine cancer, the colonoscope could not be inserted to the tumor, and no tissue diagnosis was made.

[A Case of the Rectal Cancer with Metastatic Skin Cancer after Inguinal Hernia Surgery].

A woman in her 90s underwent laparoscopic hernia repair for a recurrent left inguinal hernia with abdominal wall defect 2 years ago. She came to our department with a complaint of a mass in the hernia wound, which was suspected to be a skin cancer, and the pathology diagnosis was adenocarcinoma. A colonoscopy was performed and she was diagnosed with sigmoid rectal cancer with only skin metastasis and the operation was performed.

[A Case of Long-Term Survival with Metachronous Hepatic and Pulmonary Metastases from Transverse Colon Cancer by Multidisciplinary Treatment].

A 64-year-old woman underwent right hemicolectomy for transverse colon cancer. Histopathological findings revealed T, type 2, 24×22 mm, tub2, pT2N1a(1/23)M0, and pStage Ⅲa. Postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy was not administered at the patient's request.