Real-world effectiveness of mepolizumab in Japanese asthma patients with diverse backgrounds: Improvements in rhinosinusitis imaging (J-Real-Mepo).

Background: Although randomized controlled trials (RCT) have demonstrated the efficacy of mepolizumab for asthma, they have excluded certain patient subgroups. To bridge the gap between RCT and real-world practice, the effectiveness of mepolizumab in a diverse population, including those potentially excluded from RCT, was assessed. Its effects on imaging findings and symptoms of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) with asthma were also assessed.

Intratumoral Heterogeneity of Primary Breast Cancer on 18F-FES PET/CT and dbPET Anticipated a Heterogeneous Response to Chemotherapy.

A 59-year-old woman with cT3N3M1 invasive breast cancer (ER low positive, PgR positive, HER2 negative) underwent PET/CT and dedicated breast PET scans using 18F-FDG and 18F-fluoroestradiol (18F-FES). While most primary tumor regions displayed low FES uptake, regions of high FES uptake were also identified. Following chemotherapy with the paclitaxel and bevacizumab, 18F-FDG PET/CT demonstrated a favorable response, but residual disease was noted in areas with high FES uptake on the pretreatment images.

DECODE enables high-throughput mapping of antibody epitopes at single amino acid resolution.

Antibodies are extensively used in biomedical research, clinical fields, and disease treatment. However, to enhance the reproducibility and reliability of antibody-based experiments, it is crucial to have a detailed understanding of the antibody's target specificity and epitope. In this study, we developed a high-throughput and precise epitope analysis method, DECODE (Decoding Epitope Composition by Optimized-mRNA-display, Data analysis, and Expression sequencing).

Purinergic inhibitory regulation of esophageal smooth muscle is mediated by P2Y receptors and ATP-dependent potassium channels in rats.

Purines such as ATP are regulatory transmitters in motility of the gastrointestinal tract. The aims of this study were to propose functional roles of purinergic regulation of esophageal motility. An isolated segment of the rat esophagus was placed in an organ bath, and mechanical responses were recorded using a force transducer.

An orally available P1'-5-fluorinated M inhibitor blocks SARS-CoV-2 replication without booster and exhibits high genetic barrier.

We identified a 5-fluoro-benzothiazole-containing small molecule, TKB272, through fluorine-scanning of the benzothiazole moiety, which more potently inhibits the enzymatic activity of SARS-CoV-2's main protease (M) and more effectively blocks the infectivity and replication of all SARS-CoV-2 strains examined including Omicron variants such as SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV-2 than two M inhibitors: nirmatrelvir and ensitrelvir. Notably, the administration of ritonavir-boosted nirmatrelvir and ensitrelvir causes drug-drug interactions warranting cautions due to their CYP3A4 inhibition, thereby limiting their clinical utility. When orally administered, TKB272 blocked SARS-CoV-2 replication without ritonavir in B6.

Thrombin-induced kynurenine 3-monooxygenase causes variations in the kynurenine pathway, leading to neurological deficits in a murine intracerebral hemorrhage model.

The purpose of the present study is to investigate changes in the kynurenine pathway after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and its effects on ICH-induced injury. The exposure of a primary rat microglial culture to thrombin increased the mRNA level of kynurenine 3-monooxygenase (KMO), and this increase was attenuated by a p38 MAPK inhibitor. Thrombin also increased the protein level of KMO.

Actionable Gene Alterations Identified in Patients With Malignant Melanoma by Targeted Sequencing in Japan.

Purpose: Precision medicine plays an important role in the treatment of patients with advanced melanoma. Despite its high incidence in White patients, advanced melanoma is rare in Asian countries, hampering prospective clinical trials targeting the Asian population. This retrospective study aimed to elucidate the real-world molecular diagnoses and outcomes of Japanese patients with melanoma using comprehensive genome profiling (CGP).

A Case of IgA Nephropathy in a Patient With Sarcoidosis: Confirmation of Glomerular Galactose-Deficient IgA1 Deposition.

A 63-year-old Japanese housewife was admitted to our hospital because of hematuria and proteinuria lasting for 3 months. At the age of 59 years, she was diagnosed with neurosarcoidosis at another hospital, and she received oral glucocorticoid therapy for 1 year. Her serum angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D levels were elevated.

Free jejunal transplantation in a patient with short neck, cervical spondylosis, and vascular calcification: A case report.

Total pharyngo-laryngo-esophagectomy (TPLE) with free jejunal transplantation (FJT) is the standard reconstructive procedure for hypopharyngeal cancer, typically utilizing the superior thyroid artery as the recipient vessel. However, patient-specific anatomical variations and comorbidities can significantly complicate this surgery. We present a unique case of a 68-year-old male with hypopharyngeal cancer who exhibited multiple challenges, including short stature (126 cm), low weight (35 kg), cervical spondylosis, and a history of vertebroplasty, highlighting the complexities inherent in such reconstructions.

Health Literacy and Internet Use Among Japanese Older Adults: A Gender-Stratified Cross-Sectional Analysis of the Moderating Effects of Neighborhood Relationships.

: Internet use positively impacts mental health in older adults, with health literacy (HL) playing a key role. While social networks may complement individual HL, the role of neighborhood relationships in this association, particularly by gender, remains unclear. This study examined how the association between HL and Internet use among older adults was modified by neighborhood relationships.

In Vitro Selection of Collagen-Binding Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Containing Genetically Encoded Mussel-Inspired Adhesive Amino Acids.

Protein immobilization technology is important in medical and industrial applications. We previously reported all-in-one in vitro selection, wherein a collagen-binding vascular endothelial growth factor (CB-VEGF) was identified from a fusion library of random and VEGF sequences. However, its interaction chemistry is mainly limited to the interaction established by the 20 canonical amino acids.

Associations Between Anticipatory Grief and Post-Bereavement Depression and Post-Loss Grief of Family Members of Dying Patients With Cancer in Palliative Care Units: A Cohort Study.

Anticipatory grief is associated with post-bereavement grief; however, reports on the influence of pre-loss depression are limited. Therefore, we investigated the association between the anticipatory grief of family members and post-loss and post-depression grief adjusted for pre-loss depression. This cohort study included the family members of dying patients with cancer.

Correction: Hirasawa et al. Comparative Analysis of Muscle Activity and Circulatory Dynamics: A Crossover Study Using Leg Exercise Apparatus and Ergometer. 2024, , 1260.

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Impact of pre-crosslinks on the self-transformation performance of thermoplastic polyesters into vitrimers intermolecular transesterification.

We recently proposed a concept of self-transformation from thermoplastic polyesters into vitrimers intermolecular bond exchange as the cross-linking reaction. Key was the use of polyesters bearing hydroxyl side groups, which were cross-linked without additional cross-linkers through intermolecular transesterification in the presence of a suitable catalyst. In our previous study, a linear polyester was synthesized as the starting polymer by reacting dithiol monomers containing ester bonds (2-SH) with diepoxy monomers (2-epoxy) a thiol-epoxy reaction, generating hydroxyl side groups along the polyester chain.

Mechanisms of KRAS inhibitor resistance in KRAS-mutant colorectal cancer harboring Her2 amplification and aberrant KRAS localization.

KRAS-specific inhibitors have shown promising antitumor effects, especially in non-small cell lung cancer, but limited efficacy in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. Recent studies have shown that EGFR-mediated adaptive feedback mediates primary resistance to KRAS inhibitors, but the other resistance mechanisms have not been identified. In this study, we investigated intrinsic resistance mechanisms to KRAS inhibitors using patient-derived CRC cells (CRC-PDCs).

Impact of the ratio of fecal short-chain fatty acids to lactic acid concentration on postoperative infectious complications after pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Background: We previously reported that the balance of short-chain fatty acids and lactic acid in feces affects postoperative infectious complications after major hepatectomy. However, the effect remains unclear in pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Methods: Preoperative fecal samples were collected from 210 patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy at 2 institutions between January 2019 and June 2021.

Understanding the impact of spatial immunophenotypes on the survival of endometrial cancer patients through the ProMisE classification.

Objectives: We focused on how the immunophenotypes based on the distribution of CD8-positive tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) relate to the endometrial cancer (EC) molecular subtypes and patients' prognosis.

Patients And Methods: Two cohorts of EC patients (total n = 145) were analyzed and categorized using the Molecular Risk Classifier for Endometrial cancer (ProMisE): POLEmut (POLE mutation), MMRd (mismatch repair deficiency), NSMP (no specific molecular profile), and p53abn (p53 abnormality). CD8-positive TILs, within the central tumor and the invasive margin, were examined by using immunohistochemical staining and advanced image-analysis software.

Effect of feeding spent coffee grounds on the methane production in bovine rumen.

The environmental impact of methane, a greenhouse gas emitted from ruminants, is a pressing issue and methods to control methane emissions from ruminants are being investigated worldwide. In this study, we investigated the effects of the administration of spent coffee grounds (SCG) on methane production in the rumen in two cows. In the control condition (days 1 and 2), the cows were fed a basic diet twice daily (roughage and concentrate), and in the SCG condition (days 1 and 2) sequentially, the cows were fed the same basic diet and administered SCG into the rumen twice daily.

In vivo imaging of adipose-derived stem cell sheets on biodegradable nonwoven fabric using X-ray CT.

Background: A biodegradable nonwoven fabric that can be used to extract adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) from adipose tissue slices was developed, which were cultured rapidly without enzymatic treatment. The extracted and cultured ADSCs remain on the nonwoven fabric and form a thick cell sheet. The aim was to use the thick cell sheet as a treatment by transplanting it into the living body.

Effects of Au Addition on the Performance of Thermal Electronic Noses Based on Porous CuO-SnO Nanospheres.

The electronic nose is an increasingly useful tool in many fields and applications. Our thermal electronic nose approach, based on nanostructured metal oxide chemiresistors in a thermal gradient, has the advantage of being tiny and therefore integrable in portable and wearable devices. Obviously, a wise choice of the nanomaterial is crucial for the device's performance and should therefore be carefully considered.

Impact of Autism on the Relation Between Sleep and Life Satisfaction in Japanese Adults.

Background/objectives: Sleep disorders, such as short sleep, are common comorbidities in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Sleep quality and duration are directly associated with quality of life (QOL). Clarifying the influence of ASD on the association between short sleep duration and life satisfaction is an efficient way to improve the QOL of patients with ASD.

Dental Suction Interference and Acoustic Respiratory Monitoring.

Objective: Previous studies have reported that the noise generated by dental equipment can interfere with the auscultation of respiratory sounds during sedation. Therefore, this study aimed to identify whether positing the acoustic sensor on the chest or cervical position would be least susceptible to interference from dental suction device noise, a prominent noise noted during respiratory sound monitoring during dental sedation.

Methods: This prospective cohort study was conducted with 30 students.