Bone Marrow Mononuclear Cell Transplantation Promotes Bone Healing via Gap Junction-Mediated Cell-Cell Interaction.

Aims: Bone marrow mononuclear cells (BM-MNCs) are a rich source of hematopoietic stem cells that have been widely used in experimental therapies for patients with various diseases, including fractures.Activation of angiogenesis is believed to be one of the major modes of action of BM-MNCs; however, the essential mechanism by which BM-MNCs activate angiogenesis remains elusive. This study aimed to demonstrate that BM-MNCs promote bone healing by enhancing angiogenesis through direct cell-to-cell interactions via gap junctions, in addition to a previously reported method.

Significance of birth in the maintenance of quiescent neural stem cells.

Birth is one of the most important life events for animals. However, its significance in the developmental process is not fully understood. Here, we found that birth-induced alteration of glutamine metabolism in radial glia (RG), the embryonic neural stem cells (NSCs), is required for the acquisition of quiescence and long-term maintenance of postnatal NSCs.

Unfolded protein response modulates Tyrosinase levels and melanin production during melanogenesis.

Background: Melanocytes protect the body from ultraviolet radiation by synthesizing melanin. Tyrosinase, a key enzyme in melanin production, accumulates in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) during melanin synthesis, potentially causing ER stress. However, regulating ER function for melanin synthesis has been less studied than controlling Tyrosinase activity.

Androgyny and atypical sensory sensitivity associated with savant ability: a comparison between Klinefelter syndrome and sexual minorities assigned male at birth.

Introduction: The (EMB) theory, a major causal hypothesis of autism (ASD: autism spectrum disorder), attributes excess androgens during early development as one of the causes. While studies have generally followed the EMB theory in females at birth, the co-occurrence of ASD in males at birth has been observed in conditions that are assumed to be associated with reduced androgen action during early development, including Klinefelter syndrome (KS) and sexual minorities. ASD is also associated with atypical sensory sensitivity, synesthesia, and savant syndrome.

Risk factors for anastomotic leakage in rectal cancer surgery reflecting current practices.

Purpose: In recent years, major advancements have been made in rectal cancer surgery with the introduction of new techniques such as robotic surgery and indocyanine green fluorescence imaging (ICG-FI). This study aimed to evaluate the comprehensive risk factors for anastomotic leakage (AL) following rectal cancer surgery, incorporating recently introduced techniques and other existing factors, to reflect current practices.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted of 304 patients who underwent either robotic or laparoscopic anterior resection between January 2019 and December 2023.

Efficacy of tranilast in preventing exacerbating cardiac function and death from heart failure in muscular dystrophy patients with advanced-stage heart failure: a single-arm, open-label, multicenter study.

Background: Transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 2 (TRPV2) functions as a stretch-sensitive calcium channel, with overexpression in the sarcolemma of skeletal and cardiac myocytes leading to detrimental calcium influx and triggering muscle degeneration. In our previous pilot study, we showed that tranilast, a TRPV2 inhibitor, reduced brain natriuretic peptide levels in two patients with muscular dystrophy and advanced heart failure. Building on this, we performed a single-arm, open-label, multicenter study herein to evaluate the safety and efficacy of tranilast in the treatment of advanced heart failure in patients with muscular dystrophy.

Multiple myeloma-associated non-crystalline proximal tubulopathy and crystalline cast nephropathy: Biochemical and structural features of disease-causing monoclonal kappa light chains.

Various tubular diseases in patients with multiple myeloma (MM) are caused by monoclonal immunoglobulin light chains (LCs). However, the physicochemical characteristics of the disease-causing LCs contributing to the onset of MM-associated tubular diseases remain unclear. We herein report a rare case of MM-associated combined tubulopathies: non-crystalline light chain proximal tubulopathy (LCPT) and crystalline light chain cast nephropathy (LCCN).

stana: an R package for metagenotyping analysis and interactive application based on clinical data.

Metagenotyping of metagenomic data has recently attracted increasing attention as it resolves intraspecies diversity by identifying single nucleotide variants. Furthermore, gene copy number analysis within species provides a deeper understanding of metabolic functions in microbial communities. However, a platform for examining metagenotyping results based on relevant grouping data is lacking.

False Lumen Stenting to the Acute Occlusive Carotid Artery Dissection Combined With Intracranial Acute Embolic Stroke: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Tandem occlusion due to acute cervical carotid artery dissection should be promptly treated with thrombectomy for reperfusion. If the cervical lesion has reached severe stenosis or complete occlusion, balloon angioplasty and, in certain cases, carotid artery stenting should be performed before thrombectomy for the intracranial lesion. Angioplasty or stent placement is performed in the true lumen, but securing the placement is challenging when the true lumen cannot be determined.

Long-term prognostic outcomes in high-risk T1 colorectal cancer: A multicentre retrospective comparison of surgery versus observation postendoscopic treatment.

Aim: The risk of lymph node metastasis after endoscopic resection of high-risk T1 colorectal cancer prompts additional resection. However, age and comorbidities are considered in decision-making and some surgeons opt for observation. We compared the long-term outcomes of these approaches with the aim of clarifying the need for additional resection.

Congenital disorders of glycosylation type 1A associated with cerebral hemorrhagic infarction: illustrative case.

Background: Cases of congenital disorders of glycosylation (CDGs) are rare, and the occurrence of hemorrhagic infarction is also rare. The etiology is unclear.

Observations: A 3-year-old Asian boy with CDG type 1A was hospitalized with pneumonia.

The Global Immune-Nutrition-Information Index (GINI) Is an Independent Prognostic Factor for Esophageal Cancer Patients Who Receive Curative Treatment.

Background/aim: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the clinical impact of the Global Immune-Nutrition-Information Index (GINI) in patients with esophageal cancer (EC) who received curative treatment and to clarify the potential of the GINI as a prognostic factor.

Patients And Methods: Patients who underwent curative resection for EC at Yokohama City University between 2000 and 2020 were consecutively chosen based on their medical records. The GINI was defined as follows: GINI=[C-reactive protein×platelet×monocyte×neutrophil]/[albumin×lymphocyte].

A Prospective Phase II Trial of First-Line Osimertinib for Patients With EGFR Mutation-Positive NSCLC and Poor Performance Status (OPEN/TORG2040).

Introduction: Osimertinib is the first-line treatment for patients with NSCLC who have EGFR mutations and favorable performance status (PS). Despite the increasing clinical data on osimertinib, evidence for its use in patients with impaired PS remains limited. Therefore, a multicenter phase II trial (OPEN/TORG2040) was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of first-line osimertinib treatment in patients with EGFR mutation-positive NSCLC and a poor PS.

Impact of body-height increase on gastrocnemius muscle stiffness in children with cerebral palsy: A one-year prospective cohort study.

Objective: To investigate whether the impacts of height increase on gastrocnemius muscle (GM) stiffness are greater in children with spastic cerebral palsy (CP) than in those with typical development (TD).

Design: This one-year cohort study enrolled children (CP, 23; TD, 23) who underwent two measurements conducted at entry and after one year. Lateral and medial GM-strain ratios representing muscle stiffness were obtained using elastography.

Validation of the premenstrual symptoms questionnaire among Mongolian nursing school students.

Background: Premenstrual disorders (PMDs) significantly affect the daily lives of women. This study evaluated the reliability and validity of the Mongolian-translated Premenstrual Symptoms Questionnaire (PSQ) among female nursing students at the Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from February 2023 to January 2024.

Thyroid metastasis from ovarian clear cell carcinoma.

Summary: A 56-year-old woman with cervical pain with a history of ovarian clear cell carcinoma stage IIIC was admitted to a primary care doctor. Ultrasonography revealed a microhyperechoic nodule in the thyroid gland and cervical lymph node enlargement, and fine-needle aspiration was performed. The results showed malignancy, and she was admitted to our hospital.

TeXture and color enhancement Imaging-assisted precutting: 3 case reports.

Backgrounds And Aims: In ERCP, precutting is used when biliary cannulation is challenging. Precutting is a high-risk procedure that can lead to adverse events. TeXture and color enhancement Imaging (TXI) enhances texture, brightness, and color to define subtle tissue differences clearly and may be helpful in precutting.

Effects of Pemafibrate on LDL-C and Related Lipid Markers in Patients with MASLD: A Sub-Analysis of the PEMA-FL Study.

Aim: In the PEMA-FL study in patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), pemafibrate was shown to significantly decrease low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels. We aimed to investigate the mechanisms of pemafibrate-induced LDL-C reduction in patients with MASLD by conducting an additional sub-analysis of the PEMA-FL study.

Methods: The PEMA-FL study randomized 118 patients with MASLD to receive pemafibrate or placebo for 72 weeks.

Early eosinophilia after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is associated with chronic graft-versus-host disease.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate whether an early elevation of absolute eosinophil count after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) was associated with the development of chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) in children and adolescents.

Methods: A total of 165 consecutive patients who received allo-HSCT were included in the study. Patients who had previously received allo-HSCT, relapsed or died before Day 100, and did not achieve engraftment, were excluded.

Proteomic profiling of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid uncovers protein clusters linked to survival in idiopathic forms of interstitial lung disease.

Background: Idiopathic interstitial pneumonias (IIPs), such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and interstitial pneumonia with autoimmune features, present diagnostic and therapeutic challenges due to their heterogeneous nature. This study aimed to identify intrinsic molecular signatures within the lung microenvironment of these IIPs through proteomic analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF).

Methods: Patients with IIP (n=23) underwent comprehensive clinical evaluation including pre-treatment bronchoscopy and were compared with controls without lung disease (n=5).

[Infective Endocarditis Diagnosed After Acute Arterial Occlusion of the Lower Extremity:Report of a Case].

A 73-year-old male was admitted to our hospital due to fever and right lower limb pain. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) revealed occlusion from the right common femoral artery to the right superficial femoral artery and from the left common iliac artery to the left internal and external iliac arteries, leading to a diagnosis of bilateral acute arterial occlusion of the lower extremity. Emergency thrombectomy was performed to improve arterial blood flow.