Molecular Epidemiology of Respiratory Syncytial Virus during 2019-2022 and Surviving Genotypes after the COVID-19 Pandemic in Japan.

To evaluate the changes in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) collected between 2019 and 2022, we analyzed RSV-A and RSV-B strains from various prefectures in Japan before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. RT-PCR-positive samples collected from children with rapid test positivity at outpatient clinics in 11 prefectures in Japan were sequenced for the ectodomain of the G gene to determine the genotype. Time-aware phylogeographic analyses were performed using the second hypervariable region (HVR) of the G gene from 2012 to 2022.

Whole-Genome Analysis of Influenza A(H3N2) and B/Victoria Viruses Detected in Myanmar during the COVID-19 Pandemic in 2021.

An influenza circulation was observed in Myanmar between October and November in 2021. Patients with symptoms of influenza-like illness were screened using rapid diagnostic test (RDT) kits, and 147/414 (35.5%) upper respiratory tract specimens presented positive results.

Early postoperative pulmonary complications after minimally invasive esophagectomy in the prone position: incidence and perioperative risk factors from the perspective of anesthetic management.

Objectives: To investigate the incidence of and the risk factors for early postoperative pulmonary complications (PPC) after minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) in the prone position from the perspective of anesthetic management.

Methods: We conducted a historical cohort study of patients who underwent MIE in the prone position between September 2010 and August 2018. PPC was defined as pneumonia, atelectasis, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), respiratory failure, and pulmonary embolism (Clavien-Dindo Classification Grade II or higher) that occurred within 7 days after MIE.

Enhanced specificity for phosphatidylcholine analysis by positive ion mode matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization imaging mass spectrometry.

Rationale: Visualization of the spatial distribution of phosphatidylcholine (PC) in tissues by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization imaging mass spectrometry (MALDI-IMS) provides insights into key physiological and pathophysiological processes. In MALDI-IMS analysis, the heterogeneity of adduct ions formed from PC lowers the specificity of detection of PC molecular species and poses a challenge in the identification of these species. To solve this problem, modified matrix solution and desalting with ammonium acetate (NH4 Ac) buffer have been employed.

Inhibitory effects of whisky polyphenols on melanogenesis in mouse B16 melanoma cells.

Whisky exerts an inhibitory effect on melanogenesis in B16 cells, the anti-melanogenic activity being positively correlated with the aging period and anti-oxidative activity of whisky. We examined the correlation between the inhibition of melanogenesis and the concentration of each compound in various whiskies to evaluate the importance of 11 different whisky polyphenols, including ellagic acid, gallic acid and lyoniresinol, in the anti-melanogenic activity of whisky. The concentration of all the compounds was positively correlated with the anti-melanogenic activity of whisky.