A microfluidics platform for simultaneous evaluation of sensitivity and side effects of anti-cancer drugs using a three-dimensional culture method.

Organoids are stem cell-derived three-dimensional tissue cultures composed of multiple cell types that recapitulate the morphology and functions of their in vivo counterparts. Organ-on-a-chip devices are tiny chips with interconnected wells and channels designed using a perfusion system and microfluidics to precisely mimic the in vivo physiology and mechanical forces experienced by cells in the body. These techniques have recently been used to reproduce the structure and function of organs in vitro and are expected to be promising alternatives for animal experiments in the future.

Blepharoptosis Associated With the Wearing of Hard Contact Lenses in Keratoconic Eyes.

Keratoconus is a condition that causes progressive thinning and anterior protrusion of the cornea. Because of its irregular astigmatism, mild to moderate keratoconus is corrected with hard contact lenses (HCLs), but blepharoptosis due to the long-term wearing of HCLs is often a problem. In this study, we investigated blepharoptosis in HCL wearers with keratoconus.

Anorectal Remodeling in the Transitional Zone with Increased Expression of LGR5, SOX9, SOX2, and Keratin 13 and 5 in a Dextran Sodium Sulfate-Induced Mouse Model of Ulcerative Colitis.

Although hyperplasia of the anorectal transitional zone (TZ) has been reported in mouse models of ulcerative colitis, the mechanisms underlying this phenomenon are not fully understood. We characterized keratin subtypes and examined the expression of stem cell markers in the TZ. Dextran sodium sulfate-treated mice showed abnormal repair of the anorectal region, which consisted of mixed hyperplastic TZ and regenerating crypts.

U-shaped association between blood pressure and all-cause mortality in older adults: the Shizuoka study.

Low blood pressure (BP) is suggested to be associated with all-cause mortality in older adults. The aim of this study is to validate the relationship in older adults and to examine the possible involvement of clinical characteristics, namely functional disability, comorbidities, antihypertensive treatment, and reverse causation, in the relationship using insurance claims data including annual health checkup data. The study participants were 337,975 individuals aged ≥65 years.

Evaluation of Targeted Alpha Therapy Using [At]FAPI1 in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Xenograft Models.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) presents limited therapeutic options and is associated with poor prognosis. Early detection and the development of novel therapeutic agents are therefore imperative. Fibroblast activation protein (FAP) is a membrane protein expressed on cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) that plays an essential role in TNBC proliferation, migration, and invasion.