Bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide (B/F/TAF) in treatment-naïve and treatment-experienced people with HIV: 12-month virologic effectiveness and safety outcomes in the BICSTaR Japan cohort.

BICSTaR (BICtegravir Single Tablet Regimen) is an ongoing, observational cohort study assessing the virologic effectiveness and safety of bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide (B/F/TAF) in treatment-experienced (TE) and treatment-naïve (TN) people with HIV across 14 countries over 24 months. We present 12-month outcomes from participants in the BICSTaR Japan cohort. Retrospective and prospective data were pooled from people with HIV aged ≥20 years receiving B/F/TAF within routine clinical care in Japan.

Anti-Graying Effects of External and Internal Treatments with Luteolin on Hair in Model Mice.

Little is known about the anti-graying effects of antioxidants on hair. The anti-graying effects of three antioxidants (luteolin, hesperetin, and diosmetin) on hair were investigated according to the sequential processes of hair graying that were previously clarified in model mice [Ednrb(+/-);RET-mice]. External treatment with luteolin, but not that with hesperetin or diosmetin, alleviated hair graying in Ednrb(+/-);RET-mice.

Treatment pattern and clinical outcomes of remdesivir in hospitalized COVID-19 patients with severe chronic kidney disease: a database analysis of acute care hospitals in Japan.

Background: There is limited evidence on clinical outcomes and treatment pattern in Japanese patients with severe chronic kidney disease (CKD), hospitalized for coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). We aimed to describe patient characteristics, treatment pattern, and clinical outcomes in Japanese patients with severe CKD, hospitalized for COVID-19 who received remdesivir (RDV).

Methods: We used the anonymized claims database from Medical Data Vision Co.

Treatment patterns and clinical outcomes of immunocompromised patients with COVID-19 receiving remdesivir in the inpatient setting in Japan.

Introduction: Remdesivir (RDV) was approved in Japan for the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in May 2020. However, large-scale research describing the characterized use of RDV in the inpatient setting in Japan is limited. This study aimed to describe the treatment patterns and clinical outcomes of immunocompromised patients with COVID-19 treated with RDV.

Association between physical activity and the N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide in a middle-aged Japanese population: The interaction with alcohol consumption, 2005-2006.

Objective: Higher N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels are a strong risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The current study aimed to clarify the cross-sectional association of physical activity (PA) with NT-proBNP and to identify the interaction of PA with alcohol consumption or cigarette smoking in middle-aged individuals.

Methods: The study included 4613 individuals (1824 men and 2789 women) (November 2005-November 2006).

Non-contrast spectral CT vs chemical-shift MRI in discriminating lipid-poor adrenal lesions.

Objectives: To compare the diagnostic performance of conventional non-contrast CT, dual-energy spectral CT, and chemical-shift MRI (CS-MRI) in discriminating lipid-poor adenomas (> 10-HU on non-contrast CT) from non-adenomas.

Methods: A total of 110 patients (69 men; 41 women; mean age 66.5 ± 13.

Prevalence and clinical characteristics of people with HIV with limited treatment options in Japan: A Japanese claims data analysis.

Introduction: Long-term medication leads some people with HIV (PWH) to limited treatment options (LTO) due to multiple factors. The present study investigated the prevalence of PWH with LTO in Japan and their clinical characteristics, persistence, and adherence.

Methods: PWH who received antiretroviral therapy (ART) between 2017 and 2022 were identified in the Medical Data Vision (MDV) Japanese claims database.

Improvement of the rate capability of all-solid-state cells with Fe-based polysulfide positive electrode materials by modifying the microstructure.

We successfully prepared an Fe- and Li-containing polysulfide positive electrode material (LiFeS-LiFeS composite) that shows a high specific capacity (>500 mA h g) with improved rate capability in all-solid-state cells. High-resolution TEM analysis indicated the coexistence of small crystallites of high-conductivity LiFeS and FeS, as well as low-crystallinity LiS, in the composite, and this microstructure is responsible for the improved battery performance.

Preliminary evaluation of a commercial shampoo and fine bubble bathing in the treatment of canine atopic dermatitis: A single-blinded, randomised, controlled study.

Background: Fine bubble (FB) bathing has shown benefits on a mouse model of atopic dermatitis (AD). However, its efficacy in dogs with AD remains to be evaluated.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the clinical effectiveness of FB bathing in dogs with AD.

A Qualitative Study on the Development of Professionalism Among Japanese Dental Students.

Background: Professionalism is believed to vary depending on factors such as era and culture. Therefore, clarifying the meaning of professionalism in each country, region, and workplace is essential. However, how professionalism is cultivated among dental students in Japanese schools has yet to be fully elucidated.

The safety and effectiveness of remdesivir in a postmarketing surveillance study in Japan.

Background: To evaluate the occurrence of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and to assess mortality and health status in participants receiving remdesivir in real-world settings in Japan.

Methods: This postmarketing surveillance study used an all-case surveillance method for enrollment. Participants with SARS-CoV-2 infection administered remdesivir from July 2020 to November 2021 in Japan were eligible for inclusion.

Experimental study platform for electrocatalysis of atomic-level controlled high-entropy alloy surfaces.

High-entropy alloys (HEAs) have attracted considerable attention to improve performance of various electrocatalyst materials. A comprehensive understanding of the relationship between surface atomic-level structures and catalytic properties is essential to boost the development of novel catalysts. In this study, we propose an experimental study platform that enables the vacuum synthesis of atomic-level-controlled single-crystal high-entropy alloy surfaces and evaluates their catalytic properties.

A randomised, double-blinded, controlled trial to determine the efficacy of combined therapy of oclacitinib and marine oil extract PCSO-524 in dogs with atopic dermatitis.

Background: Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) can be beneficial in the management of canine atopic dermatitis (cAD). A commercial product PCSO-524 containing PUFA has demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects in dogs.

Hypothesis/objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of PCSO-524, in combination with oclacitinib in dogs with cAD.

Signalling by senescent melanocytes hyperactivates hair growth.

Niche signals maintain stem cells in a prolonged quiescence or transiently activate them for proper regeneration. Altering balanced niche signalling can lead to regenerative disorders. Melanocytic skin nevi in human often display excessive hair growth, suggesting hair stem cell hyperactivity.

Analysis of trunk rotation during baseball batting with lumbar disc degeneration.

Lower back pain (LBP) is common among baseball players, and the occurrence of lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration is high. The dynamic load on the lumbar spine due to the postures and movements characteristic of baseball is suspected of aggravating LBP caused by degeneration, but the difference in batting action between players with and without degeneration is not known. The purpose of this study was to investigate the difference in batting motion in the presence and absence of lumbar disc degeneration (LDD).

Short-term efficacy of exercise therapy for temporomandibular disorders: a case control study.

[Purpose] This study compared the short-term outcomes of manual therapy performed by a dentist and home exercises performed by patients as a single exercise therapy program for temporomandibular joint anterior disc displacement without reduction. [Participants and Methods] In this study we included seventeen patients with temporomandibular joint anterior disc displacement without reduction, moderate or greater temporomandibular joint functional impairment, and no treatment interventions. Patients receiving treatment underwent exercise therapy at the time of their first visit, whereas those in the non-treatment group received only an explanation of the condition.

Indoxyl sulfate decreases uridine adenosine tetraphosphate-induced contraction in rat renal artery.

The protein-bound uremic toxin indoxyl sulfate has negative effects on a variety of physiological activities including vascular function. Uridine adenosine tetraphosphate (UpA), a new dinucleotide molecule affects vascular function including induction of vasocontraction, and aberrant responsiveness to UpA is evident in arteries from disorders such as hypertension and diabetes. The link between indoxyl sulfate and the UpA-mediated response is, however, unknown.

Retracted: Chest digital dynamic radiography to detect changes in human pulmonary perfusion in response to alveolar hypoxia.

Introduction: Hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction optimises oxygenation in the lung by matching the local-blood perfusion to local-ventilation ratio upon exposure to alveolar hypoxia. It plays an important role in various pulmonary diseases, but few imaging evaluations of this phenomenon in humans. This study aimed to determine whether chest digital dynamic radiography could detect hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction as changes in pulmonary blood flow in healthy individuals.

[Relationship between gut microbiota-derived substances and vascular function: focus on indoxyl sulfate and trimethylamine-N-oxide].

Emerging evidences suggest that gut microbiota-derived substances play a pivotal role in the regulation of host homeostasis including vascular function. Actually, these substances and/or their metabolites can be presented in circulation and local tissue and their levels are often abnormal in the pathophysiological states. Therefore, to determine the role of them in physiological function is important in human health.

Protective Effect of Hydroxygenkwanin against Hair Graying Induced by X-Ray Irradiation and Repetitive Plucking.

Hair graying in mice is caused by various injuries such as X-ray radiation and repeated plucking that ultimately damage melanocytes and their stem cells (melanocyte stem cells). In X-ray‒induced hair graying, injuries first manifest as a loss-of-niche function of hair follicular keratinocyte stem cells to maintain melanocyte stem cells. Thus, we hypothesized that hair follicular keratinocyte stem cells could be a practical target to prevent hair graying.