Versatile application of fast green FCF as a visible cholangiogram in adult mice to medium-sized mammals.

An aqueous solution of a common food dye, Fast Green FCF (FG), mimics cholyl-lysyl-fluorescein to visualize embryonic bile flow via single peritoneal injection into intrauterine mouse embryos. Despite its efficacy in embryos, its suitability for adult mice and small to medium-sized mammals remained uncertain. In this study, we investigated FG cholangiography in adult mice, dogs, and goats.

Impact of skeletal muscle mass of the trunk and extremities on standing spine parameters before and after surgery for adult spinal deformity with a minimum 2-year follow-up.

Purpose: The effect of skeletal muscle mass of the trunk and extremities on sagittal imbalance of the spine before and after surgery for adult spinal deformity (ASD) has not been elucidated. The purpose of this study was to examine the correlation between reduced skeletal muscle mass of the trunk and extremities, as well as spinopelvic parameters, preoperatively, postoperatively and at least 2 years after surgery for ASD.

Methods: This retrospective observational study included 140 consecutive patients who had undergone surgery for ASD and were followed-up for at least 2 years and whose skeletal muscle mass could be measured preoperatively using whole-body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry.

A Simplified Method for Evaluating Chitin-Binding Activity Applied to YKL-40 (HC-gp39, CHI3L1) and Chitotriosidase.

YKL-40 is structurally similar to chitotriosidase (CHIT1), an active chitinase, but it lacks chitin-degrading activity while retaining chitin-binding capability. Elevated YKL-40 levels are associated with inflammatory diseases and cancers, making it a valuable biomarker. We previously reported that the W69T substitution in YKL-40 significantly reduces its chitin-binding affinity, identifying W69 as a crucial binding site.

Organizing Pneumonia Associated with Pneumocystis jirovecii in a Patient Receiving Dose-Dense Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer: A Case Report.

In patients not infected by HIV, Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP) is characterized by rapid disease progression, difficulty in confirming the diagnosis, and poor prognosis. PCP has also been reported in immunocompromised patients receiving chemotherapy, most often for hematologic tumors, although some patients receiving treatment for breast cancer have been affected. Dose-dense chemotherapy (DDC) which is performed with shorter dosing intervals than standard chemotherapy and is now widely used in clinical practice.

Successful rituximab treatment in a seronegative rheumatoid arthritis patient with concurrent cold agglutinin syndrome and immune thrombocytopenia.

Cold agglutinin disease, a subtype of cold-type autoimmune hemolytic anemia, is referred to as cold agglutinin syndrome (CAS) when it develops secondary to other conditions. Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by the peripheral destruction of platelets. While both CAS and ITP can occur in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), their concurrent manifestation in a single patient has not been reported, leaving the optimal treatment strategy for such a complex case unclear.

Solitary fibrous tumor of the central nervous system with epithelioid neuroendocrine "Transdedifferentiation": A case report and review of the literatures.

Solitary fibrous tumors (SFTs) of the central nervous system (CNS) are rare mesenchymal tumors characterized by a fusion of the NGFI-A-binding protein 2 (NAB2) gene and the signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (STAT6) gene, immunohistochemically resulting in nuclear expression of STAT6 - an immunohistochemical hallmark essential for diagnosis, as outlined in the fifth edition of the World Health Organization Classification of Tumors. Dedifferentiation, where low-grade tumors transform into high-grade forms, has been observed in SFTs, with documented cases involving sarcomatous or rarely epithelial transformations. We report the first case of a CNS SFT exhibiting "transdedifferentiation" into epithelioid neuroendocrine differentiation.

Efficacy and safety of switching therapy from chenodeoxycholic acid to cholic acid in Japanese patients with bile acid synthesis disorders.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of cholic acid (CA) treatment over 74 weeks in Japanese patients with inherited enzymatic bile acid synthesis disorders (BASD).

Methods: This phase 3, open-label, single-arm study enrolled four Japanese patients diagnosed with BASD, including two with 3β-hydroxy- -C-steroid dehydrogenase/isomerase (HSD3B7) deficiency and two with -3-oxosteroid 5β-reductase (SRD5B1) deficiency. The patients had received chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) treatment but were switched to CA treatment.

Interleukin-17A is a potential therapeutic target predicted by proteomics for systemic sclerosis patients at high risk of pulmonary arterial hypertension.

We explored effective therapeutic targets for systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients with high risk for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) by plasma proteomics analysis. A total of fifty-seven patients with SSc were enrolled in the study and the prevalence of PAH was 19.3%.

Fecal fatty acid-linked bile acid profiles in pediatric patients with ulcerative colitis.

Objective: Effect of gut dysbiosis on fatty acid (FA) linked 3β-hydroxy-bile acid esters (FA-isoBAs) formation is currently unknown. This study aimed to investigate the profile of FA-isoBAs in fecal samples from pediatric patients with ulcerative colitis (UC).

Methods: Fecal samples were collected from seven pediatric patients diagnosed with UC and seven age-matched healthy controls.

CD70 CAR T cells secreting an anti-CD33/anti-CD3 dual targeting antibody overcome antigen heterogeneity in AML.

CD70 has emerged as a promising target in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and we have previously demonstrated the potency of an optimized CD70-targeted ligand-based CAR. However, here, we identify in vivo CD70 antigen escape as a limitation of single antigen targeting. Combination targeting of CD70 and CD33 may overcome AML antigen heterogeneity.

Efficacy and safety of carmustine wafers, followed by radiation, temozolomide, and bevacizumab therapy, for newly diagnosed glioblastoma with maximal resection.

Background: To improve the outcome in newly diagnosed glioblastoma patients with maximal resection, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of implantation of carmustine wafers (CWs), radiation concomitant with temozolomide and bevacizumab, and maintenance chemotherapy with six cycles of temozolomide and bevacizumab.

Method: This prospective phase II study enrolled glioblastoma patients considered candidates for complete resection (> 90%) of a contrast-enhanced lesion. The CWs were intraoperatively implanted into the resection cavity after achieving maximal resection.

The Effectiveness of Heat-Killed K15 in Preventing Respiratory Tract Infections in Preterm Infants: A Pilot Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study.

Background: Preterm infants discharged from the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) have a risk of severe viral respiratory tract infections (RTIs). Researchers have recently reported the potential use of postbiotics to decrease RTIs in young children. However, the safety and efficacy of postbiotics for preventing RTIs in preterm infants is not yet established.

Effect of multi-strain bifidobacteria supplementation on intestinal microbiota development in low birth weight neonates: a randomized controlled trial.

Single-strain species are commonly used as probiotics with low birth weight neonates. However, the effectiveness and safety of multi-strain supplementation are not well known. Thirty-six neonates weighing less than 2,000 g (558-1,943 g) at birth and admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit were randomly assigned to receive a single strain or triple strains of with lactulose enterally for 4 weeks from birth.

The prebiotic effect of 1-kestose in low-birth-weight neonates taking bifidobacteria: a pilot randomized trial in comparison with lactulose.

Probiotics such as bifidobacteria have been given to low-birth-weight neonates (LBWNs) at risk for a disrupted gut microbiota leading to the development of serious diseases such necrotizing enterocolitis. Recently prebiotics such as lactulose are used together with bifidobacteria as synbiotics. However, faster and more powerful bifidobacteria growth is desired for better LBWN outcomes.

Anatomical Analysis of the Superior Gluteal Artery in 100 Women for Superior Gluteal Artery Perforator Flap Breast Reconstruction.

Background: The superior gluteal artery (SGA) perforator (SGAP) flap is used more rarely for breast reconstruction with autologous tissue than other flaps because the SGA is often narrow, and the SGAP can be short. However, it provides ample fat, including in lean women. To improve its safety and utility, the preoperative SGA course in women who underwent autologous breast reconstruction was determined with three-dimensional computed tomography angiography.

Contrast of muscle magnetic resonance imaging and pathological findings of muscle tissue in patients with anti-aminoacyl transfer RNA synthetase antibodies.

Objectives: To Determine Whether Magnetic Resonance Imaging (mri) Findings Reflect The Pathological Features Of Inflammatory Myopathies: Methods: Patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs) diagnosed using the 2017 EULAR/ACR classification criteria in our university between 2005 and 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. IIMs were subclassified into the anti-ARS syndrome (ASSD), immune-mediated necrotizing myositis (IMNM), Dermatomyositis DM and others. Fat-suppressed T2-weighted MRI and muscle biopsy specimens were assessed in IIMs followed by the comparison among the four subgroups.

The Impact of Dose Calibration Point Differences Between the Treatment Plan and Patient-specific Quality Assurance in Passive Scattering Proton Beam Therapy.

Background/aim: Passive scattering proton beam therapy (PSPT) is performed by taking actual measurements of all pre-designated fields in a treatment plan followed by appropriate adjustments to the prescribed dose. For this reason, it is necessary to ensure precision management of the measurements (patient-specific calibration) in the administration of a planned dose. Therefore, this study investigated the impact on dose distribution in treatment planning when the patient calibration point differs from the normalized point in a treatment plan.

Repeated Omicron exposures redirect SARS-CoV-2-specific memory B cell evolution toward the latest variants.

Immunological imprinting by ancestral SARS-CoV-2 strains is thought to impede the robust induction of Omicron-specific humoral responses by Omicron-based booster vaccines. Here, we analyzed the specificity and neutralization activity of memory B (B) cells after repeated BA.5 exposure in individuals previously imprinted by ancestral strain-based mRNA vaccines.

Comparison of liver fibrosis scores and fatty liver on computed tomography as risk factors for severity of COVID-19.

Background And Aim: Increased liver fibrosis scores (LFS), such as fibrosis-4 index (FIB-4) or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease fibrosis score (NFS), and fatty liver are known risk factors for severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The purpose of this study was to identify the best scores, which predict the prognosis of COVID-19.

Methods: Participants comprised consecutive Japanese COVID-19 patients admitted to our hospital between February 14, 2020, and April 14, 2021.

Robotic Lobectomy with a Single Robotic Stapler from One 12-mm Port: A Multi-institutional Study.

Introduction of the robotic stapler has allowed robotic lobectomy to be performed from a surgical console in complete autonomy. The robotic stapler fits a 12-mm port, which is larger than the standard 8-mm port and increases the risk of postoperative pain. However, in many cases, to cover all possible angles of approach, two 12-mm ports are preferably used.

Effectiveness and duration of additional immune defense provided by SARS-CoV-2 infection before and after receiving the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine BNT162b2.

Background: Our investigation focused whether infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) before or after receiving the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine can increase immune protection. And we also investigated relationship of infection acquired.

Methods: Three shots of the mRNA coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine BNT162b2 were administered to 736 healthcare workers at Tokyo Shinagawa Hospital.

Immunological assay using a solid-state pore with a low limit of detection.

Emerging infectious diseases, cancer, and other diseases are quickly tested mainly via immune reactions based on specific molecular recognition between antigens and antibodies. By changing the diameter of solid-state pores, biomolecules of various sizes can be rapidly detected at the single-molecule level. The combination of immunoreactions and solid-state pores paves the way for an efficient testing method with high specificity and sensitivity.