Complete genome sequence of hydroquinonesulfonate-assimilating bacterium, HQS1.

We report the complete genome assembly of a hydroquinonesulfonate-assimilating bacterium, strain HQS1. This strain contains one circular chromosome (6,979,964 bp) and one circular plasmid (39,999 bp). The chromosomal sequence contained 6,359 coding sequences and a gene cluster involved in the degradation of gentisate, which is structurally similar to hydroquinonesulfonate.

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of the gallbladder with hepatoduodenal invasion exhibiting a necrotic tendency.

We report a case of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) of the gallbladder with extensive hepatoduodenal invasion, which was challenging to diagnose histologically due to a strong tendency to be necrotic. An 71 year-old man presented with upper abdominal pain and was referred to our hospital. Computed tomography revealed a distended gallbladder with air within the irregular gallbladder wall and an indistinct border with the hepatoduodenum, suggesting invasion.

Proximal superficial femoral artery puncture using an ascending approach for stent re-occlusion in the common femoral artery.

Unlabelled: We aimed to describe a technique for approaching the common femoral artery (CFA) in cases where doing so is difficult owing to an occluded lesion caused by a previously implanted stent. A 72-year-old woman had severe stenotic lesions in both iliac arteries that required an approach via the bilateral femoral arteries. The right CFA had a previously implanted stent and a completely occluded lesion that extended from the superficial femoral artery (SFA).

[Descending Necrotizing Mediastinitis with Subclavian Vein Injury due to Cervical Re-debridement: Report of a Case].

A 58-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with fever and neck swelling after dental treatment. He was diagnosed with a cervical abscess and underwent cervical abscess drainage, but 1 week later he developed descending necrotizing mediastinitis and was referred to our department. He underwent mediastinal and pleural drainage, but neck abscess was recured, Re-debridment of the neck abscess resulted in bleeding from right subclavian vein.

Pseudoaneurysm of mitral-aortic intervalvular fibrosa with rupture: a case report.

Background: Mitral-aortic intervalvular fibrosa (MAIVF) is a fibrous region connecting the anterior mitral leaflet (AML) and aortic valve. Pseudoaneurysm of the MAIVF is a rare condition that has been reported as a sequela of infective endocarditis (IE) and surgical trauma. Here, we report a case of a ruptured pseudoaneurysm of the MAIVF, along with some literature reviews.

Advanced technical tips and recent insights in ERCP using balloon-assisted endoscopy.

Pancreatobiliary endoscopic interventions using balloon-assisted endoscopes have been widely acknowledged as the first-line therapy for pancreatobiliary diseases in postoperative patients with reconstructed gastrointestinal anatomy (excluding the Billroth I procedure). However, there are many technical difficulties, and the procedural completion rates vary in a wide range among institutions, indicating the procedural technique is yet to be standardized. This article aims to provide technical tips of procedures and insights into the advanced aspects, including the management of extremely difficult cases and troubleshooting of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography using balloon endoscopy, along with a review of recent advancements in this field.

Perforation-free removal of gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumors: Endoscopic inversion and strangulation of muscle layer and resection (EISMR).

Endoscopic resection for GIST has become more widespread in recent years because it is less invasive than surgery. However, when endoscopic resection is performed, a full-layer resection of the gastric wall is often necessary, and extensive suturing is required if perforation occurs, which is a technically challenging procedure. Recently, we reported a new method called endoscopic inversion and strangulation of the muscle layer and resection (EISMR), which consists of endoscopically inverting the muscle layer into the gastric lumen and strangulating the muscle layer with a detachable snare, followed by resection.

Cyclical dermal micro-niche switching governs the morphological infradian rhythm of mouse zigzag hair.

Biological rhythms are involved in almost all types of biological processes, not only physiological processes but also morphogenesis. Currently, how periodic morphological patterns of tissues/organs in multicellular organisms form is not fully understood. Here, using mouse zigzag hair, which has 3 bends, we found that a change in the combination of hair progenitors and their micro-niche and subsequent bend formation occur every three days.

Novel Concepts for Graphene-Based Nanomaterials Synthesis for Phenol Removal from Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME).

In recent years, the global population has increased significantly, resulting in elevated levels of pollution in waterways. Organic pollutants are a major source of water pollution in various parts of the world, with phenolic compounds being the most common hazardous pollutant. These compounds are released from industrial effluents, such as palm oil milling effluent (POME), and cause several environmental issues.

Dedifferentiation maintains melanocyte stem cells in a dynamic niche.

For unknow reasons, the melanocyte stem cell (McSC) system fails earlier than other adult stem cell populations, which leads to hair greying in most humans and mice. Current dogma states that McSCs are reserved in an undifferentiated state in the hair follicle niche, physically segregated from differentiated progeny that migrate away following cues of regenerative stimuli. Here we show that most McSCs toggle between transit-amplifying and stem cell states for both self-renewal and generation of mature progeny, a mechanism fundamentally distinct from those of other self-renewing systems.

X-ray crystallographic and mutational analysis of the NylC precursor: catalytic mechanism of autocleavage and substrate hydrolysis of nylon hydrolase.

Nylon hydrolase (NylC), a member of the N-terminal nucleophile (Ntn) hydrolase superfamily, is responsible for the degradation of various aliphatic nylons, including nylon-6 and nylon-66. NylC is initially expressed as an inactive precursor (36 kDa), but the precursor is autocatalytically cleaved at Asn266/Thr267 to generate an active enzyme composed of 27 and 9 kDa subunits. We isolated various mutants with amino acid changes at the catalytic centre.

Recent volcanic activity at the Asama volcano and long-period seismic signals.

Modern observation systems composed of seismic, geodetic, other geophysical, and geochemical networks developed in and around volcanic areas provide a mass of knowledge about volcanic activities. This paper summarizes the magma pathway and recent volcanic activity of the Asama volcano. The seismic velocity structure beneath the Asama volcano was investigated via seismic ambient noise tomography and active source seismic tomography.

Viral Infection in Esophageal, Gastric, and Colorectal Cancer.

The human gastrointestinal tract, which constitutes the digestive system, contains a large number of virus particles that maintain organizational homeostasis and health. Conversely, viral pathogens have also attracted attention for their involvement in the pathogenesis of certain cancers, including gastrointestinal cancers. To aid prevention and treatment of these cancers, the relevance of gastrointestinal viral factors as potential risk factors needs to be carefully investigated.

Gel Immersion Endoscopic Mucosal Resection (EMR) for Superficial Nonampullary Duodenal Epithelial Tumors May Reduce Procedure Time Compared with Underwater EMR (with Video).

Materials And Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study conducted in two municipal hospitals. We identified 24 patients with SNADETs of 3-18 mm in diameter who underwent UEMR or GIEMR. One lesion was excluded from the analysis because it was found to be in the stomach after surgery.

[Pulmonary Carcinosarcoma of Right Middle Lobe Extending to the Left Main Bronchus].

A 72-year-old man with a lung tumor admitted to our hospital for surgical treatment. Computed tomography (CT) revealed a mass in the right middle lobe extending to the truncus intermedius and the left main bronchus. The enucleation of the tumor in the left main bronchus was performed with a bronchoscope followed by right middle and lower lobectomy.

Repeated Stimulation of Toll-Like Receptor 2 and Dectin-1 Induces Chronic Pancreatitis in Mice Through the Participation of Acquired Immunity.

Background: Stimulation of Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) induces autoimmune-mediated pancreatitis in susceptible mice, whereas stimulation of TLR4 causes nonautoimmune-mediated pancreatitis. However, the effects of TLR2 stimulation on the pancreas are unknown.

Aims: We investigated the role of TLR2 stimulation on pancreatic damage by repeatedly stimulating mice with TLR2 ligands.

A giant Brunner gland hamartoma successfully treated by endoscopic excision followed by transanal retrieval: A case report.

Rationale: Brunner gland hamartoma (BGH) is a rare tumor of the duodenum. Although BGH is a benign tumor, larger lesion with gastrointestinal symptoms requires tumor removal. We report a giant BGH, successfully treated by endoscopic excision followed by transanal retrieval.

Mechanical homeostasis of liver sinusoid is involved in the initiation and termination of liver regeneration.

Organogenesis and regeneration are fundamental for developmental progress and are associated with morphogenesis, size control and functional properties for whole-body homeostasis. The liver plays an essential role in maintaining homeostasis of the entire body through various functions, including metabolic functions, detoxification, and production of bile, via the three-dimensional spatial arrangement of hepatic lobules and has high regenerative capacity. The regeneration occurs as hypertrophy, which strictly controls the size and lobule structure.

Structural and functional characterization of nylon hydrolases.

Biodegradation of synthetic polymers is recognized as a useful way to reduce their environmental load and pollution, loss of natural resources, extensive energy consumption, and generation of greenhouse gases. The potential use of enzymes responsible for the degradation of the targeted polymers is an effective approach which enables the conversion of the used polymers to original monomers and/or other useful compounds. In addition, the enzymes are expected to be applicable in industrial processes such as improving the surface structures of the polymers.

Expansion and characterization of epithelial stem cells with potential for cyclical hair regeneration.

In mammals, organ induction occurs only during embryonic development except for hair follicles (HFs). However, HF-resident epithelial stem cells (HFSCs), which are responsible for repetitive HF regeneration, are not fully characterized. Here, we establish in vitro culture systems that are capable of controlling the ability of HFSCs to regenerate HFs.

Tissue-scale tensional homeostasis in skin regulates structure and physiological function.

Tensional homeostasis is crucial for organ and tissue development, including the establishment of morphological and functional properties. Skin plays essential roles in waterproofing, cushioning and protecting deeper tissues by forming internal tension-distribution patterns, which involves aligning various cells, appendages and extracellular matrices (ECMs). The balance of traction force is thought to contribute to the formation of strong and pliable physical structures that maintain their integrity and flexibility.