Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) to Assess Infection Complications During the Acute Phase of Acute Pancreatitis.

Background: Acute pancreatitis (AP) severity is correlated with systemic infection incidence in the acute phase, and it is important to assess inflammation during the disease course and to recognize infection at an early stage. As in sepsis, inflammation in AP impairs tissue oxygen metabolism and disrupts microcirculation. We performed a vascular occlusion test (VOT) via near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), which noninvasively monitors local oxygen in peripheral tissues, to evaluate tissue oxygen metabolism and blood circulation during the acute AP phase.

Nelarabine-combined chemotherapy improves outcome of T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia but shows more severe neurotoxicity: JALSG T-ALL213-O.

We investigated the effectiveness and safety of nelarabine (NEL)-combined chemotherapy for newly diagnosed adult T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) patients. We conducted a phase II trial, T-ALL213-O, where adult T-ALL patients aged 25 to 64 were treated by a regimen based on that used in our previous study, ALL202-O. The main modifications from ALL202-O to T-ALL213-O were as follows: (1) NEL-combined chemotherapy, instead of consolidation (C)1, was used for non-complete remission (CR) patients after induction therapy (IND)1 as IND2; (2) NEL treatments were inserted into C3 and C5 on day 29.

Assessment of Microcirculatory Dysfunction by Measuring Subcutaneous Tissue Oxygen Saturation Using Near-Infrared Spectroscopy in Patients with Circulatory Failure.

Background: Patients with circulatory failure have high mortality rates and require prompt assessment of microcirculation. Despite the improvement in hemodynamic parameters, microcirculatory dysfunction persists. We measured subcutaneous regional tissue oxygen saturation (rSO) with near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), which can assess microcirculation in patients with circulatory failure.

Thrombocytopenia With High C-reactive Protein in Myeloma Patients Treated With Proteasome Inhibitor and/or Immunomodulatory Drugs.

Background/aim: Background/Aim: Thrombocytopenia is a poor prognostic factor in patients with myeloma; however, the factors associated with thrombocytopenia have not been extensively discussed. This study aimed to investigate the clinical significance of thrombocytopenia, defined as 130×10/μl or less, in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) treated with proteasome inhibitors and/or immunomodulatory drugs.

Patients And Methods: This is a retrospective review of medical records of myeloma patients treated between 2000 and 2021.

Splenectomy prevents brain orexin, ghrelin, or oxytocin but not GLP-1-induced improvement of intestinal barrier function in rats.

Background: Accumulating evidence has suggested that neuropeptides such as orexin, ghrelin, or oxytocin act centrally in the brain to regulate intestinal barrier function through the vagus nerve. It has been reported that the vagal cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway was blocked by splenectomy. In the present study, we therefore examined the effect of splenectomy on neuropeptides-induced improvement of increased intestinal permeability.

Verification of Criterion-Related Validity for Developing a Markerless Hand Tracking Device.

Physicians, physical therapists, and occupational therapists have traditionally assessed hand motor function in hemiplegic patients but often struggle to evaluate complex hand movements. To address this issue, in 2019, we developed Fahrenheit, a device and algorithm that uses infrared camera image processing to estimate hand paralysis. However, due to Fahrenheit's dependency on specialized equipment, we conceived a simpler solution: developing a smartphone app that integrates MediaPipe.

Survival impact of response within the first year in a multicenter prospective observational study of chronic GVHD in a Japanese cohort.

A prospective multicenter observational study of organ response was conducted in patients with chronic GVHD diagnosed by the NIH criteria. When response was assessed at 12 months (12 M) in 118 patients, 74.6% were classified as responders and 25.

Neuroendoscopic cyst fenestration for delayed enlargement of perianeurysmal cyst formation through long-term follow-up after endovascular treatment: A case report and review of literature.

Background: Perianeurysmal cyst formation after endovascular treatment of cerebral aneurysms is a rare complication; however, the number of reports has gradually increased in recent years due to the development of several endovascular treatments.

Case Description: We present a case of delayed perianeurysmal cyst enlargement 8 years after endovascular treatment for multiple recurrences of a large cerebral aneurysm in the anterior communicating artery. The patient presented with obstructive hydrocephalus caused by an enlarged perianeurysmal cyst.

Safety of cannabidiol products as a social issue: A case series.

Background: Cannabidiol (CBD) products have increased in popularity in Japan in recent years, particularly among young people. Some CBD products contain tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main ingredient of cannabis, and its analogs, which are illegal in Japan and have become a social issue. This report discusses the safety of CBD products.

Unraveling factors responsible for pathogenic differences in Lassa virus strains.

Lassa virus (LASV) is the etiological agent of Lassa fever (LF), a severe hemorrhagic disease with potential for lethal outcomes. Apart from acute symptoms, LF survivors often endure long-term complications, notably hearing loss, which significantly impacts their quality of life and socioeconomic status in endemic regions of West Africa. Classified as a Risk Group 4 agent, LASV poses a substantial public health threat in affected areas.

A novel and simple method for measuring nano/microplastic concentrations in soil using UV-Vis spectroscopy with optimal wavelength selection.

A simple method for measuring the concentration of nano/microplastics (N/MPs) in soil, which is difficult owing to the size of the filter mesh and the resolution of the measuring instrument, was investigated. A spectrophotometer was used for the measurements and polystyrene particles were used as the N/MP samples. When measuring N/MP concentrations in soil suspensions, absorbance was measured at two wavelengths, and the best combination of wavelengths for measurement was extracted because soil particles and leached components interfere with N/MP absorbance.

Hepatocyte Intrinsic Innate Antiviral Immunity against Hepatitis Delta Virus Infection: The Voices of Bona Fide Human Hepatocytes.

The pathogenesis of viral infection is attributed to two folds: intrinsic cell death pathway activation due to the viral cytopathic effect, and immune-mediated extrinsic cellular injuries. The immune system, encompassing both innate and adaptive immunity, therefore acts as a double-edged sword in viral infection. Insufficient potency permits pathogens to establish lifelong persistent infection and its consequences, while excessive activation leads to organ damage beyond its mission to control viral pathogens.

Seroprevalence of Bas-Congo virus in Mangala, Democratic Republic of the Congo: a population-based cross-sectional study.

Background: Bas-Congo virus (BASV), an emerging tibrovirus, was associated with an outbreak of acute haemorrhagic fever in Mangala, Democratic Republic of the Congo, in 2009. In 2012, neutralising antibodies to BASV were detected in the lone survivor and one of his close contacts. However, subsequent serological and molecular surveys were unsuccessful as neither BASV antibodies nor its RNA were detected.

Administration of Intravenous Lipid Emulsion for Dextromethorphan Poisoning with Serotonin Syndrome: A Case Report.

Dextromethorphan (DXM) is used to treat colds and coughs; however, it can cause central nervous system symptoms, such as severe serotonin syndrome (SS). To our knowledge, there is no specific treatment for severe DXM poisoning, and there are no reports on the clinical use of intravenous lipid emulsion (ILE) for its treatment. Herein, we report a case of severe DXM poisoning with SS that was successfully treated with ILE.

Surgical outcomes of very-early-onset ulcerative colitis: retrospective comparative study with older pediatric patients.

Purpose: The study compares the surgical outcomes of very-early-onset ulcerative colitis (VEO-UC), which is a rare disease diagnosed in pediatric patients < 6 years, with those of older pediatric patients with ulcerative colitis (UC).

Methods: A retrospective observational study of 57 pediatric patients with UC was conducted at a single center. The study compared surgical complications and postoperative growth between the two groups.

Usefulness of the hybrid technique of interventional radiology and endoscopic treatment for intestinal bleeding after pancreaticoduodenectomy: a case report.

Introduction And Importance: In endovascular treatment of ruptured pseudoaneurysm after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) with gastrointestinal bleeding, treatment for vasospasm of the culprit vessel from haemorrhagic shock and subsequent reperfusion has not been determined before.

Case Presentation: The authors hereby present you with a case of a 59-year-old man with unknown operative method upon arrival at the Emergecy room and who had hematemesis and collapse 6 months post-PD surgery.

Clinical Discussion: An initial contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) revealed no obvious source of bleeding, so an upper gastrointestinal endoscope was performed.

Development of reverse genetics system for Guanarito virus: substitution of E1497K in the L protein of Guanarito virus S-26764 strain changes plaque phenotype and growth kinetics.

Guanarito virus (GTOV) is the causative agent of Venezuelan hemorrhagic fever. GTOV belongs to the genus , family and has been classified as a Category A bioterrorism agent by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Despite being a high-priority agent, vaccines and drugs against Venezuelan hemorrhagic fever are not available.

Proximity Estimation and Quantification of Ionizing Radiation-induced DNA Lesions in Aqueous Media using Fluorescence Spectroscopy.

Clustered DNA damage (cluster) or a multiply damaged site, which is a region with two or more lesions within one or two helical turns, has a high mutagenic potential and causes cell death. We quantified fluorophore-labeled lesions and estimated their proximity through fluorescence anisotropy measurements depending on Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) among the fluorophores close to each other. pUC19 plasmid DNA (2,686 base pairs) dissolved in water or 0.

Hyperactive Natural Killer cells in Rag2 knockout mice inhibit the development of acute myeloid leukemia.

Immunotherapy has attracted considerable attention as a therapeutic strategy for cancers including acute myeloid leukemia (AML). In this study, we found that the development of several aggressive subtypes of AML is slower in Rag2 mice despite the lack of B and T lymphocytes, even compared to the immunologically normal C57BL/6 mice. Furthermore, an orally active p53-activating drug shows stronger antileukemia effect on AML in Rag2 mice than C57BL/6 mice.

Contribution of post-transplantation therapy to sustained MRD negativity in multiple myeloma: a retrospective analysis.

Post-transplantation therapy is commonly performed in patients with myeloma and can prolong progression-free survival (PFS). However, whether post-transplantation therapy contributes to achieving and continuing MRD-negativity remains controversial. This retrospective analysis aimed to evaluate the clinical impact of post-transplantation therapy, including tandem autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT), in myeloma patients.