In vivo heat production dynamics during a contraction-relaxation cycle in rat single skeletal muscle fibers.

Skeletal muscle generates heat via contraction-dependent (shivering) and independent (nonshivering) mechanisms. While this thermogenic capacity of skeletal muscle undoubtedly contributes to the body temperature homeostasis of animals and impacts various cellular functions, the intracellular temperature and its dynamics in skeletal muscle in vivo remain elusive. We aimed to determine the intracellular temperature and its changes within skeletal muscle in vivo during contraction and following relaxation.

Successful endoscopic submucosal dissection of colorectal lipoma with an overlying adenoma.

We report the case of a 65-year-old woman whose colonoscopy revealed a soft submucosal tumor approximately 7 cm in diameter in the ascending colon with an overlying flat lesion. The tumor was diagnosed as a lipoma with an overlying adenoma. Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) was performed.

Antagonistic interactions between odorants alter human odor perception.

The olfactory system uses hundreds of odorant receptors (ORs), the largest group of the G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) superfamily, to detect a vast array of odorants. Each OR is activated by specific odorous ligands, and like other GPCRs, antagonism can block activation of ORs. Recent studies suggest that odorant antagonisms in mixtures influence olfactory neuron activities, but it is unclear how this affects perception of odor mixtures.

Study on the Psychological States of Olfactory Stimuli Using Electroencephalography and Heart Rate Variability.

In the modern information society, people are constantly exposed to stress due to complex work environments and various interpersonal relationships. Aromatherapy is attracting attention as one of the methods for relieving stress using aroma. A method to quantitatively evaluate such an effect is necessary to clarify the effect of aroma on the human psychological state.

Long-Term Analgesic Efficacy of Neurolytic Splanchnic Nerve Block via the Transintervertebral Disc Approach to Retrocrural Space: A Multicenter Retrospective Study.

Introduction: The celiac plexus block is effective for treating intractable cancer pain and has been the focus of many studies. At our affiliated institution, fluoroscopy-guided splanchnic nerve block with a single needle via the transintervertebral disc approach was the first choice of treatment. The short-term efficacy of this technique has been reported, but the long-term efficacy is not clear.

Efficacy and Safety of Neurolytic Splanchnic Nerve Block via Transintervertebral Disc Approach to Retrocrural Space: A Multicenter Retrospective Study.

Introduction: Celiac plexus block is effective for treating intractable cancer pain and has been the focus of many studies. Several guiding techniques such as fluoroscopy, computed tomography, and endoscopy have been devised, and the target of the block has varied in previous studies as both the celiac plexus and splanchnic nerve, which is the main origin of the celiac plexus, have been targeted. At our affiliated institution, fluoroscopy-guided splanchnic nerve block with a single needle via transintervertebral disc approach is the first choice.

Differences in gait kinetics and kinematics between patients with rotating hinge knee and cruciate-retaining prostheses: a cross-sectional study.

[Purpose] Rotating hinge knee prostheses are often used in primary total knee arthroplasty. However, the biomechanics resulting from this treatment remain unexplored. This cross-sectional study compared patient data on gait kinetics and kinematics to assess the efficacy of primary total knee arthroplasty using a rotating hinge knee or other prostheses.

Preparation and Enzyme Degradability of Spherical and Water-Absorbent Gels from Sodium Carboxymethyl Cellulose.

To synthesize a biodegradable alternative to spherical polyacrylic acid absorbent resin, spherical hydrogel particles were prepared from carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) dissolved in an aqueous solution, using ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether (EGDE) as a crosslinking agent. The effect of varying the initial CMC concentration and feed amount of EGDE on the shape, water absorbency, water-holding capacity, and enzyme degradability of the resultant CMC hydrogels was determined. The reaction solution was poured into fluid paraffin, and spherical hydrogel particles were obtained via the shear force from stirring.

Movement patterns of the functional reach test do not reflect physical function in healthy young and older participants.

The relationship of the Functional Reach Test (FRT) value with the Center of Pressure Excursion (COPE) and physical function remains unclear, and would be influenced by different population characteristics and movement patterns used in the FRT. Therefore, we explored the relationship between the FRT value and the COPE and physical function in healthy young and older individuals classified according to movement patterns. In 21 healthy young participants (42 sides) and 20 older participants (40 sides), three-dimensional motion analysis was performed during the FRT and physical function assessments.

[Long-Term Complete Response by Chemotherapy for Distant Lymph Node Metastases after Curative Surgery for Ascending Colon Cancer-A Case Report].

A 74-year-old woman underwent right hemicolectomy for ascending colon cancer in March 2013, after which she received adjuvant chemotherapy(UFT plus UZEL)for 6 months. In October 2014, left supraclavicular lymphadenopathy appeared, and it was diagnosed as adenocarcinoma metastasis through fine-needle aspiration cytology. CT revealed swelling of left supraclavicular lymph nodes and para-aortic lymph nodes but no metastases to other organs.

Direct oral anticoagulants increase bleeding risk after endoscopic sphincterotomy: a retrospective study.

Background: Bleeding can be a serious adverse event of endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST). However, the risk of EST bleeding between direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) users and those who received no antithrombotic agents has not been clarified. This study analyzed the risk factors for bleeding after EST in patients on DOAC and evaluated the Japan Gastroenterological Endoscopy Society (JGES) guidelines for gastroenterological endoscopy in patients undergoing antithrombotic treatment.

Prevalence of neuropathic pain in terminally ill patients with cancer admitted to a general ward: a prospective observational study.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of neuropathic pain among terminally ill patients with cancer admitted to a general ward, using the International Association for the Study of Pain algorithm.

Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted at a tertiary care center. We enrolled terminally ill patients with cancer admitted to the general ward between September 2018 and September 2019.

[A Case of Immediately-Treated Internal Hernia Occurring during Chemotherapy for Liver Metastasis after Gastric GIST Resection].

A 71-year-old man underwent total gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y reconstruction for gastric GIST in October 2017. Liver metastasis was identified in June 2019, and chemotherapy with imatinib was started in July. In December, the patient presented with acute upper abdominal pain and back pain.

[Remarkable Recovery of Chronic Symptoms in an Adult with Middle Fossa Convexity Arachnoid Cyst after Cystoventriculostomy:A Case Report].

Intracranial arachnoid cysts(ACs)are thought to develop during infancy and remain clinically asymptomatic in most cases. AC is often diagnosed incidentally during imaging studies. The prognosis for the recovery of newly developed symptoms is usually favorable.

A Targeted Biopsy during Menstruation for the Definitive Diagnosis of Rectovaginal Endometriosis: A Report of Two Cases.

We herein report the definitive diagnosis of rectovaginal endometriosis in two cases. Case 1 involved a 46-year-old woman with abdominal pain and hematochezia. The diagnosis after the first and second examinations using lower gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy was unclear.

Secondary Minimal Change Disease Due to Pancreatic Cancer Improved by Chemotherapy.

We herein describe an 82-year-old patient who presented with proteinuria and systemic edema. He was diagnosed with minimal change disease (MCD) and was found to have stage III pancreatic cancer. He could not undergo surgical resection due to invasion to the celiac artery and he was thus treated with chemotherapy.

Substitution of Thr572 to Ala in mouse c-Myb attenuates progression of early erythroid differentiation.

The expression level of transcription factor c-Myb oscillates during hematopoiesis. Fbw7 promotes ubiquitin-mediated degradation of c-Myb, which is dependent on phosphorylation of Thr572. To investigate the physiological relevance of Fbw7-mediated c-Myb degradation, we generated mutant mice carrying c-Myb-T572A (TA).

Transient Global Amnesia: A Diffusion and Perfusion MRI study.

Background And Purpose: Transient global amnesia (TGA) is a rare clinical entity with a sudden onset of anterograde amnesia that recovers within 24 hours. The underlying pathophysiology is uncertain. Imaging studies are controversial, but diffusion-weighted images often show small diffusion-restricted lesions in the hippocampus, which may suggest ischemic damage.

Pancreatic pseudocyst-portal vein fistula: a case treated with EUS-guided cyst-drainage and a review of the literature.

Pancreatic pseudocyst and portal vein thrombosis are common conditions resulting from acute and chronic pancreatitis. However, pancreatic pseudocyst-portal vein fistula (PPVF) is a rare and life-threatening complication. In PPVF patients, drainage or operative therapy is necessary under certain conditions, including communication between the pseudocyst and pancreatic duct, pancreatic duct stricture, pancreatic duct stone, and infection that is difficult to control with antibiotics.

Endoscopic ultrasonography-guided drainage for spontaneous rupture of a pancreatic pseudocyst into the peritoneal cavity in a patient with autoimmune pancreatitis.

A 75-year-old man was referred to our hospital due to a huge pancreatic cyst. Computed tomography revealed a monocular cyst 15 cm in size without a solid mass lesion nearby. He was diagnosed with pancreatic pseudocyst.

Ischemic pancreatitis with infected walled-off necrosis with a colonic fistula after cardiopulmonary bypass successfully treated by endoscopic ultrasound-guided drainage.

A 72-year-old man who had been on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis treatment for 10 years underwent cardiopulmonary bypass for aortic valve replacement due to aortic valve stenosis. After surgery, he experienced pancreatitis, and rupture of a splenic artery aneurysm. He went into cardiopulmonary arrest but was successfully treated by transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) with cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Augmentation of the therapeutic efficacy of WEE1 kinase inhibitor AZD1775 by inhibiting the YAP-E2F1-DNA damage response pathway axis.

The main reasons for failure of cancer chemotherapy are intrinsic and acquired drug resistance. The Hippo pathway effector Yes-associated protein (YAP) is associated with resistance to both cytotoxic and molecular targeted drugs. Several lines of evidence indicate that YAP activates transcriptional programmes to promote cell cycle progression and DNA damage responses.