Video stimuli suitable for stress estimation based on biosignals.

Stress can cause mental disorders such as depression and anxiety disorders. To detect such mental disorders at an early stage, it is necessary to detect stress accurately. One of the effective methods for this purpose is observing changes in biological signals caused by sensory stimuli such as video presentation.

Effectiveness of a targeted primary preventive intervention in a high-risk group identified using an efficiency score from data envelopment analysis: a randomised controlled trial of local residents in Japan.

Objective: To determine whether a minimal intervention based on the data envelopment analysis (DEA)-identified efficiency score effectively prevents hypertension.

Design: Randomised controlled trial.

Setting: Takahata town (Yamagata, Japan).

First step toward complex observations by 4D-STEM with phase plate.

Quantitative measurements by electron microscopy are becoming increasingly important because we are often concerned with establishing quantitative relationships between the properties and structures of materials. This paper presents a method to derive the scattering and phase contrast components from scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM) images using a phase plate and two-dimensional electron detector and to quantitatively evaluate the amount of phase modulation. The phase-contrast transfer function (PCTF) modifies the phase contrast because it is not unity over all spatial frequency regions; therefore, the amount of phase modulation observed in the image becomes smaller than the actual value.

Impact of linked color imaging and blue laser imaging on the diagnosis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in iodine unstained areas.

The pink color sign in iodine unstained areas is useful to differentiate esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) from other lesions. However, some ESCCs have obscure color findings which affect the ability of endoscopists to differentiate these lesions and determine the resection line. Using white light imaging (WLI), linked color imaging (LCI) and blue laser imaging (BLI), 40 early ESCCs were retrospectively evaluated using images before and after iodine staining.

23,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D₃ is liberated as a major vitamin D₃ metabolite in human urine after treatment with β-glucuronidase: Quantitative comparison with 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃ by LC/MS/MS.

The complete understanding of the excretion of surplus 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃ [25(OH)D₃] in humans remains to be accomplished. In our previous study, 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃ [24,25(OH)₂D₃] 24-glucuronide was identified as a major urinary vitamin D₃ metabolite, while the glucuronide of 23,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃ [23,25(OH)₂D₃] is another metabolite of interest but has not been sufficiently evaluated. Although the quantitative analysis of 24,25(OH)₂D₃ liberated in urine by the treatment with β-glucuronidase (GUS) has been conducted, no information was provided about the amount of the glucuronidated 23,25(OH)₂D₃ in the urine.

Controlled lipid β-oxidation and carnitine biosynthesis by a vitamin D metabolite.

Lactone-vitamin D3 is a major metabolite of vitamin D3, a lipophilic vitamin biosynthesized in numerous life forms by sunlight exposure. Although lactone-vitamin D3 was discovered 40 years ago, its biological role remains largely unknown. Chemical biological analysis of its photoaffinity probe identified the hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase trifunctional multienzyme complex subunit alpha (HADHA), a mitochondrial enzyme that catalyzes β-oxidation of long-chain fatty acids, as its selective binding protein.

Retinoic acid stimulates transcription of the rat SHARP-2 gene via multiple pathways.

Members of the enhancer of split- and hairy-related protein (SHARP) family, SHARP-1 and SHARP-2, are basic helix-loop-helix transcriptional repressors and belong to the clock genes. In this study, an effect of retinoic acid (RA) on the SHARP family gene expression in the differentiated cells was examined. RA rapidly and temporarily induced the SHARP-2 mRNA expression in hepatic H4IIE cells.

Impact of the multidisciplinary antimicrobial stewardship team intervention focusing on carbapenem de-escalation: A single-centre and interrupted time series analysis.

Background: As a result of the constant increase in carbapenem resistance amongst gram-negative bacteria in several countries, the inappropriate use of carbapenems must be reduced. Antimicrobial stewardship programmes (ASPs) aim to improve carbapenem usage by implementing interventions, including the promotion of the de-escalation (DE) strategy. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the impact of this strategy on carbapenem use based on a clear definition of DE.

3-Epi-25-hydroxyvitamin D is a poor substrate for SULT2A1: Analysis of its 3-sulfate in cord plasma and recombinant human SULT2A1 incubate.

A variety of metabolites derived from 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], including its 3-epimer [Epi-25(OH)D] and 3-O-sulfate [25(OH)D-3S], is found in human plasma/serum. We hypothesized that the 3-O-sulfate of Epi-25(OH)D [Epi-25(OH)D-3S] might be present in plasma/serum. Clarifying this point could improve our understanding of the metabolism of vitamin D.

Identification of conjugation positions of urinary glucuronidated vitamin D metabolites by LC/ESI-MS/MS after conversion to MS/MS-fragmentable derivatives.

A liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry-based method was developed for the identification of the conjugation positions of the monoglucuronides of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D ] and 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [24,25(OH) D ] in human urine. The method employed derivatization with 4-(4-dimethylaminophenyl)-1,2,4-triazoline-3,5-dione to convert the glucuronides into fragmentable derivatives, which provided useful product ions for identifying the conjugation positions during the MS/MS. The derivatization also enhanced the assay sensitivity and specificity for urine sample analysis.

Disappearance of a thrombotic microangiopathy-like glomerular lesion in a patient with a placental site trophoblastic tumor after hysterectomy.

A 32-year-old woman presented with amenorrhea after a normal childbirth and subsequently developed nephrotic syndrome. Renal biopsy showed a thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA)-like glomerular lesion with deposits of immunoglobulins, complements, and fibrinogen. Increased serum levels of the beta subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin, abnormal uterine findings from imaging studies, and endometrial biopsy findings suggested gestational trophoblastic disease.

Anti-neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-associated Vasculitis Complicated by Periaortitis and Cranial Hypertrophic Pachymeningitis: A Report of an Autopsy Case.

Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis (AAV) is a systemic inflammatory disorder categorized as small-vessel vasculitis. We herein report an elderly Japanese man with AAV (granulomatosis with polyangiitis affecting the eyes, nose, lungs, and kidneys) who also showed periaortitis at the diagnosis and developed cranial hypertrophic pachymeningitis (HP) during steroid maintenance therapy. His consciousness disturbance caused by HP improved after steroid pulse therapy, but he died of aspiration pneumonia.

Clinicopathological and long-term prognostic features of membranous nephropathy with crescents: a Japanese single-center experience.

Background: Three recent studies from the United States and China reported the clinicopathological features and short-term prognosis in patients with membranous nephropathy (MN) and crescents in the absence of secondary MN, anti-glomerular basement membrane (GBM) antibodies, and anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA).

Methods: We compared clinicopathological and prognostic features in 16 MN patients with crescents (crescent group) and 38 MN patients without crescents (control group), in the absence of secondary MN, anti-GBM antibodies, and ANCA. Median follow-up periods in the crescent and control groups were 79 and 50 months, respectively.

Two Cases of Thrombocytopenia, Anasarca, Fever, Reticulin Fibrosis/Renal Failure, and Organomegaly (TAFRO) Syndrome with High Serum Procalcitonin Levels, Including the First Case Complicated with Adrenal Hemorrhaging.

Thrombocytopenia, Anasarca, Fever, Reticulin fibrosis/Renal failure, and Organomegaly (TAFRO) syndrome is a recently described systemic inflammatory disorder characterized by thrombocytopenia, anasarca, fever, reticulin fibrosis/renal failure, and organomegaly. It has an acute or subacute onset of unknown etiology, although some pathological features resemble those of multicentric Castleman disease. We here report two cases of TAFRO syndrome.

Effects of Denosumab on Bone Metabolic Markers and Bone Mineral Density in Patients Treated with Glucocorticoids.

Objective We performed a prospective study to determine the efficacy and safety of denosumab on bone metabolic indices and bone mineral density (BMD) in 29 patients receiving long-term glucocorticoids (GCs) who had clinical risk factors for fracture. Methods Among these patients, 16 had systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), 6 RA, 4 other autoimmune diseases, and 3 renal diseases. All patients received donosumab 60 mg at baseline and 6 months.

Unenhanced areas revealed by contrast-enhanced abdominal ultrasonography with Sonazoid™ potentially correspond to colorectal cancer.

The present study investigated the potential utility of contrast-enhanced abdominal ultrasonography (CEUS), using Sonazoid™, in colorectal cancer (CRC). Three patients were subjected to CEUS with Sonazoid™. Surgical specimens were immunostained for CD31.

Different Expression Patterns of Toll-Like Receptor mRNAs in Blood Mononuclear Cells of IgA Nephropathy and IgA Vasculitis with Nephritis.

Mucosal immunity may play a key role in IgA nephropathy (IgAN) and IgA vasculitis with nephritis (IgAVN). IgAVN is characterized by the presence of non-thrombocytopenic palpable purpura, associated with glomerulonephritis with IgA-dominant immune deposits. Recent studies have shown the up-regulation of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) in patients with IgAN or IgAVN.

Long-term prognosis of AL and AA renal amyloidosis: a Japanese single-center experience.

Background: Few studies have been conducted on the long-term prognosis of patients with amyloid light chain (AL) and amyloid A (AA) renal amyloidosis in the same cohort.

Methods: We retrospectively examined 68 patients with biopsy-proven renal amyloidosis (38 AL and 30 AA). Clinicopathological findings at the diagnosis and follow-up data were evaluated in each patient.

Effects of CYP3A5 polymorphism and the tacrolimus 12 h concentration on tacrolimus-induced acute renal dysfunction in patients with lupus nephritis.

1. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of tacrolimus concentration in blood 12 h after administration (C12h) on acute renal dysfunction in patients with lupus nephritis (LN) taking tacrolimus once daily. 2.

Effect of CYP3A5 and ABCB1 polymorphisms on the interaction between tacrolimus and itraconazole in patients with connective tissue disease.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of itraconazole (ITCZ), a potent inhibitor of CYP3A4 and P-glycoprotein, on the blood concentration 12 h after tacrolimus administration (C 12h) in relation to CYP3A5 6986A>G and ABCB1 3435C>T genotype status in patients with connective tissue disease (CTD).

Methods: Eighty-one CTD patients taking tacrolimus (Prograf®) once daily at night (2100 hours) were enrolled in this study. Whole blood samples were collected 12 h after tacrolimus administration at steady state.

Structure-based virtual screening and discovery of New PPARδ/γ dual agonist and PPARδ and γ agonists.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are involved in the control of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism and are considered important targets to treat diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome. The available PPAR ligands have several side effects leading to health risks justifying the search for new bioactive ligands to activate the PPAR subtypes, in special PPARδ, the less studied PPAR isoform. Here, we used a structure-based virtual screening protocol in order to find out new PPAR ligands.

Relapsing polychondritis with encephalitis: a case report and literature review.

We herein report the case of a 39-year-old man who developed bilateral auricular chondritis, conjunctivitis, and central neurological symptoms. He was diagnosed with encephalitis associated with relapsing polychondritis (RP) based on the findings of an ear cartilage biopsy, cerebrospinal fluid examination and magnetic resonance imaging. Although oral prednisolone (60 mg/day) was administered, the initial steroid therapy did not improve his symptoms.

Validation of the Japanese histologic classification 2013 of immunoglobulin A nephropathy for prediction of long-term prognosis in a Japanese single-center cohort.

Background: A new Japanese histologic classification (JHC) of immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) for prediction of long-term prognosis was proposed in 2013. The goal of this study was to validate the JHC system in a Japanese single-center cohort.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted in 198 Japanese adult patients with IgAN.