Association between overweight and central interleukin-6 in a nonclinical adult population.

Aim: Overweight is associated with low-grade systemic inflammation. However, its effect on neuroinflammation remains unclear. We examined the possible association between overweight and neuroinflammation using cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in a nonclinical adult population in Japan.

Fentanyl-Type Antagonist of the μ-Opioid Receptor: Important Role of Axial Chirality in the Active Conformation.

In recent years, synthetic opioids have emerged as a predominant cause of drug-overdose-related fatalities, causing the "opioid crisis." To design safer therapeutic agents, we accidentally discovered μ-opioid receptor (MOR) antagonists based on fentanyl with a relatively uncomplicated chemical composition that potentiates structural modifications. Here, we showed the development of novel atropisomeric fentanyl analogues that exhibit more potent antagonistic activity against MOR than naloxone, a morphinan MOR antagonist.

The impact of concomitant Sjögren's disease on rheumatoid arthritis disease activity: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objectives: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and Sjögren's syndrome (SS) frequently co-exist but the consequence for RA disease activity of having concomitant SS (RA/SS) is not well established. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the impact of SS on disease outcomes in individuals with RA.

Methods: We searched Web of Science (Core Collection, FSTA, Medline), PubMed and Cochrane databases, without language restriction.

Recurrence rate after posterior percutaneous screw fixation without anterior debridement for pyogenic spondylitis compared with conservative treatment: a propensity score-matched analysis.

Purpose: Previous studies have shown that percutaneous pedicle screw (PPS) posterior fixation without anterior debridement for pyogenic spondylitis can improve patient quality of life compared with conservative treatment. However, data on the risk of recurrence after PPS posterior fixation compared with conservative treatment is lacking. The aim of this study was to compare the recurrence rate of pyogenic spondylitis after PPS posterior fixation without anterior debridement and conservative treatment.

Risk Factors for Mortality From Aortic Aneurysm and Dissection: Results From a 26-Year Follow-Up of a Community-Based Population.

Background Aortic aneurysm rupture and acute aortic dissection are life-threatening conditions and represent an ever-growing public health challenge. Comprehensive epidemiologic investigations for their risk factors are scant. We aimed to investigate risk factors associated with mortality from aortic diseases through analysis of a community-based Japanese cohort.

Acute non-traumatic spinal subarachnoid hematomas: A report of five cases and a systematic review of literature.

Background: There is a lack of evidence on spinal subarachnoid hematomas because of the rarity of their spontaneous development and difficulty in diagnosis. The aim of this study was to identify the characteristics and outcomes of surgically confirmed acute non-traumatic spinal subarachnoid hematomas from a multicenter surgical database and conduct a systematic review of existing literature.

Methods: Five surgically confirmed cases of acute non-traumatic spinal subarachnoid hematomas were identified from our multicenter database with 22 cases from a systematic review of existing literature.

Neurological severity evaluation using magnetic resonance imaging in acute spontaneous spinal epidural haematomas.

Purpose: This study aimed to elucidate the severity of neurological deficits in a large series of patients with acute spontaneous spinal epidural haematoma (SSEH) using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Methods: We included 57 patients treated for acute SSEH at 11 institutions and retrospectively analysed their demographic and MRI data upon admission. We investigated MRI findings, such as the haematoma length and canal occupation ratio (COR).

Estimation of Minimum Biofilm Eradication Concentration (MBEC) on Biofilm on Orthopedic Implants in a Rodent Femoral Infection Model.

The formation of a biofilm on the implant surface is a major cause of intractable implant-associated infection. To investigate the antibiotic concentration needed to eradicate the bacteria inside a biofilm, the minimum biofilm eradication concentration (MBEC) has been used, mostly against biofilms on plastic surfaces. To produce a more clinically relevant environment, an MBEC assay against biofilms on stainless-steel implants formed in a rat femoral infection model was developed.

Diabetes Mellitus Modifies the Association of Serum Triglycerides with Ischemic Cardiovascular Disease Mortality: The Ibaraki Prefectural Health Study (IPHS).

Aim: Diabetes mellitus and hypertriglyceridemia may adversely interact with the development of ischemic cardiovascular disease, but epidemiological evidence on this issue is scarce. We hypothesized that the impact of hypertriglyceridemia on ischemic cardiovascular disease (ischemic heart disease and ischemic stroke) would differ according to the presence or absence of diabetes mellitus and tested our a priori hypothesis under a large population-based prospective study.

Methods: A total of 90,468 men and women aged 40-79 years in 1993 were enrolled in the Ibaraki Prefectural Health Study (IPHS), a community-based cohort study of Japanese.

Right bundle branch block and risk of cardiovascular mortality: the Ibaraki Prefectural Health Study.

Historically, a right bundle branch block has been considered a benign finding in asymptomatic individuals. However, this conclusion is based on a few old studies with small sample sizes. We examined the association between a complete right bundle branch block (CRBBB) and subsequent cardiovascular mortality in the general population in Japan.

A unique salvage operation strategy: implantation of the ulnar total elbow component to the radius to overcome large ulnar bone defect caused by infection after total elbow arthroplasty.

The elbow joints of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are often destroyed, and total elbow arthroplasty (TEA) is one treatment for these patients. However, patients with RA tend to develop surgical site infections due to immunosuppression. Once an implant is infected, reoperation may be difficult because of the risk of reinfection.

The limitations of mono- and combination antibiotic therapies on immature biofilms in a murine model of implant-associated osteomyelitis.

Treatment of implant-associated orthopedic infections remains challenging, partly because antimicrobial treatment is ineffective after a mature biofilm covers the implant surface. Currently, the relative efficacy of systemic mono- and combination standard-of-care (SOC) antibiotic therapies over the course of mature biofilm formation is unknown. Thus, we assessed the effects of cefazoline (CEZ), gentamicin (GM), and vancomycin, with or without rifampin (RFP), on Staphylococcus aureus biofilm formation during the establishment of implant-associated osteomyelitis in a murine tibia model.

Oral steroid decreases the progression of joint destruction of large joints in the lower extremities in rheumatoid arthritis.

To identify the risk factors for destruction of large joints in the lower extremities in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) during a 4-year follow-up period in a prospective study.We enrolled consecutive patients who participated in both 2012 and 2016. Clinical data, disease activity, and types of medication were collected in 2012.

Biofilm Producing Staphylococcus epidermidis (RP62A Strain) Inhibits Osseous Integration Without Osteolysis and Histopathology in a Murine Septic Implant Model.

Despite its presence in orthopaedic infections, Staphylococcus epidermidis's ability to directly induce inflammation and bone destruction is unknown. Thus, we compared a clinical strain of methicillin-resistant biofilm-producing S. epidermidis (RP62A) to a highly virulent and osteolytic strain of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (USA300) in an established murine implant-associated osteomyelitis model.

Feasibility of patient-oriented ultrasound joint selection: Cross-sectional observational study on rheumatoid arthritis.

Ultrasonography (US) is a useful tool for evaluating the activity of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. As the systemic evaluation of many joints is time-consuming, a method to evaluate this activity with a smaller number of joints is needed. The aim of this study was to clarify whether the number of joints assessed may be reduced using patient-oriented joint selection.

Soluble Lectin-like Oxidized Low-Density Lipoprotein Receptor 1 Predicts the Changes of Rheumatoid Factor Titers in Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Objective: The aim of this longitudinal study was to examine the clinical significance of soluble lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor 1 (sLOX-1) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Methods: We gathered demographic and clinical data for a large rheumatoid arthritis cohort at 3 time points. Blood samples were collected at each time point; the number of samples was 282 cases in 2012, 431 cases in 2013, and 500 cases in 2014.

Distinct biomarkers for different bones in osteoporosis with rheumatoid arthritis.

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is known to cause secondary osteoporosis and fragility fractures. This study aimed to identify biomarkers predictive of bone mineral density (BMD) change at three anatomical sites in patients with RA.

Methods: We conducted a prospective longitudinal study in patients with RA.

Interleukin-13 receptor α2 is a novel marker and potential therapeutic target for human melanoma.

Malignant melanoma is one of the untreatable cancers in which conventional therapeutic strategies, including chemotherapy, are hardly effective. Therefore, identification of novel therapeutic targets involved in melanoma progression is urgently needed for developing effective therapeutic methods. Overexpression of interleukin-13 receptor α2 (IL13Rα2) is observed in several cancer types including glioma and pancreatic cancer.

Seven days triple therapy for eradication of Helicobacter pylori does not alter the disease activity of patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Background/aims: The influences of Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy on the disease course of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are still unclear. We therefore conducted a multicenter, retrospective cohort study to evaluate the safety of H. pylori eradication therapy for IBD patients.

The Effects of Well-Rounded Exercise Program on Systemic Biomarkers Related to Cartilage Metabolism.

Nonsurgical treatment such as exercise is the preferred method for management of knee osteoarthritis (OA). A combination of aerobic, muscle strengthening, and flexibility exercises is recommended for older adults. However, effects of the exercise intervention on cartilage metabolism remain unclear.

Subchondral bone fragility with meniscal tear accelerates and parathyroid hormone decelerates articular cartilage degeneration in rat osteoarthritis model.

The aims of this study were to investigate the influence of subchondral bone fragility (SBF) on the progression of the knee osteoarthritis by using a novel rat model, and to examine the preventive effect of parathyroid hormone (PTH) on cartilage degeneration. First, 40 rats were assigned to the following four groups: Sham, SBF, Medial meniscal tear (MMT), and MMT + SBF groups. In SBF and MMT + SBF groups, we induced SBF by microdrilling the subchondral bone.

Real-world Experience of Anti-tumor Necrosis Factor Therapy for Internal Fistulas in Crohn's Disease: A Retrospective Multicenter Cohort Study.

Background: Internal fistula in Crohn's disease is a condition likely to require surgery, although few reports showed successful medical treatments such as anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) therapy. We performed a multicenter retrospective cohort study to investigate the outcome of anti-TNF therapy for internal fistula in Crohn's disease.

Methods: Data were retrospectively collected from patients with Crohn's disease diagnosed with internal fistula treated with anti-TNF agents (infliximab or adalimumab) between January 2002 and November 2015.

Nardilysin is involved in autoimmune arthritis via the regulation of tumour necrosis factor alpha secretion.

Objective: Tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) plays an important role in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). TNF-α is synthesised as a membrane-anchored precursor and is fully activated by a disintegrin and metalloproteinase 17 (ADAM17)-mediated ectodomain shedding. Nardilysin (NRDC) facilitates ectodomain shedding via activation of ADAM17.

Dual targeting of vascular endothelial growth factor and bone morphogenetic protein-9/10 impairs tumor growth through inhibition of angiogenesis.

Clinical development of anti-angiogenic agents has been a major landmark in cancer therapy for several types of cancers. Signals mediated by both vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-9 and 10 have been implicated in tumor angiogenesis. However, previous studies have shown that targeting the individual signals was not sufficiently effective in retarding tumor growth in certain preclinical and clinical conditions.