SLC7A11/xCT-mediated Cystine Uptake Regulates Intracellular Glutathione and Promotes Antioxidant Defense in Lymphatic Endothelial Cells.

Background/aim: In a tongue-submandibular lymph node (SLN) metastasis model, the cystine/glutamate transporter solute carrier family 7, member 11 (Slc7a11), also known as xCT, was found to increase in lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) within SLNs prior to melanoma cell metastasis. However, the precise mechanism by which xCT influences LECs remains unclear. This study aimed to explore the role of xCT in primary cultured LECs.

Co-culture of vascular endothelial cells enhances corticosterone production in steroid hormone-producing cells generated from adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells.

Cell therapy for adrenocortical insufficiency can potentially provide steroid replacement in response to physiological stimuli. Previously, we reported that adipose tissue-derived stromal cells (ADSCs) are transformed into steroid-producing cells by overexpression of nuclear receptor subfamily 5 group A member 1 (NR5A1). The steroidogenic cells are characterized by the production of both adrenal and gonadal steroids.

Hinge Craniotomy for Posterior Cranial Vault Expansion: Using the Keel to the Surgeon's Advantage.

Cranial vault reconstructions are a common craniofacial procedure utilized to treat chronically elevated intracranial pressure and its sequelae for children with craniosynostosis. These surgeries often involve split-thickness autologous grafts to facilitate intracranial volume expansion. The hinge craniotomy was developed by neurosurgeons in the early 2000s as an alternative to the hemicraniectomy to allow for greater space and simplified re-securing of the bone flap.

Placement of Endovascular Stent for Reperfusion of Cerebral Infarct After Pediatric Traumatic Internal Carotid Artery Dissection.

Background: Traumatic intracranial ICA dissections are not commonly seen in children. Dissection resulting in perfusion deficit warrants intervention. Here we encountered a patient who experienced traumatic ICA dissection, treated by endovascular stenting.

Programmed Death Ligand 1 Expression in Circulating Tumor Cells as a Predictor and Monitor of Response to Atezolizumab plus Bevacizumab Treatment in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

There remains no reliable biomarker of therapeutic efficacy in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) for the PD-L1 inhibitor atezolizumab and bevacizumab (Atezo/Bev). Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) enable the serial collection of living tumor cells. Pre-treatment and serial CTC gene expression changes and tumor histology were evaluated to identify predictors of response to Atezo/Bev.

Isolation of mucosa-associated microbiota dysbiosis in the ascending colon in hepatitis C virus post-sustained virologic response cirrhotic patients.

Background: Achieving sustained virologic response (SVR) in patients infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) reduces all-cause mortality. However, the mechanisms and risk factors for liver fibrosis and portal hypertension post-SVR remain incompletely understood. In the gut-liver axis, mucosa-associated microbiota (MAM) substantially influence immune and metabolic functions, displaying spatial heterogeneity at the anatomical intestinal site.

Rapid multiplex real-time PCR assay using a portable device for the detection of oral pathogens.

Colonization by several oral pathogens and the onset of oral diseases, such as dental caries and periodontal diseases, are closely related. Therefore, the analysis of pathogens in oral specimens would be helpful for the risk assessment of oral diseases. We developed a rapid multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method using a portable device and newly designed probe/primer sets to detect the oral pathogens Streptococcus mutans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Treponema denticola, and Tannerella forsythia.

Effectiveness of non-pharmacological interventions to prevent anemia in pregnant women: a quantitative systematic review protocol.

Objective: This review will identify the effectiveness of non-pharmacological interventions in preventing iron deficiency anemia in pregnant women with a normal course of pregnancy.

Introduction: The global prevalence of anemia among pregnant women is 36.5%, posing risks to women and fetuses.

Rescue of murine hind limb ischemia via angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis promoted by cellular communication network factor 2.

Critical limb ischemia (CLI) is caused by severe arterial blockage with reduction of blood flow. The aim of this study was to determine whether therapeutic angiogenesis using cellular communication network factor 2 (CCN2) would be useful for treating CLI in an animal model. Recombinant CCN2 was administered intramuscularly to male C57BL/6J mice with hind limb ischemia.

[Cingulate seizure as a clinical manifestation of anti-myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-positive cerebral cortical encephalitis of two cases].

We report two male patients who had a sensory seizure, which evolved into a focal impaired awareness tonic seizure, and after that, focal to bilateral tonic-clonic seizure. The first case, a 20-year-old man had been treated with steroids for anti-myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) antibody-positive optic neuritis. His seizure started with abnormal sensation in the little finger of the left hand, which spread to the left upper and then to the left lower limb.

Factor Structure and Measurement and Structural Invariance of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale during the Perinatal Period among Japanese Women: What Is the Best Model?

The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) is a widely used screening tool for perinatal depression. Its factor structure is still a debatable topic. Our study aimed to examine the factor structure and measurement invariances of the Japanese version of the EPDS from late pregnancy to early postpartum.

Differentiation of human adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stromal cells into steroidogenic cells by adenovirus-mediated overexpression of NR5A1 and implantation into adrenal insufficient mice.

Background Aims: Cell therapy for adrenal insufficiency is a potential method for physiological glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid replacement. We have previously shown that mouse mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) differentiated into steroidogenic cells by the viral vector-mediated overexpression of nuclear receptor subfamily 5 group A member 1 (NR5A1), an essential regulator of steroidogenesis, and their implantation extended the survival of bilateral adrenalectomized (bADX) mice.

Methods: In this study, we examined the capability of NR5A1-induced steroidogenic cells prepared from human adipose tissue-derived MSCs (MSC [AT]) and the therapeutic effect of the implantation of human NR5A1-induced steroidogenic cells into immunodeficient bADX mice.

Utility of balanced steady-state field precession sequence in the evaluation of retinal and subdural hemorrhages in patients with abusive head trauma.

Abusive head trauma is the leading cause of physical child abuse deaths in children under 5 years of age in the United States. To evaluate suspected child abuse, radiologic studies are typically the first to identify hallmark findings of abusive head trauma including intracranial hemorrhage, cerebral edema, and ischemic injury. Prompt evaluation and diagnosis are necessary as findings may change rapidly.

The mouse model of intellectual disability by ZBTB18/RP58 haploinsufficiency shows cognitive dysfunction with synaptic impairment.

ZBTB18/RP58 (OMIM *608433) is one of the pivotal genes responsible for 1q43q44 microdeletion syndrome (OMIM #612337) and its haploinsufficiency induces intellectual disability. However, the underlying pathological mechanism of ZBTB18/RP58 haploinsufficiency is unknown. In this study, we generated ZBTB18/RP58 heterozygous mice and found that these mutant mice exhibit multiple behavioral deficits, including impairment in motor learning, working memory, and memory flexibility, which are related to behaviors in people with intellectual disabilities, and show no gross abnormalities in their cytoarchitectures but dysplasia of the corpus callosum, which has been reported in certain population of patients with ZBTB18 haploinsufficiency as well as in those with 1q43q44 microdeletion syndrome, indicating that these mutant mice are a novel model of ZBTB18/RP58 haploinsufficiency, which reflects heterozygotic ZBTB18 missense, truncating variants and some phenotypes of 1q43q44 microdeletion syndrome based on ZBTB18/RP58 haploinsufficiency.

Development of an in vitro biofilm formation model for screening anti-periodontal disease agents.

Purpose: To devise a method for artificial biofilm formation using Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythia, Treponema denticola, and Streptococcus gordonii, as well as a method for evaluating the effects of various ingredients on the artificial biofilm.

Methods: An artificial biofilm was developed using P. gingivalis, T.

Preclinical study for the treatment of diabetes mellitus using β-like cells derived from human dental pulp stem cells.

The current study assessed whether insulin-producing cells obtained from dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) can be a new therapeutic approach in a rat model of diabetes mellitus (DM). Stem cells were differentiated into pancreatic β cells under hydrogen sulfide exposure via 2D and 3D methods. Each β-like cell was immunostained and transplanted into DM rats, after which the therapeutic effect was determined.

A rare case of eosinophilic gastritis induced by nivolumab therapy for metastatic melanoma.

Cancer immunotherapy using immune checkpoint inhibitors can cause immune reactions at various sites as a side effect called immune-related adverse events (irAEs). The gastrointestinal tract is susceptible to irAEs, however, the degree and presentation vary considerably from case to case. A 76-year-old woman was diagnosed with anal mucosal melanoma.

Transcription factor NTL9 negatively regulates Arabidopsis vascular cambium development during stem secondary growth.

In plant stems, secondary vascular development is established through the differentiation of cylindrical vascular cambium, producing secondary xylem (wood) and phloem (bast), which have economic importance. However, there is a dearth of knowledge on the genetic mechanism underlying this process. NAC with Transmembrane Motif 1-like transcription factor 9 (NTL9) plays a central role in abiotic and immune signaling responses.

Induction of potassium channel regulator KCNE4 in a submandibular lymph node metastasis model.

Cancer cells often metastasize to the lymph nodes (LNs) before disseminating throughout the body. Clinically, LN metastasis correlates with poor prognosis and influences treatment options. Many studies have shown that cancer cells communicate with immune and stromal cells to prepare a suitable niche for metastasis.

The Effects of Preoperative Administration of Erythropoietin in Pediatric Patients Undergoing Cranial Vault Remodeling for Craniosynostosis.

Background And Purpose: Over 90% of patients undergoing cranial vault remodeling for craniosynostosis receive blood transfusions to compensate for intraoperative blood loss. However, transfusions are not without risk and can lead to allergic and immune transfusion reactions as well as rare cases of infectious transmissions. Preoperative use of erythropoietin in cranial vault remodeling has been demonstrated to be safe and to reduce transfusion requirements in prior studies.

Inhibition of NR5A1 Phosphorylation Alleviates a Transcriptional Suppression Defect Caused by a Novel Mutation.

Context: Mutations in the gene, also well-known as the gene, are known to cause congenital adrenal hypoplasia associated with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. The abnormal NR0B1 protein fails to suppress the transcription of promoters of steroidogenic enzymes, which are also targets of NR5A1 protein, also well-known as Ad4BP/SF-1 protein. Since NR5A1 and NR0B1 have antagonistic effects on steroidogenesis, the loss of function due to mutations may be compensated by inducing loss of function of NR5A1 protein.