A Glycyrrhizin Derivative with a More Potent Inhibitory Activity against High-Mobility Group Box 1 Efficiently Discovered by Chemical Synthesis Inspired by the Bioconversion Products of an Endophytic Fungus Isolated from Licorice.

Glycyrrhizin (GL) from licorice alleviates intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) injuries by interacting with high-mobility group box (HMGB) 1, an inflammatory factor. We found that GL is bioconverted by endophyte coexisting with licorice and succeeded in isolating two derivatives. The aim of this study was to identify the compound with more potent HMGB1 inhibitory activity inspired by these GL derivatives.

A case of spindle and giant cell-type undifferentiated carcinoma of the extrahepatic bile duct.

Spindle and giant cell type undifferentiated carcinoma of the extrahepatic bile duct is an uncommon malignancy. We report a case involving the common bile duct in a 72-year-old male with jaundice who was admitted to our hospital. Diagnostic imaging, including abdominal computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, revealed a mass in the distal common bile duct, accompanied by dilatation of both intra- and extrahepatic bile ducts and regional lymph node enlargement.

Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Agents in Endophytic Fungi and Their Abundance in Tissue.

Coronavirus disease 2019 is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Therapeutic agents for the disease are being developed. Endophytes are diverse and produce various secondary metabolites and bioactive substances.

Embryonic and fetal tiny pericardial fluid collections at less than 12 weeks of gestation.

Objectives: To describe embryonic and fetal tiny pericardial fluid collections (PFCs) using transvaginal sonography and HDlive Silhouette at less than 12 weeks of gestation.

Methods: During an 8-month period from November 2021 to June 2022, one-hundred and thirty transvaginal scans were performed for first-trimester dating, and eleven tiny PFCs of the embryo or fetus were identified at 8+4 - 11+3 weeks of gestation (three at 8, six at 9, and two at 11 weeks). HDlive Silhouette features of PFC were evaluated.

Environmental differences between Japan and Indonesia provide endophyte diversity associated with Artemisia plant and variety of artemisinin derivatives in microbial conversion.

We compared the endophytic compositions of Artemisia plant from different environments (Japan and Indonesia) to demonstrate that the endophytic filamentous fungi in both species differed based on their environments. To prove that the species were identical, both Artemisia plants were identified by comparing the scanning electron micrographs of their pollens, as well as the nucleotide sequences (ribosomal internal transcribed spacer and mitochondrial maturase K) of the two gene regions. After isolating the endophytic filamentous fungi from each plant, we observed that those from Japan and Indonesia comprised 14 and 6 genera, respectively.

Fetal brain activity and the free energy principle.

Objectives: To study whether the free energy principle can explain fetal brain activity and the existence of fetal consciousness via a chaotic dimension derived using artificial intelligence.

Methods: In this observational study, we used a four-dimensional ultrasound technique obtained to collect images of fetal faces from pregnancies at 27-37 weeks of gestation, between February and December 2021. We developed an artificial intelligence classifier that recognizes fetal facial expressions, which are thought to relate to fetal brain activity.

Indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase is responsible for low stress tolerance after intracerebral hemorrhage.

In the chronic phase after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), the aftereffect-associated lowering of motivation burdens many patients; however, the pathogenic mechanism is unclear. Here, we revealed for the first time that indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase (IDO) expression and enzyme activity are increased in the collagenase-induced murine ICH model. IDO is a rate-limiting enzyme situated at the beginning of the kynurenine pathway and converts tryptophan, a source of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT), to kynurenine.

Isolated tortuous ductus arteriosus in a fetus: HDlive Flow with spatiotemporal image correlation (STIC) study.

Objectives: To describe prevalence, outcome, color Doppler, and HDlive Flow (Silhouette) with spatiotemporal image correlation (STIC) features of isolated tortuous ductus arteriosus in Japanese fetuses at 28-31 + 6 weeks of gestation.

Methods: During a 37-month period, 3,150 fetal screenings were performed at 28-31 + 6 weeks of gestation. Isolated tortuous ductus arteriosus was evaluated using color Doppler and HDlive Flow (Silhouette) with STIC.

Artificial intelligence to understand fluctuation of fetal brain activity by recognizing facial expressions.

Objective: To examine whether artificial intelligence can achieve discoveries regarding fetal brain activity.

Methods: In this observational study, the authors collected images of fetal faces using a four-dimensional ultrasound technique obtained from singleton pregnancies of outpatients in routine practice at 27 to 37 weeks of gestation between February 1 and December 31, 2021. The authors developed an artificial intelligence classifier to recognize seven facial expressions of fetuses, then applied it to video files of fetal facial images to generate the probabilities, as confidence scores, of each expression category.

In Vitro and in Silico Studies of Potential Coronavirus-Specific 3C-Like Protease Inhibitors.

We investigated similar compounds to ebselen and tideglusib, which exhibit strong activity against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), using Molecular ACCess System (MACCS) keys. Four candidate compounds were identified. One of them, phenyl-benzothiazol-3-one, showed coronavirus-specific 3C-like (3CL) protease inhibitory activity.

HDlive Flow Silhouette with spatiotemporal image correlation for assessment of fetal cardiac structures at 12 to 14 + 6 weeks of gestation.

Objectives: To assess fetal cardiac structures using HDlive Flow Silhouette with spatiotemporal image correlation (STIC) at 12 to 14 + 6 weeks of gestation, and verify the feasibility of obtaining five cardiac views in the late first and early second trimesters of pregnancy. The fetal cardiac shape and the aspect of the descending aorta were also evaluated.

Methods: Eighty normal fetuses at 12 to 14 + 6 weeks of gestation were studied using trans-abdominal HDlive Flow Silhouette with STIC to assess the feasibility of five fetal cardiac views (frontal, spatial three-vessel, panoramic, posterior, and right lateral views).

Achievements and challenges of the Sakigake designation system in Japan.

The Sakigake designation system (Sakigake) has been launched to encourage the pioneered development of innovative new medical products for the effective treatment of severe illness in Japan, which allows leveraging the several advantages in prioritized consultation, rapid review, premium drug pricing and extended data-protection period. We retrospectively analysed the Sakigake products including drugs and regenerative medical products to clarify the achievements and the future issues in this system. From April 2015 to August 2020 (the first 5-year trial period of Sakigake), 37 products were designated, and 10 of those were approved in Japan in which 7 new active substances achieved the first-in-world approvals.

Evaluation of 24-segment sphericity index of fetal heart using HQ.

Objective: To evaluate the 24-segment sphericity index (SI) of the fetal heart using HQ regarding the change with advancing gestation and reproducibility.

Methods: Eighty-one pregnant women at 18-21 + 6 and 28-31 + 6 weeks were studied using HQ to calculate 24-segment SI of left and right ventricles. Intra- and inter-class correlation coefficients and intra- and inter-observer agreements of measurements for SI were assessed in each segment.