Factors predicting decline in renal function and kidney volume growth in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease: a prospective cohort study (Japanese Polycystic Kidney Disease registry: J-PKD).

Background: Factors affecting decline in renal function and cyst growth in patients with autosomal polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) are not fully described, particularly in Japan.

Methods: This was the first multi-facility, prospective, observational cohort study conducted in ADPKD patients at 14 centers in Japan. Patients in the J-PKD registry were assessed from December 2009 to June 2012 (follow-up until June 2017).

Identification of colorectal neoplasia by using serum bile acid profile.

Background: Colonoscopy is the gold standard for detecting earlier stages of CRC, although screening of patients is difficult because of invasiveness, low compliance and procedural health risks. Therefore, the need for new screening methods for CRC is rising. Previous studies have demonstrated the diagnostic ability of serum BAs; however, the results have been inconsistent.

Uptake of MicroRNAs from Exosome-Like Nanovesicles of Edible Plant Juice by Rat Enterocytes.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small RNAs present in extracellular vesicles (EVs) that, when transferred to a target cell, affect its biological functions. Plant miRNAs regulate the expression of certain mammalian genes. Here, we characterized EVs in fruit and vegetable juice, and their miRNA cargo, and investigated whether such miRNA-containing EVs could be taken up by mammalian enterocytes in vitro.

A successful case of varix of the left gastroepiploic vein preoperatively diagnosed by 3D-CT angiography and resected by laparoscopy: A case report.

Introduction: Gastric varices can be present in up to 20% of patients with portal hypertension. However, a varix of the left gastroepiploic vein (LGV) is extremely rare. Surgery is required if bleeding occurs; thus, precise diagnosis is crucial.

Hip Dislocation After Correction for Scoliosis in an Adolescent with Angelman Syndrome: A Case Report.

Case: Although scoliosis is common in Angelman syndrome (AS), there are no reports of hip dislocation as a complication of scoliosis surgery. We experienced a case of hip dislocation after posterior spinal instrumentation and fusion from T4 to L5 because of scoliosis progression in an adolescent girl with AS. Postoperatively, posterior dislocation of the left hip occurred; after closed reduction, instability remained.

Diversification of terpenoid emissions proposes a geographic structure based on climate and pathogen composition in Japanese cedar.

Biogenic volatile organic compounds emitted from plants are important constituents of atmospheric chemistry and play a major role in the resistance of plants against various environmental stresses. However, little is known about how abiotic and biotic environments on a geographic scale relate to diversifications of the emission. Here, we present variations of terpenes stored in and emitted from leaves of a single species in a common garden, using genetically differentiated local populations of Japanese cedar, the most dominant and widely distributed tree species in Japan.

Recognition of acrolein-specific epitopes by B cell receptors triggers an innate immune response.

Natural antibodies, predominantly immunoglobulin M (IgM), play an important role in the defense against pathogens and in maintaining homeostasis against oxidized molecules known as oxidation-specific epitopes, such as those contained in oxidized low-density lipoproteins. However, owing to the complexity of the oxidized products, very few individual epitopes have been characterized in detail. In the present study, to identify endogenous sources of oxidation-specific epitopes, we stimulated mouse spleen and peritoneal cavity (PerC) cells in vitro with bovine serum albumin modified with a variety of lipid peroxidation-related carbonyl compounds and identified the acrolein-modified bovine serum albumin as the most efficient trigger studied for the production of IgM in PerC cells.

Vaporized Hydrogen Peroxide and Ozone Gas Synergistically Reduce Prion Infectivity on Stainless Steel Wire.

Prions are infectious agents causing prion diseases, which include Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) in humans. Several cases have been reported to be transmitted through medical instruments that were used for preclinical CJD patients, raising public health concerns on iatrogenic transmissions of the disease. Since preclinical CJD patients are currently difficult to identify, medical instruments need to be adequately sterilized so as not to transmit the disease.

Efficacy and safety of arthroscopic treatment for native acute septic arthritis of the hip joint in adult patients.

Background: As septic arthritis is time-dependent and has a propensity for irreversible joint damage, early diagnosis and treatment are needed. Frequently, adult patients with septic arthritis cannot undergo invasive surgery because of comorbidities and a weakened immune system. Hip arthroscopic irrigation and debridement for native acute septic arthritis of the hip joint have been performed as the first choice of treatment for patients of all ages.

Therapeutic Potential of Astaxanthin in Diabetic Kidney Disease.

Astaxanthin is a carotenoid that has potent protective effects on diabetic kidney disease (DKD) in diabetic mice models. DNA microarray study clearly demonstrated the involvement of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation pathway in the renal glomerular cells of diabetic mice and also showed that the expression of upregulated genes associated with this pathway was decreased by the treatment with astaxanthin. Proteomic analysis confirmed that the increases of 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE)- and N-(hexanonyl)lysine (HEL)-modified proteins were inhibited by the treatment with astaxanthin.

Comparison of Embryo and Clinical Outcomes in Different Types of Incubator Between Two Different Embryo Culture Systems.

This study aimed to compare the clinical outcomes of an oxidative stress-reducing embryo culture system (ORES) containing compounds that minimize intercellular oxidative stress, with those of a standard embryo culture system (StES). Furthermore, we investigated the efficiency of the ORES regarding the type of incubator used (time-lapse incubator [TLI] or non-time-lapse dry incubator [non-TLI]) and maternal age. In this retrospective study, we analyzed 3610 oocyte retrieval cycles (in 2537 patients) and 1726 single vitrified-warmed blastocyst transfer (SVBT) cycles (in 1726 patients) performed in a single center between April 2018 and July 2019.

Low serum albumin at admission is a predictor of early colectomy in patients with moderate to severe ulcerative colitis.

Background And Aim: Several studies have identified postinduction therapy predictors of long-term outcomes of ulcerative colitis (UC) in patients who experienced the first attack of the disease or relapsed after therapy. We aimed to identify the preinduction therapy predictors at admission that predicted early colectomy in patients with moderate to severe UC.

Methods: Ninety-five patients with moderate to severe UC who underwent induction therapy at the Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine hospital between August 2008 and March 2020 were retrospectively included and categorized into two groups: the colectomy group ( = 27) and the noncolectomy group ( = 68).

Increased mucosal IL-12 expression is associated with relapse of ulcerative colitis.

Background: The role of IL-12/23 in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis (UC) is unclear. We analyzed mucosal IL-12/23 expression and its relationship with endoscopic severity, histological activity, and UC relapse.

Methods: Rectal biopsies were collected from 70 UC patients with clinical remission.

The efficacy of linked color imaging for the endoscopic diagnosis of mucosal healing in quiescent ulcerative colitis.

Background And Aim: The Mayo Endoscopic Subscore (MES) and the Ulcerative Colitis Endoscopic Index of Severity (UCEIS) are used to assess endoscopic mucosal healing in patients suffering from ulcerative colitis. Although mucosal healing is defined by MES 0, relapse of ulcerative colitis is often observed. Over a 48-month period, this study investigated the efficacy of linked color imaging (LCI) in predicting the long-term prognosis of ulcerative colitis patients diagnosed with MES 0.

Central Sensitization in Neurological, Psychiatric, and Pain Disorders: A Multicenter Case-Controlled Study.

Background: The role of central sensitization in refractory pain-related diseases has not yet been clarified.

Methods: We performed a multicenter case-controlled study including 551 patients with various neurological, psychological, and pain disorders and 5,188 healthy controls to investigate the impact of central sensitization in these patients. Symptoms related to central sensitization syndrome (CSS) were assessed by the Central Sensitization Inventory (CSI) parts A and B.

Evaluation of Chemotherapy Regimen Management Practice by Oncology-Specialized and Non-specialized Pharmacists Collaboration.

Chemotherapy regimen management is one of the most important oncology pharmacy practices, because chemotherapy is conducted according to the registered regimens. In this study, we evaluated the pharmaceutical practice that assumes the initial confirmation of chemotherapy regimens and the quality of practice sharing between oncology-specialized and non-specialized pharmacists in regimen management committee. Pharmacists initially confirmed the applied regimen prescribed by physicians regarding chemotherapeutic agents and prophylactic supportive care medicines.

Retrospective Comparison of mFOLFOXIRI With XELOX/SOX as Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer.

Background/aim: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy without radiation (NAC) shows favorable outcomes for locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC), however, the optimal regimen has not been determined yet. This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of oxaliplatin, irinotecan, folinic acid, and 5-fluorouracil (mFOLFOXIRI) with capecitabine/S-1 and oxaliplatin (XELOX/SOX) in rectal cancer patients.

Patients And Methods: We retrospectively examined patients with LARC who received mFOLFOXIRI or XELOX/SOX as NAC.

Management of regional bone bank during declaration of a state of emergency concerning the COVID-19 in Japan.

Bone banks are necessary for providing biological allografts for a series of orthopedic procedures. As nations cope with new realities driven by the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, health-care providers, institutions, and patients share a particular concern about the effect of COVID-19 on organ donation and transplantation. Here, we describe the management of the Kitasato University Bone Bank during the state of emergency declared in response to COVID-19.

L-amino acid oxidase 1 in sperm is associated with reproductive performance in male mice and bulls.

Sperm quality is an important indicator of male fertility, and a suitable biomarker enables the selection of high-quality spermatozoa. We previously found that L-amino acid oxidase encoded by the L-amino acid oxidase 1 (Lao1) gene exerts biological roles in the mammary gland and brain by converting specific L-amino acids into keto acids, ammonia, and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Here, we describe the role of Lao1 in male reproduction.

Perturbations of morphogenesis at the compaction stage affect blastocyst implantation and live birth rates.

Study Question: Do perturbations of embryo morphogenesis at compaction affect blastocyst development and clinical outcomes in assisted reproduction cycles?

Summary Answer: Cell exclusion and extrusion, i.e. cell disposal occurring respectively before or during morula compaction, affect blastocyst yield and quality, as well as rates of pregnancy and live birth.

A descriptive study of 10-year clozapine use from the nationwide database in Japan.

This survey was conducted to identify the actual usage of clozapine and changes required to increase the number of patients with schizophrenia who would benefit from clozapine. We obtained Clozaril® Patient Monitoring Service (CPMS) data for 8,263 patients that received clozapine between July 2009 and January 2020. Patients were divided into the early (n=3,696 cases, which have been analyzed previously) and late groups (n=4,567 cases) according to the date of the treatment initiation.

Preoperative malnutrition is a risk factor for delayed recovery of mobilization after total hip arthroplasty.

Introduction: Many studies have examined nutritional status and deteriorated postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty. However, few studies have focused on nutritional status and postoperative mobility.

Objective: To investigate the impact of preoperative nutritional status on mobility after total hip arthroplasty.

Diabetes mellitus does not influence results of hepatectomy in hepatocellular carcinoma: case control study.

Introduction: Patients with diabetes mellitus undergoing hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are at high risk of acquiring perioperative infections. Herein, we investigate the peri-operative impact of diabetes on hepatectomy.

Material And Methods: The surgical outcomes in 363 patients who underwent laparoscopic and open hepatic resection for HCC, with or without diabetes mellitus, were reviewed retrospectively.

Esophago-bronchial fistula treated by the Over-The-Scope-Clipping (OTSC) system with argon beam electrocoagulation: A case report.

Rationale: An esophago-bronchial fistula is one of the rare postoperative complications of esophageal cancer. There are various medical treatments, including suturing, endoscopic clip, and fibrin glue. However, these treatments often lead to unsatisfactory results, causing physicians to opt for surgical alternatives.