Extra Eyelid-Derived Muscle Stem Cells.

Skeletal muscle stem cells (MuSCs) have been proposed as suitable candidates for cell therapy to muscular disorders since they exhibit a good capacity for myogenic regeneration. However, for better therapeutic outcomes, it is necessary to isolate human MuSCs from a suitable tissue source that possess high myogenic differentiation. In this context, isolated CD56+CD82+ cells from extra eyelid tissues were tested in vitro myogenic differentiation potential.

Real-world management and outcomes of older patients with locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: a multicenter retrospective study.

Background: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) followed by surgery is the standard treatment for locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Chemoradiotherapy (CRT) is an alternative treatment approach. However, both treatments are associated with toxicity, and the optimal treatment for older patients with ESCC is unknown.

Incidence and Risk of Venous Thromboembolism in Patients With Resectable Pancreatic Cancer Receiving Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy.

Background/aim: Pancreatic cancer has the highest risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). Additionally, chemotherapy for cancer patients increases the risk of developing VTE. Due to recent advances in neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) regimens, more patients with resectable pancreatic cancer will receive NAC.

Napabucasin plus nab-paclitaxel with gemcitabine versus nab-paclitaxel with gemcitabine in previously untreated metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma: an adaptive multicentre, randomised, open-label, phase 3, superiority trial.

Background: Compared with normal cells, tumour cells contain elevated levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Increased levels of the antioxidant protein NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) and phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (pSTAT3) correlate negatively with the survival of patients with pancreatic cancer. Napabucasin is an investigational, orally administered ROS generator bioactivated by NQO1.

Protective effects of 2-aminoethylthiosulfuric acid and structurally analogous organosulfur compounds against ionizing radiation.

High efficacy and minimal toxicity radioprotectors are desirable options for the hazards posed by nuclear medical and energy technologies and the dangers presented by nuclear weapons in an unstable global situation. Although cysteamine is an effective radioprotector, it has considerable toxicity. In this study, the protective effects of the less toxic organosulfur compounds 2-aminoethylthiosulfate (AETS), thiotaurine (TTAU), and hypotaurine (HTAU) against X-ray damage in mice were compared with that of cysteamine.

Negative impact of behavior restriction amidst a clustered COVID-19 infection on immobility syndrome in older patients negative for COVID-19: report from a chronic care hospital in Japan.

Previous studies have reported on associations between immobility syndrome and the COVID-19 pandemic. However, little is known about the aggravation of this syndrome in older patients negative for COVID-19 infection amidst behavior restriction due to a clustered COVID-19 infection. Patients hospitalized one month before a clustered COVID-19 infection occurred in our hospital were recruited.

Butterfly needle tap and suction (BTS) technique: a treatment for recurrent chronic subdural hematoma after burr hole craniostomy.

Background: In this study, we propose a butterfly needle tap and suction (BTS) technique for recurrent chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) as an alternative to reoperation with burr hole craniostomy (BHC) and investigate its efficacy and safety. The procedure involves percutaneous puncture through the burr hole created during the previous surgery and subsequent hematoma evacuation using a butterfly needle.

Methods: This retrospective study included patients who underwent BTS for CSDH at Ogaki Municipal Hospital between January 2017 and December 2020.

The Biologic Character of Donor Corneal Endothelial Cells Influences Endothelial Cell Density Post Successful Corneal Transplantation.

Purpose: Corneal endothelial cell density (ECD) gradually decreases after corneal transplantation by unknown biologic, biophysical, or immunologic mechanism. Our purpose was to assess the association between donor corneal endothelial cell (CEC) maturity in culture and postoperative endothelial cell loss (ECL) after successful corneal transplantation.

Design: Prospective cohort study.

Exploring Genetic Interactions with Telomere Protection Gene in Fission Yeast.

The regulation of telomere length has a significant impact on cancer risk and aging in humans. Circular chromosomes are found in humans and are often unstable during mitosis, resulting in genome instability. Some types of cancer have a high frequency of a circular chromosome.

FOLFOX regimen after failure of fluorouracil and leucovorin plus nanoliposomal-irinotecan therapy for advanced pancreatic cancer: a retrospective observational study.

Background: Fluorouracil, leucovorin (5FU/LV), and nanoliposomal-irinotecan (nal-IRI) combination therapy has been established as the second-line treatment for advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Oxaliplatin with 5FU/LV (FOLFOX) is often used as a subsequent treatment, although its efficacy and safety are yet to be fully elucidated. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of FOLFOX as a third- or later-line treatment for patients with advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Evaluation of the Analytical Performance of the Fully Automated Gene Analyzer µTASWako g1 for the Detection of SARS-CoV-2.

Background: The worldwide spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has led to an urgent need for nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Because NAAT has many manual processes, results may vary depending on the operator. Therefore, it has been required to develop a fully automated testing device and reagent that detects genetic material from SARS-CoV-2.

Tumor-informed or tumor-agnostic circulating tumor DNA as a biomarker for risk of recurrence in resected colorectal cancer patients.

Introduction: Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) has been increasingly recognized as a promising minimally-invasive biomarker that could identify patients with minimal residual disease and a high risk of recurrence after definitive treatment. In this study, we've compared the clinical utility and sensitivity of 2 different approaches to ctDNA analyses: tumor-informed and tumor-agnostic in the management of colorectal (CRC) patients. The clinical benefits of a single timepoint ctDNA analysis compared to serial ctDNA monitoring after definitive treatment were also evaluated to uncover the ideal surveillance protocol.

Aberrant association of chromatin with nuclear periphery induced by Rif1 leads to mitotic defect.

The architecture and nuclear location of chromosomes affect chromatin events. Rif1, a crucial regulator of replication timing, recognizes G-quadruplex and inhibits origin firing over the 50-100-kb segment in fission yeast, , leading us to postulate that Rif1 may generate chromatin higher order structures inhibitory for initiation. However, the effects of Rif1 on chromatin localization in nuclei have not been known.

Radiological Shape of the Tumor Predicts Progression and Survival in Resected Extrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma.

Background: The histological features and radiological shape of extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (eCCA) have not been widely studied in relation to prognosis. Multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) is thought to be useful in diagnosis of progress and tumor distribution; it can also show morphological differences (round, triangular, and square forms) at the tumoral obstruction sites. Histological types of eCCA may be revealed, with potential association with tumor growth and survival.

[Long-Term Survival following Multidisciplinary Therapy for Unresectable Pancreatic Body Cancer].

A 57-year-old man was diagnosed with a tumor in the pancreatic body at a nearby hospital and consulted our hospital. Examinations revealed that carbohydrate antigen 19-9(CA19-9)levels were 1,765.0 U/mL.

Nupr1 deficiency downregulates HtrA1, enhances SMAD1 signaling, and suppresses age-related bone loss in male mice.

Nuclear protein 1 (NUPR1) is a stress-induced protein activated by various stresses, such as inflammation and oxidative stress. We previously reported that Nupr1 deficiency increased bone volume by enhancing bone formation in 11-week-old mice. Analysis of differentially expressed genes between wild-type (WT) and Nupr1-knockout (Nupr1-KO) osteocytes revealed that high temperature requirement A 1 (HTRA1), a serine protease implicated in osteogenesis and transforming growth factor-β signaling was markedly downregulated in Nupr1-KO osteocytes.

Impact of hydrogen gas inhalation during therapeutic hypothermia on cerebral hemodynamics and oxygenation in the asphyxiated piglet.

We previously reported the neuroprotective potential of combined hydrogen (H) gas ventilation therapy and therapeutic hypothermia (TH) by assessing the short-term neurological outcomes and histological findings of 5-day neonatal hypoxic-ischemic (HI) encephalopathy piglets. However, the effects of H gas on cerebral circulation and oxygen metabolism and on prognosis were unknown. Here, we used near-infrared time-resolved spectroscopy to compare combined H gas ventilation and TH with TH alone.

Carbon Ion Radiotherapy Perioperative Adjuvant Chemotherapy and Curative Surgery for Resectable Pancreatic Cancer.

Background/aim: The standard treatment for resectable pancreatic cancer is preoperative adjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) + curative surgery + adjuvant chemotherapy. Although excellent local control results of carbon ion radiotherapy (CIRT) for pancreatic cancer have been reported, no reports have compared CIRT with the standard treatment for resectable pancreatic cancer. In this study, we compared the results of CIRT for resectable pancreatic cancer with those of standard therapy and investigated the usefulness of CIRT.

Re-evaluation of the prognosis of alpha-fetoprotein-producing gastric cancer from a single center: a case series study.

Background: Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)-producing gastric cancer (AFPGC) is reported to have biologically aggressive features and poor prognosis. A relatively large number of patients with AFPGC have achieved a long-term prognosis after surgery in our institution. This study aimed to clarify the clinical features of and re-evaluate the long-term outcomes of AFPGC.