Patient-Centric Approach to Personalized Electronic Medical Records via QR Code in Japan.

Government policies in the United States and the European Union promote standardization and value creation in the use of FAIR (findability, accessibility, interoperability, and reusability) data, which can enhance trust in digital health systems and is crucial for their success. Trust is built through elements such as FAIR data access, interoperability, and improved communication, which are essential for fostering innovation in digital health technologies. This Viewpoint aims to report on exploratory research demonstrating the feasibility of testing a patient-centric data flow model facilitating semantic interoperability on precision medical information.

sp. nov., a new member of the phylum , from forest soil in a geothermal area.

Three Gram-stain-positive aerobic bacteria, characterized by branched mycelia with putative sporangia, were isolated from forest soil inside a decayed bamboo stem from a geothermal area in West Java, Indonesia. The strain S3.2.

Development of SNP genotyping assays for heading date in rice.

Heading date (HD) is a crucial agronomic trait, controlled by multiple loci, that conditions a range of geographical and seasonal adaptations in rice ( L.). Therefore, information on the HD genotypes of cross parents is essential in marker-assisted breeding programs.

MicroRNA-5572 Is Associated with Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Responses in Low Zinc Treated and SOD1 G85R-Transfected HEK293 Cells.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fetal neurodegenerative disease. The mechanism of sporadic ALS onset remains unclarified in detail. Disruption of zinc homeostasis could be related to sporadic ALS.

A study on the efficacy and safety of long-term adjusted low-dose gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist therapy for uterine fibroids and adenomyosis.

Aim: To investigate the efficacy and safety of long-term adjusted low-dose gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist therapy (GnRH agonist drawback therapy) with nafarelin acetate in patients with uterine fibroids and/or adenomyosis with menstrual symptoms.

Methods: This single-center, retrospective, observational study initially included 118 patients with uterine fibroids and/or adenomyosis with menstrual symptoms who had received GnRH agonist (nafarelin acetate) drawback therapy for at least 7 months between 2010 and 2020. Blood hemoglobin level, maximum fibroid diameter, area of the corpus uteri, blood estradiol level, daily dosage of nafarelin acetate, and bone density in the lumbar spine and femoral neck were assessed before and after the treatment initiation.

Transcriptome-based prediction for polygenic traits in rice using different gene subsets.

Background: Transcriptome-based prediction of complex phenotypes is a relatively new statistical method that links genetic variation to phenotypic variation. The selection of large-effect genes based on a priori biological knowledge is beneficial for predicting oligogenic traits; however, such a simple gene selection method is not applicable to polygenic traits because causal genes or large-effect loci are often unknown. Here, we used several gene-level features and tested whether it was possible to select a gene subset that resulted in better predictive ability than using all genes for predicting a polygenic trait.

Prolonged oligohydramnios and the adverse composite outcome of death or severe neurodevelopmental impairment at 3 years of age in infants born at 22-29 gestational weeks.

Objective: To investigate the association between prolonged oligohydramnios and a composite outcome of death or severe neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI) at 3 years of age.

Methods: This single-center retrospective cohort study enrolled infants born at 22-29 weeks of gestational age without major congenital anomalies. The patients were classified into three groups depending on the existence and duration of oligohydramnios: no/non-prolonged oligohydramnios (no or 0-7 days of oligohydramnios), prolonged oligohydramnios (8-14 days), and very prolonged oligohydramnios (> 14 days).

A Novel Immunodeficient Hyperglycemic Mouse Carrying the Ins1 Akita Mutation for Xenogeneic Islet Cell Transplantation.

Background: For patients who have difficulty controlling blood glucose even with insulin administration, xenogeneic islet cells, including human stem cell-derived pancreatic islets (hSC-islet) and porcine islets, have garnered attention as potential solutions to challenges associated with donor shortages. For the development of diabetes treatment modalities that use cell transplantation therapy, it is essential to evaluate the efficacy and safety of transplanted cells using experimental animals over the long term.

Methods: We developed permanent diabetic immune-deficient mice by introducing the Akita (C96Y) mutation into the rodent-specific Insulin1 gene of NOD/Shi-scid IL2rγc null (NOG) mice ( Ins1 C96Y/C96Y NOG).

Establishment of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived hepatobiliary organoid with bile duct for pharmaceutical research use.

In vitro models of the human liver are promising alternatives to animal tests for drug development. Currently, primary human hepatocytes (PHHs) are preferred for pharmacokinetic and cytotoxicity tests. However, they are unable to recapitulate the flow of bile in hepatobiliary clearance owing to the lack of bile ducts, leading to the limitation of bile analysis.

Rim Enhancement on Contrast-Enhanced CT as a Predictor of Prognosis in Patients with Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma.

This study investigated the utility of imaging features, such as rim enhancement on contrast-enhanced CT (CECT), in predicting the prognosis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). This retrospective study included 158 patients (84 men; mean age, 68 years) with pathologically confirmed PDAC. The following imaging features were evaluated on CECT by two radiologists: tumor size, tumor attenuation, and the presence of rim enhancement.

A pregnant woman with long-standing, retained intraabdominal glass shards who gave birth to a live infant with no complications: a case report.

Background: Most cases of traumatic injury during pregnancy involve blunt trauma, with penetrating trauma being uncommonly rare. In glass shard injuries, fragments often penetrate deeply, and multiple injuries may occur simultaneously; attention must be paid to the possibility of organ injury from the residual fragments. However, no case of this occurring during pregnancy has been reported yet.

Evaluation and Prediction of Post-Hepatectomy Liver Failure Using Imaging Techniques: Value of Gadoxetic Acid-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

Despite improvements in operative techniques and perioperative care, post-hepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) remains the most serious cause of morbidity and mortality after surgery, and several risk factors have been identified to predict PHLF. Although volumetric assessment using imaging contributes to surgical simulation by estimating the function of future liver remnants in predicting PHLF, liver function is assumed to be homogeneous throughout the liver. The combination of volumetric and functional analyses may be more useful for an accurate evaluation of liver function and prediction of PHLF than only volumetric analysis.

Genome- and Transcriptome-wide Association Studies to Discover Candidate Genes for Diverse Root Phenotypes in Cultivated Rice.

Root system architecture plays a crucial role in nutrient and water absorption during rice production. Genetic improvement of the rice root system requires elucidating its genetic control. Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have identified genomic regions responsible for rice root phenotypes.

The functional maturity of grafted human pluripotent stem cell derived-islets (hSC-Islets) evaluated by the glycemic set point during blood glucose normalizing process in diabetic mice.

Human pluripotent stem cell (hPSCs) derived-pancreatic islets (hSC-islets) are good candidates for cell replacement therapy for patients with diabetes as substitutes for deceased donor-derived islets, because they are pluripotent and have infinite proliferation potential. Grafted hSC-islets ameliorate hyperglycemia in diabetic mice; however, several weeks are needed to normalize the hyperglycemia. These data suggest hSC-islets require maturation, but their maturation process is not yet fully understood.

Vulcanimicrobium alpinus gen. nov. sp. nov., the first cultivated representative of the candidate phylum "Eremiobacterota", is a metabolically versatile aerobic anoxygenic phototroph.

The previously uncultured phylum "Candidatus Eremiobacterota" is globally distributed and often abundant in oligotrophic environments. Although it includes lineages with the genetic potential for photosynthesis, one of the most important metabolic pathways on Earth, the absence of pure cultures has limited further insights into its ecological and physiological traits. We report the first successful isolation of a "Ca.

Added value of contrast enhancement boost images in routine multiphasic contrast-enhanced CT for the diagnosis of small (<20 mm) hypervascular hepatocellular carcinoma.

Purpose: To investigate the added value of contrast enhancement boost (CE-boost) images in multiphasic contrast-enhanced CT (CE-CT) for diagnosing small (<20 mm) hypervascular hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Materials And Methods: This retrospective study included 69 patients (age, 74 ± 8 years; 52 men) with 70 hypervascular HCCs (<20 mm) who underwent multiphasic CE-CT (pre-contrast, late arterial phase [LAP], portal venous phase [PVP], and equilibrium phase). Two types of CE-boost images were generated by subtracting PVP from LAP (LA-PV) images and LAP from PVP (PV-LA) images to enhance the contrast effect of hepatic arterial and portal venous perfusion more selectively.

Changes in In-Hospital Survival and Long-Term Neurodevelopmental Outcomes of Extremely Preterm Infants: A Retrospective Study of a Japanese Tertiary Center.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to elucidate whether the survival and long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes of extremely preterm infants have improved in a Japanese tertiary center with an active treatment policy for infants born at 22-23 weeks of gestation.

Study Design: This single-centered retrospective cohort study enrolled extremely preterm infants treated at Saitama Medical Center, Saitama Medical University, from 2003 to 2014. Patients with major congenital abnormalities were excluded.

Generation of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2/Transmembrane Protease Serine 2-Double-Positive Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Spheroids for Anti-Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Drug Evaluation.

We newly generated two human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived spheroid lines, termed Spheroids_ and Spheroids_, both of which express angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2), which are critical for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Both spheroids were highly susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection, and two representative anti-SARS-CoV-2 agents, remdesivir and 5h (an inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2's main protease), inhibited the infectivity and replication of SARS-CoV-2 in a dose-dependent manner, suggesting that these human-derived induced spheroids should serve as valuable target cells for the evaluation of anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity. The hiPSC-derived spheroids we generated are more expensive to obtain than the human cell lines currently available for anti-SARS-CoV-2 drug evaluation, such as Calu-3 cells; however, the spheroids have better infection susceptibility than the existing human cell lines.

Deep learning image reconstruction to improve accuracy of iodine quantification and image quality in dual-energy CT of the abdomen: a phantom and clinical study.

Objectives: To investigate the effect of deep learning image reconstruction (DLIR) on the accuracy of iodine quantification and image quality of dual-energy CT (DECT) compared to that of other reconstruction algorithms in a phantom experiment and an abdominal clinical study.

Methods: An elliptical phantom with five different iodine concentrations (1-12 mgI/mL) was imaged five times with fast-kilovoltage-switching DECT for three target volume CT dose indexes. All images were reconstructed using filtered back-projection, iterative reconstruction (two levels), and DLIR algorithms.

Earth-shaking J. LEAGUE supporters.

We conducted temporary seismic observations at the Hitachi-Kashiwa Soccer Stadium on a J. LEAGUE game day to obtain unique seismic records due to the collective action (i.e.

Genetic basis of maturity time is independent from that of flowering time and contributes to ecotype differentiation in common buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench).

Background: Common buckwheat is considered a quantitative short-day plant and is classified into the autumn (highly photoperiod sensitive), summer (weakly photoperiod sensitive), and intermediate ecotype. Understanding ecotype differentiation is essential for adaptive expansion and maximizing yield. The genetic analysis for ecotype has focused on photoperiod-dependent flowering time, whereas post-flowering traits such as seed set and maturity time might also regulate ecotype differentiation.

TERT/BMI1-transgenic human dermal papilla cells enhance murine hair follicle formation in vivo.

Background: Dermal papilla cells (DPCs) are one type of mesenchymal cells; they play a key role on hair follicle induction. Their hair inductivity and proliferation abilities are rapidly lost during the 2-dimensional culture. Cell senescence is induced by inadequate culture conditions and telomere shortening.

Abbreviated Gadoxetic Acid-Enhanced MRI for the Detection of Liver Metastases in Patients With Potentially Resectable Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma.

Background: Gadoxetic acid-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is useful in detecting liver metastases from pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). However, the long examination time limits its utility in the initial workup of patients with PDAC.

Purpose: To evaluate the incremental value of an abbreviated gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI for the detection of liver metastases in patients with PDAC.