Analysis of degradation products of Novichok agents in human urine by hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

Purpose: The detection of hydrolysis products of Novichok agents in biological samples from victims is important for confirming exposure to these agents. However, Novichok agents are new class of nerve agent and there have been only few reports on analyses of Novichok agent degradation products. Here, we developed hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC)-tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) methods to detect Novichok agent degradation products in human urine with simple pretreatment and high sensitivity.

Relationship Between C-reactive Protein-to-albumin Ratio Before and After Bowel Decompression and Prognosis in Acute Malignant Large Bowel Obstruction.

Background/aim: We investigated the relationship between prognosis and the necessity of decompression of large bowel obstruction (LBO) among patients with colorectal cancer admitted to the hospital in an emergency, as well as the correlation between prognosis and improvement in the C-reactive protein-to-albumin ratio (CAR) after decompression.

Patients And Methods: Seventy-four patients admitted to the hospital between 2013 and 2021 in an emergency due to LBO were included. We examined perioperative clinicopathological factors, bowel decompression type, and prognosis.

Effectiveness of Abdominal Ultrasonography for Improving the Prognosis of Pancreatic Cancer during Medical Checkup: A Single Center Retrospective Analysis.

Recent advancements in surgical and anti-cancer therapies have provided significant hope of long survival in patients with pancreatic cancer (PC). To realize this hope, routine medical checkups of asymptomatic people should be performed to identify operable PCs. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of medical checkups using abdominal ultrasonography (US).

Promoters of BRCA testing under insurance coverage for non-metastatic breast cancer patients in Japan: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: We investigated the barriers to and promoters of taking BRCA testing, after the start of national healthcare insurance coverage for non-metastatic breast cancer patients in Japan.

Patients And Methods: This was a multi-center, retrospective, cohort study. We included stage 0 to III breast cancer patients who were diagnosed and met the criteria for insurance coverage of BRCA testing between April 2020 and December 2021.

Long-standing diabetes mellitus increases concomitant pancreatic cancer risk in patients with intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms.

Background: When monitoring patients with an intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN), it is important to consider both IPMN-derived carcinoma and concomitant ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). The latter is thought to have a poorer prognosis. We retrospectively analyzed the risk factors for concomitant PDAC in IPMN.

Heat-Induced Dolomitization of Amorphous Calcium Magnesium Carbonate in a CO-Filled Closed System.

We report a method to synthesize dolomite [CaMg(CO)] from amorphous calcium magnesium carbonate (ACMC) via solid-state transformation. When ACMC is heated in air, it does not crystallize into dolomite but decomposes into Mg calcite, magnesium oxide, and CO. Hence, we heated ACMC in a closed system filled with CO gas (pCO >1.

Association of labour duration in spontaneous deliveries with low neonatal Apgar scores and foetal acidosis: the Japan Environment and Children's Study.

This study evaluated the association between labour duration (LD) and incidence of low neonatal Apgar scores and foetal acidosis. Data of 37,682 women with full-term singleton spontaneous vaginal deliveries from the Japan Environment and Children's Study were analysed. Women were classified according to the median LD as nulliparous (< 10 or ≥ 10 h) or multiparous (< 5 or ≥ 5 h) and further into five subcategories: nulliparous (< 10.

Morphology and molecular phylogeny of the benthic dinoflagellates (Dinophyceae, Peridiniales) Amphidiniopsis crumena n. sp. and Amphidiniopsis nileribanjensis n. sp.

Amphidiniopsis is a benthic, heterotrophic and thecate dinoflagellate genus that has a smaller epitheca and larger hypotheca. The genus contains 24 described species, but is considered to be polyphyletic based on morphological characters and molecular phylogenetics. In this study, two new species were discovered from two distant sampling localities, Amphidiniopsis crumena sp.

A changing thermal regime revealed from shallow to deep basalt source melting in the Moon.

Sample return missions have provided the basis for understanding the thermochemical evolution of the Moon. Mare basalt sources are likely to have originated from partial melting of lunar magma ocean cumulates after solidification from an initially molten state. Some of the Apollo mare basalts show evidence for the presence in their source of a late-stage radiogenic heat-producing incompatible element-rich layer, known for its enrichment in potassium, rare-earth elements, and phosphorus (KREEP).

Bandgap widening through doping for improving the photocatalytic oxidation ability of narrow-bandgap semiconductors.

The trade-off relationship between narrowing the bandgap and achieving sufficient redox potentials accounts for the hindrance to the development of an efficient photocatalyst. Most of the previous researchers attempt to narrow the bandgap of semiconductors by impurity doping to achieve visible-light sensitivity, but this approach causes the losses of their oxidation and/or reduction ability. Conversely, this study presents a bandgap widening strategy by doping to improve the redox potential of photogenerated carriers.

Association of Chlamydia trachomatis infection with pregnancy outcomes among Japanese pregnant women: The Japan environment and children's study.

This study aimed to investigate the impact of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) infection on pregnancy outcome in pregnant Japanese women. We utilized the data from a nationwide birth cohort study, the Japan Environment and Children's Study (JECS), for this study. We enrolled 26,385 individuals who could refer to data on pregnancy outcomes and confounding factors, with data on CT.

Biochemical and hydrogen-deuterium exchange studies of the single nucleotide polymorphism Y649C in human platelet 12-lipoxygenase linked to a bleeding disorder.

Human platelet 12-lipoxygenase (h12-LOX) is responsible for the formation of oxylipin products that play an important role in platelet aggregation. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of h12-LOX have been implicated in several diseases. In this study, we investigate the structural, dynamical, and functional impact of a h12-LOX SNP that generates a tyrosine-to-cysteine mutation at a buried site (Y649C h12-LOX) and was previously ascribed with reduced levels of 12(S)-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (12S-HETE) production in isolated platelets.

Influence of preconception carbohydrate intake on hypertensive disorders of pregnancy: The Japan Environment and Children's Study.

Aim: Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) are a crucial cause of morbidity and mortality. We aimed to examine whether preconception carbohydrate intake is associated with new-onset HDP and small for gestational age (SGA) births.

Methods: We identified 93 265 normotensive (primiparous, 37 387; multiparous, 55 878) participants from the Japan Environmental Children's Study database who delivered between 2011 and 2014.

Arterial switch operation with coronary button extension and neo-pulmonary trunk realignment for a rare coronary pattern.

Coronary anatomy is key for arterial switch operations as reimplantation for coronary artery patterns originating from the same sinus is often challenging. We experienced an extremely rare coronary artery anatomy case (Leiden convention: 1 R, 1LCx) and successfully performed an arterial switch operation with coronary button extension and neo-pulmonary trunk realignment maneuver.

Classification of Local Recurrence After Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy Based on Location: The Features of Nipple-Areolar Recurrence Differ from Those of Other Local Recurrences.

Background: Little information is available about the clinical and pathologic characteristics of local recurrence (LR) after nipple-sparing mastectomy according to the locations of LR.

Methods: This study classified 99 patients into the following two groups according to the location of LR after nipple-sparing mastectomy: nipple-areolar recurrence (NAR) group and other locations of LR (oLR) group. The study evaluated whether the location of LR was associated with disease-free survival (DFS) after LR resection.

Association between skin immune-related adverse events (irAEs) and multisystem irAEs during PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor monotherapy.

Purpose: Patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) often develop immune-related adverse events (irAEs) in various organs of the body. However, the patient factors associated with the development of multisystem irAEs are not well known. Skin irAEs most frequently occur and appear early after ICI treatment initiation.

Integration of enzyme-encapsulated mesoporous silica between nanohole array electrode and hydrogel film for flow-type electrochemical biosensor.

We herein propose a simple and sensitive electrochemical flow biosensor platform without an external flow device. The sensing unit comprises a platinum nanohole array electrode deposited on a nanoporous track-etched membrane (PtNH/NPM), a packed-layer of glucose oxidase-encapsulated mesoporous silica particles (GOD/MPS), and bovine serum albumin hydrogel film (BSA gel film). This sensing unit was fixed at the open window at the side of the plastic container with internal solution containing NaCl as osmotic reagent.

[Microtaggant Technology for Ensuring Traceability of Pharmaceutical Formulations: Potential for Anti-counterfeiting Measures, Distribution and Medication Management].

The globalization of drug trade has led to the increased production of falsified medicines. In addition, poor medication adherence increases the costs of healthcare. The need to manage medication has given rise to marketing of highly functional networked digital medicine.

Spatial Characteristics of the Efflux Pump MexB Determine Inhibitor Binding.

The multidrug efflux transporters MexB and MexY in Pseudomonas aeruginosa and AcrB in Escherichia coli contribute to these organisms' multidrug resistance. Efflux pump inhibitor (EPI) ABI-PP inhibits MexB and AcrB, but not MexY. We previously determined the structure of ABI-PP bound to the hydrophobic trap (the inhibitor-binding pit) of AcrB and MexB.

Squalomix: shark and ray genome analysis consortium and its data sharing platform.

The taxon Elasmobranchii (sharks and rays) contains one of the long-established evolutionary lineages of vertebrates with a tantalizing collection of species occupying critical aquatic habitats. To overcome the current limitation in molecular resources, we launched the Squalomix Consortium in 2020 to promote a genome-wide array of molecular approaches, specifically targeting shark and ray species. Among the various bottlenecks in working with elasmobranchs are their elusiveness and low fecundity as well as the large and highly repetitive genomes.

Eicosanoids in inflammation in the blood and the vessel.

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are structural components of membrane phospholipids in cells. PUFAs regulate cellular function through the formation of derived lipid mediators termed eicosanoids. The oxygenation of 20-carbon PUFAs via the oxygenases cyclooxygenases, lipoxygenases, or cytochrome P450, generates a class of classical eicosanoids including prostaglandins, thromboxanes and leukotrienes, and also the more recently identified hydroxy-, hydroperoxy-, epoxy- and oxo-eicosanoids, and the specialized pro-resolving (lipid) mediators.

Preconception Dietary Inflammatory Index and Risk of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Based on Maternal Body Mass Index: Findings from a Japanese Birth Cohort Study.

We aimed to examine the impact of a preconception pro-inflammatory diet on gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) using singleton pregnancy data from the Japan Environment and Children’s Study involving live births from 2011 to 2014. Individual meal patterns before pregnancy were used to calculate the dietary inflammatory index (DII). Participants were categorized according to DII quartiles 1−4 (Q1 and Q4 had the most pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory diets, respectively).

Interactions between monthly training volume, frequency and running distance per workout on marathon time.

Purpose: This study attempted to clarify the relationships between marathon time and monthly training volume, training frequency and the longest (LRD) or average running distance per workout (ARD), as well as their interactions.

Methods: Male recreational runners (n = 587) participating in the Hokkaido Marathon 2017 completed a questionnaire before the race; of these, 494 finished the race. We assessed age, running career, body height, body weight, body mass index (BMI), monthly training volume, training frequency, the LRD and the ARD.

Clinical differences among patients with myeloperoxidase-antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-positive interstitial lung disease.

Introduction: Patients with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis and idiopathic interstitial lung diseases (IIPs) are positive for myeloperoxidase (MPO)-ANCA. MPO-ANCA-positive vasculitis mainly comprises microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) and unclassifiable vasculitis. These diseases are frequently complicated by interstitial lung disease (ILD).

Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy With Docetaxel, Cisplatin, and 5-Fluorouracil (DCF-RT) for Patients With Potentially Resectable Esophageal Cancer.

Background/aim: We evaluated the long-term outcome of docetaxel, cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil as combination chemoradiotherapy (DCF-RT) for patients with potentially resectable esophageal cancer (EC) in clinical settings.

Patients And Methods: Twenty-eight patients with potentially resectable thoracic EC were included in this study. Chemotherapy consisted of intravenous docetaxel at 50 mg/m (day 1), CDDP at 60 mg/m (day 1), and 5-FU at 600 mg/m (days 1 to 4), repeated every four weeks for two cycles along with radiotherapy (60 Gy in 30 fractions).