Sucrose-preferring gut microbes prevent host obesity by producing exopolysaccharides.

Commensal bacteria affect host health by producing various metabolites from dietary carbohydrates via bacterial glycometabolism; however, the underlying mechanism of action remains unclear. Here, we identified Streptococcus salivarius as a unique anti-obesity commensal bacterium. We found that S.

Capacitance enhancement by ion-laminated borophene-like layered materials.

Atomically flat two-dimensional networks of boron are attracting attention as post-graphene materials. An introduction of cations between the boron atomic layers can exhibit unique electronic functions that are not achieved by neutral graphene or its derivatives. In the present study, we propose a synthesis strategy for ion-laminated boron layered materials in a solution phase, which enables the preparation of analogs by changing the alkali-metal species.

Clinicopathological and immunohistochemical analysis of the risk factors of recurrence of atypical lipomatous tumor/well-differentiated liposarcoma of the extremities.

Atypical lipomatous tumors/well-differentiated liposarcomas (ALT/WDLPS) are low-grade, slow-growing, and locally aggressive tumors. We investigated clinical outcomes and recurrence factors for ALT/WDLPS of the extremities. This is retrospective study across three institutions which included patients who underwent surgery for ALT/WDLPS from 2001 to 2019.

Phase II Study of Atezolizumab and Bevacizumab Combination Therapy for Patients with Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma Previously Treated with Lenvatinib.

: Atezolizumab and bevacizumab combination therapy has been established as a standard of care for first-line treatment; however, its efficacy and safety have not been fully evaluated for patients previously treated with systemic therapy. : In this phase II trial, patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma previously treated with lenvatinib were enrolled to receive a dose of 1,200 mg of atezolizumab and 15 mg/kg of bevacizumab every 3 weeks. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival.

Impact of Spinal Instrumentation on Early Postoperative Inflammatory Markers: A Comparative Analysis in the Same Patient Cohort with or without Instrumentation.

Backgrounds: Postoperative inflammatory parameters are important markers of surgical site infection. Some authors have reported that spine surgery with instrumentation elevates CRP levels more than that without instrumentation does. However, those studies compared early postoperative inflammatory markers with or without instrumentation in different patients, although CRP levels vary widely among patients.

Impaired myocardial perfusion and myocardial inflammation of acute myopericarditis associated with COVID-19.

Unlabelled: Myocarditis and pericarditis, or myopericarditis, is a rare, albeit life-threatening, cardiac complication of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Although most patients recover from myocardial inflammation within weeks of the acute infection, there are concerns about acute and long-term myocardial injury. Coronary microvascular dysfunction and myocardial inflammation in the affected myocardium might be key factors in developing acute COVID-19-associated myopericarditis.

Non-invasive electron paramagnetic resonance imaging detects tumor redox imbalance induced by ferroptosis.

Targeting ferroptosis, cell death caused by the iron-dependent accumulation of lipid peroxides, and disruption of the redox balance are promising strategies in cancer therapy owing to the physiological characteristics of cancer cells. However, the detection of ferroptosis using imaging remains challenging. We previously reported that redox maps showing the reduction power per unit time of implanted tumor tissues via non-invasive redox imaging using a novel, compact, and portable electron paramagnetic resonance imaging (EPRI) device could be compared with tumor tissue sections.

Impact of Fli1 deletion on B cell populations: A focus on age-associated B cells and transcriptional dynamics.

Background: Altered Fli1 expression is associated with various autoimmune diseases, yet its impact on B cells remains unexplored.

Objective: This study investigated the direct effects of Fli1 depletion on B cell populations, focusing on age-associated B cells (ABCs).

Methods: Splenocytes of Fli1 BcKO (Cd19-Cre; Fli1) and Cd19-Cre mice were analyzed flow cytometrically.

Association between ventricular arrhythmia (premature ventricular contractions burden and nonsustained ventricular tachycardia) and cardiovascular events in patients without structural heart disease.

Background: Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) and nonsustained ventricular tachycardia (NSVT) are common arrhythmias in cardiovascular clinical settings. However, the clinical significance of PVCs and NSVT in the absence of structural heart disease has not yet been fully elucidated. This study aimed to evaluate the association between PVCs, NSVT, and clinical outcomes.

Metachronous Pancreatic Cancer with Pancreaticobiliary Maljunction Diagnosed Five Years after Cholecystectomy for Gallbladder Cancer, in Which Follow-up Imaging was Possible Until the Onset of Cancer: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Whether or not pancreaticobiliary maljunction (PBM) is a risk factor for pancreatic cancer (PC) is unclear. We present a case of metachronous PC with PBM diagnosed after cholecystectomy for gallbladder cancer, in which follow-up imaging was possible until PC onset. A 63-year-old man who had been diagnosed with gallbladder cancer and had undergone cholecystectomy 5 years earlier developed pancreatitis.

Serum laminin γ2 monomer as a novel diagnostic and prognostic marker for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Background: The identification of effective diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers is critical to improving the outcomes of patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). We explored the potential of serum levels of laminin γ2 monomer (LG2m) as a biomarker in PDAC.

Methods: This study included two cohorts.

Lyme neuroborreliosis in Japan: Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato as a cause of meningitis of previously undetermined etiology in hospitalized patients outside of the island of Hokkaido, 2010-2021.

Background And Purpose: Clinical manifestations of Lyme borreliosis (LB), caused by Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (Bbsl), include erythema migrans, Lyme neuroborreliosis (LNB), carditis, and arthritis. LB is a notifiable disease in Japan with <30 surveillance-reported LB cases annually, predominately from Hokkaido Prefecture. However, LB, including LNB, may be under-diagnosed in Japan since diagnostic tests are not readily available.

Cystatin A promotes the antitumor activity of T helper type 1 cells and dendritic cells in murine models of pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a disease with poor prognosis due to diagnostic and therapeutic limitations. We previously identified cystatin A (CSTA) as a PDAC biomarker and have conducted the present study to investigate the antitumor effects of CSTA. PDAC murine models were established with genetically modified PAN02 tumor cell lines to evaluate the antitumor immune response.

Trastuzumab-Pertuzumab Plus Eribulin or Taxane as First-Line Chemotherapy for Human Epidermal Growth Factor 2-Positive Locally Advanced/Metastatic Breast Cancer: The Randomized Noninferiority Phase III EMERALD Trial.

Purpose: Trastuzumab-pertuzumab (HP) plus taxane is a current standard first-line therapy for recurrent or metastatic human epidermal growth factor 2 (HER2)+ breast cancer (BC). We investigated noninferiority of eribulin to a taxane when combined with dual HER2 blockade as first-line systemic treatment for locally advanced/metastatic HER2+ BC.

Methods: In the phase III EMERALD trial (target sample size, 480; ClinicalTrials.

Effects of preoperative beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate, arginine, and glutamine supplementation on cardiac surgery: A randomized controlled trial.

Background & Aims: In older patients undergoing cardiac surgery, physical function is a critical determinant of postoperative outcomes. Beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (HMB) supplementation has been shown to promote muscle protein anabolism and inhibit catabolism, thereby preventing muscle weakness. However, its efficacy in older patients undergoing cardiac surgery remains unknown.

Outcomes of Combined Atezolizumab Plus Chemotherapy in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Patients in Clinical Practice.

Background/aim: Atezolizumab, one of the anti-PD-L1 antibodies, targets PD-L1 expressed on cancer cells and antigen-presenting cells. This immune checkpoint inhibitor is now commonly used in combination with chemotherapy. The objectives of this study were to confirm the treatment outcomes of combined atezolizumab plus chemotherapy, and to identify prognostic factors, with a particular focus on the impact of the site of metastasis in real-world clinical practice.

Effect of Mixed Solid Food and Water Intake on Blood Glucose Level and Energy Metabolism.

Carbohydrate-rich solid foods, such as bread, pasta, and steamed rice, are applied for test meals in studies examining digestion and absorption of food related to glucose metabolism and sports science. Such research must consider that drinking water is sometimes better as it avoids the risk of choking or aspiration. However, the water increases test meal volume and dilutes glucose concentration, which may influence the digestion and absorption of ingested foods, as well as energy metabolism.

[The Potential Analysis of Flavoring Agents as Novel Functional Foods].

Functional foods have attracted increasing attention. To prevent diseases using functional foods, various unhealthy conditions must be addressed, such as blood lipids, blood sugar, and blood pressure. However, there are insufficient functional ingredients available to address these unhealthy conditions.

Comparative species delimitation of a biological conservation icon.

The United States Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973 set a precedent for biodiversity conservation across the globe. A key requirement of protections afforded by the ESA is the accurate delimitation of imperiled species. We present a comparative reference-based taxonomic approach to species delimitation that integrates genomic and morphological data for objectively assessing the distinctiveness of species targeted for protection by governmental agencies.

Direct photoreception by pituitary endocrine cells regulates hormone release and pigmentation.

The recent discovery of nonvisual photoreceptors in various organs has raised expectations for uncovering their roles and underlying mechanisms. In this work, we identified a previously unrecognized hormone-releasing mechanism in the pituitary of the Japanese rice fish (medaka) induced by light. Ca imaging analysis revealed that melanotrophs, a type of pituitary endocrine cell that secretes melanocyte-stimulating hormone, robustly increase the concentration of intracellular Ca during short-wavelength light exposure.

Higher FIB-4 index at baseline predicts development of liver cancer in a community-based cohort with viral hepatitis.

Hepatitis B and C (HBV and HCV) testing has been performed in Japan since 2002 and is subsidized by central and prefectural governments. A follow-up program for HBV- or HCV-infected persons was started at that time in Ishikawa Prefecture. This study analyzed the long-term follow-up data from this program.

Hypoxia-induced increase in sphingomyelin synthase 2 aggravates ischemic skeletal muscle inflammation.

Critical limb ischemia (CLI) is the most advanced stage of peripheral arterial disease, posing a high risk of mortality. Sphingomyelin, a sphingolipid synthesized by sphingomyelin synthases (SMSs) 1 and 2, plays an essential role in signal transduction as a component of lipid rafts. However, the role of sphingomyelin in the inflammation of ischemic skeletal muscles remains unclear.