Oxysterols Suppress Release of DNA from Granulocytes into Extracellular Space After Stimulation with Phorbol Myristate Acetate.

Background: Neutrophils eject their DNA strings and cellular proteins into the extracellular space upon treatment with various stimulants. In the present study, we examined the effects of four major oxidized cholesterol metabolites on DNA release from granulocytes.

Methods And Results: When oxysterols were added to HL-60-derived granulocytes stimulated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), they suppressed the release of DNA and myeloperoxidase from the cells.

Long-run measurement of income-related inequalities in health care under universal coverage: evidence from longitudinal analysis in Korea.

Background: Many countries have sought to promote well-being for their entire populations through the implementation of universal health coverage (UHC). To identify the extent to which UHC has been attained, it is necessary to evaluate equity of access to use of needed care and the cost burden of health services for the country's entire population. This study considers income-related inequalities in health care utilization and spending in a long-term perspective for the case of the Republic of Korea.

Suppressive effect of resveratrol, catechin and their conformationally constrained analogs on neutrophil extracellular trap formation by HL-60-derived neutrophils.

Neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation is a unique self-defense mechanism of neutrophils; however, it is also involved in many diseases, including atherosclerosis. Resveratrol and catechin are antioxidants with anti-atherosclerotic properties. Here, we examined the effects of resveratrol, catechin, and other related compounds on NET formation.

Behavior of intracellular lipid droplets during cell division in HuH7 hepatoma cells.

Intracellular lipid droplets (LDs) are ubiquitous organelles found in many cell types. During mitosis, membranous organelles, including mitochondria, are divided into small pieces and transferred to daughter cells; however, the process of LD transfer to daughter cells is not fully elucidated. Herein, we investigated the behavior of LDs during mitosis in HuH7 human hepatoma cells.

Fact-finding survey on the competencies and literacy of radiological technologists regarding radiation disasters.

Background: Radiological technologists serve as risk communicators who aim to lessen patients' anxiety about radiation exposure, in addition to performing radiological examinations.

Objective: We conducted a fact-finding survey on knowledge and awareness of radiation disasters among the radiological technologists to reveal their literacy and competencies regarding radiation disasters.

Methods: A paper questionnaire was distributed to 1,835 radiological technologists at 166 National Hospital Organization facilities in Japan.

High-Density Lipoprotein Suppresses Neutrophil Extracellular Traps Enhanced by Oxidized Low-Density Lipoprotein or Oxidized Phospholipids.

Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are found in patients with various diseases, including cardiovascular diseases. We previously reported that copper-oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) promotes NET formation of neutrophils, and that the resulting NETs increase the inflammatory responses of endothelial cells. In this study, we investigated the effects of high-density lipoproteins (HDL) on NET formation.

Patients' acceptance of placebo antibiotics in Japan: a prescription for antimicrobial resistance.

Background: The generalized use of antibiotics has led to the emergence of bacteria which are resistant to antimicrobial agents. This stems in part from the patient's tendencies to seek antibiotics for diseases when not necessary. Hence, this article investigated patient acceptance of prescribing placebos as a substitute for unnecessary antibiotics in Japan, where physicians are under severe time constraints and are unable to offer explanations and persuade patients who demand unnecessary antibiotics prescription.

Productivity Change of Surgeons During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic in Japan.

The purpose of this study is to compute surgical total factor productivity before and during the pandemic with Malmquist index, and to evaluate the effect of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on its productivity change. The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly shifted healthcare resources allocation; more healthcare resources have focused on measures against the COVID-19 pandemic. The authors collected data from all the surgical procedures performed in Teikyo University Hospital from April 1 through September 30 in 2019 and in 2020.

Sar1 Affects the Localization of Perilipin 2 to Lipid Droplets.

Lipid droplets (LDs) are intracellular organelles that are ubiquitous in many types of cells. The LD core consists of triacylglycerols (TGs) surrounded by a phospholipid monolayer and surface proteins such as perilipin 2 (PLIN2). Although TGs accumulate in the phospholipid bilayer of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and subsequently nascent LDs buds from ER, the mechanism by which LD proteins are transported to LD particles is not fully understood.

Sesamin and Hepatic Metabolites Derived from Sesamin and Episesamin Antagonize Farnesoid X Receptor and Reduce the Expression of Gluconeogenesis-Related Genes.

Sesamin and episesamin are the main lignans found in refined sesame oil and have been reported to exert various health benefits. However, the health benefits of these lignans and their molecular mechanisms have not been fully understood. This study evaluated the effects of sesamin, episesamin, and their metabolites on the nuclear bile acid receptor, farnesoid X receptor (FXR, NR1H4), which regulate gene expression involved in bile acid metabolism and gluconeogenesis.

Injection of hydrogel spacer increased maximal intrafractional prostate motion in anterior and superior directions during volumetric modulated arc therapy-stereotactic body radiation therapy for prostate cancer.

Background: The aim of this study was to clarify the association between intrafractional prostate shift and hydrogel spacer.

Methods: Thirty-eight patients who received definitive volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT)-stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for prostate cancer with prostate motion monitoring in our institution in 2018-2019 were retrospectively evaluated. In order to move the rectum away from the prostate, hydrogel spacer (SpaceOAR system, Boston Scientific, Marlborough, the United States) injection was proposed to the patients as an option in case of meeting the indication of use.

[Multicenter Evaluation of Cine Angiography and Digital Subtraction Angiography Dose Rate for Various Angiography Programs: Comparison with Fluoroscopic Dose Rate].

We conducted a nationwide multicenter survey of various interventional radiology (IVR) procedures. Data were collected from 385 X-ray systems in 126 institutions, including 432 cine programs and 380 digital subtraction angiography (DSA) programs for diagnostic catheterization, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), ablation, transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), neurologic IVR, thorax IVR, abdominal IVR, and endovascular therapy (EVT). Fluoroscopic and cine dose rates were 10.

Insulin-induced genes INSIG1 and INSIG2 mediate oxysterol-dependent activation of the PERK-eIF2α-ATF4 axis.

Insulin-induced genes (INSIGs) encode endoplasmic reticulum-resident proteins that regulate intracellular cholesterol metabolism. Oxysterols are oxygenated derivatives of cholesterol, some of which orchestrate lipid metabolism via interaction with INSIGs. Recently, it was reported that expression of activating transcription factor-4 (ATF4) was induced by certain oxysterols; the precise of mechanism is unclear.

Do technically efficient surgeons continue to provide active clinical services in a university hospital?

It is difficult for university hospitals to recruit and retain technically efficient surgeons because their missions include teaching and research as well as clinical services. The authors hypothesized that technically efficient surgeons do not continue to provide active clinical services in a university hospital. The authors collected data from all the surgical procedures performed at Teikyo University Hospital from April 1 through September 30 in 2013-2018.

Muscle-specific TGR5 overexpression improves glucose clearance in glucose-intolerant mice.

TGR5, a G protein-coupled bile acid receptor, is expressed in various tissues and regulates several physiological processes. In the skeletal muscle, TGR5 activation is known to induce muscle hypertrophy; however, the effects on glucose and lipid metabolism are not well understood, despite the fact that the skeletal muscle plays a major role in energy metabolism. Here, we demonstrate that skeletal muscle-specific TGR5 transgenic (Tg) mice exhibit increased glucose utilization, without altering the expression of major genes related to glucose and lipid metabolism.

[Multicenter Survey on Radiation Dose of Cardiac Intervention].

We conducted a nationwide survey of multiple institutions and collected data of various interventional procedures in the field of cardiology. Included in the analysis were 126 institutions, 381 X-ray systems, and 805 protocols. The dose values were compared with the Japanese diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) 2015.

Retrospective dose reconstruction of prostate stereotactic body radiotherapy using cone-beam CT and a log file during VMAT delivery with flattening-filter-free mode.

This study aimed to reconstruct the dose distribution of single fraction of stereotactic body radiotherapy for patients with prostate cancer using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and a log file during volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT) delivery with flattening-filter-free (FFF) mode. Twenty patients with clinically localized prostate cancer were treated with FFF-VMAT, and projection images for in-treatment CBCT (iCBCT) imaging were concomitantly acquired with a log file. A D dose of 36.

Voltage Contrast in Scanning Electron Microscopy to Distinguish Conducting Ag Nanowire Networks from Nonconducting Ag Nanowire Networks.

A study of the electrical properties of metallic nanowires requires a clear analysis of conductive networks. In this study, we demonstrated that the conducting networks of Ag nanowires (AgNW) could be visually observed by examination of the voltage contrast of the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images, which was caused by the differences in the degrees of charging of AgNWs. When AgNWs dispersed on a quartz glass were irradiated by primary electrons, the substrate became negatively charged.

Association Between Surgeons' Technical Efficiency and Hospital Revenue.

To evaluate surgeons' performance, health care managers often use the revenues that surgeons make for the hospital. The purpose of this study is to determine the relationship between surgeons' technical efficiency and their revenues by using multiple regression analysis on surgical data. The authors collected data from all the surgical procedures performed at University Hospital from April 1 through September 30 in 2013-2018.