The construction of a microenvironment with the vascular network by co-culturing fibroblasts and endothelial cells.

Introduction: Extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis and deposition in fibroblasts, and vascularization via endothelial cells are essential for successful tissue regeneration. Fibroblasts can produce both ECM, physical support for maintaining homeostasis, and bioactive molecules, such as growth factors and cytokines. Endothelial cells can secrete growth factors and form vascular networks that enable the supply of nutrients and oxygen and remove metabolic products.

Tolerogenic phenotype of dendritic cells is induced after hapten sensitization followed by attenuated contact hypersensitivity response in atopic dermatitis model NC/Nga mice.

Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) and atopic dermatitis (AD) are common inflammatory diseases. We previously reported attenuated contact hypersensitivity (CHS) responses in AD model mice using 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene, reflecting clinical experiments. However, previous studies have not addressed the commonality of findings across haptens and mechanisms focused on dendritic cells (DCs).

Evaluation of MTT reducers and strongly colored substances in the Short Time Exposure test method for assessing eye irritation potential.

The Short Time Exposure (STE) test evaluates eye irritation potential using a 3-(4,5-di-methylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. MTT assays may underpredict results for some substances that directly reduce MTT (i.e.

CTLA-4 suppresses hapten-induced contact hypersensitivity in atopic dermatitis model mice.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) patients with skin barrier dysfunction are considered to be at a higher risk of allergic contact dermatitis (ACD), although previous studies showed that attenuated ACD responses to strong sensitizers in AD patients compared to healthy controls. However, the mechanisms of ACD response attenuation in AD patients are unclear. Therefore, using the contact hypersensitivity (CHS) mouse model, this study explored the differences in CHS responses to hapten sensitization between NC/Nga mice with or without AD induction (i.

Gastric Flat Elevated Undifferentiated Signet-ring Cell Mucosal Cancer Lesion Detected in a Case without Helicobacter pylori Infection.

Protruded signet-ring cell carcinoma (SRCC) is extremely rare. We herein report a rare case of flat elevated gastric SRCC in a patient without Helicobacter pylori infection. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy of a woman in her 50s revealed a flat, whitish lesion in the gastric body with elevation.

A multicenter prospective study of the treatment and outcome of patients with gastroduodenal peptic ulcer bleeding in Japan.

Gastroduodenal peptic ulcers are the main cause of nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB). We believe that recent advances in endoscopic techniques and devices for diagnosing upper gastrointestinal tract tumors have advanced hemostasis for UGIB. However, few prospective multicenter studies have examined how these changes affect the prognosis.

The validation study of preoperative surgical planning for corrective target in adult spinal deformity surgery with 5-year follow-up for mechanical complications.

Purpose: We used the Hamamatsu formula as an indicator of correction goals in surgery for adult spinal deformity (ASD). However, it is reported that correction according to Global Alignment and Proportion (GAP) score and the Roussouly algorithm reduces implant-related complications. The purpose of this study was to validate three preoperative plannings for the incidence of complications.

refines the identification of human sinoatrial nodal cell population in the in vitro cardiac differentiation.

Introduction: Dysfunction of the sinoatrial node (SAN) cells causes arrhythmias, and many patients require artificial cardiac pacemaker implantation. However, the mechanism of impaired SAN automaticity remains unknown, and the generation of human SAN cells in vitro may provide a platform for understanding the pathogenesis of SAN dysfunction. The short stature homeobox 2 () and hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated cation channel 4 () genes are specifically expressed in SAN cells and are important for SAN development and automaticity.

Non-invasive imaging of ion concentration distribution around cell spheroids by electrical impedance tomographic sensor printed on circuit board under temporal compensation by ion transport impedance model.

A non-invasive imaging called as PCB-EIT imaging has been proposed in order to image spatio-temporal ion concentration distribution around cell spheroids in 0.1 s of temporal resolution by a newly developed electrical impedance tomographic sensor printed on circuit board (PCB-EIT sensor). To realize the high temporal resolution in PCB-EIT imaging, the temporal compensation by the ion transport impedance model interpolating the extracted resistance of extracellular solution R obtained from the Cole-Cole equation is employed.

Proteolytic activity accelerates the T17/T22 recall response to an epicutaneous protein allergen-induced T2 response.

Epicutaneous exposure to protein allergens, such as papain, house dust mite (HDM), and ovalbumin (OVA), represents an important mode of sensitization for skin diseases including protein contact dermatitis, immunologic contact urticaria, and atopic dermatitis. These diseases are inducible by re-exposure to an allergen at both original skin sensitization and distant skin sites. In this study, we examined the serum IgE/IgG response, differentiation of T-helper (T) cells, and epicutaneous T recall response in mice pre-sensitized with protein allergens through the back skin and subsequently challenged on the ear skin.

The gel immersion method and an endoscope with an attached balloon and a cylindrical hood facilitate hemostasis of post-papillectomy bleeding.

Yuki and colleagues report a case of successful endoscopic hemostasis of post-papillectomy bleeding with the gel immersion method and an endoscope with an attached balloon and a cylindrical hood. The visual field was improved with gel and maneuverability was improved using the cylindrical hood and the semi-inflating balloon.

Elevation of circulating neutrophil extracellular traps, interleukin (IL)-8, IL-22, and vascular endothelial growth factor in patients with venomous snake mamushi (Gloydius blomhoffii) bites.

Mamushi bites cause swelling and pain that extend from the bitten site. The coagulopathic, anti-coagulopathic, and vasculopathic actions of mamushi venom result in various laboratory abnormalities, occasionally with muscular, renal, and other organ damage. We investigated the serum biomarkers that were associated with the pathogenesis of mamushi bites, focusing on markers related to tissue-damage and neutrophil activation.

Epicutaneous challenge with protease allergen requires its protease activity to recall T2 and T17/T22 responses in mice pre-sensitized via distant skin.

Epicutaneous exposure to allergenic proteins is an important sensitization route for skin diseases like protein contact dermatitis, immunologic contact urticaria, and atopic dermatitis. Environmental allergen sources such as house dust mites contain proteases, which are frequent allergens themselves. Here, the dependency of T-helper (T) cell recall responses on allergen protease activity in the elicitation phase in mice pre-sensitized via distant skin was investigated.

A multicenter retrospective study of the esophageal triamcinolone acetonide-filling method in patients with extensive esophageal endoscopic submucosal dissection.

Objective: Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for extensive esophageal cancer is sometimes associated with post-ESD stenosis, despite preventative steroid therapy. In this retrospective multicenter analysis, we evaluated the factors associated with therapy resistance.

Materials And Methods: We enrolled 73 patients with 75 extensive esophageal cancers treated with ESD.

Comorbid irritable bowel syndrome symptoms and headache have greater association with anxiety than depression: Annual health check-up survey results.

High rates of co-existing irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and headache have been reported in western countries. We investigated that comorbidity in individuals in Japan, along with anxiety and depression in subjects with and without IBS symptoms and/or headache.This cross-sectional study was performed from April 2012 to January 2013 at the Matsue Seikyo General Hospital Health Check Center.

Total dose defines the incidence of percutaneous IgE/IgG1 mediated immediate-type hypersensitivity caused by papain.

Assessment of human health risk requires an understanding of antigen dose metrics associated with toxicity. Whereas assessment of the human health risk for delayed-type hypersensitivity is understood, the metrics remain unclear for percutaneous immediate-type hypersensitivity (ITH) mediated by IgE/IgG1. In this work, we aimed to investigate the dose metric for percutaneous ITH mediated by IgE/IgG1 responses.

Postpolypectomy bleeding of colorectal polyps in patients with continuous warfarin and short-term interruption of direct oral anticoagulants.

Background And Aims: Postpolypectomy bleeding (PPB) is the most common adverse event after colorectal polypectomy. Use of anticoagulants is an important risk factor for PPB. This study aimed to evaluate PPB in patients receiving treatment with warfarin and direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs).

Malignant Peritoneal Mesothelioma Presenting with Polymyalgia Rheumatica-like Syndrome.

A 30-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of pain in his proximal extremities. The pain mimicked polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) and it temporarily improved by a low dose of glucocorticoids, but his symptoms relapsed many times. After six years of glucocorticoid treatment, he developed abdominal pain and ascites, for which he was diagnosed with malignant peritoneal mesothelioma (MPM).

An acid-hydrolyzed wheat protein activates the inflammatory and NF-κB pathways leading to long TSLP transcription in human keratinocytes.

Hydrolyzed wheat proteins (HWPs) contained in cosmetics have occasionally caused immediate-type hypersensitivity following repeated skin exposure. Although the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel concluded that < 3,500 Da HWP is safe for use in cosmetics, it remains biologically unknown how allergenic HWPs evoke immediate-type allergy percutaneously. Keratinocyte-derived thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) induces type 2 immune responses, which play an essential role in the pathogenesis of immediate-type allergy.

Intrahelical Interactions in an α-Helical Coiled Coil Determine the Structural Stability of Tropomyosin.

Tropomyosin (Tpm) is a two-stranded parallel α-helical coiled-coil protein, and studying its structure is crucial for understanding the nature of coiled coils. Previously, we found that the N-terminal half of the human skeletal muscle α-Tpm (α-Tpm 140) was less structurally stable in the presence of phosphate ions than the coiled-coil protein carrier (CCPC) 140 variant with 18 mutated residues, in which all amino acid residues located at the interface between the two α-helices were completely conserved. A classical hypothesis explains that interhelical interactions stabilize the coiled-coil structure.

Relationship between colonic diverticulosis and colon neoplasms in Japanese patients.

Background And Aim: Colonic diverticulosis (CD) has been reported to be associated with presence of colon neoplasms (CNs) in Western patients, since most of the associated risk factors are common between them. However, such correlation has not been fully investigated in Asian patients. In this study, the association of CNs with CD was evaluated in a multicenter investigation.