Identifying the crucial tipping point in the maturation process of cultured neurons using Raman spectroscopy and a dynamic network biomarker (DNB) analysis.

The present study aimed to identify crucial tipping points during neuronal development in a post-mitotic state using Raman spectroscopy and a dynamic network biomarker (DNB) analysis. A DNB analysis is a promising method to detect early signal during state transition. We previously developed an in vitro model that mimics neuronal development.

Establishing Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance as an Independent Pre-Disease State of Multiple Myeloma Using Raman Spectroscopy, Dynamical Network Biomarker Theory, and Energy Landscape Analysis.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a cancer of plasma cells. Normal (NL) cells are considered to pass through a precancerous state, such as monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), before transitioning to MM. In the present study, we acquired Raman spectra at three stages-834 NL, 711 MGUS, and 970 MM spectra-and applied the dynamical network biomarker (DNB) theory to these spectra.

Efficacy of Vitrectomy With Tamponade Versus No Tamponade for Myopic Traction Maculopathy: A Multicenter Study (SCHISIS Report No.1).

Purpose: To evaluate the influence of tamponade on the visual and anatomic outcomes of pars plana vitrectomy for myopic traction maculopathy (MTM).

Design: Multicenter, retrospective clinical cohort study.

Methods: Consecutive eyes that underwent vitrectomy for advanced MTM with tamponade of air, sulfur hexafluoride (SF), or perfluoropropane (CF) or without tamponade with a minimum follow-up of 12 months were included.

27-GAUGE PARS PLANA/PLICATA VITRECTOMY FOR PEDIATRIC VITREORETINAL SURGERY.

Purpose: To report on the feasibility of 27-gauge (G) vitrectomy for pediatric patients.

Methods: This study is an international, multicenter, retrospective, interventional case series. Participants were patients 17 years or younger who underwent 27-G vitrectomy for various indications.

Application of the Dynamical Network Biomarker Theory to Raman Spectra.

The dynamical network biomarker (DNB) theory detects the early warning signals of state transitions utilizing fluctuations in and correlations between variables in complex systems. Although the DNB theory has been applied to gene expression in several diseases, destructive testing by microarrays is a critical issue. Therefore, other biological information obtained by non-destructive testing is desirable; one such piece of information is Raman spectra measured by Raman spectroscopy.

Prognostic potential and pathological validation of a diagnostic application using Raman spectroscopy in the characterization of degenerative changes in the cartilage of the humeral head.

Significance: Raman spectroscopy is a well-established analytical method in the fields of chemistry, industry, biology, pharmaceutics, and medicine. Previous studies have investigated optical imaging and Raman spectroscopy for osteoarthritis (OA) diagnosis in weight-bearing joints such as hip and knee joints. However, to realize early diagnosis or a curable treatment, it is still challenging to understand the correlations with intrinsic factors or patients’ background.

Efficacy of cooling therapy and α-lipoic acid derivative against chemotherapy-induced alopecia in an animal model.

Chemotherapy-induced alopecia is frequently induced by various regimens of chemotherapy and has a significant impact on mental health and quality of life. However, the effect of available current treatment for chemotherapy-induced alopecia is not sufficient. This study aimed to clarify the therapeutic effects and mechanism of skin cooling and the antioxidant α-lipoic acid derivative on chemotherapy-induced alopecia.

Synthesis and Application of AgBiS and AgS Nanoinks for the Production of IR Photodetectors.

Nanoinks composed of quantum dots (QDs) are applied in light-receiving devices and light-emitting devices such as solar cells and displays. However, since the most widely used QDs, PbS and CdS, are toxic and environmentally concerning, alternative materials need to be developed. We synthesized and analyzed Ag chalcogenide nanoparticles, including AgBiS and AgS nanoparticles, which are eco-friendly materials.

Fatty acid composition of the methylotrophic yeast Komagataella phaffii grown under low- and high-methanol conditions.

In this study, we analysed the intracellular fatty acid profiles of Komagataella phaffii during methylotrophic growth. K. phaffii grown on methanol had significantly lower total fatty acid contents in the cells compared with glucose-grown cells.

Label-free detection of human enteric nerve system using Raman spectroscopy: A pilot study for diagnosis of Hirschsprung disease.

Background: Hirschsprung disease (HSCR) is characterized by the absence of an enteric nerve system (ENS). To remove aganglionosis, bowel reconstruction is only a curative treatment. It is mandatory to identify the extent of aganglionosis during surgery.

Role of increased vascular permeability in chemotherapy-induced alopecia: In vivo imaging of the hair follicular microenvironment in mice.

Chemotherapy-induced alopecia is one of the most difficult adverse events of cancer treatment for patients. However, it is still unknown why anticancer drugs cause hair loss. We aimed to clarify the mechanism of chemotherapy-induced alopecia in mice using an in vivo imaging technique with a two-photon microscope, which enables observation of the deep reaction in the living body in real time.

Multiple calcium sources are required for intracellular calcium mobilization during gastric organoid epithelial repair.

Calcium (Ca ) is a known accelerator for gastric wound repair. We have demonstrated in vivo and in vitro that intracellular Ca increases in the gastric epithelial cells directly adjacent to a damaged cell, and that this Ca rise is essential for the cellular migration that rapidly repairs the epithelium (restitution). While intracellular Ca has been shown to be an important signaling factor during epithelial restitution, the source from which this intracellular Ca originates remains unclear.

Fucosyltransferase 8 plays a crucial role in the invasion and metastasis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Purpose: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the most common type of pancreatic cancer. It is an aggressive malignancy associated with poor prognosis because of recurrence, metastasis, and treatment resistance. Aberrant glycosylation of cancer cells triggers their migration and invasion and is considered one of the most important prognostic cancer biomarkers.

Valve Interstitial Cell-Specific Cyclooxygenase-1 Associated With Calcification of Aortic Valves.

Background: The molecular mechanisms underlying aortic valve calcification are poorly understood. Here, we aimed to identify the master regulators of calcification by comparison of genes in valve interstitial cells (VICs) with calcified and noncalcified aortic valves.

Methods: Calcified aortic valves were surgically excised from patients with aortic valve stenosis who required aortic valve replacements.

Pharmacokinetic and toxicodynamic evaluation of 5-fluorouracil administration after major hepatectomy in a rat model.

Background: Chemotherapy after hepatectomy for colorectal liver metastasis has not been established, due to the toxic side effects, which are likely related to impaired drug clearance during liver regeneration. We investigated the pharmacokinetic and toxicodynamic evaluation of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) during liver regeneration after major hepatectomy in a rat model.

Methods: Thirty-six male Wistar rats were divided into control (C), control with chemotherapy (CC), hepatectomy (H), and hepatectomy with chemotherapy (HC) groups.

Multicenter survey of sutureless 27-gauge vitrectomy for primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment: a consecutive series of 410 cases.

Purpose: To evaluate the surgical outcomes of the 27-gauge (G) vitrectomy system for the treatment of primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD).

Methods: This retrospective consecutive series multicenter study involved a total of 410 eyes of 406 patients who underwent 3-port transconjunctival 27G pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for RRD between November 2014 and December 2016 and who were followed for a minimum of 3 months postoperative. The main outcome measure was primary reattachment, with the secondary outcome measures being final reattachment, improvement of visual acuity (VA), intraocular pressure (IOP), intraoperative and postoperative complications, and surgery time.

Trefoil factor 2 activation of CXCR4 requires calcium mobilization to drive epithelial repair in gastric organoids.

Key Points: Determining the signalling cascade of epithelial repair, using murine gastric organoids, allows definition of regulatory processes intrinsic to epithelial cells, at the same time as validating and dissecting the signalling cascade with more precision than is possible in vivo Following single cell damage, intracellular calcium selectively increases within cells adjacent to the damage site and is essential for promoting repair. Trefoil factor 2 (TFF2) acts via chemokine C-X-C receptor 4 and epidermal growth factor receptor signalling, including extracellular signal-regulated kinase activation, to drive calcium mobilization and promote gastric repair. Sodium hydrogen exchanger 2, although essential for repair, acts downstream of TFF2 and calcium mobilization.

Raman Spectroscopic Analysis to Detect Reduced Bone Quality after Sciatic Neurectomy in Mice.

Bone mineral density (BMD) is a commonly used diagnostic indicator for bone fracture risk in osteoporosis. Along with low BMD, bone fragility accounts for reduced bone quality in addition to low BMD, but there is no diagnostic method to directly assess the bone quality. In this study, we investigated changes in bone quality using the Raman spectroscopic technique.

Determination of Formaldehyde in Water Samples by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with Methyl Acetoacetate Derivatization.

A high-performance liquid chromatography method with methyl acetoacetate derivatization via the Hantzsch reaction was developed for the analysis of formaldehyde (HCHO) in several water samples. Under optimized conditions, HCHO was detected within 4 min and was not affected by excessive derivatization reagents. The calibration curve constructed from the peak height of HCHO was linear, with a correlation coefficient of 0.

Quantitative imaging of fibrotic and morphological changes in liver of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) model mice by second harmonic generation (SHG) and auto-fluorescence (AF) imaging using two-photon excitation microscopy (TPEM).

Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a common liver disorder caused by fatty liver. Because NASH is associated with fibrotic and morphological changes in liver tissue, a direct imaging technique is required for accurate staging of liver tissue. For this purpose, in this study we took advantage of two label-free optical imaging techniques, second harmonic generation (SHG) and auto-fluorescence (AF), using two-photon excitation microscopy (TPEM).

Altered Gene Expression of RNF34 and PACAP Possibly Involved in Mechanism of Exercise-Induced Analgesia for Neuropathic Pain in Rats.

Despite the availability of several modalities of treatment, including surgery, pharmacological agents, and nerve blocks, neuropathic pain is often unresponsive and sometimes progresses to intractable chronic pain. Although exercise therapy is a candidate for treatment of neuropathic pain, the mechanism underlying its efficacy has not been elucidated. To clarify the molecular mechanism for pain relief induced by exercise, we measured and mRNA levels in the spinal cord dorsal horn of SNL rats, a model of neuropathic pain.

SURGICAL OUTCOMES OF 27-GAUGE VITRECTOMY FOR A CONSECUTIVE SERIES OF 163 EYES WITH VARIOUS VITREOUS DISEASES.

Purpose: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of 27-gauge vitrectomy for various vitreoretinal disorders.

Methods: In this retrospective comparative study, 163 consecutive eyes with various diseases that underwent 27-gauge pars plana vitrectomy with or without ultraspeed transformer by a single surgeon from June 2012 through December 2014 were analyzed in regard to best-corrected visual acuity, intraocular pressure, intraoperative and postoperative complications, and surgery time.

Results: In 2 eyes (1.

phenol A Inhibits Cell Proliferation and Reduces the Motile Potential of Murine LM8 Osteosarcoma Cells.

Aim: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of bisphenol A (BPA) on the proliferation and motility potential of murine LM8 osteosarcoma cells.

Materials And Methods: LM8 cells were treated for 3 days with or without 80 μM BPA. The effect of BPA on cell proliferation was determined by DNA measurement in the cultures and 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation study.