Effectiveness of Data-Driven Gating FDG PET/CT for Abdominal Region.

This study aimed to validate the effectiveness of MotionFree (MF) in the abdominal region using 2 different PET/CT scanners to determine how to use MF efficiently. All 198 patients underwent respiratory-gated F-FDG PET/CT with MF. Imaging was performed using Discovery MI (DMI) and Discovery IQ (DIQ) PET/CT scanners, and all data were divided into 2 groups in each category (abdominal: upper and lower abdomen, lesion size, <20 mm and ≥20 mm; scanner group: DMI and DIQ).

Prognostic value of left atrial stiffness in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Aim: This study was performed to evaluate the association between left atrial (LA) stiffness and outcomes in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).

Methods And Results: This study involved 279 patients with aortic stenosis (AS) who underwent TAVI at Kumamoto University Hospital between 2015 and 2023. During a median follow-up of 468 days (interquartile range: 258-825 days), 42 deaths occurred.

Artificial dural regeneration matrix as a substitute for autologous tissue in indirect bypass in Moyamoya disease: Investigation of a rat model of chronic cerebral hypoperfusion.

Indirect bypass using autologous tissue is effective in Moyamoya disease, especially among pediatric patients. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of indirect bypass using DuraGen (absorbable artificial dura mater composed of collagen matrix), as a substitute for autologous tissue in a rat model of chronic cerebral hypoperfusion. Male Wistar rats were subjected to bilateral internal carotid artery occlusion and divided into three groups: a control group without bypass surgery, a group wherein indirect bypass was performed using the temporalis muscle (encephalo-myo-synangiosis [EMS] group), and a group wherein DuraGen was used (Dura group).

HIF1α Plays a Crucial Role in the Development of TFE3-Rearranged Renal Cell Carcinoma by Orchestrating a Metabolic Shift Toward Fatty Acid Synthesis.

Tumor development often requires cellular adaptation to a unique, high metabolic state; however, the molecular mechanisms that drive such metabolic changes in TFE3-rearranged renal cell carcinoma (TFE3-RCC) remain poorly understood. TFE3-RCC, a rare subtype of RCC, is defined by the formation of chimeric proteins involving the transcription factor TFE3. In this study, we analyzed cell lines and genetically engineered mice, demonstrating that the expression of the chimeric protein PRCC-TFE3 induced a hypoxia-related signature by transcriptionally upregulating HIF1α and HIF2α.

Five-Year Results With Patisiran for Hereditary Transthyretin Amyloidosis With Polyneuropathy: A Randomized Clinical Trial With Open-Label Extension.

Importance: There is a lack of long-term efficacy and safety data on hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis with polyneuropathy (hATTR-PN) and on RNA interference (RNAi) therapeutics in general. This study presents the longest-term data to date on patisiran for hATTR-PN.

Objective: To present the long-term efficacy and safety of patisiran in adults with hATTR-PN.

Screening for Deep Vein Thrombosis Using D-dimer Levels Based on Surgical Patients' Characteristics.

Purpose Owing to the shortage of surgeons and the decrease in medical staff in regional medical care, reducing unnecessary tests can limit the burden on the staff. In this study, we aimed to examine the predictors of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), such as D-dimer levels in patients who underwent surgery at our hospital, and determine the feasibility of screening in these patients. Knowledge of D-dimer levels can indicate the risk of DVT in patients about to undergo surgery.

Approaches for difficult-to-induce-seizures electroconvulsive therapy cases (DEC): a Japanese expert consensus.

Background: Seizure threshold increases with age and the frequency of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Therefore, therapeutic seizures can be difficult to induce, even at maximum stimulus charge with available ECT devices. Such cases are known as difficult-to-induce-seizures electroconvulsive therapy cases (DECs).

Keratin nanoparticles derived from feather waste for novel antibacterial delivery.

The global rise of bacterial resistance demands innovative strategies to enhance antibiotic efficacy. This study investigates keratin nanoparticles (KNPs) derived from waste chicken feathers as sustainable drug carriers. Antibacterial activity of KNPs was evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli using antibacterial sensitivity assays, including disc diffusion and minimum inhibitory concentration tests, while cytotoxicity was evaluated on human lymphoma cells.

Treatment strategy for intermediate-risk papillary thyroid cancer: Focus on postoperative hypothyroidism following lobectomy.

Objective: An optimal surgical approach for intermediate-risk papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) has not yet been established. The surgical procedure should be determined based on treatment outcomes and postoperative complications. This study aimed to evaluate appropriate surgical strategies for patients with intermediate-risk PTC by comparing treatment outcomes and postoperative complications following total thyroidectomy and lobectomy.

Protocol for transcriptomic and epigenomic analyses of tip-like endothelial cells using scRNA-seq and ChIP-seq.

Angiogenesis begins as endothelial cells migrate, forming a sprouting tip and subsequent growth-rich stalk cells. Here, we present a protocol for transcriptomic and epigenomic analyses of tip-like cells in cultured endothelial cells. We describe steps for stimulating human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) with vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF) to generate tip-like cells.

Issues and Limitations on the Road to Fair and Inclusive AI Solutions for Biomedical Challenges.

Objective: In this paper, we explore the correlation between performance reporting and the development of inclusive AI solutions for biomedical problems. Our study examines the critical aspects of bias and noise in the context of medical decision support, aiming to provide actionable solutions. Contributions: A key contribution of our work is the recognition that measurement processes introduce noise and bias arising from human data interpretation and selection.

Thermo-TRP regulation by endogenous factors and its physiological function at core body temperature.

Transient receptor potential (TRP) channels with temperature sensitivities (thermo-TRPs) are involved in various physiological processes. Thermo-TRPs that detect temperature changes in peripheral sensory neurons possess indispensable functions in thermosensation, eliciting defensive behavior against noxious temperatures and driving autonomic/behavioral thermoregulatory responses to maintain body temperature in mammals. Moreover, most thermo-TRPs are functionally expressed in cells and tissues where the temperature is maintained at a constant core body temperature.

Clinical practice guidelines for management of disseminated intravascular coagulation in Japan 2024. Part 3: solid cancers and vascular abnormalities.

This study discusses disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) associated with solid cancers and various vascular abnormalities, both of which generally exhibit chronic DIC patterns. Solid cancers are among the most significant underlying diseases that induce DIC. However, the severity, bleeding tendency, and progression of DIC vary considerably depending on the type and stage of the cancer, making generalization difficult.

A Giant Aneurysm of Vieussens' Arterial Ring With Pulmonary Artery Fistula.

A 79-year-old woman presented with a systolic murmur and dyspnea on exertion. Transthoracic echocardiography and multidetector-row computed tomography revealed a giant aneurysm in an abnormal vessel known as Vieussens' arterial ring (VAR). A pulmonary artery VAR fistula was also observed.

Evaluation of (Shared) Autonomy in Robot-Assisted Vitreoretinal Surgery Using a Surgical Model.

Background: Robot-assisted vitreoretinal surgery makes it easier for the surgeons to perform precise and dexterous manipulations required in vitreoretinal procedures.

Methods: We systematically evaluated manual surgery, conventional two-hand teleoperation, a novel one-hand teleoperation, and automation in a needle positioning task using a realistic surgical eye model, measuring the expert surgeon's performances and the novice's learning curves.

Results: The proposed one-hand teleoperation improved the positioning accuracy of expert surgeons , enabled novices to achieve a consistent accuracy more quickly , decreased the novice's workload more quickly , and made it easier for novices to learn to conduct the task quickly .

Identification of key gene signatures for predicting chemo-immunotherapy efficacy in extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer using machine learning.

Objectives: The lack of definitive biomarkers presents a significant challenge for chemo-immunotherapy in extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC). We aimed to identify key genes associated with chemo-immunotherapy efficacy in ES-SCLC through comprehensive gene expression analysis using machine learning (ML).

Methods: A prospective multicenter cohort of patients with ES-SCLC who received first-line chemo-immunotherapy was analyzed.

Prediction of cccDNA dynamics in hepatitis B patients by a combination of serum surrogate markers.

Quantification of intrahepatic covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) is a key for evaluating an elimination of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in infected patients. However, quantifying cccDNA requires invasive methods such as a liver biopsy, which makes it impractical to access the dynamics of cccDNA in patients. Although HBV RNA and HBV core-related antigens (HBcrAg) have been proposed as surrogate markers for evaluating cccDNA activity, they do not necessarily estimate the amount of cccDNA.

New naphthalene-linked pyrazoline-thiazole hybrids as prominent antilung and antibreast cancer inhibitors.

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), pioneer members of the receptor tyrosine kinase subfamily, are frequently mutated and/or overexpressed in several types of human cancers, including nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and breast cancer, which are leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. EGFR and HER2-focused anti-NSCLC and antibreast cancer studies encouraged us to search for new potential agents. For this purpose, in the current work, naphthalene-linked pyrazoline-thiazole hybrids (- and -) were synthesized and examined for their antiproliferative effects on A549 NSCLC and MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines.

Long-term intake of Tamogi-take mushroom (Pleurotus cornucopiae) mitigates age-related cardiovascular dysfunction and extends healthy life expectancy.

Age-related declines in cardiac function and exercise tolerance interfere with healthy living and decrease healthy life expectancy in older individuals. Tamogi-take mushrooms (Pleurotus cornucopiae) are known to contain high levels of Ergothioneine (EGT), an antioxidant with potential health benefits. In this study, we assessed the possibility that long-term consumption of Tamogi-take mushrooms might attenuate age-related decline in cardiac and vascular endothelial function in mice.

Autonomous ribosome biogenesis in vitro.

Ribosome biogenesis is pivotal in the self-replication of life. In Escherichia coli, three ribosomal RNAs and 54 ribosomal proteins are synthesized and subjected to cooperative hierarchical assembly facilitated by numerous accessory factors. Realizing ribosome biogenesis in vitro is a critical milestone for understanding the self-replication of life and creating artificial cells.

Long-Term Effect of Tafamidis on Clinical Parameters and Prognostic Predictors in Patients With Transthyretin Amyloid Cardiomyopathy.

Background: Accurate prediction of prognosis in transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM) is crucial for optimal treatment selection, including tafamidis, the only approved therapy for ATTR-CM. Although tafamidis has been proven to improve prognosis, the long-term serial changes in comprehensive parameters related to ATTR-CM, including cardiac biomarkers and imaging parameters, under tafamidis remain unknown.

Methods And Results: In this study, we used Cox regression analysis on data from 258 consecutive patients diagnosed with ATTR-CM at Kumamoto University to determine prognostic factors.

Association Between Antibiotic Exposure During Pregnancy and Postpartum Depressive Symptoms: The Japan Environment and Children's Study.

Postpartum depressive symptoms (PDS) are a common mental health condition among women after delivery. Although various causative factors have been reported, PDS remains a challenging condition to predict and prevent. The disruption of the gut microbiota due to antibiotic exposure has been reported to affect psychiatric conditions.