The Impact of Metal-Support Interaction on the Structure and Activity of Carbon-Supported Ni Nanoparticle Catalysts for Alkaline Hydrogen Oxidation Reaction.

The effect of the carbon support─Ketjenblack (C) and Vulcan (C)─on the Ni/C catalyst properties toward alkaline hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR) was investigated. Both Ni/C and Ni/C presented improved catalytic activity with an increase in Ni particle size; however, Ni/C showed activity significantly higher than that of Ni/C at the same particle size. The reason for the difference in the HOR activity due to the types of carbon support was revealed to be the difference in the 3D structure of Ni nanoparticles determined by metal-support interaction, which is changed by the surface structures of carbon supports.

Differentiation-inducing factor-1 inhibits EMT by proteasomal degradation of TAZ and YAP in cervical and colon cancer cell lines.

We previously reported differentiation-inducing factor-1 (DIF-1) activated glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) in various mammalian cells. GSK-3 has been proposed to regulate a number of signaling pathway including TAZ/YAP signaling pathway. To clarify the effect of DIF-1 on TAZ/YAP signaling pathway, we examined whether DIF-1 affect the expression levels of TAZ and YAP.

Iron regulates MT1-MMP-mediated proMMP-2 activation and cancer cell invasion.

Cellular iron plays a crucial role in many crucial physiological processes. Excessive iron retention due to iron influx and efflux imbalance contributes to cancer development and proliferation, as well as malignant conversion. Membrane-type 1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP) plays a crucial role in tumor invasion and metastasis, because this enzyme can degrade various extracellular matrix components and cleave membrane tethered proteins on the cell surface.

The Effect of Remimazolam on the Baseline TOF Ratio: A Prospective, Clinical Study.

Remimazolam is a newly developed benzodiazepine. Early recovery from anesthesia because of its ultra-short acting effect and less hemodynamic side effects has been reported as the specific advantages of remimazolam. Therefore, the maintenance of anesthesia with propofol may be sometimes switched to remimazolam anesthesia maintenance during surgery because of the risk of delayed awakening and unstable hemodynamics.

Drug-resistant F V600E-mutant recurrent pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma, CNS WHO Grade 3 successfully resolved with incidental discontinuation of combined BRAF and MEK inhibitor therapy.

Background: Combination therapy with BRAF and MEK inhibitor holds promise for treating gliomas harboring the V600E mutation; however, the development of acquired resistance remains a challenge.

Case Description: We describe a case of repeated recurrent mutant pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma (central nervous system World Health Organization grade 3) treated with combination therapy with BRAF and MEK inhibitor. The patient received dabrafenib (BRAF inhibitor) and trametinib (MEK inhibitor); however, she developed resistance to the combination therapy.

Mouse embryonic kidney transplantation identifies maturation defects in the medulla.

Kidney organoids are connected to the host circulation and mature after transplantation. However, they are still immature compared to the adult kidneys, and their precise maturation stages remain unclear. By transplanting the mouse embryonic kidney as a model system for organoid transplantation, we report here the maturation defects of the graft, especially in the medulla.

Aging negatively affects postoperative recovery of biomechanical strength through decreased recruitment of Scx/Sox9 enthesis-related progenitors after rotator cuff repair in rats.

Background: Although older adult patients have a higher retear rate after rotator cuff (RC) repair, the influence of aging on the healing process remains unclear. During mouse enthesis development, a multipotent progenitor co-expressing scleraxis (Scx) and SRY-box 9 (Sox9) contributes to enthesis formation. Scx/Sox9 cells may act as enthesis progenitors even during postnatal healing, and their number decreases with maturation.

Clinical usefulness of an ultra-high-sensitivity hepatitis B surface antigen assay to determine the cessation of treatment for HBV reactivation.

Introduction And Objectives: We aimed to compare the usefulness of the ultra-high-sensitivity hepatitis B surface antigen (iTACT-HBsAg), high-sensitivity hepatitis B core-related antigen (iTACT-HBcrAg), and anti-HBs assays in determination of cessation of nucleot(s)ide analogue (NA) treatment to prevent against hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation.

Patients And Methods: Twenty-two patients who developed HBV reactivation under immunosuppressive therapy or chemotherapy and had been administered NA and subsequently discontinued were enrolled. The stored serum samples taken at NA cessation were applied to iTACT-HBsAg (lower limit of detection; 0.

Sustainable Antibacterial Surface of Transparent PMMA Membranes with α-ZrP Nanosheets Adsorbing Tetraalkylammonium Ions.

We fabricated composite membranes containing inorganic nanosheets (NSs) and polymers and demonstrated their outstanding antibacterial performance against several opportunistic pathogens. Layered α-zirconium phosphate [Zr(HPO), α-ZrP] as a pristine compound of NS was exfoliated by ion-exchanging protons in the interlayer space of α-ZrP with bulky tetraalkylammonium ions (TRA: R = butyl, hexyl, and octyl). During the exfoliation process, TRA was electrostatically adsorbed onto α-ZrP NS with a negative surface charge (ZrP-TRA-NS).

A case of simultaneous pancreatoduodenectomy and living donor liver transplantation for biliary cancer complicated with congenital biliary dilatation.

Background: In patients with pancreaticobiliary maljunction complicated by congenital biliary dilatation, the pancreatic enzyme flows back into the bile, leading to bile duct carcinogenesis. Although the biliary tract resection and reconstruction is well documented to decrease the rate of malignancy, cancer occurrence has been reported in the residual intrahepatic or intrapancreatic bile duct, even after resection. We report a case of multiple biliary tract cancers in the liver complicated by congenital biliary dilatation, whose tumor lesions were resected en bloc without disconnecting the biliary tract by simultaneous pancreatoduodenectomy and living donor liver transplantation.

Gallbladder Follicular Lymphoma Mimicking Gallbladder Cancer.

Background/aim: Enlarged polypoid gallbladder lesions should first be evaluated to rule out gallbladder cancer. Gallbladder lymphoma rarely develops, and gallbladder follicular lymphoma is seldom observed.

Case Report: The case of a 70-year-old man with an enlarged polypoid gallbladder lesion and stable-sized multiple enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes is reported.

Rapid test for hepatitis B core-related antigen to identify people living with hepatitis B having high viral load in Cameroon.

This study presents a retrospective assessment of the diagnostic performance of the newly developed hepatitis B core-related antigen rapid diagnostic test (HBcrAg-RDT) in detecting plasma samples with elevated hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA levels (≥200,000 IU/ml) in Yaoundé, Cameroon. Samples were collected consecutively from treatment-naïve adults living with HBV between January 1, 2021, and June 30, 2023. Analyzing 146 samples from participants with a median age of 36 years, the HBcrAg-RDT exhibited a sensitivity of 97.

Left ventricular papillary muscle rupture due to acute myocardial infarction after transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

Introduction: Mitral regurgitation is a potential complication of transcatheter aortic valve replacement. Here, we report a case of severe acute mitral regurgitation caused by papillary muscle rupture occurring 16 days after transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

Presentation Of Case: An 82-year-old woman with severe AS was referred to our hospital.

Insight into groundwater quality change before and after the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake.

The Kumamoto Earthquake is named after the Kumamoto Prefecture where the series of earthquakes occurred in the city located on the island of Kyushu, in southwest Japan. In this area, 100 % of the population depends on groundwater for drinking water; hence, groundwater is an extremely important lifeline for people. The effect of earthquakes on the water quality of groundwater has been suggested based on monitoring data measured by public agencies once or twice a year.

Comparison of outcomes between surgery and chemoradiotherapy after endoscopic resection for pT1a-MM with lymphovascular invasion or pT1b esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: Japanese multicenter propensity score-matched study.

Background: Lymphovascular invasion (LVI) or pT1b is noncurative after endoscopic resection (ER) for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), and therefore surgery or chemoradiotherapy (CRT) is recommended. However, there has been debate regarding which treatment has better outcomes and whether individual risks should be considered.

Methods: This was a multicenter, retrospective study conducted at 65 hospitals in Japan.

Less frequent skin ulcers among patients with Werner syndrome treated with pioglitazone: findings from the Japanese Werner Syndrome Registry.

Background And Aim: Werner syndrome (WS) is an autosomal recessive, adult-onset, progeroid syndrome caused by mutations. As refractory skin ulcers significantly affect the quality of life of patients with WS, this study identified ulcer risk factors and assessed prevention methods.

Methods: We analyzed the data of 51 patients with WS enrolled in the Japanese Werner Syndrome Registry between 2016 and 2022.

Establishment of primary and immortalized fibroblasts reveals resistance to cytotoxic agents and loss of necroptosis-inducing ability in long-lived Damaraland mole-rats.

The Damaraland mole-rat (DMR; Fukomys damarensis) is a long-lived (~ 20 years) Bathyergid rodent that diverged 26 million years ago from its close relative, the naked mole-rat (NMR). While the properties of NMR cultured fibroblasts have been extensively studied and have revealed several unusual features of this cancer-resistant, long-lived species, comparative DMR studies are extremely limited. We optimized conditions for successfully culturing primary DMR skin fibroblasts and also established immortalized DMR cells using simian virus 40 early region expression.

[Obesity, Metabolic Syndrome, and Fatty Liver Disease].

Obesity, metabolic syndrome, and fatty liver disease, particularly nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD), are significant health issues in current society. These conditions are linked to lifestyle changes such as overeating and lack of exercise, and their prevalence is increasing. Obesity is defined using body mass index(BMI), with a BMI of 25 kg/m or higher considered obese in Japan due to the higher health risks in this population.

Association between the COVID-19 pandemic and short-term outcomes after esophagectomy for esophageal cancer in facilities with and without board-certified esophageal surgeons: a nationwide retrospective cohort study.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic had a profound impact on cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment procedures. We speculated that during the COVID-19 pandemic, sufficient medical resources were maintained in board-certified hospitals, resulting in favorable short-term outcomes, whereas hospital functions in non-board-certified hospitals declined, leading to mortality increase. The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on short-term outcomes after esophagectomy, based on the scale of the facilities.

Onychomycosis caused by Aspergillus species belonging to section Circumdati.

We encountered two cases of onychomycosis caused by Aspergillus (A.) subramanianii and A. sclerotiorum.