Brain region-specific neural activation by low-dose opioid promotes social behavior.

The opioid system plays crucial roles in modulating social behaviors in both humans and animals. However, the pharmacological profiles of opioids regarding social behavior and their therapeutic potential remain unclear. Multiple pharmacological, behavioral, and immunohistological c-Fos mapping approaches were used to characterize the effects of μ-opioid receptor agonists on social behavior and investigate the mechanisms in naive mice and autism spectrum disorder-like (ASD-like) mouse models, such as prenatally valproic acid-treated mice and Fmr1-KO mice.

Thalamic deep brain stimulation for postural tremor caused by hyperthermia-induced cerebellar dysfunction: A case report.

Background: The efficacy of deep brain stimulation (DBS) in treating tremor symptoms in cerebellar disorders remains unclear.

Case Presentation: A 47-year-old woman presented with neck and arm tremor and ataxic speech/gait after four days of >40 °C fever due to septic shock attributed to lithiasis-pyelonephritis. Left ventral intermediate nucleus thalamus DBS alleviated contralateral postural arm tremor, although the action tremor and terminal oscillation remained unchanged.

BEX4 inhibits the progression of clear cell renal cell carcinoma by stabilizing SH2D4A, which is achieved by blocking SIRT2 activity.

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is one of the most common malignancies. Recently, the role of brain-expressed X-linked 4 (BEX4) in cancer progression has received increasing attention. This study aimed to investigate the function of BEX4 in ccRCC and to reveal the underlying mechanisms.

Association of Indoor Environment with the Intention to Enter Nursing Homes among Older Adults with Functional Limitations in Japan.

Objectives: The indoor environment refers to the conditions within a building, including thermal comfort, air quality, lighting, and noise levels. However, the association between the indoor environment and the intention to enter nursing homes among older adults with functional limitations remains unclear. Therefore, this study examined the association of indoor environmental factors with intention to enter nursing homes within this population.

Prediction of Intestinal Perforation by Daily Radiographic Findings in Very Low Birth Weight Infants With Meconium Ileus.

Background: This study aimed to develop a prediction model for intestinal perforation from meconium ileus (MI) based on findings from plain X-ray images.

Methods: Very low birth weight (VLBW) infants with MI hospitalized in two tertiary centers between 2011 and 2022 were included in this study. We retrospectively reviewed clinical parameters and assessed plain X-ray images from 0 to 5 days of age.

Evaluation of a Computer-Based Morphological Analysis Method for Free-Text Responses in the General Medicine In-Training Examination: Algorithm Validation Study.

Background: The General Medicine In-Training Examination (GM-ITE) tests clinical knowledge in a 2-year postgraduate residency program in Japan. In the academic year 2021, as a domain of medical safety, the GM-ITE included questions regarding the diagnosis from medical history and physical findings through video viewing and the skills in presenting a case. Examinees watched a video or audio recording of a patient examination and provided free-text responses.

Development of the Japanese Anticholinergic Risk Scale: English translation of the Japanese article.

Background: Anticholinergic burden, reflecting the cumulative impact of medications with anticholinergic properties, significantly predicts adverse drug reactions and geriatric syndromes in older adults. Although anticholinergic risk scales (ARS) have been developed and validated in various countries, none have been tailored specifically for Japan. The Japanese Anticholinergic Risk Scale (JARS) was developed to adapt the existing ARS frameworks to the Japanese context, considering unique medication profiles and cultural factors.

Carnitine Administration and I-BMIPP Washout Rate in Hemodialysis Patients with Triglyceride Deposit Cardiomyovasculopathy.

Triglyceride deposit cardiomyovasculopathy (TGCV) is an emerging rare heart disease with high mortality, characterized by defective intracellular lipolysis of triglycerides (TG). We developed diagnostic criteria for TGCV, in which low washout rate of BMIPP (BMIPP-WR) is a key factor. The working group of the Japan Society of Nuclear Cardiology recently published practice recommendations for measuring BMIPP-WR.

Unveiling the Photoactivation Mechanism of BLUF Photoreceptor Protein through Hybrid Quantum Mechanics/Molecular Mechanics Free-Energy Calculation.

OaPAC is a photoactivated enzyme that forms a homodimer. The two blue-light using flavin (BLUF) photoreceptor domains are connected to the catalytic domains with long coiled-coil C-terminal helices. Upon photoreception, reorganization of the hydrogen bonding network between Tyr6, Gln48, and the chromophore in the BLUF domain and keto-enol tautomerization of Gln48 are thought to occur.

Complex Multimorbidity and Trajectories of Functional Disabilities in the Last Three Years of Life: A Prospective Cohort Study of Older Adults in Japan.

We sought to understand the impact of multimorbidity (MM) on the trajectories of functional decline in the last three years of life among older people in Japan. We used nationwide longitudinal cohort data with 6-year follow-up and analyzed 3731 functionally independent residents aged 65 years and older. The primary outcome was the five trajectory groups of functional disability in the last three years of life, defined by group-based trajectory modeling (GBTM).

Gearing Effects on -9-Anth-PyBidine-Cu(OAc)-Catalyzed Asymmetric Direct Haloimidation Reactions of Alkylidenemalononitriles.

A newly developed -9-anthranylmethyl bis(imidazolidine)pyridine (-9-Anth-PyBidine)-Cu(OAc) complex catalyzed asymmetric haloimidation reactions of alkylidenemalononitriles with -bromosuccinimide and -chlorosuccinimide, employing the succinimide moiety directly as a copper-bound nucleophile. The anthranyl substituent showed a gearing effect that produced a well-organized asymmetric sphere involving the -H proton of the imidazolidine ring in the ligand. The gearing effect afforded hydrogen bonding-assisted copper-catalyzed haloimidation reactions with high enantioselectivity.

Estimation of population affinity using cranial measurements acquired in multidetector computed tomography images of Japanese and Malay individuals.

It is imperative in a forensic investigation to determine the identity of an unidentified corpse, for which a crucial starting point is to establish population affinity as part of the biological profile supplied by the forensic anthropologist. The present study investigates the feasibility of using multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) images to quantify craniometric variation between Japanese and Malay populations relative to the estimation of population affinity in a forensic context. The Japanese and Malay samples comprise MDCT scans of 252 (122 female; 130 male) and 182 (84 female; 98 male) adult individuals, respectively.

Enhancing immuno-oncology investigations through multidimensional decoding of tumor microenvironment with IOBR 2.0.

The use of large transcriptome datasets has greatly improved our understanding of the tumor microenvironment (TME) and helped develop precise immunotherapies. The growing application of multi-omics, single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), and spatial transcriptome sequencing has led to many new insights, yet these findings still require clinical validation in large cohorts. To advance multi-omics integration in TME research, we have upgraded the Immuno-Oncology Biological Research (IOBR) package to IOBR 2.

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.

A feasibility study on physical therapist interventions in the Japanese integrated health services and preventive care program for older adults.

[Purpose] This study examined the feasibility of including physical therapists in the Health Services and Preventive Care program at community gatherings. [Participants and Methods] The participants were 56 older adults from five community gatherings who did not have a long-term care insurance service. As part of the Health Services and Preventive Care program, interventions by physical therapists were conducted for 90 minutes once a month for 6 months at five community gatherings, which involved exercises, and home-based exercises.

A Multicenter Retrospective Study on Adjuvant S-1 Chemotherapy Versus Observation Following Major Hepatectomy for Perihilar Cholangiocarcinoma.

Background: The prognosis of perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (PHC) is poor even after curative resection, highlighting the need for effective adjuvant chemotherapy. The efficacy of adjuvant S-1 chemotherapy following major hepatectomy for PHC is unclear, and thus the aim of this study was to elucidate this.

Methods: Consecutive patients with PHC who underwent major hepatectomy (hemihepatectomy or trisectionectomy extending to segment 1 with extrahepatic bile duct resection) at three high-volume centers in Japan from 2007 to 2020 were retrospectively evaluated.

Radiation source detection for the accurate location of lymph node metastases using robotic forceps-type coincidence radiation detector.

Purpose: We have developed a forceps-type coincidence radiation detector for supporting lymph node dissection in esophageal cancer treatment. For precise detecting, this study aims to measure the 2D point-spread function of the detector at three difference tip angles, to devise a method to determine the position of a point source using the 2D point-spread function.

Method: The 2D sensitivity distribution on the surface of the detector was investigated to assess sensitivity variation caused by differences in the relative positions of the detector and radiation source.

A DNA barcode reference of Asian ferns with expert-identified voucher specimens and DNA samples.

Ferns belong to species-rich group of land plants, encompassing more than 11,000 extant species, and are crucial for reflecting terrestrial ecosystem changes. However, our understanding of their biodiversity hotspots, particularly in Southeast Asia, remains limited due to scarce genetic data. Despite harboring around one-third of the world's fern species, less than 6% of Southeast Asian ferns have been DNA-sequenced.

Impact of an mHealth App (Kencom) on Patients With Untreated Hypertension Initiating Antihypertensive Medications: Real-World Cohort Study.

Background: To prevent the further development of cardiovascular diseases, it is a growing global priority to detect untreated hypertension in patients and ensure adequate blood pressure control via drug therapy. However, few effective tools that facilitate the initiation of antihypertensive medications among such patients have been identified.

Objective: We aimed to determine whether a mobile health (mHealth) app facilitates the initiation of antihypertensive medications among patients with untreated hypertension.

Onychomycosis caused by Aspergillus species belonging to section Circumdati.

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