Comparison of Fine-Tuned Deep Convolutional Neural Networks for the Automated Classification of Lung Cancer Cytology Images with Integration of Additional Classifiers.

Objective: It is essential to accurately diagnose and classify histological subtypes into adenocarcinoma (ADC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) for the appropriate treatment of lung cancer patients. However, improving the accuracy and stability of diagnosis is challenging, especially for non-small cell carcinomas. The purpose of this study was to compare multiple deep convolutional neural network (DCNN) technique with subsequent additional classifiers in terms of accuracy and characteristics in each histology.

Novel Capped-Needle Device: A Novel Safety Feature to Eliminate Air Bubbles in Hemodialysis.

Introduction: Air bubbles in the dialysis circuit are rarely visible after automatic priming; however, they are often visible after the needles are manually connected to the circuit. To prevent this issue, we thought to prime needles with a circuit at automatic priming by the hemodialysis machine. In order to achieve this idea, we designed and manufactured a novel capped needle to connect the needles to the extracorporeal circuit before the automatic priming of the hemodialysis machine.

Bitiscetin-3, a Novel C-Type Lectin-like Protein Cloned from the Venom Gland of the Viper , Induces Platelet Agglutination and Inhibits Binding of Von Willebrand Factor to Collagen.

Bitiscetin-1 (aka bitiscetin) and bitiscetin-2 are C-type lectin-like proteins purified from the venom of (puff adder). They bind to von Willebrand factor (VWF) and-at least bitiscetin-1-induce platelet agglutination via enhancement of VWF binding to platelet glycoprotein Ib (GPIb). Bitiscetin-1 and -2 bind the VWF A1 and A3 domains, respectively.

Expression status of p53 and organic cation transporter 1 is correlated with poor response to preoperative chemotherapy in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a highly malignant neoplasm. DNA-damaging drugs, such as cisplatin (CDDP) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), are most frequently used in preoperative chemotherapy for ESCC. However, the response to preoperative chemotherapy varies among patients.

First-in-human study of blood amyloid β removal from early Alzheimer's disease patients with normal kidney function.

Introduction: Amyloid β (Aβ) is a brain protein that causes Alzheimer's disease (AD). This study aimed to verify whether hemadsorption using a hexadecyl-alkylated cellulose bead (HexDC) column removes blood Aβ and brain Aβ accumulation in mild cognitive impairment/mild AD cases with normal kidney function.

Methods: Two patients with positive Aβ on brain imaging underwent HexDC hemadsorption weekly for 6 months.

Rotavirus genotypes and clinical outcome of natural infection based on vaccination status in the post-vaccine era.

Rotavirus (RV) is a leading cause of gastroenteritis in children. In Japan, Rotarix (RV1; GlaxoSmithKline), which is a monovalent vaccine derived from human RV (G1P[8]), has been introduced since November 2011, and RotaTeq (RV5; MSD) which is an pentavalent, human-bovine mono-reassortant vaccine (G1, G2, G3, G4, and P1A[8]), has been introduced since July 2012. Long-term follow-up on vaccine efficacy and RV genotypical change should be carried out in order to control RV infection.

Comparison of Body Fluid Volumes Determined by Kinetic Modeling and by Bioimpedance Spectroscopy.

Introduction: The bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) method is used in individual patients requiring body fluid volume measurement. In a hemodialysis facility, however, regular screening of body fluid volumes is also necessary. Such screening, by kinetic modeling, may become possible by calculating distribution volumes of urea and uric acid from regular blood test results.

Nosocomial infection with rotavirus vaccine strain in paediatric patients with immunodeficiency.

In infants with immunodeficiency, rotavirus (RV) vaccines can be continuously excreted in stool. We analysed nosocomial infection with RV vaccine strain in immunodeficient paediatric patients. RV1 RNAs were detected in stool and serum samples from case A, who was vaccinated with RV1, and case B, who was not.

A multiple 24-hour urine collection study indicates that kidney function decline is related to urinary sodium and potassium excretion in patients with chronic kidney disease.

Multiple 24-hour urine collections are necessary to adequately assess sodium and potassium intake. Here, we assessed kidney function decline for four years after baseline in relation to seven-time averaged 24-hour urinary sodium and potassium excretion (UNaV, UKV), their UNaV/UKV ratio, and their categorical combination in outpatients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). This retrospective cohort study was based on 240 outpatients with baseline CKD stages 3-5, baseline age 20 years or more (median age 72.

Effect of Strain Plasma on HHV-6 and HHV-7 Shedding in Saliva: A Prospective Observational Study.

HHV-6 and HHV-7 can reactivate in the salivary gland in response to various host stresses. strain Plasma (LC-Plasma) can activate plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) and decrease viral infection. We investigated whether LC-Plasma intake could decrease HHV-6 and HHV-7 reactivation in the salivary gland.

Primary central nervous system lymphomas with massive intratumoral hemorrhage: Clinical, radiological, pathological, and molecular features of six cases.

Primary central nervous system lymphomas (PCNSLs) rarely exhibit intratumoral hemorrhage. The differential diagnosis of hemorrhagic neoplasms of the central nervous system (CNS) currently includes metastatic carcinomas, melanomas, choriocarcinomas, oligodendrogliomas, and glioblastomas. Here we present the clinical, radiological, pathological, and molecular genetic features of six cases of PCNSL associated with intratumoral hemorrhage.

Electromyography-controlled gamified exercise system for the distal upper extremity: a usability assessment in subacute post-stroke patients.

Purpose: Movement repetition is known to play a key role in promoting functional improvements or maintaining functional levels in post-stroke hemiparetic patients. However, repetitive movements tend to be monotonous, making it challenging for patients to continue. Here, we developed a new gamified system to allow patients perform repetitive movements with enjoyment.

Recovery of Cognitive and Behavioural Function During Long-term Inpatient Rehabilitation in Patients with Moderate-To-Severe Traumatic Brain Injury: Evaluation of a Retrospective Case Series.

Objective: To elucidate the characteristics of recovery progression during long-term rehabilitation after moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury.

Methods: Longitudinal changes in consciousness, swallowing disorders, activities of daily living, and psychological and behavioural status were studied in 7 patients with moderateto-severe traumatic brain injury, using scores of the National Agency for Automotive Safety & Victim's Aid (NASVA score), Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), Dysphagia Severity Scale (DSS), Eating Status Scale (ESS), Functional Independence Measure (FIM), Cognitive-related Behavioural Assessment (CBA), and Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI). Scores were collected every month until discharge (median 359 days after injury), or until the study end date for those patients who remained hospitalized (432 days).

Diagnostic accuracy of LAMP versus PCR over the course of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Objective: Reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) has been validated to diagnose several viral infections. However, its diagnostic accuracy in detecting SARS-CoV-2 in real-life clinical settings remains unclear. This study aimed to determine the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of RT-LAMP compared to reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) over the disease course of COVID-19.

A preliminary examination of the association between locomotive syndrome and circulating miRNA-199 in community-dwelling people: The Yakumo study.

Background: The risk of locomotive syndrome (LS) has been proposed as a criterion for evaluating physical ability. The expression levels of circulating miRNAs (c-miRNAs) are predictors of various diseases. This preliminary study aimed to evaluate the relationship between serum levels of several miRNAs and LS.

Quantitative Evaluation of Facial Expression in a Patient With Minimally Conscious State After Severe Traumatic Brain Injury.

Objective: To investigate whether automatic facial expression analysis can quantify differences in the intensity of facial responses depending on the affective stimuli in a patient with minimally conscious state (MCS).

Methods: We filmed the facial responses of a patient with MCS during the delivery of three 1-minute auditory stimuli: audio clips of comedy movies, a nurse hilariously talking, and recitation of a novel (comedy, nurse, and recitation conditions, respectively). These measures were repeated at least 13 times for each condition on different days for approximately 10 months.

Circulating miR-21, miR-29a, and miR-126 are associated with premature death risk due to cancer and cardiovascular disease: the JACC Study.

Primary prevention of premature death is a public health concern worldwide. Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) have been described as potential diagnostic biomarkers for diseases as cancer and cardiovascular disease (CVD). This case-cohort study aimed to investigate the potential relationship between circulating miRNAs and the risk of premature death.

Orally administered octacosanol improves some features of high fructose-induced metabolic syndrome in rats.

We examined whether orally administered octacosanol, a long-chain aliphatic saturated alcohol, improves the features of high fructose-induced metabolic syndrome in rats. Five-week-old rats were fed a high fructose diet containing 60% fructose for 3 weeks. Then, the high fructose fed rats received a daily single oral administration of octacosanol (10 or 100 mg/kg body weight) with high fructose feeding for one week.

Effect of protective glasses on radiation dose to eye lenses during whole breast irradiation.

Objectives: The efficacy of radiotherapy for breast cancer has greatly improved owing to better irradiation methods. Radiotherapy aims to deliver therapeutic doses to predetermined target volumes while sparing surrounding healthy tissues. However, there are few reports on radiation exposure to eye lenses, and the recommended exposure limits to ocular lens have been substantially reduced in recent years.

Inherited Chromosomally Integrated Human Herpesvirus 6 Is a Risk Factor for Spontaneous Abortion.

Background: Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) can be genetically transmitted from parent to child as inherited chromosomally integrated HHV-6 (iciHHV-6). HHV-6 reactivation occurs in pregnant women with iciHHV-6. We found no sex differences in the frequency of index cases with iciHHV-6 but inheritance from the father was more common.

Immune response against SARS-CoV-2 in pediatric patients including young infants.

Pediatric cases of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are generally mild or asymptomatic, and are usually detected by virological examination following close contact with COVID-19 patients, often the children's parents. The detailed clinical features and virological data of pediatric patients with COVID-19, particularly young infants, remain unclear. Here, the clinical and virological characteristics of four children with COVID-19 including two young infants were investigated.

Primary spinal intramedullary Ewing-like sarcoma harboring CIC-DUX4 translocation: a similar cytological appearance as its soft tissue counterpart but no lobulation in association with desmoplastic stroma.

The CIC-DUX4 translocation is the most common genetic alteration of small round cell sarcomas without EWSR1 rearrangement. These "Ewing-like sarcomas" usually occur in peripheral soft tissues, and rare primary central nervous system (CNS) tumors have been described. We report a rare case of primary spinal intramedullary Ewing-like sarcoma harboring CIC-DUX4 translocation.