Fine-tuning SLE treatment: the potential of selective TYK2 inhibition.

In systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), adaptive immunity is activated by the stimulation of innate immunity, leading to the development of autoreactive T cells and activation and differentiation of B cells. Cytokine signalling plays an essential role in the pathogenesis and progression of this disease. In particular, the differentiation and function of CD4+ T cell subsets, which play a central role in SLE pathology, are significantly altered by cytokine stimulation.

Potential Contribution of Epithelial Growth Factor Receptor to PI3K/AKT Pathway Dysregulation in Canine Soft Tissue Sarcoma.

Background/aim: Soft tissue sarcoma (STS) is a mesenchymal tumor affecting multiple organs in dogs. Previous studies identified activation of the phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (PKB, AKT) pathway in canine STS cell lines and clinical samples, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. This study investigated PTEN loss, PIK3CA mutation, and EGFR over-expression as potential drivers of PI3K/AKT pathway activation in STS.

Preoperative High FIB-4 Index and NFS Scores Predict a Reduced Incidence of Metachronous Liver Metastasis Following Pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Background/aim: Liver metastasis (LM), pre-dominant in pancreatic cancer, is associated with a dismal 5-year survival rate. Reports on the presence of fatty liver and liver fibrosis in LM are conflicting. Although liver biopsy is the standard diagnostic method for fibrosis, alternative, less invasive scoring models have been explored.

SLC7A11/xCT-mediated Cystine Uptake Regulates Intracellular Glutathione and Promotes Antioxidant Defense in Lymphatic Endothelial Cells.

Background/aim: In a tongue-submandibular lymph node (SLN) metastasis model, the cystine/glutamate transporter solute carrier family 7, member 11 (Slc7a11), also known as xCT, was found to increase in lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) within SLNs prior to melanoma cell metastasis. However, the precise mechanism by which xCT influences LECs remains unclear. This study aimed to explore the role of xCT in primary cultured LECs.

Immune Cell Profiling Reveals a Common Pattern in Premetastatic Niche Formation Across Various Cancer Types.

Background: Metastasis is the major cause of cancer-related mortality. The premetastatic niche is a promising target for its prevention. However, the generality and cellular dynamics in premetastatic niche formation have remained unclear.

Clinical outcomes by baseline metastases in patients with renal cell carcinoma treated with lenvatinib plus pembrolizumab versus sunitinib: Post hoc analysis of the CLEAR trial.

Lenvatinib plus pembrolizumab significantly improved efficacy versus sunitinib in treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma (aRCC) in the phase 3 CLEAR study. We report results of an exploratory post hoc analysis of tumor response data based on baseline metastatic characteristics of patients who received lenvatinib plus pembrolizumab versus sunitinib, at the final overall survival analysis time point of CLEAR (cutoff: July 31, 2022). Treatment-naïve adults with aRCC were randomized to: lenvatinib (20 mg PO QD in 21-day cycles) plus pembrolizumab (n = 355; 200 mg IV Q3W); lenvatinib plus everolimus (not reported here); or sunitinib (n = 357; 50 mg PO QD; 4 weeks on/2 weeks off).

Noninvasive machine-learning models for the detection of lesion-specific ischemia in patients with stable angina with intermediate stenosis severity on coronary CT angiography.

This study proposed noninvasive machine-learning models for the detection of lesion-specific ischemia (LSI) in patients with stable angina with intermediate stenosis severity based on coronary computed tomography (CT) angiography. This single-center retrospective study analyzed 76 patients (99 vessels) with stable angina who underwent coronary CT angiography (CCTA) and had intermediate stenosis severity (40-69%) on invasive coronary angiography. LSI, defined as a resting full-cycle ratio < 0.

Persistent body-weight change on achalasia and peroral endoscopic myotomy: a multicenter cohort study.

Background: The distribution of body weight in patients with achalasia and after peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) has not been investigated. The role of body weight assessment after treatment remains unclear.

Methods: Using the multicenter achalasia cohort, the frequency of underweight (body mass index [BMI] < 18.

Impact of radiotherapy-related late toxicities of skin and soft tissue in the neck on quality of life in head and neck cancer patients: a multi-institutional observational study in Japan.

Purpose: This multi-institutional observational study aimed to assess the incidence, severity, and impact of radiotherapy-related late toxicities of the cervical skin and soft tissue in head and neck cancer patients. We also explored patient interest in fat grafting as a potential treatment for skin and soft tissue sequelae.

Methods: This study was conducted across 19 institutions in Japan.

How many cases do young pediatric surgeons need to experience to achieve autonomy in performing pediatric endoscopic surgery? A nationwide survey to establish an ideal curriculum for pediatric endoscopic surgery in Japan.

Purpose: To ensure the safe prevalence of pediatric endoscopic surgery in Japan, a training curriculum should be established. In addition, the number of pediatric surgical cases is decreasing due to the decreasing birth rate in Japan, and it is necessary to clarify the number of surgical cases required for young pediatric surgeons to achieve autonomy in pediatric endoscopic surgery.

Methods: An online nationwide survey was conducted among young pediatric surgeons with 3-15 years of clinical experience in Japan.

Automated chest CT three-dimensional quantification of body composition: adipose tissue and paravertebral muscle.

This retrospective study developed an automated algorithm for 3D segmentation of adipose tissue and paravertebral muscle on chest CT using artificial intelligence (AI) and assessed its feasibility. The study included patients from the Boston Lung Cancer Study (2000-2011). For adipose tissue quantification, 77 patients were included, while 245 were used for muscle quantification.

Preventive effect of Tyr-Pro, a blood-brain barrier transportable dipeptide, on memory impairment in SAMP8 mice.

In a series of studies on blood-brain barrier transportable peptides, a soybean dipeptide, Tyr-Pro, penetrated the mouse brain parenchyma after oral intake and improved short and long memory impairment in acute Alzheimer's model mice. Here, we aimed to clarify the anti-dementia effects of this peptide administered to SAMP8 mice prior to dementia onset. At the end of the 25-week protocol in 16-week-old SAMP8 mice, Tyr-Pro (10 mg/kg/day) significantly improved the reduced spatial learning ability compared with that in the control and amino acid (Tyr + Pro) groups as indicated by the results of Morris water maze tests conducted for five consecutive days.

Phase 3 Study of Talazoparib Plus Enzalutamide Versus Placebo Plus Enzalutamide as First-Line Treatment in Patients With Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer: TALAPRO-2 Japanese Subgroup Analysis.

Background: In TALAPRO-2, the poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitor talazoparib plus the androgen receptor-signaling inhibitor enzalutamide improved radiographic progression-free survival (rPFS) versus placebo plus enzalutamide (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.63; 95% CI, 0.51-0.

Release of FUS into the extracellular space is regulated by its amino-terminal prion-like domain.

Fused in sarcoma (FUS) is a causative factor of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and is believed to propagate pathologically by transmission from cell to cell. However, the mechanism underlying FUS release from cells, which is a critical step for the propagation system, remains poorly understood. This study conducted an analysis of the release of human and mouse FUS from neurons, revealing that human FUS is significantly released into the media compared to its mouse counterpart.

An exploratory cluster-randomized controlled trial on mindfulness yoga's effectiveness in school-refusing children: reductions in SCAS-C physical injury fears and pulse rate.

Introduction: School refusal is one of the serious problems with children's mental health, and various studies have examined its prevalence and factors among students. Although many studies suggested that anxiety and depression are deeply associated with school refusal, there is little agreement as to effective interventions. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of mindfulness yoga intervention in children with school refusal.

Treatment of Unruptured Large and Giant Carotid Cavernous Aneurysms in Japan at the Time of Flow Diverter Introduction: A Nationwide, Multicenter Survey by the Japanese Society on Surgery for Cerebral Stroke.

Background: Flow diverters (FDs) have been introduced for the management of large or giant cavernous carotid aneurysms (CCAs) in addition to conventional modalities, dramatically changing treatment strategies. The aim of this study was to examine the management of unruptured large/giant CCAs in Japan when FDs were being introduced using a nationwide survey.

Methods: 540 unruptured large/giant CCAs treated at neurosurgical teaching departments in Japan between 2012 and 2016 were retrospectively studied.

Dysphagia development in heart failure patients: A scoping review.

Objective: Dysphagia significantly affects older adults, particularly those with heart failure (HF). This scoping review aimed to delineate the development of dysphagia and its contributing factors in patients with HF.

Methods: We systematically searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and CENTRAL databases up to September 2023, focusing on studies involving HF patients aged 60 and above, particularly those assessing post-hospitalization dysphagia.

Uncovering the Dynamics of Li-Au Alloying and Li Nucleation at the Au/LiPON Interface with In Situ Contrast and Surface Roughness Contrast Imaging via Scanning Electron Microscopy.

Controlling the nucleation, growth, and dissolution of Li is crucial for the high cycling stability in rechargeable Li metal batteries. The overpotential for Li nucleation (η) on Li alloys such as Li-Au is generally lower than that on metal current collectors (CCs) with very limited Li solubility like Cu. However, the alloying process of CC and its impact on the Li nucleation kinetics remain unclear.

Association Between Self-Reported Sitting Time and the Physical Function Domain of the Kihon Checklist Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults.

Objective Interventions that reduce sitting time are easier to implement than those that aim to increase physical activity in compliance with the guidelines. There is no consensus on the association between sitting time as assessed by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and physical function. We investigated the association between self-reported sitting time and physical function according to the Kihon Checklist (KCL) among community-dwelling older adults.

Structural characterization and anti-aging activity investigation of a polysaccharide from Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bge.

Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bge. (AAB), a traditional medicinal herb, has a long history of delaying the aging process. Yet, the anti-aging effects of its polysaccharides have not been thoroughly investigated.

Self-face processing in relation to self-referential tasks in 24-month-old infants: A study through eye movements and pupillometry measures.

The aim of the current study was to investigate visual scan patterns for the self-face in infants with the ability to recognize themselves with a photograph. 24-month-old infants (N = 32) were presented with faces including the self-face in the upright or inverted orientation. We also measured infants' ability to recognize oneself in a mirror and with a photograph.

Directional vector-based quick evaluation method for protective plate effects in X-ray fluoroscopy (DQPEX).

One radiation protection measure for medical personnel in X-ray fluoroscopy is using radiation protective plates. A real-time interactive tool visualizing radiation-dose distribution varied with the protective plate position will help greatly to train medical personnel to protect themselves from unnecessary radiation exposure. Monte Carlo simulation can calculate the individual interactions between radiations and objects in the X-ray room, and reproduce the complex dose distribution inside the room.