Developmental Changes in Stroop Task Performance among Individuals with High-Functioning Pervasive Developmental Disorders.

Objective: This study aimed to assess age-related changes in Stroop Color and Word test indices in individuals with high-functioning pervasive developmental disorder (HF-PDD) and compare their performance with typically developing (TD) individuals.

Methods: There were a total of 125 participants (57 TD, 68 HF-PDD), aged 6-24. Stimuli were displayed on computer screens, and participants verbally responded with response times recorded via voice key function.

Renin-angiotensin blockade ameliorates the progression of glomerular injury in podocyte-specific Ctcf knockout mice.

Aim: Several studies have shown that the progression of proteinuria and renal tissue injury is associated with activation of the intrarenal renin-angiotensin system (RAS). CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF) is a DNA-binding factor that plays an essential role in the regulation of gene expression. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the phenotypic effects of CTCF deficiency in podocytes.

Improvement in Quality of Life after Laparoscopic or Robotic-assisted Sacrocolpopexy with a Single Anterior Mesh in Patients with Pelvic Organ Prolapse: A Retrospective Analysis from a Single Institution.

Objectives: Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a significant health-care problem for older women. We have treated POP surgically using laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy (LSC) or robotic-assisted sacrocolpopexy (RSC). The original LSC and RSC procedures were done with anterior and posterior meshes; however, the use of the single mesh procedure is increasing because of its simplicity and safety.

Acute exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics induces unfolded protein response and global protein ubiquitination in lungs of mice.

Inhaling microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) in the air can damage lung function. Xenobiotics in the body can cause endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, and the unfolded protein response (UPR) activation alleviates ER stress. Degradation of unfolded or misfolded proteins is an important pathway for recovering cellular homeostasis.

Combined effects of polystyrene nanoplastics and lipopolysaccharide on testosterone biosynthesis and inflammation in mouse testis.

Microplastics (MPs)/nanoplastics (NPs), as a source and vector of pathogenic bacteria, are widely distributed in the natural environments. Here, we investigated the combined effects of polystyrene NPs (PS-NPs) and lipopolysaccharides (LPS) on testicular function in mice for the first time. 24 male mice were randomly assigned into 4 groups, control, PS-NPs, LPS, and PS-NPs + LPS, respectively.

Anticipated deaths with physician care () at home in one town in Japan: A preliminary report.

Background: There are few reports on the numbers of anticipated deaths ( [り]) at home in Japan.

Method: We used the Japanese death certificate system ( []) for Toyono town citizens who died between 2020 and 2022 and judged a death to constitute when the certificate was not written by a doctor referred from the police.

Results: Among 756 deaths, 109 (14.

Role of Nrf2 signaling in development of hepatocyte-like cells.

Generation of hepatocytes from human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hADSCs) could be a promising alternative source of human hepatocytes. However, mechanisms to differentiate hepatocytes from hADSCs are not fully elucidated. We have previously demonstrated that our three-step differentiation protocol with glycogen synthase kinase (GSK) 3 inhibitor was effective to improve hepatocyte functions.

Reduced reactive hyperemia of the brachial artery in diabetic patients assessed by repeated measurements: The FMD-J B study.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a major cause of microvascular dysfunction. However, its effect on blood flow patterns during ischemic demand has not been adequately elucidated. In this study, we investigated the hypothesis that microvascular dysfunction in patients with T2DM manifests as brachial reactive hyperemia (BRH), defined as the ratio of peak blood flow velocities in a brachial artery before and after forearm cuff occlusion.

Prostate-specific Antigen Levels Following Brachytherapy Impact Late Biochemical Recurrence in Japanese Patients With Localized Prostate Cancer.

Background/aim: Evaluation of long-term outcomes is essential for the successful treatment of localized prostate cancer; however, the risk of late recurrence following brachytherapy is still not clear. This study aimed to evaluate the long-term outcomes of low-dose-rate brachytherapy (LDR-BT) for localized prostate cancer in Japanese patients and identify factors associated with late recurrence after treatment.

Patients And Methods: This single-center, cohort study included patients who underwent LDR-BT at the Tokushima University Hospital in Japan between July 2004 and January 2015; 418 patients, who were followed-up at least 7 years after LDR-BT, were included in the study.

Discordance between hyposalivation and xerostomia among community-dwelling older adults in Japan.

Individuals with an objective decrease in salivary flow (objective dry mouth) may not be aware of subjective dry mouth (xerostomia). However, no clear evidence exists to explain the discordance between subjective and objective dry mouth. Therefore, this cross-sectional study aimed to assess the prevalence of xerostomia and decreased salivary flow among community-dwelling elderly adults.

Effects of STAT Inhibitors in Mouse Models of Endometriosis.

The signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) pathway, which regulates cell proliferation and immunity, has been implicated in chronic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. However, few reports have described the effects of STAT inhibitors on endometriosis, another chronic inflammatory disease. Here, we investigated the intraperitoneal microenvironment and the effects of a STAT inhibitor in a mouse model of endometriosis.

Carcinogenic risk in the biliary epithelium of children with congenital biliary dilatation via the DNA damage repair pathway.

Purposes: Congenital biliary dilatation (CBD) is a high-risk factor for biliary tract cancer (BTC). We previously reported the potential for carcinogenesis in the biliary epithelium of patients with CBD. In this study, we investigated potential carcinogenetic pathways, focusing on the DNA damage repair response, in children with CBD and compared the findings with those in adults.

[Retracted] Expression of USP22 and Survivin is an indicator of malignant behavior in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Subsequently to the publication of the above article, an interested reader drew to the authors' attention that a pair of data panels showing the results of immunohistochemical staining experiments in Fig. 1 on p. 2210 had already appeared in a previously published paper (Zhang Y, Li Y, Lin C, Ding J, Liao G and Tang B: Aberrant upregulation of 14‑3‑3σ and EZH2 expression serves as an inferior prognostic biomarker for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Polystyrene nanoplastics inhibit StAR expression by activating HIF-1α via ERK1/2 MAPK and AKT pathways in TM3 Leydig cells and testicular tissues of mice.

Microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) are widely found in water, food and air, and have been found in human blood, lung and feces. Several studies in vivo have shown that MPs and NPs decrease testosterone level. However, the molecular mechanism of MPs and NPs leading to testosterone reduction remains unclear.

Arsenic trioxide promotes ERK1/2-mediated phosphorylation and degradation of BIM to attenuate apoptosis in BEAS-2B cells.

Inorganic arsenic is highly toxic, widely distributed in the human environment and may result in multisystem diseases and several types of cancers. The BCL-2-interacting mediator of cell death protein (BIM) is a key modulator of the intrinsic apoptosis pathway. Interestingly, in the present study, we found that arsenic trioxide (AsO) decreased BIM levels in human bronchial epithelial cell line BEAS-2B and increased BIM levels in human lung carcinoma cell line A549 and mouse Sertoli cell line TM4.

Polystyrene nanoplastics promote CHIP-mediated degradation of tight junction proteins by activating IRE1α/XBP1s pathway in mouse Sertoli cells.

Microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) widely exist in human living environment and enter the body through water, food chain and breathing. Several studies have shown that MPs or NPs disrupt the blood-testis barrier in rodents. However, the molecular mechanism by which MPs and NPs damage the blood-testis barrier remains unclear.

Effects of calcium hydroxide intracanal medicament on push-out bond strength of endodontic sealers: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: To investigate the effect of calcium hydroxide intracanal medicament on the push-out bond strength of resin-based and calcium silicate-based endodontic sealers.

Methods: A comprehensive search of was conducted for all relevant in-vitro studies. All randomized controlled in-vitro studies that evaluated the effect of calcium hydroxide on the push-out bond strength of resin-based or calcium silicate-based endodontic sealers were assessed.

Effect of Novel Stratified Lipid Risk by "LDL-Window" and Flow-Mediated Dilation on the Prognosis of Coronary Artery Disease Using the FMD-J Study A Data.

Background: Elevated levels of triglyceride (TG) and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) are regarded as a residual lipid risk in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)-lowering therapy. This study investigated the association between lipid risk stratified by TG and non-HDL-C and the prognosis of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), and the association between stratified lipid risk and flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) index.

Methods and results: The 624 CAD patients enrolled in flow-mediated dilation (FMD)-J study A were divided into 4 groups: low-risk group (n=413) with TG <150 mg/dL and non-HDL-C <170 mg/dL; hyper-TG group (n=180) with TG ≥150 mg/dL and non-HDL-C <170 mg/dL; hyper-non-HDL group (n=12) with TG <150 mg/dL and non-HDL-C ≥170 mg/dL; and high-risk group (n=19) with TG ≥150 mg/dL and non-HDL-C ≥170 mg/dL.

Effectiveness of Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty Combined with Intra-articular and Intravenous Tranexamic Acid: A Retrospective Analysis of Number of Doses and Dose Strength.

Introduction: Total hip arthroplasty is a very effective reconstructive surgery but is often associated with massive perioperative bleeding, which leads to anemia. Tranexamic acid (TXA) minimizes bleeding and the need for blood transfusion. However, no universal standard TXA dosing regimen has been established.

Treatment of diabetic macular edema in real-world clinical practice: The effect of aging.

Aims/introduction: In older patients, the management of diabetic macular edema (DME) can be complicated by comorbidities, geriatric syndrome, and socioeconomic status. This study aims to evaluate the effects of aging on the management of DME.

Materials And Methods: This is a real-world clinical study including 1,552 patients with treatment-naïve center-involved DME.

Efficacy of preoperative autologous blood storage in one-stage bilateral total knee arthroplasty.

Background: One-stage bilateral total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has the advantages of a single hospital stay, shorter rehabilitation, and reduced financial burden on patients. However, perioperative bleeding is greater with one-stage bilateral TKA than with unilateral TKA and is more likely to require allogeneic blood transfusion. At our hospital, we normally store autologous blood about 1 month before surgery to reduce the need for allogeneic blood transfusion and avoid its adverse reactions as much as possible.

Risk factors for metachronous contralateral inguinal hernia after laparoscopic percutaneous extraperitoneal closure for unilateral inguinal hernia in children.

Purposes: We use the laparoscopic percutaneous extraperitoneal closure (LPEC) method as the standard procedure for pediatric inguinal hernia. Despite judging there to be no contralateral patent processus vaginalis (PPV) at the time of the first LPEC, we experienced five cases in which metachronous contralateral inguinal hernia (MCH) developed, so we report the characteristics, including the predictors.

Methods: For pediatric inguinal hernia, the LPEC method was used in 1277 cases from 2005 to 2019 in our department.