Surgical and Long-term Outcomes of Combined Organ Resection for Esophageal Cancer Invading Adjacent Organs: Experience of 90 Consecutive Cases.

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of and long-term survival with combined organ resection for esophageal cancer (EC).

Background: The optimal treatment strategy for EC that is invading adjacent organs is not established.

Methods: Ninety patients with EC invading adjacent organs who underwent combined organ resection after induction treatments during 2003-2023 in our institute were eligible for the study.

Chemical associations of selenium oxyanions in metal oxides derived from layered double hydroxides: Implication for the immobilization of radionuclides.

Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) can effectively stabilize Se oxyanions, yet the thermal stability of Se oxyanions incorporated into LDHs remains unclear. In this study, calcination products of three types of LDHs loaded with SeO2- 3 or SeO2-4 were analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy (XAFS) and leaching tests. It has been found that SeO2-4 can be reduced to SeO2- 3 in the Fe-containing LDHs after calcination at temperatures above 450 °C.

Nation-wide surveillance of ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) on dogs and cats in Singapore.

Companion animals are major reservoirs of zoonotic parasites and pathogens. Among these, ticks and tick-borne pathogens are of particular concern. Efforts to study the zoonotic risks associated with companion animals in Singapore have been hampered by a poor understanding of the ticks of local dogs and cats.

HDAC3 and Snail2 complex promotes melanoma metastasis by epigenetic repression of IGFBP3.

The treatment of metastatic melanoma has long posed a complex challenge within clinical practice. Previous studies have found that EMT transcription factors are essential in the development of various cancers through their induction of EMT. Here, we demonstrate that Snail2 expression is dramatically increased in melanoma and is associated with an adverse prognosis.

Exogenous L-fucose attenuates depression induced by chronic unpredictable stress: implicating core fucosylation has an antidepressant potential.

Core fucosylation is one of the most essential modifications of the N-glycans, catalyzed by α1,6-fucosyltransferase (Fut8), which transfers fucose from guanosine 5'-diphosphate (GDP)-fucose to the innermost N-acetylglucosamine residue of N-glycans in an α1-6 linkage. Our previous studies demonstrated that lipopolysaccharide (LPS) can induce a more robust neuroinflammatory response in Fut8 homozygous knockout (KO) (Fut8) and heterozygous KO (Fut8) mice contrasted to the wild-type (Fut8) mice. Exogenous administration of L-fucose suppressed LPS-induced neuroinflammation.

JAK/STAT3 signaling promotes pain and depression-like behaviors in rats with bone cancer pain by regulating Th17 cell differentiation.

Background: Pain and depression are common complications in patients with advanced cancer, which significantly affects their quality of life and survival. Dysregulation of the JAK/STAT3 pathway in the central nervous system is associated with pain and brain inflammatory disorders, but its role in bone cancer pain (BCP) remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the specific role of the JAK/STAT3 pathway in the amygdala in BCP.

Neurological function is restored post-ischemic stroke in zebrafish, with aging exerting a deleterious effect on its pathology.

Ischemic stroke (IS) is a pathological condition characterized by the cessation of blood flow due to factors such as thrombosis, inflicting severe damage to the cranial nervous system and resulting in numerous disabilities including memory impairments and hemiplegia. Despite the critical nature of this condition, therapeutic options remain limited, with a pressing challenge being the development of treatments aimed at restoring neurological function. In this study, we leveraged zebrafish, renowned for their exceptional regenerative capabilities, to analyze the pathology of IS and the subsequent recovery process.

Longitidunal changes in accommodation amplitude after strabismus surgery.

Purpose To investigate changes in accommodation amplitude (AA) after strabismus surgery. Methods The medical records of patients who underwent full-tendon tenotomy on at least one rectus muscle between January 2023 and July 2023 were reviewed retrospectively. AA was evaluated objectively and monocularly with the autorefractometry (Tonoref III, ARK-1a, NIDEK Co Ltd, Gamagori, Japan).

The International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer Staging Project: The Database and Proposal for the Revision of the Staging of Pulmonary Neuroendocrine Carcinoma in the Forthcoming Ninth Edition of the TNM Classification for Lung Cancer.

Introduction: Pulmonary high-grade neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC) includes small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) and large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC). The seventh and eighth editions of the TNM classification for lung cancer confirmed the applicability of this staging system for SCLC. With the proposal of N2 and M1c subcategories for the ninth edition classification, we assessed the applicability to NECs.

Global impact of 10- and 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccines on pneumococcal meningitis in all ages: the PSERENADE project.

Background: Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) introduced in childhood national immunization programs lowered vaccine-type invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD), but replacement with non-vaccine-types persisted throughout the PCV10/13 follow-up period. We assessed PCV10/13 impact on pneumococcal meningitis incidence globally.

Methods: The number of cases with serotyped pneumococci detected in cerebrospinal fluid and population denominators were obtained from surveillance sites globally.

Comparison of treatment outcomes between graft replacement and aneurysmorrhaphy with graft preservation for type 2 endoleaks after endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.

Objective: This study aimed to compare treatment outcomes between graft replacement and aneurysmorrhaphy with ligation of the aortic side branches for type 2 endoleaks after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) for abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed multicenter data of patients who underwent open surgical conversion, including graft replacement or aneurysmorrhaphy with ligation of the aortic side branches (graft preservation) for the treatment of type 2 endoleaks between 2007 and 2022. The endpoints were postoperative complications, 30-day mortality, overall survival, and reintervention or sac expansion after open surgical conversion.

Pulsed Field Ablation in the Elderly via a Pentaspline Multielectrode Catheter: Safety, Efficacy, and Comparison with Cryoballoon and Radiofrequency Devices.

Background: Catheter ablation is an effective treatment for atrial fibrillation (AF). Pulsed field ablation (PFA) has emerged as a novel energy modality, which relies on high-voltage electric fields to achieve cardiac tissue ablation. Data on its efficacy in the elderly are scarce.

Clinical Importance of Tissue Proximity Indication During Pulsed Field Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation: Insights from Initial Experience.

Background: Pulsed field ablation (PFA) for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) has been gaining worldwide acceptance due to its efficacy and safety. A variable loop circular catheter (VLCC, VARIPULSE, Biosense Webster, Inc.) for PFA, recently launched in Japan, includes a Tissue Proximity Indication (TPI) feature to monitor catheter-tissue contact via impedance.

Nutritional Status Modifies the Association Between Hemoglobin Level and Mortality in Older Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis: A Nationwide Dialysis Registry in Japan.

Objective: Anemia is a common complication associated with adverse outcomes in older patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD). They also tend to experience malnutrition, which can affect the course of anemia. We hypothesized that the optimal hemoglobin (Hb) level varies depending on nutritional status in older patients undergoing HD and aimed to investigate the association between Hb levels and mortality according to nutritional status.

Association between serum zinc levels and trabecular bone scores among patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis.

Introduction: Zinc, an essential trace element, plays an important role in various cellular processes, and zinc deficiency is common in patients undergoing hemodialysis. Zinc has been shown to stimulate osteoblastic bone formation and mineralization and inhibit osteoclastic bone resorption. Although osteoporosis is highly prevalent among patients undergoing hemodialysis, the utility of areal bone mineral density (aBMD) measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is limited because DXA cannot reveal bone microarchitectural alterations.

Development of a versatile system for evaluating the target protein degradation activity of novel ubiquitin ligases utilizing existing PROTACs.

Proteolysis-Targeting Chimeras (PROTAC) are a bifunctional molecule that binds to a protein of interest (POI) and a ubiquitin ligase, thereby inducing the ubiquitination and degradation of POI. Many PROTACs currently utilize a limited number of ubiquitin ligases, such as von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) and Cereblon. Because these ubiquitin ligases are widely expressed in normal tissues, unexpected side effects can occur.

The relationship between hyponatremia and mortality in patients receiving nutrition support.

Background & Aims: Hyponatremia is frequently seen in clinical practice, but most cases are mild and asymptomatic and therefore often go unmanaged. In recent years, it has been reported that the onset or improvement of hyponatremia, even in mild cases, has an impact on mortality and that hyponatremia is directly related to increased mortality. In addition, it has been reported that patients with Nutrition Support Team (NST) are more likely to develop hyponatremia than the general hospitalized population.

Unveiling significant regrowth and potential risk of nontuberculous mycobacteria in hospital water supply system.

The health burden of waterborne nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) is a rising concern. While the water supply systems can serve as a potential reservoir for NTM, their abundance, diversity, and transmission pathways remain unknown. This study aimed to characterize the prevalence and regrowth of NTM in building water supply system in a hospital where many M.

Onboard measurement of polyethylene microplastics on a research vessel using Raman micro-spectroscopy: A preliminary study for testing feasibility.

Microplastic pollution in marine environments poses significant environmental risks due to its widespread presence. Traditional micro-imaging measurement of microplastics often rely on post-cruise laboratory analyses. In this study, we explored the feasibility of onboard microplastic measurement using Raman spectroscopy, with a focus on polyethylene (PE).

Predictive complement biomarkers for relapse in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders.

Background: Biomarkers that predict disease activity and prognosis should be established for neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD). In this study, we investigated the association between complement factors and the prognosis of NMOSD.

Methods: We validated laboratory parameters as potential prognostic factors in 34 patients with NMOSD (31 females and 3 males) whose serum was collected at the time of recurrence and who were subsequently followed-up for 3 years without the use of biologics.

Autophagic flux measurement: Cargo degradation versus generation of degradation products.

Autophagy is the cellular processes that transport cytoplasmic components to lysosomes for degradation. It plays essential physiological roles, including in adaptation to environmental changes such as starvation and maintaining intracellular quality control. Recently, its links to aging and disease have garnered substantial attention.

Cytoplasmic streaming of symbiotic algae in the ciliate Stentor pyriformis.

Stentor pyriformis is a unicellular organism whose inherent green-algal symbionts can be utilized in evolutionary and cytological studies. The cytoplasm contains symbiotic algae and starch granules, which are in constant motion. The habitats of the ciliate S.

Three-dimensional analysis of lip and chin movements during mastication with artificial nasal obstruction.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of nasal obstruction on the coordinated movement of perioral tissues during mastication using a motion capture system.

Design: Twelve healthy adult participants were instructed to chew gum only on their habitual masticatory side for 30 s, with and without nasal obstruction. Nasal obstruction was induced by blocking nasal breathing with a nose clip.

Evaluation of tooth-specific optical properties for the development of a non-invasive pulp diagnostic system using Transmitted-light plethysmography: An in vitro study.

Objectives: Transmitted-light plethysmography (TLP) is an objective and non-invasive pulp diagnosis method that has already been validated for applications for incisors. However, there is a demand for TLP use in the molars, it has not yet been established for this application. This study investigated the optimal light source wavelengths for TLP in premolars, to establish a pulp diagnosis system based on measuring pulpal blood flow.