Cystic Basal Cell Carcinoma with a Giant Vulvar Cyst.

Cystic basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is a rare subtype of BCC (1). Histologically, it is usually characterized by multiple small cysts without a clinical cystic appearance (2). Herein, we report an unusual case of cystic BCC with a large vulvar cyst.

Complex species structure of (Digenea: Lecithasteridae), a fish parasite in the Arctic and Pacific Northwest.

Studying complexes of cryptic or pseudocryptic species opens new horizons for the understanding of speciation processes, an important yet vague issue for the digeneans. We investigated a hemiuroidean trematode across a wide geographic range including the northern European seas (White, Barents, and Pechora), East Siberian Sea, and the Pacific Northwest (Sea of Okhotsk and Sea of Japan). The goals were to explore the genetic diversity within through mitochondrial ( and genes) and ribosomal (ITS1, ITS2, 28S rDNA) marker sequences, to study morphometry of maritae, and to revise the life cycle data.

A novel semi-quantitative scoring method for CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes based on infiltration sites in gastric cancer.

No established method currently exists for evaluating tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in gastric cancer (GC), and their clinical significance based on infiltration site in GC remains unclear. In this study, we developed a method to evaluate TILs according to their infiltration site as a prognostic marker for GC. We retrospectively analyzed 103 patients with advanced GC who underwent curative resection.

Peptidoglycan induces CXCL10 production and inhibits esophageal squamous cell carcinoma proliferation.

Poor oral health is an independent risk factor for upper-aerodigestive tract cancers, including esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC); thus, good oral health may reduce the risk of ESCC. We previously reported that high expression of Toll-like receptor (TLR) 6, which recognizes peptidoglycan (PGN) from Gram-positive bacteria correlates with a good prognosis after esophagectomy for ESCC. Most beneficial bacteria in the mouth are Gram-positive.

A negative relationship between first-pass pulmonary vein isolation and body mass index in ablation index-guided pulmonary vein isolation.

Background: We previously reported the relationship between first-pass pulmonary vein isolation (FPI) and pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) durability in ablation index-guided atrial fibrillation ablation. Obesity is a worsening factor for atrial tachyarrhythmia (AT) recurrence. However, the impact of obesity on FPI has been scarcely reported.

High-power short-duration setting prevents changes of periprocedural thrombotic markers and the onset of silent stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Background: It remains unclear whether the newly adopted high-power, short-duration (HP-SD) setting in ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) impacts periprocedural thrombotic markers or silent stroke (SS) onset.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate the clinical impact of HP-SD setting ablation on changes in periprocedural thrombotic markers and the onset of SS.

Methods: We enrolled 101 AF patients: the HP-SD group (n = 67) using 50 W and the conventional ablation group (n = 34) using 30 to 40 W.

Analysis of junctional beats during slow pathway ablation: Illuminating the mechanism of typical and atypical AV nodal re-entrant tachycardia.

Background: Junctional rhythm (JR) frequently occurs during radiofrequency (RF) ablation procedures targeting the slow pathway (SP) for atrioventricular nodal re-entrant tachycardia (AVNRT), signaling successful ablation. Two types of JR have been noticed: typical JR as His activation preceding atrial activation, and atypical JR as atrial activation preceding the His activation. Nevertheless, the origin and characteristics of JR remain incompletely defined.

A case of corneal opacity caused by atovaquone administration.

Purpose: Atovaquone is an alternative drug that is used for the prevention and treatment of pneumonia when the first-line drug, sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (ST combination), cannot be used due to side effects. However, atovaquone is known to cause ocular side effects including oculomucocutaneous syndrome and vortex keratopathy. In this report, we describe a patient who developed bilateral white granular diffuse corneal opacity that extended from the corneal sub-epithelium to the stroma after continuous oral atovaquone administration for 14 months.

Role of risk alleles in the pathogenesis of neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the leading causes of severe irreversible blindness worldwide in the elderly population. AMD is a multifactorial disease mainly caused by advanced age, environmental factors, and genetic variations. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have strongly supported the link between locus on chromosome 10q26 and AMD development, encompassing multiple variants, rs10490924 (c.

The predictive power of baseline metabolic and volumetric [F]FDG PET parameters with different thresholds for early therapy failure and mortality risk in DLBCL patients undergoing CAR-T-cell therapy.

Objective: [F]FDG imaging is an integral part of patient management in CAR-T-cell therapy for recurrent or therapy-refractory DLBCL. The calculation methods of predictive power of specific imaging parameters still remains elusive. With this retrospective study, we sought to evaluate the predictive power of the baseline metabolic parameters and tumor burden calculated with automated segmentation via different thresholding methods for early therapy failure and mortality risk in DLBCL patients.

Langerhans Cells Directly Interact with Resident T Cells in the Human Epidermis.

Adult human skin contains nearly twice as many T cells as the peripheral blood, which include tissue-resident memory T cells. However, the precise mechanisms maintaining tissue-resident memory T cells in the healthy skin remain unclear. Using normal human skin samples, we find that Langerhans cells (LCs) contact T cells in the epidermis of the elderly.

An Assay System for Plate-based Detection of Endogenous Peptide:-glycanase/NGLY1 Activity Using A Fluorescence-based Probe.

Cytosolic peptide:-glycanase (PNGase/NGLY1 in mammals), an amidase classified under EC:3.5.1.

Evaluation of the Food Barrier and Mechanical Properties of Carrageenan-Starch Composite Films.

Single use plastics are a leading source of microplastics that have been detected along the food chain. This study evaluated the potential of starch (ST) and carrageenan (CRG) in packaging film formulation. CRG isolated from the seaweed (SW) was blended with starch and cast to obtain films whose moisture content (MC), total soluble matter (TSM), degree of solubility (DS), water vapor permeability (WVP), opacity (O), contact angles (CA), moisture absorption (MA), and percent elongation (PE) were evaluated.

Pharmacokinetics of Geraniol and Its Metabolites in Mice After Oral Administration.

Geraniol is an acyclic monoterpene alcohol that is extracted from the essential oils of aromatic plants. Geraniol has several biological activities such as anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective effects. However, the pharmacokinetics of geraniol and its metabolites after oral administration remain unknown in mice.

Nutrition-Associated Biomarkers in Predicting Intravenous Immunoglobulin Resistance and Coronary Artery Lesions in Kawasaki Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Several studies explored the associations of pre-albumin (PA)/albumin (ALB) and ALB-combined indicators (prognostic nutrition index [PNI], albumin-to-globulin ratio [AGR], bilirubin-to-albumin [BAR], and C-reactive protein/albumin ratio [CAR]) with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) resistance and coronary artery lesions (CALs) in Kawasaki disease (KD) patients. However, the results were controversial. A meta-analysis was conducted to reconfirm their associations and predictive performance.

Genetic Diversity on Farm in Japanese Paper Mulberry.

Paper mulberry is a fiber resource for paper making. Washi, a traditional paper in Japan, has been produced from × , a hybrid between and . Elite strains have been vegetatively propagated and distributed within Japan.

QTL-Based Evidence of Population Genetic Divergence in Male Territorial Aggressiveness of the Japanese Freshwater Threespine Stickleback.

Territorial aggression is widespread across the animal kingdom and is expressed in diverse ecological and social contexts. In addition, there are marked variations in the degree of male reproductive territoriality within and between species. These differences are often attributed to genetic components.

Utility of Retroperitoneal Laparoscopic Surgery for Retroperitoneal Tumors.

Introduction: Retroperitoneal laparoscopic surgery for benign retroperitoneal tumors is often challenging because of variations in the tumor location and size. In this study, we present a retroperitoneal laparoscopic resection technique used at our institution to treat benign retroperitoneal tumors.

Materials And Methods: This retrospective case series included nine consecutive patients who underwent retroperitoneal laparoscopic tumor resection between 2011 and 2023.

Benefits of Continuous Outpatient Orthopedic Consultations for Both Upper and Lower Body on the Mortality Rates of Hemodialysis Patients.

Background: The purpose of the present observational study was to examine whether there is a difference in prognosis for hemodialysis patients with or without continued orthopedic outpatient visits over five years.  Methods: One hundred and thirteen hemodialysis patients who visited the dialysis center of Takagi Hospital, Okawa, Japan, as of December 2017 were included in this study. Data were collected from the medical records until December 2022.

Behavioral and Health Outcomes of mRNA COVID-19 Vaccination: A Case-Control Study in Japanese Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises.

Background Despite ongoing waves of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections, including significant surges such as the 10th wave, understanding the impact of messenger RNA (mRNA) COVID-19 vaccination on infection risk and associated behavioral changes remains crucial. This study aims to urgently evaluate the effects of mRNA COVID-19 vaccination on COVID-19 infection rates and related behaviors among participants of the Yamato Project, which includes employees of Japanese small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Methods A case-control study was conducted using data collected from a survey administered by the Japan Small and Medium Enterprise Management Council in December 2023.

A Crossover Trial of a Novel Toothbrushing Method for Prevention of Aspiration Pneumonia: Toothpaste With Povidone-Iodine and Moisturizing Gel Mixture.

Introduction: Toothbrushing, during which dental plaque is brushed off into the oral cavity, can increase the risk of aspiration pneumonia in older adults and intubated patients.

Methods: This study examined brushing methods to prevent the spread of bacteria in the oral cavity. Six participants who required assistance with brushing received toothbrushing from a dental hygienist.

Hemodynamic Evaluation of Residual Cavity Growth in a Basilar-Tip Cerebral Aneurysm Post-coiling Using Silent Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA): A Case Report.

Coil embolization of cerebral aneurysms often encounters challenges in achieving complete filling of the aneurysm sac due to complex shapes and hemodynamic factors, frequently resulting in the formation of a residual cavity (RC) at the aneurysm neck. The hemodynamic mechanisms underlying RC formation and growth, however, remain poorly understood. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis, combined with silent MRA free from contrast agents and metal artifacts, offers a promising approach to elucidate these mechanisms, potentially enhancing the clinical management of cerebral aneurysms post-coiling.

Noninvasive Assessment of Vascular Function: From Physiological Tests to Biomarkers.

Vascular function is impaired by conditions such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes as well as coronary risk factors including age, smoking, obesity, menopause and physical inactivity. Measurement of vascular function is useful not only for assessment of atherosclerosis itself but also in many other aspects such as understanding the pathophysiology, assessing treatment efficacy, and predicting prognosis of cardiovascular events. It is therefore important to accurately assess the extent of vascular function.