Effect of dupilumab on otitis media associated with eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis.

Objective: Eosinophilic Otitis Media (EOM) is an intractable disease caused by type 2 inflammation, such as Eosinophilic Chronic Rhinosinusitis (ECRS) and bronchial asthma. Biologics have recently been used to treat ECRS and bronchial asthma. Biologics are not indicated for EOM; however, because approximately 10% of ECRS cases has concomitant EOM, concomitant EOM improvement has been observed when dupilumab is administered for ECRS.

Real-Time Subcutaneous Arterial Navigation for Thinning of an Anterolateral Thigh Flap Using Photoacoustic Imaging and Projection Mapping: A Case Report.

Thinning of anterolateral thigh flap is challenging. Anatomical studies have shown variations in arterial branching patterns in the subcutaneous layer, which were suspected to be the reason for the high frequency of thinning failures. We attempted to visualize subcutaneous arterial courses preoperatively and perform thinning of perforator flaps using this information appropriately.

Automated design prediction for definitive obturator prostheses: A case-based reasoning study.

Purpose: This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a case-based reasoning (CBR) system in predicting the design of definitive obturator prostheses for maxillectomy patients.

Materials And Methods: Data from 209 maxillectomy cases, including extraoral images of obturator prostheses and occlusal images of maxillectomy defects, were collected from Institute of Science Tokyo Hospital. These cases were organized into a structured database using Python's pandas library.

Sustainable solar energy deployment: a multi-criteria decision-making approach for site suitability and greenhouse gas emission reduction.

Conventional power generation methods have led to adverse environmental impacts. Thus, the need for a strategic transition to alternative energy sources arises. This study presents a comprehensive approach to sustainable solar energy deployment using multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) techniques.

Giant Seebeck Effect of Dibenzo[g,p]chrysene and its Derivatives: Deuteration and Substituent Effects and Relationship with Interlayer Distance.

Thermoelectric properties of undoped crystals of dibenzo[g,p]chrysene (DBC), deuterated DBC (DBC-d16), and 2,10-dimethyl-DBC (DBC-Me2) have been studied to obtain some insights into the relationship between the structural parameters of materials and the giant Seebeck effect. X-ray crystallography showed one-dimensional columnar packing with the interlayer distances (d) for DBC-d16, DBC, and DBC-Me2 were 3.78 Å, 3.

Structural Categorization of Adenine, Guanine, and Xanthine Derivatives Using Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Mass Spectrometry with 5-Nitrosalicylic Acid and 1,5-Diaminonaphtalene.

In this study, we analyzed purine derivatives using multimatrix variation matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI MS) with α-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid (CHCA), 1,5-diaminonaphtalene (DAN), 5-formylsalicylic acid (FSA), and 5-nitrosalicylic acid (NSA) as matrices. Further, we focused on the abstraction/attachment of hydrogen from/to analytes and detected [M - H], [M + 2H] and/or [M + 3H] in MALDI MS spectra of compounds containing nitrogen and/or carbonyl oxygen. Although [M - H] generation of purine compounds in MALDI MS with conventional matrices was challenging, NSA-MALDI MS effectively yielded the [M - H]species of purine derivatives compared with CHCA, FSA, and DAN, and the [M - H]/[M + H] ratios reflected their structures, such as the substituting groups and positions.

Enhancement of Spontaneous Orientation Polarization in Glassy Organic Semiconductor Mixtures.

The alignment of permanent dipole moments and the resulting spontaneous orientation polarization (SOP) are commonly observed in evaporated neat films of polar organic molecules and lead to a so-called giant surface potential. In the case of mixed films, often enhanced molecular orientation is observed, i.e.

A Zero-gap Electrolyzer Enables Supporting Electrolyte-free Seawater Splitting for Energy-saving Hydrogen Production.

Membrane-assisted direct seawater splitting (DSS) technologies are actively studied as a promising route to produce green hydrogen (H2), whereas the indispensable use of supporting electrolytes that help to extract water and provide electrochemically-accelerated reaction media results in a severe energy penalty, consuming up to 12.5% of energy input when using a typical KOH electrolyte. We bypass this issue by designing a zero-gap electrolyzer configuration based on the integration of cation exchange membrane and bipolar membrane assemblies, which protects stable DSS operation against the precipitates and corrosion in the absence of additional supporting electrolytes.

Contextualizing Psychological First Aid for the Pacific Island Countries.

Objective: This article explores the views towards contextualizing Psychological First Aid (PFA) to address the specific needs of communities in Pacific Island Countries (PICs) impacted by disasters. The methodological approach involved a review of existing literature on PFA's relevance, adaptation, and effectiveness in disaster response settings.

Findings: In disaster response, PFA is a recognized, evidence-informed psychosocial support activity internationally, yet measuring its effectiveness in real-time disasters remains challenging.

Rescue therapy after failed thrombectomy in medium/distal vessel occlusions: A retrospective analysis of an international, multi-center registry.

Background: There are limited therapeutic options in cases of failed reperfusion (modified thrombolysis in cerebral infarction [mTICI] score < 2b) after stent-retriever and/or aspiration based endovascular treatment (EVT) for acute ischemic stroke. Despite the absence of data supporting its use, rescue therapy (balloon angioplasty and/or stent implantation) is often utilized in such cases. Studies are limited to large vessel occlusions, while the outcomes and complications after rescue therapy in medium/distal vessel occlusions (MDVOs) have not been reported.

Impact of high maternal body mass index on fetal cerebral cortical and cerebellar volumes.

Objectives: Maternal obesity increases a child's risk of neurodevelopmental impairment. However, little is known about the impact of maternal obesity on fetal brain development.

Methods: We prospectively recruited 20 healthy pregnant women across the range of pre-pregnancy or first-trimester body mass index (BMI) and performed fetal brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of their healthy singleton fetuses.

Death Penalty in Modern Japan (1868-1945): Evolving Execution Practices and Their Societal Impact.

This article investigates the evolution of capital executions in modern Japan, focusing primarily on two major aspects: the reform of execution methods to reduce physical suffering, and the implementation of measures to preserve the confidentiality of executions. These aspects created a notable distance between public awareness and the realities of death penalty, particularly regarding actual executions. Consequently, calls for abolition gradually shifted from concerns about the suffering of death-row inmates to societal issues and abstract theoretical considerations.

Newly Found Rat CD103 Dendritic Cells Represent a Highly Immunogenic Subpopulation of Type-2 Conventional Dendritic Cells, Corresponding to Known Dendritic Cell Subsets in Mice and Humans.

Dendritic cells (DCs), the primary antigen-presenting cells, have traditionally been identified by CD103 molecules in rats, whereas mouse and human DCs are identified by CD11c molecules. However, this history does not preclude the existence of CD103 DCs in rats. To explore this possibility, we examined MHCII cells in rat spleen and thymus, identifying a novel population of CD103MHCIICD45RCD172a cells.

Ethical Use of Cadaveric Images in Anatomical Textbooks, Atlases, and Journals: A Consensus Response From Authors and Editors.

Nowadays, consent to use donor bodies for medical education and research is obtained from the body donors and their families before the donation. Recently, the International Federation of Associations of Anatomists (IFAA) published guidelines that could restrict the appearance of cadaveric images in commercial anatomical resources such as textbooks and other educational products. These guidelines state that the donor must expressly consent to using such images for this purpose.

Neurobiology of COVID-19-Associated Psychosis/Schizophrenia: Implication of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Signaling.

COVID-19 exhibits not only respiratory symptoms but also neurological/psychiatric symptoms rarely including delirium/psychosis. Pathological studies on COVID-19 provide evidence that the cytokine storm, in particular (epidermal growth factor) EGF receptor (EGFR, ErbB1, Her1) activation, plays a central role in the progression of viral replication and lung fibrosis. Of note, SARS-CoV-2 virus (specifically, S1 spike domain) mimics EGF and directly transactivates EGFR, preceding the inflammatory process.

Heterodimeric Ciliary Dynein f/I1 Adopts a Distinctive Structure, Providing Insight Into the Autoinhibitory Mechanism Common to the Dynein Family.

Dyneins are huge motor protein complexes that are essential for cell motility, cell division, and intracellular transport. Dyneins are classified into three major subfamilies, namely cytoplasmic, intraflagellar-transport (IFT), and ciliary dyneins, based on their intracellular localization and functions. Recently, several near-atomic resolution structures have been reported for cytoplasmic/IFT dyneins.

Land Use Change Consistently Reduces α- But Not β- and γ-Diversity of Bees.

Land use change threatens global biodiversity and compromises ecosystem functions, including pollination and food production. Reduced taxonomic α-diversity is often reported under land use change, yet the impacts could be different at larger spatial scales (i.e.

Initiation of Psychotropic Drugs in Spouses of Patients With Early-Onset Alzheimer's Disease: A Matched Cohort Study.

Objectives: The diagnosis of early-onset Alzheimer's disease (EOAD) can cause emotional stress not only to the patients themselves but also to their spouses. This study aimed to evaluate the risk of psychiatric disorders in spouses of EOAD patients, using psychotropic drug initiation as a surrogate indicator.

Methods: A cohort study was conducted using a Japanese claims database, with spouses of EOAD patients (exposed spouses) matched with spouses of non-EOAD individuals (reference spouses) up to a 1:10 ratio.

Recent advances in biomarkers for senescence: Bridging basic research to clinic.

In this review, we review the current status of biomarkers for aging and possible perspectives on anti-aging or rejuvenation from the standpoint of biomarkers. Aging is observed in all cells and organs, and we focused on research into senescence in the skin, musculoskeletal system, immune system, and cardiovascular system. Commonly used biomarkers include SA-βgal, cell-cycle markers, senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) factors, damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), and DNA-damage-related markers.

Target Identification of Marine Natural Product Odoamide: Odoamide Induces Apoptotic Cell Death by Targeting ATPase Na+/K+ Transporting Subunit Alpha 1 (ATP1A1).

Marine natural products show a large variety of unique chemical structures and potent biological activities. Elucidating the target molecule and the mechanism of action is an essential and challenging step in drug development starting with a natural product. Odoamide, a member of aurilide-family isolated from Okinawan marine cyanobacterium, has been known to exhibit highly potent cytotoxicity against various cancer cell lines.

Cough and sputum symptoms reduce physical activity in patients with NTM pulmonary disease.

Although physical activity is an important outcome in patients with chronic respiratory disease, it has not been characterised in those with non-tuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease (NTM-PD). This study aimed to evaluate physical activity and its associated factors in patients with NTM-PD.This prospective observational study measured daily step counts using an accelerometer to assess physical activity (steps per day).

Spatially ordered recruitment of fast muscles in accordance with movement strengths in larval zebrafish.

In vertebrates, skeletal muscle comprises fast and slow fibers. Slow and fast muscle cells in fish are spatially segregated; slow muscle cells are located only in a superficial region, and comprise a small fraction of the total muscle cell mass. Slow muscles support low-speed, low-force movements, while fast muscles are responsible for high-speed, high-force movements.