Removal of dissolved organic carbon in the West Pacific hadal zones.

The deep oceans are environments of complex carbon dynamics that have the potential to significantly impact the global carbon cycle. However, the role of hadal zones, particularly hadal trenches (water depth > 6 km), in the oceanic dissolved organic carbon (DOC) cycle is not thoroughly investigated. Here we report distinct DOC signatures in the Japan Trench bottom water.

Xylaria iriomotensis sp. nov. from termite nests and notes on X. angulosa.

Background: Fungus gardens of the termite Odontotermes formosanus, excavated from Iriomote Island, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan, were subsequently incubated under laboratory conditions. A Xylaria species emerging from these fungus gardens was initially identified as X. angulosa, a species originally described from North Sulawesi, Indonesia.

Evaluation of optimal timing and therapeutic efficacy of radium-223 therapy for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer: a multicenter collaborative study.

Background: Despite its demonstrated efficacy in prolonging overall survival (OS) and delaying skeletal-related events in the ALSYMPCA trial, the optimal timing of radium-223 initiation remains unclear. This study investigated factors influencing radium-223 treatment outcomes, including completion rates and survival.

Methods: This retrospective, multi-institutional study included 164 patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) who received radium-223 therapy.

Development and current status of anti-reflux esophagogastrostomy after proximal gastrectomy: a literature review.

Background: The selection of an appropriate gastrointestinal (GI) reconstruction procedure after proximal gastrectomy (PG) has long been a challenge. Surgeons have had a long history of exploring anti-reflux gastroesophageal anastomosis. The aim of this article is to systematically summarize the anti-reflux principles of GI reconstructive procedures through a review of the previous literature and to provide a theoretical basis for clinicians to select or innovate procedures.

Effects of hydrogen on microstructure evolution and mechanical properties of TB8 titanium alloy.

The influence of varying hydrogen content on the microstructure, mechanical properties, and fracture behavior of the metastable β titanium alloy TB8 after hydrogen charging has been investigated in this study. Several characterization methods, including optical microscopy (OM), x-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), were employed to comprehensively analyze the alloy. The results show that with the addition of hydrogen, hydrogen mainly accumulated at grain boundaries in the form of hydrides.

Machine learning-based prediction for incidence of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography after emergency laparoscopic cholecystectomy: A retrospective, multicenter cohort study.

Background: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the preferred treatment for symptomatic cholelithiasis and acute cholecystitis, with increasing applications even in severe cases. However, the possibility of postoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) to manage choledocholithiasis or biliary injuries poses significant clinical challenges. This study aimed to develop a predictive model for ERCP incidence following emergency laparoscopic cholecystectomy using advanced machine learning techniques.

Once-weekly IcoSema versus once-weekly semaglutide in adults with type 2 diabetes: the COMBINE 2 randomised clinical trial.

Aims/hypothesis: COMBINE 2 assessed the efficacy and safety of once-weekly IcoSema (a combination therapy of basal insulin icodec and semaglutide) vs once-weekly semaglutide (a glucagon-like peptide-1 analogue) 1.0 mg in individuals with type 2 diabetes inadequately managed with GLP-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA) therapy, with or without additional oral glucose-lowering medications.

Methods: This 52 week, randomised, multicentre, open-label, parallel group, Phase IIIa trial was conducted across 121 sites in 13 countries/regions.

Prevalence of keratoconus and keratoconus suspect, and their characteristics on corneal tomography in a population-based study.

Keratoconus (KC) is a progressive corneal disorder resulting in severe visual impairment. We aimed to determine the prevalence and corneal tomographic characteristics of KC and keratoconus suspect (KCS) in a population-based study, and to construct discrimination models with or without corneal tomography. A total of 1,544 eyes (822 participants aged ≥35 years) were evaluated using data from the Yamagata Study (2015-2017).

Recommendations for mitochondria transfer and transplantation nomenclature and characterization.

Intercellular mitochondria transfer is an evolutionarily conserved process in which one cell delivers some of their mitochondria to another cell in the absence of cell division. This process has diverse functions depending on the cell types involved and physiological or disease context. Although mitochondria transfer was first shown to provide metabolic support to acceptor cells, recent studies have revealed diverse functions of mitochondria transfer, including, but not limited to, the maintenance of mitochondria quality of the donor cell and the regulation of tissue homeostasis and remodelling.

The serum amyloid A to C-reactive protein ratio is lower in men than in women because of higher-C-reactive protein concentrations in men.

Objectives: We previously found that discrepancy between serum amyloid A (SAA) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels linked to the difference of SAA/CRP ratio in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis, and the ratio varied among different patients. This study aimed to determine why the SAA/CRP ratio differed among different patients.

Methods: The patients (n=466) with most of inflammatory diseases were enrolled.

Population pharmacokinetic model of tranexamic acid in patients who undergo cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass.

Purpose: Tranexamic acid (TXA) is widely used as an antifibrinolytic drug. However, studies to determine the optimal blood concentration of TXA have produced inconsistent results. During cardiac surgery, cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) has serious effects on drug distribution, elimination, and plasma concentration.

Association between the timing of intravenous immunoglobulin treatment and severity of Kawasaki disease.

Objectives: The early administration of immunoglobulin in Kawasaki disease occasionally results in treatment failure. However, whether this is because severe cases are diagnosed and treated early or due to other factors remains unclear. In this study, we examined the timing of initial immunoglobulin administration and immunoglobulin resistance in cases classified by severity of illness.

Association between mobility decline and health literacy in older Japanese adults: Onjuku study.

Decline in mobility is a global issue that must be addressed in rapidly aging societies. We aimed to clarify the association between locomotive syndrome (LS), a condition of decreased mobility and health literacy (HL) in community-dwelling Japanese adults aged ≥ 40 years. A descriptive survey was conducted in Onjuku Town, Japan, between 2019 and 2023.

The real prevalence and clinical courses of non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer: a retrospective single-institutional study.

Background: Non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (PCa) has become clinically important in PCa management, with treatments aiming to delay metastasis. However, limited data exist on its prevalence and patient characteristics in real-world settings.

Methods: We retrospectively investigated the clinical records of 1929 patients who were treated for localized PCa between 2005 and 2018.

Topological importance of CD8 T-cell enrichment in the tumor microenvironment of classic Hodgkin lymphoma.

Classic Hodgkin lymphoma (CHL) histologically consists of Hodgkin Reed-Sternberg (HRS) cells and the tumor microenvironment (TME), but the relationship between TME characteristics and clinical features of CHL remains unclear. We aimed to investigate the effects of the TME structure on the outcomes of patients with CHL. We performed a high-throughput analysis of HRS cells and their topological relationship with the reactive immune cells in the TME.

Adverse effect of Henle fiber layer hemorrhage due to retinal arterial macroaneurysm rupture on retinal sensitivity.

Purpose: To investigate the effect of Henle fiber layer hemorrhage (HFLh) on retinal sensitivity (RS) before and after displacement of the submacular hemorrhage (SMH) caused by retinal arterial macroaneurysm (RAM) rupture.

Methods: This retrospective study included 31 eyes undergoing vitrectomy for SMH. Eyes were grouped based on the presence or absence of HFLh (HFLh [+/-] group).

Clinical outcomes and treatment patterns of maintenance avelumab in locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma: a multicenter collaborative study.

Background: The JAVELIN Bladder 100 trial demonstrated improved overall survival (OS) with maintenance avelumab in patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma UC (la/mUC) who achieved disease control following first-line platinum-based chemotherapy (1 L-PBC). However, real-world data on eligibility, utilization, and outcomes of maintenance avelumab therapy remain limited.

Methods: This retrospective study included patients with la/mUC who received 1 L-PBC.

2024 Update of the Japan College of Rheumatology Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of Rheumatoid Arthritis - secondary publication.

Objectives: To update the Japan College of Rheumatology Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of Rheumatoid Arthritis (CPG for RA).

Methods: The recommendations were developed based on the evidence published until the end of June 2022 using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE). The steering committee, CPG panel, systematic review (SR) group, and SR support team were organised.

Modified Lateral Surgical Approach to the Pterygopalatine Fossa for Safe Preservation of the Peripheral Branch of the Marginal Mandibular Nerve.

In cases where oral cancer spreads toward the maxillary tubercle, surgery may extend to the pterygopalatine fossa. There are 2 main extraoral approaches: anterior and lateral. Previously, we introduced a modified lateral approach with a mouth corner incision from the lower lip, that preserves the mental and marginal mandibular nerves.

Serial dependence in orientation is weak at the perceptual stage but intact at the response stage in autistic adults.

Recent studies have suggested that autistic perception can be attributed to atypical Bayesian inference; however, it remains unclear whether the atypical Bayesian inference originates in the perceptual or post-perceptual stage or both. This study examined serial dependence in orientation at the perceptual and response stages in autistic and neurotypical adult groups. Participants comprised 17 autistic and 23 neurotypical adults.

Rational engineering of DNA-nanoparticle motor with high speed and processivity comparable to motor proteins.

DNA-nanoparticle motor is a burnt-bridge Brownian ratchet moving on RNA-modified surface driven by Ribonuclease H (RNase H), and one of the fastest nanoscale artificial motors. However, its speed is still much lower than those of motor proteins. Here we resolve elementary processes of motion and reveal long pauses caused by slow RNase H binding are the bottleneck.

A phase I/II study of adoptive immunotherapy using donor liver graft-derived NK cell-enriched immune cells to prevent severe infection after liver transplantation.

Bloodstream infections (BSIs) are significant postoperative complications associated with high mortality rates after liver transplantation (LT). Natural killer (NK) cells, which are key components of the innate immune system, have demonstrated potential to combat both infections and cancer. The use of activated NK cells to mitigate post-LT infections, particularly BSIs, has attracted considerable interest.