Temporal Trends in Respiratory Infection Epidemics Among Pediatric Inpatients Throughout the Course of the COVID-19 Pandemic From 2018 to 2023 in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan.

Background: Nonpharmaceutical interventions for coronavirus disease (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, during the pandemic altered the epidemiology of respiratory viruses. This study aimed to determine the changes in respiratory viruses among children hospitalized from 2018 to 2023.

Methods: Nasopharyngeal specimens were collected from children aged under 15 years with fever and/or respiratory symptoms admitted to a medical institution in Fukushima Prefecture between January 2018 and December 2023.

Prognostic impact and risk factors of severe neutropenia in the early phase of treatment with trifluridine-tipiracil for metastatic colorectal cancer patients: a single-center retrospective study.

Purpose: We aimed to identify the risk factors for severe neutropenia in the early phase of trifluridine-tipiracil (FTD/TPI) treatment, and their impact on overall survival (OS).

Methods: This single-center retrospective study included patients with unresectable metastatic colorectal cancer who were treated with FTD/TPI. The primary endpoint was OS, and the secondary endpoint was severe neutropenia during the first and second cycles of FTD/TPI.

Keyhole decompression surgery for holospinal epidural abscess: a novel approach for spinal stability preservation.

Purpose: Spinal epidural abscesses are rare yet serious conditions, often necessitating emergency surgical intervention. Holospinal epidural abscesses (HEA) extending from the cervical to the lumbosacral spine are even rarer and present significant challenges in management. This report aims to describe a case of HEA with both ventrally-located cervical and dorsally-located thoracolumbar epidural abscesses treated with a combination of anterior keyhole decompression and posterior skip decompression surgeries.

Potential global distributions of an important aphid pest, Rhopalosiphum padi: insights from ensemble models with multiple variables.

Species distribution modeling is extensively used for predicting potential distributions of invasive species. However, an ensemble modeling approach has been less frequently used particularly pest species. The bird cherry-oat aphid Rhopalosiphum padi L.

Impact of 5-Aminosalicylic Acid on Ustekinumab in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Retrospective Medical Claims Analysis.

Background: The efficacy of 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) in combination with advanced therapies (ADTs), particularly ustekinumab (UST), for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) remains unclear.

Methods: This retrospective cohort analysis used data from the Medical Data Vision database, including patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD) who had initiated UST therapy. Cumulative UST continuation rates and factors associated with UST failure were analyzed, and post hoc subgroup analyses based on prior ADT use were conducted.

Age-dependent differences in the association between blood interleukin-6 levels and mortality in patients with sepsis: a retrospective observational study.

Background: Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a cytokine that predicts clinical outcomes in critically ill patients, including those with sepsis. Elderly patients have blunted and easily dysregulated host responses to infection, which may influence IL-6 kinetics and alter the association between IL-6 levels and clinical outcomes.

Methods: This retrospective observational study included patients aged ≥ 16 years who were admitted to the intensive care unit at Chiba University Hospital.

Deapioplatycodin D inhibits glioblastoma cell proliferation by inducing BNIP3L-mediated incomplete mitophagy.

Deapioplatycodin D (DPD) is a triterpenoid saponin natural compound isolated from the Chinese herb Platycodon grandiflorum that has antiviral and antitumor properties. This study aimed to investigate the effects of DPD on glioblastoma (GBM) cells and to determine its intrinsic mechanism of action. Using a CCK8 assay, it was found that DPD significantly inhibited the growth of GBM cells.

Approaches for difficult-to-induce-seizures electroconvulsive therapy cases (DEC): a Japanese expert consensus.

Background: Seizure threshold increases with age and the frequency of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Therefore, therapeutic seizures can be difficult to induce, even at maximum stimulus charge with available ECT devices. Such cases are known as difficult-to-induce-seizures electroconvulsive therapy cases (DECs).

Clinical outcomes of combined focused shock wave and ultrasound-guided percutaneous irrigation of rotator cuff calcific tendinopathy therapy.

Background: Various conservative treatments have been reported for refractory calcific tendinitis of the shoulder. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes of a combined therapy of focused shock wave (FSW) and ultrasound-guided percutaneous irrigation of calcific tendinopathy (US-PICT).

Methods: A total of 229 patients (246 shoulders) who experienced shoulder pain for over six months due to calcific tendinitis were included.

Formation of epithelial polarity on the fluorinated-oil microdroplet surface by regulating cell adhesion.

Polarized epithelial cells are compartmentalized into apical and basement membranes with asymmetrically distributed proteins. This study aimed to establish a method for culturing epithelial cells at the fluorinated oil (Novec-7500) microdroplet surface for the formation of epithelial polarity, which is desirable for regenerative medicine and drug discovery research. Microdroplet surfaces treated with fibronectin, which regulates a variety of cell behaviors through direct interactions with cell surface integrin receptors, were prepared for culturing epithelial cells.

Fabrication of phospholipid polymer-modified alginate hydrogels for bioartificial pancreas.

The bioartificial pancreas, composed of a semi-permeable hydrogel encapsulating insulin-secreting cells, has attracted attention as a treatment for type 1 diabetes. In this study, we developed phospholipid polymer-modified alginate hydrogel beads that encapsulated spheroids of the pancreatic beta cell line MIN6. The hydrogel beads were composed of methacrylated alginic acid, which enabled both ionic and covalent cross-linking, resulting in a hydrogel that was more stable than conventional alginate hydrogels.

The Efficacy and Safety of Angiotensin II for Treatment of Vasoplegia in Critically Ill Patients: A Systematic Review.

Objectives: To summarize evidence regarding intravenous angiotensin II administration in critical illness and provide an updated understanding of its effects on various organ dysfunction and renin-angiotensin system (RAS) biomarkers.

Design: A systematic review.

Setting: A search of PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library from inception to May 3, 2024.

Advocacy in Action: International Patient Group Improves Hereditary Angioedema Diagnosis and Care Across the Asia-Pacific.

This study demonstrates that patient advocacy groups significantly enhance medication availability and improve diagnosis of hereditary angioedema (HAE), particularly in emerging economies within the Asia-Pacific region. This study supports integrating patient advocacy group involvement into management guidelines, emphasising their role in improving access to diagnostics and treatment for HAE.

Plasma amyloid-β precursor protein /amyloid-β ratio is associated with cognition in Alzheimer's disease.

Plasma amyloid-β (Aβ) markers are significant predictors of Aβ pathology. However, their prognostic value for cognition in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) is unknown. We compared plasma amyloid-β precursor protein (APP) and Aβ levels between cognitively unimpaired participants (CU) and those with MCI due to AD and AD dementia.

Association between left ventricular reverse remodelling and the B-type natriuretic peptide-cGMP cascade after anterior acute myocardial infarction.

Background: The role of cyclic guanosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cGMP) after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is not well understood despite its significance as a second messenger of natriuretic peptides (NPs) in cardiovascular disease. We investigated the association between the NP-cGMP cascade and left ventricular reverse remodelling (LVRR) in anterior AMI.

Methods: 67 patients with their first anterior AMI (median age, 64 years; male, 76%) underwent prospective evaluation of plasma concentrations of the molecular forms of A-type and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and cGMP from immediately after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) to 10 months post-AMI.

Accuracy of a Superficial Landmark of the Recurrent Branch of the Median Nerve and Anatomical Features of Transverse Muscle Fibres Observed During Carpal Tunnel Release.

Surgeons use anatomical landmarks like the scaphoid tubercle, pisiform, trapezial tubercle and hook of hamate, along with Kaplan cardinal line (KCL) to avoid injury to the recurrent motor branch (RMB) of the median nerve during carpal tunnel release. The presence of transverse muscle fibres (TMF) overlying the transverse carpal ligament (TCL) may suggest proximity of the RMB, but their anatomical relationship is unclear. In this study, we evaluated the accuracy of anatomical landmarks to the RMB, TMF origin and insertion, and examined the relationship between TMF presence and RMB running patterns.

Characteristics of upper lumbar spondylolysis in children.

Background: Pediatric lumbar spondylolysis (LS) is common in junior and senior high school athletes. Lower LS (L4-L5 level) is more common in children, and upper LS (L1-L3 level) is relatively rare; therefore, the pathogenesis of upper LS remains unclear.

Purpose: To elucidate the mechanisms of upper LS by identifying and comparing characteristics between upper and lower LS cases.

Home Visit Survey on Outpatient Antibiotic Use: Assessing Leftover Medications and Factors Influencing Appropriate Use by Community Pharmacists.

This cross-sectional study investigated the prevalence and factors associated with leftover antibiotics in Japanese households through pharmacist home visits. The research, conducted in collaboration with pharmaceutical associations in Kyoto and Hirakata, included 37 cases analyzed from October 2023 to March 2024. Participants had a median age of 81 years and received a median of two antibiotic prescriptions in the past year.

Intranasal administration of stem cell-derived exosome alleviates cognitive impairment against subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Introduction: Brain damage caused by subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) currently lacks effective treatment, leading to stagnation in the improvement of functional outcomes for decades. Recent studies have demonstrated the therapeutic potential of exosomes released from mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), which effectively attenuate neuronal apoptosis and inflammation in neurological diseases. Due to the challenge of systemic dilution associated with intravenous administration, intranasal delivery has emerged as a novel approach for targeting the brain.

Proposal to synonymize Neoplagioporus Shimazu, 1990 with Urorchis Ozaki, 1927; taxonomic revision and the description of Urorchis takahaya n. sp.

Urorchis Ozaki, 1927 and Neoplagioporus Shimazu, 1990 (Digenea: Opecoelidae: Sphaerostomatinae) comprise species parasitic in freshwater fishes of eastern Asia, although the status of these genera is questionable. We revised these genera, primarily using evidence from a molecular phylogeny based on nuclear ribosomal DNA, including new sequences of four known and one new species. Urorchis was part of the clade of Neoplagioporus species, rendering the genus Neoplagioporus paraphyletic.

Identification of pennaceous barbule cell factor (PBCF), a novel gene with spatiotemporal expression in barbule cells during feather development.

Bird contour feathers exhibit a complex hierarchical structure composed of a rachis, barbs, and barbules, with barbules playing a crucial role in maintaining feather structure and function. Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying barbule formation is essential for advancing our knowledge of avian biology and evolution. In this study, we identified a novel gene, pennaceous barbule cell factor (PBCF), using microarray analysis, RT-PCR, and in situ hybridization.

High Prevalence of Burnout in Veterinary Medicine: Exploring Interventions to Improve Well-being.

The veterinary profession faces a critical challenge: burnout. Long hours, emotional strain, financial pressures, and difficult client interactions contribute to stress and drive veterinary professionals from the field. This harms not only their well-being but also patient care and workplace morale.