Contributions of the Primary Sensorimotor Cortex and Posterior Parietal Cortex to Motor Learning and Transfer.

Background: Transferring learned manipulations to new manipulation tasks has enabled humans to realize thousands of dexterous object manipulations in daily life. Two-digit grasp and three-digit grasp manipulations require different fingertip forces, and our brain can switch grasp types to ensure good performance according to motor memory. We hypothesized that several brain areas contribute to the execution of the new type of motor according to the motor memory.

MicroRNA-150 Deletion from Adult Myofibroblasts Augments Maladaptive Cardiac Remodeling Following Chronic Myocardial Infarction.

MicroRNA (miR: small noncoding RNA)-150 is evolutionarily conserved and is downregulated in patients with diverse forms of heart failure (HF) and in multiple mouse models of HF. Moreover, miR-150 is markedly correlated with the outcome of patients with HF. We previously reported that systemic or cardiomyocyte-derived miR-150 in mice elicited myocardial protection through the inhibition of cardiomyocyte death, without affecting neovascularization and T cell infiltration.

Celecoxib Combined with Tocilizumab Has Anti-Inflammatory Effects and Promotes the Recovery of Damaged Cartilage via the Nrf2/HO-1 Pathway In Vitro.

Inflammation and oxidative stress are crucial for osteoarthritis (OA) pathogenesis. Despite the potential of pharmacological pretreatment of chondrocytes in preventing OA, its efficacy in preventing the progression of cartilage damage and promoting its recovery has not been examined. In this study, an HO-induced human OA-like chondrocyte cell model was created using H1467 primary human chondrocytes to evaluate the efficacy of interleukin (IL)-6 and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 inhibitors (tocilizumab and celecoxib, respectively) in the prevention and treatment of cartilage damage.

Anesthetic- and Analgesic-Related Drugs Modulating Both Voltage-Gated Na and TRP Channels.

Nociceptive information is transmitted by action potentials (APs) through primary afferent neurons from the periphery to the central nervous system. Voltage-gated Na channels are involved in this AP production, while transient receptor potential (TRP) channels, which are non-selective cation channels, are involved in receiving and transmitting nociceptive stimuli in the peripheral and central terminals of the primary afferent neurons. Peripheral terminal TRP vanilloid-1 (TRPV1), ankylin-1 (TRPA1) and melastatin-8 (TRPM8) activation produces APs, while central terminal TRP activation enhances the spontaneous release of L-glutamate from the terminal to spinal cord and brain stem lamina II neurons that play a pivotal role in modulating nociceptive transmission.

Recycling of Uridylated mRNAs in Starfish Embryos.

In eukaryotes, mRNAs with long poly(A) tails are translationally active, but deadenylation and uridylation of these tails generally cause mRNA degradation. However, the fate of uridylated mRNAs that are not degraded quickly remains obscure. Here, using tail-seq and microinjection of the 3' region of mRNA, we report that some mRNAs in starfish are re-polyadenylated to be translationally active after deadenylation and uridylation.

Orally Administered Lactobacilli Strains Modulate Alveolar Macrophages and Improve Protection Against Respiratory Superinfection.

Orally administered immunomodulatory lactobacilli can stimulate respiratory immunity and enhance the resistance to primary infections with bacterial and viral pathogens. However, the potential beneficial effects of immunomodulatory lactobacilli against respiratory superinfection have not been evaluated. In this work, we showed that the feeding of infant mice with CRL1505 or MPL16 strains can reduce susceptibility to the secondary pneumococcal infection produced after the activation of TLR3 in the respiratory tract or after infection with RVS.

-GlcNAcylation of Focal Adhesion Kinase Regulates Cell Adhesion, Migration, and Proliferation via the FAK/AKT Pathway.

Focal Adhesion Kinase (FAK) is a non-receptor tyrosine kinase pivotal in cellular signal transduction, regulating cell adhesion, migration, growth, and survival. However, the regulatory mechanisms of FAK during tumorigenesis and progression still need to be fully understood. Our previous study demonstrated that -GlcNAcylation regulates integrin-mediated cell adhesion.

Disruption of Sex-Linked Causes ZW Female-to-Male Sex Reversal in the Japanese Frog .

is an ancestral homologous gene of the male-determining in eutherian mammals and determines maleness in medaka fish. In the Japanese frog, , is located on the Z and W chromosomes. To assess the sex-determining function of in this frog, we investigated its expression in gonads during early tadpole development and conducted genome-editing experiments.

Lipid Nanoparticles Enable Efficient In Vivo DNA Knock-In via HITI-Mediated Genome Editing.

In vivo genome editing holds great therapeutic potential for treating monogenic diseases by enabling precise gene correction or addition. However, improving the efficiency of delivery systems remains a key challenge. In this study, we investigated the use of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) for in vivo knock-in of ectopic DNA.

Identification of Six Novel Proteins Containing a ZP Module from Nemertean Species.

During fertilization, a series of reactions between the eggs and spermatozoa proceed predominantly in a species-specific manner. The molecules mediating these species-specific reactions remain unknown except in a few organisms. In this study, we focused on two species belonging to the phylum Nemertea, and , and explored molecules involved in species-specific interactions between gametes.

Decoding the Nexus: Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms Linking Stroke and Neurotoxic Microenvironments in Brain Cancer Patients.

Stroke is an often underrecognized albeit significant complication in patients with brain cancer, arising from the intricate interplay between cancer biology and cerebrovascular health. This review delves into the multifactorial pathophysiological framework linking brain cancer to elevated stroke risk, with particular emphasis on the crucial role of the neurotoxic microenvironment (NTME). The NTME, characterized by oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption, creates a milieu that promotes and sustains vascular and neuronal injury.

Serum EphA2 as a Promising Biomarker for the Early Detection and Diagnosis of Colorectal Cancer.

Background: EphA2, a receptor-type tyrosine kinase, is overexpressed in several cancers, including colorectal cancer (CRC), and can be detected as soluble EphA2 in serum. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between soluble EphA2 and CRC.

Methods: Serum samples were collected from 65 patients with CRC and 19 healthy individuals.

Involvement of Metalloproteases in the Fertilization of the Ascidian .

We previously reported that five astacin-like metalloproteases with thrombospondin type-1 repeats (Tasts) located on the sperm surface are a promising candidate as the protease involved in sperm penetration of the vitelline coat (VC) during fertilization of the ascidian type A (Phlebobranchia). However, whether such a protease is involved in the fertilization of other ascidians is unknown. Here, we investigated the effects of four metalloprotease inhibitors on the fertilization of the ascidian (Stolidobranchia).

Structure and Dynamics of the Bacterial Flagellar Motor Complex.

Many bacteria swim in liquids and move over solid surfaces by rotating flagella. The bacterial flagellum is a supramolecular protein complex that is composed of about 30 different flagellar proteins ranging from a few to tens of thousands. Despite structural and functional diversities of the flagella among motile bacteria, the flagellum commonly consists of a membrane-embedded rotary motor fueled by an ion motive force across the cytoplasmic membrane, a universal joint, and a helical propeller that extends several micrometers beyond the cell surface.

Correction: Tsuneki et al. Deep Learning-Based Screening of Urothelial Carcinoma in Whole Slide Images of Liquid-Based Cytology Urine Specimens. 2023, , 226.

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Discoidin Domain Receptor 2 Contributes to Breast Cancer Progression and Chemoresistance by Interacting with Collagen Type I.

: Chemoresistance is an important issue to be solved in breast cancer. It is well known that the content and morphology of collagens in tumor tissues are drastically altered following chemotherapy, and discoidin domain receptor 2 (DDR2) is a unique type of receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK). This RTK is activated by collagens, playing important roles in human malignancies.

Saliva in Balancing Oral and Systemic Health, Oral Cancer, and Beyond: A Narrative Review.

Saliva plays a multifaceted role in oral health and systemic well-being. It supports digestion, protects oral tissues, maintains a healthy oral microbiome, and facilitates wound healing. Additionally, saliva serves as a diagnostic tool that reflects systemic health and disease/therapeutic states.

Crosstalk Between Omental Adipose-Derived Stem Cells and Gastric Cancer Cells Regulates Cancer Stemness and Chemotherapy Resistance.

Peritoneal metastasis (PM) remains a major challenge in patients with gastric cancer (GC) and occurs preferentially in adipose-rich organs, such as the omentum. Adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) may influence cancer behavior. This study aimed to investigate whether ASCs isolated from the omentum can act as progenitors of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and analyze their effects on the cancer stem cell (CSC) niche and the treatment resistance of GC cells.

Quantitative Structural Analysis of Hyperchromatic Crowded Cell Groups in Cervical Cytology: Overcoming Diagnostic Pitfalls.

Background: The diagnostic challenges presented by hyperchromatic crowded cell groups (HCGs) in cervical cytology often result in either overdiagnosis or underdiagnosis due to their densely packed, three-dimensional structures. The objective of this study is to characterize the structural differences among HSIL-HCGs, AGC-HCGs, and NILM-HCGs using quantitative texture analysis metrics, with the aim of facilitating the differentiation of benign from malignant cases.

Methods: A total of 585 HCGs images were analyzed, with assessments conducted on 8-bit gray-scale value, thickness, skewness, and kurtosis across various groups.

Ulcerative Colitis, LAIR1 and TOX2 Expression, and Colorectal Cancer Deep Learning Image Classification Using Convolutional Neural Networks.

Background: Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease of the colon mucosa associated with a higher risk of colorectal cancer.

Objective: This study classified hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) histological images of ulcerative colitis, normal colon, and colorectal cancer using artificial intelligence (deep learning).

Methods: A convolutional neural network (CNN) was designed and trained to classify the three types of diagnosis, including 35 cases of ulcerative colitis (n = 9281 patches), 21 colon control (n = 12,246), and 18 colorectal cancer (n = 63,725).

Retrospective Analysis of HLA Class II-Restricted Neoantigen Peptide-Pulsed Dendritic Cell Vaccine for Breast Cancer.

: Neoantigens have attracted attention as ideal therapeutic targets for anti-tumour immunotherapy because the T cells that respond to neoantigens are not affected by central immune tolerance. Recent findings have revealed that the activation of CD4-positive T cells plays a central role in antitumor immunity, and thus targeting human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II-restricted neoantigens, which are targets of CD4-positive T cells, is of significance. However, there are very few detailed reports of neoantigen vaccine therapies that use an HLA class II-restricted long peptide.

Serum Metabolomics Study to Screen Potential Biomarkers of Lung Cancer Risk in High Natural Background Radiation Areas of Thailand: A Pilot Study.

Indoor radon is a significant risk factor for the development of LC. This study aimed to identify potential biomarkers for LC risk in high background radiation areas using a metabolomics approach (UHPLC-HRMS). Based on the indoor radon activity concentration measurements in the Kong Khaek subdistrict, serum samples were collected from 45 nonsmoker or former smoker participants, comprising 15 LC patients and 30 matched healthy controls (low- and high-radon groups, respectively).

Endoscopic and Histological Characteristics of Gastric Cancer Detected Long After Eradication Therapy.

Background/objectives: Since 2013, eradication therapy for gastritis (-ET) has been covered by the National Health Insurance of Japan. Recently, the risk of post-eradication gastric cancer (pE-GC) has increased. pE-GC includes cancers that develop immediately and several years after -ET.

Intratumoral Flow Void Diameter as a Predictor of High Intraoperative Blood Loss in Palliative Excisional Surgery for Metastatic Spinal Tumors.

Massive intraoperative blood loss (IBL) is one of the major complications in metastatic spinal tumor surgery (MSTS), and understanding the predictors of this risk is essential. This study aimed to determine the impact of the intratumoral flow void (IFV) observed on standard magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and its association with IBL in palliative surgery for metastatic spinal tumors. This retrospective analysis included 88 palliative excisional surgeries performed at a single hospital between 2010 and 2024.

Emotional Health of Immigrant Adolescents by a Cross-Lagged Panel Network Analysis: Self-Esteem and Depression.

: The study investigated the dynamic interrelations of both positive and negative self-esteem with depression among immigrant adolescents. : Longitudinal data from the Children of Immigrants Longitudinal Study (CILS) were analyzed using a Cross-Lagged Panel Network (CLPN) model. : The results showed strong autoregressive effects; both the positive and negative dimensions of self-esteem and symptoms of depression were fairly stable across the two measurement times.