Artificial intelligence (AI)-powered bibliometric analysis of global trends in mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)-derived exosome research: 2014-2023.

Introduction: In recent years, significant progress has been made in regenerative medicine, specifically in using mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) due to their regenerative and differentiating abilities. An exciting development in this area is the utilization of exosomes derived from MSCs, which have shown promise in tissue restoration, immune system modulation, and cancer treatment.

Objectives: This study aims to analyze global research trends and the academic impact of MSCs-derived exosomes from 2014 to 2023, providing a comprehensive overview of this emerging field.

A mutual inclusion mechanism for precise boundary segmentation in medical images.

Introduction: Accurate image segmentation is crucial in medical imaging for quantifying diseases, assessing prognosis, and evaluating treatment outcomes. However, existing methods often fall short in integrating global and local features in a meaningful way, failing to give sufficient attention to abnormal regions and boundary details in medical images. These limitations hinder the effectiveness of segmentation techniques in clinical settings.

Quantitative analysis of the root posture of mutants with wavy roots.

Plant postures are affected by environmental stimuli. When the gravitational direction changes, the mutants () and () exhibit aberrantly enhanced organ bending. Whether their phenotypes are due to the same mechanism is unknown.

A viscoelastic-plastic deformation model of hemisphere-like tip growth in Arabidopsis zygotes.

Plant zygote cells exhibit tip growth, producing a hemisphere-like tip. To understand how this hemisphere-like tip shape is formed, we revisited a viscoelastic-plastic deformation model that enabled us to simultaneously evaluate the shape, stress and strain of Arabidopsis () zygote cells undergoing tip growth. Altering the spatial distribution of cell wall extensibility revealed that cosine-type distribution and growth in a normal direction to the surface create a stable hemisphere-like tip shape.

Genetic diversity within a tree and alternative indexes for different evolutionary effects.

Trees, living for centuries, accumulate somatic mutations in their growing trunks and branches, causing genetic divergence within a single tree. Stem cell lineages in a shoot apical meristem accumulate mutations independently and diverge from each other. In plants, somatic mutations can alter the genetic composition of reproductive organs and gametes, impacting future generations.

Hypothermia-associated acute pancreatitis: A multicenter prospective observational study.

Aim: Hypothermia-associated pancreatitis lacks comprehensive understanding owing to limited studies exploring its mechanism, epidemiology, risk factors, and outcomes. We aimed to investigate the frequency, characteristics, and predictive factors associated with the development of acute pancreatitis in patients with accidental hypothermia.

Methods: This study comprised a post hoc analysis of data from a multicenter prospective observational study (ICE-CRASH study) conducted in 36 tertiary emergency hospitals in Japan.

Benefits of neoadjuvant chemotherapy with gemcitabine plus S-1 for resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Currently, neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) is usually performed even for resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (rPDAC). The present study investigated the benefits of NAC with gemcitabine plus S-1 for rPDAC. The medical records of 170 patients diagnosed as having rPDAC based on preoperative imaging were reviewed retrospectively.

Significant response to tocilizumab in a case of immune deposits-related membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis and tubulointerstitial nephritis complicated by multicentric Castleman's disease.

A 47-year-old woman with a 12-year history of anemia and high C-reactive protein (CRP) levels was admitted to our hospital with worsening fatigue and night sweats. She had high levels of immunoglobulin G (IgG; 4182 mg/dL), IgA (630.6 mg/dL), and CRP (7.

Treatment of emphysematous polycystic renal infection in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease: Feasibility and limitations of percutaneous cyst drainage.

Emphysematous polycystic renal infection (EPRI) has a poor prognosis with conservative management, and early surgical nephrectomy has been recommended. However, percutaneous cyst drainage may be a possible treatment option. We experienced 6 patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) presenting with EPRI.

Alterations in Ileal Secretory Cells of The DSS-Induced Colitis Model Mice.

Inflammatory bowel disease is triggered by abnormalities in epithelial barrier function and immunological responses, although its pathogenesis is poorly understood. The dextran sodium sulphate (DSS)-induced colitis model has been used to examine inflammation in the colon. Damage to mucosa primality occurs in the large intestine and scarcely in the small intestine.

Developmental Changes in Gap Junction Expression in Rat Adrenal Medullary Chromaffin Cells.

Cell-to-cell communications are desirable for efficient functioning in endocrine cells. Gap junctions and paracrine factors are major mechanisms by which neighboring endocrine cells communicate with each other. The current experiment was undertaken to morphologically examine gap junction expression and developmental changes in rat adrenal medullary chromaffin (AMC) cells.

Refeeding syndrome and vitamin B1 deficiency in a young man with normal body mass index following starvation in the COVID-19 era.

COVID-19 has spread worldwide and significantly influenced economies. Refeeding syndrome (RFS) is a potentially fatal abnormalities of electrolytes and fluid that can occur in malnourished patients undergoing mechanical refeeding. Herein, we report the case of a man in his 20s with a normal body mass index who presented with RFS and vitamin B1 deficiency.

Comparison between point-of-care testing from capillary samples and conventional laboratory testing from venous samples for white blood cells and C-reactive protein in a pediatric outpatient setting.

Background: Studies on the accuracy of point-of-care (POC) testing using capillary samples are scarce. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the analytical accuracy of POC testing for white blood cell (WBC) and C-reactive protein (CRP) using capillary samples compared with conventional central laboratory testing using venous samples in a pediatric ambulatory care setting.

Methods: This was a retrospective study including patients younger than 18 years who underwent concurrent WBC and CRP evaluations via capillary and subsequent venous sampling within a 2-h window.

Enhancing quality of care for older adults: The age-friendly health system (4Ms framework) and the role of general medicine physicians as system-based complexologists.

The aging population presents critical challenges to global healthcare systems, with Japan expected to have 35% of its population aged 65 or older by 2040. Older adults often experience multimorbidity, cognitive impairments, and physical frailties, increasing healthcare utilization and costs. Traditional medical approaches that focus on organ-specific diagnoses are insufficient for addressing these multifaceted needs.

Esophageal perforation and epidural emphysema as complications of nasogastric tube placement.

We present a 72-year-old man with end-stage renal disease and Hashimoto encephalopathy in whom a diagnosis of epidural emphysema because of esophageal perforation by a nasogastric tube placement. Although its imaging findings may be alarming to clinicians, close monitoring and conservative treatment are advisable.

Role-play-based coaching program for empowering clinical educators.

Coaching in medical education is a valuable method for enhancing the well-being and job satisfaction of medical professionals, particularly through interactive conversations that foster self-awareness and independent action. A 90-min coaching training program, incorporating lectures and role-plays, was conducted to equip medical professionals with essential coaching skills. The program was well received, and there are plans to expand and tailor future programs to further develop these skills among various healthcare educators.

A qualitative descriptive study examining the impact of child-raising experience on Japanese family doctors.

Background: The Patient-Centered Clinical Method (PCCM) plays an important role in family doctors' ability to communicate effectively with patients. Although the parenting experiences of healthcare providers can be utilized to communicate with patients, it is unclear how they contribute to family doctors' practice.

Methods: A qualitative descriptive study focusing on the parenting experiences of Japanese family doctors and their perceptions of how these experiences interfaced with their clinical practice of the PCCM was conducted.

Development of a Japanese version of the patient perceptions of deprescribing - Short form.

Background: Deprescribing is a critical component of clinical practice, especially in geriatric medicine. Nevertheless, the attributes of patients who are prepared for, interested in, and could potentially benefit from deprescribing have not been well examined. The Patient Perceptions of Deprescribing (PPoD) evaluates patients' overall readiness for deprescribing and is complemented by an 11-item validated short form (SF-PPoD).

Validating the DIVERT scales, CARS, and EARLI for predicting emergency department visits in home health care in Japan: A retrospective cohort study.

Background: The Detection of Indicators and Vulnerabilities for Emergency Room Trips (DIVERT) scale, the Community Assessment Risk Screen (CARS), and the Emergency Admission Risk Likelihood Index (EARLI) are scales that assess the risk of emergency department (ED) visits among home health care patients. This study validated these scales and explored factors that could improve their predictive accuracy among Japanese home health care patients.

Methods: This was a single-center retrospective cohort study.

Effectiveness of the educational training program for Japanese chief residents: A one-year pilot study.

Background: Multi-institutional faculty development programs for chief residents were lacking in Japan. This study evaluated the effectiveness of the program for enhancing the knowledge and behaviors of chief residents at the national level.

Methods: Six participants completed self-assessment questionnaires at three points: before, immediately after, and 6 months post-program.

Acute mesenteric ischemia with abdominal skin mottling.

We report a rare case of a 90-year-old woman with Stage IV lung cancer awaiting transfer to hospice care who developed sudden abdominal and knee skin mottling. Elevated inflammatory markers on blood tests and emergent computed tomography led to a diagnosis of acute mesenteric ischemia, and the patient passed away 7 h later. Skin mottling indicates decreased blood flow in the gastrointestinal tract and is observed during mesenteric ischemia.

Association between chronic diseases and severe periodontal disease progression: A retrospective cohort study in a city of Japan.

Background: Chronic periodontal disease primarily causes tooth loss and oral frailty and is linked to chronic conditions such as diabetes mellitus. However, its progression and broader studies on chronic diseases have not been well explored. This study aimed to investigate this association using claims data.

A process for conducting mixed methods data analysis.

The process of mixed methods data analysis has long been understudied and needs clear guidance for researchers. This review article honors Michael D. Fetters' pioneering work on mixed methods data analysis, building on his concepts of integration, joint displays, and metainferences.