Deep Learning Reconstruction for Enhanced Resolution and Image Quality in Breath-Hold MRCP: A Preliminary Study.

Objective: This preliminary study aims to assess the image quality of enhanced-resolution deep learning reconstruction (ER-DLR) in magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) and compare it with non-ER-DLR MRCP images.

Methods: Our retrospective study incorporated 34 patients diagnosed with biliary and pancreatic disorders. We obtained MRCP images using a single breath-hold MRCP on a 3T MRI system.

Usefulness of Dual-Energy CT for Differentiating Hemorrhage From Iodine Extravasation in Meningiomas After Preoperative Embolization.

Objective: Discriminating between hemorrhage and iodine extravasation can pose challenges in conventional computed tomography (CCT) images following preoperative embolization for meningioma. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) in differentiating hemorrhage from iodine extravasation after preoperative embolization for meningioma.

Methods: Twenty-one consecutive meningioma patients who underwent CCT before and DECT immediately after preoperative embolization were included in this study.

Datopotamab Deruxtecan in Advanced or Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer With Actionable Genomic Alterations: Results From the Phase II TROPION-Lung05 Study.

Purpose: Datopotamab deruxtecan (Dato-DXd) is a trophoblast cell-surface antigen-2-directed antibody-drug conjugate with a highly potent topoisomerase I inhibitor payload. The TROPION-Lung05 phase II trial (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04484142) evaluated the safety and clinical activity of Dato-DXd in patients with advanced/metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with actionable genomic alterations progressing on or after targeted therapy and platinum-based chemotherapy.

Causes of Different Force-Velocity Relationships in Sprint Running Depending on Horizontal Loads and Profiling Methods.

Purpose: We aimed to clarify how the horizontal force-velocity (Fvh) relationship during over-ground sprint running differs with horizontal resistance loads and profiling methods (multiple- and single-trial methods).

Methods: Twelve males performed sprint running (one unresisted and five resisted) using a motorized loading device. During the trials, the ground reaction forces at every step were obtained using a 50 m force plate system.

Distinct and interdependent functions of three RING proteins regulate recombination during mammalian meiosis.

During meiosis, each pair of homologous chromosomes becomes connected by at least one crossover, as required for accurate segregation, and adjacent crossovers are widely separated thereby limiting total numbers. In coarsening models, this crossover patterning results from nascent recombination sites competing to accrue a limiting pro-crossover RING-domain protein (COR) that diffuses between synapsed chromosomes. Here, we delineate the localization dynamics of three mammalian CORs in the mouse and determine their interdependencies.

Pretransplant Minimal Pleural and Peritoneal Effusion Is a Potential Poor Prognostic Indicator in Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation.

Background: Pleural effusion and ascites developing after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT) are generally associated with inferior overall survival (OS); however, the prognostic value of pretransplant effusion on transplant outcomes remained unclear.

Methods: We retrospectively evaluated minimal pleural effusion and ascites detected by computed tomography in 248 consecutive adult patients who underwent their first allo-SCT from January 2007 to December 2022.

Results: Forty-eight patients demonstrated minimal pleural effusion or ascites within 100 days before transplantation (Effusion group) and the other 200 had no effusion (No effusion group).

Drought responsive transcriptional regulations and expressional marker genes of Japanese cedar, Cryptomeria japonica (L.f.) D.Don.

The selection of plant genotypes characterized by wellness and stable growth under drought-stress conditions amid ongoing climate change is an important challenge in forest tree breeding. The introduction of molecular markers will enable efficient selection of breeding materials that are resistant to drought stress in forest trees as well as in crop species. Japanese cedar, Cryptomeria japonica, the most dominant forest species in Japan, grows well on mesic sites and is characterized by intraspecific variation in its drought-stress response.

Isogenic fish sperm produced by transplanting gynogenetic haploid-derived germ cells.

Artificially induced haploidy is lethal in vertebrates, although it is useful for genetic screening and genome editing due to its single set of genomes. Haploid embryonic stem (ES) cell lines in mammals contribute to genetic studies and the production of gametes derived from haploid ES cells. In fish breeding, doubled haploids (DHs) induced by artificially induced gynogenesis are used to generate isogenic gametes for cloning purposes.

PRDM9 drives the location and rapid evolution of recombination hotspots in salmonid fish.

In many eukaryotes, meiotic recombination occurs preferentially at discrete sites, called recombination hotspots. In various lineages, recombination hotspots are located in regions with promoter-like features and are evolutionarily stable. Conversely, in some mammals, hotspots are driven by PRDM9 that targets recombination away from promoters.

Factors associated with trunk skeletal muscle thickness and echo intensity in young Japanese men and women.

The present study examined factors associated with trunk skeletal muscle thickness (MT, an index for the amount of skeletal muscle) and echo intensity (EI, an index for the content of non-contractile tissue, such as intramuscular adipose tissue) in young Japanese men and women in consideration of habitual dietary intake. Healthy men (n = 26) and women (n = 24) aged 20 to 26 were enrolled. Trunk MT and EI were evaluated using ultrasound imaging at the height of the 3rd lumbar vertebra.

In vitro and in silico analyses of amino acid substitution effects at the conserved N-linked glycosylation site in hepatitis B virus surface protein on antigenicity, immunogenicity, HBV replication and secretion.

The "a" determinant, a highly conformational region within the hepatitis B virus large surface protein (LHBs), is crucial for antibody neutralization and diagnostic assays. Mutations in this area can lead to conformational changes, resulting in vaccination failure, diagnostic evasion, and disease progression. The "a" determinant of LHBs contains a conserved N-linked glycosylation site at N320, but the mechanisms of glycosylation in LHBs remain unclear.

First detection of the S989P+V1016G+D1763Y haplotype and expansion of voltage-gated sodium channel mutations in Aedes aegypti in Taiwan in 2016-2023.

Background: Aedes aegypti transmits various arthropod-borne diseases such as dengue, posing a significant burden to public health in tropical and subtropical regions. Pyrethroid-based control strategies are effective in managing this vector; however, the development of insecticide resistance has hindered these efforts. Hence, long-term monitoring of insecticide resistance in mosquito populations is crucial for effective vector and disease control.

Genetic variation of hemolysin co-regulated protein 1 affects the immunogenicity and pathogenicity of Burkholderia pseudomallei.

Hemolysin co-regulated protein 1 (Hcp1) is a component of the cluster 1 Type VI secretion system (T6SS1) that plays a key role during the intracellular lifecycle of Burkholderia pseudomallei. Hcp1 is recognized as a promising target antigen for developing melioidosis diagnostics and vaccines. While the gene encoding Hcp1 is retained across B.

Repurposing of Agrochemicals as ATTRv Amyloidosis Inhibitors.

Transthyretin (TTR), a plasma protein, undergoes transformation into amyloid fibers, leading to ATTRv amyloidosis, a disease characterized by organ deposition of TTR amyloid fibrils and subsequent organ failure. Developing compounds that bind and kinetically stabilize TTR is a crucial strategy in the treatment of ATTRv amyloidosis. In this study, we narrowed 651 pesticide-related compounds down to 14 possible TTR binders through in silico screening; subsequent in vitro analysis revealed that 7 of them exhibited amyloid fibril formation inhibition activity.

Validation of Sleep Measurements of an Actigraphy Watch: Instrument Validation Study.

Background: The iAide2 (Tokai) physical activity monitoring system includes diverse measurements and wireless features useful to researchers. The iAide2's sleep measurement capabilities have not been compared to validated sleep measurement standards in any published work.

Objective: We aimed to assess the iAide2's sleep duration and total sleep time (TST) measurement performance and perform calibration if needed.

Serum amyloid P (PTX2) attenuates hepatic fibrosis in mice by inhibiting the activation of fibrocytes and HSCs.

Background: Liver fibrosis is caused by chronic toxic or cholestatic liver injury. Fibrosis results from the recruitment of myeloid cells into the injured liver, the release of inflammatory and fibrogenic cytokines, and the activation of myofibroblasts, which secrete extracellular matrix, mostly collagen type I. Hepatic myofibroblasts originate from liver-resident mesenchymal cells, including HSCs and bone marrow-derived CD45+ collagen type I+ expressing fibrocytes.

Amyloid beta (Aβ) fibrillation kinetics and its impact on membrane polarity.

Fibrillation of the amyloid beta (Aβ) peptide has often been associated with neurodegenerative pathologies such as Alzheimer's disease. In this study we examined the influence of several potential compositions of the lipid membrane on Aβ fibrillation by using liposomes as a basic model membrane. Firstly, it was revealed that Aβ fibrillation kinetics were enhanced and had the potential to occur at a faster rate on more fluid membranes compared to solid membranes.

Characterization of Dystrophin Dp71 Expression and Interaction Partners in Embryonic Brain Development: Implications for Duchenne/Becker Muscular Dystrophy.

Duchenne/Becker muscular dystrophy (DMD/BMD) manifests progressive muscular dystrophy and non-progressive central nervous disorder. The neural disorder is possibly caused by abnormalities in the developmental period; however, basic research to understand the mechanisms remains underdeveloped. The responsible gene, Dmd (dystrophin), generates multiple products derived from several gene promoters.

Water/fat separate reconstruction for body quantitative susceptibility mapping in MRI.

This study aimed to investigate the cause of susceptibility underestimation in body quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) and propose a water/fat separate reconstruction to address this issue. A numerical simulation was conducted using conventional QSM with/without body masking. The conventional method with body masking underestimated the susceptibility across all regions, whereas the method without body masking estimated an equivalent value to the ground truth.

Real-time diagnosis of a lesion of the anal canal observed by endocytoscopy.

Anal canal cancer (ACC) is a rare yet noteworthy malignancy that is strongly associated with high-risk human papillomaviruses (HPVs). This case report highlights the diagnostic utility of endocytoscopy (EC) in distinguishing high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSILs) from low-grade lesions (LSILs) in a 57-year-old male presenting with hematochezia. Traditional magnifying endoscopy was inconclusive; however, EC provided detailed visualization of cellular and vascular changes, facilitating a diagnosis of HPV-associated HSIL or carcinoma in situ.

Hormone replacement therapy for steatotic liver management after surgical menopause.

Although steatotic liver onset after natural menopause has been reported, evidence on the clinical course and treatment options for steatotic liver after surgical menopause is scarce. A 34-year-old woman with a history of severe obesity presented to our department with liver dysfunction following total hysterectomy and bilateral oophorectomy. Her serum estradiol level was notably low at 22 pg/mL, and a liver biopsy revealed significant fatty degeneration, lobular inflammation, hepatocyte ballooning, and stage F1 fibrosis.