Effects of flushing of dental waterlines in portable dental units on water quality management.

Background/purpose: Daily flushing of dental unit waterlines is important for infection control. However, the effect of flushing on water quality management in portable dental units (PDUs) for mobile dental treatments remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to investigate the factors affecting the effectiveness of PDU flushing.

Novel gel-immersion endoscopic injection sclerotherapy method for prophylactic hemostasis of esophageal varices: A pilot feasibility and safety study (with video).

Endoscopic injection sclerotherapy (EIS) is a useful prophylactic hemostatic procedure for esophageal varices. However, injecting sclerosing agents into blood vessels is technically challenging and often ineffective. Gel-immersion EIS (GI-EIS) may facilitate easier intravascular sclerosing agent injection by dilating the varices and enhancing scope stability by maintaining low intra-gastrointestinal pressure.

Identification of the course of plastic stent-induced pancreatic duct mucosal change in chronic pancreatitis using peroral pancreatoscopy (with video).

Stent-induced ductal change is a complication of endoscopic treatment of the main pancreatic duct in chronic pancreatitis. Most previous reports have been based on morphological duct changes observed via pancreatography. Here, we describe a case of stent-induced ductal change in which the course of the mucosal changes was observed through peroral pancreatoscopy with a videoscopy.

Expression of NKp46 and other activating inhibitory receptors on uterine endometrial NK cells in females with various reproductive failures: A review.

Background: Uterine endometrial natural killer (uNK) cells represent major leukocytes in the mid-secretory phase of the cell cycle, and their number is further increased during early pregnancy. The activating and inhibitory receptors expressed on their surface mediate various functions of uNK cells, such as cytotoxicity, cytokine production, spiral artery remodeling, and self-recognition.

Methods: This study reviewed the most recent information (PubMed database, 175 articles included) regarding the activating and inhibitory receptors on uNK cells in human females with healthy pregnancies and the evidence indicating their significance in various reproductive failures.

Knee joint extension limitation in female patients with knee osteoarthritis affects the infrapatellar fat pad hardness and hemoglobin concentration by isometric quadriceps exercise.

Objective: To investigate whether there is a difference in hardness and hemoglobin concentration changes in the infrapatellar fat pad (IFP) during isometric quadriceps exercise (IQE) in patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) between those with and without knee extension limitation.

Design: In this cross-sectional study, data were collected at an orthopedic clinic from March 2022 to April 2023. Among patients diagnosed with KOA, those with knee joint extension range of motion <0° and >0° were defined as the limited group (n ​= ​16) and non-limited group (n ​= ​13), respectively.

Significance of Endoscopic Redness of Duodenum in Health Checkup.

Background And Aim: It is important for endoscopist to diagnose the lesion redness. In this study, we focused on the redness of duodenal bulb. We objectively analyzed the changes in redness of the duodenal bulb using linked color imaging (LCI) with chromatic indicators.

Discovery of a novel exceptionally potent and orally active Nur77 ligand NB1 with a distinct binding mode for cancer therapy.

The orphan nuclear receptor Nur77 is emerging as an attractive target for cancer therapy, and activating Nur77's non-genotypic anticancer function has demonstrated strong therapeutic potential. However, few Nur77 site B ligands have been identified as excellent anticancer compounds. There are no co-crystal structures of effective anticancer agents at Nur77 site B, which greatly limits the development of novel Nur77 site B ligands.

Preparation of a CNF porous membrane and synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs).

We prepared a cellulose nanofiber (CNF)-based porous membrane with three dimensional cellular structures. CNF was concentrated a surfactant-induced assembly by mixing CNF with a cationic surfactant, domiphen bromide (DB). Furthermore, they were accumulated by centrifugation to obtain a CNF-DB sol.

Modeling virus filtration: Materials, applications, and mechanism.

While various methods are employed to ensure the virus safety of finished products, virus filtration (VF) stands out as the preferred method for virus removal and purification of a wide variety of products owing to its capability of separating product molecules with more than 90% recovery and no change in molecule characteristics. The modeling of the virus removal process for VF membranes is based on the principles of microfiltration (MF) and ultrafiltration (UF), but with modifications for the much narrower separation difference, which is less than 2-fold for the separation of product molecules and virus particles. In this review, we introduce the materials and application of VF highlighting the unique characteristics properties of VF membranes through the steps of invention and subsequent development.

Effect of Imeglimin, a Novel Anti-Diabetic Agent, on Insulin Secretion and Glycemic Variability in Type 2 Diabetes Treated with DPP-4 Inhibitor: A 16-Week, Open Label, Pilot Study.

Purpose: Imeglimin is a novel oral antidiabetic agent that improves glucose tolerance. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of combining imeglimin with dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor (DPP-4i), the most frequently prescribed first-line treatment for patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) in Japan, to improve glycemic control.

Patients And Methods: Eleven patients with T2D treated with DPP-4i alone (6.

Analysis of endometrial liquid‑based cytology samples to detect somatic mutations and classify ovarian cancer.

Ovarian cancer has a poor prognosis, and screening methods have not been established. Biomarkers based on molecular genetic characteristics must be identified to develop diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for all cancer types, particularly ovarian cancer. The present study aimed to evaluate the usefulness of genetic analysis of cervical and endometrial liquid-based cytology (LBC) specimens for detecting somatic mutations in patients with ovarian cancer.

hsa_circ_0015388 Reduces Macrophage Derived Reactive Oxygen Species in Crohn's Disease.

Background: Crohn's disease (CD) is a refractory inflammatory bowel disease with an unclear etiology. CircularRNA (circRNA) has been highlighted as a novel class of functional noncoding RNAs associated with the pathogenesis of various diseases. However, the functions of circRNA in CD remain unclear.

The Landscape of Experimental Cardiac Arrest Research Models in Rats: A Bibliometric Analysis of the 100 Most Cited Articles.

This study aimed to conduct a bibliometric analysis of the 100 most cited articles on experimental cardiac arrest models in rats, identifying key contributors, publication trends, research themes, and collaboration networks. A comprehensive literature search was performed on the Web of Science (WoS) database on June 11, 2024, using keywords related to cardiac arrest and rat models. The top 100 most cited articles were analyzed using the Biblioshiny web application from the Bibliometrix R package (version 4.

Photoabsorption of silver cluster cations in an ion trap: nonlinear action spectra multi-photon dissociation directly measured linear absorption spectra.

We report photodissociation processes and spectral measurements upon photoabsorption of size-selected cationic silver clusters, Ag, stored in an ion trap. The experiment shows that small clusters ( ≲ 15) dissociate upon one-photon absorption, whereas larger ones require multiple photons up to five in the present study. The emergence of multi-photon processes is attributed to collisional cooling in the presence of a buffer helium gas in the trap, which competes with size-dependent dissociation rates.

Three-step click assembly using trivalent platforms bearing azido, ethynyl, and fluorosulfonyl groups.

Divergent synthesis of triazoles was achieved using newly designed platform molecules possessing azide, alkyne, and fluorosulfonyl moieties. Consecutive conjugations by the sulfur(VI) fluoride exchange and following consecutive triazole formations allowed us to prepare a wide variety of bis(triazole)s by virtue of selective transformations. One-pot triple-click assembly of easily accessible modules led to the facile synthesis of middle-molecular-weight triazoles with various functional moieties.

Ultramicroporous Tröger's Base Framework Membranes With Ionized Sub-nanochannels for Efficient Acid/Alkali Recovery.

Membrane technology holds significant potential for the recovery of acids and alkalis from industrial wastewater systems, with ion exchange membranes (IEMs) playing a crucial role in these applications. However, conventional IEMs are limited to separating only monovalent cations or anions, presenting a significant challenge in achieving concomitant H⁺/OH⁻ permselectivity for simultaneous acid and alkali recovery. To address this issue, the charged microporous polymer framework membranes are developed, featuring rigid Tröger's Base network chains constructed through a facile sol-gel process.

Wernicke encephalopathy with active hallucinations during lung cancer treatment and hemodialysis: A case report.

Objectives: Wernicke encephalopathy (WE) is an acute neuropsychiatric disorder caused by thiamine deficiency. The classical triad of symptoms for WE include mental status changes, ataxia, and ophthalmoplegia. In contrast, more uncommon symptoms include hallucinations.

Intracerebral hemorrhage in CADASIL.

Cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL) is the most common hereditary cerebral small vessel disease caused by mutations in the NOTCH3 gene. This review highlights the increasing recognition of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) as a significant manifestation of CADASIL, often predominantly characterized by ischemic strokes and vascular dementia. Recent studies indicate that the prevalence of ICH in CADASIL patients ranges from 0.

The Multi-targeted Effect of Fascaplysin on the Proliferation and Dedifferentiation of Schwann Cells Inhibits Peripheral Nerve Degeneration by Blocking CDK4/6 and Androgen Receptor.

Peripheral neurodegenerative diseases induced by irreversible peripheral nerve degeneration (PND), such as diabetic peripheral neuropathy, have a high prevalence worldwide and reduce the quality of life. However, there is no agent effective against the irreversible PND. After peripheral nerve injury, Schwann cells play an important role in regulating PND.

Predictive Factors and the Predictive Scoring System for Falls in Acute Care Inpatients: Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background: Falls in hospitalized patients are a serious problem, resulting in physical injury, secondary complications, impaired activities of daily living, prolonged hospital stays, and increased medical costs. Establishing a fall prediction scoring system to identify patients most likely to fall can help prevent falls among hospitalized patients.

Objectives: This study aimed to identify predictive factors of falls in acute care hospital patients, develop a scoring system, and evaluate its validity.

Influence of Seven Ion Species on Osteogenic Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Stimulated by Macrophages in Indirect and Direct Coculture Systems.

Implanted biomaterials release inorganic ions that trigger inflammatory responses, which recruit immune cells whose biochemical signals affect bone tissue regeneration. In this study, we evaluated how mouse macrophages (RAW264, RAW) and mesenchymal stem cells (KUSA-A1, MSCs) respond to seven types of ions (silicon, calcium, magnesium, zinc, strontium, copper, and cobalt) that reportedly stimulate cells related to bone formation. The collagen synthesis, alkaline phosphatase activity, and osteocalcin production of the MSCs varied by ion dose and type after culture in the secretome of RAW cells.

[Focus on the outbreaks of invasive group A streptococcal disease].

In recent years, particularly since the outbreaks of scarlet fever and invasive group A streptococcal diseases/infections (iGAS) in several European countries in 2022, iGAS has garnered widespread attention. Recently, Japan experienced an outbreak of a specific type of iGAS, streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS). The outbreak was reported under the label"flesh-eating bacteria,"emphasizing the pathogenic potential of group A streptococcus (GAS).

Photoredox-Catalyzed Site-Selective Intermolecular C(sp)-H Alkylation of Tetrahydrofurfuryl Alcohol Derivatives.

4'-Selective alkylation of nucleosides has been recognized as one of the ideal and straightforward approaches to chemically modified nucleosides, but such a transformation has been scarce and less explored. In this Letter, we combine a visible-light-mediated photoredox catalysis and hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) auxiliary to achieve β-C(sp)-H alkylation of alcohol on tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol scaffolds and exploit it for 4'-selective alkylation of nucleosides. The reaction involves an intramolecular 1,5-HAT process and stereocontrolled Giese addition of the resultant radicals.

Early Initiation of Bundle Sheath Cells During Leaf Development as Visualised by SCARECROW Expression in Dicotyledonous C Plants.

The C type of dicotyledonous plants exhibit a higher density of reticulate veins than the C type, with a nearly 1:1 ratio of mesophyll cells (MCs) to bundle sheath cells (BSCs). To understand how this C-type cell pattern is formed, we identified two SCARECROW (SCR) genes in C Flaveria bidentis, FbSCR1 and FbSCR2, that fully or partially complement the endodermal cell layer-defective phenotype of Arabidopsis scr mutant. We then created FbSCRs promoter β-glucuronidase reporter (GUS) lines of F.

Living Donor Liver Transplantation with Small Left Lobe Grafts: Prospective Validation of Utility of Splenectomy in Selected Recipients.

BACKGROUND We previously reported that the Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) score and donor age are risk factors for small-for-size syndrome in adult living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) involving small grafts. Since April 2021, we have performed splenectomy as a portal inflow modulation in LDLT using small grafts according to the presence of risk factors. In this study, we evaluated the validity of our splenectomy strategies for optimizing graft outcomes.