Gait Video-Based Prediction of Severity of Cerebellar Ataxia Using Deep Neural Networks.

Background: Pose estimation algorithms applied to two-dimensional videos evaluate gait disturbances; however, a few studies have used this method to evaluate ataxic gait.

Objective: The aim was to assess whether a pose estimation algorithm can predict the severity of cerebellar ataxia by applying it to gait videos.

Methods: We video-recorded 66 patients with degenerative cerebellar diseases performing the timed up-and-go test.

Evaluation of Treatment Outcomes Using dNLR and GNRI in Combination Therapy With Atezolizumab and Bevacizumab for Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Aim: This study aims to investigate the clinical utility of the derived neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (dNLR) and the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI) in predicting treatment outcomes for patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) undergoing combination therapy with atezolizumab and bevacizumab (Atez/Bev).

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 310 patients. The dNLR, NLR, and GNRI were calculated, and their impact on progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) was assessed.

Transcriptome Concordance Between Borderline Tumors and Endometrioid Carcinoma: An Integrative Genomic Analysis.

Background: Borderline ovarian tumors (BOTs) differ from ovarian carcinomas in their clinical presentation and behavior, yet their molecular characteristics remain poorly understood. This study aims to address this gap by integrating whole-exome sequencing (WES) and RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) to compare BOTs with high-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC), endometrioid carcinoma (EC), and clear-cell carcinoma (CCC).

Objective: To elucidate the molecular features of BOTs and evaluate their similarities and differences in comparison to HGSC, EC, and CCC.

The PKM2 activator TEPP-46 suppresses cellular senescence in hydrogen peroxide-induced proximal tubular cells and kidney fibrosis in CD-1 mice.

Aim/introduction: Senescence is a key driver of age-related kidney dysfunction, including diabetic kidney disease. Oxidative stress activates cellular senescence, induces abnormal glycolysis, and is associated with pyruvate kinase muscle isoform 2 (PKM2) dysfunction; however, the mechanisms linking PK activation to cellular senescence have not been elucidated. We hypothesized that PKM2 activation by TEPP-46 could suppress oxidative stress-induced renal tubular cell injury and cellular senescence.

Relationship Between Short-Term Outcomes and PD-L1 Expression Based on Combined Positive Score and Tumor Proportion Score in Recurrent or Metastatic Head and Neck Cancers Treated With Anti-PD-1 Antibody Monotherapy.

Background: PD-L1 expression in tumors and immune cells is a biomarker for the efficacy of anti-PD-1 antibody (APA) therapy across diverse cancers. Based on the results from the KEYNOTE-048 trial, pembrolizumab monotherapy is indicated for platinum-sensitive recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (R/M-HNSCC) with a positive combined positive score (CPS). Conversely, nivolumab is utilized for platinum-pretreated R/M-HNSCC regardless of the positive tumor proportion score (TPS) following the results of the CheckMate-141; however, its subgroup analysis indicated that TPS-positive population tended to have a relatively high overall response rate and progression-free survival (PFS).

One-year incidence of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy in oxaliplatin- or taxane-based chemotherapy: a multicenter, prospective registry study (MiroCIP study).

Background: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) and its associated pain negatively affect patient outcomes and quality of life (QoL). The two-part MiroCIP study included interventional and prospective observational studies. Here, we report the latter, describing CIPN incidence, risk factors, and outcomes.

Benefit Finding and Growth Among Family Caregivers of Individuals With Mental Illness: A Scoping Review.

Benefit finding is a concept that represents finding positive changes or benefits through difficult experiences. To map the currently available studies on benefit finding and growth among family caregivers of individuals with mental illness, we conducted a scoping review based on methodological frameworks. A systematic search for studies published in English was conducted using MEDLINE, PsycINFO, PsycARTICLES, CINAHL, and PTSDpubs from inception to August 2023.

Functioning, disability, and health of individuals with Hikikomori (prolonged social withdrawal) and their families: A systematic review and meta-analysis of case-control studies.

Background: Currently, paradoxical findings exist regarding the level of functioning in individuals with Hikikomori (prolonged social withdrawal).

Aims: This systematic review aimed to clarify the functioning, disability, and health of individuals with Hikikomori and their families in comparison to those without Hikikomori.

Method: Relevant studies were searched from April 22 to 25, 2022, using MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Scopus, and two Japanese databases.

Phase 1 Mass Balance Study of Pizuglanstat: An Investigational Hematopoietic Prostaglandin D Synthase Inhibitor.

Pizuglanstat is a novel hematopoietic prostaglandin D synthase inhibitor and investigational treatment for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. This Phase 1 mass balance study aimed to characterize the absorption, metabolism, and excretion of carbon-14 (C)-labeled pizuglanstat in healthy adults (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04825431).

Viral Membrane-Targeting Amphipathic Helical Peptide-Based Fluorogenic Probes for the Analysis of Infectious Titers of Enveloped Viruses.

Enveloped viruses have caused the majority of epidemics and pandemics over the past decade. Direct sensing of virus particles (virions) holds great potential for the functional analysis of enveloped viruses. Here, we explore a series of viral membrane-targeting amphipathic helical (AH) peptide-based molecular probes for the assessment of infectious titers of the human coronavirus 229E virus (HCoV-229E).

Contrasting Mechanochromic Luminescence of Enantiopure and Racemic Pyrenylprolinamides: Elucidating Solid-State Excimer Orientation by Circularly Polarized Luminescence.

Circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) and mechanochromic luminescence (MCL) have independently made substantial progress in recent years. However, the exploration of MCL in solid-state CPL materials, which holds practical significance, is still in its infancy. Herein, we report the MCL properties of readily accessible chiral pyrenylprolinamides bearing tert-butoxycarbonyl (Boc) or 2,2,2-trichloroethoxycarbonyl (Troc) groups.

Comparative Efficacy of Antithrombotic Strategies in Bioprosthetic Aortic Valve Replacement: A Network Meta-Analysis.

This meta-analysis evaluates outcomes in patients undergoing bioprosthetic aortic valve replacement (bAVR), comparing different antithrombotic strategies. We conducted a systematic search through May 2024. A standard meta-analysis compared outcomes between patients who received anticoagulation therapy (AC) and those who did not.

WDR74-Mediated Ribosome Biogenesis and Proteome Dynamics During Mouse Preimplantation Development.

Preimplantation embryonic development is orchestrated by dynamic changes in the proteome and transcriptome, regulated by mechanisms such as maternal-to-zygotic transition. Here, we employed label-free quantitative proteomics to comprehensively analyze proteome dynamics from germinal vesicle oocytes to blastocysts in mouse embryos. We identified 3490 proteins, including 715 consistently detected across all stages, revealing stage-specific changes in proteins associated with translation, protein modification, and mitochondrial metabolism.

Women's health care committee, Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology: Annual report-2024.

The Women's Health Care Committee was established in 2010 to improve the health of women. In the current academic year, this committee established seven subcommittees aimed at understanding diseases related to various age groups of women, including adolescence, sexual maturity, and menopause, and promoting research to improve the quality of life. Additionally, socially significant research has focused on infections, particularly resistant bacteria.

One-Pot, Telescoped Aryl Nitrile Synthesis from Benzylic Silyl Ethers.

A one-pot, telescoped transformation of silyl ethers into cyanides that proceeds via silyl-ether oxidation mediated by nitroxyl-radical catalyst and [bis(trifluoroacetoxy)iodo]benzene followed by an imine formation-oxidation sequence using iodine and aqueous ammonia is reported. This transformation is effective for the site-selective transformation of benzylic and allylic silyl ethers in the presence of other silyl ethers. Using an -protected oxime and a catalytic amount of triflic acid instead of iodine/aqueous ammonia is also effective for cyanation.

Progressive Increase in Renal Sympathetic Nerve Activity Induced by Cold Exposure.

Background: Exposure to cold environments is linked to cold-induced hypertension due to activated sympathetic nerve activity (SNA) and arterial baroreceptor reflex dysfunction. However, direct measurement of SNA during cold-induced hypertension and changes in baroreflex control of SNA remain unexplored.

Methods: Chronically instrumented rats were exposed to cold temperatures (10 °C) over 4 days after a control period (24 °C), and renal and lumbar sympathetic nerve activities were simultaneously measured during cold-induced hypertension.

Evidence-Based Application of Natriuretic Peptides in the Evaluation of Chronic Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction in the Ambulatory Outpatient Setting.

Background: Plasma NT-proBNP (N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide) is commonly used to diagnose heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), but its diagnostic performance in the ambulatory/outpatient setting is unknown because previous studies lacked objective reference standards.

Methods: Among patients with chronic dyspnea, diagnosis of HFpEF or noncardiac dyspnea was determined conclusively by exercise catheterization in a derivation cohort (n=414), multicenter validation cohort 1 (n=560), validation cohort 2 (n=207), and a nonobese Japanese validation cohort 3 (n=77). Optimal NT-proBNP cut points for HFpEF rule out (optimizing sensitivity) and rule in (optimizing specificity) were derived and tested, stratified by obesity and atrial fibrillation.

Origins and conservation of topological polarization defects in resonant photonic-crystal diffraction.

We present a continuative definition of topological charge to depict the polarization defects on any resonant diffraction orders in photonic crystal slab regardless they are radiative or evanescent. By using such a generalized definition, we investigate the origins and conservation of polarization defects across the whole Brillouin zone. We found that the mode crossings due to Brillouin zone folding contribute to the emergence of polarization defects in the entire Brillouin zone.