Ability of dynamic chest radiography to identify left ventricular systolic dysfunction in heart failure.

Dynamic chest radiography (DCR) can estimate haemodynamic parameters in heart failure (HF). However, no studies have evaluated its ability to determine cardiac systolic function in HF. This experimental study investigates the correlation between left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (LVEF) and DCR image parameters in HF.

Atomically Dispersed Co-P Moieties via Direct Thermal Exfoliation for Alkaline Hydrogen Electrosynthesis.

The development of highly active and stable cathodes in alkaline solutions is crucial for promoting the commercialization of anion exchange membrane (AEM) electrolyzers, yet it remains a significant challenge. Herein, we synthesized atomically dispersed CoP moieties (CoP-SSC) immobilized on ultrathin carbon nanosheets via a phosphidation exfoliation strategy at medium temperature. The thermodynamic formation process of the Co-P moieties was elucidated using X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and theoretical calculations.

Non-Invasive Detection of Tumors by Volatile Organic Compounds in Urine.

Cancer is one of the major causes of death, and as it becomes more malignant, it becomes an intractable disease that is difficult to cure completely. Therefore, early detection is important to increase the survival rate. For this reason, testing with blood biomarkers is currently common.

Reactions of Hydrogen-Passivated Silicon Vacancies in -Quartz with Electron Holes and Hydrogen.

We used density functional theory with a hybrid functional to investigate the structure and properties of [4H] (hydrogarnet) defects in -quartz as well as the reactions of these defects with electron holes and extra hydrogen atoms and ions. The results demonstrate the depassivation mechanisms of hydrogen-passivated silicon vacancies in -quartz, providing a detailed understanding of their stability, electronic properties, and behaviour in different charge states. While fully hydrogen passivated silicon vacancies are electrically inert, the partial removal of hydrogen atoms activates these defects as hole traps, altering the defect states and influencing the electronic properties of the material.

Immune evasion through mitochondrial transfer in the tumour microenvironment.

Cancer cells in the tumour microenvironment use various mechanisms to evade the immune system, particularly T cell attack. For example, metabolic reprogramming in the tumour microenvironment and mitochondrial dysfunction in tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) impair antitumour immune responses. However, detailed mechanisms of such processes remain unclear.

Recent trends in scientific research in chest radiology: What to do or not to do? That is the critical question in research.

Hereby inviting young rising stars in chest radiology in Japan for contributing what they are working currently, we would like to show the potentials and directions of the near future research trends in the research field. I will provide a reflection on my own research topics. At the end, we also would like to discuss on how to choose the themes and topics of research: What to do or not to do? We strongly believe it will stimulate and help investigators in the field.

Pressure-Induced Dehydration and Reversible Recrystallization of Dihydrogen-Bonded Sodium Borohydride Dihydrate NaBH·2HO.

Sodium borohydride dihydrate (NaBH·2HO) forms through dihydrogen bonding between the hydridic hydrogen of the BH ion and the protonic hydrogen of the water molecule. High-pressure structural changes in NaBH·2HO, observed up to 11 GPa through X-ray diffraction and Raman scattering spectroscopy, were analyzed to assess the influence of dihydrogen bonds on its crystal structure. At approximately 4.

Schlafen 11 Expression in Patients With Small Cell Lung Cancer and Its Association With Clinical Outcomes.

Background: Schlafen 11 (SLFN-11) has been identified as a sensitizer of tumor cells to DNA-damaging agents. However, the relationship between SLFN-11 expression and clinical outcomes in patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC) remains unexplored. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the impact of SLFN-11 expression on survival in patients with limited-stage (LS) SCLC.

US-Guided Thermal Ablation for Secondary Hyperparathyroidism: A Prospective Multicenter Study.

Background Interest in microwave ablation (MWA) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) use for treating secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) is rising; however, ablation outcomes in patients with SHPT are not well characterized. Purpose To assess the response of parathyroid hormone (PTH), calcium, phosphorus, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels to US-guided parathyroid MWA and RFA and the safety of these treatments in participants with SHPT. Materials and Methods This prospective multicenter cohort study, conducted from September 2017 to March 2022, included participants with SHPT.

Greater Rotational Knee Laxity Observed at Second-Look Arthroscopy in Patients With Failed Meniscal Repair Performed at the Time of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.

Purpose: To evaluate the healing of meniscal repair performed concomitantly with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) using second-look arthroscopy, as well as the relationship between meniscal healing and knee laxity using quantitative evaluation under anesthesia.

Methods: This retrospective study included patients who underwent primary double-bundle ACLR with meniscal repair between June 2016 and June 2021, with a 2-year minimum follow-up. Meniscal healing was evaluated by second-look arthroscopy at least 1 year postoperatively, and knee laxity was measured under general anesthesia preoperatively, intraoperatively, and at second-look arthroscopy.

Evaluation of N-NOSE as a surveillance tool for recurrence in gastric and esophageal cancers: a prospective cohort study.

Objective: Early detection of recurrent gastric and esophageal cancers remains a critical challenge. Innovative and non-invasive cancer screening technologies, such as N-NOSE, can improve early detection. N-NOSE is a urine-based scent test that leverages the olfactory abilities of the nematode C.

Clinicopathological and molecular features of claudin-18 isoform 2 expression in patients with colorectal cancer: a single-center retrospective study.

Background: Claudin-18 isoform 2 (CLDN18.2) is expressed in multiple cancers and is a promising target for antitumor therapy. However, there is limited knowledge regarding the prevalence and characteristics of CLDN18.

A Quantitative Diagnostic Method Using Tc-pyrophosphate Lateral Planar Images to Distinguish Between Transthyretin Amyloid Cardiomyopathy and False-Positive Images Due to Blood Pools.

: This study investigated the feasibility of using a quantitative diagnostic method based on Tc-pyrophosphate scintigraphy (PYP) lateral planar images to differentiate between PYP-positive (myocardial uptake) and false-positive (blood pool uptake) scans. : The study included 93 consecutive patients with suspected transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM) who underwent PYP between April 2022 and December 2023. Patients were categorized using planar anterior PYP images according to the Perugini visual grading system; patients with grades ≥ 2 were analyzed.

Effect of a Reduced PCV10 Dose Schedule on Pneumococcal Carriage in Vietnam.

Background: After pneumococcal disease and colonization have been controlled through vaccination campaigns, a reduced pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) schedule may be sufficient to sustain that control at reduced costs.

Methods: We investigated whether a single primary dose and booster dose (1p+1) of the 10-valent PCV (PCV10) would be noninferior to alternative dose schedules in sustaining control of carriage of pneumococcal serotypes included in the vaccine. In Nha Trang, Vietnam, an area in which PCV had not been used previously, a PCV10 catch-up campaign was conducted in which the vaccine was offered to children younger than 3 years of age, after which a cluster-randomized trial was conducted in which children received PCV10 at 2, 3, and 4 months of age (3p+0 group); at 2, 4, and 12 months of age (2p+1 group); at 2 and 12 months of age (1p+1 group); or at 12 months of age (0p+1 group).

N-NOSE Proves Effective for Early Cancer Detection: Real-World Data from Third-Party Medical Institutions.

Cancer remains a leading cause of mortality in Japan, yet participation in conventional screening programs is low due to invasiveness, cost, and accessibility. Non-invasive, affordable, and accurate methods for early cancer detection in asymptomatic individuals are urgently needed. This opinion manuscript evaluates nematode cancer testing, a novel urine-based screening test using the nematode , for its potential to improve early cancer detection rates, based on real-world data published in a Japanese journal.

Sex differences in toxicities and survival outcomes among Japanese patients with Stage III colorectal cancer receiving adjuvant fluoropyrimidine monotherapy: A pooled analysis of 4 randomized controlled trials (JCOG2310A).

Background: Fluoropyrimidine remains the key agent of adjuvant chemotherapy for stage III colorectal cancer (CRC). Western studies have shown that female sex is a favorable prognostic factor after surgery, but it is also a risk factor for adverse events (AEs) during adjuvant chemotherapy with fluoropyrimidine. However, little is known about whether sex differences in treatment outcomes exist in this setting in the Asian population.

Targeting ErbB and tankyrase1/2 prevent the emergence of drug-tolerant persister cells in ALK-positive lung cancer.

Targeting the drug tolerant persister (DTP) state in cancer cells should prevent further development of resistance mechanisms. This study explored combination therapies to inhibit alectinib-induced DTP cell formation from anaplastic lymphoma kinase-positive non-small cell lung cancer (ALK + NSCLC) patient-derived cells. After drug-screening 3114 compounds, pan-HER inhibitors (ErbB pathway) and tankyrase1/2 inhibitors (Wnt/β-catenin signaling) emerged as top candidates to inhibit alectinib-induced DTP cells growth.

Clinical characteristics of monoclonal immunoglobulin-associated renal disease: a retrospective cohort study.

Introduction: Clinical epidemiological data on monoclonal gammopathy of renal significance (MGRS) are lacking. In this retrospective observational study, MGRS was compared with B-cell or plasma cell malignancies (BCM/PCM) with renal involvement to clarify differences in their clinical features.

Methods: Among the 1408 renal biopsies performed at our hospital, 25 MGRS and 18 BCM/PCM patients were identified.

CD34 and CD34 MM cells show different immune-checkpoint molecule expression profiles: high expression of CD112 and CD137 ligand on CD34 MM cells.

Despite the introduction of new drugs, multiple myeloma (MM) still remains incurable. We previously reported that CD34 MM cells, which are clonogenic and self-renewing, are therapy-resistant and persist as a major component of minimal residual disease, expanding during relapse. To investigate the effects of immunotherapies such as immune-checkpoint inhibitors, CAR-T therapy, and bispecific antibodies on CD34 MM cells, we analyzed immune profiles of both MM cells and T cells from MM patients using microarrays and flow cytometry.

Reliable and easy-to-use calculating tool for the Nail Psoriasis Severity Index using deep learning.

Since nail psoriasis restricts the patient's daily activities, therapeutic intervention based on reliable and reproducible evaluation is critical. The Nail Psoriasis Severity Index (NAPSI) is a validated scoring tool, but its usefulness is limited by interobserver variability. This study aimed to develop a reliable and accurate NAPSI scoring tool using deep learning.

Long-range enhancement for fluorescence and Raman spectroscopy using Ag nanoislands protected with column-structured silica overlayer.

We demonstrate long-range enhancement of fluorescence and Raman scattering using a dense random array of Ag nanoislands (AgNIs) coated with column-structured silica (CSS) overlayer of over 100 nm thickness, namely, remote plasmonic-like enhancement (RPE). The CSS layer provides physical and chemical protection, reducing the impact between analyte molecules and metal nanostructures. RPE plates are fabricated with high productivity using sputtering and chemical immersion in gold(I)/halide solution.