The Therapeutic Efficacy of Abatacept for Rheumatoid Arthritis-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease: Insights from a 12-Month Trial Using Semi-Quantitative Chest High-Resolution Computed Tomography Imaging.

Rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD) is a major complication of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but effective treatment remains an unmet need in its management. Our aim was to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of abatacept for RA-ILD. This observational retrospective study included patients with RA-ILD treated with abatacept between 2012 and 2021.

Xenogenic Engraftment of Human-Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Pancreatic Islet Cells in an Immunosuppressive Diabetic Göttingen Mini-Pig Model.

In the development of cell therapy products, immunocompromised animal models closer in size to humans are valuable for enhancing the translatability of findings to clinical trials. In the present study, we generated immunocompromised type 1 diabetic Göttingen mini-pig models and demonstrated the engraftment of human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived pancreatic islet cells (iPICs). We induced hyperglycemia with a concomitant reduction in endogenous C-peptide levels in pigs that underwent thymectomy and splenectomy.

Phosphoproteomic subtyping of gastric cancer reveals dynamic transformation with chemotherapy and guides targeted cancer treatment.

There are only a few effective molecular targeted agents for advanced unresectable or recurrent advanced gastric cancer (AGC), which has a poor prognosis with a median survival time of less than 14 months. Focusing on phosphorylation signaling in cancer cells, we have been developing deep phosphoproteome analysis from minute endoscopic biopsy specimens frozen within 20 s of collection. Phosphoproteomic analysis of 127 fresh-frozen endoscopic biopsy samples from untreated patients with AGC revealed three subtypes reflecting different cellular signaling statuses.

Sex-specific impact of rs1260326 polymorphism on metabolic traits in an older Japanese population: the Bunkyo Health Study.

Background: Metabolic syndrome involves health problems influenced by aging and genetics. The glucokinase regulatory protein () rs1260326 polymorphism (Leu446) is associated with metabolic traits. This study explores the impact of the GCKR rs1260326 polymorphism on metabolic traits in older Japanese with focusing on sex-specific differences.

The Beneficial Effects of Regular Intake of OLL2716 on Gastric Discomfort in Healthy Adults: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study.

We investigated the effects of OLL2716 on gastrointestinal symptoms in healthy adults with gastric complaints. In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 174 healthy Japanese adults were randomly assigned to an OLL2716 or placebo group, and each group consumed 85 g of yogurt containing OLL2716 or placebo yogurt daily for 12 weeks. The primary endpoint was the change in gastric symptoms from baseline as per the participants' questionnaires at 6 and 12 weeks.

Oral administration of cysteine peptides attenuates UV-B-induced skin erythema and pigmentation in humans.

The oral administration of antioxidants may suppress UV-B-induced skin damage. HITHION YH-15, the extract of Torula yeast (Cyberlindnera jadinii), is rich in cysteine-containing peptides such as reduced and oxidized glutathione (GSH and GSSG), γ-glutamylcysteine (γ-Glu-Cys), and cysteinylglycine (Cys-Gly). These four constituents are termed cysteine peptides.

Deterministic fabrication of graphene hexagonal boron nitride moiré superlattices.

The electronic properties of moiré heterostructures depend sensitively on the relative orientation between layers of the stack. For example, near-magic-angle twisted bilayer graphene (TBG) commonly shows superconductivity, yet a TBG sample with one of the graphene layers rotationally aligned to a hexagonal Boron Nitride (hBN) cladding layer provided experimental observation of orbital ferromagnetism. To create samples with aligned graphene/hBN, researchers often align edges of exfoliated flakes that appear straight in optical micrographs.

Integrating psychiatry into basic clinical skills: A three-year nationwide quantitative assessment of postgraduate training programs.

Aim: The aim of this study was to develop quantitative outcome indicators for psychiatric training programs integrated into the General Medicine In-Training Examination (GM-ITE) and to investigate which characteristics correlate with high scores in psychiatry.

Methods: A nationwide cross-sectional study was conducted over 3 fiscal years (2021-2023). An anonymous online questionnaire was distributed to postgraduate year 1 and 2 residents who completed the GM-ITE.

CGG/CCG Repeat Expansions in in Thai Patients With Oculopharyngodistal Myopathy.

Objectives: This study characterizes oculopharyngodistal myopathy in 4 Thai patients from 3 families with CGG/CCG repeat expansion in .

Methods: Repeat-primed PCR analyzed CGG/CCG repeat size in in 4 Thai patients suspected of oculopharyngodistal myopathy (OPDM). Clinical records were reviewed for clinicopathologic features.

Basal inferoseptal segment is highly susceptible to deformation in the clinical spectrum of transthyretin-derived amyloid cardiomyopathy.

Aims: While the prevalence of transthyretin-derived amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM) is on the rise, detailed understanding of its morphological and functional characteristics within the left ventricle (LV) across heart failure (HF) remains limited.

Methods And Results: Utilizing two-dimensional (2D) speckle-tracking echocardiography, we assessed longitudinal strain (LS) in 63 histology-confirmed ATTR-CM patients. Additionally, cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) images measured native T1 and extracellular volume (ECV), compared with LS across 18 LV segments.

Investigation of Glucose Metabolism by Continuous Glucose Monitoring and Validation of Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 Inhibitor Use in Patients with Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1.

We characterized blood glucose fluctuations in patients with myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1). After confirming the incretin secretion capacity of patients with DM1, we intended to clarify whether dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4) inhibitor administration was appropriate in cases of DM1 with diabetes mellitus. A 48 h continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) was performed in 29 Japanese patients with DM1.

Anti-CD44 Variant 10 Monoclonal Antibody Exerts Antitumor Activity in Mouse Xenograft Models of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinomas.

CD44 regulates cell adhesion, proliferation, survival, and stemness and has been considered a tumor therapy target. CD44 possesses the shortest CD44 standard (CD44s) and a variety of CD44 variant (CD44v) isoforms. Since the expression of CD44v is restricted in epithelial cells and carcinomas compared to CD44s, CD44v has been considered a promising target for monoclonal antibody (mAb) therapy.

Durvalumab after Chemoradiotherapy in Limited-Stage Small-Cell Lung Cancer.

Background: Adjuvant therapy with durvalumab, with or without tremelimumab, may have efficacy in patients with limited-stage small-cell lung cancer who do not have disease progression after standard concurrent platinum-based chemoradiotherapy.

Methods: In a phase 3, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, we assigned patients to receive durvalumab at a dose of 1500 mg, durvalumab (1500 mg) plus tremelimumab at a dose of 75 mg (four doses only), or placebo every 4 weeks for up to 24 months. Randomization was stratified according to disease stage (I or II vs.

Pharmacogenetic insights into ABCB1, ABCC2, CYP1A2, and CYP2B6 variants with epilepsy susceptibility among Egyptian Children: A retrospective case-control study.

Background: Pediatric epilepsy is a complicated neuropsychiatric disorder that is characterized by recurrent seizures and unusual synchronized electrical activities within brain tissues. It has a substantial effect on the quality of life of children, thus understanding of the hereditary considerations influencing epilepsy susceptibility and the response to antiepileptic medications is crucial. This study focuses on assessing the correlation of the ABCB1, ABCC2, CYP1A2, and CYP2B6 genetic polymorphisms with the susceptibility to epileptic seizures and their contributions to antiepileptic medication throughout the course of the disease.

Blended Phenotype of and Variants With Accelerated Large and Small Artery Crosstalk: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Objectives: Recent advancements in genome research have revealed not only the importance of variants associated with cerebrovascular diseases but also a notably high frequency of carriers harboring multiple variants, presenting with an elusive blended phenotype. In this study, we report the case of a 66-year-old man who experienced 3 stroke episodes over a 4-year period, starting at the age of 62 years. The patient presented with isolated infarcts in the left temporal pole with progressive stenosis in the ipsilateral middle cerebral artery based on large and small artery crosstalk.

DNA/RNA heteroduplex technology with cationic oligopeptide reduces class-related adverse effects of nucleic acid drugs.

Antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) are a therapeutic modality for incurable diseases. However, systemic injection of gapmer-type ASOs causes class-related toxicities, including prolongation of activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) and thrombocytopenia. We previously reported that cholesterol-conjugated DNA/RNA heteroduplex oligonucleotides (Chol-HDOs) exhibit significantly enhanced gene-silencing effects compared to ASOs, even in the central nervous system, by crossing the blood-brain barrier.