A single pretreatment with clofibric acid attenuates carbon tetrachloride-induced necrosis, but not steatosis, in rat liver.

The present study investigated whether a single pretreatment with clofibric acid suppresses liver injury in rats after CCl intoxication. Rats received a single pretreatment with clofibric acid (100 mg/kg, i.p.

Application and Efficacy of Vitamin E-Bonded Polysulfone Membrane in Acute Blood Purification Therapy.

Introduction: Acute blood purification therapy (BPT) has been evaluated in the context of intensive care for serious conditions related to systemic inflammation, but its mechanism and efficacy are not fully understood.

Objective: This study examined the feasibility of using vitamin E-bonded polysulfone membranes (VEPS) for BPT in a LPS-induced rat model of systemic inflammation.

Methods: To evaluate the efficacy of BPT with a VEPS membrane, polysulfone (PS) membranes conventionally used in intensive care were bonded with the antioxidant vitamin E and used in a rat model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced systemic inflammation.

A new pathophysiology of atraumatic rotator cuff tears: adduction restriction of the glenohumeral joint.

Background: The pathophysiology of atraumatic rotator cuff tears (ATTs) has not been fully understood. Adduction restriction of the glenohumeral joint can cause pain and disability in patients with ATTs. We aimed to use our adduction test (pushing the humerus toward the side in the coronal plane with scapular fixation) to fluoroscopically measure the glenohumeral adduction angle (GAA) and to assess the effectiveness of adduction manipulation.

Supporting the Decision Making of Children With Cancer: A Meta-synthesis.

Recently, awareness of children's decision making has increased in an effort to enhance palliative care. However, the conceptual framework for decision making among children with cancer remains unclear. We clarified the decision-making process of children with cancer regarding their care, treatment, and support from family and health care professionals, and identified their needs and preferences.

Physical Properties of an Ionic Liquid Composed of Two Water-Soluble Vitamins and Enhanced Skin Permeation of Both Vitamins.

A highly viscous substance was prepared by evaporating an ethanol solution containing two hydrophilic vitamins; vitamin C, and vitamin B6. The viscous substance and physical mixture of the two vitamins were tested using a differential scanning calorimeter and an X-ray diffractometer. The highly viscous substance was found to be a liquid crystal (LC) made of these two hydrophilic vitamins.

Contralateral Limb Effect on Gait Asymmetry and Ipsilateral Pain in a Patient with Knee Osteoarthritis: A Proof-of-Concept Case Report.

Case: A 77-year-old woman with knee osteoarthritis (OA) complained of right (ipsilateral) knee pain for more than 5 years with gait asymmetry. The OA and quadriceps muscle weakness were more severe in the left (contralateral) knee, but she had no pain. Bracing of the left knee led to decreased gait asymmetry, as determined with an inertial measurement unit, and reduced pain in the right knee.

Outcome of pitavastatin versus atorvastatin therapy in patients with hypercholesterolemia at high risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

Background: There has been no report about outcome of pitavastatin versus atorvastatin therapy in high-risk patients with hypercholesterolemia.

Methods: Hypercholesterolemic patients with one or more risk factors for atherosclerotic diseases (n = 664, age = 65, male = 54%, diabetes = 76%, primary prevention = 74%) were randomized to receive pitavastatin 2 mg/day (n = 332) or atorvastatin 10 mg/day (n = 332). Follow-up period was 240 weeks.

JAK-STAT-dependent regulation of scavenger receptors in LPS-activated murine macrophages.

In atherosclerosis progression, atherosclerotic plaques develop upon accumulated foam cells derived from macrophages that take up modified low-density lipoprotein (LDL). CD36 and CD204 are the principal scavenger receptors responsible for the uptake of modified LDL. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) exacerbates atherosclerosis by enhancing the expression of scavenger receptors and thus increasing the uptake of modified LDL into macrophages.

A metabolic pathway for the prodrug nabumetone to the pharmacologically active metabolite, 6-methoxy-2-naphthylacetic acid (6-MNA) by non-cytochrome P450 enzymes.

The pathway for the transformation of the prodrug nabumetone, 4-(6-methoxynaphthalen-2-yl)butan-2-one, to the active metabolite 6-methoxy-2-naphthylacetic acid (6-MNA), a potent cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor, has not yet been clarified in humans.To confirm the activation pathway, authentic standards of the nabumetone intermediates, 2-(6-methoxynaphthalen-2-yl)ethyl acetate (6-MNEA), 2-(6-methoxynaphthalen-2-yl)ethan-1-ol (6-MNE-ol) and 2-(6-methoxynaphthalen-2-yl)acetaldehyde (6-MN-CHO) were synthesized. High performance liquid-chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry on nabumetone oxidation revealed the generation of three metabolites.

Background characteristics and postoperative outcomes of insufficient weight loss after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy in Japanese patients.

Aim: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is becoming popular in Japan, but insufficient weight loss is often observed in patients after LSG. We investigated the effect of LSG on obesity-related comorbidities and identified the background characteristics of Japanese patients with insufficient weight loss after LSG.

Methods: In this multi-institutional retrospective study at 10 certified bariatric institutions, 322 Japanese patients who underwent LSG with a follow-up period of more than 2 years were analyzed.

Retrospective cohort study of the efficacy and safety of dabigatran: real-life dabigatran use including very low-dose 75 mg twice daily administration.

Background: Dabigatran is a direct thrombin inhibitor and an anticoagulant that is prescribed to prevent ischemic stroke and systemic embolism in non-valvular atrial fibrillation. Dabigatran (150 mg twice daily) is non-inferior to warfarin for the prevention of stroke and systemic embolism. A dose reduction to 110 mg twice daily should be considered for patients with decreased renal function, elderly patients, and those with a history of gastrointestinal bleeding.

The development of a foundation-level pharmacy competency framework: An analysis of country-level applicability of the Global Competency Framework.

Background: The importance and usefulness of competency frameworks (CFs) in pharmacy professional development is recognised globally. However, there is no national CF for pharmacists in Japan yet.

Objective: This study was conducted to measure the level of relevance of behavioural statements of the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) Global Competency Framework (GbCF) to Japanese foundation-level pharmacy practice, aiming for developing a national framework for foundation-level pharmacists in Japan.

Antidepressants with different mechanisms of action show different chronopharmacological profiles in the tail suspension test in mice.

The circadian system regulates sleep/wake cycles, metabolism, mood, and other functions. It also influences medication efficacy. In this study, we studied the chronopharmacological profiles of antidepressants with various modes of action.

Secondhand Smoke Exposure During Pregnancy and Mothers' Subsequent Breastfeeding Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Secondhand smoke exposure of non-smoking women during pregnancy is associated with a higher risk of adverse birth outcomes. However, the available evidence regarding the association between expectant mothers' secondhand smoke exposure and breastfeeding outcomes remains limited. This systematic review aimed to examine associations between secondhand smoke exposure of nonsmoking women during pregnancy with the initiation, prevalence, and duration or breastfeeding compared to women who were breastfeeding and had not been exposed to secondhand smoke.

Aggressive Progression in Glioblastoma Cells through Potentiated Activation of Integrin α5β1 by the Tenascin-C-Derived Peptide TNIIIA2.

Tenascin-C is a member of the matricellular protein family, and its expression level is correlated to poor prognosis in cancer, including glioblastoma, whereas its substantial role in tumor formation and malignant progression remains controversial. We reported previously that peptide TNIIIA2 derived from the cancer-associated alternative splicing domain of tenascin-C molecule has an ability to activate β1-integrin strongly and to maintain it for a long time. Here, we demonstrate that β1-integrin activation by TNIIIA2 causes acquisition of aggressive behavior, dysregulated proliferation, and migration, characteristic of glioblastoma cells.

Circulating exosomal miR-92b: Its role for cancer immunoediting and clinical value for prediction of posttransplant hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence.

A recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) is one of the major concerns reflecting the higher mortality of HCC. This study aimed to explore the impact of circulating exosomes on HCC development and recurrence. One-shot transfusion of hepatoma serum to naïve rats induced liver cancer development with gradual elevation of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), but exosome-free hepatoma serum failed to induce AFP elevation.

The relationship between movement of the shank while running and foot alignment factors that lead to the onset of Achilles peritendinitis.

[Purpose] To clarify the relationship between movement of the shank relative to the global reference frame (shank angle) while running, and foot alignment factors that lead to the onset of Achilles peritendinitis. [Participants and Methods] This study included 54 healthy male participants. Running at a constant speed was measured by three-dimensional motion analysis.

Association of secondhand smoke and depressive symptoms in nonsmoking pregnant Women: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Globally about 30% of adult women and 40% of children are exposed to secondhand smoke (SHS) from active smokers. SHS exposure of pregnant women has been associated with postpartum depression. Unexposed women in pregnancy had lower rates of postpartum depression than women exposed to SHS.

Representative survey of frozen shoulder questionnaire responses from the Japan Shoulder Society: What are the appropriate diagnostic terms for primary idiopathic frozen shoulder, stiff shoulder or frozen shoulder?

Background: Primary frozen shoulder has unknown etiology and significant restriction of active and passive motion. The distinction between frozen shoulder and stiff shoulder has been unclear. Therefore, the purposes of this study were to perform a survey regarding definition and classification of frozen shoulder proposed by the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) among the members of the Japan Shoulder Society (JSS) and to compare the results with those obtained among the members of the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES).

Determination of the Absolute Configuration of the Nabumetone Metabolite 4-(6-Methoxy-2-naphthyl)butan-2-ol Using the Chiral Derivatizing Agent, 1-Fluoroindan-1-carboxylic Acid.

The absolute configuration of (+)-4-(6-methoxy-2-naphthyl)butan-2-ol ((+)-MNBO), a nabumetone metabolite, was determined using 1-fluoroindan-1-carboxylic acid (FICA). Both enantiomers of the FICA methyl esters were derivatized to diastereomeric esters of (+)-MNBO by an ester exchange reaction. The results of H- and F-NMR spectroscopy of the diastereomeric FICA esters of (+)-MNBO confirmed the absolute configuration of (+)-MNBO was (S).

Comparison of the effects of pachymic acid, moronic acid and hydrocortisone on the polysome loading of RNAs in lipopolysaccharide-treated THP-1 macrophages.

We have proposed that analysis of ribosome-loaded mRNAs (i.e., the translatome) is useful for elucidation of pharmacological effects of phytocompounds in immune cells, regarding the involvement of post-transcriptional regulation mechanisms.

Effects of an underwear-type hip abduction orthosis on sitting balance and sit-to-stand activities in children with spastic cerebral palsy.

[Purpose] Hip dislocation and subluxation are common in patients with cerebral palsy (CP). Hip abduction orthoses are used to prevent and treat these problems. This study investigated the effects of an underwear-type hip abduction orthosis on sitting balance and sit-to-stand (STS) activity in children with spastic CP.

[Study of Child-resistant Packaging Technologies to Prevent Children from Accidental Ingestion of Drugs in Japan].

 When handling high risk medications, such as anticancer agents, at home, it is necessary to take measures to prevent children from accidentally ingesting these drugs. In this study, we investigated pediatric characteristics such as literacy ability and finger function in Japanese subjects and examined the usefulness of child-resistant (CR) packaging technologies used in the U.S.

[Gastrointestinal Spice Sensors and Their Functions].

 Capsaicin is a constituent of chili pepper, and induces the burning sensation on the tongue. The site of action for capsaicin has been discovered as transient receptor potential vanilloid receptor subtype 1 (TRPV1) that resides on the membranes of pain- and heat-sensing primary afferent nerves. The immunohistochemical study on the stomach revealed that nerve fibers expressing TRPV1 exist along gastric glands in the mucosa, around blood vessels in the submucosa, in the myenteric plexus, and in the smooth muscle layers.

The yeast mitochondrial permeability transition is regulated by reactive oxygen species, endogenous Ca and Cpr3, mediating cell death.

We investigated the properties of the permeability transition pore (PTP) in Saccharomyces cerevisiae in agar-embedded mitochondria (AEM) and agar-embedded cells (AEC) and its role in yeast death. In AEM, ethanol-induced pore opening, as indicated by the release of calcein and mitochondrial membrane depolarization, can be inhibited by CsA, by Cpr3 deficiency, and by the antioxidant glutathione. Notably, the pore opening is inhibited, when mitochondria are preloaded by EGTA or Fluo3 to chelate matrix Ca, or are pretreated with 4-Br A23187 to extract matrix Ca, prior to agar-embedding, or when pore opening is induced in the presence of EGTA; opened pores are re-closed by sequential treatment with CsA, 4-Br A23187 plus EGTA and NADH, indicating endogenous matrix Ca involvement.