Somatosensory-Evoked Potentials and Clinical Assessments of Sensory Function Over Time in Patients With Subacute Stroke.

To demonstrate the utility of somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) following median nerve stimulation for chronological assessment of sensory function in patients with subacute stroke during rehabilitation. Retrospective study. Forty-seven patients with hemiparesis due to stroke during the subacute phase.

Mutation Analysis of TMB-High Colorectal Cancer: Insights Into Molecular Pathways and Clinical Implications.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is well characterized in terms of genetic mutations and the mechanisms by which they contribute to carcinogenesis. Mutations in APC, TP53, and KRAS are common in CRC, indicating key roles for these genes in tumor development and progression. However, for certain tumors with low frequencies of these mutations that are defined by tumor location and molecular phenotypes, a carcinogenic mechanism dependent on BRAF mutations has been proposed.

Efficacy of anifrolumab on systemic lupus erythematosus patients with serological manifestations: A post hoc analysis of the Japan subgroup of the TULIP-2 Trial.

Objectives: To describe the efficacy of anifrolumab vs. placebo in Japanese systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients with low complement (C3 or C4) and/or who are positive for anti-double stranded DNA (anti-dsDNA) antibodies.

Methods: This was a descriptive post hoc analysis of Japanese SLE patients with serological manifestations in the TULIP-2 trial who received either anifrolumab or placebo.

2024 Update of the Japan College of Rheumatology Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of Rheumatoid Arthritis - secondary publication.

Objectives: To update the Japan College of Rheumatology Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of Rheumatoid Arthritis (CPG for RA).

Methods: The recommendations were developed based on the evidence published until the end of June 2022 using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE). The steering committee, CPG panel, systematic review (SR) group, and SR support team were organised.

Spirometry estimation of central airway dysanapsis on computed tomography in healthy subjects without active lung diseases.

The original concept of the airway-to-lung size mismatch, termed dysanapsis, was introduced on spirometry and was extended by computed tomography (CT) evaluation of the central airways. CT-assessed dysanapsis allows a risk estimation of lung disease development in healthy subjects, although radiation exposure limits its use, particularly for younger subjects. This study investigated which spirometry indices can be used to estimate CT-assessed central airway dysanapsis in healthy subjects.

Identification of Key Amino Acids in the A Domains of Polymyxin Synthetase Responsible for 2,4-Diaminobutyric Acid Adenylation in NBRC3020 Strain.

Developing novel nonribosomal peptides (NRPs) requires a comprehensive understanding of the enzymes involved in their biosynthesis, particularly the substrate amino acid recognition mechanisms in the adenylation (A) domain. This study focused on the A domain responsible for adenylating l-2,4-diaminobutyric acid (l-Dab) within the synthetase of polymyxin, an NRP produced by NBRC3020. To date, investigations into recombinant proteins that selectively adenylate l-Dab─exploring substrate specificity and enzymatic activity parameters─have been limited to reports on A domains found in enzymes synthesizing l-Dab homopolymers (pldA from USE31 and pddA from NBRC15115), which remain exceedingly rare.

12/15-Lipoxygenase-Derived Electrophilic Lipid Modifications in Phagocytic Macrophages.

Macrophages remove apoptotic cells via phagocytosis, also known as efferocytosis, during inflammation to maintain tissue homeostasis. This process is accompanied by various metabolic changes in macrophages including the production of lipid metabolites by fatty acid oxygenases. Among these, highly reactive metabolites, called lipid-derived electrophiles (LDEs), modify cysteines and other nucleophilic amino acids in intracellular proteins.

Assessment of residential renewable energy investment under dynamic market environment: Aspect from household benefits.

The adoption of residential renewable energy is pivotal for achieving the 'Net Zero' goal, yet financial assessments of household investments in this area remain complex due to dynamic market conditions. This study introduces a novel closed-form financial valuation framework for residential solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, explicitly addressing the uncertainties of electricity market price fluctuations (market risk) and energy policy changes (policy risk) using Geometric Brownian Motion (GBM). A case study in France demonstrates the framework's application, revealing that the discount rate is the most influential factor in solar PV valuation, followed by system lifespan and policy-driven Feed-in Tariff (FiT) rates.

High-density mapping in catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation in Asia Pacific region: An observational study.

Background: Few clinical studies of atrial fibrillation (AF) have focused on Asian patients; data are lacking on current mapping and ablation strategies in the Asia Pacific region (APAC).

Objective: The HD Mapping Observational Study (NCT04022954) was designed to characterize electroanatomic mapping (EAM) with market-released high-density mapping (HDM) catheters in subjects with AF in APAC.

Methods: Subjects undergoing HDM and indicated for radiofrequency ablation (RFA) to treat AF were prospectively enrolled in APAC.

Anatomical analysis of the periosteal blood supply system of the fibula using fresh cadavers.

A vascularized free fibula flap is often used to reconstruct bone defects. However, bone resorption within the osteotomized segment is often observed. This may be attributed to damage to bone blood flow supplied by nonpenetrating periosteal vessels (NPPVs); however, there are few studies on NPPVs in the fibula.

The Synthesis of GABA during the Tailbud Stage Is Required for Axial Elongation in embryos.

In , axial elongation beyond the tailbud stage requires gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). However, the role of GABA synthesized during early development in this process remains unclear. In this study, by treating embryos with allylglycine (AG), an inhibitor of GABA synthesis, we observed a significant reduction in axial elongation.

First-line pembrolizumab-axitinib versus sunitinib in metastatic RCC: subgroup analysis of patients enrolled in the phase 3 KEYNOTE-426 in Eastern Asia.

Background: The phase 3 open-label KEYNOTE-426 study demonstrated that first-line pembrolizumab plus axitinib improved overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) versus sunitinib for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) in a global population. This subgroup analysis investigated the efficacy and safety of pembrolizumab-axitinib versus sunitinib in patients enrolled in KEYNOTE-426 in East Asia (Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan).

Methods: Adults with clear cell mRCC were randomly assigned 1:1 to receive intravenous pembrolizumab 200 mg every 3 weeks with oral axitinib 5 mg twice daily or oral sunitinib 50 mg once daily (4 weeks on/2 weeks off).

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.

Ethical considerations regarding the treatment of extremely preterm infants at the limit of viability: a comprehensive review.

Advancements in perinatal care have improved survival rates of extremely preterm infants born at 22 to 23 weeks of gestation, thus introducing new ethical challenges associated with their treatment. Therefore, we reviewed the epidemiological prognosis, treatment evolution, and ethical considerations associated with the care of preterm infants at the limit of viability. We comprehensively searched PubMed to find relevant English-language articles published between January 2014 and July 2024.

Simultaneous Ring-Opening and Dehydrogenation of Diarylethene Induced by Tunneling Electrons.

Understanding the reversible transformation between two isomeric states of organic molecules under external stimulation is essential for advancing single-molecule device development. Photochromic diarylethene (DAE) derivatives are promising candidates for single molecular switching elements. This study investigates the single-molecule reactions of the closed-form isomer of a DAE derivative on Cu(111) using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM).

Maternal circadian rhythms during pregnancy dictate metabolic plasticity in offspring.

Tissue-level oscillation is achieved by tissue-intrinsic clocks along with network-dependent signals originating from distal organs and organismal behavior. Yet, it remains unexplored whether maternal circadian rhythms during pregnancy influence fetal rhythms and impact long-term susceptibility to dietary challenges in offspring. Here, we demonstrate that circadian disruption during pregnancy decreased placental and neonatal weight yet retained transcriptional and structural maturation.

Enhanced Nitrous Oxide Decomposition on Zirconium-Supported Rhodium Catalysts by Iridium Augmentation.

The effective elimination of NO from automobile exhaust at low temperatures poses significant challenges. Compared to other materials, supported RhO catalysts exhibit high NO decomposition activities, even in the presence of O, CO, and HO. Metal additives can enhance the low-temperature NO decomposition activities over supported RhO catalysts; however, the enhancement mechanism and active sites require further investigation.

Central amygdala NPBWR1 neurons facilitate social novelty seeking and new social interactions.

The formation of new social interactions is vital for social animals, but the underlying neural mechanisms remain poorly understood. We identified CeA neurons, a population in central amygdala expressing neuropeptide B/W receptor-1 (NPBWR1), that play a critical role in these interactions. CeA neurons were activated during encounters with unfamiliar, but not with familiar, mice.

Novel triangle papilla access approach for interdental bone defect regeneration: A case study.

Background: Successful periodontal regeneration depends on primary wound closure and interdental papilla preservation. In this case study, we introduce a novel triangle papilla access approach (T-PAA) performed under a surgical microscope for treating interdental bone defects. In this novel approach, buccal incisions were used to access root surfaces and bone defects, avoiding interdental papilla incisions and preventing papillary collapse and necrosis.

-A152T mutation drives neuronal hyperactivity through Fyn-NMDAR signaling in human iPSC-Derived neurons: Insights into Alzheimer's pathogenesis.

Introduction: Tau protein plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and in regulating neuronal excitability. Among tau-coding microtubule associated protein tau () gene mutations, the A152T mutation is reported to increase the risk of AD and neuronal excitability in mouse models.

Methods: To investigate the effects of gene expression and its mutations on neuronal activity in human neurons, we employed genome editing technology to introduce the A152T or P301S mutations into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs).

Empirical design of population health strategies accounting for the distribution of population health risks.

Recent discussions in epidemiology have emphasised the need to estimate the heterogeneous effects of risk factors across the distribution of health outcomes for better aetiological understanding of the determinants of population health. We propose using quantile regression-based decomposition to expand the empirical discussion on population health intervention strategies for health equity by incorporating population homogeneity/heterogeneity in the risk-outcome association. We theorised that the 'proportionate universalism' approach presumes population homogeneity in the risk-outcome association with varying risk intensities, which decomposition analysis shows as the 'covariates part' between groups.

Targeting the Type I Interferon Pathway in Glomerular Kidney Disease: Rationale and Therapeutic Opportunities.

Type I interferons (IFNs) are immunostimulatory molecules that can activate the innate and adaptive immune systems. In cases of immune dysfunction, prolonged activation of the type I IFN pathway has been correlated with kidney tissue damage in a wide range of kidney disorders, such as lupus nephritis (LN) and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). Genetic mutations, such as risk variants in conjunction with elevated type I IFN expression, are also associated with higher rates of chronic kidney disease in patients with LN and collapsing FSGS.

-Linked Parkinson Syndrome in Female Heterozygotes Is Associated With PET-Detectable Tau Pathology.

Background And Objectives: A previous postmortem study of men with Christianson syndrome, a disorder caused by loss-of-function mutations in the gene , reported a mechanistic link between pathologic tau accumulation and progressive symptoms such as cerebellar atrophy and cognitive decline. This study aimed to characterize the relationships between neuropathologic manifestations and tau accumulation in heterozygous women with mutation.

Methods: We conducted a multimodal neuroimaging and plasma biomarker study on 3 middle-aged heterozygous women with mutations (proband 1: mid-50s; proband 2: early 50s; proband 3: mid-40s) presenting with progressive extrapyramidal symptoms.

Creatinine production rate is an integrative indicator to monitor muscle status in critically ill patients.

Background: Both quantitative and qualitative aspects of muscle status significantly impact clinical outcomes in critically ill patients. Comprehensive monitoring of baseline muscle status and its changes is crucial for risk stratification and management optimization. However, repeatable and accessible indicators are lacking.