Transcriptomic Insights into Post-Spawning Death and Muscle Atrophy in Ayu ().

In semelparous species like the ayu (), spawning is followed by rapid physiological decline and death; yet, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain largely unexplored. This study examines transcriptomic changes in ayu skeletal muscle before and after spawning, with a focus on key genes and pathways contributing to muscle atrophy and metabolic dysfunction. Through RNA sequencing and DEG analysis, we identified over 3000 DEGs, and GSEA and KEGG pathway analysis revealed significant downregulation of energy metabolism and protein degradation.

Novel Variants and Clinical Features of Hearing Loss in a Large Japanese Cohort.

Background/objectives: The gene is responsible for autosomal recessive non-syndromic sensorineural hearing loss and is assigned as DFNB18B. To date, 44 causative variants have been reported to cause non-syndromic hearing loss. However, the detailed clinical features for -associated hearing loss remain unclear.

Prognostic Significance of S100A4 in Ovarian Clear Cell Carcinoma: Its Relation to Tumor Progression and Chemoresistance.

Background/objectives: S100A4, a small calcium-binding protein, promotes metastasis in a variety of human malignancies, but little is known about its involvement in ovarian clear cell carcinoma (OCCC). Herein, we characterized the functional role of S100A4 in this tumor type.

Methods: We analyzed immunohistochemical sections from 120 OCCC patients.

Comparisons in Postoperative Endoscopic Findings and Postoperative Weight Change Between Delta-Shaped Anastomosis and Circular-Stapled Anastomosis in Laparoscopy-Assisted Distal Gastrectomy With B-I Reconstruction.

Background: Laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy (LADG) with Billroth I (B-I) reconstruction is frequently performed for gastric cancer. However, the difference between the circular stapler technique (CS) and delta-shaped anastomosis (DA) remains unclear, especially regarding the postoperative endoscopic physiological findings.

Methods: Three hundred and one patients including 150 CS patients and 151 DA patients during LADG with B-I reconstruction between 2013 and 2019 at Saitama Medical University International Medical Center were chosen as study subjects.

Exploring the Pharmacokinetics and Gut Microbiota Modulation of Hesperidin and Nobiletin from Mandarin Orange Peel in Experimental Dogs: A Pilot Study.

Mandarin orange peel (MOP) is recognized for its traditional medicinal properties due to its high flavonoid content. This study aimed to analyze MOP harvested in Japan for specific bioactive compounds and to explore its health applications in dogs, including effects on gut microbiota and cognitive symptoms. Flavonoid content (particularly hesperidin and nobiletin) of MOP was measured.

Outcomes of bile duct cannulation using a novel contrast-enhanced catheter: A single-center, retrospective cohort study.

Background: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography is a challenging procedure involving bile duct cannulation. Despite the development of several cannulation devices, none have effectively facilitated the procedure.

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of a recently developed catheter for bile duct cannulation.

Piperacillin/Tazobactam is associated with a higher risk of acute kidney injury compared to cefepime and meropenem.

This retrospective study investigated whether piperacillin/tazobactam (PIPC/TAZ) monotherapy affects renal function compared to cefepime (CFPM) or meropenem (MEPM) monotherapy. Hospitalized patients who received PIPC/TAZ, CFPM, or MEPM monotherapy between April 2021 and December 2022 were enrolled in this study. We used inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) to balance baseline characteristics and compare the incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI).

Wound irrigation and peritoneal lavage with antiseptic/antibiotic solution before wound closure during gastrointestinal surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Surgical site infections (SSIs) can affect mortality, morbidity, and medical costs. Although it has recently been reported that washing with antiseptic/antibiotic solution can prevent SSI in clean surgery, the clinical impact in gastrointestinal surgery is still uncertain. Therefore, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy of antiseptic/antibiotic solution during wound irrigation or peritoneal lavage in gastroenterological surgery.

Correlation between internal limiting membrane preservation and sub-epiretinal membrane space during epiretinal membrane surgery.

Purpose: Internal limiting membrane (ILM) is usually peeled simultaneously with epiretinal membrane (ERM), however, in eyes with glaucoma and ERM, ILM is preserved in order to prevent nerve fiber damage. The aim of this study was to evaluate if a new approach for ERM is effective to keep ILM during surgery.

Study Design: Retrospective consecutive case series.

Effects of Acute Phase Intensive Exercise Training in Patients With Acute Decompensated Heart Failure.

Background: Acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) leads to hospitalizations and functional decline in older adults. Although cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is effective for stable heart failure, its impact on ADHF patients, particularly those without frailty, is unclear.

Objectives: The goal of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of early in-hospital CR for patients hospitalized with ADHF who are not frail.

Personalized Dosing of Linezolid to Reduce the Risk of Thrombocytopenia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Linezolid-induced thrombocytopenia (LIT) occurs in a dose-dependent manner. There is no consensus regarding personalized dosing of linezolid in the real world. This study investigated the usefulness of personalized dosing for the potential mitigation of LIT compared with standard dosing.

Bioinformatic approach to explain how Mg from seawater may be incorporated into coral skeletons.

Corals have been used as geochemical proxies since the 1970s, playing a prominent role in paleoceanography. However, it has not been well elucidated how aqueous ions sourced from seawater are transported and precipitated in coral skeletons. There are limited foundational methods to differentiate and quantify biogenic and abiogenic effects during skeletal formation.

Effectively simplified Adriamycin-induced chronic kidney disease mouse model: Retro-orbital vein injection versus tail-vein injection.

This study aimed to investigate the impact of administration routes in establishing the Adriamycin (ADR)-induced chronic kidney disease (CKD) model. Using BALB/c mice, we compared the effects of conventional tail-vein injection (TV10, 10 mg/kg) to those of retro-orbital sinus (orbital vein) injection (OV10, 10 mg/kg; OV8, 8 mg/kg). The results indicated that the OV10 group exhibited CKD pathology similar to the TV10 group, with both groups demonstrating significantly higher urinary albumin/creatinine ratio (p < 0.

An interactive simulator to deepen the understanding of Guyton's venous return curve.

Mean circulatory filling pressure, venous return curve, and Guyton's graphical analysis are basic concepts in cardiovascular physiology. However, some medical students may not know how to view and interpret or understand them adequately. To deepen students' understanding of the graphical analysis, in place of having to perform live animal experiments, we developed an interactive cardiovascular simulator, as a self-learning tool, as a web application.

The eukaryotic elongation factor 2 kinase inhibitor, A484954, induces hypoglycaemic and hypotensive effects.

Background And Purpose: Eukaryotic elongation factor 2 kinase (eEF2K) belongs to the Ca/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase family. We previously revealed that A484954, a selective eEF2K inhibitor, caused hypotensive and diuretic effects via the production of nitric oxide (NO) in spontaneously hypertensive rats. Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rats are hypertensive because of obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Luciferase-based bioluminescence revealed the facilitated diffusion of D-luciferin mediated by SLC17A3.

SLC17A3 localized to the apical membrane of the renal proximal tubules has been implicated in the urinary excretion of drugs and endogenous/exogenous metabolites transported into the tubules by OAT1 and OAT3. Because SLC17A3 mediates the facilitated diffusion of organic anions, which requires a sensitive and rapid assay, no system has been established to evaluate its transport activity in mammalian cells. In this study, we demonstrated that the exposure of cells expressing click beetle luciferase (bLuc) and SLC17A3 to D-luciferin produces marked bioluminescence, which enables the evaluation of SLC17A3 function.

Comparative Study of Remimazolam and Midazolam During Sedated Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy: A Propensity Score Matching Analysis.

Aim: This study aimed to compare the use of remimazolam and midazolam in upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in Japan as a sub-analysis of data from an investigator-initiated clinical trial of remimazolam.

Methods And Results: Patients in two groups were matched using propensity score matching. We evaluated the time from the end of the gastrointestinal endoscopy until discharge, the time from the end of the procedure until awakening, and adverse events.

Impact of quality of life on overall work productivity impairment and activity impairment of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: the PEONY study.

Objectives: Even in a lupus low disease activity state (LLDAS), many patients with SLE continue to face residual symptoms and disease burden. We aimed to evaluate the quality of life, activity impairment and overall work productivity impairment among patients in LLDAS. Residual disease burden was also evaluated for patients in LLDAS.

Coronary Artery Calcification on Chest Computed Tomography as a Predictor of Cardiovascular Adverse Events in Patients With COVID-19 - A Multicenter Retrospective Study in Japan.

Background: Coronary artery calcification (CAC) detected through chest computed tomography (CT) strongly predicts cardiovascular events in asymptomatic individuals undergoing primary prevention. Few studies with limited sample sizes have investigated the predictive value of CAC for cardiovascular complications in COVID-19. This study examined the impact of CAC on cardiovascular complications using a large-scale COVID-19 database.

Association between adverse childhood experiences and menstruation-related symptoms among Japanese female workers: A cross-sectional study.

Backgrounds: Menstruation-related symptoms are a common and serious health problem even without a specific diagnosis such as premenstrual dysphoric mood disorder (PMDD) or dysmenorrhea. Various adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) might be associated with menstruation-related symptoms, not only traditional traumatic events such as abuse, but also expanded ACEs such as childhood poverty, school bullying, or natural disasters.

Objective: This study examined the association between expanded ACEs (ACEs for Japanese) and menstruation-related symptoms among Japanese working women.

Pharmacological depletion of pericytes induces diabetic retinopathy-like abnormal blood vessels in neonatal rat retina.

Diabetic retinopathy is a major ocular complication associated with diabetes mellitus. Pericyte loss is a hallmark of diabetic retinopathy. The platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-B-PDGF receptor-β (PDGFRβ) signaling pathway plays an important role in the proliferation and migration of pericytes.

Impact of psychotropic pro re nata prescription-monitoring programme on prescriptions for inpatients with psychiatric disorders: a retrospective observational study.

Background: Pro re nata (PRN) medication is used "as needed" for symptoms such as agitation and insomnia, in addition to regular daily pharmacotherapy of mental disorders. However, there is no high-quality evidence on the effectiveness of psychotropic PRN medications and concerns have been raised about their potential to contribute to polypharmacy. This study introduced a psychotropic PRN prescription-monitoring programme for psychiatric inpatients with the aim of examining the change before and after the implementation of the programme.

Usefulness and safety of remimazolam in upper gastrointestinal endoscopy: A comparative study between elderly and non-elderly patients.

Objectives: In gastroenterology, sedation demand is increasing, although elderly patients are more prone to experiencing adverse events. Remimazolam, a novel ultra-short-acting benzodiazepine, may reduce recovery time after endoscopic procedures.

Methods: This study was a secondary analysis of the investigator-initiated trial, which investigated the efficacy and safety of remimazolam in gastrointestinal endoscopy (REM-IICT JP01).

Analysis of lung cancer incidence, mortality trends, and smoking rates in Japan:1975-2022 with insights on the impact of COVID-19.

In Japan, high-quality cancer statistics are collected through cancer registries. However, these data are rarely summarized or reported in research articles. We compiled statistical data on lung cancer in Japan including the COVID-19 pandemic.