What is the attributing electrocardiographic phenomenon underlying a concomitant 2:1 and Wenckebach atrio-ventricular block?

We herein describe the case of a spontaneously observed bidirectional block (both entrance and exit block) at the sino-atrial junction. This bidirectional block at the sino-atrial junction associated with the failure of conduction to the ventricle revealed the Wenckebach periodicity of the atrio-ventricular conduction.

Olive polyphenols attenuate TNF-α-stimulated M-CSF and IL-6 synthesis in osteoblasts: Suppression of Akt and p44/p42 MAP kinase signaling pathways.

Background: Olive oil polyphenols, which possess cytoprotective activities like anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, could modulate osteoblast functions. The aim of this study is to elucidate the effects and the underlying mechanisms of hydroxytyrosol and oleuropein on the tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)-induced macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) synthesis in osteoblasts.

Methods: Osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells were pretreated with hydroxytyrosol, oleuropein, deguelin, PD98059 or wedelolactone, and then stimulated by TNF-α.

Attenuation by HSP90 inhibitors of EGF-elicited migration of osteoblasts: involvement of p44/p42 MAP kinase.

Background: We have demonstrated that epidermal growth factor (EGF)-induced migration of osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells is mediated through p44/p42 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase, p38 MAP kinase, stress-activated protein kinase/ c- N-terminal kinase (SAPK/JNK), and Akt.The molecular chaperone heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) is abundantly expressed in osteoblasts. However, the role of HSP90 in osteoblast migration remains obscure.

Compensatory Pelvic Retro-Rotation Associated with a Decreased Quality of Life in Patients with Normal Sagittal Balance.

Study Design: Cross-sectional observational study.

Purpose: To examine whether pelvic rotation as a compensatory mechanism for sagittal imbalance is related to quality of life (QOL).

Overview Of Literature: Poor sagittal alignment is associated with compensatory pelvic retroversion and decreased QOL.

Computational approach to understand temporal and spatial tactile transmission processes from mechanical stimuli of the index fingertip to the primary somatosensory cortex.

Mechanisms of information transmission using tactile sense are one of major concerns in producing simulated experience in virtual or augmented reality as well as in compensating elderly or impaired people with diminished tactile sensory function. However, important mechanism of the difference of peak latency in the primary somatosensory cortex (SI) between electrical and mechanical stimulations of finger skin is not fully understood. We propose a computational approach to fuse a computational model to simulate temporal and spatial transmission processes from mechanical stimuli to the SI and experimental method using a magnetoencephalograph (MEG).

Efficacy and Safety of Nivolumab and Ipilimumab for Advanced or Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma: A Multicenter Retrospective Cohort Study.

We conducted a multicenter, retrospective study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of combination nivolumab plus ipilimumab (NIVO+IPI) in 35 patients with advanced or metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). In this study, we focused on patients who received NIVO+IPI and were stratified into intermediate- or poor-risk disease according to the International Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Database Consortium model at five institutions in Japan. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS).

Acetaminophen reduces osteoprotegerin synthesis stimulated by PGE and PGF in osteoblasts: attenuation of SAPK/JNK but not p38 MAPK or p44/p42 MAPK.

Acetaminophen is one of the most widely used analgesic and antipyretic medicines, whose long-period use has reportedly been associated with an increased risk of bone fracture. However, the mechanism underlying this undesired effect remains to be investigated. The homeostatic control of bone tissue depends on the interaction between osteoblasts and osteoclasts.

Emergence and evolution of antimicrobial resistance genes and mutations in Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

Background: Antimicrobial resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae is a global health concern. Strains from two internationally circulating sequence types, ST-7363 and ST-1901, have acquired resistance to third-generation cephalosporins, mainly due to mosaic penA alleles. These two STs were first detected in Japan; however, the timeline, mechanism, and process of emergence and spread of these mosaic penA alleles to other countries remain unknown.

Clinical usefulness of cell-free and concentrated ascites reinfusion therapy (CART) in combination with chemotherapy for malignant ascites: a post-marketing surveillance study.

Background: Cell-free and concentrated ascites reinfusion therapy (CART) has been suggested to be able to treat malignant ascites more safely and effectively with chemotherapy because of its ability to retain serum protein and albumin. Although the characteristics of cancer types and CART and the clinical implications of combination therapy with antitumor agents are becoming widespread, there are limited reports on its efficacy and complications.

Methods: In this prospective observational national post-marketing study, 128 patients with malignancies received 300 CART sessions at 22 centers.

[An Evaluation of Radiation Dose for Wide Volume Scan during Chest CT].

Purpose: A volume scan can cover a range of 160 mm with a single gantry rotation. It can be performed sequentially (a wide volume [WV] scan) to cover more than 160 mm, and volume Xact+ (Xact+) can be used when volume scan is done to extend the reconstruction area. The purpose of this study was to investigate the dose distribution and organ doses for a WV scan during chest CT.

Duloxetine suppresses BMP-4-induced release of osteoprotegerin via inhibition of the SMAD signaling pathway in osteoblasts.

Duloxetine, a selective serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, is currently recommended for the treatment of chronic painful disorders such as fibromyalgia, chronic musculoskeletal pain, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy. We previously demonstrated that bone morphogenetic protein-4 (BMP-4) stimulates osteoprotegerin (OPG) production in osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells, and that p70 S6 kinase positively regulates OPG synthesis. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of duloxetine on BMP-4-stimulated OPG synthesis in these cells.

[Not Available].

Introduction: Plasma membranes are not the homogeneous bilayers of uniformly distributed lipids but the lipid complex with laterally separated lipid raft membrane domains, which provide receptor, ion channel and enzyme proteins with a platform. The aim of this article is to review the mechanistic interaction of drugs with membrane lipid rafts and address the question whether drugs induce physicochemical changes in raft-constituting and raft-surrounding membranes.

Methods: Literature searches of PubMed/MEDLINE and Google Scholar databases from 2000 to 2020 were conducted to include articles published in English in internationally recognized journals.

Efficacy of Low-Pressure Inflation of Oversized Drug-Coated Balloon for Coronary Artery Disease.

Objectives: This study sought to assess the efficacy of oversized drug-coated balloon (DCB) inflation at low pressure for the prevention of acute dissections and late restenosis.

Background: The major limitation of DCB coronary angioplasty is the occurrence of severe dissection after inflation of DCB.

Methods: Between 2014 and 2018, 273 consecutive patients were retrospectively studied.

Acute diffuse thickening like 'halo' of the coronary tunica adventitia after rotational atherectomy.

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text.

Effect of fascial Manipulation® on reaction time.

Introduction: This study aimed to investigate the effects of fascial manipulation (FM) on muscle force and electrical activity.

Methods: Sixty healthy adult participants were randomly assigned to the FM intervention group (FM group; n = 20), static stretching intervention group (SS group; n = 20), and control group (C group; n = 20). The FM group underwent FM for the right brachial fascia (antecubitus) for 210 s.

Mutation Type and a Genetic Risk Score Associate Variably With Brugada Syndrome Phenotype in Families.

Background: Brugada syndrome (BrS) is characterized by the type 1 Brugada ECG pattern. Pathogenic rare variants in (mutations) are identified in 20% of BrS families in whom incomplete penetrance and genotype-negative phenotype-positive individuals are observed. E1784K- is the most common mutation identified.

The utility of laparoscopic partial nephrectomy with renal function preservation, regardless of warm ischemia time, compared with laparoscopic radical nephrectomy.

Introduction: This study aimed to evaluate the chronologic changes in renal function after laparoscopic partial (LPN) or radical nephrectomy (LRN) in patients with clinical T1 renal cell carcinoma.

Methods: In this retrospective study, patients with clinical stage T1 renal cell carcinoma who underwent LPN or LRN were divided into three groups, namely, LPN-A group including LPN patients with WIT ≤25 minutes, LPN-B group including LPN patients with WIT >25 minutes, and LRN group. Perioperative complications that occurred within 30 days after surgery were retrieved.

Reverse radiodorsal artery-pedicled thumb metacarpal vascularized bone graft for osteochondral fracture of the thumb interphalangeal joint with a bone defect: A case report.

Osteochondral fractures of the fingers are challenging to treat, and it is mandatory to acquire early bone union and joint surface reconstruction to obtain satisfactory outcomes. These injuries sometimes occur as open fractures with poor soft tissue condition and bone defect adjacent to osteochondral fragment. For such cases, surgical treatment can be more difficult, and vascularized bone graft (VBG) could be a useful method for joint reconstruction.

Heat shock protein 70 positively regulates transforming growth factor-α-induced hepatocellular carcinoma cell migration via the AKT signaling pathway.

Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are induced in response to extracellular stress and manage the quality of proteins as molecular chaperones. HSP70, a highly conserved HSP, has been reported to correlate with the proliferation and migration of human cancer cells, such as oral, prostate, lung and liver cancer. Regarding hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the HSP70 levels in the tumor tissues from patients are significantly higher than those in the normal liver tissues.

Duloxetine strengthens osteoblast activation by prostaglandin E: Upregulation of p38 MAP kinase.

Duloxetine, a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, is currently recommended as a useful medicine to chronic pain including low back pain. However, as the analogy of classical selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, there is a concern to deteriorate osteoporosis with remaining to clarify the exact mechanism of duloxetine in bone metabolism. We have previously reported that prostaglandin E (PGE) induces the synthesis of both osteoprotegerin (OPG) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), essential regulators of bone metabolism, in osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells.