The N-Terminal Fragment of Urine Titin Is Not a Product of Degradation by Calpain 3.

Introduction: A 20 kDa fragment at the N-terminus of titin is highly excreted in the urine of patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), making urine titin a prominent biomarker for muscle breakdown. This N-terminal fragment is presumed to be a product of degradation by a protein-degrading enzyme, calpain 3; however, whether calpain 3 is required remains unclear. We aimed to determine whether urine titin elevation occurs in the absence of calpain 3.

DEAD/H Box 5 (DDX5) Augments E2F1-Induced Cell Death Independent of the Tumor Suppressor p53.

In almost all cancers, the p53 pathway is disabled and cancer cells survive. Hence, it is crucially important to induce cell death independent of p53 in the treatment of cancers. The transcription factor E2F1 is controlled by binding of the tumor suppressor pRB, and induces apoptosis by activating the gene, an upstream activator of p53, when deregulated from pRB by loss of pRB function.

Effect of Diabetes on Outcomes in Patients With Incurable/Unresectable and Advanced/Recurrent Colorectal Cancer Receiving mFOLFOX6.

Background/aim: The high mortality rate associated with colon cancer in patients with diabetes is well-established; however, the underlying mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. Here, we investigated the efficacy of modified FOLFOX6 (mFOLFOX6) therapy, which is frequently used in colon cancer treatment, in patients with and without comorbid diabetes.

Patients And Methods: The participants in this retrospective cohort study received mFOLFOX6 therapy as a first-line treatment for incurable/ unresectable and advanced/recurrent colon cancer.

Genome-scale evolution in local populations of wild chimpanzees.

Analysis of genome-scale evolution has been difficult in large, endangered animals because opportunities to collect high-quality genetic samples are limited. There is a need for novel field-friendly, cost-effective genetic techniques. This study conducted an exome-wide analysis of a total of 42 chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) across six African regions, providing insights into population discrimination techniques.

Impact of electrical muscle stimulation-induced muscle contractions on endogenous pain modulatory system: a quantitative sensory testing evaluation.

Background: Exercise-induced hypoalgesia (EIH) is characterized by a reduction in pain perception and sensitivity across both exercising and non-exercising body parts during and after a single bout of exercise. EIH is mediated through central and peripheral mechanisms; however, the specific effect of muscle contraction alone on EIH remains unclear. Moreover, previous studies on electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) have primarily focused on local analgesic effects, often relying on subjective pain reports.

Japanese clinical practice guidelines for oral cancer, 2023.

The Japanese Society of Oral Oncology and Japanese Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons have jointly developed clinical practice guidelines for oral cancer (oral squamous cell carcinoma) to improve and standardize the quality of oral cancer treatment in Japan. The first, second, and third editions were published in 2009, 2013, and 2019, respectively, and the 2023 edition was recently developed. In the development of the 2023 edition, 60 clinical questions (CQs) were listed.

Cardiovascular toxicity risk assessment of tyrosine kinase inhibitors: a pharmacovigilance study using the VigiBase database.

Introduction: Advances in the early detection and treatment of cancer have significantly improved the prognosis of patients with cancer. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are effective targeted treatments for various malignancies that act by inhibiting kinase activity. Although these drugs share a common mechanism of action, they differ in their targeted kinases, pharmacokinetics, and side effects.

Protein corona formation on different-shaped CdSe/CdS semiconductor nanocrystals.

Nanoparticles (NPs) have been widely studied and applied in medical and pharmaceutical fields. When NPs enter the environment, they are covered with protein molecules to form the so-called "protein corona". Because NPs and proteins are comparable in size, the shape of NPs has a significant impact on NP-protein interactions.

Potential of boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) for myxofibrosarcoma.

Myxofibrosarcoma, a rare malignant tumor, predominantly affects the extremities of the elderly. Because of its invasive nature amputation is sometimes required, resulting in serious deterioration of quality of life. Therefore, cell lines established from amputated surgical specimens of myxofibrosarcoma in the upper limbs of elderly patients were used to create a myxofibrosarcoma-bearing animal model and to investigate the therapeutic effect of BNCT thereon.

Relationship between functional independence measure scores and timed up-and-go time in postoperative elderly patients with vertebral and hip fractures.

[Purpose] To analyze the correlation between the timed up-and-go time and functional independence measure total score in postoperative elderly patients with vertebral and hip fractures. [Participants and Methods] The total functional independence measure scores and timed up-and-go times of 87 Japanese patients aged ≥65 years with a history of vertebral or hip fracture surgery were analyzed. Patients were classified based on age (<85 or ≥85 years), sex (female or male), fracture type (vertebral or hip fracture), and postoperative period (early or late).

Factors Influencing Depressive Symptoms in the Post-COVID-19 Pandemic Period.

Background Mental health issues associated with the COVID-19 pandemic have been widely reported, with various influencing factors identified. However, factors affecting mental health in the post-pandemic period remain unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the factors influencing depressive symptoms during the COVID-19 post-pandemic period.

Seasonal variation in vascular dehydration risk: insights from the Kobe Orthopedic and Biomedical Epidemiologic (KOBE) study.

Background: Dehydration, a risk factor for ischemic cerebrovascular diseases, is common in summer; however, the incidence of ischemic diseases is not necessarily higher in summer. Therefore, this study aimed to clarify the relationships between serum osmolarity, hematocrit, daily non-alcohol drink (NAD) intake and factors such as season and age as risk factors for dehydration.

Method: Participants (703 women and 306 men) in the follow-up survey, in 2012 and 2013, of the Kobe Orthopedic and Biomedical Epidemiologic (KOBE) Study, consisting of healthy individuals living in Kobe, Japan, were categorized into two groups based on the examination month: the warmer and colder seasons.

[Development of a Virtual Reality Training Tool Promoted at Skill Acquisition in Preparatory Clinical Education for Pharmacy Students and Verification of Its Educational Effectiveness: Preparation of Liquid Medications].

In recent years, virtual reality (VR) technology has garnered attention as an educational tool. It is believed to be beneficial to utilize VR technology for the acquisition of pharmacist skills. Therefore, we developed a VR training tool aimed at acquiring skills in the preparation of pharmaceuticals in preparatory clinical education for pharmacy students.

Ovalbumin-induced food allergy suppression via regulatory T cell expansion mediated by a TNFR2 agonist in mice.

Food allergies represent a growing health concern worldwide, characterized by abnormal immune responses to specific dietary antigens. This condition is often associated with a dysregulation of immune tolerance, especially within the intestinal mucosa. Regulatory T cells (Tregs), a crucial subset of lymphocytes, play a central role in maintaining peripheral immune tolerance and are abundant in the intestinal lamina propria.

Clinical and Genetic Profiles of 5q- and Non-5q-Spinal Muscular Atrophy Diseases in Pediatric Patients.

Background: Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a genetic disease characterized by loss of motor neurons in the spinal cord and lower brainstem. The term "SMA" usually refers to the most common form, 5q-SMA, which is caused by biallelic mutations in (located on chromosome 5q13). However, long before the discovery of , it was known that other forms of SMA existed.

Increased Red Cell Superoxide Dismutase Activity Is Associated with Cancer Risk: A Hidaka Cohort Study.

Unlabelled: Superoxide dismutase (SOD) catalyzes the highly reactive superoxide anion to form hydrogen peroxide, which facilitates cell proliferation and death. We investigated whether red cell SOD (R-SOD) activity is associated with an increased risk of cancer in a Japanese general population. We prospectively analyzed data from 1,921 participants (800 men and 1,121 women; age, 58.

Facilitating positive emotions in people with challenges by combining conventional occupational training and a novel farming program: a feasibility study.

Objective: Japan has a system of occupational therapy programs known as self-reliance training (training for daily living), which helps people with various disabilities lead more meaningful lives. Recently, it has been shown that green care farms are beneficial for dementia care and that agricultural and horticultural work has a positive impact on people with intellectual disabilities and mental disorders. This study examined the health-improving effects of farm activities and developed an attractive program for adolescents with developmental and intellectual disabilities who use independent training facilities.