Ability of dynamic chest radiography to identify left ventricular systolic dysfunction in heart failure.

Dynamic chest radiography (DCR) can estimate haemodynamic parameters in heart failure (HF). However, no studies have evaluated its ability to determine cardiac systolic function in HF. This experimental study investigates the correlation between left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (LVEF) and DCR image parameters in HF.

Guidance on Energy Intake Based on Resting Energy Expenditure and Physical Activity: Effective for Reducing Body Weight in Patients with Obesity.

Objective: In treating obesity, energy intake control is essential to avoid exceeding energy expenditure. However, excessive restriction of energy intake often leads to resting energy expenditure (REE) reduction, increasing hunger and making weight loss difficult. This study aimed to investigate whether providing nutritional guidance that considers energy expenditure based on the regular evaluation of REE and physical activity could effectively reduce body weight (BW) in patients with obesity.

Factors secreted from the stem cells of human exfoliated deciduous teeth inhibit osteoclastogenesis through the activation of the endogenous antioxidant system.

Objectives: Systemic administration of conditioned medium (CM) from stem cells derived from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED-CM) in mouse models of rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, and osteoarthritis suppresses excessive osteoclast activity and restores bone integrity. However, the mechanism through which SHED-CM regulates osteoclastogenesis remains largely unknown. In the present study, we examined the anti-osteoclastogenic mechanism of SHED-CM in vitro.

Dapagliflozin increased pancreatic beta cell proliferation and insulinogenic index in mice fed a high-fat and high-sodium chloride diet.

People in Eastern Asia, including Japan, traditionally consume higher amounts of sodium chloride than in the United States and Western Europe, and it is common knowledge that impaired insulin secretion-rather than insulin resistance-is highly prevalent in Asian people who have diabetes mellitus. We previously reported that mice fed a high-fat and high-sodium chloride (HFHS) diet had a relatively lower degree of obesity than mice fed a high-fat diet, but had a comparatively impaired insulin secretion. Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors have been shown to dampen down the sympathetic nervous system, which reportedly is activated by a high-sodium chloride diet.

Insights and trends review: Use of extended reality (xR) in hand surgery.

Digital transformation through extended reality (xR)-comprising virtual, augmented, mixed, and substitutional reality-has become an integral part of the future of clinical and surgical practice. xR technologies facilitate advanced surgical planning, training, therapies and education, reshaping both personal and institutional healthcare. This paper examines the potential changes that xR has introduced into the field of hand surgery, exploring how xR enhances patient-centric care, increases medical service efficiency and revolutionizes surgical training, planning and therapeutic interventions.

The Gene Product STIL Is Essential for Dendritic Spine Formation.

Dendritic spine formation/maintenance is highly dependent on actin cytoskeletal dynamics, which is regulated by small GTPases Rac1 and Cdc42 through their downstream p21-activated kinase/LIM-kinase-I/cofilin pathway. ARHGEF7, also known as ß-PIX, is a guanine nucleotide exchange factor for Rac1 and Cdc42, thereby activating Rac1/Cdc42 and the downstream pathway, leading to the upregulation of spine formation/maintenance. We found that STIL, one of the primary microcephaly gene products, is associated with ARHGEF7 in dendritic spines and that knockdown of resulted in a significant reduction in dendritic spines in neurons both in vitro and in vivo.

efficacy and safety of systemically administered serinol nucleic acid-modified antisense oligonucleotides in mouse kidney.

Nucleic acid medicine encompassing antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) has garnered interest as a potential avenue for next-generation therapeutics. However, their therapeutic application has been constrained by challenges such as instability, off-target effects, delivery issues, and immunogenic responses. Furthermore, their practical utility in treating kidney diseases remains unrealized.

Genomics yields biological and phenotypic insights into bipolar disorder.

Bipolar disorder is a leading contributor to the global burden of disease. Despite high heritability (60-80%), the majority of the underlying genetic determinants remain unknown. We analysed data from participants of European, East Asian, African American and Latino ancestries (n = 158,036 cases with bipolar disorder, 2.

Viral Membrane-Targeting Amphipathic Helical Peptide-Based Fluorogenic Probes for the Analysis of Infectious Titers of Enveloped Viruses.

Enveloped viruses have caused the majority of epidemics and pandemics over the past decade. Direct sensing of virus particles (virions) holds great potential for the functional analysis of enveloped viruses. Here, we explore a series of viral membrane-targeting amphipathic helical (AH) peptide-based molecular probes for the assessment of infectious titers of the human coronavirus 229E virus (HCoV-229E).

Renal anemia and hyporesponsiveness to ESA for preservation of residual kidney function in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis.

Preservation of residual kidney function (RKF) is important in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD). We aimed to examine the association between anemia management and residual urine output using data from a nationwide survey of dialysis patients. After excluding patients with anuria at baseline from the Total cohort of 2,712, 659 of 1,640 patients developed anuria during a median follow-up of 2.

The unique structure of the highly conserved PPLP region in HIV-1 Vif is critical for the formation of APOBEC3 recognition interfaces.

The human cellular cytidine deaminases APOBEC3s (A3s) inhibit virion infectivity factor (Vif)-deficient HIV-1 replication. However, virus-encoded Vifs abolish this defense system by specifically recruiting A3s to an E3 ubiquitin ligase complex to induce their degradation. The highly conserved Vif PPLP motif is critical for the Vif-mediated antagonism of A3s and is believed to be important for Vif multimerization.

Second-generation antipsychotic-induced dystonia: Analysis using the Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report (JADER) database.

Aim: This study aimed to explore the comparative risks for dystonia among different second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs), the influence of sex, and the relationship between the time-to-onset of dystonia and its outcomes.

Methods: We analyzed data from the Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report database from April 2004 to November 2023. Cases involving oral SGAs, excluding clozapine, were extracted.

Real-time trajectory imaging of alpha particles emitted from actinium-225 and its daughter radionuclides.

In targeted alpha-particle therapy, actinium-225 (Ac-225) has emerged as a radionuclide of potential, driving extensive efforts to develop innovative radiopharmaceuticals. High-resolution imaging of alpha particles is required for precisely detecting alpha-emitting radionuclides in cellular environments and small organs. Here, we report real-time trajectory imaging of alpha particles emitted by Ac-225 and its daughter radionuclides, utilizing an alpha particle trajectory imaging system.

Association Between Persistent Maternal Depression among Japanese New Mothers and their Toddlers' Behaviors.

Objectives: To determine the association between mothers' persistent maternal depression and their toddlers' behavior.

Methods: Online surveys were conducted twice with mothers who gave birth to their first child between March and June 2020. The survey periods were November 2020 and May-June 2022.

Clinical features and pathological findings by liver biopsy in patients with immune-related sclerosing cholangitis induced by immune checkpoint inhibitors.

Background: Immune-related sclerosing cholangitis (irSC) induced by immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) is relatively rare, and its clinical and pathological features are not well known.

Aims: We aimed to compare the clinical course and pathological findings of irSC with those of non-irSC liver injury.

Methods: Clinical data were retrospectively collected from 2416 patients with advanced malignancies treated with ICIs between September 2014 and October 2023.

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.

Differences in health care expenditure due to the comorbidity status of periodontal disease and diabetes mellitus.

Background: To investigate the differences in health care expenditure (HCE) due to the comorbidity status of periodontal disease (PD) and diabetes mellitus (DM).

Methods: This cohort study used health care claims and oral health screening data to identify participants with PD or DM and followed them for 1 year to assess their HCE. PD and DM were determined based on PD screening and medical claims data, respectively.

Propagation of neuronal micronuclei regulates microglial characteristics.

Microglia-resident immune cells in the central nervous system-undergo morphological and functional changes in response to signals from the local environment and mature into various homeostatic states. However, niche signals underlying microglial differentiation and maturation remain unknown. Here, we show that neuronal micronuclei (MN) transfer to microglia, which is followed by changing microglial characteristics during the postnatal period.

Prenatal inflammation impairs early CD11c-positive microglia induction and delays myelination in neurodevelopmental disorders.

Histological chorioamnionitis (HCA) is a form of maternal immune activation (MIA) linked to an increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders in offspring. Our previous study identified neurodevelopmental impairments in an MIA mouse model mimicking HCA. Thus, this study investigated the role of CD11c microglia, key contributors to myelination through IGF-1 production, in this pathology.

Ion permeability profiles of renal paracellular channel-forming claudins.

Aim: Members of the claudin protein family are the major constituents of tight junction strands and determine the permeability properties of the paracellular pathway. In the kidney, each nephron segment expresses a distinct subset of claudins that form either barriers against paracellular solute transport or charge- and size-selective paracellular channels. It was the aim of the present study to determine and compare the permeation properties of these renal paracellular ion channel-forming claudins.

Post-transplant TKIs for Ph+ ALL: practices to date and clinical significance.

Post-transplant tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) show promise in preventing relapse after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) for Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph+ALL). However, their real-world use and efficacy remain unclear. A comprehensive study across seven centers included Ph+ALL patients who underwent allo-HCT between 2002 and 2022.

Population pharmacokinetic model of tranexamic acid in patients who undergo cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass.

Purpose: Tranexamic acid (TXA) is widely used as an antifibrinolytic drug. However, studies to determine the optimal blood concentration of TXA have produced inconsistent results. During cardiac surgery, cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) has serious effects on drug distribution, elimination, and plasma concentration.