Effectiveness of 4-dimensional maximum intensity projection (4D-MIP) for respiratory motion management with uncertain interobserver delineation.

This study was conducted to evaluate the use of 4-dimensional (4D) maximum intensity projection (4D-MIP) to compensate for the disadvantages of average intensity projection (AIP), which is used to determine the internal target volume (ITV) in lung tumors. A respiratory motion phantom with a simulated tumor was imaged using 4D computed tomography (4D-CT). AIP and 4D-MIP were generated based on 10 phases of 4D-CT, followed by contouring of the ITV and ITV; these were compared with the ITV contoured in 10 phases of 4D-CT (ITV).

Oak Wilt Disease May Reduce the Initial Decay Rate of Dead Quercus serrata Stems by Altering Fungal Communities in the Wood.

Oak wilt causes severe dieback of Quercus serrata, a dominant tree species in the lowlands across Japan. This study evaluated the effects of oak wilt on the wood-inhabiting fungal community and the decay rate of deadwood using a field monitoring experiment. We analysed the fungal metabarcoding community from 1200 wood samples obtained from 120 experimental logs from three forest sites at five different time points during the initial 1.

Transcriptional regulation of human follicular dendritic cell-secreted protein gene by interleukin-6.

Follicular dendritic cell-secreted protein (FDC-SP) is produced by follicular dendritic cells, periodontal ligament and junctional epithelium (JE). JE exists immediately apical to the bottom of the pocket and binds enamel with hemidesmosomes to protect the periodontium from bacterial infection. To analyze the transcriptional regulation of the FDC-SP gene by interleukin-6 (IL-6), we performed real-time PCR, Western blotting, immunofluorescence, luciferase (LUC) assays, gel mobility shift and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays using Ca9-22 and Sa3 gingival epithelial cells.

Evaluation of the effect of cell freshness on pyrogen detection using a serum-free monocyte-activation test.

Pyrogens cause shock symptoms when released into the bloodstream. They are classified into two main categories: endotoxins (lipopolysaccharides [LPS]) and non-endotoxin pyrogens. The monocyte activation test (MAT) is an in vitro assay to detect pyrogens in human monocytes.

Direct Inhibitory Effect of HTLV-1-Infected T Cells on the Production of Anti-Ro/SS-A Antibody by B Cells from Patients with Sjögren's Syndrome.

The reasons for the low frequency of anti-Ro/SS-A antibody in patients with HTLV-1-associated myelopathy complicated with Sjögren's syndrome (SS) are unclear. In this study, we investigated whether HTLV-1-infected T cells can act directly on B cells and suppress B cells' production of antibodies, including anti-Ro/SS-A antibody. For this purpose, we established an in vitro T-cell-free B-cell antibody production system.

Hidden population turnover of small odontocetes in the northwestern North Pacific during the Holocene.

Despite numerous studies on the rise and fall of terrestrial megafauna in the late Quaternary, knowledge about marine megafauna from this period remains limited. In this study, we performed radiocarbon dating and partial mitochondrial DNA sequencing from the skeletal remains of three species of small odontocetes (Pacific white-sided dolphins, Dall's porpoises and harbour porpoises) excavated from prehistoric archaeological sites around the Japanese shore dating back to 8500-1000 years ago (ya). Pacific white-sided dolphins that habituated the eastern coast of Hokkaido around 2000 ya belonged to different maternal groups than those from over 5000 ya and today.

L-arginine in patients with spinocerebellar ataxia type 6: a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 2 trial.

Background: Therapeutic advancements for the polyglutamine diseases, particularly spinocerebellar degeneration, are eagerly awaited. We evaluated the safety, tolerability, and therapeutic effects of L-arginine, which inhibits the conformational change and aggregation of polyglutamine proteins, in patients with spinocerebellar ataxia type 6 (SCA6).

Methods: A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 2 trial (clinical trial ID: AJA030-002, registration number: jRCT2031200135) was performed on 40 genetically confirmed SCA6 patients enrolled between September 1, 2020, and September 30, 2021.

Short-term outcomes of robot-assisted versus conventional minimally invasive esophagectomy: A propensity score-matched study via a nationwide database.

Background: The advantages of robot-assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy (RA-MIE) over conventional minimally invasive esophagectomy (C-MIE) are unknown. This nationwide large-scale study aimed to compare surgical outcomes between RA-MIE and C-MIE using rigorous propensity score methods, including detailed covariates and relevant outcomes.

Methods: This Japanese nationwide retrospective cohort study included RA-MIE or C-MIE for esophageal malignant tumors performed between October 2018 and December 2019 and registered in the Japanese National Clinical Database.

H and B Blood Antigens Are Essential for In Vitro Replication of GII.2 Human Norovirus.

Background: Human norovirus (HuNoV) is a major cause of enteric infectious gastroenteritis and is classified into several genotypes based on its capsid protein amino acid sequence and nucleotide sequence of the polymerase gene. Among these, GII.4 is the major genotype worldwide.

[Cardiotoxicity risk assessment of anticancer drugs by focusing on mitochondrial quality of human iPS cell-derived cardiomyocytes].

Currently, a variety of anticancer agents are used in the treatment of cancer. Since anticancer agents are used continuously over a long time, they carry the risk of side effects. One of the major side effects is cardiac dysfunction.

[Deep brain imaging by using GRIN lens].

Elucidating the neural mechanisms governing changes in individual animal behavior is a key goal in neuroscience. Such research has important implications for behavioral pharmacology and could lead to the development of treatments for psychiatric and neurological disorders. Given that the brain likely represents vast amounts of information through the combined activity of multiple neurons, studying these mechanisms requires the simultaneous recording of many neurons.

[Aceneuraminic acid for distal myopathy].

Distal myopathy with rimmed vacuoles (GNE myopathy) is an incurable disease that develops after the late teens, progresses slowly, and has no effective treatment. It is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner, and the number of patients in Japan is estimated to be around 400. The causative gene was revealed to be GNE, the rate-limiting enzyme in the sialic acid biosynthesis pathway, and non-clinical studies demonstrated the effectiveness of sialic acid.

[Clinical efficacy of sublingual immunotherapy for allergic rhinitis].

The prevalence of allergic rhinitis (AR) reached 49.2% in 2019. In particular, the prevalence of Japanese cedar (JC) pollinosis is 38.

[The potential of BCL6B as a therapeutic target for chorioretinal vascular lesions].

The ocular tissue is one of the most densely populated tissues in the body with extremely small blood vessels, and vascular lesions have been reported to be a factor in vision loss and visual field defects in many ocular diseases. Currently, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-targeted agents are the first line of treatment for intraocular vascular lesions, however, there are some cases in which they are not fully effective. Therefore, we explored pathogenic molecules other than VEGF, aiming to develop new molecular-targeted therapy.

[Past history of obesity and immune memory in age-related macular degeneration].

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the most common neuroinflammatory diseases that is the leading cause of blindness worldwide. AMD is caused by not only mutations in immune-related genes such as Cfh (complement factor H) but also the accumulation of environmental factors such as obesity and other inflammatory triggers with age. Our study found that the past histories of obesity can lead to immunological reprogramming in the innate immune system and affect the development of AMD in later life.

[Drug discovery using iPS cells and in silico model].

Human induced pluripotent stem cells derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) can recapitulate the properties of human cardiomyocyte and exhibit disease phenotypes in vitro, attributable to their healthy- or patient-specific genetic backgrounds. Therefore, hiPSC-CMs are a crucial tool for developing therapeutic agents for cardiovascular diseases, and regenerative medicine using hiPSC-CMs is expected to be an alternative therapy to heart transplantation. Moreover, the development of organoid models has been advanced to replicate the complex structure of heart tissue in vitro, thereby effectively facilitating drug discovery.

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.

Influence of false lumen status on systemic inflammatory response triggered by acute aortic dissection.

We investigated the influence of false lumen (FL) status on the systemic inflammatory response triggered by acute aortic dissection (AAD) using cytokine profiling. The study included 44 patients with AAD. Patients were divided between those with a thrombosed FL (Group T, n = 21) and those with a non-thrombosed FL (Group P, n = 23).

Differential effects of structurally different lysophosphatidylethanolamine species on proliferation and differentiation in pre-osteoblast MC3T3-E1 cells.

Lysophosphatidylethanolamine (LPE) is a bioactive lipid mediator involved in diverse cellular functions. In this study, we investigated the effects of three LPE species, 1-palmitoyl LPE (16:0 LPE), 1-stearoyl LPE (18:0 LPE), and 1-oleoyl LPE (18:1 LPE) on pre-osteoblast MC3T3-E1 cells. All LPE species stimulated cell proliferation and activated the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2.

A Rare Case of Early Left Ventricular Thrombus Development After Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting for Unstable Angina Pectoris With Reduced Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction.

Left ventricular (LV) thrombus is a serious complication of myocardial infarction (MI) that can lead to a fetal systemic embolism. Although coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) after MI is widely performed, to our knowledge, there are no reports of LV thrombus in the early postoperative period. Here, we report a rare case of a 70-year-old man who underwent off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) for unstable angina pectoris with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF).

Anamorelin and Conduction Defects: A Literature Review and Analysis of the Japanese Pharmacovigilance Database.

Background/aim: Cancer cachexia is characterized by weight loss with a specific decrease in skeletal muscle and adipose tissue. In Japan, anamorelin, which has a novel mechanism of action, was approved in 2021 for the treatment of cancer cachexia. However, little information is available on its safety in routine clinical care, in particular the occurrence of conduction defects as adverse reactions.

Hederagenin Glycoside Isolated from the Pericarps of Fruits Induces Apoptotic Cell Death in Breast Cancer Cells.

Background/aim: Hederagenin (3β,4α-3,23-dihydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid) is a natural pentacyclic triterpene that is present in various medicinal plants and exhibits pharmacological activities against various diseases, including cancer. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of Aq3639 (3β-[(O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-α-L-arabinopyranosyl)oxy]olean-12-en-28-oic acid), a hederagenin glycoside comprising hederagenin and a disaccharide of L-rhamnose and L-arabinose, on breast cancer cells.

Materials And Methods: Aq3639 was isolated from the pericarps of Akebia quinata fruits, and its effects on cells from the human breast cell line MCF-7 were examined.

Phase 3 Study of Talazoparib Plus Enzalutamide Versus Placebo Plus Enzalutamide as First-Line Treatment in Patients With Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer: TALAPRO-2 Japanese Subgroup Analysis.

Background: In TALAPRO-2, the poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitor talazoparib plus the androgen receptor-signaling inhibitor enzalutamide improved radiographic progression-free survival (rPFS) versus placebo plus enzalutamide (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.63; 95% CI, 0.51-0.

Mirogabalin as a Therapeutic Option for Neuropathic Pain Emerging Postendodontic Treatment: An Observational Study.

Introduction: We have recently reported the clinical efficacy of mirogabalin for occlusal pain due to post-traumatic trigeminal neuropathic pain (PTTN-occlusal pain) after endodontic treatment according to the International Classification of Orofacial Pain criteria. This study aimed to determine the mirogabalin administration period and timing of dose reduction and suspension for treating this condition based on managing a certain number of cases.

Methods: Patients diagnosed with PTTN-occlusal pain after or during endodontic treatment were included in the study.