Systemic administration of induced pluripotent stem cell-derived mesenchymal stem cells improves cardiac function through extracellular vesicle-mediated tissue repair in a rat model of ischemic cardiomyopathy.

Introduction: Systemic administration of induced pluripotent stem cell-derived mesenchymal stem cells (iPS-MSCs) has a therapeutic effect on myocardial ischemia. However, the therapeutic mechanism underlying systemic iPS-MSC-based therapy for ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) remains unclear. We investigated the therapeutic effects of iPS-MSCs through extracellular vesicle (EV)-mediated tissue repair in a rat model of ICM.

MicroRNA-3145 as a potential therapeutic target for hepatitis B virus: inhibition of viral replication via downregulation of HBS and HBX.

Current treatments for hepatitis B virus (HBV), such as interferons and nucleic acid analogs, have limitations due to side effects like depression and the development of drug-resistant mutants, highlighting the need for new therapeutic approaches. In this study, we identified microRNA-3145 (miR-3145) as a host-derived miRNA with antiviral activity that is upregulated in primary hepatocytes during HBV infection. The expression of its precursor, pri-miR-3145, increased in response to the the virus infection, and miR-3145 downregulated the hepatitis B virus S (HBS) antigen and hepatitis B virus X (HBX), thereby inhibiting viral replication.

PI3K/mTOR dual inhibitor GSK458 and arsenic trioxide exert synergistic anti-tumor effects against ovarian clear cell carcinoma.

Ovarian clear cell carcinoma (OCCC), particularly advanced or recurrent settings, is generally resistant to platinum-based chemotherapy, warranting novel therapeutic strategies. Mutations in the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B/mechanistic target of rapamycin kinase (PI3K/AKT/mTOR) pathway are frequently reported in OCCC. Therefore, we hypothesized that the PI3K/mTOR dual inhibitor, GSK458, and arsenic trioxide may exert synergistic anti-tumor effects on OCCC.

Safety and Outcomes of Intravenous Thrombolysis in Acute Ischemic Stroke with Intracranial Artery Dissection.

background: : Intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) related to underlying intracranial artery dissection (IAD) poses potential risks, including the exacerbation of intramural hematoma and the rupture of the dissected arterial wall. However, the safety of IVT in this specific population remains uncertain.

aims:: This study aimed to assess whether IAD is associated with an increased risk of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) following IVT and to evaluate its impact on functional outcomes.

Increased Non-Relapse Mortality in Older People With Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Using Fludarabine and Myeloablative Dose of Busulfan-Based Regimen.

Fludarabine and myeloablative busulfan (FluBu4) in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) for older people have not been adequately examined. This retrospective study analyzed data from a large-scale, nationwide database in Japan. Adult patients (> 15 years old, y/o) who received their first HSCT with FluBu4 for hematological malignancies were included.

The structure and function of the ghrelin receptor coding for drug actions.

Drugs targeting the ghrelin receptor hold therapeutic potential in anorexia, obesity and diabetes. However, developing effective drugs is challenging. To tackle this common issue across a broad drug target, this study aims to understand how anamorelin, the only approved drug targeting the ghrelin receptor, operates compared to other synthetic drugs.

Relationship between growth differentiation factor 15 and functional prognosis and severity in traumatic brain injury.

Circulating growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15) increases in response to inflammation and tissue damage. Its association with functional prognosis in cerebral infarction and subarachnoid hemorrhage is established; however, its role in traumatic brain injury (TBI) and its relationship with Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score, an indicator of systemic organ damage in TBI, remains unclear. This study aimed to explore the correlation between GDF-15 and functional outcomes at discharge in patients with TBI and stroke, including its association with SOFA scores in TBI.

Invasion of pancreatic ductal epithelial cells by Enterococcus faecalis is mediated by fibronectin and enterococcal fibronectin-binding protein A.

The poor prognosis of pancreatic cancer is often attributed to difficulties of early detection due to a lack of appropriate risk factors. Previously, we demonstrated the presence of Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) in pancreatic juice and tissues obtained from patients with cancers of the duodeno-pancreato-biliary region, suggesting the possible involvement of this bacterial species in chronic and malignant pancreatic diseases.

Role and prognostic value of growth differentiation factor 15 in patient of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: insights from the PURSUIT-HFpEF registry.

Background: Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) is a cytokine responding to oxidative stress and inflammation, and it regulates appetite and energy balance. The association between GDF15 and clinical factors and its prognostic value in elderly multimorbid patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) have not been well unknown.

Methods: This exploratory analysis is part of the Prospective mUlticenteR obServational stUdy of patIenTs with Heart Failure with preserved Ejection Fraction study (N=1231), an ongoing, prospective, multicentre observational study of acute decompensated HFpEF (UMIN000021831).

Predictive value of enhanced corneal biomechanical parameters for ectasia progression.

Purpose: To determine whether corneal biomechanical parameters can predict ectasia progression.

Study Design: Retrospective observational study.

Methods: The baseline corneal biomechanical parameters of 64 eyes of 41 young patients (age, < 25 years at the first visit) who were diagnosed with keratoconus (KC) or suspected KC at Osaka University Hospital and followed up for more than two years were reviewed.

Postoperative outcomes of biopsy versus debulking surgery for immunoglobulin G4-related ophthalmic disease: a retrospective comparative study.

Purpose: To compare the postoperative outcomes of corticosteroid therapy following biopsy with those following debulking surgery in patients with immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4)-related ophthalmic disease (IgG4-ROD).

Study Design: Retrospective comparative study.

Methods: Fifteen patients diagnosed with IgG4-ROD (5 unilateral, 10 bilateral) were retrospectively analyzed.

Long-Term Bioprosthetic Valve Durability After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement With Supra-Annular Self-Expanding Versus Intra-Annular Balloon-Expandable Valves in Patients With a Small Aortic Annulus.

Background: The long-term valve durability of supra-annular self-expanding valves (SEV) and intra-annular balloon-expandable valves (BEV) in patients with small aortic annuli remains unexplored.

Aims: This study aimed to determine the long-term bioprosthetic valve durability with SEV versus BEV in patients with small aortic annuli.

Methods: This retrospective study included patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) and an aortic annulus area of 430 mm or less who underwent transcatheter aortic valve replacement using SEV and BEV between October 2009 and December 2022.

Clinical patterns of vitiligo in Japan: A descriptive study using the JMDC claims database.

Vitiligo is a chronic autoimmune disorder that profoundly impacts patients' quality of life. Real-world data on vitiligo in Japan are limited. This descriptive, cross-sectional study used a claims database to evaluate vitiligo prevalence, patient demographics, treatments, and comorbidities in Japanese patients with vitiligo.

Parental intentions and requests to provide pain care for their infants in neonatal intensive care units.

Purpose: The Japan Association of Neonatal Nursing evaluated the pain care provided by parents to their infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). However, further collaborations with families based on family-centered care are necessary to clarify the parental intentions and requests regarding pain care for their infants. This study aimed to describe the experiences and content of nonpharmacological pain care provided by parents to their infants, the intentions and requests of parents regarding each type of recommended pain care (irrespective of whether they had provided pain care at the NICU), and the reasons for their hesitation to implement specific pain management methods.

Imeglimin, unlike metformin, does not perturb differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cells towards pancreatic β-like cells and rather enhances gain in β cell identity gene sets.

Aims/introduction: Metformin treatment for hyperglycemia in pregnancy (HIP) beneficially improves maternal glucose metabolism and reduces perinatal complications. However, metformin could impede pancreatic β cell development via impaired mitochondrial function. A new anti-diabetes drug imeglimin, developed based on metformin, improves mitochondrial function.

Computed tomography Hounsfield unit values as a treatment response indicator for spinal metastatic lesions in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer: a retrospective study in Japan.

Study Design: A retrospective study.

Purpose: This study aimed to determine the impact of increased Hounsfield unit (HU) values for metastatic spinal lesions measured via computed tomography on the overall survival of patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and identify factors associated with increased HU values in metastatic spinal lesions.

Overview Of Literature: Previous studies have underscored the utility of the HU as a marker of treatment response in metastatic bone lesions.

An At-labeled alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone peptide analog for targeted alpha therapy of metastatic melanoma.

Purpose: Patients who develop metastatic melanoma have a very poor prognosis, and new treatments are needed to improve the response rates. Melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) is a promising target for radionuclide therapy of metastatic melanoma, and alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH) peptide analogs show high affinities to MC1Rs. Because targeted alpha therapy (TAT) can be a desirable treatment for metastatic melanoma, this study aimed to develop an At-labeled α-MSH peptide analog for TAT of metastatic melanoma.

Neurotropin® alleviates nerve damage in a mouse chronic nerve compression model.

Chronic nerve compression disorders, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, are common and can significantly impair daily activities due to motor and sensory dysfunctions. Currently, no systemic pharmacotherapy exists for preventing or treating disease progression. This study aims to investigate whether Neurotropin®, an established analgesic, has therapeutic effects.

Effect of antidepressants and social defeat stress on the activity of dorsal raphe serotonin neurons in free-moving animals.

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is among the most common mental disorders worldwide and is characterized by dysregulated reward processing associated with anhedonia. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the first-line treatment for MDD; however, their onset of action is delayed. Recent reports have shown that serotonin neurons in the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) are activated by rewards and play a vital role in reward processing.

Does Respiratory Sinus Arrhythmia Increase Nocturnal Blood Pressure?

By ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM), nocturnal blood pressure (BP) may increase before heart rate (HR), but the details are unknown.Among 102 participants who underwent ABPM, > 90% on hypertension treatment, the averaged BP (HR) data were examined for the time at which the BP (HR) increased significantly above the mean midnight BP (HR) between 3:00 AM - 9:00 AM in all patients and in subgroups divided by clinical variables. Participants were also divided according to the respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) index, which is the ratio of the longest and shortest RR intervals obtained under normal breathing, and the effects of RSA on the nocturnal hemodynamics were examined.

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.