Post-marketing surveillance data for avelumab + axitinib treatment in patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma in Japan: Subgroup analyses by pathological classification.

Objective: Clinical trials have demonstrated the efficacy and safety of avelumab + axitinib in patients with advanced clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). However, information is limited regarding the activity of avelumab + axitinib in patients with non-clear cell RCC (nccRCC). In Japan, post-marketing surveillance (PMS) of patients with RCC receiving avelumab + axitinib treatment in general clinical practice was undertaken.

Relationship between the ratio of increase in lean tissue to body weight gain and energy required to gain body weight in growing rats.

Although the energy stored in the lean tissue (LT) and adipose tissue (AT) is well known, the energy required to synthesize these tissues is obscure. Theoretically, the energy at the point at which ΔLT/Δ body weight (BW) reaches 100% on a regression line, which indicates the relationship between ΔLT/ΔBW and the energy required for BW gain, is considered to be the energy expended to synthesize LT. Therefore, we investigated this relationship in rats.

Evaluation of Race-Neutral Glomerular Filtration Rate Estimating Equations in an Indian Population.

Introduction: Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) estimation equations have not been extensively validated in the Indian population. Preliminary data showed that the widely used creatinine-based Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) 2009 significantly overestimated GFR in Indians. Newer estimated GFR (eGFR) equations based on creatinine and cystatin C, omitting the race, have been recently proposed.

A case report of pre-implantation feasibility test for combining leadless pacemaker and subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator in adult congenital heart disease.

Unlabelled: New cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs), such as leadless pacemakers and subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillators (S-ICDs), are being used in patients with adult congenital heart disease. The selection of CIEDs often requires careful consideration due to technical challenges posed by a unique heart structure. A 27-year-old man following a surgical tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) repair developed non-sustained ventricular tachycardia, sick sinus syndrome, and complete atrioventricular block.

Structural variant allelic heterogeneity in MECP2 duplication syndrome provides insight into clinical severity and variability of disease expression.

Background: MECP2 Duplication Syndrome, also known as X-linked intellectual developmental disorder Lubs type (MRXSL; MIM: 300260), is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by copy number gains spanning MECP2. Despite varying genomic rearrangement structures, including duplications and triplications, and a wide range of duplication sizes, no clear correlation exists between DNA rearrangement and clinical features. We had previously demonstrated that up to 38% of MRXSL families are characterized by complex genomic rearrangements (CGRs) of intermediate complexity (2 ≤ copy number variant breakpoints < 5), yet the impact of these genomic structures on regulation of gene expression and phenotypic manifestations have not been investigated.

Association between choroid plexus volume and cognitive function in community-dwelling older adults without dementia: a population-based cross-sectional analysis.

Background: An increase in choroid plexus (CP) volume may be associated with cognitive decline in older individuals without dementia. In this study, we aimed to clarify whether CP volume can serve as an imaging marker of cognitive decline, determine how strongly CP volume is associated with cognitive decline, and explore factors associated with CP volume in older adults.

Methods: We measured CP volume, brain parenchyma, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) spaces associated with disproportionately enlarged subarachnoid space hydrocephalus (DESH), an imaging feature of normal-pressure hydrocephalus, in community-dwelling older adults aged ≥ 65 years without dementia.

A benchmark for computational analysis of animal behavior, using animal-borne tags.

Background: Animal-borne sensors ('bio-loggers') can record a suite of kinematic and environmental data, which are used to elucidate animal ecophysiology and improve conservation efforts. Machine learning techniques are used for interpreting the large amounts of data recorded by bio-loggers, but there exists no common framework for comparing the different machine learning techniques in this domain. This makes it difficult to, for example, identify patterns in what works well for machine learning-based analysis of bio-logger data.

Unlocking academic achievement of nursing master's students: ethical leadership, teacher-student relationship and growth mindset - a cross-sectional survey study.

Background: Academic achievement is a critical indicator of teaching quality. There has been limited exploration into the mechanisms underlying academic achievements among nursing master's students. This study investigated the relationship between ethical leadership and academic achievements, focusing on how the teacher-student relationship and growth mindset mediate this relationship.

Fungal infection-related conditions and outcomes in severe COVID-19: a nationwide case-control study.

Background: Fungal infections are significant complications of severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Although various risk factors for poor outcomes in patients with COVID-19 have been identified, clinical and treatment factors associated with fungal infections in patients with severe COVID-19 remain unclear. This study aimed to elucidate clinical factors associated with fungal infections during severe COVID-19 treatment.

Clinical outcomes of modified left ventricular assist device driveline management.

Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are implanted in patients with heart failure to support cardiac circulation. However, no standardized methods have been established for LVAD driveline exit site management for the prevention of infections. Therefore, this study evaluated the efficacy of modified driveline management compared with that of conventional driveline management.

Optimizing prone CT use for suspected interstitial lung abnormalities.

Objectives: We investigated whether supine chest CT alone suffices for diagnosing ILAs, thereby reducing the need for prone chest CT.

Materials And Methods: Patients who underwent prone chest CT for suspected ILAs from January 2021 to July 2023, with matching supine CT within 1 year, were retrospectively evaluated. Five multinational thoracic radiologists independently rated ILA suspicion and fibrosis scores (1 to 5-point) and ILA extent (1-100%) using supine CT first, then combined supine-prone CT after a 1-month washout.

A sensitive ERK fluorescent probe reveals the significance of minimal EGF-induced transcription.

Extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) regulates multiple cellular functions through distinct activation patterns. Genetically encoded fluorescent probes are instrumental in dissecting the ERK activity dynamics in living cells. Here we modified a previously reported Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) probe for ERK, EKAREN5 by replacing its mTurquoise2 and YPet sequences with mTurquoise-GL and a synonymous codon variant of YPet, respectively.

A novel mouse model of upper tract urothelial carcinoma highlights the impact of dietary intervention on gut microbiota and carcinogenesis prevention despite carcinogen exposure.

Animal models of N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxy butyl) nitrosamine (BBN)-induced urothelial carcinoma (UC), particularly bladder cancer (BC), have long been established. However, the rare incidence of BBN-induced upper urinary tract UC (UTUC), which originates from the same urothelium as BC, remains elusive. The scarcity of animal models of UTUC has made it challenging to study the biology of UTUC.

Randomized controlled phase III study comparing chemotherapy alone versus conversion surgery after a remarkable response to chemotherapy in patients with initially unresectable cStage IVB or pStage IV gastric cancer (JCOG2301, Conversion study).

The standard approach for stage IV gastric cancer is palliative chemotherapy. However, despite the advancements in various chemotherapy regimens, the prognosis remains poor, highlighting the urgent need to develop more effective treatment strategies. The controversy persists regarding the integration of a local therapy including surgery in the management of unresectable stage IV gastric cancer.

Low-inflammatory lipid nanoparticle-based mRNA vaccine elicits protective immunity against H5N1 influenza virus with reduced adverse reactions.

Messenger RNA vaccines based on lipid nanoparticles (mRNA-LNPs) are promising vaccine modalities. However, mRNA-LNP vaccines frequently cause adverse reactions such as swelling and fever in humans, partly due to the inflammatory nature of LNP. Modification of the ionizable lipids used in LNPs is one approach to avoid these adverse reactions.

Power spectral density imaging for polymeric films using ex-situ solid-state magnetic resonance with needlelike ferromagnet.

An ex-situ solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) method employing localized magnetic field gradients generated by a needlelike ferromagnet is described. The depth profiling of a multilayer polymeric film using the proposed method and spin density imaging is successfully acquired. The imaging of the variable-frequency spinlattice relaxation rate in the depth direction reveals differences in the spectral density function for molecular dynamics between the surface and interior of the film.

Foxo3-mediated physiological cell competition ensures robust tissue patterning throughout vertebrate development.

Unfit cells with defective signalling or gene expression are eliminated through competition with neighbouring cells. However, physiological roles and mechanisms of cell competition in vertebrates remain unclear. In addition, universal mechanisms regulating diverse cell competition are unknown.

Lipid mediator palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) inhibits pathogenic T cell differentiation in vitro and in vivo.

Lipid mediator, palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) has recently attracted attention as a potential therapeutic option for various inflammatory autoimmune diseases. It has been reported that PEA exerts an inhibitory effect on inflammation triggered by PRRs, particularly Toll-like receptors expressed on myeloid antigen-presenting cells. However, the precise role of PEA in T cell development and function has not yet been elucidated.

Structural Evolution of Retinal Chromophore in Early Intermediates of Inward and Outward Proton-Pumping Rhodopsins.

Proton-pumping rhodopsins, which consist of seven transmembrane helices and have a retinal chromophore bound to a lysine side chain through a Schiff base linkage, offer valuable insights for developing unidirectional ion transporters. Despite identical overall structures and membrane topologies of outward and inward proton-pumping rhodopsins, these proteins transport protons in opposing directions, suggesting a rational mechanism that enables protons to move in different directions within similar protein structures. In the present study, we clarified the chromophore structures in early intermediates of inward and outward proton-pumping rhodopsins.

U-73122, a phospholipase C inhibitor, impairs lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus virion infectivity.

Lassa virus (LASV) is an Old World (OW) mammarenavirus that causes Lassa fever, a life-threatening acute febrile disease endemic in West Africa. Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) is a worldwide-distributed, prototypic OW mammarenavirus of clinical significance that has been largely neglected as a human pathogen. No licensed OW mammarenavirus vaccines are available, and the current therapeutic option is limited to the off-label use of ribavirin, which offers only partial efficacy.

Emission enhancement in a luminescent polychlorinated diphenylpyridylmethyl radical through coordination to silver(I).

A luminescent silver(I) complex containing a luminescent radical ligand was prepared for the first time. Coordination to Ag enhanced and red-shifted the radical-centered emission. This study demonstrates similar effects in the luminescence of the radical by complexation with group 11 d-metal ions.

Elementary Exciton Processes of InP/ZnS Quantum Dots Under Applied Pressure.

In colloidal quantum dots (QDs), excitons are confined within nanoscale dimensions, and the relaxation of hot electrons occurs through Auger cooling. The behavior of hot electrons is evident under ambient pressure. Nanocrystal characteristics, including their size, are key to determining hot electron behavior because they serve as the stage.