A brief report of the status of self-medication with over-the-counter drugs: a pilot cross-sectional survey.

Objective: The extent of perceived knowledge and usage status regarding over-the-counter (OTC) drugs among Japanese citizens remains unclear. This study aims to assess OTC drug use through a pilot cross-sectional survey.

Results: Conducted on April 30, 2023, at the Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, the survey garnered 180 valid responses.

Impact of Weak Vibration Generated by a Refrigerator on Protein Aggregation.

Protein aggregates and particles in biopharmaceuticals can induce adverse immune responses in patients. Thus, suppression of the formation of protein aggregates and particles is important for the successful development of therapeutic proteins. Mechanical stresses, including agitation, are widely recognized as stress factors that generate protein aggregates and particles.

Utility and clinical significance of endoscopic ultrasound-guided tissue acquisition for diagnosing lymphadenopathies in biliary tract cancer.

Lymph node sampling with endoscopic ultrasound fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) may affect treatment options for biliary tract cancers. Our aim is to clarify its utility and clinical significance and the factors associated with FNA cytology positivity. Seventy-one consecutive patients with biliary tract cancer who underwent EUS-FNA to diagnose lymphadenopathies from April 2012 to July 2021 were enrolled retrospectively.

Capacitance enhancement by ion-laminated borophene-like layered materials.

Atomically flat two-dimensional networks of boron are attracting attention as post-graphene materials. An introduction of cations between the boron atomic layers can exhibit unique electronic functions that are not achieved by neutral graphene or its derivatives. In the present study, we propose a synthesis strategy for ion-laminated boron layered materials in a solution phase, which enables the preparation of analogs by changing the alkali-metal species.

Biosynthetic characterization of bacillibactin in thermophilic Bacillaceae and its potential for in vitro mutational synthesis.

Bacillibactin (BB) is a microbial siderophore produced by Bacillus species. BB is biosynthesized from 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid (2,3-DHB), Gly, and L-Thr by nonribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS) enzymes DhbE, DhbB, and DhbF. The biosynthetic gene cluster (dhb) is also conserved in some strains of thermophilic genera, Geobacillus, Anoxybacillus and Parageobacillus.

Growth inhibition by ppc deletion is rescued by isocitrate dehydrogenase mutations in Escherichia coli.

Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase encoded by ppc catalyzes the anaplerotic reaction of oxaloacetate in the TCA cycle in Escherichia coli. Deletion of ppc does not prevent the cells from replenishing oxaloacetate via the glyoxylate shunt, but the ppc-deletion strain almost did not grow on glucose. In the present study, we obtained evolved strains by deleting both ppc and mutS to increase the mutation rate and investigated the mechanisms for improving growth by analyzing the mutated genes.

Erector Spinae Muscle to Epicardial Visceral Fat Ratio on Chest CT Predicts the Severity of Coronavirus Disease 2019.

Background: Chest computed tomography (CT) is a valuable tool for diagnosing and predicting the severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and assessing extrapulmonary organs. Reduced muscle mass and visceral fat accumulation are important features of a body composition phenotype in which obesity and muscle loss coexist, but their relationship with COVID-19 outcomes remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to investigate the association between the erector spinae muscle (ESM) to epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) ratio (ESM/EAT) on chest CT and disease severity in patients with COVID-19.

Relationship Between p.R4810K and Echocardiographic Findings in Patients with Cerebrovascular Diseases: A Multicenter Prospective Cohort Study.

Background: RING finger protein 213 () p.R4810K is an established risk factor for moyamoya disease and intracranial artery stenosis in East Asian people. Recent evidence suggests its potential association with extracranial cardiovascular diseases, including pulmonary hypertension.

Nationwide multi-centric prospective study for the identification of biomarkers to predict the treatment responses of nivolumab through comprehensive analyses of pretreatment plasma exosome mRNAs from head and neck cancer patients (BIONEXT study).

Background: Nivolumab paved a new way in the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic (RM) head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (RM-HNSCC). However, the limited rates of long-term survivors (< 20%) demand a robust prognostic biomarker. This nationwide multi-centric prospective study aimed to identify a plasma exosome (PEX) mRNA signature, which serves as a companion diagnostic of nivolumab and provides a biological clue to develop effective therapies for a majority of non-survivors.

Locked Lateral Patellar Dislocation Reduced by Arthroscopic Procedure: A Case Report.

Most cases of patellar dislocation can be reduced spontaneously or manually without sedation. To date, only one case of arthroscopic reduction for a lateral locked patellar dislocation has been reported, with a short follow-up period. Herein, we report the case of a 22-year-old man with a lateral locked patellar dislocation for whom we performed arthroscopic reduction and repair of the medial structure, which stabilized the patella medially.

Empowering Communication in Medicine: A Workshop Approach to Improve Presentation Skills for Ear, Nose, and Throat Specialists.

Introduction Effective communication is crucial for healthcare professionals, impacting patient care and interdisciplinary collaboration. However, medical education often lacks structured training in communication and presentation techniques. Herein, we evaluate the efficacy of structured workshops aimed at enhancing presentation skills among ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctors through training in visual material design and concise verbal communication, including elevator pitches.

Factors influencing the delivery of automated external defibrillators by lay rescuers to the scene of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in schools.

Aim: Timely use of automated external defibrillators by lay rescuers significantly improves the chances of survival in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest cases. We aimed to identify the factors influencing whether lay rescuers bring automated external defibrillators to the scene of nontraumatic out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in schoolchildren in Japan.

Methods: Data on out-of-hospital cardiac arrests among schoolchildren from April 2008 to December 2021 were obtained from the database of the Stop and Prevent cardIac aRrest, Injury, and Trauma in Schools study.

Intratumor heterogeneity of HPV integration in HPV-associated head and neck cancer.

Integration of human papillomavirus (HPV) into the host genome drives HPV-positive head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HPV HNSCC). Whole-genome sequencing of 51 tumors revealed intratumor heterogeneity of HPV integration, with 44% of breakpoints subclonal, and a biased distribution of integration breakpoints across the HPV genome. Four HPV physical states were identified, with at least 49% of tumors progressing without integration.

Regimen Selection for Chemoimmunotherapy in Nonsquamous Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer with Low PD-L1 Expression: A Multicenter Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background: Although chemoimmunotherapy is recommended for advanced nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with low programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression, no head-to-head comparisons of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have been performed. Therefore, we compared the effect and safety of regimens in these patients to guide evidence-based treatment.

Methods: This retrospective study included patients with advanced nonsquamous NSCLC with a PD-L1 tumor proportion score of 1% to 49% administered ICI combination platinum-based chemotherapy between May 2018 and May 2023 at 19 institutions in Japan.

Assessment of Risk of Acidosis in Patients with Mild-to-Moderate Chronic Kidney Disease Treated with Intravenous Branched-Chain Amino Acid-Enriched Solution: A Propensity Score Matching Analysis.

Intravenous administration of branched-chain amino acid (BCAA)-enriched solution is contraindicated in patients with severe chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, there have been no reports on its risks in patients with mild-to-moderate CKD. In this study, we compared the incidence of acidosis between patients with mild-to-moderate CKD (estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] ≥30 and <60 mL/min/1.

Surgical and Long-term Outcomes of Combined Organ Resection for Esophageal Cancer Invading Adjacent Organs: Experience of 90 Consecutive Cases.

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of and long-term survival with combined organ resection for esophageal cancer (EC).

Background: The optimal treatment strategy for EC that is invading adjacent organs is not established.

Methods: Ninety patients with EC invading adjacent organs who underwent combined organ resection after induction treatments during 2003-2023 in our institute were eligible for the study.

Ethiodized Oil Pickering Emulsion for Sustained Release of Anti-PD-L1 Antibodies.

Purpose: This research aimed to develop and assess a Lipiodol Pickering emulsion containing anti-Programmed cell Death Ligand 1 (PD-L1) antibodies through in vitro experiments.

Materials And Methods: The emulsion was created by combining Lipiodol with poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles and anti-PD-L1 antibodies. Confocal laser microscopy was used to evaluate the encapsulation of the antibodies within the Pickering emulsion.

Comparison of Vessel Responses Following Combined Sirolimus-Eluting and Endothelial Progenitor Cell Stent and Ultra-Thin Sirolimus-Eluting Stent Implantation by Serial Optical Coherence Tomography and Coronary Angioscopy: A Multicenter Observational Study.

A dual-therapy sirolimus-eluting and CD34+ antibody-coated Combo Stent (DTS) has been developed to enhance endothelization and capture endothelial progenitor cells; however, vessel responses following DTS implantation remain unclear. Therefore, we evaluated early- and mid-term intravascular characteristics of DTS using intravascular imaging modalities. This multicenter, prospective, observational study enrolled 88 patients (95 lesions) who underwent DTS (43 patients, 48 lesions) or sirolimus-eluting Orsiro stent (SES, 45 patients, 47 lesions) implantation.

Exploring Nile Red Staining as an Analytical Tool for Surface-Oxidized Microplastics.

Microplastics (MPs), defined as plastic particles smaller than 5 mm, have garnered considerable attention owing to their potential biological impact on human health. These particles exhibit a range of physicochemical properties, including size, shape, and surface oxidation. Nile Red is a prominent tool for detecting microplastics, enabling staining for dynamic analyses within biological systems.

Intracellular dark endothelial spots detected using specular microscopy are associated with graft failure after Descemet's membrane endothelial keratoplasty.

Purpose: To investigate the correlation between intracellular dark endothelial spots (IDESs) detected by specular microscopy and the incidence of graft failure after Descemet's membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK).

Methods: We reviewed 100 consecutive DMEK patients performed by a single surgeon at two centres between January 2015 and July 2022. Central corneal thickness was evaluated using anterior segment optical coherence tomography (SS-1000; Tomey, Aichi, Japan), and endothelial cell density was measured using specular microscopy.

Molecular Origami: Designing Functional Molecules of the Future.

In the field of chemical biology, DNA origami has been actively researched. This technique, which involves folding DNA strands like origami to assemble them into desired shapes, has made it possible to create complex nanometer-sized structures, marking a major breakthrough in nanotechnology. On the other hand, controlling the folding mechanisms and folded structures of proteins or shorter peptides has been challenging.

Novel Variants and Clinical Features of Hearing Loss in a Large Japanese Cohort.

Background/objectives: The gene is responsible for autosomal recessive non-syndromic sensorineural hearing loss and is assigned as DFNB18B. To date, 44 causative variants have been reported to cause non-syndromic hearing loss. However, the detailed clinical features for -associated hearing loss remain unclear.

Detection and Characterization of Circulating Tumor Cells in Colorectal Cancer Patients via Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition Markers.

Liquid biopsy methods have gained prominence as minimally invasive tools to improve cancer treatment outcomes. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) offer valuable insights into both primary and metastatic lesions. However, validating the CTC test results requires confirmation that the detected cells originate from cancer tissue.