Titin fragment is a sensitive biomarker in Duchenne muscular dystrophy model mice carrying full-length human dystrophin gene on human artificial chromosome.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an X-linked recessive disorder caused by mutations of the dystrophin gene, which spans 2.4 Mb on the X chromosome. Creatine kinase (CK) activity in blood and titin fragment levels in urine have been identified as biomarkers in DMD to monitor disease progression and evaluate therapeutic intervention.

The N-Terminal Fragment of Urine Titin Is Not a Product of Degradation by Calpain 3.

Introduction: A 20 kDa fragment at the N-terminus of titin is highly excreted in the urine of patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), making urine titin a prominent biomarker for muscle breakdown. This N-terminal fragment is presumed to be a product of degradation by a protein-degrading enzyme, calpain 3; however, whether calpain 3 is required remains unclear. We aimed to determine whether urine titin elevation occurs in the absence of calpain 3.

Urinary titin reflects the severity of walking ability, muscle strength, and muscle and cardiac damage in patients with Becker muscular dystrophy.

Background: Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD) is a dystrophinopathy caused by a pathological variant of the DMD gene. Urinary titin, a degradation product of the giant protein titin present in muscle sarcomeres, has been used as a biomarker to reflect muscle degradation in Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a more severe dystrophinopathy. However, the clinical significance of urinary titin levels in BMD remains unclear.

Accuracy of deep learning-based attenuation correction in Tc-GSA SPECT/CT hepatic imaging.

Introduction: Attenuation correction (AC) is necessary for accurate assessment of radioactive distribution in single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). The method of computed tomography-based AC (CTAC) is widely used because of its accuracy. However, patients are exposed to radiation during CT examination.

Fluvastatin suppresses hemin-induced cell death, reactive oxygen species generation, and elevated labile iron pool.

Background: In transfusion-related iron overload, macrophage/reticuloendothelial cells are the first site of haem-derived iron accumulation. The prevention of haem-induced cytotoxicity in macrophages may represent a target for iron overload treatment. Deferasirox, an oral iron chelator, has been used to treat transfusion-related iron overload however, low adherence to the therapy is an issue.

Helpfulness of effective atomic number image in forensic dental identification: Photon-counting computed tomography is suitable.

The identities of unidentified persons are often confirmed by matching dental treatment information. Although treatment restorations consisting of artificial materials can be confirmed visually and/or by X-ray photography, they should be quantitatively analyzed. This study demonstrates that effective atomic number (Z) images can be created using photon-counting computed tomography (PC-CT) and used to identify artificial materials employed in dentistry.

Barriers and facilitators to implement Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) in Japan: a qualitative study protocol using Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR).

Introduction: Assertive Community Treatment (ACT), which was developed in the 1970s in the USA, is a programme that supports people with severe mental illness living in the community through a multidisciplinary team, individual care and outreach approach. It is widely known that ACT effectively decreases hospital stays and improves Global Assessment of Functioning scores. In Japan, empirical studies on ACT were conducted in the late 2000s.

Urinary titin as an early biomarker of skeletal muscle proteolysis and atrophy in various catabolic conditions.

Skeletal muscle atrophy impairs quality of life and increases the risk of disease, but current methods for assessment of muscle mass have several limitations. We here investigated the urinary concentration of a fragment of the muscle protein titin as a potential biomarker for the early detection of skeletal muscle atrophy. Four mouse models with different atrophy pathways were studied: those of cardiotoxin-induced acute muscle injury, cast-induced muscle immobilization, lipopolysaccharide-induced sepsis, and streptozotocin-induced diabetes.

The Association of Walking Ability with Oral Function and Masticatory Behaviors in Community-Dwelling Older People: A Cross-Sectional Study.

: An association between oral function and physical fitness, including walking capacity, has been reported. However, the association between masticatory behaviors and walking ability-both of which represent patterns of movement in daily life-has not been clarified. This study aimed to investigate the association between masticatory behaviors, oral function, and walking capacity in older people.

Visualization of X-ray fields, overlaps, and over-beaming on surface of the head in spiral computed tomography using computer-aided design-based X-ray beam modeling.

To visualize the X-ray fields, overlaps, and over-beaming on the skin surface during spiral head CT scanning. The measured pitch factors were determined by measuring 3 rotation times, 11 table-feed speeds, and an X-ray beam width. The X-ray fields, overlaps, and over-beaming on the skin surface were calculated via computer-aided design-based X-ray beam modeling, and the values obtained using the nominal pitch and measured pitch factors were compared.

Learning Outcomes of Nursing Students' Experience With Cadaveric Dissection: A Scoping Review.

Introduction: Cadaver dissection in anatomy, a cornerstone of medical school education, has been replaced by digital technologies. This study aimed to determine the learning outcomes nursing students could achieve through cadaveric dissection practice (CDP).

Methods: This scoping review was carried out using the checklist outlined in the Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis Extension for Scoping Reviews through August 2023.

Tissue distribution of renadirsen sodium, a dystrophin exon-skipping antisense oligonucleotide, in heart and diaphragm after subcutaneous administration to cynomolgus monkeys.

The pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of renadirsen sodium, a dystrophin exon-skipping phosphorothioate-modified antisense oligonucleotide with 2'-,4'--ethylene-bridged nucleic acid (ENA), after subcutaneous or intravenous administration to cynomolgus monkeys were investigated. The plasma concentration of renadirsen after subcutaneous administration at 1, 3, and 10 mg/kg increased with the dose. The absolute bioavailability at 3 mg/kg after subcutaneous administration was calculated as 88.

Effect of single-photon emission computed tomography acquisition method and sampling angles on image quality and quantitative accuracy in xSPECT-reconstructed images.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) acquisition method and sampling angles on the qualitative and quantitative interpretations of xSPECT-reconstructed images.

Methods: The spatial resolution was evaluated using a JSP phantom, and the uniformity and quantitative accuracy were verified with a NEMA IEC Body Phantom using an SIEMENS Symbia Intevo SPECT/computed tomography system. SPECT was performed using three acquisition methods (step-and-shoot, continuous, and acquire during the step), and the sampling angles were set to 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6°.

Influence of night shift work on circadian heart-rate rhythm in nurses: using a Holter electrocardiogram that can be continuously measured for two weeks.

The influence of night shift work on circadian heart-rate rhythm was examined in nurses engaged in shift work using a Holter electrocardiogram, continuously measured for two weeks, and cosine periodic regression analysis. We enrolled 11 nurses who were engaged in a two-shift system. The R value in the cosine regression curve of heart-rate rhythm (concordance rate), indicating the concordance rate between the actual heart rate over 24 h and the cosine regression curve approximated by the least-squares procedure, was significantly lower in the night shift (0.

Genetic Rare Variants Affecting Multiple Pathways in Japanese Patients with Palindromic Rheumatism.

Palindromic rheumatism (PR) is a type of cryptogenic paroxysmal arthritis. Several genes may be involved in PR pathogenesis; however, conducting comprehensive case-control genetic studies for PR poses challenges owing to its rarity as a disease. Moreover, case-control studies may overlook rare variants that occur infrequently but play a significant role in pathogenesis.

Longitudinal data of serum creatine kinase levels and motor, pulmonary, and cardiac functions in 337 patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Introduction/aims: Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) presents with skeletal muscle weakness, followed by cardiorespiratory involvement. The need for longitudinal data regarding DMD that could serve as a control for determining treatment efficacy in clinical trials has increased notably. The present study examined the longitudinal data of Japanese DMD patients collectively and assessed individual patients with pathogenic variants eligible for exon-skipping therapy.

Basic characteristics of Vision badge and its performance as an eye lens dosimeter for endoscopists.

Vision badge is an eye lens dosimeter to measure(3). This study aimed to evaluate the basic characteristics of the Vision badge and its performance as an eye lens dosimeter for endoscopists by phantom study. Energy dependence was evaluated by changing the tube voltage to 50 kV (effective energy of 27.

Successful skipping of abnormal pseudoexon by antisense oligonucleotides in vitro for a patient with beta-propeller protein-associated neurodegeneration.

Pathogenic variants in WDR45 on chromosome Xp11 cause neurodegenerative disorder beta-propeller protein-associated neurodegeneration (BPAN). Currently, there is no effective therapy for BPAN. Here we report a 17-year-old female patient with BPAN and show that antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) was effective in vitro.

Effect of radioprotective curtain length on the scattered dose rate distribution and endoscopist eye lens dose with an over-couch fluoroscopy system.

Sufficient dose reduction may not be achieved if radioprotective curtains are folded. This study aimed to evaluate the scattered dose rate distribution and physician eye lens dose at different curtain lengths. Using an over-couch fluoroscopy system, dH*(10)/dt was measured using a survey meter 150 cm from the floor at 29 positions in the examination room when the curtain lengths were 0% (no curtain), 50%, 75%, and 100%.

Patients' perceptions of patient-centered communication with healthcare providers and associated factors in Japan - The INFORM Study 2020.

Objective: To describe patients' perceptions of the patient-centeredness of their communication with healthcare providers in Japan, and to examine factors associated with these perceptions.

Methods: We analyzed the cross-sectional data from the INFORM Study 2020, which is a nationwide survey on health information access in Japan. A total of 3605 respondents completed the survey.

Metagenome and Resistome Analysis of Beta-Lactam-Resistant Bacteria Isolated from River Waters in Surabaya, Indonesia.

Antimicrobial agents are administered to humans and livestock, and bacterial antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and antimicrobial agents are released into the environment. In this study, to investigate the trend of AMR in humans, livestock, and the environment, we performed a metagenomic analysis of multidrug-resistant bacteria with CHROMagar ESBL in environmental river water samples, which were collected using syringe filter units from waters near hospitals, downtown areas, residential areas, and water treatment plants in Surabaya, Indonesia. Our results showed that , , , , , and grew in CHROMagar ESBL; they were most frequently detected in water samples from rivers surrounding hospitals contaminated with various AMR genes (ARGs) in high levels.

Associations of Individual Characteristics and Socioeconomic Status With Heated Tobacco Product Harmfulness Perceptions in Japan: A Nationwide Cross-sectional Study (INFORM Study 2020).

Background: In Japan, heated tobacco products (HTPs) are promoted by the tobacco industry as reduced-risk tobacco products despite the lack of evidence for this claim. This study determined the distribution of HTP-harmfulness perception and identified the explanatory factors associated with the perception of HTP as less harmful than conventional cigarettes.

Methods: A nationwide cross-sectional survey was conducted with Japanese people aged 20 years or older (INFORM Study 2020) using a self-administered questionnaire.