Transcriptome Analysis of Fibroblasts in Hypoxia-Induced Vascular Remodeling: Functional Roles of CD26/DPP4.

In hypoxic pulmonary hypertension (PH), pulmonary vascular remodeling is characterized by the emergence of activated adventitial fibroblasts, leading to medial smooth muscle hyperplasia. Previous studies have suggested that CD26/dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4) plays a crucial role in the pathobiological processes in lung diseases. However, its role in pulmonary fibroblasts in hypoxic PH remains unknown.

Alginate vs. Hyaluronic Acid as Carriers for Nucleus Pulposus Cells: A Study on Regenerative Outcomes in Disc Degeneration.

Intervertebral disc degeneration is a leading cause of chronic low back pain, affecting millions globally. Regenerative medicine, particularly cell-based therapies, presents a promising therapeutic strategy. This study evaluates the comparative efficacy of two biomaterials-hyaluronic acid (HA) and alginate-as carriers for nucleus pulposus (NP) cell transplantation in a beagle model of induced disc degeneration.

The Thermal-Stable LH1-RC Complex of a Hot Spring Purple Bacterium Powers Photosynthesis with Extremely Low-Energy Near-Infrared Light.

is a hot spring purple nonsulfur phototrophic bacterium that contains bacteriochlorophyll (BChl) . Here, we present a 2.21 Å cryo-EM structure of the thermostable light-harvesting 1-reaction center (LH1-RC) complex from .

2021 trends in the treatment of patients with strabismus in Japan.

Purpose: To clarify the actual status of strabismus surgery and botulinum toxin (BTX) therapy in Japan in the year 2021.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study.

Methods: We conducted a national survey of strabismus treatment in 2021 using a questionnaire consistent with a previous 2013 survey, incorporating additional questions about BTX therapy.

Analyzing the high frequency of false-positive carcinoembryonic antigen elevations in postoperative pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Purpose: The dynamics of postoperative carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) patients have not been well assessed. This study investigated the correlation between postoperative CEA elevations and tumor recurrence.

Methods: Medical records were retrospectively analyzed for 84 patients who received curative resection for PDAC from January 2019 to December 2020.

Comparative analysis of heart rate variability indices from ballistocardiogram and electrocardiogram: a study on measurement agreement.

Ballistocardiogram (BCG) captures minute vibrations generated by heart movements. These vibrations are converted into heart rate variability (HRV) indices, allowing their unobtrusive monitoring over extended periods, while reducing the burden on patients or subjects. In this study, to evaluate the agreement between the HRV indices, we compared the HRV indices estimated from the BCG device with those obtained from the gold standard electrocardiogram (ECG).

Efficacy and safety of switching therapy from chenodeoxycholic acid to cholic acid in Japanese patients with bile acid synthesis disorders.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of cholic acid (CA) treatment over 74 weeks in Japanese patients with inherited enzymatic bile acid synthesis disorders (BASD).

Methods: This phase 3, open-label, single-arm study enrolled four Japanese patients diagnosed with BASD, including two with 3β-hydroxy- -C-steroid dehydrogenase/isomerase (HSD3B7) deficiency and two with -3-oxosteroid 5β-reductase (SRD5B1) deficiency. The patients had received chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) treatment but were switched to CA treatment.

Splicing junction-based classifier for the detection of abnormal constitutive activation of the KEAP1-NRF2 system.

The KEAP1-NRF2 system plays a crucial role in responding to oxidative and electrophilic stress. Its dysregulation can cause the overexpression of downstream genes, a known cancer hallmark. Understanding and detecting abnormal KEAP1-NRF2 activity is essential for understanding disease mechanisms and identifying therapeutic targets.

Tensor ring rank determination using odd-dimensional unfolding.

While tensor ring (TR) decomposition methods have been extensively studied, the determination of TR-ranks remains a challenging problem, with existing methods being typically sensitive to the determination of the starting rank (i.e., the first rank to be optimized).

Evaluation of a Computer-Based Morphological Analysis Method for Free-Text Responses in the General Medicine In-Training Examination: Algorithm Validation Study.

Background: The General Medicine In-Training Examination (GM-ITE) tests clinical knowledge in a 2-year postgraduate residency program in Japan. In the academic year 2021, as a domain of medical safety, the GM-ITE included questions regarding the diagnosis from medical history and physical findings through video viewing and the skills in presenting a case. Examinees watched a video or audio recording of a patient examination and provided free-text responses.

Association between iron intake and excessive daytime sleepiness in the community-dwelling Japanese: the Toon Health Study.

Purpose: Brain iron deficiency is known to cause dopaminergic dysfunction in people with restless legs syndrome. Considering the role that dopamine plays in the wake-promoting system, we speculated that iron deficiency may contribute to the development of excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS). Therefore, we conducted the present study to examine the association between iron intake and EDS in the general population.

Optimizing the planning process in computed tomography-based image-guided adaptive brachytherapy for cervical cancer using a spreadsheet-based daily dose management system.

This study developed a system to reduce the treatment planning time for cervical cancer brachytherapy. An in-house Excel spreadsheet was developed to streamline dosimetric evaluation by combining external beam radiotherapy and brachytherapy doses, while also displaying daily dose constraints, a novel feature of the system. This system was validated in 46 consecutive patients who underwent intracavitary and interstitial brachytherapy using several applicators and required more complex dose calculation procedures than intracavitary brachytherapy alone.

Comprehensive review of mitochondrial nephropathy-a renal phenotype in mitochondrial disease: causative genes, clinical and pathological features, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment.

Mitochondrial nephropathy is a genetic renal disease characterized by oxidative phosphorylation abnormalities in the mitochondrial respiratory chain in kidney cells, caused by pathogenic gene variants located on mitochondrial or nuclear DNA. Recent advancements in genetic diagnostic techniques and their widespread adoption have led to the identification of various genes associated with mitochondrial nephropathy. This review investigates the causative genes and clinicopathological features of mitochondrial nephropathy, including the various phenotypes and associated complications, and suggests potential pathogenic mechanisms.

What is the clinical utility of acoustic and vibrational analyses in uncemented total hip arthroplasty?

Background: Despite recent developments in THA, a more objective method is needed to assist orthopedic surgeons in identifying the insertion endpoint of the broaching procedure. Therefore, this systematic review evaluated the in-vivo efficacy of various acoustic and vibration analyses in detecting proper implant seating, identifying intraoperative complications, and quantifying the accuracy of predictive modeling using acoustics.

Methods: Four electronic databases were searched on July 23rd, 2023, to retrieve articles evaluating the use of acoustic analysis during THA.

Obesity with low bone mineral density is a risk for cerebral small-vessel disease in older adults: The Bunkyo Health Study.

Background: Cerebral small-vessel disease (cSVD), a key risk factor for stroke and dementia, has been linked to obesity and low bone mineral density (BMD). While obesity and low BMD are often inversely related, their coexistence may increase cSVD risk. We aimed to assess the prevalence of obesity and low BMD coexistence and its association with increased cSVD prevalence.

Lower limb biomechanics and control of center of mass during turning phases in daily gait.

This study aims to elucidate the biomechanical characteristics of turning in daily life by analyzing the three-step process of approach, turn, and departure phases. The research involved ten healthy young individuals performing straight walking and 90° turns, categorized into Side-Step (SS) and Cross-Step (CS) turns. Using a 17-camera motion capture system and force plates, the study measured joint angles, moments, and center of mass (COM) variations.

Plasma uric acid levels and risk of dementia in a population-based cohort study.

Background: Given the opposing properties of uric acid (UA), which are intracellular prooxidant action and extracellular antioxidant action, the association of circulating UA levels with dementia remains controversial. We aimed to ascertain whether both lower and higher plasma UA levels are associated with the risk of incident dementia among middle-aged and older population.

Methods: 1685 participants (530 men and 1155 women) aged 40-69 years at baseline (1990-1993) were randomly selected for plasma UA measurement from base cohort participants who responded to the baseline questionnaire and provided blood samples.

Analysis of dopaminergic neuron-specific mitochondrial morphology and function using tyrosine hydroxylase reporter iPSC lines.

Changes in mitochondrial function and morphology contribute to the development of many neurological diseases. Parkinson's disease is one of the neurodegenerative diseases suspected to be associated with defects in mitochondrial function and quality control. The loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta is a well-known pathological feature of Parkinson's disease.

Anti-integrin αvβ6 antibody as a biomarker for diagnosing ulcerative colitis: a nationwide multicenter validation study.

Background: A serum biomarker for diagnosing ulcerative colitis (UC) remains to be established. Although we recently reported an anti-integrin αvβ6 antibody (V6 Ab) for diagnosing UC with high sensitivity and specificity, no large-scale validation study exists. This study aimed to validate the diagnostic value of V6 Ab for UC using a nationwide multicenter cohort study.