Syphilis-related Membranous Nephropathy in a 35-year-old Woman.

A 35-year-old woman was admitted for the examination of lower leg edema and proteinuria. A kidney biopsy showed membranous nephropathy (MN) with fine granular deposits of IgG along the glomerular capillary and poor spike formation, differing from primary MN in the presence of positive IgG3 and C1q. Lupus nephritis was excluded because serum complement and anti-dsDNA antibody, anti-Smith antibody, and anti-cardiolipin antibody tests were negative.

Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor-related renal disease.

Background: Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors are widely used to treat type 2 diabetes (T2D). Lowering blood glucose is expected also to reduce the progression of diabetic nephropathy. We experienced a patient with T2D who achieved good glycemic control with a DPP-4 inhibitor but experienced rapid deterioration of renal function.

The gut microbiota-induced kynurenic acid recruits GPR35-positive macrophages to promote experimental encephalitis.

The intricate interplay between gut microbes and the onset of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) remains poorly understood. Here, we uncover remarkable similarities between CD4 T cells in the spinal cord and their counterparts in the small intestine. Furthermore, we unveil a synergistic relationship between the microbiota, particularly enriched with the tryptophan metabolism gene EC:1.

Viruses - a major cause of amyloid deposition in the brain.

Introduction: Clinically, Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a syndrome with a spectrum of various cognitive disorders. There is a complete dissociation between the pathology and the clinical presentation. Therefore, we need a disruptive new approach to be able to prevent and treat AD.

Apolipoprotein E-associated Lipoprotein Glomerulo-tubulopathy.

A 32-year-old man was admitted for the evaluation of proteinuria (5.69 g/day). A light microscopic examination showed markedly dilated glomerular capillary loops with vacuolated areas in many glomeruli, and vacuolated areas were seen on peritubular capillaries in the tubulointerstitium.

Anti-factor H antibody-positive C3 glomerulonephritis secondary to poststreptococcal acute glomerulonephritis with diabetic nephropathy.

Poststreptococcal acute kidney glomerulonephritis (PSAGN) has been seen in adults in recent years, especially in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, and the renal prognosis has not always been good. There have been cases of PSAGN in which complete remission was not achieved and hematuria and proteinuria persisted, leading to end-stage renal disease. Previous reports showed that the patients subjected to PSAGN have an underlying defect in regulating the alternative pathway of complement, and they identified that antibodies to the C3 convertase, C3 nephritic factors (C3NeF), are involved.

A possible circulation of a dominant Dibothriocephalus nihonkaiensis haplotype in Japan revealed by molecular analysis of clinical tapeworm samples.

Human diphyllobothriasis, caused by Dibothriocephalus nihonkaiensis, is prevalent globally, especially in regions where raw fish is consumed. Recent molecular diagnostic techniques have made species identification of tapeworm parasites and the determination of genetic variations among parasite populations possible. However, only a few studies done over a decade ago, have reported on the genetic variation among D.

Viral Conjunctivitis.

Viruses account for 80% of all cases of acute conjunctivitis and adenovirus; enterovirus and herpes virus are the common causative agents. In general, viral conjunctivitis spreads easily. Therefore, to control the spread, it is crucial to quickly diagnose illnesses, strictly implement hand washing laws, and sanitize surfaces.

A Half-Century Dialysis Survivor: Clinical and Autopsy Findings.

A man in his 20s initiated intermittent peritoneal dialysis in the late 1960s. He subsequently transitioned to hemodialysis and survived for more than 50 years, spanning low-flux and high-flux hemodialysis eras. He underwent surgery for cervical and lumbar spinal canal stenosis after 30 and 35 years, respectively, and both surgeries revealed similar degrees of severe amyloid deposition.

17α-ethinylestradiol modulates endothelial function in ovariectomized rat carotid arteries.

17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2), a derivative of 17β-estradiol (E2), is a potent estrogenic substance that is used as the estrogenic component of oral contraceptives (OCPs). However, women who take OCPs have an increased risk of cardiovascular events. Since few studies have examined EE2 endothelial effects, we explored the effects of EE2 on endothelial function in ovariectomized and isoflavone-free rats.

Molecular characterization of the parasitic nematode genus ; larvae parasitic on the firefly squid and adults on beaked whales off the coast of Japan.

The Spirurina type X larvae, which infect firefly squid (), are known to cause cutaneous creeping eruption and intestinal obstruction in humans. Although it has been reported that the adult of this larva is , which was recovered from a Baird's beaked whale (), it is not well known internationally. In this study, to reconfirm the identification of this species, we determined the mitochondrial cox1 gene and the partial sequence of 18S-28S ribosomal DNA from larvae recovered from firefly squid.

Phase I/II prospective clinical trial for the hybrid of intracavitary and interstitial brachytherapy for locally advanced uterine cervical cancer.

Objective: The purposes of this trial were to demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the hybrid of intracavitary and interstitial brachytherapy (HBT) for locally advanced cervical cancer patients in the phase I/II prospective clinical trial.

Methods: Patients with FIGO stage IB2-IVA uterine cervical cancer pretreatment width of which was ≥5 cm measured by magnetic resonance imaging were eligible for this clinical trial. The protocol therapy included 30-30.

Adolescent-onset TAFRO Syndrome with Malignant Nephrosclerosis-like Lesions.

A 16-year-old Japanese girl developed a fever, thrombocytopenia, and renal dysfunction. Treatment was started with steroids, but cervical lymphadenopathy and ascites developed. A lymph node biopsy indicated TAFRO syndrome.

Impact of paternal age on IVF and pregnancy outcomes with only normal sperm parameters.

Objective: Previous reports on advanced paternal age effects on assisted reproductive technology (ART) vary considerably and those on frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) are rare. We investigated whether paternal age affects in vitro fertilisation (IVF) and FET pregnancy outcomes.

Materials And Methods: 1657 IVF cycles performed from January 2014 to May 2018 were retrospectively investigated excluding cases of poor semen parameters.

Impact of the downstream myocardial mass on values of coronary microvascular resistance.

The assessment of hyperemic microvascular resistance (HMR) may be dependent on the assessment location in the coronary artery and the amount of partial myocardial mass (PMM) distal to the assessment locations. The aim of this study was to investigate the differences in HMR values between the distal and proximal sites in the same coronary arteries as well as the relationship between HMR and PMM. Twenty-nine vessels from 26 patients who had undergone intracoronary physiological assessments including Doppler flow velocity at the distal third part and the proximal third part in the same vessels were assessed.

Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis Associated with Essential Thrombocythemia.

A 72-year-old man was admitted for examination of proteinuria (9.14 g/day) and leg edema. Essential thrombocythemia (ET) was diagnosed because of thrombocytosis (platelet count, 57.

Determination of Clonogenic Radiosensitivity of HeLa Cells in Early and Late G Phases.

Background/aim: Using a fluorescent ubiquitination-based cell cycle indicator (Fucci), we recently reported that post irradiation of HeLa cells, micronuclei frequency increased in the early G phase in comparison with that in the late G phase. This is inconsistent with the results of well-recognized studies that used clonogenic assays. In this study, we determined radiosensitivity of the cells using a clonogenic assay by making the best use of the Fucci property, while simultaneously characterizing cell cycle kinetics and DNA damage responses.

Antiphospholipid Syndrome Nephropathy Related Disease Diagnosed by Assessing Phosphatidylserine-dependent Antiprothrombin Antibodies.

A 42-year-old Japanese woman was admitted for the evaluation of proteinuria. She had a history of four habitual abortions and valvular heart disease, including severe mitral regurgitation and moderate tricuspid regurgitation. A kidney biopsy showed fibrointimal thickening of interlobular arteries, fibrin thrombosis, and associated focal segmental sclerosis.

Clinical Usefulness of Monitoring Muscle Volume during Atezolizumab Plus Bevacizumab Therapy in Patients with Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Background: Sarcopenia is associated with overall survival in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, it is not known whether muscle volume is associated with clinical outcomes during combination therapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors. We investigated the relationship between changes in muscle volume and treatment outcomes in patients treated with atezolizumab plus bevacizumab.

The use of lumbar puncture and safety recommendations in Alzheimer's disease: a plain language summary.

What Is This Summary About?: This is a plain language summary of an article published in . It looks at a type of test called a lumbar puncture (also known as spinal tap) used in people suspected of having Alzheimer's disease or some other form of dementia. This summary focuses on how to do a lumbar puncture safely.