Oxidation of thiol groups in membrane proteins inhibits the fertilization ability and motility of sperm by suppressing calcium influx.

The redox state of thiol groups derived from cysteine residues in proteins regulates cellular functions. Changes in the redox state of thiol groups in the epididymis are involved in sperm maturation. Furthermore, the redox state of thiol groups in proteins changes during the process of sperm capacitation.

Kir6.1, a component of an ATP-sensitive potassium channel, regulates natural killer cell development.

Introduction: Involved in immunity and reproduction, natural killer (NK) cells offer opportunities to develop new immunotherapies to treat infections and cancer or to alleviate pregnancy complications. Most current strategies use cytokines or antibodies to enhance NK-cell function, but none use ion channel modulators, which are widely used in clinical practice to treat hypertension, diabetes, epilepsy, and other conditions. Little is known about ion channels in NK cells.

Abdominal Pseudohernia Caused by Zoster Sine Herpete.

Abdominal pseudohernia is a rare clinical condition characterized by an abnormal bulging of the abdominal wall. We present a 56-year-old male patient diagnosed with abdominal pseudohernia caused by zoster sine herpete (ZSH). The patient initially presented with a right abdominal wall bulging at the Th10 dermatome area.

Invasive mucinous adenocarcinoma harbored exon 14 skipping mutation: case report.

Background: Lung mucinous adenocarcinoma has various genetic alterations, but there are no reported cases with exon 14 skipping mutations. Multiplex genetic testing is commonly assessed in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and treatment usually comprises molecular targeted drugs. However, the efficacy of molecular targeted drugs in lung mucinous adenocarcinoma is not reported.

Comparing ultrasonography with magnetic resonance imaging in the detection of deep tissue injury.

Background: Deep tissue injury (DTI), a pressure-related injury to the subcutaneous tissue under intact skin, has been featured in several recent studies. DTI is hard to detect, and by the time the injury becomes visible, extensive injury to the underlying tissue has often already occurred, resulting in a potentially serious and difficult-to-heal full-thickness pressure injury. Thus, early detection of subcutaneous injuries is essential, and previous reports describe the use of ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for this purpose.

Romosozumab versus bisphosphonates for preventing subsequent vertebral fractures after balloon kyphoplasty: comparison using data from two prospective multicenter studies.

Preventing subsequent fractures after vertebral augmentation is a critical clinical concern. The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of romosozumab and bisphosphonate administration on the occurrence of subsequent vertebral fractures after balloon kyphoplasty (BKP) and to identify factors associated with the occurrence of subsequent vertebral fractures. The study compared 24 patients who underwent BKP and received romosozumab with 58 control patients who underwent BKP and received bisphosphonates, all within 2 months of acute osteoporotic vertebral fracture and showing unfavorable magnetic resonance imaging prognostic factors.

Fontan-associated liver disease: the importance of multidisciplinary teamwork in its management.

The Fontan operation, which directly connects the superior and inferior vena cava to the pulmonary artery, is a palliative surgery for children with a functional or anatomic single ventricle. This procedure leads to hemodynamic changes (Fontan circulation) in patients, who tend to develop congestive hepatic fibrosis characterized by sinusoidal fibrosis and dilatation beginning approximately 10 years after the procedure. In addition, in the context of severe fibrosis and cirrhosis, hepato-gastrointestinal complications including hepatocellular carcinoma, focal nodular hyperplasia, and portal hypertension can arise.

The gut microbiota genus Blautia is associated with skeletal muscle mass reduction in community-dwelling older Japanese adults: the Wakayama Study.

Purpose: This cross-sectional study examined the gut microbiota species associated with skeletal muscle mass reduction in a community-based sample of older Japanese adults.

Methods: The study included 744 participants (320 men and 424 women) aged 65-89 years (mean age: 73 years) with no history of treatment for colorectal, chronic kidney, or liver diseases. Bioelectrical impedance analysis was performed to estimate the appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM) of each participant.

Transcostal Microendoscopic Discectomy for Central Thoracic Disc Herniation Causing Myelopathy: A Technical Note.

Introduction: Minimally invasive surgical treatment of myelopathy caused by central thoracic disc herniation (TDH) is challenging to carry out because reaching the herniation site is difficult and the thoracic spinal cord is fragile. In this study, using the posterior-lateral approach for central TDH with myelopathy, we present a novel procedure of transcostal microendoscopic discectomy (TCMED).

Technical Note: The patient was operated in a prone position under general anesthesia.

Comparison of Prognosis and Health-Related Quality of Life Between Robot-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy Versus High-Dose-Rate Brachytherapy Combined With External Beam Radiation Therapy and Hormone Therapy for High-Risk Prostate Cancer.

Background: We compare the oncological outcomes and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in men with high-risk prostate cancer after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) versus that after high-dose-rate brachytherapy + external beam radiotherapy + hormone therapy (hereafter: "HDR+").

Methods: We included 233 men who underwent RARP and 179 men who underwent HDR+ for high-risk prostate cancer at our hospital. We investigated the following oncologic outcomes: time to biochemical recurrence, time to development of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), cancer-specific survival, and overall survival.

Elucidating the Factors Affecting the Patient-Centric Usability of Blister Packs for Spherical Capsules.

Pharmaceutical packaging is essential for enhancing the storage stability of medicine and can improve medication adherence and usability. Despite their widespread use, blister packs can be challenging to use, especially when pushing out the medication. This study investigates how specific cavity characteristics of blister packs can enhance usability for spherical capsules, which are harder to push out than tablets.

Comparison of outcomes between surgery and chemoradiotherapy after endoscopic resection for pT1a-MM with lymphovascular invasion or pT1b esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: Japanese multicenter propensity score-matched study.

Background: Lymphovascular invasion (LVI) or pT1b is noncurative after endoscopic resection (ER) for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), and therefore surgery or chemoradiotherapy (CRT) is recommended. However, there has been debate regarding which treatment has better outcomes and whether individual risks should be considered.

Methods: This was a multicenter, retrospective study conducted at 65 hospitals in Japan.

Age- and sex-related reference values for central blood pressure parameters in middle-aged and older Japanese adults: the Wakayama study.

Central blood pressure (BP) is more strongly associated with cardiovascular events than brachial BP. Few studies have described age-related changes in central BP in the general Japanese population. This study aimed to provide reference values for central BP parameters according to the age and sex, using data from 2964 participants aged 40-89 years (mean age: 60 years) who had no history of overt cardiovascular or chronic kidney disease and had not received antihypertensive, lipid-lowering, or hypoglycemic treatments.

Efficacy of liposomal irinotecan + 5-FU/LV vs. S-1 in gemcitabine-refractory metastatic pancreatic cancer: a real-world study using inverse probability of treatment weighting.

Background: S-1 monotherapy had previously been widely used as a second-line treatment for pancreatic cancer (PC) after gemcitabine-based chemotherapy mainly in Japan. Based on the results of the NAPOLI-1 trial, the recommended second-line therapy is now liposomal irinotecan plus fluorouracil/folinic acid (nal-IRI + 5-FU/LV). However, there have been no studies comparing nal-IRI + 5-FU/LV therapy with S-1 monotherapy.

Distinct brain network structure of mesial temporal lobe epilepsy compared to that of neocortical epilepsy: functional MRI study with surgically treated patients.

Objective: Mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (mTLE) and neocortical epilepsy (NE) have different anatomo-clinical characteristics. The authors hypothesized that this may be reflected in the different functional connectivity of the epileptogenic zone between mTLE and NE. The authors, therefore, examined preoperative resting-state functional connectivity MRI with regional global connectivity (rGC) analysis for surgically treated patients.

The effect of ICU diary on psychiatric symptoms after ICU discharge among adult critically ill patients: A prospective comparative study.

Aim: Psychiatric problems are common in critically ill patients after discharge from an intensive care unit (ICU). The effect of intensive care unit (ICU) diaries on psychiatric symptoms after ICU discharge was investigated in this prospective study.

Methods: Enrolled were critically ill adult patients who were emergently admitted to an ICU and expected to stay for at least 2 days.

Effectiveness of ultra-early balloon kyphoplasty at one year after osteoporotic vertebral fracture.

Introduction: Balloon kyphoplasty (BKP) for osteoporotic vertebral fracture (OVF) has been reported to maintain quality of life (QOL). This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of ultra-early BKP performed within two weeks of injury (ultra-early group) to cases after two to four weeks post-injury (early group) and over four weeks (conventional group), assessing radiographic assessment such as subsequent fracture etc, questionarre such as QOL and back pain-related activities of daily living (ADL) one year after surgery.

Methods: Ninety cases of OVF treated with BKP (23 males, 67 females, average age 78.

Evaluation of diagnostic criteria for mild-to-advanced stages of Fontan-associated liver disease: A nationwide epidemiological survey in Japan.

Aim: Fontan-associated liver disease (FALD) is a complication after Fontan surgery, and a common cause of liver tumors and cirrhosis. However, no diagnostic criteria for FALD have been established, leading to an underestimation of its prevalence.

Methods: We conducted a national survey to elucidate the characteristics of FALD by collecting data from high-volume centers managing patients who had undergone the Fontan surgery in Japan.

Impact of Education on Inappropriate Antibiotic Prescription for Respiratory Tract Infection Based on Physicians' Justifications: A Web-Based Survey in Japan.

: Antibiotics are inappropriately prescribed for respiratory tract infections for various reasons. The differences of the effects of education based on these reasons has not been fully elucidated. This study assessed the impact of an educational film on antibiotic prescription patterns according to physicians' prescribing justifications.

Ultrasound Irradiation as a Candidate Procedure to Improve the Transdermal Drug Delivery to the Tail Edema of a Mouse Model.

Drug therapy for secondary lymphedema has not yet been established. Conventional oral and intravenous administration is difficult to administer in sufficient doses due to adverse events. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a transdermal delivery system that can deliver high concentrations of drugs to the edema area.