Association of Preoperative Cartilage T1ρ Values With Progression of Knee Osteoarthritis 10 Years After Anatomical Double-Bundle ACL Reconstruction: Follow-up of a Previous Prospective Study.

Background: The factors contributing to osteoarthritis progression after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury and reconstruction (ACLR) are not fully understood. Quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) offers a noninvasive way to evaluate cartilage biochemical composition using T1ρ mapping, thereby detecting early cartilage degeneration. The specific impact of preoperative quantitative MRI on long-term outcomes after ACLR remains underreported.

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.

Relationship Between an SNP and Relapse After Allogeneic Bone Marrow Transplantation.

Unrelated bone marrow transplantation (BMT) is a curative treatment for hematological malignancies. While HLA mismatch is a recognized risk factor in unrelated BMT, the significance of non-HLA single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) remains uncertain. Cytokines play key roles in several aspects of unrelated BMT.

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.

Pharmacokinetics of Hydrogen During Hydrogen-Saturated Saline Infusion in Pigs.

: Hydrogen gas (H) has been shown to be effective in the treatment of various clinical conditions, from acute illnesses to chronic illnesses. However, its clinical indications and the corresponding appropriate hydrogen delivery methods have yet to be determined. This is due to the fact that the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of hydrogen in each delivery method have not been experimentally proven.

Falsely Elevated HbA1c Levels in a Patient with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Multiple Beta Globulin Gene Mutations.

We present a patient with type 2 diabetes mellitus and a variant hemoglobin whose HbA1c levels were falsely elevated regardless of the measurement method [high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), enzymatic, and immuno-assay] used. The causes of the falsely high HbA1c levels in this patient were investigated. The patient was a 73-year-old man with frequent hypoglycemia on self-monitoring of blood glucose, whose HbA1c level when measured by HPLC (standard mode) and immunoassay was substantially higher than that predicted by continuous blood glucose monitoring or from the patient's glycated albumin level.

CUL4-Based Ubiquitin Ligases in Chromatin Regulation: An Evolutionary Perspective.

Ubiquitylation is a post-translational modification that modulates protein function and stability. It is orchestrated by the concerted action of three types of enzymes, with substrate specificity governed by ubiquitin ligases (E3s), which may exist as single proteins or as part of multi-protein complexes. Although Cullin (CUL) proteins lack intrinsic enzymatic activity, they participate in the formation of active ubiquitin ligase complexes, known as Cullin-Ring ubiquitin Ligases (CRLs), through their association with ROC1 or ROC2, along with substrate adaptor and receptor proteins.

Acute therapeutic effects and pathophysiology of eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis neuropathy.

Objective: This study investigated the effects of early treatment and pathophysiology on eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis neuropathy (EGPA-N).

Methods: Twenty-six consecutive patients with EGPA-N were diagnosed and treated within a day of admission and underwent clinical analysis. Peripheral nerve recovery rates were evaluated after early treatment by identifying the damaged peripheral nerve through detailed neurological findings.

Serial cerebrospinal fluid concentrations of high mobility group box 1 in bacterial meningitis: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: Bacterial meningitis (BM) is a life-threatening central nervous system infection with potential for severe neurological sequelae. High mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is known as a late inflammatory mediator associated with lethal pathology. This study aims to investigate the serial cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentrations of HMGB1 in children with BM and its relationship to neurological prognosis.

Establishment of a 3D spheroid culture system to evaluate the responsiveness of uterine leiomyoma cells to female hormones.

Purpose: Uterine leiomyomas (ULMs) are classified into those with and without MED12 mutations (MED12m(+) and MED12m(-), respectively). This study was undertaken to establish a culture system to evaluate the effect of female hormones on the growth of ULM cells in each ULM subtype.

Methods: ULM cells isolated from MED12m(+) or MED12m(-) tissues were cultured in a monolayer for 7 days with four hormone treatments: estrogen (E) and progesterone (P) (E + P), E only (E), P only (P), and medium only (CTRL).

Drug-drug interaction between ensitrelvir and tacrolimus in a patient undergoing treatment for COVID-19: a case report.

Background: Ensitrelvir is a novel SARS-CoV-2 3-chymotrypsin-like protease inhibitor, similar to nirmatrelvir/ritonavir. Several case reports have demonstrated the efficacy of 3-chymotrypsin-like protease inhibitors in treating prolonged coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in immunocompromised patients. Tacrolimus (TAC) is a widely used immunosuppressive agent whose blood level can increase significantly due to the inhibition of cytochrome P450 3A (CYP3A) and P-glycoprotein by nirmatrelvir/ritonavir.

A network analysis of postpartum depression and mother-to-infant bonding shows common and unique symptom-level connections across three postpartum periods.

Postpartum depression and mother-to-infant bonding difficulties (MIBD), two issues crucial to maternal and infant mental health, often coexist and affect each other. Our study aims to dissect their complex relationship through a graphical LASSO network analysis of individual symptoms in 5594 Japanese postpartum women, whose geographical distribution was nationally representative. We identified 'fear', 'enjoyment', 'overwhelm', and 'insomnia' as common bridge symptoms linking postpartum depression and MIBD across three distinct postpartum periods.

Nail growth arrest under low body temperature during hibernation.

Growth and differentiation are reduced or stopped during hibernation, an energy conserving strategy in harsh seasons by lowered metabolism and body temperature. However, few studies evaluated this in a same individual using a non-invasive method. In this study, we applied a non-invasive tracking method of the nail growth throughout the hibernation period in the same hibernating animals, the Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus).

Longitudinal associations between informal caring, social network, and psychological distress among adolescents and young adults: modelling within-person effects.

Background: Informal caring is associated with mental health deterioration among young people and impacts their help-seeking ability. Social network can provide social support and mitigate the impact of informal care. However, young carers may avoid identification and withdraw from social networks.

High Normocapnia and Better Functional Outcome in Patients Undergoing Veno-Arterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation After Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest.

Background: The optimal target for partial pressure of arterial carbon dioxide (PaCO₂) remains uncertain in patients undergoing veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) following out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA).

Research Question: Are PaCO₂ levels associated with functional outcomes in patients receiving VA-ECMO after OHCA?

Study Design: and Methods: This multicenter, registry-based observational study, conducted from 2014 to 2020, included non-traumatic adult OHCA patients on VA-ECMO with PaCO₂ levels measured within six hours of initiation (initial PaCO₂ set) and at 18-30 hours post-initiation (24-hour PaCO₂ set). PaCO₂ levels were categorized into five groups: hypocapnia (<30 mmHg), low normocapnia (30-<40 mmHg), high normocapnia (40-<50 mmHg), mild hypercapnia (50-<60 mmHg), and moderate to severe hypercapnia (≥60 mmHg).

Evolutionary origins of synchronization for integrating information in neurons.

The evolution of brain-expressed genes is notably slower than that of genes expressed in other tissues, a phenomenon likely due to high-level functional constraints. One such constraint might be the integration of information by neuron assemblies, enhancing environmental adaptability. This study explores the physiological mechanisms of information integration in neurons through three types of synchronization: chemical, electromagnetic, and quantum.

Comparative Study of Remimazolam and Midazolam During Sedated Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy: A Propensity Score Matching Analysis.

Aim: This study aimed to compare the use of remimazolam and midazolam in upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in Japan as a sub-analysis of data from an investigator-initiated clinical trial of remimazolam.

Methods And Results: Patients in two groups were matched using propensity score matching. We evaluated the time from the end of the gastrointestinal endoscopy until discharge, the time from the end of the procedure until awakening, and adverse events.

Correlation between preoperative aqueous cytokine levels and mid-term corneal endothelial cell loss following penetrating keratoplasty.

Objective: To investigate the association between preoperative aqueous humour (AqH) cytokines and mid-term endothelial cell density (ECD) following penetrating keratoplasty (PKP).

Methods: This study analysed a total of 87 eyes of which 54 underwent PKP and 33 eyes underwent cataract surgery. AqH samples were collected at the beginning of surgery.

Neuroanatomical distribution of endogenous huntingtin and its immunohistochemical relationships with STB/HAP1 in the adult mouse brain and spinal cord.

Huntingtin-associated protein 1 (HAP1) is an essential constituent of the stigmoid body (STB) and is known as a neuroprotective interactor with causal agents for several neurodegenerative disorders, including huntingtin (HTT) in Huntington's disease. Previous in vitro studies showed that compared to normal HTT, STB/HAP1 exhibited a higher binding affinity for mutant HTT. However, the detailed in vivo relationships of STB/HAP1 with endogenous HTT have not been clarified yet.

A machine learning model to predict neurological deterioration after mild traumatic brain injury in older adults.

Objective: Neurological deterioration after mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) has been recognized as a poor prognostic factor. Early detection of neurological deterioration would allow appropriate monitoring and timely therapeutic interventions to improve patient outcomes. In this study, we developed a machine learning model to predict the occurrence of neurological deterioration after mild TBI using information obtained on admission.

A new tube chamber system for evaluation of anterior chamber pressure during phacoemulsification tested in porcine eyes.

Aim: To measure the optimal anterior chamber pressure (ACP) for safe phacoemulsification using a new tube chamber system with internal pressure measurement function in the porcine eye.

Methods: The 20-gauge and 21-gauge straight tips with yellow and orange sleeves, respectively, were covered by a test chamber combined with a pressure sensor for measuring ACP. This was measured for 20s from 10s after starting aspiration in the linear mode using vacuum levels of 200 and 150 mm Hg with a 20-gauge tip, and 300 and 250 mm Hg with a 21-gauge tip.

Imeglimin, unlike metformin, does not perturb differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cells towards pancreatic β-like cells and rather enhances gain in β cell identity gene sets.

Aims/introduction: Metformin treatment for hyperglycemia in pregnancy (HIP) beneficially improves maternal glucose metabolism and reduces perinatal complications. However, metformin could impede pancreatic β cell development via impaired mitochondrial function. A new anti-diabetes drug imeglimin, developed based on metformin, improves mitochondrial function.

Elevated MS4A2 and IgE interaction in nasal polyps contributing to poor postoperative prognosis in patients with eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis.

Background: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a persistent inflammatory disease of various endotypes, including eosinophilic CRS (eCRS), which is characterized by marked eosinophilic infiltration and high refractory rates despite treatment. Recent findings suggest the interaction between local IgE and mast cells in nasal polyps (NPs) is key to eCRS pathogenesis; however, the details remain unclear. This study investigated the involvement of MS4A2, a component of the IgE receptor, in the pathogenesis of refractory eCRS.

Novel bilayered zirconia systems using recycled 3Y-TZP for dental applications.

Objective: To synthesize bilayer zirconia systems based on commercial or recycled 3Y-TZP obtained from non-milled remnants and to compare their optical and mechanical properties before and after aging.

Methods: Bilayer zirconia samples were fabricated using either recycled 3Y-TZP (3Y-R/4Y and 3Y-R/5Y) or commercial powders (3Y/4Y and 3Y/5Y). Microstructure and phase composition were analyzed using ScanningElectronMicroscopy (SEM) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD).

Prognostic Analysis of Pathological Stage I Lung Adenocarcinoma Harboring Major EGFR Mutations.

Background: While Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation-positive lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) has favorable outcomes with targeted therapy, early-stage prognosis remains influenced by pathological factors and central nervous system (CNS) recurrence. The study aimed to clarify prognostic factors in pathological stage (pStage) I EGFR mutation-positive LUAD.

Methods: Between 2015 and 2018, 2,191 pStage I LUAD cases with known EGFR status (excluding EGFR testing after recurrence) who received anatomical resection were included from multiple institutions in Japan.