Genetic variability in strains isolated in a Japanese hospital.

Objectives: is a significant pathogen causing invasive meningococcal disease, posing clinical and public health concerns worldwide. This study aimed to investigate the genetic characteristics of clinical isolates at Okayama University Hospital in Japan.

Methods: Between 2018 and 2023, five clinical strains were isolated, of which three were subjected to the antimicrobial susceptibility testing and whole genetic analysis using MiSeq platform (Illumina, San Diego, CA, USA).

Hydroxycitric acid reconstructs damaged articular cartilages by modifying the metabolic cascade in chondrogenic cells.

Objective: Osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease, requires innovative therapies due to the limited ability of cartilage to regenerate. Since mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) provide a cell source for chondrogenic cells, we hypothesize that chemicals capable of enhancing the chondrogenic potential of MSCs with transforming growth factor-beta (TGFβ) in vitro may similarly promote chondrogenesis in articular cartilage in vivo.

Design: Chemical compounds that enhance the TGFβ signaling for chondrogenesis were investigated utilizing mesenchymal stem cells derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells.

Adrenaline Dilution in Dental Local Anesthetic Cartridges: A Practical Method Using the Inner Needle of Intravenous Catheter.

Local anesthesia is a routine medical procedure for dentists. To achieve the desired anesthetic effect of lidocaine and favorable hemostatic effects by adrenaline, the combination of 2% lidocaine + 1:80,000 adrenaline is commonly used, including in dental patients with underlying diseases for whom adrenaline in local anesthetics is problematic due to its vasoconstrictive effects, as the adrenaline concentration in dental local anesthetic cartridges in Japan is commercially set at 1:80,000. To reduce the effect of adrenaline on the cardiovascular system, adrenaline is sometimes diluted in dental local anesthetic cartridges.

Significant Association of Cognitive Function With Long-Term Clinical Outcomes After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background Patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) are often elderly, and perioperative and long-term risk assessments should primarily consider cognitive function, comorbidities, and procedural complexity. This study investigated the association between cognitive function and mortality in patients with severe aortic valve stenosis (AS) who underwent TAVI. Methodology This single-center, retrospective cohort study consecutively registered patients who underwent TAVI between December 2014 and December 2018.

Systemic administration of induced pluripotent stem cell-derived mesenchymal stem cells improves cardiac function through extracellular vesicle-mediated tissue repair in a rat model of ischemic cardiomyopathy.

Introduction: Systemic administration of induced pluripotent stem cell-derived mesenchymal stem cells (iPS-MSCs) has a therapeutic effect on myocardial ischemia. However, the therapeutic mechanism underlying systemic iPS-MSC-based therapy for ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) remains unclear. We investigated the therapeutic effects of iPS-MSCs through extracellular vesicle (EV)-mediated tissue repair in a rat model of ICM.

MicroRNA-3145 as a potential therapeutic target for hepatitis B virus: inhibition of viral replication via downregulation of HBS and HBX.

Current treatments for hepatitis B virus (HBV), such as interferons and nucleic acid analogs, have limitations due to side effects like depression and the development of drug-resistant mutants, highlighting the need for new therapeutic approaches. In this study, we identified microRNA-3145 (miR-3145) as a host-derived miRNA with antiviral activity that is upregulated in primary hepatocytes during HBV infection. The expression of its precursor, pri-miR-3145, increased in response to the the virus infection, and miR-3145 downregulated the hepatitis B virus S (HBS) antigen and hepatitis B virus X (HBX), thereby inhibiting viral replication.

PI3K/mTOR dual inhibitor GSK458 and arsenic trioxide exert synergistic anti-tumor effects against ovarian clear cell carcinoma.

Ovarian clear cell carcinoma (OCCC), particularly advanced or recurrent settings, is generally resistant to platinum-based chemotherapy, warranting novel therapeutic strategies. Mutations in the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B/mechanistic target of rapamycin kinase (PI3K/AKT/mTOR) pathway are frequently reported in OCCC. Therefore, we hypothesized that the PI3K/mTOR dual inhibitor, GSK458, and arsenic trioxide may exert synergistic anti-tumor effects on OCCC.

Second-generation antipsychotic-induced dystonia: Analysis using the Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report (JADER) database.

Aim: This study aimed to explore the comparative risks for dystonia among different second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs), the influence of sex, and the relationship between the time-to-onset of dystonia and its outcomes.

Methods: We analyzed data from the Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report database from April 2004 to November 2023. Cases involving oral SGAs, excluding clozapine, were extracted.

Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition Functions as a Driver for the Direct Conversion of Somatic Cells.

Direct conversion is an innovative new technology that involves the conversion of somatic cells to target cells without passing through a pluripotent state. Forced expression alone or in combination with transcription factors (TFs), which are critical for the generation of target cells, is important for successful direct conversion. However, most somatic cells are unable to directly convert into target cells even with forced expression.

Highly hypofractionated biaxially rotational dynamic radiation therapy (BROAD-RT) for high-risk prostate cancer.

To report clinical outcomes following highly hypofractionated biaxially rotational dynamic radiation therapy (BROAD-RT), a unique radiation therapy method that facilitates non-coplanar volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT) without the need to rotate the couch or reposition the patient, for high-risk prostate cancer (PCa) with simultaneous integrated boost (SIB) for intra-prostatic dominant lesions (IPDLs), we performed a single-center prospective pilot study. In this study, patients with high-risk PCa according to the D'Amico classification or those with cT3aN0M0 PCa were eligible. VMAT was performed using BROAD-RT, and a dose of 54 Gy in 15 fractions was prescribed for the prostate in combination with SIB for IPDLs at a dose of 57 Gy in 15 fractions.

Safety and Outcomes of Intravenous Thrombolysis in Acute Ischemic Stroke with Intracranial Artery Dissection.

background: : Intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) related to underlying intracranial artery dissection (IAD) poses potential risks, including the exacerbation of intramural hematoma and the rupture of the dissected arterial wall. However, the safety of IVT in this specific population remains uncertain.

aims:: This study aimed to assess whether IAD is associated with an increased risk of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) following IVT and to evaluate its impact on functional outcomes.

Increased Non-Relapse Mortality in Older People With Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Using Fludarabine and Myeloablative Dose of Busulfan-Based Regimen.

Fludarabine and myeloablative busulfan (FluBu4) in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) for older people have not been adequately examined. This retrospective study analyzed data from a large-scale, nationwide database in Japan. Adult patients (> 15 years old, y/o) who received their first HSCT with FluBu4 for hematological malignancies were included.

Influence of Cu2O Precursor Surface Orientation on Catalytic Performance and Product Selectivity in Nitrate Reduction Reactions.

Oxide-derived copper (OD-Cu) has attracted considerable attention due to its exceptional electrocatalytic performance toward various reactions, including the reduction of nitrate (NO3-) to ammonia (NH3). Furthermore, numerous techniques have been developed to synthesize copper oxides with well-defined surface orientations. However, the relationship between the surface orientation of the precursor and the NO3- reduction performance of the resulting OD-Cu catalyst remains unclear.

In-hospital mortality of patients admitted to the intermediate care unit in hospitals with and without an intensive care unit: a nationwide inpatient database study.

Background: Intermediate care units (IMCUs) provide care for patients who need more intensive treatment than general wards but less than intensive care units (ICUs). Although the concept of an IMCU requires co-location with an ICU, some hospitals have IMCUs but no ICUs, which potentially worsens patient outcomes. This study aimed to examine the annual trends and care processes, and compare the outcomes of patients admitted to IMCUs in hospitals with and without ICUs using a nationwide inpatient database in Japan.

Worsening spasticity due to catheter breakage during intrathecal baclofen therapy: a case report.

Background: Intrathecal baclofen therapy can substantially improve symptoms in patients with severe spasticity owing to traumatic spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, cerebral paresis, or tethered cord syndrome. Problems associated with intrathecal catheters include migration, laceration, occlusion, or disconnection. Several case reports have described the management of catheter fragments.

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.

The structure and function of the ghrelin receptor coding for drug actions.

Drugs targeting the ghrelin receptor hold therapeutic potential in anorexia, obesity and diabetes. However, developing effective drugs is challenging. To tackle this common issue across a broad drug target, this study aims to understand how anamorelin, the only approved drug targeting the ghrelin receptor, operates compared to other synthetic drugs.

Real-time trajectory imaging of alpha particles emitted from actinium-225 and its daughter radionuclides.

In targeted alpha-particle therapy, actinium-225 (Ac-225) has emerged as a radionuclide of potential, driving extensive efforts to develop innovative radiopharmaceuticals. High-resolution imaging of alpha particles is required for precisely detecting alpha-emitting radionuclides in cellular environments and small organs. Here, we report real-time trajectory imaging of alpha particles emitted by Ac-225 and its daughter radionuclides, utilizing an alpha particle trajectory imaging system.

Relationship between growth differentiation factor 15 and functional prognosis and severity in traumatic brain injury.

Circulating growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15) increases in response to inflammation and tissue damage. Its association with functional prognosis in cerebral infarction and subarachnoid hemorrhage is established; however, its role in traumatic brain injury (TBI) and its relationship with Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score, an indicator of systemic organ damage in TBI, remains unclear. This study aimed to explore the correlation between GDF-15 and functional outcomes at discharge in patients with TBI and stroke, including its association with SOFA scores in TBI.

Phenotypic simulation for fruit-related traits in F progenies of chili peppers (Capsicum annuum) using genomic prediction based solely on parental information.

Chili pepper (Capsicum spp.) fruits are used as vegetables, spices, and ornamental plants, necessitating various fruit characteristics. However, their genetic improvement is challenging through conventional crossbreeding due to the quantitative traits, which makes it difficult to predict phenotypes in the progeny.

Invasion of pancreatic ductal epithelial cells by Enterococcus faecalis is mediated by fibronectin and enterococcal fibronectin-binding protein A.

The poor prognosis of pancreatic cancer is often attributed to difficulties of early detection due to a lack of appropriate risk factors. Previously, we demonstrated the presence of Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) in pancreatic juice and tissues obtained from patients with cancers of the duodeno-pancreato-biliary region, suggesting the possible involvement of this bacterial species in chronic and malignant pancreatic diseases.

Plasma S100A8/A9 level predicts response to immune checkpoint inhibitors in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

Blood-based predictive markers for the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have not yet been established. We investigated the association of the plasma level of S100A8/A9 with the efficacy of immunotherapy. We evaluated patients with unresectable stage III/IV or recurrent non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who were treated with ICIs at Okayama University Hospital.