Optimization of microwave power in ESR dosimetry of tooth enamel in Japanese macaques.

Purpose: To apply electron spin resonance (ESR) dosimetry to wild Japanese macaques captured in the ex-evacuation area during the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) accident, the improvement of the detection limit is crucial. In this study, we optimized the microwave power in ESR measurements to suppress the noise of native radicals and enhanced the signals of radiation-induced carbonate radicals.

Materials And Methods: Tooth enamels of a Japanese macaque captured in a control area were prepared and irradiated with gamma rays from Co source.

Multi-ancestry polygenic risk scores for the prediction of type 2 diabetes and complications in diverse ancestries.

Background: Polygenic risk scores (PRSs) improve type 2 diabetes (T2D) prediction beyond clinical risk factors but perform poorly in non-European populations, where T2D burden is often higher, undermining their global clinical utility.

Methods: We conducted the largest global effort to date to harmonize T2D genome-wide association study (GWAS) meta-analyses across five ancestries-European (EUR), African/African American (AFR), Admixed American (AMR), South Asian (SAS), and East Asian (EAS)-including 360,000 T2D cases and 1·8 million controls (41% non-EUR). We constructed ancestry-specific and multi-ancestry PRSs in training datasets including 11,000 T2D cases and 32,000 controls, and validated their performance in independent datasets including 39,000 T2D cases and 126,000 controls of diverse ancestries.

Hyperpolarized [1-C] pyruvate MRSI reveals a diet-dependent metabolic shift in ZSF1 rats.

We evaluated altered cardiac metabolism in Zucker Spontaneously Hypertensive Fatty (ZSF1) rats fed an isocaloric high-fat diet versus normal chow using hyperpolarized (HP) [1-C]pyruvate MR spectroscopic imaging (MRSI). This technique exploits remarkable signal enhancement to track the metabolic fate of injected HP [1-C]pyruvate , allowing a simultaneous assessment of multiple metabolic pathways. The conversion of [1-C]pyruvate to [1-C]lactate (Lac) reflects anaerobic glycolysis activity, while the detection of C-bicarbonate (Bic) indicates glucose oxidation.

AI-ECG for early detection of atrial fibrillation: First-year results from a stroke prevention study in Shimizu, Japan.

Background: An artificial intelligence algorithm-guided electrocardiogram (AI-ECG) has been developed to detect atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with sinus rhythm (SR). However, its utility for population-based screening remains unclear in Japan.

Method And Results: In this prospective cohort study, "SPAFS" (Stroke Prevention by Early Detection of AF in Shimizu), participants who underwent health examinations at the Shimizu Medical Association Examination Center from January 2022 to July 2023 were enrolled, with known AF excluded.

Ultrasound Microscopy-Based Identification of Enamel and Restorative Materials: An Ex Vivo Acoustic Impedance Study.

Introduction And Aims: Differentiating restorative materials from enamel during dental examinations is challenging because of their similar appearances. Even with ultrasound microscopy, the acoustic properties of restorative materials remain unassessed. This study investigated the potential of ultrasound microscopy to differentiate between enamel, composite resin, and glass ionomer.

Acute Antibody-Mediated Rejection Associated with Anti-MICA Antibodies in Long-Term Kidney Transplant: A Case Study.

Introduction: Advances in immunosuppressive therapy have improved kidney transplant outcomes; however, antibody-mediated rejection (ABMR) still affects graft survival. Herein, we present a case of a 46-year-old woman who experienced acute ABMR despite stable long-term graft function following kidney transplantation.

Case Presentation: At 28 years of age, she underwent a blood-type-compatible living kidney transplant from her father.

Proteasome Inhibition Induces IRF1 Downstream Molecules Independently of JAK Activity in Cancers.

Loss-of-function mutations in Janus kinase 1/2 (JAK1/2) cause low tumor immunogenicity through defects in the induction of the transcription factor interferon regulatory factor 1 (IRF1), resulting in non-responsiveness to cancer immunotherapy reagents. Therefore, the discovery of reagents that increase IRF1 expression independent of JAK activity is clinically important for the success of cancer immunotherapy reagents. We herein demonstrated that proteasome inhibitors activated IRF1 downstream pathways in a JAK-independent manner in various cancer types.

Single-cell analysis reveals immune cell abnormalities underlying the clinical heterogeneity of patients with systemic sclerosis.

The autoimmune disease systemic sclerosis (SSc) presents with multiple organ manifestations that often complicate management strategies. To explore variations in immune cell subsets and their link to clinical heterogeneity, here we perform single-cell profiling of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from 21 SSc patients who never received immunosuppressive therapy. We identify a subset of EGR1 CD14 monocytes in patients with scleroderma renal crisis (SRC).

Development of an electron spin resonance spectroscopy code for measuring carbonate radicals in tooth enamel and verification of its practicality using irradiated Japanese macaque teeth.

Purpose: We developed a new computer program for the application of electron spin resonance (ESR) to dosimetry of wild animals related to the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident.

Materials & Methods: The ESR spectra of carbonate radicals and other inorganic radicals are calculated by the complete elliptic integral. A simulated annealing method is implemented for the parameter optimization.

Integrating soft robotics and computational models to study left atrial hemodynamics and device testing in sinus rhythm and atrial fibrillation.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) poses significant clinical challenges due to the complex and variable geometry of the left atrial appendage (LAA), whose structure complicates the development of personalized interventions like LAA occlusion (LAAO) for stroke prevention Current reliance on animal models and cadavers for the assessment of left atrium (LA) and LAA to study AF-related disease and interventions raises reproducibility concerns, necessitating the development of high fidelity, physiologically relevant tools. To address this, we present a multimodal framework combining a soft robotic benchtop simulator, a lumped parameter model (LPM), and finite element analysis (FEA) to replicate LA function in sinus rhythm, atrial flutter, and AF. The system integrates 3D-printed, patient-specific LA geometries with soft robotic actuators to reproduce realistic wall motion and hemodynamics.

Impact of hepatospleno volume ratio on postoperative chronic liver failure after major hepatectomy for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma.

Aims: The incidence of postoperative chronic liver failure (PCLF) after major hepatectomy for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma is relatively low, but it warrants careful attention. This study aimed to analyze the risk factors for PCLF, with a specific focus on the correlation with postoperative changes in liver and spleen volumes.

Methods: A total of 172 patients who underwent major hepatectomy for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma between 2006 and 2021 were included in the study.

Validation of PBC-10 in Japanese patients with primary biliary cholangitis.

Background And Aim: Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is a chronic cholestatic liver disease that significantly impairs health-related quality of life (HRQOL). The PBC-10, a short-form HRQOL assessment tool, was developed for rapid screening in clinical settings. This study aimed to verify the reliability and validity of the Japanese version of the PBC-10 in Japanese patients with PBC.

How-I-do-it: a novel technique of portal vein-right gastroepiploic vein side-to-side anastomosis to improve gastric venous congestion following total pancreatectomy: a retrospective cohort study and literature review (with video).

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the outcomes and preventive techniques for gastric venous congestion (GVC) following total pancreatectomy (TP), with a focus on gastric venous drainage reconstruction.

Methods: This retrospective single-center study included patients who underwent TP between January 2019 and June 2024, encompassing both primary one-step TP and planned elective completion pancreatectomy following either pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) or distal pancreatectomy (DP). Intraoperative evaluation and reconstruction of gastric venous drainage were performed when GVC was observed.

Arterial resection and divestment in pancreatic cancer surgery in the era of multidisciplinary treatment: decadal comparative study.

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of pancreatectomy with arterial resection/divestment for pancreatic cancer with arterial involvement in the modern era of multidisciplinary treatment.

Methods: Patients who underwent pancreatectomy with arterial resection/pancreatectomy with arterial divestment for pancreatic cancer with arterial involvement from 2010 to 2021 were retrospectively analysed, and outcomes were compared between the former (2010-2015) and latter interval (2016-2021). Survivals were compared by univariable and multivariable analyses.

Changes in peripheral blood test results among adults in the six years following the Great East Japan Earthquake: the Fukushima Health Management Survey.

The Fukushima Health Management Survey, conducted by Fukushima Prefecture since the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake (GEJE), has not identified any health effects from radiation exposure.　Complete blood counts (CBC), which are sensitive to radiation exposure, have not shown lymphocytopenia, neutropenia, anemia, or thrombocytopenia, but the white blood cell fractions have not yet been analyzed since 2011.　We classified 25,885 residents (11,383 male, 14,502 female;age range, 16-84 years) in evacuation areas with external exposure dose estimates based on behavioral surveys conducted 4 months after the GEJE into two groups (0-1 [≥0 and <1] and ≥1 mSv) and analyzed changes in CBC and leukocyte fractions from fiscal year (FY) 2011 to FY2017 and their influencing factors.

Polyglycolic Acid Mesh and Fibrin Glue in Minimally Invasive Left Pancreatectomy: Video Technique and Single-Center Data.

Background: Postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) remains a major challenge after left pancreatectomy (LP). While polyglycolic acid (PGA) mesh wrapping has been shown to reduce clinically relevant (CR-)POPF in open LP, its efficacy in minimally invasive LP (MILP) remains unvalidated. This study evaluates the effectiveness of PGA mesh and fibrin glue reinforcement during MILP in a single-center retrospective cohort.

Comparative outcomes of parenchyma-sparing repeat pancreatectomy vs completion pancreatectomy: impact on endocrine function and diabetes management.

Background: Although completion pancreatectomy (CP) is the standard approach for repeat pancreatectomy of secondary pancreatic tumors, the incidence of postoperative endocrine insufficiency is high. Parenchyma-sparing repeat pancreatectomy (PSRP) can preserve this function. However, its feasibility and long-term outcomes have not been evaluated.

Predictors of left atrial thrombi for subsequent thromboembolisms: Risk factors derived from echocardiography.

Background: Evidence regarding the management of left atrial thrombi (LATs) is limited.

Objectives: We aimed to investigate factors associated with subsequent thromboembolism in patients with LATs and explored potential management approaches.

Methods: This multicenter retrospective study consecutively enrolled patients who underwent morphological assessment of LAT using echocardiography.

A classification using CRP and AFP in predicting survival of early- and intermediate-stage HCC treated with TACE.

Background: The aim of the present study was to investigate the association of C-reactive protein (CRP) and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) (CRP-AFP) classification with prognosis in early- and intermediate-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients after undergoing transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE).

Methods: This retrospective observational study included 313 early- and intermediate-stage HCC patients who had undergone TACE. We calculated CRP-AFP score by assigning two points for CRP ≥ 1.

Combined internal fixation and autologous chondrocyte implantation for tibial plateau fracture concomitant with cartilage injury: a case report.

This is the first report of tibia plateau fracture (TPF) concomitant with a large cartilage injury, which was treated with consecutive procedures comprising internal fixation and autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI). A 49-year-old male patient was diagnosed with a medial tibial plateau fracture concomitant with a large medial femoral condyle cartilage injury. The patient underwent internal fixation and ACI at a 4-week interval.

Central hepatectomy for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma: an alternative technique for parenchymal-sparing hepatectomy to prevent post-hepatectomy liver failure.

Background: Perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (PHC) often requires major hepatectomy with extrahepatic bile duct resection, carrying the risk of post-hepatectomy liver failure (PHLF). Central hepatectomy (CH), an alternative technique, aims to preserve functional liver reserve. This study evaluated the feasibility of CH and outcomes for patients with PHC within the paradigm of parenchymal-sparing hepatectomy.

Impact of lymph node dissection during surgery on the efficacy of pembrolizumab in patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma.

Objectives: The impact of lymph node dissection (LND) on the efficacy of pembrolizumab in patients with urothelial carcinoma (UC) who develop metastasis after surgery remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of pembrolizumab in patients with metastatic UC who underwent primary tumor resection with LND.

Patients And Methods: This retrospective study included patients who initially underwent radical surgery with or without LND for non-metastatic UC and later received pembrolizumab for recurrent lesions.

A clinicopathological study of IgG4-related autoimmune hepatitis and IgG4-hepatopathy.

Background And Aim: Although IgG4-related autoimmune hepatitis (IgG4-AIH) and IgG4-hepatopathy have been proposed as hepatic phenotypes of IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD), their definitions and concepts remain insufficiently established. This study aims to conduct a clinicopathological investigation of cases reported as potential IgG4-AIH or IgG4-hepatopathy.

Methods: In previous nationwide epidemiological studies conducted in 2015 and 2018, we registered 1096 cases of IgG4-sclerosing cholangitis (IgG4-SC).

Weakly guiding approximation of a three-dimensional waveguide model for extreme ultraviolet lithography simulation.

A three-dimensional (3D) waveguide model is applied in extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography simulations. The 3D waveguide model is equivalent to rigorous coupled-wave analysis, but fewer field components are used to solve Maxwell's equations. The 3D waveguide model uses two components of vector potential, and , corresponding to the two polarizations.