Serology survey of chikungunya virus in high-risk pregnant women and placental tissue findings.

Evidence suggests a risk of maternal transmission of chikungunya virus (CHIKV) during the first and third trimesters, potentially leading to miscarriage or neurological consequences for the fetus. This study aimed to conduct a serological survey for CHIKV among women with high-risk pregnancies and analyze neonatal variables and placental tissue alterations. From March 2016 to April 2021, serological, histological, and molecular tests for CHIKV were performed.

Effect of heat-killed KW3110 on mild to moderate seasonal allergic rhinitis symptoms in Japanese adults: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel-group study.

Background: In recent years, the prevalence of seasonal allergic rhinitis has increased rapidly in Japan, becoming a social problem. Therefore, we evaluated the effect of tablets containing KW3110 ( KW3110) on allergic symptoms in the nose and eyes.

Methods: In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study, 120 healthy adults with mild to moderate allergic rhinitis ingested either a placebo tablet or a test tablet containing KW3110 for 12 weeks (from January to April).

A Cyclized Helix-Loop-Helix Peptide as a Molecular Scaffold for Cell-Membrane Permeable Inhibitors for the Interaction Between Estrogen Receptor α and Coactivator SRC1.

The molecular design of inhibitors against intracellular protein-protein interactions (PPIs) is of interest for drug discovery and chemical biology. Herein, a novel cyclized helix-loop-helix (cHLH) peptide that inhibited the intracellular PPI between estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) and coactivator SRC1 are designed. The peptide, cHLH-ERα, bound to ERα and inhibited the interaction between ERα and the coactivator SRC1.

Prognosis of Diffusely Infiltrative Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma After Radical Esophagectomy.

Background: Diffusely infiltrative esophageal squamous cell carcinoma is rare, and the benefit of surgical resection for this disease remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the prognosis of diffusely infiltrative squamous cell carcinoma compared with other macroscopic types of locally advanced esophageal cancer. Additionally, we aimed to identify prognostic factors for this disease.

Simple Cytosolic and Nuclear Introduction of Boron Compounds Using Cationic Lipids to Enhance Cancer Cell-Killing Activity in Boron Neutron Capture Therapy.

Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT), a type of nuclear capture-based radiotherapy, has received extensive attention because of its strong anticancer effects, especially in head and neck cancers. This therapy was approved for clinical use in 2020 in Japan. This study demonstrated a technique that effectively uses the electrostatic interactions of negatively charged borane cage (polyhedral borane anion) of disodium mercaptoundecahydro-closo-dodecaborate (BSH) and positively charged cationic lipids or arginine-rich cell-penetrating peptides as carriers to enhance the efficiency of cellular uptake.