Effect of α- and δ-Tocotrienol on Human Airway Smooth Muscle Cells~Tocotrienols as Potential Candidates for the Treatment of Airway Remodeling in Asthma.

Tocotrienols are members of the vitamin E family and exhibit antioxidant properties, immunomodulatory effects, and anti-inflammatory actions. Previously, we demonstrated that γ-tocotrienol inhibits human airway smooth muscle (ASM) cell proliferation, migration, contractile phenotype expression, and extracellular matrix protein synthesis by suppressing RhoA activation. In this study, we investigated whether α- or δ-tocotrienol modulates transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1)-induced contractile phenotype expression in human ASM cells and platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB)-induced proliferation and migration of ASM cells.

Association between neutrophil extracellular traps in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and severity of drug-induced lung injury.

Background: Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) play a pivotal role in early immune responses and are implicated in various respiratory diseases, such as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). A correlation between NETs in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and the severity of ARDS has been reported. NETs are also associated with drug-induced organ disorders.

Extraperitoneal Single-Port Robot-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy for a Massive Prostate: A Case Report.

Extraperitoneal single-port robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (SP-RARP) using the da Vinci SP system (Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale, CA, US) offers a less invasive alternative to multi-port RARP. However, a significant limitation is the system's reduced instrument force, which makes retraction and manipulation of large, heavy organs particularly challenging. As a result, SP-RARP for prostates over 100 g has been considered difficult and is rarely reported.

Construction and Evaluation of a HCoV-OC43 S2 Subunit Vaccine Fused with Nasal Immuno-Inducible Sequence Against Coronavirus Infection.

A partial sequence of an human coronavirus (HCoV)-OC43 S2 subunit that cross-reacts with the S2 subunit of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was fused with a nasal immuno-inducible sequence (NAIS), and the resulting complex was used for intranasal immunization of rabbits. Crude serum from rabbits immunized with three doses showed an IgG titer > 1000 against the S2 subunits of HCoV-OC43 and SARS-CoV-2 and inhibited OC43 viral replication as a neutralizing antibody in vitro.

Circumferential Meniscal Reconstruction Using the Semitendinosus Tendon for a Medial Meniscal Posterior Root Tear.

This article describes a surgical technique that addresses the limitations of existing approaches in managing meniscal extrusion after medial meniscal posterior root tear repair. Although traditional methods such as pullout repair and suture anchor repair are highly effective, they often struggle to adequately prevent meniscal extrusion, leading to suboptimal meniscal function restoration. Our method, which uses the semitendinosus tendon for circumferential joint capsule reinforcement, significantly reduces meniscal extrusion and enhances knee stability in patients with medial meniscal posterior root tears.

NKT cell deficiency exacerbates adenine-induced renal fibrosis through enhanced Treg infiltration and TGF-β expression.

Natural killer T (NKT) cells are immunoregulatory lymphocytes known for their roles in infection and tumor immunity, but their involvement in renal fibrosis remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the role of NKT cells in adenine-induced renal fibrosis using CD1d-knockout (CD1dKO) mice, which lack NKT cells, and wild-type (WT) controls. Both CD1dKO and WT mice developed renal dysfunction following 5 wk of being fed an adenine-rich diet; however, CD1dKO mice exhibited significantly greater weight loss, elevated serum blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels, and increased expression of fibrosis- and inflammation-related genes, including , , , , and , , .

IgG4-related pleuritis diagnosed by local anesthesia thoracoscopy; a case report and literature review.

IgG4-related pleuritis is rare in patients with IgG4-related diseases (IgG4RD). We report a case of IgG4-related pleuritis diagnosed in a 77-year-old Japanese man with right pleural effusion. The pleural effusion exhibited lymphocyte-predominant exudates with elevated adenosine deaminase (ADA) and IgG4 levels, along with the presence of plasma cells.

Minimally Invasive Arthroscopic Approach to Popliteal Tendon Impingement in a Degenerative Knee: A Case Report.

Posterolateral knee pain can occur due to various causes, including meniscal tears, intra-articular loose bodies, ligament injuries, and tendinitis. Popliteal tendon impingement (PTI) due to osteophytes is a less common but significant cause of posterolateral knee pain, and treatment options for PTI are not well established. This report aimed to explore a minimally invasive approach to treating PTI in a degenerative knee using arthroscopic osteophyte resection.

Aging impairs CD8 T cell responses in adoptive T-cell therapy against solid tumors.

Age-associated defects in T cell-mediated immunity can increase the risk of cancers, but how aging influences adoptive T-cell therapy (ACT) for cancers remains unclear. Here, using a mouse model of melanoma, we demonstrate that aging diminishes anti-tumor activity of engineered CD8 T cells expressing a tumor-specific T cell receptor (CD8 TCR-T cells) in ACT for solid tumors. Aged CD8 TCR-T cells cannot control tumor growth in either young or aged mice.

Intranasal Immunization with Nasal Immuno-Inducible Sequence-Fused Antigens Elicits Antigen-Specific Antibody Production.

Intranasal immunization is one of the most effective methods for eliciting lung mucosal immunity. Multiple intranasal immunization with bacterial polypeptide, termed as a modified PnxIIIA (MP3) protein, is known to elicit production of a specific antibody in mice. In this study, a nasal immuno-inducible sequence (NAIS) was designed to remove the antigenicity of the MP3 protein that can induce mucosal immunity by intranasal immunization, and was examined to induce antigen-specific antibodies against the fused bacterial thioredoxin (Trx) as a model antigen.

JunB is required for CD8+ T cell responses to acute infections.

Basic-leucine zipper transcription factor ATF-like (BATF) and interferon regulatory factor 4 (IRF4) are crucial transcription factors for the generation of cytotoxic effector and memory CD8+ T cells. JunB is required for expression of genes controlled by BATF and IRF4 in CD4+ T cell responses, but the role of JunB in CD8+ T cells remains unknown. Here, we demonstrate that JunB is essential for cytotoxic CD8+ T cell responses.

Allergic bronchopulmonary mycosis caused by : A case report.

A 61-year-old woman, hospitalized for a persistent cough and dyspnea, had no history of bronchial asthma, but was undergoing chemotherapy for methotrexate-related lymphoproliferative disorder due to rheumatoid arthritis. Her peripheral blood eosinophil count was significantly increased, and chest CT revealed left lower lobe atelectasis and high-attenuation mucus. Bronchoscopy revealed mucous plugs and pathological examination revealed numerous eosinophils and filamentous fungi.

Normal menstrual flow volume range and its characteristics measured from sanitary napkins in Japanese women: Discrepancy between measured and subjective menstrual flow volume.

Aim: The 2018 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics abnormal uterine bleeding System-1 defines menstrual flow volume on a 3-point scale based on subjective assessment. However, the normal flow range has not been established, and it is unclear whether subjective assessment is accurate. We investigated the normal menstrual flow volume range in Japanese women and whether the actual measured menstrual flow volume agreed with the subjective evaluation.

Evaluation of the usefulness of non-weight-bearing tunnel view using X-ray in the short term after medial meniscus posterior root tear onset: a retrospective study.

Background: This study aimed to examine whether the non-weight-bearing tunnel view X-ray is effective for short-term evaluation of medial meniscus posterior root tear (MMPRT) by assessing the X-ray characteristics at the initial and follow-up visits.

Methods: This was a retrospective longitudinal study of 26 enrolled knees diagnosed with MMPRT on magnetic resonance imaging. The distance between the medial tibial eminence and medial femoral condyle (MTE-MFC distance) and medial tibiofemoral joint (MTFJ) width were measured by obtaining non-weight-bearing tunnel view and frontal view X-ray radiographs.

One-step syntheses of diaza-dioxa-fenestranes via the sequential (3 + 2) cycloadditions of linear precursors and their structural analyses.

Fenestranes, in which four rings share one carbon atom, have garnered much attention because of their flattened quaternary carbon centers. In addition, the rigid and nonplanar structures of heteroatom-containing fenestranes are attractive scaffolds for pharmaceutical applications. We report one-step syntheses of diaza-dioxa-fenestranes via the sequential (3 + 2) cycloadditions.

Precipitation-induced filament pattern of injected fluid controlled by a structured cell.

Mixing of two fluids can lead to the formation of a precipitate. If one of the fluids is injected into a confined space filled with the other, then a created precipitate disrupts the flow locally and forms complex spatiotemporal patterns. The relevance of controlling these patterns has been highlighted in the engineering and geological contexts.

Safety/efficacy of atezolizumab + bevacizumab during anti-platelet/anticoagulation therapy in unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background And Aims: This study aimed to determine the safety and efficacy of atezolizumab + bevacizumab therapy in hepatocellular carcinoma patients receiving anti-platelet agents or anticoagulants.

Methods: Patients were divided into those using (IM out) and those not using (IM in) anti-platelet agents or anticoagulants, who violated the exclusion criteria of the IMbrave150 trial, and were retrospectively examined.

Results: The study included 185 patients (IM in: 157; IM out: 28).

Efficacy, Safety, and Continuation of Biological Therapy in Older Patients with Asthma in a Real-World Setting: A Retrospective Observational Study.

Background: Major randomized clinical trials have shown that biological therapy can reduce the exacerbation rate and oral corticosteroid (OCS) dosage in patients with severe eosinophilic asthma. However, data on the continuation, efficacy, and safety of biological therapy in older patients with asthma are limited. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the differences in the continuation rate, efficacy, and safety of biological therapy between older (≥ 65 years) and younger (< 65 years) patients with asthma.

Group2 innate lymphoid cells ameliorate renal fibrosis and dysfunction associated with adenine-induced CKD.

Renal fibrosis is a common pathway of chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression involving primary kidney injury and kidney diseases. Group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) mediate type 2 immune responses irrespective of antigen presentation and play a reno-protective role in kidney injury and disease. In the present study, we observed a decrease in kidney-resident ILC2s in CKD and found that enrichment of ILC2s in the kidney ameliorates renal fibrosis.

Pembrolizumab-induced asthma exacerbation with hypereosinophilia and elevated interleukin-5 in endometrial cancer: A case report.

Pembrolizumab is an anti-programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) antibody used to treat various cancer types. Treatments with such immune checkpoint inhibitors cause immune-related adverse events. However, airway inflammation caused by immune-related adverse events has rarely been reported.

Medial Meniscus Posterior Root Reconstruction and Open-Wedge High-Tibial Osteotomy for Medial Meniscus Posterior Root Tear With Varus Knee Alignment: A Retrospective Study on Short-Term Outcomes.

Purpose: We describe 13 cases of medial meniscus posterior root tear (MMPRT) with varus knee alignment treated with medial meniscus posterior root reconstruction (MMPR-R) and open-wedge high-tibial osteotomy (OWHTO) to identify an optimal MMPRT treatment.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 13 patients (mean age: 66.3 ± 8.

In vitro investigation of the effects of Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus OLL1073R-1 exopolysaccharides on tight junction damage caused by influenza virus infection.

It is a problem that influenza virus infection increases susceptibility to secondary bacterial infection in lungs leading to lethal pneumonia. We previously reported that exopolysaccharides (EPS) derived from Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus OLL1073R-1 (OLL1073R-1) could prevent against influenza virus infection followed by secondary bacterial infection in vitro.

Osteosynthesis with Arthroscopy of a Nonunited Tibial Anterior Cruciate Ligament Avulsion Fracture 30 Years after Injury.

There are a few reports on the treatment of nonunited tibial anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) avulsion fractures. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a case of nonunited tibial ACL avulsion fracture 30 years after injury. A 36-year-old woman injured her knee during a road traffic accident 30 years ago.