Autophagic cell death in plants.

Autophagy is a catabolic process that degrades cytoplasmic components under cellular stress conditions such as nutrient deprivation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, and pathogen infection. This process involves the formation of autophagosomes, which sequester cytoplasmic materials before fusing with lysosomes (or vacuoles in plant cells) for degradation. Historically, autophagy has been considered primarily as a stress adaptation mechanism, but emerging evidence indicates its involvement in programmed cell death (PCD), termed autophagic cell death (ACD).

Clinical trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of percutaneous prostate cancer lesion-targeted microwave tissue coagulation for prostate functional preservation: MicroPro2.

Introduction: Focal therapy (FT) for localized prostate cancer (PC) aims to achieve cancer control and maintain quality of life. Microwave tissue coagulation (MTC) is a tissue-coagulation thermotherapy that has been used to treat solid tumors such as kidney, liver, and lung tumors. However, the use of this technology in lesion-targeted FT for PC has not been established.

Amyloplasts are necessary for full gravitropism in thallus of Marchantia polymorpha.

Gravitropism is a plant response to gravity that directs organ growth and development, playing a key role in the adaptation of land plants. While its molecular basis has been extensively studied in flowering plants, much less is known about this process in other plant lineages. Here, we investigated the gravitropic response of the liverwort Marchantia polymorpha, a model for early land plant evolution.

Factors for bloodstream infection in totally implantable venous-access ports.

Introduction: Central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) associated with implanted central venous (CV)-access ports (CV ports) remains one of the most serious complications that can worsen patient outcomes. Despite the importance of this problem, comprehensive reports are limited. Here we report an analysis of CLABSI risk factors in patients with CV ports at our institution.

Comparative Proteomic Profiling of Receptor Kinase Signaling Reveals Key Trafficking Components Enforcing Plant Stomatal Development.

Receptor kinases are pivotal for growth, development, and environmental response of plants. Yet, their regulatory mechanisms and spatial dynamics are still underexplored. The ERECTA-family receptor kinases coordinate diverse developmental processes, including stomatal development.

Comprehensive genetic analyses of Arabidopsis autophagy-related 8 family reveal redundant regulatory roles during autophagy.

The ubiquitin-like protein ATG8 is a central component of the autophagy process and is required at multiple steps during both bulk and selective autophagy. Currently, our understanding of the roles of ATG8 in plants and the possible functional specialization of its family members is limited by genetic redundancy. Here, we employed clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated (Cas)9 targeting technology to systematically inactivate all nine Arabidopsis thaliana ATG8 loci.

Longitudinal MRI changes after focal therapy for prostate cancer: cryotherapy vs. microwave tissue coagulation.

Purpose: This study compared the longitudinal changes in multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) findings following lesion-targeted focal cryotherapy with those after microwave tissue coagulation (MTC) therapy for localized prostate cancer with the aim of determining their modality-specific imaging characteristics and evolution over time.

Materials And Methods: The study included 16 patients (17 procedures) who underwent cryotherapy and 33 patients (34 procedures) who received MTC therapy between March 2017 and February 2024. Serial mpMRI scans were retrospectively reviewed for treatment-induced signal changes on T1-weighted imaging, T2-weighted imaging, diffusion-weighted imaging, and dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

[Cardiac Surgery Using Low-dose Heparin Combined with Nafamostat Mesilate in an Acute Hemorrhagic Stroke].

A 66-year-old man presented to our hospital complaining palpitation and fatigue. He was diagnosed with heart failure secondary to mitral regurgitation, left ventricular thrombus, and hemorrhagic stroke in right cerebral hemisphere. Cardiac surgery under cardiopulmonary bypass during acute phase of stroke or cerebral hemorrhage carries significant risk, including exacerbation of neurological complications due to intraoperative anticoagulation.

A Comparison of Vaccination Policies and Immunity Assessment for Measles Control: Insights from the United States and Japan.

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease and remains a global health challenge despite the availability of effective vaccines. Although many regions have successfully eliminated measles, outbreaks continue to occur owing to vaccine hesitancy, inadequate coverage, and imported cases. Differences in epidemiology, vaccination policies, and immunity assessment influence measles control across countries.

A Case of Unresectable Gastric Cancer Successfully Treated with Conversion Surgery After Immunotherapy Including Treatment.

A 72-year-old woman diagnosed as unresectable advanced gastric cancer with both of direct invasion to liver and pancreas and peritoneal dissemination, received 11 courses of S-1 and oxaliplatin (SOX) + nivolumab combination therapy according to the Japanese Gastric Cancer Treatment Guideline because the tumor showed HER2-negative, microsatellite instability (MSI)-high, and PD-L1-positive. Since post-treatment endoscopic and other imaging findings showed a prominent reduction of the main tumor, release of surrounding organ infiltration, and disappearance of disseminated metastases, we planned the conversion surgery and could perform laparoscopic distal gastrectomy with D2 lymph node dissection. Postoperative histopathological examination showed no residual tumor cells both in the primary tumor and dissected lymph nodes.

Comparison of the Prevalence of Meal-Related Nausea in Different Functional Dyspepsia Subgroups.

Background: Nausea can coexist in functional dyspepsia (FD) but the literature is poor in reporting whether this symptom is mainly triggered by meal ingestion. Moreover, the prevalence of nausea in FD is understudied.

Methods: Adult patients with a disorder of gut-brain interaction (DGBI) recruited in secondary and tertiary care facilities completed the enhanced Asian Rome IV questionnaire with additional questions to address the relationship between nausea and food intake.

Evaluation of Humoral and Cell-Mediated Immunity Induced by Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine in Pre-COVID-19 Japan.

This study aimed to evaluate the humoral and cell-mediated immune responses induced by an inactivated influenza vaccine (IIV4) during the 2019/2020 influenza season in Japan. We collected blood samples from 25 healthy adults before vaccination, 2 weeks post-vaccination, and 5 months post-vaccination. Humoral and cell-mediated immunities were assessed based on hemagglutination inhibition antibody titers and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) levels, respectively.

Pitt candidaemia score as an assessment tool for mortality in patients with candidaemia caused by and other species: a multicentre study conducted in Japan.

Background: A bedside scoring system to assess the severity of disease is lacking for candidaemia. The Pitt candidaemia score (PCS) was evaluated for its association with mortality.

Methods: The PCS consists of five components, namely dialysis, hypotension, mechanical ventilation, cardiac arrest and mental status.

Arrhythmias in Cronkhite-Canada Syndrome.

A 69-year-old man underwent upper and lower gastrointestinal endoscopic examinations for a detailed evaluation of diarrhea that had persisted for several months, which revealed multiple polyposis in the stomach, duodenum, colon, and terminal ileum. The histopathological findings also led to a diagnosis of Cronkhite-Canada syndrome (CCS). On admission, the patient had hypoalbuminemia and electrolyte abnormalities, including hypokalemia, and developed paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (Paf), although there were no apparent organic lesions in the heart.

Neofunctionalization of VAMP7 opened up a plant-unique vacuolar transport pathway.

Each eukaryotic cell possesses a specialized membrane trafficking system that emerged through paralogous expansion followed by the neofunctionalization of trafficking machinery components, including soluble N-ethylmaleimide sensitive factor attachment protein receptor (SNARE) proteins, during evolution. We discovered that the acquisition of an acidic insertion in the polypeptide converted the secretory R-SNARE vesicle-associated membrane protein (VAMP)72 into a major component of plant vacuolar transport. The moderately acidic insertion, originating from alternative splicing in the common ancestor of zygnematophytes and embryophytes, conferred binding ability to the clathrin adapter protein complex-4 (AP-4) at the trans-Golgi network (TGN), partially redirecting the VAMP72 protein from the secretory to the vacuolar transport pathway.

Seminal Vesicle Atrophy and Ejaculatory Dysfunction Secondary to Prostatic and Seminal Vesicle Abscesses.

Seminal vesicle (SV) and prostatic abscesses are rare urological infections. However, their effect on sexual function remains unknown. In the present study, we encountered a case of SV atrophy and ejaculatory dysfunction (EjD) after conservative treatment.

Ten years of experience in percutaneous cryoablation for small renal masses in patients aged ≥ 80 years.

Introduction: Small renal masses (SRMs) have been frequently found as incidentaloma in recent decades. Although partial nephrectomy is generally recommended, perioperative adverse events are a concern. As an alternative to partial nephrectomy, percutaneous cryoablation is minimally invasive for older patients and patients with comorbidities.

Explainable artificial intelligence for prediction of refractory ulcerative colitis: analysis of a Japanese Nationwide Registry.

Objective: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease for which remission is dependent on corticosteroid (CS) treatment. The diversity of disease pathophysiology necessitates optimal case-specific treatment selection. This study aimed to identify prognostic factors for refractory UC using a machine learning model based on nationwide registry data.

Utility of interfacility patient transfer after radiofrequency identification marker placement for precise sublobar resection of small pulmonary nodules.

Objectives: Introduction of the radiofrequency identification (RFID) marking system has enabled the precise localization of small pulmonary nodules, facilitating precise sublobar lung resection (PSR). However, the necessary hybrid operating room (HOR) for such precision procedures is mainly available in advanced medical institutions and not universally accessible. Performance of marker placement and lung resection at different facilities without the HOR can promote the widespread adoption of PSR.

Efficacy of Enhanced Environmental Cleaning/Disinfection Using Pulsed Xenon Ultraviolet Light in Preventing Outbreaks of Methicillin-Resistant in Neonatal Intensive Care Units.

Background/objectives: In recent years, non-contact room disinfection devices using ultraviolet light and hydrogen peroxide have emerged as disinfection methods. However, data on their usefulness in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) are limited. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of environmental disinfection in controlling methicillin-resistant (MRSA) outbreaks in a NICU/growing care unit (GCU).

Effect of Body Mass Index in Patients With Cardiogenic Shock Requiring Microaxial Flow Pump.

Background: The impact of obesity on mortality in patients with cardiogenic shock (CS) requiring microaxial flow pumps (mAFP) remains undetermined.

Objectives: This study investigated the effect of body mass index (BMI) on mortality in CS patients treated with mAFP.

Methods: Data from 3,636 consecutive CS patients treated with Impella mAFP in the J-PVAD (Japanese Registry for Percutaneous Ventricular Assist Device) nationwide prospective registry in Japan between February 2020 and December 2022 were analyzed.

Recurrence of seminoma 48 years after orchiectomy: Longest late recurrence and treatment.

Introduction: Although not frequent, the recurrence of seminoma later than 5-10 years after orchiectomy has been reported. We report a case of recurrence of seminoma 48 years after orchiectomy, with metastasis to the para-aorta that was treated with chemotherapy.

Case Presentation: An 83-year-old man had an incidentally enlarged para-aortic lymph node noted on computed tomography.

Management of a Mass Casualty Incident Involving Foreign Workers: Insights From a Single-Center Response to a Microbus Accident in Japan.

Background: The increasing globalization of workforces presents unique challenges to emergency medical services worldwide. Japan, traditionally a homogeneous society, now faces a growing need to manage multicultural emergency scenarios. This study examines a mass casualty incident (MCI) predominantly involving foreign workers, highlighting the challenges and strategies for effective emergency care amid language and cultural barriers.

Empirical dosage determination of vancomycin for a target area under the concentration-time curve of 400 μg·h/mL in the first 24 h: A prospective multicenter observational study with rich sampling.

Aim: Area under the concentration-time curve (AUC)-guided dosing is recommended in vancomycin therapy. This study aims to determine the empirical dosing for achieving an AUC on the first day (AUC) and the optimal number of samplings for Bayesian estimation.

Methods: A multicentric prospective study was conducted across five hospitals.