Whole genome mutagenicity evaluation using Hawk-Seq™ demonstrates high inter-laboratory reproducibility and concordance with the transgenic rodent gene mutation assay.

Background: Error-corrected next-generation sequencing (ecNGS) enables the sensitive detection of chemically induced mutations. Matsumura et al. reported Hawk-Seq™, an ecNGS method, demonstrating its utility in clarifying mutagenicity both qualitatively and quantitatively.

Acute typical food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome triggered by egg white: Two case reports.

Food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES) is a non-immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated food allergy characterized by gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea. Since 2018, hen's egg yolk has been the most common trigger for FPIES in Japan, whereas typical egg white (TEW) FPIES remains rare. Herein, we present two cases of acute TEW FPIES in young children.

Potential of Fetal Electrocardiography Monitoring in Evaluating Treatment Indications for Fetal Supraventricular Tachycardia.

Introduction: Accurate assessment of fetal supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) frequency is critical for deciding treatment strategies. In this study, we evaluated the potential of prolonged non-invasive fetal electrocardiography (fECG) monitoring for assessing SVT and guiding therapy.

Case Presentation: A 37-year-old woman at 28 weeks of gestation was referred to our hospital for fetal tachycardia.

[A STUDY ON THE CLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF MACADAMIA NUT ORAL FOOD CHALLENGE].

Purpose: The research on macadamia nut oral food challenge (OFC) is limited. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics of macadamia nut OFC by evaluating data from our department.

Methods: This study retrospectively analyzed macadamia nut OFC data from medical record from January 2013 to June 2024, targeting loading doses of 1 gram and 10 grams.

New topical molecular targeted therapies for atopic dermatitis in children: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Topical molecular targeted therapies have recently emerged for the treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD), but their efficacy and safety, particularly in children, remain underexplored. This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to evaluate the efficacy and safety of topical targeted therapies in children with AD. We conducted a comprehensive search of the CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, and ICHUSHI databases for articles published up to January 7, 2023, based on a protocol registered in PROSPERO (CRD42022366449).

Development of a novel Δ-THC-specific color test reagent.

Purpose: Existing on-site color tests for cannabis (e.g., rapid Duquénois-Levine reagent, 4-aminophenol reagent) have insufficient specificity, especially in the point of distinguishing between Δ-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ-THC) and the other cannabinoids.

Impact of Sedation on Ventilator-Induced Diaphragmatic Dysfunction in Extremely Preterm Infants.

Background: Ventilator-induced diaphragmatic dysfunction is associated with poor patient outcomes. However, the detailed pathophysiology and risk factors underlying the exacerbation of diaphragmatic dysfunction remain unclear. We aimed to evaluate the effect of sedation on diaphragmatic function in extremely preterm infants (EPIs) using ultrasound.

Necrotizing Enterocolitis Complicated by Hepatic Abscesses in a Neonate: Diagnostic Utility of an Abdominal Ultrasound.

We report a case of multiple liver abscesses after necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), which were successfully detected by ultrasound screening and treated successfully. This baby was not premature but had truncus arteriosus and was at risk of NEC. NEC developed on day 7, and abdominal drainage, bowel resection, and enterostomy were performed on day 12.

Preparation of highly concentrated extracts from large volume of urine as the first step in detecting trace amounts of hypnotics in urine collected in drug-facilitated crime cases.

Purpose: Detecting hypnotics in victim urine samples collected several days after drug-facilitated crime (DFC) is challenging because most of the drugs have already been excreted. In this study, a sample preparation method was developed for extracting trace amounts of hypnotics using most of the urine excreted at one sampling time (100 mL), and large amounts of matrices were efficiently removed.

Methods: Etizolam, midazolam, ramelteon, and their metabolites were used as the target compounds.

Cross-reactivity of the epimers of 11-nor-9-carboxy-hexahydrocannabinol, metabolites of hexahydrocannabinol, with panel tests for urinary Δ-tetrahydrocannabinol metabolites.

Purpose: The epimers of 11-nor-9-carboxy-hexahydrocannabinol (HHC-COOH) have been identified as metabolites of hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) in human urine. Owing to the similarity of chemical structures to 11-nor-9-carboxy-Δ-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ-THC-COOH), a major urinary metabolite of Δ-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ-THC), HHC-COOH may show cross-reactivity in panel tests for urinary Δ-THC metabolites. The authors have evaluated the cross-reactivity of HHC-COOH epimers in three commercial panel tests.

Spatiotemporal dynamics of protamine-DNA condensation revealed by high-speed atomic force microscopy.

Protamines (PRMs) play a crucial role in sperm chromatin condensation, replacing histones to form nucleo-PRM structures, specifically PRM-DNA complexes. Despite their importance in reproduction, the detailed mechanisms underlying PRM-mediated DNA condensation have remained elusive. In this study, we employed high-speed atomic force microscopy (HS-AFM) to directly visualize the real-time binding dynamics of PRM to DNA under physiological conditions.

Assessment of Blood Prostaglandin E Metabolite Levels among Infants Born Preterm with Patent Ductus Arteriosus: A Prospective Study.

Objective: To assess the role of prostaglandin E by measuring blood prostaglandin E metabolite (PGEM) concentrations in preterm infants with patent ductus arteriosus (PDA).

Study Design: A prospective observational study of preterm infants born before 32 weeks of gestational age (GA) was performed in a single tertiary hospital in Japan. Blood samples were collected to measure serum concentrations of PGEM, ibuprofen (IBU), and cytokines.

Dual function of PHF16 in reinstating homeostasis of murine intestinal epithelium after crypt regeneration.

Intestinal stem cells (ISCs) are highly vulnerable to damage, being in a constant state of proliferation. Reserve stem cells repair the intestinal epithelium following damage-induced ablation of ISCs. Here, we report that the epigenetic regulator plant homology domain (PHD) finger protein 16 (PHF16) restores homeostasis of the intestinal epithelium after initial damage-induced repair.

Development of a simple estimation method of serum caffeine concentration using a point-of-care test kit for urinary caffeine.

Purpose: Serum caffeine concentration is an indicator of caffeine intoxication; however, it is difficult to measure it in most emergency departments. We developed a simple estimation method using a point-of-care test kit for urinary caffeine.

Methods: Caffeine-spiked human serum (100, 50, 25, and 10 µg/mL) was diluted 10-, 20-, 50-, and 100-fold with phosphate-buffered saline and applied to the kit.

Effects of natural environments on drug contents in nails: comparison of drug residual rates between nails and hair to determine the drug-use history of corpses in unnatural death cases using micro-segmental analysis.

Purpose: We previously developed evaluation methods using micro-segmental analysis (MSA) to examine the effects of external environments on drug content in hair and nails. In this study, the effects of the natural environmental factors (water, temperature, humidity, light, and soil) on drug contents in nails were examined and compared with our previous experimental data on hair.

Methods: Four hay-fever medicines were used as model drugs (fexofenadine, epinastine, cetirizine, and desloratadine) to evaluate drug stability in the nails.

Revalidation of DNA Fragmentation Analyses for Human Sperm-Measurement Principles, Comparative Standards, Calibration Curve, Required Sensitivity, and Eligibility Criteria for Test Sperm.

(1) Background: Double-strand breaks (DSBs) in a single nucleus are usually measured using the sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA), sperm chromatin dispersion (SCD) test, and comet assay (CA). Mono-dimensional single-cell pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (1D-SCPFGE) and angle-modulated two- dimensional single-cell pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (2D-SCPFGE) were developed to observe DNA fragmentation in separated motile sperm. (2) Methods: Comparative standards, calibration curves, required sensitivity levels, and eligibility criteria for test sperm were set up to validate the measurement principles of these tests.

Synthesis and analytical characterization of 1-(2-thienoyl)-6-allyl-nor-d-lysergic acid diethylamide (1T-AL-LAD).

Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) analogs have emerged as new psychoactive substances (NPS) since the mid-2010s, and new compounds continue to emerge for recreational use. Since the end of 2023, "1D-AL-LAD" appeared on X (formerly Twitter) and other websites. As for the compound "1D-LSD" (which also has "1D" in the name), several studies show that the ingredient of seized blotter paper printed "1D-LSD" was actually 1-(2-thienoyl)-LSD (1T-LSD).

Efficacy of very-low-dose oral food challenge in children with severe hen egg allergy: A retrospective, single-center case series.

Background: To avoid complete elimination of hen eggs (HE) from diet, we introduced a very-low-dose (VLD) oral food challenge (OFC) in patients with severe HE allergy in 2019. Herein, we investigated the efficacy of VLD HE OFC for achieving the full dose OFC.

Methods: Patients with an overt allergic reaction to LD (1/32 HE [≤100 mg]) or less, egg white (EW) protein within 6 months were included.

[PRACTICE AND TRAINING RELATED TO USING ADRENALINE AUTOINJECTORS FOR PARAMEDICS: FACTS AND ISSUES].

Background: Although paramedics can use adrenaline autoinjectors (AAIs) during their duties, the actual conditions of their use and the challenges faced remain unclear. We investigated the actual situation and issues pertaining to creating an environment in which paramedics can operate AAIs more effectively.

Methods: A web-based survey was conducted among paramedics who participated in a web-based training session related to their latest knowledge on food allergies and emergency responses in 2022.