A Sr-Ga Oxy-Hydroxide with High Thermal Stability: Unraveling Its Characteristic Hydrogen-Bond Network.

Oxy-hydroxides represent potential proton carriers for solid acid catalysts and proton conductors owing to their hydroxide-rich compositions. However, their applications in high-temperature environments are limited due to thermal instability associated with dehydration at moderate to high temperatures. Therefore, the development of oxy-hydroxides with enhanced thermal stability is of critical importance.

Lymphocyte Fractions as Indicators of T-Helper 1/T-Helper 2 Cytokine Profiles in Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Aims: Inflammatory bowel disease is characterized by various cytokine patterns. In this study, we aimed to investigate the markers that can distinguish Th1/Th2 cytokines in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Methods And Results: In patients with inflammatory bowel disease treated at our hospital, the Th1/Th2 ratio (interferon-γ/interleukin-4 ratio), serum immunoglobulin E level, leucine-rich alpha 2 glycoprotein level, serum amyloid A level, and leukocyte fraction were measured simultaneously, and the relationship between them was examined.

Zinc-based mixed-anion catalysts for photochemical reduction of carbon dioxide.

The catalytic reduction of CO into value-added chemicals has become important in recent years, and a catalyst that is efficient, nontoxic, and inexpensive is highly demanded. In particular, room still exists for exploring mixed-anion compounds as new catalysts. Here, we show that the Zn-based mixed-anion compounds Zn(OH)(NO) and Zn(OH)(NO), which were formed on the surface of AlO using Zn(NO)·6HO as the precursor, can convert CO into HCOOH with >80% selectivity in the presence of a Ru(II) photosensitizer and 1-benzyl-1,4-dihydro-nicotinamide as an electron donor under visible light ( = 460 nm).

Factors associated with using penicillins as the first-choice antimicrobial among dentists in Japan: a national cross-sectional study.

Objective: This study aimed to identify the factors associated with the use of penicillins as the first-choice antimicrobial in Japan's dental clinics.

Design: Cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey.

Setting: Dental clinics throughout Japan.

Factors associated with withholding of invasive mechanical ventilation in the early phase of the COVID-19 response and their ethical analyses.

End-of-life decision making regarding invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) for patients with severe coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is challenging. We aimed to explore the factors associated with the withholding of IMV in patients with COVID-19. This retrospective study included patients registered in a nationwide COVID-19 Registry Japan.

Gender Differences in Antibiotic Prescriptions and Healthcare Visits Among Caregivers Accompanying Children with Respiratory Tract Infections: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Introduction: Women are more often prescribed antibiotics than men for a number of health conditions. Adults' behaviours in engaging with healthcare for themselves, especially when attending appointments with a child with a respiratory tract infection for whom they provide care, may contribute to the gender differences in antimicrobial use. This study aimed to evaluate gender differences in caregivers' attendance at healthcare visits for children with respiratory tract infections, their behaviours in engaging with healthcare for themselves and their children, and associated antibiotic prescriptions.

Optimal positioning of biomarkers according to ulcerative colitis activity.

The diagnostic performance and clinical utility of fecal calprotectin (FC), fecal immunochemical occult blood test (FIT), leucine-rich alpha-2 glycoprotein (LRG), C-reactive protein (CRP), and prostaglandin E-major urinary metabolite (PGE-MUM) as established biomarkers for ulcerative colitis (UC) were evaluated. Significant correlations were observed between the clinical activity index, Mayo endoscopic subscore (MES), and each biomarker. Among MES groups, fecal biomarkers demonstrated significant differences, except between MES 2 and MES 3.

IL-17A inhibitor-induced ulcerative colitis treated with an anti-IL-23 antibody.

Interleukin-17 (IL-17) has been suggested to have a protective effect on the intestinal mucosa. The administration of an anti-IL-17 receptor monoclonal antibody has been associated with the onset of inflammatory bowel disease. We present a case of ulcerative colitis caused by secukinumab, an anti-IL-17 receptor A monoclonal antibody, that was treated with mirikizumab, a p19-directed antibody against IL-23.

Usefulness of Prostaglandin E-Major Urinary Metabolite in Monitoring Crohn's Disease Activity: A Prospective Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: The goal of treatment for Crohn's disease (CD) is to achieve mucosal or transmural healing, and biomarker measurements are useful in monitoring disease activity and guiding treatment. This study aimed to investigate the utility of a new urinary biomarker, prostaglandin E-major urinary metabolite (PGE-MUM), in assessing CD activity.

Methods: The study involved 87 patients with CD who underwent endoscopic examination and measurements of 4 biomarkers: Prostaglandin E-major urinary metabolite, fecal calprotectin (FC), leucine-rich α2 glycoprotein (LRG), and C-reactive protein (CRP).

Fecal Calprotectin as a Biomarker of Crohn's Disease in Patients With Short Disease Durations: A Prospective, Single-Center, Cross-Sectional Study.

Fecal calprotectin (FC) is a Crohn's disease (CD) biomarker, although the impact of disease duration on its accuracy remains unclear. This study was aimed at investigating the effects of CD disease duration on FC. In this prospective, single-center, cross-sectional study, we performed 113 endoscopies and biomarker measurements.

Vedolizumab-steroid combination therapy improves long-term prognosis in patients with ulcerative colitis.

Background: In real-world clinical settings, the clinical efficacy of vedolizumab (VDZ) in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy of prednisolone (PSL)-VDZ combination therapy in patients with UC.

Methods: Changes in the clinical activity index (CAI), blood test results, and the factors affecting VDZ rate and continuity were investigated.

COVID-19-specific prefectural hospital bed utilization rate and in-hospital mortality among COVID-19 patients throughout the first three years of the pandemic in Japan.

Background: We examined the association between the COVID-19-specific prefectural bed utilization rate and in-hospital mortality during the first three years of the pandemic in Japan.

Methods: This nationwide study included 58,175 COVID-19 patients from the COVID-19 Registry Japan, hospitalized between May 1, 2020 and November 30, 2022. Based on the weekly COVID-19-specific bed utilization rate in each prefecture at diagnosis, patients were categorized into four groups (< 25%, 25% to < 50%, 50% to < 75%, and ≥ 75%).

Successful Surgical Repair of Complete Duodenal Transection Caused by Horse Kick: A Case Report.

Introduction: Horse kicks are a rare cause of injury and tend to cause severe complications such as visceral organ injury. Traumatic duodenal injuries are associated with high mortality rates. Furthermore, their reconstructive procedures vary widely and require appropriate on-the-spot judgment by the surgeon.

Molecular epidemiology and patient outcome of carbapenem-resistant and in Japan: a multicenter study from MultiDrug-Resistant organisms clinical research network.

Background And Objectives: Carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacilli (CRGNB), especially and , are critical pathogens associated with excess morbidity and mortality. To elucidate their molecular epidemiology and clinical outcomes in Japan, patients with CRGNB were enrolled in the MDR organisms clinical research network (MDRnet) consisting of eight tertiary care facilities.

Methods: Between 2019 and 2022, 246 unique patients with carbapenem-resistant (CRE), carbapenem-resistant (CRPA) and carbapenem-resistant (CRAB) isolates were prospectively enrolled.

Duration of infectious virus shedding of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant among immunocompromised patients.

Objective: The duration of viral shedding and criteria for de-isolation in the hospital among immunocompromised patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) remain unclear. This study aimed to evaluate viral shedding duration in immunocompromised patients infected with the Omicron variant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2.

Methods: A prospective cohort study was performed at 2 tertiary medical centers in Japan during the Omicron epidemic waves from July 2022 to January 2023.

Trends in antimicrobial consumption: long-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic was associated with a global decrease in antimicrobial consumption (AMC) in 2020. However, the persistence of this downwards trend is not known at a global level. This study examined the global and longer-term trends in AMC after the emergence of COVID-19.

Effect of past extensive ulcers on fecal calprotectin in ulcerative colitis.

Background: Ulcerative colitis (UC) causes extensive ulceration attributable to intestinal inflammation. This study investigated the effect of past extensive ulcers (PEUs) on fecal calprotectin (FC).

Methods: This retrospective, single-center, observational study included patients with UC with a Mayo endoscopic subscore of 0.

Mechanistic Insights on the Formation of a Carbodiimide Ion from Urea in LaONCN Synthesis Based on the "Proanion" Strategy.

This study affords mechanistic insights into the formation mechanism of carbodiimide ions (NCN) from urea during the synthesis of LaONCN by employing the "proanion" strategy without using NH gas. It is a safer, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly approach. Urea, acting as a proanion, decomposes upon heating, facilitating conversion to NCN.

Evaluation of antimicrobial selective pressure using the multicenter semiautomatic surveillance system Japan surveillance for infection prevention and healthcare epidemiology.

Background: Evaluating the selective pressure of antimicrobials on bacteria is important for promoting antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs). The aim of this study was to assess the selective pressure of antimicrobials by evaluating their use (carbapenem [CBP] and CBP-sparing therapy) over time and the detection status of CBP-resistant organisms using multicenter data.

Methods: Among the facilities whose data were registered in the Japan Surveillance for Infection Prevention and Healthcare Epidemiology from 2017 to 2020, those that had data on the use of CBP and CBP-sparing therapy (fluoroquinolones [FQs], cefmetazole [CMZ], piperacillin-tazobactam [PIP/TAZ], ampicillin-sulbactam [ABPC/SBT], ceftriaxone/cefotaxime [CTRX/CTX], CAZ (ceftazidime), cefepime [CFPM], and aminoglycosides [AGs]) as well as on CBP-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) and CBP-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CRPA) detection were included.

Status of COVID-19 Patients Treated With Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in Japan: Nationwide Database Analysis.

Background The report of epidemiological data on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients treated using extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in Japan has been limited. Our study seeks to fill the existing gap in knowledge by providing an in-depth analysis of the clinical epidemiological characteristics and diverse medical outcomes of COVID-19 patients treated with ECMO in Japan. Methods This study used the COVID-19 Registry Japan nationwide database.