Expression of cluster of differentiation 47 (CD47) and signal regulatory protein alpha (SIRPα) as prognostic biomarkers and potentially therapeutic targets in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: The cluster of differentiation 47 (CD47)-signal regulatory protein alpha (SIRPα) axis is a key regulator of innate immune surveillance, facilitating the neoplastic evasion of macrophage-mediated phagocytosis. Although this pathway has been implicated in tumor immune escape in multiple malignancies, its clinical and prognostic significance in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remain to be fully elucidated.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 100 patients who underwent esophagectomy for resectable ESCC.

Evaluation of the usefulness of the masking on un-smoothed image method in Tl myocardial perfusion SPECT.

In Tl myocardial perfusion single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), gastric wall uptake can impact the inferior wall. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and usefulness of the masking on un-smoothed image (MUS) method for Tl myocardial perfusion SPECT. A hemispherical gastric wall phantom was created to simulate the gastric fundus located closest to the myocardium, and the activity was enclosed to achieve an SPECT count ratio against the myocardium equivalent to that observed in clinical practice.

Enhancing submandibular gland resection: A retrospective study on the efficacy of the ORBEYE 3D exoscope.

Purpose: For submandibular gland resection, conventional surgery with the naked eye remains the standard. With its excellent automatic focus and high magnification, the ORBEYE 3D exoscope enables precise submandibular gland resection with less stress. Therefore, we aimed to examine the usefulness of the exoscope in submandibular gland resection.

Emerging strategies, applications and challenges of targeting NAD in the clinic.

Beyond their classical functions as redox cofactors, recent fundamental and clinical research has expanded our understanding of the diverse roles of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP) in signaling pathways, epigenetic regulation and energy homeostasis. Moreover, NAD and NADP influence numerous diseases as well as the processes of aging, and are emerging as targets for clinical intervention. Here, we summarize safety, bioavailability and efficacy data from NAD-related clinical trials, focusing on aging and neurodegenerative diseases.

Cancer-associated fibroblast marker signatures and stromal composition in usual interstitial pneumonia-associated lung adenocarcinoma: an analysis using a proteomic-immunohistochemical approach.

Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) associated with usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) harbours distinct features compared to lung adenocarcinoma without UIP. Therefore, we aimed to characterise the tumour microenvironment of LUAD with UIP by focusing on cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and stromal composition. Immunohistochemistry was performed on 32 LUAD samples (16 each with and without UIP) to evaluate CAF marker expression and lymphocyte infiltration.

Extracellular vesicles of cancer cells induce FOXP3+ fibroblasts and facilitate tumor invasion via the Wnt3-β-catenin pathway.

Forkhead-box-protein P3 (FOXP3) is a key transcription factor in T regulatory cells (Tregs). However, its expression and significance in non-immune stromal cells in the tumor microenvironment remain unclear. Here, we demonstrated FOXP3 expression in stromal fibroblasts of mouse and human gastrointestinal tumors.

Germline pathogenic variants detected by GenMineTOP: insight from a nationwide tumor/normal paired comprehensive genomic profiling test, in Japan.

Comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) expands treatment options for solid tumor patients and identifies hereditary cancers. However, in Japan, confirmatory tests have been conducted in only 31.6% of patients with presumed germline pathogenic variants (GPVs) detected through tumor-only testing.

Undescribed Breast Blood Supply from the Brachial Artery: Circumflex Mammary Artery.

Purpose: Recent advancements in medical technologies have made trans-arterial treatment of breast cancer feasible. Consequently, understanding the vascular anatomies of breast cancers and axillary lymph node metastases has become indispensable for sophisticated treatments. The aim of this study was to determine the vascular anatomy of the breast, which is crucial for trans-arterial chemoembolization in patients with breast cancer.

RO8191, a new compound for initiating embryo implantation in mice.

During early pregnancy in mice, leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) regulates embryo implantation by activating the JAK/STAT3 signaling pathway. The STAT3 pathway has been recognized to play a critical role in embryo implantation; however, it remains unclear whether STAT3 activation alone is sufficient to induce implantation. In this study, we investigated the effects of RO8191, a potential STAT3 activator, on embryo implantation through a series of studies with different mouse models.

Meconium obstruction of prematurity in tiny babies - towards developing an international consensus.

Intestinal perforation occurring in extremely low gestational age neonates is a devastating complication, associated with high mortality and morbidity. Multiple phenotypes of bowel perforation in premature infants have been described, with the most common being spontaneous, or isolated, intestinal perforation and perforated necrotizing enterocolitis. The purpose of this article is to summarize literature describing "meconium obstruction of prematurity", increasingly recognized as a distinct clinical phenotype in the smallest and most immature neonates.

Integrated acoustic identification of a petit-spot volcanic field in the oldest Pacific plate.

Petit-spot volcanism plays a critical role in the metasomatism of oceanic plates prior to subduction and in their recycling into the deep mantle. The extent of metasomatism depends on the number and volume of petit-spot volcanic edifices and intrusions, making precise identification of petit-spot volcanic fields essential. However, conventional methods based on seafloor topography and acoustic backscatter intensity alone have limitations in accurately delineating these features.

Vaginal Lactobacillus crispatus in early pregnancy associates with favorable gestational outcomes in a Japanese maternal-neonatal microbiome cohort.

The maternal microbiome during pregnancy and the peripartum period plays a critical role in maternal health outcomes and establishing the neonatal gut microbiome, with long-term implications for offspring health. However, a healthy microbiome during these key periods has not been definitively characterized. This longitudinal study examines maternal and neonatal microbiomes using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing in a Japanese cohort throughout pregnancy and the postpartum period.

Deep learning based solar forecasting for optimal PV BESS sizing in ultra fast charging stations.

Ultra-fast charging stations (UFCS) present a significant challenge due to their high power demand and reliance on grid electricity. This paper proposes an optimization framework that integrates deep learning-based solar forecasting with a Genetic Algorithm (GA) for optimal sizing of photovoltaic (PV) and battery energy storage systems (BESS). A Gated Recurrent Unit (GRU) model is employed to forecast PV output, while the GA maximizes the Net Present Value (NPV) by selecting optimal PV and BESS sizes tailored to weekday and weekend demand profiles.

Study of Local Band Bending in -Channel InO Thin-Film Transistors under Gate and Drain Voltage Stress Using Hard X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy.

In this study, we analyze InO thin-film transistors (InO-TFT) using synchrotron-based hard X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (HAXPES) in conditions. A bottom-gate InO-TFT with a high- AlO gate dielectric, grown on thermally oxidized silicon (SiO/p-Si), was examined while operating at varying and . The results reveal that the In 3d core level binding energy varies along the horizontal channel length, driven by the potential gradient induced by .

Computed tomography scan-guided preoperative identification of the appendicular root as an indicator of the best skin incision site in open appendicectomy: a retrospective single-center study.

Background: Appendicectomy is a well-established surgical procedure used for managing of acute appendicitis. In open appendicectomy, McBurney's point is the surgical landmark for locating the appendix, and it is common practice to make an incision there. However, in this study, we identified the root of the appendix via computed tomography, made an incision around that sites, and performed the appendicectomy through this incision.

Thyroid Foramen: Prevalence and CT Morphology.

Rationale And Objectives: The thyroid foramen (TF) is a congenital anatomical variant of the thyroid cartilage, characterized by a small opening that may transmit neurovascular structures. Although benign, TF can be misinterpreted on imaging as a cartilage fracture or tumor invasion, and may pose a surgical risk if unrecognized. Despite these potential implications, TF remains under-recognized in routine radiological practice.

Bowel preparation quality and computer-aided detection of adenomas during colonoscopy.

Objectives: Computer-aided detection (CADe) systems improve adenoma detection during colonoscopy, but the influence of bowel preparation quality on CADe performance is unclear. This study assessed whether different levels of adequate bowel preparation affect CADe effectiveness.

Methods: A post-hoc pooled analysis was conducted using individual patient data from three randomized controlled trials comparing CADe-assisted colonoscopy to standard colonoscopy (SC).

Optimization of heterologous protein production process using genetically engineered Ogataea minuta toward industrial-scale manufacturing.

We have developed the methylotrophic yeast Ogataea minuta as a useful host for producing heterologous proteins. In this study, a double mutant that lacks the Prb1 protease and alcohol oxidase was generated and applied for heterologous protein production. Upon our optimization of the fermentation conditions, such as feeding of carbon and nitrogen sources and pH control, this mutant showed increased production of human serum albumin, resulting in a yield of approximately 7.

Clinical efficacy of mepolizumab and dupilumab for eosinophilic otitis media: Analysis of patient clinical characteristic.

Background: Eosinophilic otitis media (EOM) is characterized by eosinophilic infiltration of the middle ear; it is frequently associated with bronchial asthma and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis. Although biologics have been used to treat EOM, their efficacy based on clinical characteristics remains unclear. In this study, we evaluated the effectiveness of biologics and analyzed the clinical factors that influenced outcomes.

[Research status of diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of primary Sjögren's syndrome-associated interstitial lung disease].

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a group of heterogeneous non-tumor and non-infectious lung diseases with basic lesions of alveolar unit inflammation and interstitial fibrosis. There are hundreds of kinds of ILD. The study of ILD subtypes in China found that the most common disease was idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF, 26.