Epidemiology and risk factors of hallux valgus in Japanese population: HAPPI study.

Introduction: Hallux valgus (HV) is a common foot deformity characterized by lateral deviation of the great toe. Despite known associations with gender, age, and footwear, the prevalence of HV and its associated risk factors in Japan remain unclear. We conducted the first-ever prospective population-based cohort study (HAPPI study) in Japan to elucidate the prevalence of HV and identify its associated risk factors.

Combination chemotherapy for older patients with unresectable biliary tract cancer: a prospective observational study using propensity-score matched analysis (JON2104-B).

Background: Systemic chemotherapy with gemcitabine plus S-1 (GEM + S-1), GEM + CDDP plus S-1 (GEM + CDDP + S-1), or gemcitabine plus cisplatin (GEM + CDDP) is standard treatment for advanced biliary tract cancer (aBTC). We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of combination chemotherapy in older patients with aBTC.

Methods: This multicenter prospective observational study (JON2104-B, UMIN000045156) included patients aged ≥ 70 years with aBTC.

Risk Stratification Using DIPSS and Splenomegaly in Myelofibrosis Treated with Pre-Transplant JAK inhibitors.

The Dynamic International Prognostic Scoring System for primary myelofibrosis (DIPSS) has been reported to predict transplant outcomes in myelofibrosis (MF) patients. Recently, the pre-transplant use of JAK inhibitors has become common in clinical practice, but it is unclear whether DIPSS is also useful for predicting transplant outcomes for these patients. In this study, we compared the prognostic impact of DIPSS between MF patients with and without pre-transplant Ruxolitinib therapy.

Molecular landscape and clinical correlates of olfactory groove meningiomas: a multi-institutional study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the clinical and radiological characteristics of olfactory groove meningiomas (OGMs) and their molecular profiles.

Methods: The authors performed targeted next-generation and whole-genome sequencing in 123 OGM samples collected from 4 international institutions, focusing on known meningioma-driver genes. They compared the molecular data with the clinical and radiographic features of the tumors.

Potential biomarkers for predicting the efficacy of a pembrolizumab-containing regimen in advanced cervical cancer: A real-world analysis.

Objective: Prognostic biomarkers in patients with advanced cervical cancer treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors remain unclear. An evaluation of combined positive score (CPS) and tumor proportion score (TPS), and a comparison of their usefulness with inflammatory biomarkers in real-world data could be informative.

Materials And Methods: We analyzed 28 patients who were treated with the KEYNOTE-826 regimen between November 2022 and June 2024.

Rapid and long-lasting antidepressant-like effects of the pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide receptor antagonist PA-915 in chronic stress mouse models.

Stress-related disorders, such as depression and anxiety, have been one of the most important medical issues. Accumulating evidence suggests that the activation of the pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide and its receptor PAC1 are involved in the stress axis and the development of stress-related disorders. We recently developed PA-915, a small-molecule, non-peptide, high-affinity PAC1 antagonist, and demonstrated that it significantly suppresses anxiety-like behavior in acute stress-induced mice.

First detection of Rickettsia japonica in Hyalomma dromedarii ticks infesting camels from Egypt: A call for enhanced surveillance of tick-borne pathogens.

Tick-borne rickettsiosis has posed a significant threat to Egypt, with various pathogenic Rickettsia species being reported. In this study, 134 ticks were collected from camels in Esna City, Luxor, Egypt and all were identified as Hyalomma dromedarii through both morphological and molecular techniques. Using specific primers targeting the citrate synthase (gltA), outer membrane protein A (ompA) and 17 kD antigen (17 kDa) genes, Rickettsia japonica was detected via conventional and nested PCR assays.

Prognostic impact of excessive mitochondrial fission in patients with heart failure and evaluation of mitochondrial dynamics-related miRNAs in heart failure.

Mitochondria are dynamic organelles that can change their morphology. The role of these mitochondrial dynamics in cardiomyocytes remains obscure in patients with heart failure (HF). Endomyocardial biopsies were performed consecutively in 127 HF patients, and mitochondrial morphology data were obtained from 111 patients by electron microscopy.

Smartphone application-based interventions for cardiometabolic risk factor management: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

We previously conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis examining the effects of smartphone application-based interventions on blood pressure (BP). Building on that work, here we present a secondary analysis which explored the effects of these interventions on cardiometabolic risk factors. We searched MEDLINE, the Cochrane Library, and Ichushi for randomized controlled trials and observational studies comparing smartphone application-based interventions with usual care excluding digital technologies.

Examination of artificial oocyst excystation methods in the murine coccidium, Eimeria krijgsmanni.

Eimeria spp. cause coccidiosis characterized by diarrhea and induce serious economic losses in livestock industries. Although several anti-coccidial drugs are currently available, the emergence of resistant strains and drug residues is problematic; therefore, the development of new drugs is needed.

Development of a Specific Competitive ELISA for Plasma Adropin Levels and Its Application to Investigating Energy Homeostasis in Mice.

Adropin is a 43-amino acid peptide that is highly conserved among mammals. First identified in the mouse liver in 2008, adropin is broadly expressed throughout the body and has been implicated in various pathological conditions, including obesity, altered food intake, insulin resistance, glucose intolerance, and other disorders related to energy metabolism. However, its precise physiological role remains unclear.

[Treatment of adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma: past, present, and future].

Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL) is a T-cell malignancy caused by human T-cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-1). Treatment strategies have been established by classification of ATL as aggressive (acute, lymphoma, and chronic ATL with any unfavorable prognostic factors) or indolent (smoldering and chronic ATL without any unfavorable prognostic factors). The standard of care (SOC) for aggressive ATL has been dose-intensified multi-agent chemotherapy.

Effects of Sakurajima-radish (Raphanus sativus cv. Sakurajima Daikon) and trigonelline on nitric oxide (NO) production from vascular endothelial cells and human vascular endothelial function.

In Japan, there is an approximate 10 year gap between average life expectancy and healthy life expectancy, which represents a decade characterized by poor health. To shorten this period and promote healthy aging, we searched for food ingredients that promote vascular health. Focusing on nitric oxide (NO) released by vascular endothelial cells, we first established an evaluation method to measure the NO production capacity of the vascular endothelium in real-time.

Expanding diverse horizons in smooth muscle research: a symposium review of "Muscle and Pathology/Health: Frontiers of Translational Research" at the 66th Annual Meeting of Japan Society of Smooth Muscle Research.

Smooth muscle research is at the forefront of translational science, bridging the gap between basic molecular discoveries and clinical applications. The symposium "Muscle and Pathology/Health: Frontiers of Translational Research" at the 66th Annual Meeting of Japan Society of Smooth Muscle Research showcased recent advances in this field. The presentations highlighted diverse topics, including molecular targeting in malignant hyperthermia, the therapeutic potential of probiotics in inflammatory bowel disease, sex differences in pulmonary hypertension and the impact of dietary components on vascular health.

Effect of Preoperative Nutritional Status on Postoperative Clinical Outcomes of Patients with Metastatic Spinal Tumors: Japan Association of Spine Surgeons with Ambition Multicenter Study.

Study Design: A multicenter prospective study.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of preoperative nutritional status, assessed using the Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI), on clinical outcomes, including survival prognosis, postoperative complications, hospitalization duration, and functional prognosis, in patients with metastatic spinal tumors undergoing surgery.

Summary Of Background Data: Malnutrition is common in patients with cancer and is associated with poor clinical outcomes.

Association between Cardio-Ankle Vascular Index and Heart Failure Outcomes: Insights from a Prospective Multicenter Cohort.

Background: Heart failure (HF) is a substantial public health concern associated with poor prognosis and limited tools for early prediction. Arterial stiffness contributes to the development of HF, particularly with a preserved ejection fraction. The cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) is a noninvasive, pressure-independent marker of arterial stiffness.

Mimetic females do not bear reproductive costs: Challenging the sexual selection hypothesis in female-limited mimetic polymorphism in butterflies.

Batesian mimicry has been regarded as classic evidence of adaptation by natural selection, in which a palatable species avoids predation by resembling unpalatable species. In some butterfly species, Batesian mimicry is female-limited and mimetic females coexist with male-like (nonmimetic) females. Why do nonmimetic females continue to exist despite the possible differential predation pressure? One possible hypothesis is a trade-off between the anti-predatory defence and mating success.

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for older patients with adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma: A nationwide retrospective study.

Background: Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL) is an aggressive malignancy with a poor prognosis. Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) is the only curative option but has been limited in older patients due to toxicity risks. With Japan's aging population and evolving treatment options, reassessing allo-HSCT in patients aged ≥65 is essential.

Harnessing an integrated glyco-nanovaccine technology for enhanced cancer immunotherapy.

Background: Cancer immunotherapy, particularly using immune checkpoint inhibitors, has revolutionized cancer treatment; however, its efficacy remains limited to a subset of patients. Nanoparticles have potential in cancer treatment because they offer advantages such as biocompatibility, greater stability, and precise targeting capabilities.

Method: We synthesized an integrated glyco-nanovaccine (iGN) comprising gold nanoparticles conjugated with a synthetic Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) ligand, sugar chains, and peptide antigens for cancer immunotherapy.

Urothelial carcinoma arising in orthotopic ileal neobladder reconstruction: A case report.

Background: An ileal neobladder is a standardized form of urinary diversion that provides acceptable outcomes in terms of long-term quality of life. Urothelial carcinomas (UCs) arising in the ileal neobladder are extremely rare, and few reports on this have been published in the English language.

Case Summary: We report a case of UC that developed in the ileal neobladder of a 63-year-old man.

Label-free diagnostic procedure for hirschsprung's disease to detect intestinal mucosal characteristics of aganglionosis by Raman spectroscopy with optimized decision algorithms.

Purpose: Hirschsprung's disease (HSCR) is an intestinal disorder characterized by the absence of nerve cells in parts of the intestinal tract. The definitive diagnosis is confirmed by a full-thickness rectal biopsy to verify the absence of ganglion cells. However, incomplete removal often causes post-operative complications.