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.

Favourable Prognostic Significance of HER2 Mutations in Canine Pulmonary Adenocarcinoma Following Surgical Resection.

Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) gene mutations have been reported in 5% to 38% of canine pulmonary adenocarcinomas (cPACs), most commonly as V659E mutations in exon 20. However, their prognostic and predictive significance remains unclear. This retrospective, single-centre cohort study investigated the frequency of HER2 mutations in surgically resected cPACs and their association with clinical outcomes.

Massive Lymphedema in the Calf Complicated by Severe Skin Fibrosclerosis.

Introduction: Lymphedema is generally managed with conservative therapy. However, in cases of severe fibrosclerotic lymphedema, debulking surgery is required, although rarely. We present a case of massive lymphedema in the left calf complicated by severe skin fibrosclerosis that was successfully managed with debulking surgery.

Aspirin-Free Prasugrel Monotherapy After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Patients With Non-ST Elevation Acute Coronary Syndrome.

Background: In the presence of a potent P2Yinhibitor such as prasugrel, the additional clinical antithrombotic benefit of aspirin is unclear. The feasibility of prasugrel monotherapy without aspirin after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has been demonstrated in chronic coronary syndrome, but is yet to be assessed in patients with non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) and low anatomical complexity.

Methods And Results: ASET-Japan is a single-arm study investigating the safety of prasugrel 12-month monotherapy with a locally approved dose (loading 20 mg; maintenance 3.

Analysis of the genes and mechanisms responsible for the cytotoxicity of the Ofk308 strain in the host.

Background: , an intracellular pathogen responsible for the pneumonia-like Legionnaires' disease in humans, inhabits aquatic environments, including man-made water systems such as water fountains, foot spas, and tap water, and exists as part of biofilms or as a protozoan parasite. As a bacterivore, provides a favorable environment for to establish a replicative niche (-containing vacuole; LCV) under environmental stress. Conversely, the Ofk308 strain, isolated from an Ashiyu foot spa, has been found to be cytotoxic to the ciliate CU427.

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.

(COOH, NH)-modified defective MOF-808(Zr) for enhancing photocatalytic oxidation of tetracycline and structural feature determination by Pearson correlation analysis.

Zirconium-based MOF-808 exhibits limited light absorption, restricting its photocatalytic performance. In this study, a dual-doping strategy involving 4-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) and colloidal dopamine-melanin (Dpa) was employed to synergistically enhance both the adsorption capacity and light absorption of MOF-808 for photocatalytic tetracycline oxidation. The dual-doped PABA/Dpa-MOF-808 (P/D/MOF-808) sample exhibited extended light absorption in the visible light range (350-800 nm) and a significantly larger surface area (∼1150 m/g) than that of pristine MOF-808 (∼728 m/g).

How and Why Plants Came to Smell Green: The Origins, Biosynthesis, and Roles of Green Leaf Volatiles.

Most terrestrial plants smell green because they produce a family of volatile organic compounds, green leaf volatiles (GLVs). The widespread occurrence of GLVs suggests that these compounds have been evolutionarily acquired to fulfill a common function across land plants. What, then, are their roles? GLVs are hardly detectable in undamaged plant tissues yet are rapidly synthesized from damaged cells within seconds of injury.

Hepcidin values can help predict the responsiveness of roxadustat for treating anemia in patients with chronic kidney disease.

Introduction: Hypoxia-inducible factor prolyl hydroxylase inhibitors (HIF-PHIs) are novel therapeutic agents for managing anemia in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD); however, no clinically viable markers for the anemia-improving effect of HIF-PHI have been reported. Therefore, we evaluated changes in iron metabolism markers and identified predictors of anemia amelioration during HIF-PHi treatment.

Methods: We included 48 patients with CKD not undergoing dialysis: 29 patients receiving epoetin β-pegol, an erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA) and 19 patients receiving roxadustat, an HIF-PHi.

Inflammatory biomarkers predict Cutibacterium acnes detection at the portal area during arthroscopic shoulder surgery.

Background: Cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes), a gram-positive bacterium commonly found in the pilosebaceous glands of the shoulder, represents a significant source of infection following shoulder surgery. Identifying patients at higher risk for bacterial contamination prior to surgery could facilitate the implementation of enhanced prophylactic measures.

Aroma Compounds of Fresh Leaves and their Dried Powders in Angelica acutiloba Kitagawa.

This study aimed to investigate the aroma compounds in fresh leaves and their dried powders in Angelica acutiloba Kitagawa (yamato-tōki). Essential oils were extracted from the dried powders of leaves in A. acutiloba Kitagawa using a simultaneous distillation extraction (SDE) technique and analyzed using GC/MS.

RANBP9 and RANBP10 cooperate in regulating non-small cell lung cancer proliferation.

Background: RANBP9 and RANBP10, also called Scorpins, are essential components of the C-terminal to LisH (CTLH) complex, an evolutionarily conserved poorly investigated multisubunit E3 ligase. Their role in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is unknown.

Methods: In this study, first we used stable loss-of function and overexpression inducible cell lines to investigate the ability of either RANBP9 or RANBP10 to form their own functional CTLH complex.

Molecular cloning and characterization of caffeic acid O-methyltransferase from Acorus calamus.

Volatile phenylpropenes, including α- and β-asarone, are characteristic aromas of sweet flag (Acorus calamus) and have been used as ingredients in pharmaceutical applications. However, studies on the biosynthetic enzymes involved in the production of volatile phenylpropenes in A. calamus remain limited.

Direct Molecular Evidence for Desolvation-Controlled Lithium-Ion Insertion at Graphite Electrodes in Highly Concentrated Electrolytes.

Understanding the rate-determining step of lithium (Li)-ion insertion at graphite electrodes is essential for designing fast-charging Li-ion battery electrolyte systems. In this study, we quantitatively investigate how Li-ion solvation affects electrode reaction kinetics in highly concentrated electrolytes. By measuring the activation energy () for the Li-ion insertion reaction in a series of 3.

Genital Wounds: Suspected Child Abuse Versus Alleged Pet Dog Bites.

Genital wounds of infants alleged to be inflicted by dogs have been rarely reported. If parents report genital wounds on very young children as being caused by dog bites, it can be very challenging to prove otherwise. We report here the case of a one-and-a-half-year-old male infant whose prepuce was avulsed from his penis.

Exportin 1 (XPO1) Expression and Effectiveness of XPO1 Inhibitor Against Canine Lymphoma Cell Lines.

Lymphoma is the most common neoplasm of lymphoid tissues in dogs. Exportin 1 (XPO1) is an important major nuclear receptor for exporting proteins and RNA species. The XPO1 upregulation can eliminate some tumor suppressor proteins (TSPs) function upon their nuclear-cytoplasmic export.

Necrosis-Suppressing Effector Protein ChEC88 Adopts a Novel Structural Motif Conserved Among Genus-Spanning Hemibiotrophic Phytopathogens.

Phytopathogenic fungi secrete numerous effector proteins to disrupt plant defenses. At present, their sequence-structure-function relationships remain poorly understood owing to their diversity. Comprehensive understanding of conserved effectors is necessary to elucidate the molecular relationship between fungi and plants.

The High Frequency of a G-Allele Variant of the Gene in Old Asian Cattle Breeds, Water Buffaloes, and Holstein Friesian Cows: A Potential Link to Infertility.

Reproductive failure in cattle production is a global concern and is influenced by various factors, including genetic alterations. This study explored the relationship between an X-linked single-nucleotide variant (NC_037357.1: g.

Zinc Chloride Supplementation During In Vitro Fertilization Reduces Polyspermic Fertilization of Porcine Oocytes.

As zinc is important for the fertilization competency of sperms and oocytes, we investigated the effects of zinc chloride (ZnCl) supplementation during in vitro fertilization (IVF) on porcine oocyte fertilization and development. We evaluated the effects of ZnCl concentration (0, 1, 10, and 20 μg/mL) on the quality of frozen-thawed boar spermatozoa cultured for 5 h and on oocyte fertilization and embryo development after IVF. Spermatozoa from three different boars were additionally tested.

Interfacial Bonding Mechanism of Ethyl Cyanoacrylate Adhesive on Diverse Inorganic Surfaces: A Density Functional Theory Study.

Cyanoacrylate-based instant adhesives, commonly known as super glues, are widely used across various fields owing to their high adhesive performance and rapid curing. However, the molecular-level understanding of their interfacial bonding mechanism remains limited. In this study, we investigated the adhesion behavior of ethyl cyanoacrylate (ECA) on typical inorganic surfaces such as Au, Cu, CuO, AlO, and SiO using periodic density functional theory (DFT) calculations.

Altered Ground Reaction Force and Dynamic Stability During a Single-Leg Stabilization Task in Female Athletes With Lateral Ankle Sprain History and Dysfunctional Breathing Patterns.

Context: Female athletes frequently experience lateral ankle sprains (LAS) during unilateral jump-landing activities and face a significant risk of recurrent ankle injury. LAS has been associated with reduced diaphragm contractility and altered breathing mechanics. The diaphragm and breathing mechanics are crucial for mitigating landing impact, which is typically impaired in individuals with LAS.

Meteorological influences on seizure occurrence in children with epilepsy: a case-crossover analysis.

Purpose: Research on the association between meteorological conditions and epileptic seizures in children with epilepsy (CWE) remains limited. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of atmospheric pressure, temperature, and humidity on seizure occurrence in CWE.

Methods: We conducted a multicenter prospective observational study involving CWE under 16 years of age who had experienced seizures more than once per year but less than once per week over the past year.