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Abstract Background Recently, a history of endometriosis has been reported to be associated with several perinatal complications. However, it is unknown whether pre-pregnancy treatment for endometriosis reduces perinatal complications. In this study, we aimed to clarify the association between endometriosis and perinatal complications and investigate whether there is a significant difference in the incidence of placenta previa depending on the degree of surgical completion of endometriosis before pregnancy. Methods This case-control study included 2781 deliveries at the Hirosaki University Hospital between January 2008 and December 2019. The deliveries were divided into a case group with a history of endometriosis (n = 133) and a control group without endometriosis (n = 2648). Perinatal outcomes and complications were compared between the case and control groups using a t-test and Fisher’s exact test. Multiple logistic regression models were used to identify the risk factors for placenta previa. Additionally, we examined whether the degree of surgical completion of endometriosis before pregnancy was associated with the risk of placenta previa. Results Patients with a history of endometriosis had a significantly higher risk of placenta previa (crude odds ratio, 2.66; 95% confidence interval, 1.37‒4.83). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that a history of endometriosis was a significant risk factor for placenta previa (adjusted odds ratio, 2.30; 95% confidence interval, 1.22‒4.32). In addition, among patients with revised American Society for Reproductive Medicine stage III–IV endometriosis, the incidence of placenta previa was significantly lower in patients who underwent complete surgery (3/51 patients, 5.9%) than in those who did not (3/9 patients, 33.3%) (p = 0.038). Conclusions A history of endometriosis is an independent risk factor for placenta previa. Given the limitations of this study, further research is needed to determine the impact of endometriosis surgery on perinatal complications.

Abstract Introduction Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is one of the major causes of respiratory tract infections among children. Until recently, the monoclonal antibody palivizumab was the only RSV prophylaxis available in Japan. In 2024, the bivalent RSV prefusion F protein-based (RSVpreF) vaccine was approved for the prevention of RSV infection in infants by active immunization of pregnant women. In this study, we assessed the cost-effectiveness of a combined strategy of RSVpreF vaccine and palivizumab in Japanese setting. Methods Using a Markov model, we evaluated prevented cases and deaths of medically attended RSV infections from birth to age 11 months for each of the three healthcare settings: inpatient (hospitalization), emergency department visits, and outpatient visits. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) were calculated from economic outcomes (intervention costs, medication costs, and productivity losses) and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs). Further, we calculated the maximum price of RSVpreF vaccine within which the program would be cost-effective. Results In comparison with the current prophylaxis (palivizumab alone), a combined prophylaxis of year-round RSVpreF vaccination of pregnant women and palivizumab prescription for premature infants born in

Abstract Background Most Japanese medical schools likely continue to rely on peer physical examination (PPE) as a tool to for teaching physical examination skills to students. However, the attitudes of medical students in Japan toward PPEs have not be identified. Therefore, we evaluated students’ attitudes toward PPE in a Japanese medical school as a preparation for developing a PPE policy tailored to the context of Japanese culture. Methods We conducted a mixed-methods study with an explanatory sequential approach, in which qualitative data were used to interpret the quantitative findings. Surveys and interviews were conducted with medical students and junior residents at a Japanese university. A total of 63 medical students and 50 junior residents responded to the questionnaire. We interviewed 16 participants to reach theoretical saturation and investigated the attitudes of medical students toward PPE and the themes emerging from the interview data, providing detailed descriptions of the quantitative findings. Results Female participants were significantly more likely than male participants to report varying degrees of resistance to being a model patient during PPE (male: 59.7%, female: 87%, p

Abstract Introduction Dry eye can compromise corneal astigmatism measurement repeatability during preoperative cataract surgery examination. No previous studies have analyzed the effectiveness of long-acting 3% diquafosol sodium (LA-DQS) on astigmatism measurement repeatability. This research assessed the effect of LA-DQS on astigmatism measurement repeatability in preoperative patients with cataract and short tear break-up time (TBUT) type dry eyes in both eyes of the same patient. Correlations between repeatability and TBUT, corneal high-order aberrations (HOAs), and corneal astigmatism magnitude were also analyzed. Methods In total, 122 eyes (61 patients) with short TBUT-type dry eye were enrolled. Preoperatively, only one eye of all patients was treated with LA-DQS for 4 weeks. TBUT and corneal HOAs were checked using CASIA 2 before and 4 weeks post-treatment. The cylindrical power and meridian of astigmatism were measured at 3- and 4-week post-treatment using IOLMaster 700. Power vectors J0 and J45 were used for astigmatism calculations. Repeatability of astigmatism measurements was assessed as the within-subject standard deviation (Sw). The relative effects of TBUT and HOAs on J0 Sw and J45 Sw were also analyzed. Comparative changes in these variables were evaluated between treated and non-treated eyes, with additional analysis of their correlations. Results Treated eyes exhibited significant improvements in TBUT, HOAs, and post-treatment measurements of J0 Sw and J45 Sw at 3 and 4 weeks. In non-treated eyes, J0 Sw and J45 Sw showed significant correlation with TBUT and corneal HOAs. HOAs showed stronger relative associations with J0 Sw and J45 Sw than TBUT. In non-treated eyes, no significant correlation was found between cylindrical power and astigmatism measurement repeatability. Conclusions In short TBUT-type dry eye, preoperative treatment with LA-DQS significantly improved astigmatism measurement repeatability. This may improve the precision of intraocular lens (IOL) power calculations regardless of the magnitude of corneal astigmatism, especially when toric IOLs are used.

Background:. The effectiveness of conservative treatment for congenital auricular deformities depends primarily on the plasticity of the auricular cartilage. However, the effect remains uncertain due to various confounding factors such as differences in the characteristics of the deformity and timing of treatment initiation. In this study, we investigated the optimal timing for initiation of conservative treatment. Methods:. We investigated the age at treatment initiation and surgical avoidance rate among 158 children with congenital auricular deformities who were treated with corrective devices at our hospital. In addition, we conducted and analyzed questionnaires containing items assessing treatment satisfaction and characteristics. Results:. Surgical avoidance rates decreased markedly among those starting treatment after 5 months of age, and satisfaction was significantly higher in the surgical avoidance group. Multivariate analysis showed that the only factor affecting the treatment effect was the age at treatment initiation. Conclusions:. This study suggests that the initiation of conservative treatment with corrective devices within 5 months of age for congenital auricular deformities may lead to avoidance of surgery and increased satisfaction. However, we should not judge the indication for conservative treatment solely based on age in months. Bearing in mind the effectiveness of initiating treatment within the first 5 months of age, we should initiate treatment at the earliest appropriate age with consideration of the individual patient's type and severity of deformity and cartilage elasticity.

Background:. In Japan, oral propranolol (PPL) and pulsed dye laser are available for infantile hemangioma (IH) treatment without patient cost-sharing. However, no standardized algorithm exists to guide treatment selection that balances efficacy, potential side effects, and aesthetic risks. This study presents a comprehensive approach utilizing a treatment algorithm and aesthetic risk scoring system. Methods:. This retrospective study analyzed outcomes from 156 patients with IHs. Oral PPL was used in IH patients with functional issues, whereas the rest underwent an aesthetic risk assessment that categorized them into low-, moderate-, or high-risk groups to guide treatment choices. Final treatment decisions depended on parental preference. The outcomes of algorithm-compliant and noncompliant patients were compared statistically. Results:. The risk score's interrater reliability was 0.973 (95% confidence interval 0.933–0.992), with a mean intrarater reliability of 0.968 ± 0.027 and a mean evaluation time of 14.1 ± 5.0 seconds per case. Among the 156 patients, 88% pursued the algorithm-recommended treatment, whereas 12% opted for different approaches. Algorithm-compliant patients experienced significantly fewer sequelae than did noncompliant patients (5% versus 33%, P < 0.001). Compared with noncompliant patients, algorithm-compliant patients tended to require shorter treatment durations (17.9 versus 25.4 mo, P = 0.08) and fewer laser sessions (5.8 versus 7.2, P = 0.30), with a younger age at resolution (21.3 versus 29.0 mo, P = 0.08). Conclusions:. Aesthetic concerns can be crucial for patients with IHs. This study introduces a comprehensive IH management algorithm to reduce the sequelae requiring surgical interventions and improve patients’ quality of life.

Abstract Background Papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) management has evolved, with active surveillance (AS) gaining prominence as a management option. However, a key concern for both clinicians and patients is the potential for patient loss to follow‐up during AS. Aims This study aimed to determine adherence and loss‐to‐follow‐up rates in low‐risk PTMC patients undergoing AS versus surgical intervention, in order to gain insights into clinical pathways and safety profiles. Materials and Methods This cohort study analyzed the 2016 data from a single registered institution of Japan's public National Cancer Registry. Results We identified and retrospectively analyzed the cases of 327 patients diagnosed with low‐risk PTMC; 227 patients chose to undergo AS while the other 100 underwent PTMC surgery. Main outcomes were the adherence rate and loss‐to‐follow‐up rate of each group, factors influencing discontinuation, and safety considerations. The rate of AS adoption was substantial in the complete series of 327 low‐risk PTMC patients (69.4%). There was a significantly higher loss‐to‐follow‐up rate at 5 years in the AS group (28.6%) compared to the Surgery group (17.8%) (HR 1.62, 95% CI: 1.01–2.61; p = 0.046). Both univariate and multivariate analyses confirmed the significantly higher loss‐to‐follow‐up rate in the AS group as well as in older patients. No deaths due to PTMC progression were observed in the cases lost to follow‐up. Conclusion Despite concerns about loss to follow‐up, active surveillance remains a safe option for low‐risk PTMCs. Consistent follow‐up strategies are crucial, and further research is needed to enhance patient counseling and care for the management of patients with PTMC.

Summary:. Accurate burn depth assessment is essential to decide an appropriate surgical procedure. However, most cases of burn depth are diagnosed with subjective judgment by an experienced plastic surgeon. There is a need for a simple, noninvasive, and accurate diagnostic method. Here, the authors present two burn cases in which burn depth was predicted using high-frequency power Doppler ultrasonography. In case 1, the patient showed partial deep burn area prediagnosed by clinical inspection in dorsal area. However, pulsatile microcirculation was detected in the deep dermal layer using high-frequency power Doppler ultrasonography, and we rediagnosed it as deep dermal burn. Tangential excision was performed to debride necrotic tissue, preventing excessive removal of viable dermal tissue. In case 2, the patient showed anterior chest burn covered eschar. Pulsatile microcirculation was detected in the dermis using high-frequency power Doppler ultrasonography. The authors diagnosed the area as superficial dermal burn and opted for conservative treatment. Dermal microvascular damage is a more sensitive indicator of tissue injury. Hence, the burn depth can be assessed using dermal microcirculation. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, there are no reports on the evaluation of blood flow in burn wounds using high-frequency power Doppler ultrasonography. In this case report, the authors introduce the possibility of using high-frequency ultrasonography to assess burn depth.

PURPOSETo investigate the discordance in sarcoma diagnoses between nonspecialized institutions following revision by dedicated sarcoma pathologists at a reference center in Brazil and the relevance of molecular pathology in this context.METHODSWe conducted a retrospective analysis of sarcoma samples initially analyzed at outside laboratories and subsequently reviewed by two specialized pathologists between January 2014 and December 2020. After obtaining demographic and tumor characteristics, pathology results were matched and classified as complete discordance (CD; benign v malignant, sarcoma v other malignancies), partial concordance (similar diagnosis of connective tumor, but different grade/histological subtype/differentiation), and complete concordance (CC). The concordance for histology or grade, and the role of molecular assessments supporting the diagnosis were also independently determined. Statistical analyses were conducted through the kappa coefficient of agreement and adherence by χ2 test, χ2 test by Person, and Fisher exact test.RESULTSIn total, 197 cases were included, with samples obtained predominately from male patients (57.9%) and localized/primary tumors (86.8%). Following revision, the most frequent final diagnoses were undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (17.8%), well-differentiated/dedifferentiated liposarcoma (8.6%), and leiomyosarcoma (7.6%). CD was found in 13.2%, partial discordance in 45.2%, and CC in 41.6% of reviews (P < .001). We found a concordance for histology or grade of 53.5% (P < .001) and 51.8% (P < .001), respectively. Molecular assessments, comprising next-generation sequencing panels (79.5%) and fluorescent in situ hybridization (20.5%), were performed in 44 (22.3%) cases, with findings classified as of diagnostic relevance in 31.8%.CONCLUSIONIn nearly 60% of the cases, the initial sarcoma diagnosis was modified when revised by a reference center and dedicated pathologists, assisted by molecular pathology techniques. These results justify the assembly of referral networks in countries with limited health care resources.

Recognition of the molecular basis of gastrointestinal stromal tumors has paved the way for significant breakthroughs in the diagnosis and treatment of this disease as well as positioned gastrointestinal stromal tumors as a framework for the concept of precision oncology in solid tumors. The incorporation of novel targeted agents for molecularly defined subgroups has led to significant improvements in treatment outcomes; however, the characterization of heterogeneous KIT or PDGFRA mutations and the emergence of resistance mechanisms highlight the need for a broader use of comprehensive molecular profiling and emphasize the importance of molecularly driven adaptive treatment strategies. Such a molecular background is critical for developing personalized and effective interventions and optimizing outcomes. The present review summarizes key studies that provide the basis for standard-of-care management options as well as provides molecular insights into the management of gastrointestinal stromal tumors, with an emphasis on recent advances.

Purpose: Iliofemoral ligament (ILFL) is a capsular ligament located in the anterosuperior part of the hip joint capsule and contributes to hip joint stability. The purpose of this study was to compare the surgical outcomes of resection versus preservation procedure of the medial arm of the ILFL in total hip arthroplasty (THA) using the anterolateral approach. Methods: Perioperative outcomes, complication, implant placement and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) were evaluated in 42 patients in the resection group and 38 patients in the preservation group. As a PROM, the Japanese Orthopaedic Association Hip Disease Evaluation Questionnaire (JHEQ), was administered at 6 months, 1 year and 2 years postoperatively. Results: There was no significant difference in perioperative outcomes, complication and implant placement between the two groups. Satisfaction for the hip joint condition (80.6 ​± ​22.4 vs 89.2 ​± ​20.1), JHEQ pain score (21.5 ​± ​4.5 vs 24.1 ​± ​5.2) at 6 months, and JHEQ pain score (21.6 ​± ​5.1 vs 23.5 ​± ​5.5) at 1 year were significantly better in the preservation group than in the resection group. At 2 years postoperatively, no significant difference was found in PROMs between the two groups. Conclusion: Our results indicate that preservation of the medial arm of the ILFL in THA improves pain during the first postoperative year without increased complications or disadvantages of implant placement. Preserving the medial arm of the ILFL may be a safe and effective option to improve the early clinical outcomes after THA using the anterolateral approach.

Abstract Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and polysulfides (H2Sn, n ≥ 2) are signaling molecules produced by 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase (3MST) that play various physiological roles, including the induction of hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP), a synaptic model of memory formation, by enhancing N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor activity. However, the presynaptic action of H2S/H2Sn on neurotransmitter release, regulation of LTP induction, and animal behavior are poorly understood. Here, we showed that H2S/H2S2 applied to the rat hippocampus by in vivo microdialysis induces the release of GABA, glutamate, and d-serine, a co-agonist of NMDA receptors. Animals with genetically knocked-out 3MST and the target of H2S2, transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) channels, revealed that H2S/H2S2, 3MST, and TRPA1 activation play a critical role in LTP induction, and the lack of 3MST causes behavioral hypersensitivity to NMDA receptor antagonism, as in schizophrenia. H2S/H2Sn, 3MST, and TRPA1 channels have therapeutic potential for psychiatric diseases and cognitive deficits.

Abstract Introduction Although uncommon, incomplete capsulotomy, anterior capsule tags and anterior capsule tears are still encountered during femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS), resulting in surgical complications. This highlights the need to improve femtosecond laser-assisted capsulotomy technique to reduce capsulotomy-related complications. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of a newly developed, modified technique of setting capsulotomy irradiation thickness in lowering the incidence of capsulotomy-related complications in FLACS. Methods This open-label prospective, comparative cohort study included 440 eyes (220 patients) treated with FLACS using the LenSx laser system (Alcon Laboratories, Inc. Fort Worth, TX, USA). Varying capsulotomy irradiation thicknesses were applied in each eye of the same patient. In Group 1, capsulotomy irradiation thickness was set between the upper edge of the highest point of the anterior capsule and the lower edge of the lowest point of the anterior capsule (modified technique). In Group 2, this was set between the center of the highest point of the anterior capsule and the center of the lowest part of the anterior capsule (conventional technique). Incidence rates of incomplete capsulotomy, anterior capsule tags and tears, and posterior capsule tears were compared. Results Preoperative baseline characteristics showed no significant differences. Mean total of the irradiation thicknesses was 877.1 ± 81.9 µm in Group 1 and 808.9 ± 80.0 in Group 2, with a statistically significant difference (P

Abstract White blood cell (WBC) count profiles in anti-aquaporin-4 antibody-positive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (AQP4-NMOSD) and anti-myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD) are still unknown. This study evaluated the total WBC count, differential WBC counts, monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in patients with these diseases within three months from an attack before acute treatment or relapse prevention and compared the profiles with those in matched volunteers or in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. AQP4-NMOSD patients (n = 13) had a higher neutrophil count (p = 0.0247), monocyte count (p = 0.0359), MLR (p = 0.0004), and NLR (p = 0.0037) and lower eosinophil (p = 0.0111) and basophil (p = 0.0283) counts than those of AQP4-NMOSD-matched volunteers (n = 65). Moreover, patients with MOGAD (n = 26) had a higher overall WBC count (p = 0.0001), neutrophil count (p

ABSTRACTIntroduction The COVID-19 pandemic had an additional negative impact on the mental health of healthcare workers, including residents. Previous studies revealed that grit, which is an individual trait to achieve long-term goals unrelated to intelligence quotient, is not only positively associated with academic achievement and career success but also negatively correlated with depression. This study aimed to examine the association between grit and depressive symptoms among residents at the time of job start during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in Japan.Materials and methods This cross-sectional study used data from all post-graduate year 1 residents from March 2020 to April 2022 at Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan. Grit was measured by the Japanese version of Grit-S. The resident’s depressive symptoms were assessed using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. The association of interest was examined using logistic regression analysis.Results Among 221 residents, 28 (12.7%) have depressive symptoms. One unit increase in Grit-S score after adjusting for age, sex, graduated university, and sleeping hours was associated with lower odds of having depressive symptoms by 63% (odds ratio [OR]: 0.37; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.19–0.74). Further, the perseverance of effort subscale score was associated with lower odds of having depressive symptoms after covariate adjustment (OR: 0.43; 95% CI: 0.22–0.84).Conclusions Higher grit scores were associated with lower odds of having depressive symptoms among residents at the timing of job start during the COVID-19 pandemic. Regular mental health assessment is particularly important for residents with low grit scores at entry.

Summary:. We present a technique for treating orbital floor fractures using three-dimensional (3D) printing technology and a preoperative template based on the mirror image of the unaffected orbit. Our patient, a 56-year-old man, experienced persistent diplopia in the upward direction and left enophthalmos after previous open reduction internal fixation surgery. To address these complications, we used a simulation of the ideal orbital floor from computed tomography images and used a 3D printer to create a template. Subsequently, an absorbable plate was molded intraoperatively based on this template. Notably, the plate fit seamlessly into the fracture site without requiring any adjustment, reducing the operation time. Postoperative computed tomography scans confirmed successful reduction, improved visual function, and the absence of complications. Our method offers a precise and efficient approach to reconstructing fractured orbital floors. By leveraging 3D printing technology and preoperative templates, surgeons can enhance postoperative outcomes and minimize patient burden. Further investigations are warranted to assess the long-term effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of this technique. Our findings highlight the potential of this approach to improve treatment strategies for patients with orbital floor fractures.

Objective To clarify the reasons for consultation, advice sought by frontline physicians and relationship between the patient’s pathology and the type of advice provided to guide the future development of telecritical care services.Design Secondary analysis of transcripts of telephone calls originally recorded for quality control purposes was conducted using a thematic content analysis. The calls were conducted between December 2019 and April 2021 (total cases: 70; total time: ~15 hour).Settings Intensivists provided consultation services to frontline physicians at secondary care institutions in the Kansai and Chubu regions.Participants Non-intensive care frontline physicians working in five secondary care institutions in the Kansai and Chubu regions and intensivists providing a consultation service (n=26).Interventions Not applicable.Primary and secondary outcome measures The main outcome was the themes emerging from the language used during telephone and video consultations, indicating the gap filled by the telecritical care service.Findings We analysed 70 cases and approximately 15 hours of anonymised audio data. We identified the following reasons for consultation: ‘lack of competence in treatment and diagnostic testing’ and ‘lack of access to consultation in their own hospital’. Frontline physicians most often sought advice related to ‘treatment’, followed by ‘patient triage and transfer’, ‘diagnosis’ and ‘diagnostic testing and evaluation’. Regarding the relationship between the patient’s pathology and type of advice provided, the most commonly sought advice by frontline physicians varied based on the patient’s pathology.Conclusion This study explored the characteristics of 70 telecritical sessions and identified the reasons for and nature of the consultations. These findings can be used to guide the future provision and scale up of telecritical services.

We present a new measurement of the Λ4H hypernuclear lifetime using in-flight K− + 4He → Λ4H + π0 reaction at the J-PARC hadron facility. We demonstrate, for the first time, the effective selection of the hypernuclear bound state using only the γ-ray energy decayed from π0. This opens the possibility for a systematic study of isospin partner hypernuclei through comparison with data from (K−, π−) reaction. As the first application of this method, our result for the Λ4H lifetime, τ(HΛ4)=206±8(stat.)±12(syst.)ps, is one of the most precise measurements to date. We are also preparing to measure the lifetime of the hypertriton (Λ3H) using the same setup in the near future.

Abstract The clinical utilities of paclitaxel in anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) have been reported. The current study investigated the outcomes in ATC patients treated by paclitaxel as neoadjuvant setting. Furthermore, the prognostic factor for overall survival (OS) and predictive marker for response to paclitaxel were investigated. Records of ATC patients treated by paclitaxel as neoadjuvant setting in our hospital were reviewed. The median OS for the patients with (n = 43) and without (n = 23) resection were 14.7 (95% CI, 11.0–21.7) and 4.2 (95% CI, 3.0–5.4) months, respectively (p

Abstract Background Differences between programmed capsulorhexis diameter and actual resulting capsulorhexis diameter (ARCD) are commonly encountered in femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS). The purpose of this study was to identify the preoperative ophthalmic variables influencing capsulorhexis diameter index (CDI) in FLACS for adults and create a multiple linear regression model for obtaining a more accurate capsulorhexis diameter. Methods This retrospective study involved sixty-seven eyes of 44 patients who received FLACS and intraocular lens implantation. The ARCD was measured using anterior segment swept-source optical coherence tomography (CASIA 2). Keratometry (K1, K2 and average K), anterior chamber depth (ACD), lens thickness (LT), anterior chamber width (ACW), white-to-white (WTW), curvature radius of anterior lens capsule (Front R) and axial length (AL) were all measured preoperatively. Based on the derived data, LT/ACW, LT/AL, LT/ACD and LT/ACW/Front R were calculated. The ratio of the programmed capsulorhexis diameter and ARCD was defined as the CDI. Correlation analysis was conducted to examine the relationship between preoperative variables listed above and the CDI. Multiple linear regression analysis was applied to select the most influential preoperative variables on CDI. Results ACD, LT, ACW, Front R, AL, LT/ACW, LT/AL, LT/ACD, and LT/ACW/Front R showed significant correlation with CDI. Front R and LT/ACW/Front R were selected as constants in the multiple linear regression model using stepwise variable selection. The following equation represents the multiple linear regression model: CDI = 1.306–4.516 × LT/ACW/FrontR-0.011 × Front R, when P

Abstract Trust attitude is a social personality trait linked with the estimation of others’ trustworthiness. Trusting others, however, can have substantial negative effects on mental health, such as the development of depression. Despite significant progress in understanding the neurobiology of trust, whether the neuroanatomy of trust is linked with depression vulnerability remains unknown. To investigate a link between the neuroanatomy of trust and depression vulnerability, we assessed trust and depressive symptoms and employed neuroimaging to acquire brain structure data of healthy participants. A high depressive symptom score was used as an indicator of depression vulnerability. The neuroanatomical results observed with the healthy sample were validated in a sample of clinically diagnosed depressive patients. We found significantly higher depressive symptoms among low trusters than among high trusters. Neuroanatomically, low trusters and depressive patients showed similar volume reduction in brain regions implicated in social cognition, including the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), dorsomedial PFC, posterior cingulate, precuneus, and angular gyrus. Furthermore, the reduced volume of the DLPFC and precuneus mediated the relationship between trust and depressive symptoms. These findings contribute to understanding social- and neural-markers of depression vulnerability and may inform the development of social interventions to prevent pathological depression.

Abstract The genome of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) contains many insertions/deletions (indels) from the genomes of other SARS-related coronaviruses. Some of the identified indels have recently reported to involve relatively long segments of 10–300 consecutive bases and with diverse RNA sequences around gaps between virus species, both of which are different characteristics from the classical shorter in-frame indels. These non-classical complex indels have been identified in non-structural protein 3 (Nsp3), the S1 domain of the spike (S), and open reading frame 8 (ORF8). To determine whether the occurrence of these non-classical indels in specific genomic regions is ubiquitous among broad species of SARS-related coronaviruses in different animal hosts, the present study compared SARS-related coronaviruses from humans (SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2), bats (RaTG13 and Rc-o319), and pangolins (GX-P4L), by performing multiple sequence alignment. As a result, indel hotspots with diverse RNA sequences of different lengths between the viruses were confirmed in the Nsp2 gene (approximately 2500–2600 base positions in the overall 29,900 bases), Nsp3 gene (approximately 3000–3300 and 3800–3900 base positions), N-terminal domain of the spike protein (21,500–22,500 base positions), and ORF8 gene (27,800–28,200 base positions). Abnormally high rate of point mutations and complex indels in these regions suggest that the occurrence of mutations in these hotspots may be selectively neutral or even benefit the survival of the viruses. The presence of such indel hotspots has not been reported in different human SARS-CoV-2 strains in the last 2 years, suggesting a lower rate of indels in human SARS-CoV-2. Future studies to elucidate the mechanisms enabling the frequent development of long and complex indels in specific genomic regions of SARS-related coronaviruses would offer deeper insights into the process of viral evolution.

Abstract. We measured πE invariant mass spectra below and above the K¯N mass threshold in the K−d → NπE reaction in order to study the K¯N interaction and the Λ(1405) resonance. This reaction can be described by the two-step process: (i) K¯N1 → K¯N followed by (ii) K¯N2 → πΣ, where N1 and N2 are nucleons bound in the deuteron. We deduced the S -wave scattering amplitude of K¯N →K¯N in the framework of the K¯N πΣ coupled channel so as to reproduce the observed πΣ spectra in the I = 0 channel. We found a resonance pole at 1417.7-7.4+6.0 (fitting error)-1.0+1.1 (systematic error) - i[26.9-7.9+6.0 (fitting error)-2.0+1.7 (systematic error)]MeV/c2.