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Narifumi Akaza,1 Kazuto Takasaki,2 Eri Nishiyama,2 Atsuko Usui,2 Shiori Miura,1 Aya Yokoi,3,4 Kyoko Futamura,4 Kayoko Suzuki,4 Youichi Yashiro,1 Akiko Yagami4 1Research Laboratories, Nippon Menard Cosmetic Co., Ltd., Nagoya, Japan; 2Fasmac Co., Ltd., Kanagawa, Japan; 3Nihombashi Irodori Dermatology Clinic, Tokyo, Japan; 4Department of Allergology, Fujita Health University School of Medicine, Nagoya, JapanCorrespondence: Narifumi Akaza, Research Laboratories, Nippon Menard Cosmetic Co., Ltd., 2-7 Torimi-cho, Nishi-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, 451-0071, Japan, Tel +81 52 531 6263, Fax +81 52 531 6277, Email akaza.narifumi@menard.co.jpBackground: Acne vulgaris (acne) and cutaneous resident microorganisms are considered to be closely related. However, the bacterial and fungal microbiota in the comedonal contents of inflammatory acne lesions have not yet been investigated in detail.Purpose: To clarify the relationship between cutaneous microorganisms and acne, we examined the microbiome in the comedonal contents of inflammatory acne and on the facial skin of patients with acne using 16s rRNA and ITS gene sequencing with a next-generation sequencer (NGS).Patients and Methods: Twenty-two untreated Japanese acne outpatients were examined. The comedonal contents of inflammatory acne lesions on the face were collected using a comedo extractor. Skin surface samples from facial skin were collected using the swab method.Results: The results obtained revealed that the predominant bacteria in the comedonal contents of inflammatory acne were Cutibacterium spp. (more prominent in areas with large amounts of sebum), while those on the skin surface were Staphylococcus spp. Malassezia spp., particularly Malassezia restricta, were the predominant fungi in both the comedonal contents of inflammatory acne and on the skin surface. The bacterial microbiome in comedonal contents exhibited stronger metabolic activity, including the production of enzymes related to acne, than that on the skin surface.Conclusion: These results indicate that acne is an inflammatory disease involving the overgrowth of Cutibacterium acnes and other cutaneous resident microorganisms, including Malassezia spp.Keywords: acne vulgaris, Cutibacterium, Staphylococcus, Malassezia, microbiome, microbiota, next generation sequencing

Abstract Background Endoscopic resection is widely accepted as a local treatment for rectal neuroendocrine tumors sized ≤ 10 mm. However, there is no consensus on the best method for the endoscopic resection of rectal neuroendocrine tumors. As a simplified endoscopic procedure, endoscopic submucosal resection with a ligation device (ESMR-L) indicates a histologically complete resection rate comparable to that of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). We hypothesized that ESMR-L than ESD would be preferred for rectal neuroendocrine tumors. Hence, this trial aimed to verify whether ESMR-L is non-inferior to ESD in terms of histologically complete resection rate. Methods This is a prospective, open-label, multicenter, non-inferiority, randomized controlled trial of two parallel groups, conducted at the Shizuoka Cancer Center and 31 other institutions in Japan. Patients with a lesion endoscopically diagnosed as a rectal neuroendocrine tumor ≤ 10 mm are eligible for inclusion. A total of 266 patients will be recruited and randomized to undergo either ESD or ESMR-L. The primary endpoint is the rate of en bloc resection with histologically tumor-free margins (R0 resection). Secondary endpoints include en bloc resection rate, procedure time, adverse events, hospitalization days, total devices and agents cost, adverse event rate between groups with and without resection site closure, outcomes between expert and non-expert endoscopists, and factors associated with R0 resection failure. The sample size is determined based on the assumption that the R0 resection rate will be 95.2% in the ESD group and 95.3% in the ESMR-L group, with a non-inferiority margin of 8%. With a one-sided significance level of 0.05 and a power of 80%, 226 participants are required. Assuming a dropout rate of 15%, 266 patients will be included in this study. Discussion This is the first multicenter randomized controlled trial comparing ESD and ESMR-L for the R0 resection of rectal neuroendocrine tumors ≤ 10 mm. This will provide valuable information for standardizing endoscopic resection methods for rectal neuroendocrine tumors. Trial registration Japan Registry of Clinical Trials, jRCTs042210124. Registered on Jan 6, 2022.

Background: Obstructed Hemivagina and Ipsilateral Renal Anomaly (OHVIRA) syndrome is characterized by duplicated uterus and vagina, obstructed hemivagina, and ipsilateral congenital renal malformation. Patients typically have progressive hematocolpos and hematometra when they first show up after menarche. Hematocolpos symptoms can be effectively treated with a vaginal septectomy and hematoma drainage. However, current described procedures to perform the vaginoscopic incision of the vaginal septum carry intraoperative complications in pediatric patients. We aim to discuss our novel operative procedure of vaginal septectomy using transvaginal endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) for the children with OHVIRA syndrome. Case presentation: A 12-year-old girl was referred to our hospital because of excruciating abdominal pain after her menarche. Magnetic resonance imaging showed hematocolpos and hematometra, and OHVIRA syndrome was diagnosed. Elective vaginal septectomy was planned. With the use of a resectoscope and transvaginal EUS, we carried out transvaginal septectomy. The procedure was completed safely, and there were no postoperative problems. Conclusions: We discovered that EUS-guided transvaginal septectomy is a safe, technically feasible, and minimally invasive approach with low incidence of intraoperative complications for treating OHVIRA syndrome in children with hematocolpos.

Abstract Background Mesenteric inflammatory veno-occlusive disease (MIVOD) is difficult to diagnose because of its rarity, nonspecific clinical findings, and frequent confusion with other diseases including inflammatory bowel disease. This report presents a very rare case of MIVOD that occurred during the course of ulcerative colitis (UC). Case presentation A 32-year-old man, who had been diagnosed with UC at the age of 29 and was in remission maintained by oral administration of 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA), showed exacerbation of diarrhea and was admitted to the hospital. Since it was deemed an exacerbation of UC, intravenous steroid therapy and oral administration of tacrolimus were initiated, but his condition continued to worsen. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) was performed and showed intraperitoneal free air, leading to a diagnosis of gastrointestinal perforation and the performance of emergency surgery (subtotal colectomy and ileostomy). Histopathological examination of the resected colon of the patient showed mucosal inflammatory findings that were not typical of UC, including multiple organized thrombi with recanalization in the veins existing in the submucosal layer to the subserosal layer and an increased infiltration of inflammatory cells. These findings led to the pathological diagnosis of MIVOD. Conclusion We report a very rare case in which MIVOD occurred during the course of UC.

The reduction of CO2 under hydrothermal conditions has been investigated. In typical experiment, Fe-powder, Ni-powder, solvent, and CO2 have been reacted in a batch-type micro autoclave under hydrothermal conditions for several hours. Methane, formic acid, and hydrogen were generated after treatment in water. With the rise of Ni amount, the methane yield increased while hydrogen and formic acid decreased. It is supposed that Ni has acted as a hydrogenation catalyst. In basic solution, CO2 was converted to formic acid selectively at 300°C involved with trace of methane. Considering the reduction characteristics of formic acid, the reaction pathway has been discussed. In experiments with the mixture of Fe and Fe3O4, trace of methanol was detected at the experiments with less amount of metallic Fe. It is inferred that the control on the effect of reductant is indispensable for oxygenated organic compound formation. Experiment on the effect of water has been conducted using hydrogen. Ethane yield increased with the amount of water, while there was no drastic change in the yield of methane. From these results, it is supposed that the steam reforming reaction of methane was involved in the reduction of CO2, and effected on the C–C bond formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 47-year-old man with drug-resistant paroxysmal atrial fibrillation underwent left atrial (LA) catheter ablation. After sheaths were inserted into the LA using the Brockenbrough method, he complained of angina and developed ST-segment elevation in the II, III, aVF, V5, and V6 leads. Ventricular fibrillation (VF) occurred followed by ventricular tachycardia. The VF was successfully treated with direct current shock. Coronary angiography with isosorbide dinitrate showed neither spasm nor embolism in the coronary artery. The chest pain disappeared after 6 min with resolution of the ST-segment elevation. A summarized review of ST-segment elevation associated with transseptal puncture disclosed that ST-segment elevation is often found in inferior leads (87.5%), while concomitant bradyarrhythmia has been reported in 43.8% of patients. Our patient is the first recorded case with potentially lethal tachyarrhythmia. Although ST-segment elevation and VF is a rare complication associated with transseptal puncture, awareness of this complication is important.

Neste trabalho se descreve o processo de educação ambiental envolvido na implantação do Programa Futuro Limpo (Programa Municipal de Redução e Controle de Resíduos) no município de São Carlos, SP. Este programa se iniciou com a coleta seletiva de resíduos de papel na administração municipal, e a coleta seletiva de material reciclável em um bairro da cidade. Ele tem como base as resoluções da Agenda 21, e a aplicação do princípio dos “3 Rs” (redução, reutilização e reciclagem). Os objetivos desse programa são a sensibilização e a conscientização da comunidade, a promoção de uma revisão de valores e hábitos de consumo, a formação de massa crítica sobre as questões ambientais e a responsabilidade de cada cidadão na busca de melhores condições de vida para todos. Além disso, o desvio de materiais para a reciclagem permite o aumento da vida útil do aterro sanitário, que já está em fase de ampliação devido ao esgotamento da área atual. A coleta seletiva permite também a inclusão social com geração de renda, por meio do envolvimento dos atores sociais que já trabalham, de maneira informal, na coleta de material reciclável. Atuam no programa 10 membros de um grupo de aproximadamente 40 pessoas que trabalhavam no aterro coletando resíduos recicláveis. O trabalho educativo se baseou no contato pessoal com os moradores da região, realizados por agentes ambientais preparados para conversar com os moradores sobre as alternativas para reduzir a geração de resíduos, e convidá-los a colaborar com o programa. Outra metodologia utilizada é a realização de reuniões chamadas: “Encontro para um Futuro Limpo”, nas quais os participantes são convidados a participar e trazer suas dúvidas e sugestões para o programa. Para o trabalho educativo no âmbito da educação formal foram elaboradas cartilhas permanentes para uso com o público infantil, e uma apostila com informações e dicas sobre redução e controle de resíduos.

(1º parágrafo do artigo) Devida à escassez das fontes de energia natural, mormente o petróleo, hoje, como nunca acontecera, a atenção dos povos desenvolvidos voltou-se violentamente para o aproveitamento da energia nuclear que pode ser transformada em energia elétrica (o esforço brasileiro nesse sentido pode ser traduzido pela construção do reator nuclear em Angra dos Reis). Mas, até o começo deste século a energia nuclear não era conhecida. Foi a teoria da relatividade apresentada por Einstein em 1905 que mostrou a conversibilidade da matéria em energia e vice-versa (na teoria da relatividade existe a dualidade massa-energia). Fato curioso é que essa teoria despertou muito interesse não só no meio científico e intelectual como também entre os leigos. Sobre ela e seu criador Einstein (talvez o cientista mais famoso de nosso século) foram escritos inúmeros artigos de divulgação. Mas, apesar de nenhuma teoria física ter dado tanta notoriedade e popularidade a um homem, no início ela foi recebida com frieza, desinteresse e descrédito. É nosso propósito procurar alinhar em poucas palavras o retrospecto histórico dessa teoria.

Plasma-activated chitosan (PAC) colloids for cancer treatment were obtained by using the cold atmospheric plasma technique. Chitosan solutions were irradiated by plasma ignited in argon gas and in a mixture of argon with nitrogen and oxygen gases in certain ratios. The structural modifications of chitosan and the chemical species generated in plasma were investigated by EPR, LC-MS/MS, XRD, and NanoSight methods. The cell viability test showed a selective cytotoxic effect on human breast carcinoma cells (MCF-7), while the human mammary epithelial cells (MCF-10A) were left unharmed. The cytotoxic effect was attributed mainly to chitooligosaccharides, but also to a synergistic effect with other compounds generated in very low concentrations in plasma, such as glyceric acid, ethyl acetate, or tricarballylic acid. The plasma irradiation improved the antioxidant activity and mucoadhesivity, while not affecting the hemocompatibility investigated by a standard hemolysis ex vivo test on mice blood. Moreover, the in vivo biocompatibility investigation at intraperitoneal administration of PAC in mice showed no statistically significant changes in the hematologic, biochemical, and immune system parameters, and no morphologic alterations of the liver and kidney. All these data indicate the cold plasma activation of chitosan as a straight method to produce biocompatible, antitumor systems., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier B.V.)