Tokai University

Calprotectin Accelerates Pathogenic Calciprotein Particle Maturation to Promote Vascular Calcification in Chronic Kidney Disease

BACKGROUND: Vascular calcification is a hallmark of chronic kidney disease (CKD)-mineral and bone disorder and a major determinant of cardiovascular mortality. Secondary calciprotein particles (CPP2) are key mediators of vascular calcification; however, the mechanisms regulating...

Generation and characterization of phenylketonuria mouse models carrying East Asian–relevant patient-derived PAH mutations

Abstract Phenylketonuria (PKU) is an inherited metabolic disorder caused by mutations in the Pah gene, resulting in impaired phenylalanine hydroxylase activity and elevated blood phenylalanine levels. Although dietary management and enzyme replacement can reduce disease burden, t...

2026 revised CVIT clinical expert consensus on drug coated balloons for coronary artery disease

Abstract Drug-coated balloons (DCBs) are attracting attention as a therapeutic alternative to drug-eluting stents (DES) in percutaneous coronary interventions. DCB technology allows direct delivery of antiproliferative drugs to the vessel wall without implantation of a permanent...

From Folding Reagents to Catalysts: Spatially Organized Diselenide−Cyclodextrins Enable Catalytic Oxidative Protein Folding

Abstract Oxidative folding, involving disulfide (SS) bond formation and isomerization, is essential for the maturation of many secreted and membrane proteins. Although numerous small-molecule mimics of protein disulfide isomerase, a key enzyme that catalyzes oxidative folding, ha...

Healthcare burden and clinical spectrum of symptomatic polycystic liver disease in Japan: a nationwide epidemiological survey

Abstract Background Polycystic liver disease (PLD) is often asymptomatic, but some patients develop symptoms or complications requiring care or intervention. The nationwide burden of symptomatic PLD remains poorly defined. We conducted a nationwide survey to estimate the number a...

Polystyrene Nanodiscs via Seeded Dispersion Polymerization for Enhanced Sensitivity in Turbidimetric Immunoassays

Abstract Particle shape plays a critical yet underexplored role in aggregation-based biosensing, particularly at the nanoscale, where quantitative detection is required. In this study, we demonstrate a simple strategy for engineering nonspherical polymer nanoparticles that substa...

Learning Curve of Pentaspline Pulsed‐Field Ablation With Posterior Wall Isolation for Persistent Atrial Fibrillation

ABSTRACT Background Pentaspline pulsed‐field ablation (PFA) has emerged as a novel modality for pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) and posterior wall isolation (PWI) in persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). However, the learning curve associated with combined PVI + PWI and the contrib...

Stable isotopes reveal the origin and vulnerability of bottled and sachet drinking waters sold in Cameroon

Urbanisation and unreliable drinking water supply have increased reliance on packaged waters in Cameroon. However, their hydrogeological origin is poorly verified. This study investigated the spatio-temporal variation, origin, recharge and vulnerability of 35 brands (114 samples)...

Community structure of freshwater Macrobrachium shrimps (Decapoda: Palaemonidae) in a subtropical river, Iriomote Island, southern Japan

We examined the spatial and seasonal drivers of Macrobrachium shrimp community structure in the freshwater reaches of the Yutsun River, northern Iriomote Island, Japan. From January to December 2019, we conducted monthly visual censuses at seven stations spanning 300 m intervals,...

Changes in Lung Sounds During the Acute Stage of RSV Acute Bronchiolitis in Infants.

OBJECTIVE: Changes in the respiratory function over time in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)-induced acute bronchiolitis were evaluated by a lung sound analysis. METHODS: We retrospectively examined changes in lung sound parameters over time in 54 children (median age, 7 months)...

Laparoscopic Resection of Vaginal Cuff Recurrence Following Surgery for Endometrial Cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Vaginal cuff recurrence of endometrial cancer is generally managed with radiotherapy, and surgical reports are scarce. We report a laparoscopic resection technique for isolated vaginal cuff recurrence. METHODS: A 57-year-old woman underwent laparoscopic hysterectomy wi...

Adult-Onset Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis With Calvarial and Hypothalamic Involvement: Two Cases.

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare clonal proliferative disorder of bone marrow-derived dendritic cells that is uncommon in adults. Its clinical presentation varies depending on the organ involved. Central nervous system (CNS) involvement poses a critical therapeutic c...

Successful Engraftment Following Second Cord Blood Transplantation After Graft Failure in a Child With Relapsed B-ALL.

Primary graft failure is a rare but life-threatening complication after umbilical cord blood transplantation (UCBT), especially in pediatric patients with relapsed acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Optimal salvage strategies, including conditioning regimens and donor selection...

Innovative Method for Evaluating the Optical Properties of Liquid–Liquid Phase Separations Using Laser Scanning Microscopic Spectroscopy

ABSTRACT Liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS) plays a central role in intracellular compartmentalization and gene regulation. Although optogenetic optoDroplet systems are widely used to study LLPS in living cells, the mechanisms underlying the transition from dynamic liquid‐like...

Podocyte injury damages podocytes in chimeric organoids

Abstract We have previously shown that injury to a subset of podocytes can trigger secondary damage in neighboring podocytes, but whether this phenomenon depends on direct intercellular interaction is unknown. To address this, kidney organoids were generated from nephron progenit...

Milvexian with Antiplatelet Therapy after Acute Coronary Syndrome Event

BackgroundPatients are at increased risk for recurrent ischemic events after an acute coronary syndrome event. Milvexian, an oral factor XIa inhibitor, may reduce the risk of major adverse clinical events with minimal bleeding risk. MethodsIn this phase 3, randomized, placebo-con...

Asian Neurogastroenterology and Motility Association and Asia-Pacific Association of Gastroenterology Chronic Constipation Consensus 2026.

Background/Aims: : Chronic constipation is a common gastrointestinal (GI) disorder in Asia, characterized by heterogeneous symptom presentation, frequent overlap with other GI symptoms, and limited access to specialized diagnostic tests in many settings. These factors contribute...

P1.130. Influence of Recurrence Timing and Site on Outcomes of Oligo-Recurrence After Curative Esophagectomy

Abstract Topic Esophageal Cancer: Oncology/Radiation Therapy Background Esophageal cancer remains associated with high mortality and frequent recurrence despite advances in perioperative treatment. The concept of oligometastasis has gained attention, as selected patients may achi...

An absorbing Markov chain for customer segment transition

Abstract Firms use RFM analysis to identify valuable customers, particularly loyal customers. In practice and in prior studies, RFM-based scores are often treated as static indicators. However, when observed periodically, these scores can be analyzed dynamically, allowing firms t...

Association between awareness of government notification and ‘negative hepatitis virus test result card’ and implementation of hepatitis B and C screening in Japanese workplaces: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Background ‘Request for cooperation on measures against viral hepatitis in the workplace’ (the notification) was issued to provide hepatitis screening opportunities in workplaces. However, employees may take hepatitis tests multiple times because the results are not reco...