•Mathematical models are constructed to investigate the role of cell death-induced proliferation (CDIP) in a biological phenomenon, “cell competition,” which is expected as an initial-tumor ...suppressing mechanism.•The models suggest that CDIP of wild-type cells does not affect the fate after cell competition whether a normal tissue is formed or the tissue is invaded by potentially tumorigenic mutant, but rather shortens the time of tissue formation.•By contrast, the models suggest that the CDIP of mutant cells helps them to survive.
Cell death–induced proliferation (CDIP) is a phenomenon in which cell death activates neighboring cells and promotes their proliferation. It was first reported as “compensatory proliferation” in injured tissues, which functions to maintain normal tissues. On the other hand, this phenomenon also affects potentially tumorigenic mutant cells and promotes tumorigenesis. This discrepancy may complicate the understanding of a phenomenon called “cell competition” observed in a system consisting of wild-type (WT) cells and mutant cells in a single-layer tissue. In this system, the WT cells induce cell death in the adjacent mutant cells to eliminate them. Therefore, it is believed that CDIP serves WT cells by compensating the space previously occupied by mutant cells. On the other hand, CDIP may contribute to the expansion of a potentially tumorigenic mutant clone because this clone activates itself. With the aim to investigate the role of CDIP in cell competition, a mathematical model was constructed here by introducing a CDIP effect into the population-based cell competition model that was proposed in our previous work. In contrast to the above-mentioned first expectation, the model suggests that the CDIP of WT cells that is derived from cell competition does not affect the fate whether it follows formation of normal tissue or overgrowth of a mutant clone after cell competition. It should be noted, however, that CDIP accelerates the speed of normal tissue formation; only this point is in agreement with our expectations. In contrast, the CDIP of mutant cells that is derived from either autonomous cell death or cell competition helps mutant cells to survive.
Pasteurella multocida, a zoonotic infectious pathogen, is a rare cause of mycotic aneurysms in human hosts. A 61-year-old male patient with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) was admitted due to fever, ...chills, and malaise. He had been frequently licked by his pet dog. Soon after admission, a bloodstream infection due to P. multocida was found, and he received two weeks of antimicrobial therapy. However, the bloodstream infection recurred at short intervals. Computed tomography revealed a mycotic aneurysm for which he underwent aortic graft placement. Mycotic aneurysms should be considered in patients with recurrent bloodstream infections due to Pasteurella, especially if they recur at short intervals in patients with a preexisting immunocompromised state.
COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy/fatigue is increasing as the pandemic enters the endemic phase. The present study aimed to explore current perceptions about COVID-19 booster vaccination among the Japanese ...public.
This was a cross-sectional study.
This cross-sectional study used data from the Japan COVID-19 and Society Internet Survey conducted in September 2021 and September 2022. The public's perceptions of COVID-19 vaccination and factors associated with COVID-19 booster vaccine hesitancy were analyzed.
In total, 56,735 respondents were included. In the Japan COVID-19 and Society Internet Survey 2021, 75.1% of the participants (21,126/28,118) had completed the primary vaccination series. In the 2022 survey, 74.1% of the respondents (21,216/28,617) completed the primary series of vaccination with booster doses. The proportion of fear toward COVID-19 and obtaining information about COVID-19 has decreased from 2021 to 2022. Factors independently associated with booster vaccine hesitancy were young age (range: 18–29 years; adjusted odds ratio aOR: 6.56), history of COVID-19 (aOR: 1.82), distrust of the Japanese government's COVID-19 prevention measures (aOR: 1.55), lack of confidence in COVID-19 vaccine efficacy (aOR: 1.30), lack of confidence in COVID-19 vaccine safety (aOR: 1.62), low reliance on the COVID-19 vaccine (aOR: 1.92), and belief in COVID-19 conspiracy theories (aOR: 1.77).
Providing clear and trustworthy information is critically important, especially targeted and tailored messages for the young generation, to promoting COVID-19 booster vaccination. Policymakers should therefore develop consistent and transparent communication strategies and the ability to respond promptly and flexibly to mitigate the negative impact of COVID-19 on the public while preparing for the next pandemic.
Transition metal oxides have been extensively investigated as novel catalysts for oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Partial elemental substitutions are effective ways to increase catalytic performance ...and such electronic interactions between multiple elements are known as synergistic effects. However, serious issues such as random atomic arrangement and ambiguous roles of constituent elements humper theoretical investigations for rational materials design. Herein, we describe systematic study on OER activity of AA′3 B 4O12-type quadruple perovskite oxides, in which multiple transition metal ions are located at distinct crystallographic sites. Electrochemical measurements demonstrate that OER catalytic activities of quadruple perovskite oxide series, CaCu3 B 4O12 (B = Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, and Co), are all superior to those of simple perovskite counterparts CaBO3. The order of activity of B-site transition metal ions for CaBO3 (Fe4+ > Co4+ ≫ Ti4+, V4+, Cr4+, Mn4+) is retained in CaCu3 B 4O12, indicating that B-site ions play a primary role whereas A′-site Cu ions secondarily contribute to OER activity for CaCu3 B 4O12. Charge-transfer energies, energy differences between oxygen 2p band center and unoccupied 3d band center of B-site transition metal obtained from first-principles electronic-state calculations, illustrate that OER overpotentials of quadruple perovskite oxides are lower than simple perovskite oxides by ∼150 mV. These findings propose a simple avenue to realize enhanced OER activity for multiple transition-metal ions.
Summary Objective To describe the technical details of our experience in performing metaidoioplasty. Patients and methods After the first officially approved sex-reassignment surgery on a patient ...with transsexualism was performed in Japan, we performed metaidoioplasties on 69 female-to-male transsexuals between 1998 and 2007. Oophorohysterectomy and metaidoioplasty were performed by a one-stage procedure. Hage's technique was used on the first 26 cases. The labial ring flap technique was performed on 43 patients (aged 18–33 years) after 2005. This new technique uses all the labia minora skin incorporated with the anterior vaginal flap for urethral lengthening. The clitoral chordee is also released by this procedure. Result Using this method, we obtained a neo-urethra of a good diameter and a more male-like appearance for external genitalia along with a minipenis. The postoperative course was uneventful in 28 of 43 cases. Urethral fistula occurred in 12 cases, which was spontaneously closed in eight cases. Four other cases required secondary repair. Three cases with neo-urethral stenosis were treated by urethral dilation. Of the 43 cases, 28 can void in a standing position. For five patients who desired a larger phallus, various phalloplasty techniques were performed subsequently. Conclusion Satisfactory urine stream and appearance were achieved. Metaidoioplasty with minimal scarring can be selected independently or as the first step followed by phalloplasty if the patient requires such an operation.
Aim: The Achilles tendon (AT) thickening may be affected by several factors (e.g., lipid disorders or age). This study aims to determine the prevalence rate of AT thickening in patients with coronary ...artery disease (CAD) and investigate the correlation between AT thickening and the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).Methods: The clinical records of 887 patients who had undergone successful PCI and measured Achilles tendon thickness (ATT) using soft X-ray radiographs were retrospectively examined. Subjects were divided into two groups depending on the presence or absence of AT thickening. AT thickening was defined as having ATT of ＞8.0 and ＞7.5 mm in men and women, respectively. Among the two groups, the incidence of MACE was measured for a maximum of 5 years after PCI. MACE was defined as cardiovascular mortality, nonfatal myocardial infarction, or revascularization due to restenosis or the increase of stenosis in other lesions.Results: This study found that 241 (27.2%) patients have AT thickening. Patients with AT thickening had higher low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels. In addition, the Kaplan–Meier curve with a log-rank test demonstrated that patients with AT thickening had a significantly higher incidence of MACE. Furthermore, the multivariate analysis indicated that the presence of AT thickening was independently correlated with the incidence of MACE after PCI.Conclusion: A high percentage of patients with CAD were found to have AT thickening. In addition, the presence of AT thickening was significantly associated with a higher incidence of MACE, independent of LDL-C levels.
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