Surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Rodent Populations in Tokyo, Japan.

The maintenance of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) among wildlife populations poses a potential risk for the emergence of novel variants. Therefore, monitoring SARS-CoV-2 infection among animals is crucial. As urban rodents live in close proximity to human habitats, there is concern that they may be a potential source of zoonoses. To examine the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in rodent populations, we analyzed 128 serum samples and 129 oral swabs collected from 128 brown rats (Rattus norvegicus) and 2 black rats (Rattus rattus) captured for pest control purposes in Tokyo, Japan, between May and December 2023. A virus-neutralizing test using the Omicron variant revealed no evidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in these populations. Real-time RT-PCR from oral swabs did not detect any SARS-CoV-2 RNA-positive rats. These results indicate the low probability of SARS-CoV-2 circulation among rat populations in Tokyo.

Guanylate binding protein 5 is an immune-related biomarker of oral squamous cell carcinoma: A retrospective prognostic study with bioinformatic analysis.

BACKGROUND: Cancer utilizes immunosuppressive mechanisms to create a tumor microenvironment favorable for its progression. The purpose of this study is to histologically characterize the immunological properties of the tumor microenvironment of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and identify key molecules involved in the immunological microenvironment and patient prognosis. METHODS: First, overlapping differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened from OSCC transcriptome data in public databases. Correlation analysis of DEGs with known immune-related genes identified genes involved in the immune microenvironment of OSCC. Next, stromal patterns of tumor were classified and immunohistochemical staining was performed for immune cell markers (CD3, CD4, Foxp3, CD8, CD20, CD68, and CD163), programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), and guanylate binding protein 5 (GBP5) in resected specimens obtained from 110 patients with OSCC who underwent resection. Correlations between each factor and their prognostic impact were analyzed. RESULTS: Among the novel OSCC-specific immune-related genes screened (including ADAMDEC1, CXCL9, CXCL13, DPT, GBP5, IDO1, and PLA2G7), GBP5 was selected as the target gene. Histopathologic analysis showed that multiple T-cell subsets and CD20-positive cells were less common in the advanced stages, whereas CD163-positive cells were more common in advanced stages. The immature type in the stromal pattern category was associated with less immune cell infiltration, lower expression of PD-L1 in immune cells, lower expression of GBP5 in the stroma, and shorter overall survival and recurrence-free survival. Expression of GBP5 in the tumor and stroma correlated with immune cell infiltration of tumors and PD-L1 expression in tumor and immune cells. Patients with low tumor GBP5 expression and high stromal expression had significantly longer overall survival and recurrence-free survival. CONCLUSIONS: The stromal pattern category may reflect both invasive and immunomodulatory potentials of cancer-associated fibroblasts in OSCC. GBP5 has been suggested as a potential biomarker to predict the prognosis and therapeutic efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors.

Basal differentiation and expression status of SOX2 and KLF4 in basal layers are prognostic factors for disease-specific survival in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Basal differentiation in oral squamous cell carcinoma is usually detected at invasive sites. However, its significance as a prognostic value has been poorly investigated. METHODS: COL17 was selected as a basal differentiation marker because of its stable expression in the basal-like cells of oral squamous cell carcinoma. Sixty-five cases of oral squamous cell carcinoma were subclassified into COL17-high (30 cases) and -low (35 cases) types, and the prognostic value was analyzed by Cox regression analysis. In addition, the stem cell markers such as SOX2, KLF4, MYC as well as the stem cell-related markers BMI1, EZH2, and YAP and its paralog TAZ, were immunohistochemically analyzed. Their prognostic values were investigated along with their COL17 status by Cox regression analysis. RESULTS: No significant difference was observed between the COL17-high and -low groups in the disease-specific survival and recurrence-free survival in oral squamous cell carcinoma. When the COL17-high and -low categories were combined with the SOX2, KLF4, EZH2, or YAP/TAZ status in the basal layers, together with gender and age as covariates, the hazard ratios reached 3.3, 3.7, 2.8, and 3.1, respectively. In addition, multivariate analysis, including COL17, SOX2, and KLF4, with gender and age as covariates, showed a significantly poor prognosis for disease-specific survival. CONCLUSION: Based on the relatively high hazard ratios, it is indicated that basal differentiation and the expression status of SOX2 and KLF4 in the basal layers are prognostic factors for oral squamous cell carcinoma.

The significance of Hippo pathway protein expression in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Introduction: The Hippo pathway consists of mammalian sterile 20-like kinase 1/2 (MST1/2), large tumor suppressor 1/2 (LATS1/2), and yes-associated protein (YAP)1. Herein, we present the first report on the significance of major Hippo pathway protein expression in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Methods: The analyses included oral epithelial dysplasia (OED, n = 7), carcinoma in situ (CIS, n = 14), and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC, n = 109). Results: Cytoplasmic expression of MST1, LATS1, and LATS2 was low in OED, CIS, and OSCC. The cytoplasmic expression of MST2 was high in OED (5/7 cases), CIS (9/14 cases), and poorly differentiated OSCC (8/8 cases) but was low/lost in a proportion of differentiated OSCC (60/101 cases). The expression of YAP1 was associated with differentiation; low YAP expression was significantly more frequent in well-differentiated OSCC (35/71 cases), compared to moderately and poorly differentiated OSCC (11/38 cases). An infiltrative invasion pattern was associated with a high expression of MST2 and high expression of YAP1. The high expression of YAP1 was associated with features of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), such as the loss of E-cadherin and high expression of vimentin, laminin 5, and Slug. High expression of protein arginine methyltransferase (PRMT) 1 or 5, which positively regulates YAP activity, was associated with the high expression of YAP1 (p < 0.0001). Conclusion: Among the major Hippo pathway proteins, MST2 displayed a distinctive expression pattern in a significant proportion of differentiated OSCC, suggesting a possible differential role for MST2 depending on the course of OSCC progression. A high YAP1 expression may indicate aggressive OSCC with EMT via PRMTs at the invasive front.

Acute stress transiently activates macrophages and chemokines in cervical lymph nodes.

Acute restraint stress (RS) is routinely used to study the effects of psychological and/or physiological stress. We evaluated the impact of RS on cervical lymph nodes in rats at molecular and cellular levels. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to stress by immobilization for 30, 60, and 120 min (RS30, RS60, and RS120, respectively) and compared with rats of a no-stress control (C) group. The expression of genes encoding chemokines CXCL1/CXCL2 (Cxcl1 and Cxcl2) and their receptor CXCR2 (Cxcr2) was analyzed using reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and microarray analyses. Immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization were performed to determine the expression of these proteins and the macrophage biomarker CD68. Microarray analysis revealed that the expression of 514 and 496 genes was upregulated and downregulated, respectively, in the RS30 group. Compared with the C group, the RS30 group exhibited a 23.0-, 13.0-, and 1.6-fold increase in Cxcl1, Cxcl2, and Cxcr2 expression. Gene Ontology analysis revealed the involvement of these three upregulated genes in the cytokine network, inflammation, and leukocyte chemotaxis and migration. RT-qPCR analysis indicated that the mRNA levels of Cxcl1 and Cxcl2 were significantly increased in the RS30 group but were reverted to normal levels in the RS60 and RS120 groups. Cxcr2 mRNA level was significantly increased in the RS30 and RS120 groups compared with that in the C group. RS-induced CXCL1-immunopositive cells corresponded to B/plasma cells, whereas CXCL2-immunopositive cells corresponded to endothelial cells of the high endothelial venules. Stress-induced CXCR2-immunopositive cells corresponded to macrophages. Psychological and/or physiological stress induces an acute stress response and formation of an immunoreactive microenvironment in cervical lymph nodes, with the CXCL1/CXCL2-CXCR2 axis being pivotal in the acute stress response.

Positive impact of perioperative oral management on the risk of surgical site infections after abdominal surgery: Sixteen universities in Japan.

Surgical site infections (SSI) are associated with increased morbidity and mortality rates. This study aimed to investigate the ability of perioperative oral management (POM) to reduce the risk of SSI in abdominal surgery Real-world data collected from 16 university hospitals in Japan were reviewed. The medical records of consecutive 2782 patients (1750 men and 1032 women) who underwent abdominal surgery under general anesthesia at 16 university hospitals were retrospectively reviewed. Detailed information about SSI was assessed and compared between patients with and without POM in univariate and multivariate analyses. SSI were observed in 275 patients (incidence rate:9.9%), and POM was administered to 778 patients (28.0%). Univariate analyses revealed that diabetes mellitus, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, American Society of Anesthesiologists classification, surgical site, preoperative Prognostic Nutritional Index score, POM, extent of surgery, operation time, and intraoperative blood loss were significantly associated with postoperative SSI (Chi-square or Mann-Whitney U test, P < .01). Multivariate analysis revealed that POM had significant preventive effects against postoperative SSI (estimate: -0.245, standard error: 0.080, P < .01). Surgical site, American Society of Anesthesiologists classification, and operation time were also significant and independent clinical predictors of SSI. The analysis of real-world data from 16 university hospitals revealed that, regardless of the content and degree of the problem, the addition of POM has significant beneficial effects in reducing the risk of SSI in patients who undergo abdominal surgery. Medical records from each hospital and data from the Health Care Payment Fund were collected and analyzed retrospectively.

Neoadjuvant use of oncolytic herpes virus G47Δ prevents local recurrence after insufficient resection in tongue cancer models.

A complete resection of tongue cancer is often difficult. We investigate the usefulness of administering G47Δ (teserpaturev), a triple-mutated oncolytic herpes simplex virus type 1, prior to resection. G47Δ exhibits good cytopathic effects and replication capabilities in all head and neck cancer cell lines tested. In an orthotopic SCCVII tongue cancer model of C3H/He mice, an intratumoral inoculation with G47Δ significantly prolongs the survival. Further, mice with orthotopic tongue cancer received neoadjuvant G47Δ (or mock) therapy with or without "hemilateral" resection, the maximum extent avoiding surgical deaths. Neoadjuvant G47Δ and resection led to 10/10 survival (120 days), whereas the survivals for G47Δ alone and resection alone were 6/10 and 5/10, respectively: all control animals died by day 11. Furthermore, 100% survival was achieved with neoadjuvant G47Δ therapy even when the resection area was narrowed to "partial," providing insufficient resection margins, whereas hemilateral resection alone caused death by local recurrence in half of the animals. G47Δ therapy caused increased number of tumor-infiltrating CD8+ and CD4+ cells, increased F4/80+ cells within the residual tongues, and increased expression of immune-related genes in and around the tumor. These results imply that neoadjuvant use of G47Δ is useful for preventing local recurrence after tongue cancer surgery.

Postoperative evaluation of bone bridge after alveolar bone graft with cortical bone lining technique.

OBJECTIVE: For alveolar bone grafting (ABG), we have been performing surgery using a technique in which a cortical bone lining iliac endplate is applied to the anterior nasal aperture inferior margin. Herein, we used conventional and cortical bone lining techniques to examine the postoperative bone-bridge morphology after ABG. STUDY DESIGN: Fifty-five unilateral patients who underwent ABG at our clinic from October 2012 to March 2019 were included. We used postoperative CT data to compare the labiolingual width of the grafted bone and anterior-posterior and vertical shapes of the nasal aperture inferior margin with respect to the ungrafted side. RESULTS: The cortical bone lining technique was superior to the conventional method. The cortical bone lining technique showed good results regardless of alveolar cleft width or oral-nasal fistula. Also, tooth movement into the grafted area was involved in maintaining the residual graft bone; however, the cortical bone lining technique had better results. CONCLUSIONS: The cortical bone lining technique allows for the physical closure of nasolateral mucosal fistulas when it is technically difficult, and it can apply sufficient pressure to the bone marrow cancellous bone filling over the cortical plate bone. Our results illustrate the effectiveness of the cortical bone lining technique.

Perforated Hydrogels Consisting of Cholesterol-Bearing Pullulan (CHP) Nanogels: A Newly Designed Scaffold for Bone Regeneration Induced by RANKL-Binding Peptides and BMP-2.

The receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL)-binding peptide, OP3-4, is known to stimulate bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-2-induced bone formation, but peptides tend to aggregate and lose their bioactivity. Cholesterol-bearing pullulan (CHP) nanogel scaffold has been shown to prevent aggregation of peptides and to allow their sustained release and activity; however, the appropriate design of CHP nanogels to conduct local bone formation needs to be developed. In the present study, we investigated the osteoconductive capacity of a newly synthesized CHP nanogel, CHPA using OP3-4 and BMP-2. We also clarified the difference between perforated and nonperforated CHPA impregnated with the two signaling molecules. Thirty-six, five-week-old male BALB/c mice were used for the calvarial defect model. The mice were euthanized at 6 weeks postoperatively. A higher cortical bone mineral content and bone formation rate were observed in the perforated scaffold in comparison to the nonperforated scaffold, especially in the OP3-4/BMP-2 combination group. The degradation rate of scaffold material in the perforated OP3-4/BMP-2 combination group was lower than that in the nonperforated group. These data suggest that perforated CHPA nanogel could lead to local bone formation induced by OP3-4 and BMP-2 and clarified the appropriate degradation rate for inducing local bone formation when CHPA nanogels are designed to be perforated.

Long-term dental outcomes in patients with fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva: a report of three cases of tooth extraction.

Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP) is an extremely rare autosomal dominant disorder characterized by congenital skeletal malformation and progressive heterotopic ossification. In the oral and maxillofacial region, deformity of the temporomandibular joint is a common feature of FOP, as well as restricted mouth opening derived from heterotopic ossification in the masticatory muscles. Since surgical procedures are generally not recommended because of the risk of flare-ups and increased heterotopic ossification, reports of tooth extractions and their outcomes in patients with FOP are limited. The present article reports the long-term oral outcomes of three Japanese patients with FOP, in whom the teeth were deliberately extracted to avoid the risk of oral inflammation causing further heterotopic ossification. The extractions were conducted under local or general anesthesia, and healing of sockets was nonproblematic with the formation of new bone. Undesirable events, including progression of heterotopic ossification in the oral and maxillofacial region and further restriction of mouth opening, were not apparent. The extractions also alleviated the existing inflammation, contributing to maintaining their oral hygiene. These cases suggest that deliberate planning and judicious surgery could induce favorable healing after tooth extractions in patients with FOP, leading to long-term stability of their oral health status.

Clinicopathological and Prognostic Significance of Stromal Patterns in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Background: Stromal patterns (SP), especially desmoplastic reactions, have recently gained attention as indicators of malignant potential in cancer. In this study, we explored the clinicopathological and prognostic significance of the SP in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Materials and Methods: We reviewed 232 cases of surgically resected OSCC that were not treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. We categorized the SP of the OSCC into four groups: immune/inflammatory (84 cases), mature (14 cases), intermediate (78 cases), or immature (56 cases). Results: The SP category was significantly associated with various clinicopathological factors, such as the histological grade, lymphovascular invasion, neural invasion, and a diffuse invasion pattern. For each of the factors, the immune/inflammatory type was associated with favorable categories, while the immature type was associated with unfavorable categories (p ≤ 0.001). The SP category was also shown to be a prognostic predictor: the 5-year relapse-free survival (RFS) rate was 72.0% for the immune/inflammatory type, 66.7% for the intermediate/mature type, and 31.2% for the immature type (p < 0.0001), and the 5-year overall survival (OS) rate was 85.1% for the immune/inflammatory type, 76.4% for the intermediate/mature type, and 50.0% for the immature type (p < 0.0001). In multivariate analyses, the SP category was identified as an independent prognostic factor for RFS and OS. Conclusion: Our SP categorization method provides valuable prognostic information in OSCC.

Evaluation of patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma treated by radical irradiation with mold radiotherapy using a customized device: a retrospective clinical study.

BACKGROUND: It is very important to determine the indication of mold radiotherapy for the radical treatment of oral cancer. We investigated eight patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma who were treated by radical irradiation with mold radiotherapy using a customized device. METHODS: The subject is a case of curable superficial oral cancer of a few millimeters, or cancer of a size that can be cured by the placement of the radiation source. Of the eight patients, six were male and two were female, aged 64-93 years (mean, 78.9 years; median, 73.5 years). The primary sites were the buccal mucosa in three cases, gingiva in two cases, and floor of the mouth, soft palate, and lower lip in one case each. Five cases were in the T1 stage, and the remaining three cases were in T2. With respect to thickness, seven cases were of the superficial type and could not be detected by magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography, and the remaining case showed a tumor thickness of 7.5 mm. All cases were diagnosed as squamous cell carcinoma by biopsy. Radical irradiation using mold radiotherapy was planned for all eight patients. Irradiation was delivered in 9-10 sessions, with a total dose of 45-50 Gy. RESULTS: Complete response was attained in six of the eight patients and partial response was observed in two patients, requiring additional treatment. CONCLUSION: Since all patients with complete response had superficial cancers, we hypothesized that superficial cancers of the oral cavity with thicknesses of few millimeters could be indicated for mold irradiation. This method can be applied in complicated cases and older patients in whom surgery or chemotherapy may not be feasible. We believe that the results of our clinical studies will be of great help in choosing this method.

Expression and localisation of methylthioadenosine phosphorylase (MTAP) in oral squamous cell carcinoma and their significance in epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition.

Methylthioadenosine phosphorylase (MTAP) is a rate-limiting enzyme in the methionine salvage pathway, which recycles one carbon unit that is lost during polyamine synthesis back into the methionine cycle. Although MTAP deficiency has been reported in various tumours, MTAP is overexpressed and might promote oncogenesis in other cancers, including prostate and colon cancer. Currently, little is known about the MTAP status of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). In this study, we immunohistochemically examined the expression of MTAP in surgically resected oral epithelial dysplasia (OED, n=7), carcinoma in situ (CIS) (n=16), and OSCC (n=118). In the normal epithelium, MTAP was only weakly expressed in the cytoplasm of the basal layer cells. In OED, CIS, and OSCC, MTAP was uniformly expressed in the cytoplasm of the dysplastic and cancer cells. In addition to cytoplasmic MTAP expression, 45 of 118 cases (38.1%) exhibited increased nuclear expression of MTAP in the cancer cells at the invasive front. Statistical analysis showed that the concomitant nuclear and cytoplasmic expression of MTAP was associated with a high budding score (p=0.0023); poor differentiation (p=0.0044); aggressive invasion patterns (p=0.0001); and features of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), such as loss of E-cadherin expression (p=0.0003) and upregulated expression of vimentin (p=0.0002), slug (p=0.0002), and laminin 5 (p<0.0001). High expression of protein arginine methyltransferase 1 or 5, the functions of which are reported to be inhibited in MTAP-deficient cancer, was associated with the concomitant nuclear and cytoplasmic expression of MTAP (p<0.0001). Concomitant nuclear and cytoplasmic expression of MTAP was marginally significantly associated with worse 5-year relapse-free survival (p=0.045). These findings suggest that MTAP not only plays a role in the oncogenesis of OSCC, but that it might also make it more aggressive by inducing EMT through its activity in the methionine salvage pathway.

A Novel Method of End-to-Side Microvascular Anastomosis Using T-Shaped Metal Stents: A Porcine Study.

ABSTRACT: End-to-side anastomosis requires highly specialized techniques. An easy end-to-side anastomosis technique enables anastomosis of vessels with different diameters and under various situations. We invented T-shaped metal stents and evaluated novel methods of end-to-side sutureless anastomosis, confirming their safety, effectiveness, and operability. We performed 8 end-to-side sutureless anastomoses in 4 7- to 11-month-old, male Mexican hairless piglets. After induction of anesthesia, the left femoral artery was resected by approximately 8 cm, and the superior and posterior stumps of the resected femoral artery underwent an end-to-side anastomosis with the right femoral artery by the placement of the metal stents with subsequent use of adhesive for the circumferential area. The patency of blood vessels and the presence of thrombosis were evaluated by ultrasonography or contrast-enhanced computed tomography and histology 4 weeks postoperatively. All the animals survived the procedure; no thrombosis was identified in any of the 8 anastomosis sites according to imaging studies performed 4 weeks postoperatively. Histological examination confirmed the probe patency of blood vessels and neointimal cell proliferation around stent branches. End-to-side anastomosis is possible with T-shaped metal stents. In the future, we aim for the practical application of these stents by improving their operability.

Roles of fibroblast growth factor 21 in the control of depression-like behaviours after social defeat stress in male rodents.

Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) modulates energy metabolism and neuroendocrine stress responses. FGF21 synthesis is increased after environmental or metabolic challenges. Detailed roles of FGF21 in the control of behavioural disturbances under stressful conditions remain to be clarified. Here, we examined the roles of FGF21 in the control of behavioural changes after social defeat stress in male rodents. Central administration of FGF21 increased the number of tyrosine hydroxylase-positive catecholaminergic cells expressing c-Fos protein, an activity marker of neurones, in the nucleus tractus solitarius and area postrema. Double in situ hybridisation showed that some catecholaminergic neurones in the dorsal medulla oblongata expressed ß-Klotho, an essential co-receptor for FGF21, in male mice. Social defeat stress increased FGF21 concentrations in the plasma of male mice. FGF21-deficient male mice showed social avoidance in a social avoidance test with C57BL/6J mice (background strain of FGF21-deficient mice) and augmented immobility behaviour in a forced swimming test after social defeat stress. On the other hand, overexpression of FGF21 by adeno-associated virus vectors did not significantly change behaviours either in wild-type male mice or FGF21-deficient male mice. The present data are consistent with the view that endogenous FGF21, possibly during the developmental period, has an inhibitory action on stress-induced depression-like behaviour in male rodents.

The effects of perioperative oral management on perioperative serum albumin levels in patients treated surgically under general anesthesia: A multicenter retrospective analysis in Japan.

ABSTRACT: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the efficacy of perioperative oral managements (POMs) on perioperative nutritional conditions in patients undergoing surgery with general anesthesia. Medical records were retrospectively reviewed and the effects of POMs were investigated based on a large number of cases using a multicenter analysis. The profile of serum albumin levels was assessed and compared between patients with and without POMs using the multivariate analysis. Seventeen Eleven thousand and one hundred sixty patients (4,873 males and 6,287 females) were reviewed. Of these, 2710 patients (24.3%) had undergone POMs. The results of a multivariate analysis revealed the significant positive effect of POMs on perioperative serum albumin level (change between at admission and discharge, (Estimate: 0.022, standard error: 0.012, P < .0001). Patient gender, age, surgical site, performance status, the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status classification, operation time, amount of blood loss, and serum albumin level at admission were also significant predictors. Adjusted multivariate analysis of the effects of POMs on perioperative change of serum albumin level in all subjects reveled the significance of POMs intervention (estimate: 0.022, standard error: 0.012, P < .0001). These results suggest that POMs exerts significant positive effects on perioperative serum albumin levels in patients underwent surgery under general anesthesia.

Combination Laser Treatment With Real-Time Ultrasound Navigation for Oral Venous Malformations.

Vascular lesions, including hemangiomas and vascular malformations, are common benign diseases. More than 50% originate from blood vessels or vascular structures and are locate in the head and neck region. This study aimed to evaluate the efficiency and safety of a combination of laser treatments for oral venous malformations using ultrasound navigation. This study reports 3 cases of massive vascular malformation in the oral cavity, which were treated by a combination of a multiple spotted transmucosal irradiation technique (the so-called leopard technique) for the superficial layer, and intralesional photocoagulation for the deep layer using a neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet laser, under real-time ultrasound navigation. All cases presented with a venous malformation with multiple blue swellings on the dorsum of the tongue, which had a maximum dimension of over 30 mm. The percent reduction in the size of the lesions was determined by magnetic resonance imaging. All cases showed a decrease in lesion volume of over 80%, without extensive tissue necrosis, 6 to 12 months after the laser treatment. None of the patients experienced any complications, and all were satisfied with the treatment outcome after one irradiation session.The results of this study suggest that laser treatment using ultrasound navigation is a promising approach for the safe and minimally invasive resolution of oral vascular lesions without scarring and loss of normal tissue architecture, sensation, oral function.

GSDME-Dependent Incomplete Pyroptosis Permits Selective IL-1α Release under Caspase-1 Inhibition.

Pyroptosis is a form of regulated cell death that is characterized by gasdermin processing and increased membrane permeability. Caspase-1 and caspase-11 have been considered to be essential for gasdermin D processing associated with inflammasome activation. In the present study, we found that NLRP3 inflammasome activation induces delayed necrotic cell death via ASC in caspase-1/11-deficient macrophages. Furthermore, ASC-mediated caspase-8 activation and subsequent gasdermin E processing are necessary for caspase-1-independent necrotic cell death. We define this necrotic cell death as incomplete pyroptosis because IL-1ß release, a key feature of pyroptosis, is absent, whereas IL-1α release is induced. Notably, unprocessed pro-IL-1ß forms a molecular complex to be retained inside pyroptotic cells. Moreover, incomplete pyroptosis accompanied by IL-1α release is observed under the pharmacological inhibition of caspase-1 with VX765. These findings suggest that caspase-1 inhibition during NLRP3 inflammasome activation modulates forms of cell death and permits the release of IL-1α from dying cells.

Characterization of radioresistant epithelial stem cell heterogeneity in the damaged mouse intestine.

The small intestine has a robust regenerative capacity, and various cell types serve as "cells-of-origin" in the epithelial regeneration process after injury. However, how much each population contributes to regeneration remains unclear. Using lineage tracing, we found that Lgr5-expressing cell derivatives contained radioresistant intestinal stem cells (ISCs) crucial for epithelial regeneration in the damaged intestine after irradiation. Single-cell qRT-PCR analysis showed that surviving Lgr5-expressing cell derivatives in the damaged intestine are remarkably heterogeneous, and that the expression levels of a YAP-target gene Sca1 were inversely correlated with their "stemness", suggesting that the YAP/Wnt signal balance in surviving crypt epithelial cells determines the cellular contribution to epithelial regeneration. Single-cell RNA sequencing of Sca1-Lgr5-derivatives revealed that expression of a tetraspanin family member CD81 correlated well with the expression of ISC- and proliferation-related genes. Consistent with these findings, organoid-forming ability was confined to the CD81hiSca1- fraction within the damaged crypt epithelial cells. Characterization of radioresistant epithelial stem cell heterogeneity in the damaged intestine may contribute to therapeutic strategies for gastrointestinal diseases.