Enhanced hydrogen uptake of dihydrogen complex via porous materials support.

This research focuses on enhancing H2 adsorption by using the [Mo(PCy3)2(CO)3] complex supported on porous materials such as silica gel and mesoporous carbon. The study reports a significant increase in hydrogen adsorption capacity, reaching up to 9.3 times that of the bulk complex. This improvement suggests that using mesoporous materials as supports for the [Mo(PCy3)2(CO)3] complex enhances the accessibility of H2 gas to its open-metal sites.

Cytokine Release Syndrome with Relative Adrenal Insufficiency Induced by Ipilimumab and Nivolumab Combination Therapy for Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma.

Combination therapy with ipilimumab and nivolumab is indicated for many types of cancers; however, several patients experience immune-related adverse events (irAEs). We herein report a case of cytokine release syndrome (CRS) in a 63-year-old woman with stage IV left clear cell renal cell carcinoma. Our patient developed CRS while taking prednisolone, 43 days after the start of ipilimumab and nivolumab administration. The patient was treated with steroid pulse therapy, which improved the symptoms of shock and respiratory failure. Increased vascular permeability and relative adrenal insufficiency are considered to be the main pathogeneses. The early administration of high-dose steroids is crucial as a replacement for corticosteroids.

Combination Therapy With Erlotinib and Ramucirumab in a Patient With Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Mutation Positive Lung Adenocarcinoma and Interstitial Pneumonia: A Case Report.

Interstitial pneumonia often acts as a barrier to lung cancer treatment. We report the case of a 79-year-old man who was diagnosed with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation positive lung adenocarcinoma (T2aN0M0, stage ⅠB, EGFR exon 19 deletion), and was positive for anti-aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase antibodies with interstitial pneumonia. Metastasis in the right seventh rib was detected three months after surgical resection and radiation therapy was initiated. As recurrence was observed at both ends of the radiation field five months later, combination chemotherapy with erlotinib and ramucirumab was initiated. Approximately one year has passed since the start initiation of treatment, and acute exacerbation of interstitial pneumonia has not been observed during the follow-up period observation. The tumor has remained stable, indicating stable disease.

Angiogenic and inflammatory responses in human induced microglia-like (iMG) cells from patients with Moyamoya disease.

Angiogenic factors associated with Moyamoya disease (MMD) are overexpressed in M2 polarized microglia in ischemic stroke, suggesting that microglia may be involved in the pathophysiology of MMD; however, existing approaches are not applicable to explore this hypothesis. Herein we applied blood induced microglial-like (iMG) cells. We recruited 25 adult patients with MMD and 24 healthy volunteers. Patients with MMD were subdivided into progressive (N = 7) or stable (N = 18) group whether novel symptoms or radiographic advancement of Suzuki stage within 1 year was observed or not. We produced 3 types of iMG cells; resting, M1-, and M2-induced cells from monocytes, then RNA sequencing followed by GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis and qPCR assay were performed. RNA sequencing of M2-induced iMG cells revealed that 600 genes were significantly upregulated (338) or downregulated (262) in patients with MMD. Inflammation and immune-related factors and angiogenesis-related factors were specifically associated with MMD in GO analysis. qPCR for MMP9, VEGFA, and TGFB1 expression validated these findings. This study is the first to demonstrate that M2 microglia may be involved in the angiogenic process of MMD. The iMG technique provides a promising approach to explore the bioactivity of microglia in cerebrovascular diseases.

Exacerbation of Eosinophilic Granulomatosis With Polyangiitis After Administering Dupilumab for Severe Asthma and Eosinophilic Rhinosinusitis With Nasal Polyposis.

Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) refers to systemic vasculitis in patients with bronchial asthma and eosinophilic rhinosinusitis. Dupilumab has been approved for the treatment of asthma, eosinophilic rhinosinusitis, and atopic dermatitis. A man in his 50s with a history of asthma and eosinophilic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis developed high fever and dyspnea while undergoing dupilumab treatment. Laboratory examinations identified hypereosinophilia. Chest radiography and computed tomography revealed right-sided tracheal dislocation, extensive consolidation, and ground-glass opacities with traction bronchiectasis. Evidence of interstitial pneumonia, eosinophilia, and increased eosinophil counts in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was observed. We diagnosed the patient with EGPA and administered corticosteroids, which improved his symptoms and radiographic signs. Although the relationship between EGPA and dupilumab treatment is unclear, EGPA may have been exacerbated by dupilumab in this case. Therefore, when administering dupilumab to patients with partial symptoms of EGPA, care should be taken to monitor for adverse symptom development and exacerbation.

Simultaneous Electroencephalographic and Electocorticographic Recordings of Lateralized Periodic Discharges in Temporal Lobe Epilepsy.

OBJECTIVE: Lateralized periodic discharges (LPDs), which constitute an abnormal electroencephalographic (EEG) pattern, are most often observed in critically ill patients with acute pathological conditions, and are less frequently observed in chronic conditions such as focal epilepsies, including temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). Here we aim to explore the pathophysiological mechanism of LPD in TLE. METHODS: We retrospectively selected 3 patients with drug-resistant TLE who simultaneously underwent EEG and electrocorticography (ECoG) and demonstrated LPDs. We analyzed the correlation between the EEG and ECoG findings. RESULTS: In patients 1 and 2, LPDs were recorded in the temporal region of the scalp during the interictal periods, when repeated spikes followed by slow waves (spike-and-wave complexes; SWs) and periodic discharges (PDs) with amplitudes of >600 to 800 µV appeared in the lateral temporal lobe over a cortical area of >10 cm2. In patient 3, when the ictal discharges persisted and were confined to the medial temporal lobe, repeated SWs were provoked on the lateral temporal lobe. When repeated SWs with amplitudes of >800 µV appeared in an area of the lateral temporal lobe of >10 cm2, the corresponding EEG discharges appeared on the temporal scalp. CONCLUSIONS: LPDs in patients with TLE originate from repeated SWs and PDs of the lateral temporal lobe, which might represent a highly irritable state of the lateral temporal cortex during both interictal and ictal periods.

Double Heterohelicenes Composed of Benzo[b]- and Dibenzo[b,i]phenoxazine: A Comprehensive Comparison of Their Electronic and Chiroptical Properties.

Heterohelicenes are potential materials in molecular electronics and optics because of their inherent chirality and various electronic properties originating from the introduced heteroatoms. In this work, we comprehensively investigated two kinds of double NO-hetero[5]helicenes composed of 12H-benzo[b]phenoxazine (BPO) and 13H-dibenzo[b,i]phenoxazine (DBPO). These helicenes exhibit good electron-donor properties reflecting the electron-rich character of their monomers and were demonstrated to work as p-type semiconductors. The enantiomers of these helicenes show the largest class of dissymmetry factors for circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) (|gCPL| > 10-2) among helicenes reported to date. Interestingly, the signs of CPL are opposite for BPO and DBPO double helicenes of the same helicity. The origin of the large gCPL values and the inversion of the CPL sign was addressed by analysis of the transition electronic dipole moments and transition magnetic dipole moments based on TD-DFT calculations.

CD206 Expression in Induced Microglia-Like Cells From Peripheral Blood as a Surrogate Biomarker for the Specific Immune Microenvironment of Neurosurgical Diseases Including Glioma.

Targeting the unique glioma immune microenvironment is a promising approach in developing breakthrough immunotherapy treatments. However, recent advances in immunotherapy, including the development of immune checkpoint inhibitors, have not improved the outcomes of patients with glioma. A way of monitoring biological activity of immune cells in neural tissues affected by glioma should be developed to address this lack of sensitivity to immunotherapy. Thus, in this study, we sought to examine the feasibility of non-invasive monitoring of glioma-associated microglia/macrophages (GAM) by utilizing our previously developed induced microglia-like (iMG) cells. Primary microglia (pMG) were isolated from surgically obtained brain tissues of 22 patients with neurological diseases. iMG cells were produced from monocytes extracted from the patients' peripheral blood. Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) revealed a significant correlation of the expression levels of representative markers for M1 and M2 microglia phenotypes between pMG and the corresponding iMG cells in each patient (Spearman's correlation coefficient = 0.5225, P <0.0001). Synchronous upregulation of CD206 expression levels was observed in most patients with glioma (6/9, 66.7%) and almost all patients with glioblastoma (4/5, 80%). Therefore, iMG cells can be used as a minimally invasive tool for monitoring the disease-related immunological state of GAM in various brain diseases, including glioma. CD206 upregulation detected in iMG cells can be used as a surrogate biomarker of glioma.

Carotid Endarterectomy for a Patient with a Right-sided Aortic Arch and Aberrant Left Subclavian Artery Predicting a Left Non-recurrent Inferior Laryngeal Nerve: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Cardiovascular malformations during embryogenesis can lead the inferior laryngeal nerve to branching directly from the cervical vagus nerve and entering the larynx. This rare anatomical variation is known as a non-recurrent inferior laryngeal nerve (NRILN), and increases the risk of accidental injury resulting in postoperative vocal cord paralysis during neck surgery. We report a case of an 83-year-old man who presented with left symptomatic internal carotid artery stenosis with a right-sided aortic arch and aberrant left subclavian artery (ALSCA). We performed carotid endarterectomy (CEA) using intraoperative neuromonitoring to avoid NRILN injury. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of searching for a left NRILN by electrophysiology during CEA. Neurovascular surgeons need to understand the variations of the NRILN associated with congenital cardiovascular anomalies and effective use of intraoperative nerve monitoring (IONM). We discuss the embryological origin, IONM, and surgical pitfalls of this case.

Prolonged persistence of SARS-CoV-2 infection during A+AVD therapy for classical Hodgkin's lymphoma: A case report.

We describe a case of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in a patient with mixed cellularity classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) undergoing brentuximab vedotin, doxorubicin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (A+AVD) therapy. A 43-year-old man presented to our hospital with a complaint of fever, for which he was diagnosed with COVID-19 after a positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), and antiviral therapy with favipiravir and ciclesonide was started subsequently. The fever persisted for the first few days of treatment, but his respiratory status was stable, and he became asymptomatic and afebrile on day 9. Although the PCR tests remained positive, he met the updated discharge criteria of the World Health Organization (WHO) on day 12. However, his fever recurred, and his condition worsened on day 16. A chest X-ray showed a new opacity. It is likely that favipiravir and ciclesonide treatment probably did not completely eliminate the virus in the patient, and therefore the infection persisted. We added remdesivir from day 21, and the improvement was remarkable. He was discharged on day 29 after two consecutive PCR test results were negative. PCR tests are not mandatory for the updated WHO discharge criteria. However, even after antiviral therapy, COVID-19 patients with hematologic malignancies may have prolonged active infection with impaired viral excretion. Depending on the background disease and comorbidities, there may be some patient populations for whom it is not appropriate to simply comply with the current discharge criteria. Therefore, more emphasis may be needed on PCR examinations.

Microbubble enhanced mass transfer efficiency of CO2 capture utilizing aqueous triethanolamine for enzymatic resorcinol carboxylation.

The present study focuses on the aeration of aqueous triethanolamine acting as reaction medium for biocatalytic carboxylations. For enhancing mass transfer in a bubble column reactor, microbubble aeration is applied and compared to conventional macrobubble aeration. Application of a 0.5 µm porous sparger enables microbubble CO2 aeration with bubble size distributions below 150 µm in Sauter mean diameter, correlating with the highest measured mass transfer rates. During CO2 saturation of the aqueous triethanolamine, bubble size distributions changed according to the level of CO2 saturation. For microbubbles, less foaming was observed compared to macrobubble aeration by a 10 µm porous sparger. This microbubble effect is attributed to their accelerated dissolution assisted by the Laplace pressure lowering the amount of bubbles reaching the surface of the liquid. The experiments reveal that the rate of interfacial area generation, which is calculated based on measured bubble size distributions, influences the biocatalyst activity.

Destabilization of ultrafine bubbles in water using indirect ultrasonic irradiation.

Ultrafine bubble (UFB) is a bubble with a diameter of less than 1 µm. Little attention has been paid to the defoaming and removal of UFBs. This study proposes a method to destabilize UFBs by using indirect ultrasonic irradiation. Besides, the destabilization mechanism of UFB was investigated. The ultrasonic frequency was 1.6 MHz and the dissipated power was 30 W. UFB dispersions were prepared using two different types of bubble generators: pressurized dissolution method and swirling liquid flow method. The effects of ultrasonic irradiation on the stability of UFBs were evaluated by particle tracking analysis (PTA) and electrophoretic zeta potential measurement. Results showed that the indirect ultrasonic irradiation for 30 min reduced the number concentration of UFBs by 90% regardless of the generation method. This destabilization was attributed to a decrease in the magnitude of zeta potential of UFBs due to the changes in pH and electrical conductivity. These changes in the electrochemical properties were caused by the formation of nitric acid. To study the destabilization mechanism, the pH of the UFB dispersions were modified by titration; the chemical and mechanical effects of ultrasound were separately examined. It was found that not only the chemical effect caused by the formation of nitric acid but also the mechanical effect contributed to the destabilization of UFB. Feasibility studies were also performed for UFBs in an aqueous surfactant solution and UFBs in a solid particle dispersion. The proposed method selectively destabilized UFBs in the solutions.

A case of non-small cell lung cancer with danazol-dependent aplastic anemia induced by pembrolizumab.

Programmed cell death protein 1 immune checkpoint inhibitor is an effective treatment for non-small cell lung cancer. Although hematological immune-related adverse events induced by antiprogrammed-cell-death-protein-1 immunotherapy have been reported, they are rare, and there remain many unknowns. We report the case of a 77-year-old woman with non-small cell lung cancer and pembrolizumab-induced danazol-dependent aplastic anemia. Sixteen days after she received pembrolizumab with carboplatin and pemetrexed as first-line treatments, she developed pancytopenia, including severe thrombocytopenia (1 × 109/L) with oral bleeding, epistaxis, and systemic purpura. We initially diagnosed immune-related thrombocytopenia based on an elevated level of platelet-associated immunoglobulin G (922ng/107 cells), but her thrombocytopenia was refractory to prednisolone (1mg/kg) and thrombopoietin receptor agonists. We eventually diagnosed aplastic anemia based on the findings of bone marrow hypoplasia. Treatment with cyclosporine and danazol 300mg (7.5mg/kg) was initiated. Eighteen days later, her blood cell count increased, and we reduced danazol to 100mg. Twenty-four days after the reduction of danazol, her platelet count dropped again to 14 × 109/L; subsequently, increasing danazol improved her platelet count in a few days. Although aplastic anemia was recovered, she died owing to lung cancer progression. In this case, the thrombocytopenia was noticeable initially; however, pancytopenia appeared a month later, and we diagnosed her with aplastic anemia. Platelet counts improved rapidly with the use of danazol. No effective treatment has yet been established for aplastic anemia induced by antiprogrammed-cell-death-protein-1 immunotherapy, but our case suggests that danazol is an effective therapy.

High levels of anti-SSA/Ro antibodies in COVID-19 patients with severe respiratory failure: a case-based review : High levels of anti-SSA/Ro antibodies in COVID-19.

We treated two patients with severe respiratory failure due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Case 1 was a 73-year-old woman, and Case 2 was a 65-year-old-man. Neither of them had a history of autoimmune disease. Chest computed tomography scans before the antiviral therapy showed bilateral multiple patchy ground-glass opacities (GGO) consistent with COVID-19 pneumonia. The GGO regressed over the course of the antiviral treatment; however, new non-segmental patchy consolidations emerged, which resembled those of interstitial lung disease (ILD), specifically collagen vascular disease-associated ILD. We tested the patients' sera for autoantibodies and discovered that both patients had high anti-SSA/Ro antibody titers. In Case 1, the patient recovered with antiviral therapy alone. However, in Case 2, the patient did not improve with antiviral therapy alone but responded well to corticosteroid therapy (methylprednisolone) and made a full recovery. The relationship between some immunological responses and COVID-19 pneumonia exacerbation has been discussed previously; our discovery of the elevation of anti-SSA/Ro antibodies suggests a contribution from autoimmunity functions of the immune system. Although it is unclear whether the elevation of anti-SSA/Ro antibodies was a cause or an outcome of aggravated COVID-19 pneumonia, we hypothesize that both patients developed aggravated the COVID-19 pneumonia due to an autoimmune response. In COVID-19 lung injury, there may be a presence of autoimmunity factors in addition to the known effects of cytokine storms. In patients with COVID-19, a high level of anti-SSA/Ro52 antibodies may be a surrogate marker of pneumonia severity and poor prognosis.

Gliosarcoma arising from oligodendroglioma (Oligosarcoma): A case report with genetic analyses.

Gliosarcomas are a type of bimorphic tumor composed of glial and sarcomatous elements, and are considered to be a variant of glioblastoma, WHO grade IV. To date, only rare cases of gliosarcoma with oligodendroglial components (oligosarcoma) have been reported. We report a case of oligosarcoma consisting of gliosarcoma arising from recurrent oligodendroglioma. A 53-year-old man, who had undergone a gross total resection of oligodendroglioma (WHO grade II) 11 years earlier, presented with a local tumor recurrence. The patient underwent a second gross total resection, whereupon a histopathological examination further revealed residual features of classical oligodendroglioma, and newly-developed sarcomatous characteristics. Both the primary and recurrent tumors showed 1p/19q co-deletion and mutation of the isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) gene, consistent with being oligodendroglial in nature. Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) of chromosome 1p/19q and IDH1 mutation have seldom been analyzed in previous reports of oligosarcomas. We report a rare case study supported by the results of genetic analyses. Our analyses have revealed that the sarcomatous component represents a metaplastic change occurring in the oligodendroglial element.

[Two cases of anterior cerebral artery aneurysm associated with accessory anterior cerebral artery: review of the literature and points of diagnosis].

The accessory anterior cerebral artery (AccACA) is an anomalous vessel arising from the anterior communicating artery. Although AccACA is not particularly rare, aneurysms arising from the AccACA is extremely rare. Here, we report two cases of unruptured AccACA aneurysms. Patient 1 was a 58-year-old woman with an unruptured distal AccACA aneurysm. Magnetic resonance imaging and three-dimensional computed tomography angiography(3D-CTA)demonstrated a left middle cerebral artery aneurysm that was subsequently clipped successfully by direct surgery. No aneurysm was detected in the distal anterior cerebral artery(ACA)due to the narrow imaging range at that time. Postoperatively, an aneurysm of the distal ACA was incidentally identified on 3D-CTA. This AccACA aneurysm was also clipped by direct surgery about 5 months later, and the patient was discharged without any neurological deficits. Patient 2 was a 46-year-old woman with an aneurysm at the proximal portion of the AccACA. Since the aneurysm was small and patient was asymptomatic, the observation-approach was selected. In introducing these cases, we discuss AccACA aneurysms and the process of diagnosis. Aneurysm can arise over the entire length of the ACA, from the anterior communicating artery to the peripheral portion, particularly the supracallosal portion, so observation and imaging of the peripheral region is important in cases where an AccACA is present.

[Contralateral suboccipital approach for clipping of an unruptured vertebral artery-posterior inferior cerebellar artery aneurysm].

Numerous approaches have been used to access aneurysms of the vertebral artery(VA)-posterior inferior cerebellar artery(PICA)complex for microsurgical clipping. Here, we report the case of a patient with an unruptured aneurysm of the left VA-PICA complex that was successfully treated using a contralateral suboccipital approach. Computed tomography angiography demonstrated a small saccular aneurysm arising from the lateral aspect of the left V4 segment just distal to the PICA origin. The aneurysm deviated to the right from the midline at the level of the jugular tubercle on angiographic evaluation, so we selected a contralateral suboccipital approach. The aneurysm was completely obliterated by neck clipping. After surgery, slight dysphagia and hoarseness appeared, but dysphagia disappeared within several days and hoarseness disappeared within 5 months. VA-PICA aneurysms can vary in their relationship to cranial nerves, brainstem, and bones of the skull base. Neurosurgeons should consider using a contralateral approach for certain aneurysms arising from a tortuous VA that has crossed the midline.

Spinal endodermal cyst resembling an arachnoid cyst in appearance: Pitfalls in intraoperative diagnosis of cystic lesions.

BACKGROUND: Surgical treatment of endodermal cysts requires total removal of the cyst wall during the first operation to prevent recurrence. Therefore, intraoperative pathological diagnosis plays an important role in determining the optimal surgical strategy. We present a rare case of a spinal endodermal cyst and discuss its diagnostic difficulty during the intraoperative pathological examination. CASE DESCRIPTION: An 18-year-old male presented with progressive paraparesis and precordial oppression. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging revealed an intradural extramedullary cystic mass having the same signal intensity as cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) without gadolinium enhancement at the T1-T2 level. The preoperative diagnosis was an endodermal or arachnoid cyst. The patient underwent surgery. An intraoperative frozen section showed a cyst wall consisting of loose, thin, fibrous tissue intermittently covered by flattened epithelium. The diagnosis was an arachnoid cyst. Accordingly, partial resection of the cyst wall was performed to create CSF communication between the cyst and subarachnoid space. However, the postoperative pathological diagnosis from permanent sections was an endodermal cyst, which was lined with ciliated columnar epithelium that was immunopositive for cytokeratin and epithelial membrane antigen. Subsequent paraffin embedding and immunostaining of the intraoperative frozen sample also confirmed patchy cytokeratin expression by all flattened epithelial cells. The patient's cyst had refilled 10 months after surgery, and he subsequently underwent fenestration of the cyst wall and placement of a cyst-subarachnoid shunt. CONCLUSION: Examination of multiple samples from multiple sites or intraoperative immunostaining of frozen sections is recommended for accurate intraoperative diagnosis of endodermal cysts.