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In the United States, Europe, and Asia, a consensus has been reached that there is a higher risk of breast cancer in high density breasts. However, there are some contrary reports that suggest the absence of an association between breast composition and breast cancer subtype; thus, there is conflicting evidence. The purpose of this study was to investigate trends in the incidence of breast cancer subtypes according to breast composition and analyze the survival rates in Japanese women.Between 2007 and 2008, 1258 Japanese patients with invasive breast cancer who underwent mammography and obtained a pathological diagnosis in our institution were included in the study. We compared cancer subtypes with breast composition types (dense and non-dense breast), and classified them based on initial mammography findings. Information on 5- and 10-year survival rates was collected by chart review for patients with dense and nondense breasts. Statistical analysis was performed using the Pearson's chi-square test for breast composition and cancer subtype. The effect of breast composition on mortality was examined using a multivariate Cox proportional hazards model, and adjusted hazard ratios were calculated.No significant difference was found between breast cancer subtype and breast composition (P = .08). Five-year (log-rank test, P = .09) and 10-year (log-rank test, P = .31) survival rates were not significantly different between breast composition types.There was no significant association between breast composition and cancer subtypes. There was also no significant difference in the prognosis between patients with and without dense breasts.

The development of mRNA vaccines and oral drugs against SARS-CoV-2 has been useful in protecting against Covid-19 infection. Since then, however, many variants of delta and omicron strains with enhanced infectivity and immune escape capacity have emerged. A 7-amino acid random peptide ribosome display library screening system was used to perform a rapid in vitro screening of peptide aptamers that universally bind to the SARS-CoV-2 wild-type, delta, and Omicron variant BA.1, BA.2, and BA.5 spike RBD (Receptor Binding Domain). Screening resulted in four peptide aptamers that showed positive binding reactions in ELISA. Interestingly, Amino Acid Sequence Determination of the four clones predicted that three of the four clones contain 2 ~ 3 Cys residues in their sequences, forming a complex higher-order structure with disulfide (S-S) bonds. The 7-amino acid random peptide ribosome display library screening system allows for rapid in vitro screening of peptide aptamers that bind to other unknown emerging infectious disease pathogens that may be pandemic in the future. The peptide aptamers are as small as 30 amino acids and can be easily synthesized and purified as peptides or proteins, or simply used as mRNA drugs.

A 37-year-old African–British man was referred to our hospital for detailed examination because of persistent fever, swelling and pain in both ankle joints, and blurred vision for two months. Inguinal lymph node biopsy showed a large number of epithelioid granulomas without necrosis. Granulomatous anterior uveitis, nephropathy, high serum angiotensin-converting enzyme activity, and high serum-soluble interleukin-2 receptor were observed, and the diagnosis of systemic sarcoidosis was made. His serum creatinine was 1.4 mg/dL and hematuria, leukocyturia, and urine protein were also seen. The renal biopsy finding was mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis, with no findings of granuloma formation or tubular interstitial nephritis. Immunofluorescence staining showed deposition of IgG, C3, and C1q in the mesangial region. IgG3 was dominant in subclass staining. There was no monoclonality on kappa and lambda staining. Electron microscopy showed predominant deposition in the mesangial region with some subepithelial and endothelial deposition. His hematuria and leukocyturia disappeared with steroid therapy, suggesting sarcoidosis-related nephropathy. A case of systemic sarcoidosis with mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis showing predominant deposition of IgG in the mesangial region is presented. No cases of such histological findings have been reported so far, and it is necessary to analyze further cases to clarify the pathogenic significance of the renal biopsy findings observed in this case.