Multimass Analysis of Adeno-Associated Virus Vectors by Orbitrap-Based Charge Detection Mass Spectrometry.

Adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors have attracted significant attention as the main platform for gene therapy. To ensure the safety and efficacy of AAV vectors when used as gene therapy drugs, it is essential to assess their critical quality attributes (CQAs). These CQAs include the genome packaging status, the size of the genome encapsidated within the AAV capsid, and the stoichiometry of viral proteins (VPs) that constitute the AAV capsids.

Reliable Stenosis Detection Based on Thrill Waveform Analysis Using Non-Contact Arteriovenous Fistula Imaging.

Hemodialysis therapy is an extracorporeal circulation treatment that serves as a substitute for renal function. In Japan, patients receive this efficient four-hour treatment, three times per week, allowing them to maintain a social life nearly equivalent to that of healthy individuals. Before the treatment, two punctures are performed to establish extracorporeal circulation, and a high blood flow rate is essential to ensure efficient therapy.

Association between oral frailty and nutritional status among hemodialysis patients aged ≥50 years.

Aim: Malnutrition is a prevalent health issue among hemodialysis patients. Oral frailty, a condition characterized by impairments in multiple oral health aspects and functions, has been associated with nutritional status in the general population. We aimed to determine whether oral frailty was associated with nutritional status in hemodialysis patients aged ≥50 years.

Quantification of full and empty particles of adeno-associated virus vectors via a novel dual fluorescence-linked immunosorbent assay.

The adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector is one of the most advanced platforms for gene therapy because of its low immunogenicity and non-pathogenicity. The concentrations of both AAV vector empty particles, which do not contain DNA and do not show any efficacy, and AAV vector full particles (FPs), which contain DNA, are important quality attributes. In this study, a dual fluorescence-linked immunosorbent assay (dFLISA), which uses two fluorescent dyes to quantify capsid and genome titers in a single analysis, was established.

FOXM1 and CHD4 expression is associated with chemoresistance in hepatoblastoma.

Hepatoblastoma (HB) is the most common malignant liver tumor in childhood. Although pre-operative cisplatin (CDDP)-based chemotherapy is often used in cases of HB, about 20％ of HB patients exhibit resistance to CDDP. Forkhead box protein M1 (FOXM1) and chromo-domain-helicase-DNA-binding protein 4 (CHD4) have been associated with CDDP resistance in various tumors.

High-energy density cellulose nanofibre supercapacitors enabled by pseudo-solid water molecules.

Compared with conventional electrochemical supercapacitors and lithium-ion batteries, the novel amorphous cellulose nanofibre (ACF) supercapacitor demonstrates superior electric storage capacity with a high-power density, owing to its fast-charging capability and high-voltage performance. This study unveils introduces an ACF supercapacitor characterised by a substantial energy density. This is achieved by integrating a singular layer of pseudo-solid water molecules (electrical resistivity of 1.

Higher-Order Structure of Adeno-Associated Virus Serotype 8 by Hydrogen/Deuterium Exchange Mass Spectrometry.

The higher-order structure (HOS) is a critical quality attribute of recombinant adeno-associated viruses (rAAVs). Evaluating the HOS of the entire rAAV capsid is challenging because of the flexibility and/or less folded nature of the VP1 unique (VP1u) and VP1/VP2 common regions, which are structural features essential for these regions to exert their functions following viral infection. In this study, hydrogen/deuterium exchange mass spectrometry (HDX-MS) was used for the structural analysis of full and empty rAAV8 capsids.

Radical electron-induced cellulose-semiconductors.

Bio-semiconductors are expected to be similar to organic semiconductors; however, they have not been utilized in application yet. In this study, we show the origin of electron appearance, N- and S-type negative resistances, rectification, and switching effects of semiconductors with energy storage capacities of up to 418.5 mJ/m using granulated amorphous kenaf cellulose particles (AKCPs).

Combined 100 keV Cryo-Electron Microscopy and Image Analysis Methods to Characterize the Wider Adeno-Associated Viral Products.

Adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) are effective vectors for gene therapy. However, AAV drug products are inevitably contaminated with empty particles (EP), which lack a genome, owing to limitations of the purification steps. EP contamination can reduce the transduction efficiency and induce immunogenicity.

Clinicopathological and genomic features of superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinomas in nondrinker, nonsmoker females.

Background: Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is sometimes detected in non-drinker and non-smoker females who are considered to have very low risk of ESCC development in daily practice. This study examined the clinicopathological and genomic characteristics of ESCCs in females with no history of drinking and smoking.

Methods: The sample comprised 118 ESCC lesions occurring in 95 female patients who underwent endoscopic submucosal dissection at our department between January 2008 and December 2019.

Clinical factors associated with stable treatment of chronic constipation in Japanese patients.

Background/aims: Chronic constipation (CC) is one of the most common gastrointestinal disorders in the general population. Although there are many treatment options, achieving a stable treatment for CC remains one of the challenges in clinical practice. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical factors associated with stable treatment for CC in Japanese patients.

Predictive factors for esophageal stenosis in patients receiving prophylactic steroid therapy after endoscopic submucosal dissection for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: Methods to prevent esophageal stenosis (ES) after endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) have received increasing attention. Although steroid administration is a prophylactic treatment, the risk factors for ES during prophylactic steroid therapy remain unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to retrospectively evaluate the risk factors for refractory ES in patients administered prophylactic steroids after ESD for ESCC.

Decreased serum creatinine to cystatin C ratio is associated with low tongue pressure.

Aim: Tongue strength plays an important role in the process of food intake, and low tongue pressure has been associated with aspiration pneumonia, cognitive decline, and mortality. However, special equipment for tongue pressure measurement is uncommon in general practice. Recently, the serum creatinine-to-cystatin C (Cr/CysC) ratio has been validated as a marker of muscle volume mass.

Enhancement of recombinant adeno-associated virus activity by improved stoichiometry and homogeneity of capsid protein assembly.

Studies of recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) revealed the mixture of full particles with different densities in rAAV. There are no conclusive results because of the lack of quantitative stoichiometric viral proteins, encapsidated DNA, and particle level analyses. We report the first comprehensive characterization of low- and high-density rAAV serotype 2 particles.

Long-term cosmetic outcomes of the slit-slide procedure for umbilical hernia repair in children.

Purpose: To assess the long-term cosmetic outcomes of the "slit-slide procedure", designed to provide a more natural appearance for umbilical hernia repair, as perceived by the patients and their parents.

Methods: A total of 149 patients with umbilical hernia underwent the slit-slide procedure at our hospital. The slit-slide procedure allows for the creation of an umbilicus with a more natural and integrated appearance.

Indications for Dental Floss Clip Traction During Gastric Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection by Less-Experienced Endoscopists.

Purpose: Dental floss clip (DFC) traction-assisted endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is widely performed owing to its simplicity. This study aimed to clarify the appropriate indications for the DFC traction method in early gastric cancer when ESD is performed by less-experienced endoscopists.

Methods And Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 1,014 consecutive patients who had undergone gastric ESD performed by less-experienced endoscopists between January 2015 and December 2020.

High-energy storage capacity of cellulose nanofiber supercapacitors using bound water.

The performance of electric double-layer capacitors and lithium-ion batteries deteriorates with increasing humidity. The desirable effect of bound water on the energy-storage properties of physically dry cellulose nanofiber (Na-ACF) supercapacitors with sodium (Na) carboxylate radicals was investigated using infrared and near-infrared spectroscopy, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, alternating current impedance analyses, and first-principles calculations. The storage capacity decreased gradually upon heating to 423 K and reached zero upon exceeding 483 K, accompanied by increasing electrical resistance, forming a distorted semicircle in Nyquist diagram and drawing the phase angle to zero in Bode diagram.

A case of discordant histology and expression of programmed death ligand 1 between primary tumor and brain metastases in adenosquamous carcinoma of the lung.

A patient presented with vomiting and gait disturbance. Investigation revealed a single cerebellar tumor and another tumor in the upper lobe of the left lung. Based on the severe vomiting and gait disturbance, we removed the cerebellar tumor first, achieving resolution of symptoms.

Influence of blood pressure variations during hemodialysis on the prognosis of dialysis patients.

The prognosis of dialysis patients is poorer than that of the general population. The relationship between dialysis patients' blood pressure (BP) and mortality is controversial. We investigated the relationships between mortality and () pre-dialysis BP and () BP variation during hemodialysis in maintenance dialysis patients.

Thoracoscopic repair for late-presenting congenital diaphragmatic hernia with thoracic kidney in a child.

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) with a hernia sac and thoracic kidney is a very rare congenital anomaly. Recently, the usefulness of endoscopic surgery for CDH has been reported. We herein report a patient who underwent thoracoscopic repair of CDH with a hernia sac and thoracic kidney.

Endoscopic findings suggestive of a high risk of non-radical cure after definitive chemoradiotherapy for cT1bN0M0 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: Definitive chemoradiotherapy (DCRT) is a curative treatment option for cT1bN0M0 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC); however, local residual disease and recurrence after complete remission may occur. We aimed to identify endoscopic findings associated with the risk of non-radical cure (local remnant or recurrence) after DCRT for cT1bN0M0 ESCC.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 40 consecutive patients with cT1bN0M0 ESCC who had undergone DCRT between January 2007 and December 2017.

Efficacy of the specialized scissor-type knife for gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection: a propensity score matched retrospective study.

Prevention of bleeding and perforation during gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is important. Scissor-type knives can accurately grasp and incise the targeted tissue using electrosurgical currents, thereby eliminating unexpected incisions. The SB Knife GX, a scissor-type knife specialized for gastric ESD, was released in June 2016 in Japan.