Kidney damage relates to agonal bacteremia: a single-center retrospective study.

Background: Agonal bacteremia, diagnosed with postmortem positive blood culture results, is considered a possible contributing factor to death. We hypothesized that some premortem organ damage, such as kidney damage, can enhance agonal bacteremia.

Methods: We performed a postmortem blood and alveolar fluid culture study in 30 cadavers and evaluated the relationship between blood culture results and clinical parameters, including organ damage (brain, heart, lung, kidney, liver and gastrointestinal tract).

Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor-induced Cerebrovascular Occlusion Presenting with Moyamoya Disease-like Stenosis of the Circle of Willis.

Vascular occlusive events are notable adverse effects of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), which are promising treatments for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). We herein report the case of a patient with CML who developed cerebrovascular occlusion of the circle of Willis during TKI treatment. Our patient did not meet the diagnostic criteria for moyamoya disease due to the insignificant development of moyamoya vessels.

Solid-State Schikorr Reaction from Ferrous Chloride to Magnetite with Hydrogen Evolution as the Kinetic Bottleneck.

The selective formation of meta-stable FeO from ferrous sources by suppressing its oxidative conversion to the most stable hematite (α-FeO) is challenging under oxidative conditions for solid-state synthesis. In this work, we investigated the conversion of iron(II) chloride (FeCl) to magnetite (FeO) under inert atmosphere in the presence of steam, and the obtained oxides were analyzed by atomic-resolution TEM, Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy, and the Verwey transition temperature (). The reaction proceeded in two steps, with HO as the oxide source in the initial step and as an oxidant in the second step.

Twenty-year follow-up of promising clinical studies reported in highly circulated newspapers: a meta-epidemiological study.

Objectives: Researchers have identified cases in which newspaper stories have exaggerated the results of medical studies reported in original articles. Moreover, the exaggeration sometimes begins with journal articles. We examined what proportion of the studies quoted in newspaper stories were confirmed.

Over 90% of Childhood BCG Vaccine-Induced Keloids in Japan Occur in Women.

Introduction: Keloids are a fibroproliferative, multifactorial, cutaneous disorder whose pathophysiology is not completely understood. Various factors such as high blood pressure, pregnancy, female gender, mechanical tension of local sites, and prolonged wound healing are known to worsen keloids. Childhood-onset keloids are keloids that form before 10 years of age, before various factors in adulthood come into play, and thus studying childhood-onset keloids may provide additional insight into the underlying mechanisms that lead to keloid formation.

Complications following transcutaneous cecal trocarization in horses with a cattle trocar and a cecal needle.

Percutaneous decompression of the cecum is a procedure that could be considered for horses with cecal gas distension. The aim of this study was to identify complications such as peritonitis and clinically relevant peritonitis (CRP) after transabdominal cecal trocarization in healthy horses using a cattle trocar and a cecal needle. Mixed breed horses were assigned to three groups (n = 6): horses that underwent trocarization with a cecal needle (G1) or a cattle trocar (G2), and a control group (CG) without cecal trocarization.

Diagnostic test property of transcription-reverse transcription concerted reaction reagent TRCReady® SARS-CoV-2 i using nasopharyngeal swab samples.

TRCReady® SARS-CoV-2 i is a reagent for transcription-reverse transcription concerted reaction (TRC) to detect SARS-CoV-2 N2 gene, used with the automated rapid isothermal nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) analyzer TRCReady®-80. Sensitivity and specificity of TRCReady® SARS-CoV-2 i was assessed by comparison with the results of real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using nasopharyngeal swab samples. From November 2020 to March 2021, a total of 441 nasopharyngeal swabs were obtained and analyzed both with TRCReady® SARS-CoV-2 i and RT-PCR.

Unguided Computer-Assisted Self-Help Interventions Without Human Contact in Patients With Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background: Computer-assisted treatment may reduce therapist contact and costs and promote client participation. This meta-analysis examined the efficacy and acceptability of an unguided computer-assisted therapy in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) compared with a waiting list or attention placebo.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and adherence of computer-assisted self-help treatment without human contact in patients with OCD using a systematic review and meta-analysis approach.

Antihypertensive Mechanism of Orally Administered Acetylcholine in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats.

Acetylcholine (ACh) acts as a neurotransmitter and neuromodulator. A small dose of eggplant powder rich in ACh (equivalent to 22 g fresh eggplant/d) has been shown to reduce blood pressure (BP) in individuals with higher BP. Here, we investigated the mechanisms underlying the antihypertensive effects of low-dose orally administered ACh in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs).

Nano-Confinement of Insulating Sulfur in the Cathode Composite of All-Solid-State Li-S Batteries Using Flexible Carbon Materials with Large Pore Volumes.

Durable nanostructured cathode materials for efficient all-solid-state Li-S batteries were prepared using a conductive single-walled 3D graphene with a large pore volume as the cathode support material. At high loadings of the active material (50-60 wt %), microscale phase segregation was observed with a conventional cathode support material during the charging/discharging processes but this was suppressed by the confinement of insulating sulfur into the mesopores of the elastic and flexible nanoporous graphene with a large pore volume of 5.3 mL g.

Compositional Changes in Grapes and Leaves as a Consequence of Smoke Exposure of Vineyards from Multiple Bushfires across a Ripening Season.

The negative effects of smoke exposure of grapes in vineyards that are close to harvest are well documented. Volatile phenols in smoke from forest and grass fires can contaminate berries and, upon uptake, are readily converted into a range of glycosylated grape metabolites. These phenolic glycosides and corresponding volatile phenols are extracted into the must and carried through the winemaking process, leading to wines with overtly smoky aromas and flavours.

Force-responsive ordered carbonaceous frameworks synthesized from Ni-porphyrin.

Force-responsive ordered carbonaceous frameworks (OCFs) are synthesized for the first time. Carbonization of Ni porphyrin monomers having eight polymerizable ethynyl groups yields OCFs with atomically dispersed divalent Ni species and developed micropores. The highest specific surface area (673 m g) among the OCFs has been achieved.

Precipitation of Tannin-Anthocyanin Derivatives in Wine is Influenced by Acetaldehyde Concentration and Tannin Molecular Mass with Implications for the Development of Nonbleachable Pigments.

This study aimed to assess the effect of tannin molecular mass on nonbleachable pigment formation and subsequent stability under wine-like conditions. Tannin fractions of a defined molecular mass range were prepared from grape skins and seeds and reacted with malvidin-3-glucoside for 120 days in three media types: chemically defined wine media with or without acetaldehyde addition or model wine without acetaldehyde. Precipitation was observed after the reaction period and increased in response to both higher tannin molecular mass and acetaldehyde concentration.

Comparison of irinotecan and oxaliplatin as the first-line therapies for metastatic colorectal cancer: a meta-analysis.

Background: Irinotecan (IRI) and oxaliplatin (Ox) are standard therapeutic agents of the first-line treatments for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Previous meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) showed that treatment with Ox-based compared with IRI-based regimens was associated with better overall survival (OS). However, these reports did not include trials of molecular targeting agents and did not take methods for the administration of concomitant drugs, such as bolus or continuous infusion of 5-fluorouracil, into account.

Understanding the Effect of Hydration on the Bio-inert Properties of 2-Hydroxyethyl Methacrylate Copolymers with Small Amounts of Amino- or/and Fluorine-Containing Monomers.

Materials exhibiting "bio-inert properties" are essential for developing medical devices because they are less recognized as foreign substances by proteins and cells in the living body. We have reported that the presence of intermediate water (IW) with the water molecules loosely bound to a polymer is a useful index of the bio-inertness of materials. Here, we analyzed the hydration state and the responses to biomolecules of poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) copolymers including small amounts of 2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) (N-series) or/and 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl methacrylate (TFEMA) (F-series).

Green fluorescent protein-based lactate and pyruvate indicators suitable for biochemical assays and live cell imaging.

Glycolysis is the metabolic pathway that converts glucose into pyruvate, whereas fermentation can then produce lactate from pyruvate. Here, we developed single fluorescent protein (FP)-based lactate and pyruvate indicators with low EC for trace detection of metabolic molecules and live cell imaging and named them "Green Lindoblum" and "Green Pegassos," respectively. Green Lindoblum (EC of 30 µM for lactate) and Green Pegassos (EC of 70 µM for pyruvate) produced a 5.

Deletion of PIN4 Suppresses the Protein Transport Defects Caused by sec12-4 Mutation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Newly synthesized secretory proteins are released into the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). The secretory proteins are surrounded by coat protein complex II (COPII) vesicles, and transported from the ER and reach their destinations through the Golgi apparatus. Sec12p is a guanine nucleotide exchange factor for Sar1p, which initiates COPII vesicle budding from the ER.

Enhanced catalytic activity of inhomogeneous Rh-based solid-solution alloy nanoparticles.

Catalytic Rh-based alloy nanoparticles (NPs) with inhomogeneous solid-solution structures were prepared from homogeneous solid-solution alloy NPs. Compared with homogeneous alloy NPs, these inhomogeneous alloy NPs exhibited enhanced catalytic activity and superior catalytic durability. Homogeneous solid-solution alloy NPs consisting of Rh and other immiscible noble metals were synthesized by laser-induced nucleation method in metallic ion solutions.

Effect of Grape Seed and Skin Tannin Molecular Mass and Composition on the Rate of Reaction with Anthocyanin and Subsequent Formation of Polymeric Pigments in the Presence of Acetaldehyde.

Polymeric pigments formed via ethyl linkages between grape tannins and anthocyanins are important to the development of stable red wine color. To determine the effect of tannin structure on the stability and color properties of ethyl-linked polymeric pigments, tannin fractions with average polymerization between 4 and 43 units were prepared from grape skins and seeds and combined with malvidin-3-glucoside (M3G) in model wine containing acetaldehyde. As tannin molecular mass increased, the reaction rate with M3G increased.

Antidepressants plus benzodiazepines for adults with major depression.

Background: Anxiety frequently coexists with depression and adding benzodiazepines to antidepressant treatment is common practice to treat people with major depression. However, more evidence is needed to determine whether this combined treatment is more effective and not any more harmful than antidepressants alone. It has been suggested that benzodiazepines may lose their efficacy with long-term administration and their chronic use carries risks of dependence.

Controlling the Hydration Structure with a Small Amount of Fluorine To Produce Blood Compatible Fluorinated Poly(2-methoxyethyl acrylate).

Poly(2-methoxyethyl acrylate) (PMEA) shows excellent blood compatibility because of the existence of intermediate water. Various modifications of PMEA by changing its main or side chain's chemical structure allowed tuning of the water content and the blood compatibility of numerous novel polymers. Here, we exploit a possibility of manipulating the surface hydration structure of PMEA by incorporation of small amounts of hydrophobic fluorine groups in MEA polymers using atom-transfer radical polymerization and the (macro) initiator concept.