Prediction of adverse cardiovascular events in children using artificial intelligence-based electrocardiogram.

Background: Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) have emerged as a novel method for evaluating heart failure (HF) in adult electrocardiograms (ECGs). However, such CNNs are not applicable to pediatric HF, where abnormal anatomy of congenital heart defects plays an important role. ECG-based CNNs reflecting neurohormonal activation (NHA) may be a useful marker of pediatric HF.

Hemodynamic simulation of complete transposition of the great arteries for optimal treatment strategies based on its circulatory physiology.

Our study aimed to elucidate the role of different shunts and provide novel insights into optimal treatment approaches for complete transposition of the great arteries (TGA), which is characterized by unique and complicated circulatory dynamics. We constructed a computational cardiovascular TGA model and manipulated cardiovascular parameters, such as atrial septal defect (ASD) and patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) sizes, to quantify their effects on oxygenation and hemodynamics. In addition, ASD flow patterns were investigated as innovative indications for balloon atrial septostomy (BAS).

Fast-tracking antibody maturation using a B cell-based display system.

Affinity maturation, an essential component of antibody engineering, is crucial for developing therapeutic antibodies. Cell display system coupled with somatic hypermutation (SHM) initiated by activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID) is a commonly used technique for affinity maturation. AID introduces targeted DNA lesions into hotspots of immunoglobulin (Ig) gene loci followed by erroneous DNA repair, leading to biased mutations in the complementary determining regions.

HMGB1 signaling phosphorylates Ku70 and impairs DNA damage repair in Alzheimer's disease pathology.

DNA damage is increased in Alzheimer's disease (AD), while the underlying mechanisms are unknown. Here, we employ comprehensive phosphoproteome analysis, and identify abnormal phosphorylation of 70 kDa subunit of Ku antigen (Ku70) at Ser77/78, which prevents Ku70-DNA interaction, in human AD postmortem brains. The abnormal phosphorylation inhibits accumulation of Ku70 to the foci of DNA double strand break (DSB), impairs DNA damage repair and eventually causes transcriptional repression-induced atypical cell death (TRIAD).

Streamlined human antibody generation and optimization by exploiting designed immunoglobulin loci in a B cell line.

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are widely utilized as therapeutic drugs for various diseases, such as cancer, autoimmune diseases, and infectious diseases. Using the avian-derived B cell line DT40, we previously developed an antibody display technology, namely, the ADLib system, which rapidly generates antigen-specific mAbs. Here, we report the development of a human version of the ADLib system and showcase the streamlined generation and optimization of functional human mAbs.

MIG-13 controls anteroposterior cell migration by interacting with UNC-71/ADM-1 and SRC-1 in Caenorhabditis elegans.

The transmembrane protein MIG-13 is a key regulator required for anterior migration of neural cells in Caenorhabditis elegans, but the signaling mechanisms involved remain unknown. Here, we isolated a suppressor mutation in the unc-71/adm-1 gene, which rescued the AVM neuron migration defect in mig-13 mutants. Genetic analyses revealed that UNC-71 at least partly acts downstream of MIG-13 and has an inhibitory effect on the anterior cell migration.

Assessment of oral self-care in patients with periodontitis: a pilot study in a dental school clinic in Japan.

Background: Oral hygiene education is central to every stage of periodontal treatment. Successful management of periodontal disease depends on the patient's capacity for oral self-care. In the present study, the oral self-care and perceptions of patients attending a dental school clinic in Japan were assessed using a short questionnaire referring to existing oral health models.