Safety and feasibility of robot-assisted surgery for pediatric patients weighing ≤ 10 kg with congenital biliary dilatation.

The advantage of robot-assisted surgery (RAS) is its ability to perform fine surgical operations with higher-resolution images. RAS should be particularly beneficial for small children, but it requires a certain amount of working space. The da Vinci Surgical System instructions state that careful consideration of indications for robotic surgery in patients weighing ≤ 10 kg is required.

A Generalized Multi-Detector Combination Approach for Differential Item Functioning Detection.

Many studies on differential item functioning (DIF) detection rely on single detection methods (SDMs), each of which necessitates specific assumptions that may not always be validated. Using an inappropriate SDM can lead to diminished accuracy in DIF detection. To address this limitation, a novel multi-detector combination (MDC) approach is proposed.

Two Distinct Atrial Breakthroughs During Fast-Slow Atrioventricular Nodal Reentrant Tachycardia.

Introduction: The slow atrioventricular nodal pathway (SP) typically has a single atrial breakthrough site.

Methods And Results: We report a case of fast-slow type AVNRT with two distinct atrial breakthrough sites during tachycardia. The earliest atrial activation site (EAAS) was at the right inferior septum, followed by the inferolateral wall of the tricuspid annulus.

Direct and indirect RANK and CD40 signaling regulate the maintenance of thymic epithelial cell frequency and properties in the adult thymus.

Medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) play a crucial role in suppressing the onset of autoimmunity by eliminating autoreactive T cells and promoting the development of regulatory T cells in the thymus. Although mTECs undergo turnover in adults, the molecular mechanisms behind this process remain unclear. This study describes the direct and indirect roles of receptor activator of NF-κB (RANK) and CD40 signaling in TECs in the adult thymus.

Effect of galanin-like peptide on hypothalamic kisspeptin expression in female Zucker fatty rats.

Kisspeptin and galanin-like peptide (GALP) neurons in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus (ARC) are involved in gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neuron-mediated pulsatile luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion. Zucker fatty (ZF) rats display a leptin receptor gene abnormality and suppressed pulsatile LH secretion. ZF rats reportedly exhibit low hypothalamic GALP and kisspeptin expression, and GALP administration induces LH release in ZF rats.

Long-Term Outcome Over 15 Years of Prosthesis for Thumb Carpometacarpal Joint Arthritis: A Case Series.

This report presents the long-term (over 15 years) results of four Japanese patients who underwent total joint replacement for thumb carpometacarpal (CMC) joint arthritis. Four patients (mean age 60.5 years) underwent prosthesis replacement for thumb CMC joint arthritis with AVANTA(TM) (Small Bone Innovations, Morrisville, PA, USA) implants between 2001 and 2004, with a mean follow-up of 20 years and seven months.

Protein Electronic Energy Transport Levels Derived from High-Sensitivity Near-UV and Constant Final State Yield Photoemission Spectroscopy.

Proteins are attractive as functional components in molecular junctions. However, controlling the electronic charge transport via proteins, held between two electrodes, requires information on their frontier orbital energy level alignment relative to the electrodes' Fermi level (E), which normally requires studies of UV Photoemission Spectroscopy (UPS) with HeI excitation. Such excitation is problematic for proteins, which can denature under standard measuring conditions.

Frontal nerve schwannoma in a 16-year-old girl presenting with a rapid growth for 2 years.

Background: Orbital schwannomas arising from the frontal nerve are a rare but distinct entity.

Case Description: A 16-year-old girl presented to our hospital with gradually progressive proptosis. Computed tomography (CT) performed 2 years ago incidentally detected a retrobulbar mass in the left orbit measuring 13 mm × 14 mm × 10 mm, which was not identified on CT performed at the age of 4 years.

A unique case of Sylvian arachnoid cyst complicated by chronic subdural hematoma.

Background: Arachnoid cysts (ACs) complicated by chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) are a rare but distinct entity.

Case Description: A 27-year-old man previously diagnosed with Sylvian AC presented to the hospital with a persistent headache. He was not aware of any preceding head trauma.

Prognostic value of combining cardiac myosin-binding protein C and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide in patients without acute coronary syndrome treated at medical cardiac intensive care units.

We investigated the prognostic value of cardiac myosin-binding protein C (cMyC), a novel cardiospecific marker, both independently and in combination with N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), for predicting 6-month all-cause mortality in patients without acute coronary syndrome (ACS) treated at medical (nonsurgical) cardiac intensive care units (CICUs). Admission levels of cMyC, high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT), and NT-proBNP were measured in 1032 consecutive patients (mean age; 70 years) without ACS hospitalized acutely in medical CICUs for the treatment of cardiovascular disease. Serum cMyC was closely correlated with hs-cTnT and moderately with NT-proBNP (r = 0.

Phase-separated cationic giant unilamellar vesicles as templates for the polymerization of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS).

Unlike homogeneous liposomes, phase-separated liposomes have the potential to be attractive soft materials because they exhibit different properties for each phase. In this study, phase separation was observed when liposomes were prepared using 1,2-dioleoyloxy-3-trimethylammonium propane chloride (DOTAP), 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DSPC), and cholesterol. The pH of the DOTAP-rich phase was evaluated using a coumarin derivative, and measurements showed that DOTAP molecules accumulated hydroxyl ions (OH) in the DOTAP-rich phase.

Effects of Prospective Audit and Feedback in Patients with Extended-Spectrum -Lactamase-Producing Bacteremia.

Antimicrobial stewardship (AS) Guidelines by the Infectious Diseases Society of America recommend employing prospective audit and feedback (PAF) as an effective intervention in AS programs. Since July 2022, our hospital has implemented PAF for all patients with positive blood cultures, including those with extended-spectrum -lactamase (ESBL)-producing (EC) bacteremia. Our study examined the effect of PAF on clinical outcomes in patients with ESBL-EC bacteremia.

Enhancing Precision in Predicting Magnitude of Differential Item Functioning: An M-DIF Pretrained Model Approach.

Despite numerous studies on the magnitude of differential item functioning (DIF), different DIF detection methods often define effect sizes inconsistently and fail to adequately account for testing conditions. To address these limitations, this study introduces the unified M-DIF model, which defines the magnitude of DIF as the difference in item difficulty parameters between reference and focal groups. The M-DIF model can incorporate various DIF detection methods and test conditions to form a quantitative model.

Update of prognosis and characteristics of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in a real-world setting: a 5-year follow-up analysis of a multi-institutional registry.

Background: We conducted a prospective observational study to elucidate the long-term prognosis and management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in clinical practice in Japan in the mid-2010s.

Methods: This prospective cohort study included 29 facilities. Data from 427 patients clinically diagnosed with COPD, enrolled between September 2013 and April 2016, were analyzed.

A broad-spectrum peptide screening method using an optimized solid-phase extraction and liquid chromatography-high-field asymmetric ion mobility spectrometry-mass spectrometry for doping control in equine urine.

The abuse of prohibited peptide-based drugs with a broad spectrum of chemical characteristics poses a significant concern for the horseracing industry. Recently, there has been a notable increase in positive cases of small-peptide drugs reported in equine and canine sports. In addition to small peptides, large peptides (over 2 kDa) with structural diversity have also entered the market in increasing numbers as drugs for humans and livestock.

Absorption, Fluorescence, and Two-Photon Excitation Ability of 5-o-Tolyl-11 (or 13)-o-tolylisoindolo[2,1-a]quinolines Prepared by Ring-Closing Metathesis and [2+3] Cycloaddition.

We have successfully improved the fluorescence quantum yield of isoindolo[2,1-a]quinoline derivatives by suppressing the rotation of the phenyl groups at positions 5 and 11 (or 13). Additionally, we found that the planarity of these phenyl groups at positions 5 and 11 (or 13) of isoindolo[2,1-a]quinoline derivatives is crucial for two-photon absorption properties.

Dynamic modelling and predictive position/force control of a plant-inspired growing robot.

This paper presents the development and control of a dynamic model for a plant-inspired growing robot, termed the 'vine-robot', using the Euler-Lagrangian method. The unique growth mechanism of the vine-robot enables it to navigate complex environments by extending its body. We derive the dynamic equations of motion and employ model predictive control to regulate the task space position, orientation, and interaction forces.

Recent advances in noncoding RNA modifications of gastrointestinal cancer.

Elucidating the mechanisms underlying cancer development and proliferation is important for the development of therapeutic methods for the complete cure of cancer. In particular, the identification of diagnostic markers for early detection and new therapeutic strategies for refractory gastrointestinal cancers are needed. Various abnormal phenomena occur in cancer cells, such as functional changes of proteins, led by genomic mutations, and changes in gene expression due to dysregulation of epigenetic regulation.

Burden of Current Insulin Therapy and Expectations for Future Insulin Therapy: Results from INBEING, a Web-Based Survey in Japan.

Introduction: This survey assessed the perspectives of physicians, people with diabetes (PWD), and caregivers in Japan regarding initiation barriers and treatment burden associated with insulin therapy, and expectations for new insulin therapies.

Methods: An online survey, conducted May-June 2023, was completed by physicians (n = 411), PWD (type 1 diabetes, n = 108; type 2 diabetes [T2D]: insulin-naive, n = 114; insulin-treated, n = 108), and caregivers (family members, n = 107; nurses, n = 117; care workers, n = 104). Agreement with statements regarding initiation barriers, current feelings, and burden of insulin therapy was assessed.

Intrinsic Natural Resistance of Various Plant Pathogens to Ipflufenoquin, a New DHODH (Dihydroorotate Dehydrogenase)-inhibiting Fungicide, in Relation to Unaltered Amino Acid Sequence of the Target Site.

In recent years, increasingly stringent pesticide regulations have made the development of new chemistries challenging. Under these regulations, the new fungicide ipflufenoquin (FRAC Code 52) was first released in Japan. Its mode of action is new; it inhibits dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH), a key enzyme in the biosynthesis of pyrimidine-based nucleotides.

Usefulness of lateral-anteroposterior dimeter ratio in patients with tracheomalacia associated with esophageal atresia.

Purpose: Tracheomalacia (TM) is commonly associated with esophageal atresia (EA) and compression by the brachiocephalic artery is a factor for TM. Previous research has focused on the lateral-to-anteroposterior tracheal diameter ratio (LAR). This study aimed to assess the LAR and postoperative outcomes of EA patients.