Aortic valve replacement through right anterior mini-thoracotomy in patients with chronic severe aortic regurgitation: a retrospective single-center study.

Background: Aortic valve replacement (AVR) has recently been performed at many centers using a minimally invasive approach to reduce postoperative mortality, morbidity, and pain. Most previous reports on minimally invasive AVR (MiAVR) have mainly focused on aortic stenosis, and those exclusively dealing with aortic regurgitation (AR) are few. The purpose of this study was to investigate early surgical results and review our experience with patients with chronic severe AR who underwent AVR via right anterior mini-thoracotomy (RAT).

Right anterior mini-thoracotomy aortic valve replacement versus transcatheter aortic valve implantation in octogenarians: a single-center retrospective study.

Background: The aim of this study was to compare the early outcomes of octogenarians undergoing minimally invasive right anterior mini-thoracotomy aortic valve replacement (RAT-AVR) with those undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) for aortic valve disease.

Methods: In this single-center retrospective study, data were collected from octogenarians before and after RAT-AVR and TAVI between January 2021 and July 2022. Short-term outcomes, including the length of hospital stay, in-hospital mortality, all-cause mortality, and other major postoperative complications, were compared and analyzed.

Comparative study of 360° virtual reality and traditional two-dimensional video in nonface-to-face dental radiology classes: focusing on learning satisfaction and self-efficacy.

Background: Acquiring adequate theoretical knowledge in the field of dental radiography (DR) is essential for establishing a good foundation at the prepractical stage. Currently, nonface-to-face DR education predominantly relies on two-dimensional (2D) videos, highlighting the need for developing educational resources that address the inherent limitations of this method. We developed a virtual reality (VR) learning medium using 360° video with a prefabricated head-mounted display (pHMD) for nonface-to-face DR learning and compared it with a 2D video medium.

Mobile educational tool based on augmented reality technology for tooth carving: results of a prospective cohort study.

Background: Augmented reality (AR) technology has been shown to be effective in displaying information and presenting three-dimensional objects. Although AR applications are commonly used by learners via mobile devices, plastic models or two-dimensional images are still commonly used in tooth carving practice. Learners practicing tooth carving face a challenge due to the three-dimensional features of teeth as there is a lack of tools available that provide sequential guidance.

Complexation of drug and hapten-conjugated aptamer with universal hapten antibody for pancreatic cancer treatment.

Owing to a lack of reliable markers and therapeutic targets, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains the most lethal malignant tumor despite numerous therapeutic advances. In this study, we utilized cell-SELEX to isolate a DNA aptamer recognizing the natural conformation of the target on the cell surface. PAp7T8, an aptamer optimized by size and chemical modification, exhibited specific targeting to pancreatic cancer cells and orthotopic xenograft pancreatic tumors.

Establishment of Patient-derived Preclinical Models for Invasive Papillary Cholangiocarcinoma.

Background/aim: Invasive papillary cholangio-carcinoma (IPC) is a minor subtype of extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. However, its etiology and characteristics remain unknown because of the unavailability of in vitro and in vivo models. We aimed to establish a novel preclinical model for translational research of IPC.

Flashlight into the Function of Unannotated C11orf52 using Affinity Purification Mass Spectrometry.

For an enhanced understanding of the biological mechanisms of human disease, it is essential to investigate protein functions. In a previous study, we developed a prediction method of gene ontology (GO) terms by the I-TASSER/COFACTOR result, and we applied this to uPE1 in chromosome 11. Here, to validate the bioinformatics prediction of C11orf52, we utilized affinity purification and mass spectrometry to identify interacting partners of C11orf52.

Bioinformatic Prediction of Gene Ontology Terms of Uncharacterized Proteins from Chromosome 11.

In chromosome 11, 71 out of its 1254 proteins remain functionally uncharacterized on the basis of their existence evidence (uPE1s) following the latest version of neXtProt (release 2020-01-17). Because and experimental strategies are often time-consuming and labor-intensive, there is a need for a bioinformatics tool to predict the function annotation. Here, we used I-TASSER/COFACTOR provided on the neXtProt web site, which predicts gene ontology (GO) terms based on the 3D structure of the protein.

Development of Patient-Derived Preclinical Platform for Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer: PDOX and a Subsequent Organoid Model System Using Percutaneous Biopsy Samples.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the most lethal malignant tumor and more than 50% patients are diagnosed at metastatic stage. The preclinical model systems that reflect the genetic heterogeneity of metastatic tumors are urgently needed to guide optimal treatment. This study describes the development of patient-derived preclinical platform using very small sized-percutaneous liver gun biopsy (PLB) of metastatic pancreatic cancer, based on patient-derived xenograft (PDX)-mediated tissue amplification and subsequent organoid generation.

Sensing Estrogen with Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy.

This study demonstrates the application feasibility of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) in measuring estrogen (17-estradiol) in gas phase. The present biosensor gives a linear response ( = 0.999) for 17-estradiol vapor concentration from 3.

Src tyrosine kinase regulates the stem cell factor-induced breakdown of the blood-retinal barrier.

Purpose: Stem cell factor (SCF) has been recently acknowledged as a novel endothelial permeability factor. However, the mechanisms by which SCF-induced activation of the SCF cognate receptor, cKit, enhances endothelial permeability have not been fully elucidated. This study aimed to investigate the role of Src in SCF-induced breakdown of the blood-retinal barrier (BRB).

The cKit Inhibitor, Masitinib, Prevents Diabetes-Induced Retinal Vascular Leakage.

Purpose: Stem cell factor (SCF) has recently demonstrated activity as a novel endothelial permeability factor that contributes to the development of diabetes-induced hyperpermeable retinal vasculature. This study investigated the therapeutic potential of masitinib, a pharmacologic inhibitor of the SCF receptor cKit, for prevention of diabetes-induced breakdown of blood retinal barrier (BRB).

Methods: Permeability assays were performed with human retinal microvascular endothelial cells (HRMECs) and murine retinal vasculature.

Stem cell factor is a potent endothelial permeability factor.

Objective: Although stem cell factor (SCF) has been shown to play a critical role in hematopoiesis, gametogenesis, and melanogenesis, the function of SCF in the regulation of vascular integrity has not been studied.

Approach And Results: We demonstrated that SCF binds to and activates the cKit receptor in endothelial cells, thereby increasing the internalization of vascular endothelial-cadherin and enhancing extravasation of dyes to a similar extent as vascular endothelial growth factor. SCF-mediated cKit activation in endothelial cells enhanced the phosphorylation of endothelial nitric oxide (NO) synthase via the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/Akt signaling pathway and subsequently increased the production of NO.

Effect of heat shock protein 72 expression on etoposide-induced cell death of rat retinal ganglion cells.

Purpose: To assess whether the expression of heat shock protein 72 (Hsp72) protects rat retinal ganglion cells (RGC-5) from apoptotic cell death.

Methods: Hsp72 expression in RGC-5 cells transduced with replication-deficient recombinant adenovirus was analyzed by Western blot analysis and immunofluorescence. The effect of Hsp72 expression on etoposide-induced apoptotic cell death was examined by microscopic analysis and confirmed by cell proliferation assay.

Vascular differentiation of multipotent spermatogonial stem cells derived from neonatal mouse testis.

We previously reported the successful establishment of embryonic stem cell (ESC)-like multipotent spermatogonial stem cells (mSSCs) from neonatal mouse testis. Here, we examined the ability of mSSCs to differentiate into vascular endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells, and compared to that of mouse ESCs. We used real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry to examine gene expression profiles of mSSCs and ESCs during in vitro vascular differentiation.

Fabrication of mesoporous titania membrane of dual-pore system and its photocatalytic activity and dye-sensitized solar cell performance.

We report the fabrication of a novel titania membrane of the dual-pore system that is strategically designed and prepared by a two-step replication process and sol-gel reaction. The primary nanoporous channel structure is fabricated by the cage-like PMMA template (CPT) obtained from the nanoporous alumina membrane and the secondary mesoporous structure is formed by the sol-gel reaction of the lyotropic precursor solution within the CPT. Furthermore the mesoporous titania membrane (MTM) frame consists of the titania nanoparticles of 10-12 nm in diameter.

Analysis of glucocorticoid-induced MYOC expression in human trabecular meshwork cells.

To understand the regulatory mechanisms governing glucocorticoid-mediated MYOC induction in human trabecular meshwork (HTM) cells, the expression and degradation of MYOC mRNA were quantified in HTM cells by Northern blot analysis, and the transcriptional activity of constructs containing variable lengths of putative MYOC promoters was assessed by luciferase reporter assay. Here, we confirmed that MYOC is a delayed secondary glucocorticoid-responsive gene by demonstrating that its transcription was not initiated immediately by the addition of dexamethasone (DEX) and was completely inhibited by treatment with cycloheximide. In addition, we demonstrated that MYOC mRNA is degraded very slowly, with approximately half persisting for at least 4 days, suggesting that its mRNA is intrinsically quite stable.

Human cord blood-derived endothelial progenitor cells and their conditioned media exhibit therapeutic equivalence for diabetic wound healing.

Transplantation of human cord blood-derived endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) is reported to contribute to neovascularization in various ischemic diseases. However, the possible beneficial role and underlying mechanisms in diabetes-impaired wound healing have been less well characterized. In this study, EPC transplantation stimulated keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation substantially as early as 3 days after injury, leading to significantly accelerated wound closure in streptozotocin-induced diabetic nude mice, compared to PBS control.

Dual localization of wild-type myocilin in the endoplasmic reticulum and extracellular compartment likely occurs due to its incomplete secretion.

Purpose: Wild-type myocilin is known to be secreted extracellularly, but a significant amount of the protein is also present in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). The present study was undertaken to address whether intracellular myocilin is a true ER resident protein.

Methods: Human wild-type myocilin was adenovirally expressed in human trabecular meshwork cells, and general characteristics of both intracellular and extracellular myocilins including molecular weight, pI, glycosylation state, and cleavage site of the signal peptide were examined by biochemical analyses.