Renal Failure in Type A-Aortic Dissection Repair: The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Adult Cardiac Surgery Database Analysis.

Background: We sought to identify predictors of acute renal failure (ARF) following acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) and its implications on postoperative outcomes.

Methods: ATAAD cases were identified from The Society of Thoracic Surgeons - Adult Cardiac Surgery Database (2017-2022). Cases with chronic dissection, prior aortic repair, primary endovascular repair, preoperative extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, preoperative renal failure, and operative room deaths were excluded.

Causative diseases of bloody sputum and hemoptysis in respiratory clinics in Japan.

Background: No previous studies have compared respiratory clinics and respiratory specialized facilities regarding causative diseases for bloody sputum and hemoptysis in Japan.

Methods: We retrospectively compared causative diseases for bloody sputum and hemoptysis between 3 respiratory clinics (clinic group) and 7 departments of respiratory medicine at hospitals (hospital group) in Japan.

Results: We collected data from 231 patients (median age, 51 years; age range, 24-96 years; 109 men (47.

Molecular Mechanistic Analysis of Liquid-Crystalline Polymers Composed of -Hydroxybenzoic Acid I: Thermal Properties.

All-atom molecular dynamics (MD) calculations of the crystalline polymeric -hydroxybenzoic acid (HBA) were conducted at various temperatures to investigate its thermal response. The calculated structure factor equivalent to the X-ray diffraction pattern of HBA clearly showed two phase transitions occurring at 600 and 650 K. The first transition at 600 K occurred from the orthorhombic phase to the pseudohexagonal phase, identified by the presence of the 211-peak.

Multicenter Analysis of the Relationship Between Operative Team Familiarity and Safety and Efficiency Outcomes in Cardiac Surgery.

Background: Safety in cardiac surgical procedures is predicated on effective team dynamics. This study associated operative team familiarity (ie, the extent of clinical collaboration among surgical team members) with procedural efficiency and Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) adjudicated patient outcomes.

Methods: Institutional STS adult cardiac surgery registry and electronic health record data from 2014 to 2021 were evaluated across 3 quaternary hospitals.

Dissecting regional variability in Pyrazinamide prescribing practices for tuberculosis treatment in Japan.

Objectives: To investigate regional variations in pyrazinamide (PZA) prescribing across Japan's 47 prefectures and associated influential factors.

Methods: This study utilized the Standardized Claim Ratio (SCR) for PZA from Japan's National Database of Health Insurance Claims in 2018. Pearson's correlation coefficients assessed relationships between SCR and tuberculosis (TB) incidence, patient characteristics (age, liver disease), and healthcare resources (specialists, TB beds).

Lignin-reinforced eutectogel with environmentally stability for high-performance human multi-functional sensor.

Intrinsic environmental instability of hydrogels has limited their practical applications as durable flexible sensors in human life. In this study, a bio-based eutectogel (BEG) with environmental tolerance was designed via deep eutectic solvent (DES), thioctic acid (TA) and lignin. Benefit from self-ring-opening polymerization of TA monomer in the ethanol and the lignin acting as free radicals, the BEG was fabricated through efficient cast-drying method.

Dynamical Exciton Condensates in Biased Electron-Hole Bilayers.

Bilayer materials may support interlayer excitons comprised of electrons in one layer and holes in the other. In experiments, a nonzero exciton density is typically sustained by a bias chemical potential, implemented either by optical pumping or by electrical contacts connected to the two layers. We show that if charge can tunnel between the layers, the chemical potential bias means that an exciton condensate is in the dynamical regime of ac Josephson effect.

Non-thermal atmospheric pressure plasma-irradiated cysteine protects cardiac ischemia/reperfusion injury by preserving supersulfides.

Ischemic heart disease is the main global cause of death in the world. Abnormal sulfide catabolism, especially hydrogen sulfide accumulation, impedes mitochondrial respiration and worsens the prognosis after ischemic insults, but the substantial therapeutic strategy has not been established. Non-thermal atmospheric pressure plasma irradiation therapy is attracted attention as it exerts beneficial effects by producing various reactive molecular species.

[Clinical Management of Respiratory Diseases in Neurosurgical Settings].

Respiratory diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD)and asthma, are becoming increasingly prevalent in super-aging societies. In Japan, the estimated prevalence of COPD among individuals aged 40 years and above is 8.6%, while asthma affects about 10% of adults.

Long-term outcomes with medical therapy, transcatheter repair, or surgery for isolated tricuspid regurgitation: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Background: Several transcatheter tricuspid valve (TV) repair devices for tricuspid regurgitation (TR) have emerged. However, few studies have compared transcatheter TV repair with medical therapy (MT) alone or isolated TV surgery.

Methods: PubMed and EMBASE were searched in February 2024.

Key Factors in Fluid Irrigation Control: A Comparative Study of Arthroscope and Monoportal Scope in Biportal Spine Surgery.

The purpose of this retrospective study was to compare patient satisfaction and irrigation fluid usage between arthroscopy-based Biportal Endoscopic Decompression (A-BED) and monoportal scope-based biportal decompression, also known as Assisted Full-Endoscopic Spine Surgery (AFESS). A total of 89 patients (52 A-BED, 37 AFESS) who underwent either procedure between September 2020 and April 2024 were included in the study. While arthroscopic scopes have traditionally been used in biportal surgeries, the monoportal scope offers the advantage of self-contained fluid management, allowing for more efficient irrigation.

Dermoscopic Examination of Tinea Nigra on the Plantar Foot Unveils a Parallel Ridge Pattern Mimicking Acral-Lentiginous Melanoma.

A man in his thirties patient visited his previous physician with the chief complaint of a pigmented macule on the sole of his left foot that had steadily grown over the past two years. A dermoscopic examination of the lesion showed a parallel ridge pattern (PRP); therefore, acral-lentiginous melanoma (ALM) was suspected, and the patient was referred to our hospital for a more detailed examination. On closer inspection, PRP had a well-defined and irregular border with no variation in color, which is atypical for ALM which is characterized by asymmetrical structure and variation in colors.

Type 2 cytokine-JAK1 signaling is involved in the development of dry skin-induced mechanical alloknesis.

Background: Mechanical alloknesis (m-alloknesis) is itch hypersensitivity induced by normally innocuous stimuli. It is sometimes observed in dry skin based itch-related diseases such as atopic dermatitis (AD), and often triggers the vicious itch-scratch cycle. The acetone-ether and water (AEW) mouse model mimics dry skin-induced m-alloknesis, yet its underlying mechanism remains unclear.

QXAFS study of CO and H adsorption on Pt in [PtAu(PPh)]-H[PMoO] solid.

The adsorption behaviors of H and CO molecules in crown-motif [PtAu(PPh)]-H[PMoO] (PtAu8-PMo12) solids were investigated by quick-scan X-ray absorption fine structure (QXAFS) measurements with a time resolution of 0.1 s. The electronic state of Pt in PtAu8-PMo12 was drastically changed by the adsorption of H and CO molecules because of the formation of Pt-H/Pt-CO interactions.

Remnant ureter abscess linked to obstructed hemivagina and ipsilateral renal anomaly syndrome.

Patients with obstructed hemivagina and ipsilateral renal anomaly (OHVIRA) syndrome sometimes present with distinct symptoms related to coexisting urogenital abnormalities. We present a case of refractory abscess formation in a blind-ended remnant ureter associated with ipsilateral renal agenesis. A 15-year-old patient with OHVIRA syndrome, who had a blind-ended remnant ureter, underwent obstructed hemivagina opening 18 months after menarche due to heavy genital bleeding and abdominal pain after the end of menstruation.

Teicoplanin 24-h loading dose regimen using a decision tree model to target serum trough concentration of 15-30 μg/mL: A retrospective study.

Introduction: Teicoplanin (TEIC) is typically administered as a loading dose over 36-48 h. Achieving an effective concentration quickly is expected to treat severe infections, such as sepsis and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections. We aimed to identify the TEIC loading dose to be completed within 24 h, targeting the concentration of 15-30 μg/mL and factors affecting the loading dose by utilizing the decision tree (DT) model.

Incidence of Cholecystitis After Endoscopic Biliary Drainage Using a Low Axial Force Covered Self-Expandable Metallic Stent in Patients With Malignant Distal Biliary Obstruction: A Multicenter Prospective Study.

Background And Aim: No prospective studies have verified the incidence of cholecystitis in patients using the covered self-expandable metallic stent. In this study, we aimed to investigate the incidence of cholecystitis and its risk factors after low axial force covered self-expandable metallic stent placement for malignant distal biliary obstruction.

Methods: This multicenter prospective study included patients diagnosed with unresectable distal biliary obstruction between November 2019 and October 2022 who underwent low axial force covered self-expandable metallic stent placement.

Bioinspired mineralization of ultra-small ceria on cellulose nanofiber enables biocompatible and efficient nanozyme.

The escalating threat of antibiotic-resistant bacteria necessitates the exploration of alternative therapeutic strategies. Mimicking natural enzymes with artificial nanomaterials to release reactive oxygen species offers an attractive approach but is still challenged by limited catalytic activity, high production costs, and compromised biocompatibility. This work develops a bioinspired mineralization strategy for immobilizing high-density and ultra-small ceria nanoparticles onto cellulose nanofibers.

Total baseline tumor size predicts survival among patients with advanced small-cell lung cancer receiving chemotherapy plus programmed death-ligand 1 inhibitor as first-line therapy: a multicenter retrospective observational study.

Introduction: Total baseline tumor size (BTS) is a prognostic factor for programmed death 1 and programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitor treatments. However, the prognostic value of total BTS for patients with small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) who receive chemotherapy plus PD-L1 inhibitor remains unknown. Thus, in this study, we aimed to determine whether total BTS is associated with prognosis in patients with SCLC who receive chemotherapy plus PD-L1 inhibitor as first-line therapy.