Germline variants and mosaic chromosomal alterations affect COVID-19 vaccine immunogenicity.

Vaccine immunogenicity is influenced by the vaccinee's genetic background. Here, we perform a genome-wide association study of vaccine-induced SARS-CoV-2-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody titers and T cell immune responses in 1,559 mRNA-1273 and 537 BNT162b2 vaccinees of Japanese ancestry. SARS-CoV-2-specific antibody titers are associated with the immunoglobulin heavy chain (IGH) and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) locus, and T cell responses are associated with MHC.

The combined dual β-lactams and diazabicyclooctane β-lactamase inhibitor is highly effective against Mycobacterium abscessus species in vitro.

Background: Mycobacterium abscessus pulmonary disease is a refractory infectious disease. Since the number of patients infected with Mycobacterium abscessus species (MABS) is increasing worldwide, developing an effective treatment is urgent. We previously reported that nacubactam, a diazabicyclooctane (DBO) β-lactamase inhibitor, could inhibit MABS β-lactamase.

-Difluorination of carbon-carbon triple bonds using Brønsted acid/BuNBF or electrogenerated acid.

-Difluorination of carbon-carbon triple bonds was conducted using Brønsted acids, such as TfNH and TfOH, combined with BuNBF as the fluorine source. The electrochemical oxidation of a BuNBF/CHCl solution containing alkyne substrates could also give the corresponding -difluorinated compounds ( method). The electrolysis method was also applicable for -difluorination of alkynes.

Clinical Utility of Baseline Brain Natriuretic Peptide Levels on Health Status Outcomes after Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation in Individuals without Heart Failure.

Background: Catheter ablation (CA) benefits atrial fibrillation (AF) patients with heart failure (HF). Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), a marker of left-ventricular pressure load, may serve as a potential surrogate for predicting quality of life (QOL) in a broader range of patients.

Methods: Within the multicenter KiCS-AF registry, 491 AF patients underwent CA without clinical HF (e.

Inactivation of nontuberculous mycobacteria by gaseous ozone treatment.

Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are environmental bacteria resistant to many common disinfectants and ultraviolet radiation. Inhalation of aerosols generated from NTM-containing water and soil causes NTM lung disease, especially in people with underlying lung diseases and decreased immunity. To prevent healthcare-acquired NTM infections, it is important to eradicate NTM living in hospital environments.

The complement C3-complement factor D-C3a receptor signalling axis regulates cardiac remodelling in right ventricular failure.

Failure of the right ventricle plays a critical role in any type of heart failure. However, the mechanism remains unclear, and there is no specific therapy. Here, we show that the right ventricle predominantly expresses alternative complement pathway-related genes, including Cfd and C3aR1.

In vitro effects of diazabicyclooctane β-lactamase inhibitors relebactam and nacubactam against three subspecies of Mycobacterium abscessus complex.

Background: Mycobacterium abscessus complex (MABC) pulmonary disease is notoriously difficult to treat due to intrinsic resistance to many common antibiotics. MABC is β-lactam-resistant as it produces class A β-lactamases, such as bla, which are inhibited by diazabicyclooctane (DBO) β-lactamase inhibitors.

Objectives: To investigate the microbiological effects of the combination of β-lactam and DBO β-lactamase inhibitors (relebactam and nacubactam) against MABC and determine if the effects are associated with the MABC subspecies and colony morphotype.

Electrical Isolation of the Marshall Bundle by Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation: In Patients With Atrial Fibrillation.

Objectives: This study sought to isolate arrhythmogenic Marshall bundles (MBs) by radiofrequency (RF) catheter ablation.

Background: The vein of Marshall (VOM) is surrounded by a muscular bundle called the MB. The MB is 1 of the arrhythmogenic sources of atrial fibrillation (AF) and electrically connects to either the left atrial (LA) myocardium or coronary sinus (CS) musculature.

The rough colony morphotype of exhibits high virulence in human macrophages and mice.

The incidence of complex (MAC) pulmonary disease (MAC PD), a refractory chronic respiratory tract infection, is increasing worldwide. MAC has three predominant colony morphotypes: smooth opaque (SmO), smooth transparent (SmT) and rough (Rg). To determine whether colony morphotypes can predict the prognosis of MAC PD, we evaluated the virulence of SmO, SmT and Rg in mice and in human macrophages.

The Durability of Atrial Fibrillation Ablation Using an Oesophageal Temperature Cut-Off of 38°C.

Background: A lower cut-off of the oesophageal temperature (ET) during catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) should be safer, but its durability may become in question. We evaluated an ET cut-off of 38°C with an output of 25W on the posterior wall.

Methods: In 636 consecutive patients (age: 60±10years, male: 542, paroxysmal AF: 405, CHADS score: 0.

Asymptomatic Cerebral Infarction During Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation: Comparing Uninterrupted Rivaroxaban and Warfarin (ASCERTAIN).

Objectives: This randomized study compared uninterrupted rivaroxaban therapy with warfarin therapy as prophylaxis against catheter ablation (CA)-induced asymptomatic cerebral infarction (ACI) and identified the risk factors of rivaroxaban.

Background: The reported incidence of ACI during CA for atrial fibrillation (AF) remains at 10% to 30%, and periprocedural oral anticoagulation could affect this incidence.

Methods: Patients with nonvalvular AF undergoing radiofrequency CA were randomly assigned to receive either uninterrupted rivaroxaban or warfarin as periprocedural anticoagulation therapy.

Prevalence and clinical characteristics of obstructive- and central-dominant sleep apnea in candidates of catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation in Japan.

Introduction: We aimed to study the prevalence and types of sleep apnea (SA) as well as their clinical characteristics in atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation candidates in Japan.

Methods: Before catheter ablation, 197 consecutive AF patients (age: 60 ± 9 years, body mass index; 25.0 ± 3.

Real-world monitoring of direct oral anticoagulants in clinic and hospitalization settings.

Background: The monitoring of the effects of direct oral anticoagulants may be beneficial during emergencies and adverse events. We aimed to explore direct oral anticoagulant monitoring in "real-world" settings, in which monitoring methods are limited and loading time can be estimated based on only patient reports.

Methods: In 164 patients, plasma anti-Xa activity was assessed using a STA-Liquid Anti-Xa reagent (Diagnostica Stago, Asnieres, France), and prothrombin time was measured using HemosIL RecombiPlasTin 2G (Instrumentation Laboratory, Bedford, MA, USA).

Mitral isthmus ablation using a circular mapping catheter positioned in the left atrial appendage as a reference for conduction block.

Background: For perimitral atrial flutter (PMFL) developing after catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF), to create a complete conduction block at the mitral isthmus (MI) is mandatory to terminate it, however, it is still challenging.

Methods: This study consisted of 80 patients (74 male, 61 ± 8.1 years) undergoing MI ablation.

Epigenetic barrier against the propagation of fluctuating gene expression in embryonic stem cells.

The expression of pluripotency genes fluctuates in a population of embryonic stem (ES) cells and the fluctuations in the expression of some pluripotency genes correlate. However, no correlation in the fluctuation of Pou5f1, Zfp42, and Nanog expression was observed in ES cells. Correlation between Pou5f1 and Zfp42 fluctuations was demonstrated in ES cells containing a knockout in the NuRD component Mbd3.