Development of an miRFP680-Based Fluorescent Calcium Ion Biosensor Using End-Optimized Transposons.

The development of new or improved single fluorescent protein (FP)-based biosensors (SFPBs), particularly those with excitation and emission at near-infrared wavelengths, is important for the continued advancement of biological imaging applications. In an effort to accelerate the development of new SFPBs, we report modified transposons for the transposase-based creation of libraries of FPs randomly inserted into analyte binding domains, or vice versa. These modified transposons feature ends that are optimized to minimize the length of the linkers that connect the FP to the analyte binding domain.

Nephrology referral slows the progression of chronic kidney disease, especially among patients with anaemia, diabetes mellitus, or hypoalbuminemia: A single-centre, retrospective cohort study.

Background: The Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes guidelines recommend nephrology referral for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) stages 4 to 5, significant proteinuria and persistent microscopic haematuria. However, the recommendations are opinion-based and which patients with CKD benefit more from nephrology referral has not been elucidated.

Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, patients referred to our nephrology outpatient clinic from April 2017 to March 2019 were included.

Surgical Management of Cardiac Implantable Electronic Device Complications in Patients Unsuitable for Transvenous Lead Extraction.

Background: Although surgical approaches for infected or failing cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) leads are more invasive than transvenous approaches, they are still required for patients considered unsuitable for transvenous procedures. In this study, surgical management with transvenous equipment for CIED complications was examined in patients unsuitable for transvenous lead extraction.

Methods and results: We retrospectively examined 152 consecutive patients who underwent CIED extraction between April 2009 and December 2021 at the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Nippon Medical School.

A genetically encoded far-red fluorescent calcium ion biosensor derived from a biliverdin-binding protein.

Far-red and near-infrared (NIR) genetically encoded calcium ion (Ca ) indicators (GECIs) are powerful tools for in vivo and multiplexed imaging of neural activity and cell signaling. Inspired by a previous report to engineer a far-red fluorescent protein (FP) from a biliverdin (BV)-binding NIR FP, we have developed a far-red fluorescent GECI, designated iBB-GECO1, from a previously reported NIR GECI. iBB-GECO1 exhibits a relatively high molecular brightness, an inverse response to Ca with ΔF/F  = -13, and a near-optimal dissociation constant (K ) for Ca of 105 nM.

Analysis of the Pancreatic Cancer Microbiome Using Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Fine-Needle Aspiration-Derived Samples.

Objectives: Most previous studies have analyzed bacteria in tumors using resected pancreatic cancer (PC) tissues, because it is difficult to obtain tissue samples from unresectable advanced PC. We aimed to determine whether minimal tissue obtained by endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration is useful for microbiome analysis.

Methods: Thirty PC and matched duodenal and stomach tissues (N = 90) were prospectively collected from 30 patients who underwent endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration.

electroporation and cranial window implantation for wide-field two-photon calcium imaging using G-CaMP9a transgenic mice.

We present a protocol to prepare mouse cranial window implantation for two-photon wide-field calcium imaging. This protocol uses G-CaMP9a transgenic mice, which express a genetically encoded calcium indicator with high signal-to-noise ratio. We describe electroporation, followed by headplate fixation and cranial window implantation.

Breaking trade-offs: Development of fast, high-resolution, wide-field two-photon microscopes to reveal the computational principles of the brain.

Information in the brain is represented by the collective and coordinated activity of single neurons. Activity is determined by a large amount of dynamic synaptic inputs from neurons in the same and/or distant brain regions. Therefore, the simultaneous recording of single neurons across several brain regions is critical for revealing the interactions among neurons that reflect the computational principles of the brain.

Low computational-cost cell detection method for calcium imaging data.

The rapid progress of calcium imaging techniques has reached a point where the activity of thousands to tens of thousands of cells can be recorded simultaneously with single-cell resolution in a field-of-view (FOV) of about ten mm. Consequently, there is a pressing need for developing automatic cell detection methods for large-scale image data. Several research groups have proposed automatic cell detection algorithms.

[A Case of Gastric Perforation Due to an Unresectable Advanced Gastric Cancer That Achieved pCR after Conversion Surgery following SOX plus T-mab Therapy].

This case pertains to a 72-year-old man who visited the emergency department with a complaint of upper abdominal pain. On examination, we suspected gastric perforation due to gastric cancer and decided to perform emergency surgery. We performed laparoscopic omentoplasty and collected #4d lymph nodes that were enlarged on CT.

Imaging data analysis using non-negative matrix factorization.

The rapid progress of imaging devices such as two-photon microscopes has made it possible to measure the activity of thousands to tens of thousands of cells at single-cell resolution in a wide field of view (FOV) data. However, it is not possible to manually identify thousands of cells in such wide FOV data. Several research groups have developed machine learning methods for automatically detecting cells from wide FOV data.

Protocol for cortical-wide field-of-view two-photon imaging with quick neonatal adeno-associated virus injection.

We recently established a simple and versatile adeno-associated virus (AAV) induction approach that enables dense (>90% labeled neurons) and cortical-wide Ca sensor expression. Here, we describe the stepwise protocol for neonatal AAV injection of a Ca sensor. We also detail the steps for subsequent craniotomy to generate a chronic cranial window, followed by wide-field two-photon Ca imaging in an awake mouse.

Fast, cell-resolution, contiguous-wide two-photon imaging to reveal functional network architectures across multi-modal cortical areas.

Fast and wide field-of-view imaging with single-cell resolution, high signal-to-noise ratio, and no optical aberrations have the potential to inspire new avenues of investigations in biology. However, such imaging is challenging because of the inevitable tradeoffs among these parameters. Here, we overcome these tradeoffs by combining a resonant scanning system, a large objective with low magnification and high numerical aperture, and highly sensitive large-aperture photodetectors.

A Case of Segmental Arterial Mediolysis: Hemoperitoneum with Hemorrhagic Shock due to Rupture of a Visceral Artery Aneurysm Following Subarachnoid Hemorrhage.

Objective: Segmental arterial mediolysis (SAM) is a non-inflammatory and non-atherosclerotic vascular disease characterized by segmental medial defect/necrosis of muscular arteries as a result of mediolysis. SAM affects the visceral and intracranial arteries, and causes arterial dissection and aneurysm. We report a case of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) followed by hemoperitoneum due to a ruptured visceral artery aneurysm.

Evaluation of Hemodialysis Arteriovenous Bruit by Deep Learning.

Physical findings of auscultation cannot be quantified at the arteriovenous fistula examination site during daily dialysis treatment. Consequently, minute changes over time cannot be recorded based only on subjective observations. In this study, we sought to supplement the daily arteriovenous fistula consultation for hemodialysis patients by recording the sounds made by the arteriovenous fistula and evaluating the sounds using deep learning methods to provide an objective index.

Intra-Extracardiac Total Cavopulmonary Connection for Patients With Anatomical Complexity.

Background: Currently, the extracardiac conduit total cavopulmonary connection (eTCPC) is the most widely used for Fontan modification worldwide. Nevertheless, there have been some cases that are difficult for performing eTCPC because of their anatomical complexity, such as apicocaval juxtaposition. For such cases, in 2002, we introduced the intra-extracardiac TCPC (ieTCPC).

Impact of intrapulmonary-artery septation to pulmonary vein obstruction for two-lung Fontan.

Objectives: Patients with unbalanced pulmonary artery (PA) growth and decreased unilateral pulmonary circulation are considered unsuitable candidates for the Fontan procedure. Following our previous study on the utility of intrapulmonary-artery septation for patients with PA hypoplasia, we investigated its use in patients with pulmonary venous obstruction (PVO).

Methods: We recruited 42 patients who underwent intrapulmonary-artery septation for unilateral PA hypoplasia and/or PVO between 1998 and 2018 and classified them into no PVO or PVO group.

[Current Status of Thrombectomy Calls for Acute Ischemic Stroke for a Single Neurointerventionist in a Regional Hospital].

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the current status of thrombectomy calls for acute ischemic stroke for a single neurointerventionist in a regional hospital.

Methods: We retrospectively evaluated patients with thrombectomy calls for a neurointerventionist from January to November 2016 in our hospital, where a single board-certified neurointerventionist conducts endovascular interventions. Number, frequency, and time of thrombectomy calls were analyzed.

Cardioprotective effect of hyperkalemic cardioplegia in an aquaporin 7-deficient murine heart.

Background: Hyperkalemic cardioplegia using St. Thomas' Hospital solution No. 2 (STH2) is commonly used to protect the myocardium during surgery.

Synergistic Effects of Olaparib and DNA-damaging Agents in Oesophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cell Lines.

Background/aim: Chemotherapy is an important first-line treatment for oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). However, there are few secondary options. Olaparib, a poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor, enhances the cytotoxicity of various anticancer drugs and has been used to treat advanced ovarian and breast cancers.

Complete repair with unifocalization of the only unilateral lung.

A boy with 22q11.2 deletion was diagnosed with pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect (PAVSD) and major aortopulmonary collateral arteries (MAPCAs). At 8 months, unifocalization of left MAPCAs and BT shunt was performed at another hospital.

Pediatric Case of Staphylococcus lugdunensis-Induced Infective Endocarditis at Bovine Jugular Vein.

A 2-year-old boy underwent repeat right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction (re-RVOTR) with a bovine jugular vein (BJV) graft. He presented with high fever on postoperative day 6. Blood and drainage effusion cultures were all positive for Staphylococcus lugdunensis and vancomycin was prescribed.

Experimental study of the characteristics of various types of filling coils for intracranial aneurysm embolisation.

Background In endovascular embolisation for an intracranial aneurysm, after framing coil deployment, soft coils (often called filling coils) are usually selected to fill inside the cage of previous coils. Various kinds of filling coils are available, although each coil has its own characteristics. Understanding their differences to ensure proper coil selection is important to achieve successful embolisation.

Contrast-induced Encephalopathy Following Embolization of Intracranial Aneurysms in Hemodialysis Patients.

Contrast-induced encephalopathy is a very rare complication associated with endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms. Patients with renal dysfunction may be prone to developing contrast medium neurotoxicity as a result of delayed elimination of the contrast medium in renal metabolism. This article focuses on our experience with contrast-induced encephalopathy in patients with end-stage renal disease requiring hemodialysis.