TMEM16 and OSCA/TMEM63 proteins share a conserved potential to permeate ions and phospholipids.

The calcium-activated TMEM16 proteins and the mechanosensitive/osmolarity-activated OSCA/TMEM63 proteins belong to the Transmembrane Channel/Scramblase (TCS) superfamily. Within the superfamily, OSCA/TMEM63 proteins, as well as TMEM16A and TMEM16B, are thought to function solely as ion channels. However, most TMEM16 members, including TMEM16F, maintain an additional function as scramblases, rapidly exchanging phospholipids between leaflets of the membrane.

Evolution of serious and life-threatening COVID-19 pneumonia as the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic progressed: an observational study of mortality to 60 days after admission to a 15-hospital US health system.

Objective: In order to predict at hospital admission the prognosis of patients with serious and life-threatening COVID-19 pneumonia, we sought to understand the clinical characteristics of hospitalised patients at admission as the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic progressed, document their changing response to the virus and its variants over time, and identify factors most importantly associated with mortality after hospital admission.

Design: Observational study using a prospective hospital systemwide COVID-19 database.

Setting: 15-hospital US health system.

TMEM16F scramblase regulates angiogenesis via endothelial intracellular signaling.

TMEM16F (also known as ANO6), a Ca2+-activated lipid scramblase (CaPLSase) that dynamically disrupts lipid asymmetry, plays a crucial role in various physiological and pathological processes, such as blood coagulation, neurodegeneration, cell-cell fusion and viral infection. However, the mechanisms through which it regulates these processes remain largely elusive. Using endothelial cell-mediated angiogenesis as a model, here we report a previously unknown intracellular signaling function of TMEM16F.

TMEM16 and OSCA/TMEM63 proteins share a conserved potential to permeate ions and phospholipids.

The calcium-activated TMEM16 proteins and the mechanosensitive/osmolarity-activated OSCA/TMEM63 proteins belong to the Transmembrane Channel/Scramblase (TCS) superfamily. Within the superfamily, OSCA/TMEM63 proteins, as well as TMEM16A and TMEM16B, are thought to function solely as ion channels. However, most TMEM16 members, including TMEM16F, maintain an additional function as scramblases, rapidly exchanging phospholipids between leaflets of the membrane.

Thoracoabdominal Esophagectomy: Then and Now.

Background: Open approaches for esophagectomy are often still useful; of these, left thoracoabdominal esophagectomy (TAE) is poorly understood and often criticized. Hence, we examined TAE's worldwide utilization, survival, and present-day use and outcomes at our institution compared with contemporary national averages.

Methods: The Worldwide Esophageal Cancer Collaboration database includes 8854 patients who underwent esophagectomy for cancer between 2005 and 2014, a period when TAE was our center's most common approach.

Regioselective Partial Hydrogenation and Deuteration of Tetracyclic (Hetero)aromatic Systems Using a Simple Heterogeneous Catalyst.

The introduction of added '3-dimensionality' through late-stage functionalisation of extended (hetero)aromatic systems is a powerful synthetic approach. The abundance of starting materials and cross-coupling methodologies to access the precursors allows for highly diverse products. Subsequent selective partial reduction can alter the core structure in a manner of interest to medicinal chemists.

Age is superior to aortopathy phenotype as a predictor of aortic mechanics in patients with bicuspid valve.

Objectives: Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) aortopathy is defined by 3 phenotypes-root, ascending, and diffuse-based on region of maximal aortic dilation. We sought to determine the association between aortic mechanical behavior and aortopathy phenotype versus other clinical variables.

Methods: From August 1, 2016, to March 1, 2023, 375 aortic specimens were collected from 105 patients undergoing elective ascending aortic aneurysm repair for BAV aortopathy.

Deciphering and disrupting PIEZO1-TMEM16F interplay in hereditary xerocytosis.

Cell-surface exposure of phosphatidylserine (PS) is essential for phagocytic clearance and blood clotting. Although a calcium-activated phospholipid scramblase (CaPLSase) has long been proposed to mediate PS exposure in red blood cells (RBCs), its identity, activation mechanism, and role in RBC biology and disease remain elusive. Here, we demonstrate that TMEM16F, the long-sought-after RBC CaPLSase, is activated by calcium influx through the mechanosensitive channel PIEZO1 in RBCs.

Dexmedetomidine Withdrawal Syndrome in Children in the PICU: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objectives: To systematically review literature describing the clinical presentation, risk factors, and treatment for dexmedetomidine withdrawal in the PICU (PROSPERO: CRD42022307178).

Data Sources: MEDLINE/PubMed, Cochrane, Web of Science, and Scopus databases were searched.

Study Selection: Eligible studies were published from January 2000 to January 2022 and reported clinical data for patients younger than 21 years old following discontinuation of dexmedetomidine after greater than or equal to 24 hours of infusion.

Identification of protein biomarkers associated with congenital diaphragmatic hernia in human amniotic fluid.

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a severe birth defect frequently associated with pulmonary hypoplasia, pulmonary hypertension, and heart failure. Since amniotic fluid comprises proteins of both fetal and maternal origin, its analysis could provide insights on mechanisms underlying CDH and provide biomarkers for early diagnosis, severity of pulmonary changes and treatment response. The study objective was to identify proteomic changes in amniotic fluid consistently associated with CDH.

Atrial Fibrillation after Descending Aorta Repair: Occurrence, Risk Factors, and Impact on Outcomes.

Background:  As risks of repairing the descending thoracic and thoracoabdominal aorta diminish, common complications that may prolong hospital stay, or actually increase risk, require attention. One such complication is postoperative atrial fibrillation (AF). Therefore, we characterized prevalence of, risk factors for, and effects of postoperative atrial fibrillation (PoAF) after descending and thoracoabdominal aorta repair.

The History of Women Leaders in Colon and Rectal Surgery.

Women started to enter the specialty of colon and rectal surgery in the early 1970s. However, it was rare for a woman to hold a leadership position in the specialty before 2000. Since then, considerable progress has been made, although the percentage of women leaders does not yet approach the percentage of women in the field.

Sex matters: the frequently overlooked importance of considering sex in computational models.

Personalised medicine and the development of a virtual human or a digital twin comprises visions of the future of medicine. To realise these innovations, an understanding of the biology and physiology of all people are required if we wish to apply these technologies at a population level. Sex differences in health and biology is one aspect that has frequently been overlooked, with young white males being seen as the "average" human being.

Evaluating Disparities in Colon Cancer Survival in American Indian/Alaskan Native Patients Using the National Cancer Database.

Background: Studies demonstrate higher mortality rates from colon cancer in American Indian/Alaskan Native (AI/AN) patients compared to non-Hispanic White (nHW). We aim to identify factors that contribute to survival disparities.

Methods: We used the National Cancer Database to identify AI/AN (n = 2127) and nHW (n = 527,045) patients with stage I-IV colon cancer from 2004 to 2016.

A dynamic Norwood mortality estimation: Characterizing individual, updated, predicted mortality trajectories after the Norwood operation.

Objective: Post-Norwood mortality remains high and unpredictable. Current models for mortality do not incorporate interstage events. We sought to determine the association of time-related interstage events, along with (pre)operative characteristics, with death post-Norwood and subsequently predict individual mortality.

Colorectal cancer in Tanzania: the current status and future directions.

Introduction: Globally, colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common malignancy and the second most common cause of cancer death. By 2030, the incidence is expected to increase to reach 2.2 million cases and 1.

Does Rectoanal Intussusception Limit Improvements in Clinical Outcome and Quality of Life After Sacral Nerve Stimulation for Fecal Incontinence?

Background: Sacral nerve stimulation is a treatment option for severe, medically refractory fecal incontinence, although its use in patients with anatomic abnormalities remains controversial.

Objective: This study aimed to determine whether patients with rectoanal intussusception achieve similar benefits from device implantation to patients without rectoanal intussusception.

Design: Retrospective review of a prospectively maintained database.

Reproduction system development of Tsai female adults and its relationship with fitness characteristics.

Research on the ovarian development of insect pests helps provide key information for predicting pest occurrences, and currently, there is very limited information about the reproductive system of Tsai. This study aimed to assess the reproductive fitness of 321 adult female insects by using traditional methods to dissect female adults, measure female ovaries, and assess the process of egg formation. The phenotypic traits including body weight and body length were also measured and used to estimate the model of ovarian developmental stages.

Choosing transcatheter aortic valve replacement in porcelain aorta: outcomes versus surgical replacement.

Objectives: Porcelain aorta complicates aortic valve replacement and is an indication for transcatheter approaches. No study has compared surgical and transcatheter valve replacement in the setting of porcelain aorta. We characterize porcelain aorta patients undergoing aortic valve replacement and the association of aortic calcification and outcomes.