PTBP1 protects Y RNA from cleavage leading to its apoptosis-specific degradation.

Some RNAs such as 28S rRNA, U1 small nuclear RNA (snRNA), and Y RNAs are known to be cleaved during apoptosis. The underlying mechanism, functions, and biological significance of RNA degradation in apoptosis remain elusive. Y RNAs are non-coding RNAs widely conserved from bacteria to mammals, and are major components of Ro ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complexes which contain the 60 kDa Ro protein (SS-A) and the 50 kDa La protein (SS-B).

Dexmedetomidine versus fentanyl for sedation in extremely preterm infants.

Background: Few studies have compared the efficacy and complications of dexmedetomidine (DEX) and fentanyl (FEN) in extremely preterm infants.

Methods: We conducted a single-institution, retrospective controlled before and after study of preterm infants before 28 weeks of gestation admitted between April 2010 and December 2018 to compare the complications and efficacy of DEX and FEN for preterm infants. Patients were administered FEN prior to 2015 and DEX after 2015 as the first-line sedative.

Effect of Hypothermia on Myocardial Depolarization and Repolarization in Neonates with Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy Due to Asphyxia.

Therapeutic hypothermia (TH) is effective for neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). The combination of abnormal myocardial repolarization and fatal arrhythmia in patients with accidental hypothermia has prompted clinical validation of the proarrhythmic potential of TH. However, to our knowledge, there have been few clinical studies on myocardial depolarization and repolarization abnormalities caused by TH in neonates.

Maturation of the QT Variability Index is Impaired in Preterm Infants.

Reduced heart rate (HR) variability in preterm infants compared with full-term infants suggests that autonomic cardiac control is developmentally delayed. However, the association between developmental changes in myocardial repolarization and gestational age remains unknown. This study investigated the association between the myocardial repolarization lability index, namely the QT variability index (QTVI) = log [(QTv/QTm)/(HRv/HRm)], and the perinatal profile of healthy 1-month-old infants.

Uptake, excretion and toxicity of nano-sized latex particles on medaka (Oryzias latipes) embryos and larvae.

Nanoparticles are particles with diameters of 100 nm or less. As the applications of these particles have increased in recent years, their potential impact on the physiology of humans and animals has also increased. However, little is known regarding the effect of nanoparticles on the physiology of aquatic organisms.