Serial changes of systemic ventricular function and atrioventricular valve function in patients with failing Fontan.

Objectives: This study investigated the longitudinal changes in ventricular function and atrioventricular valve function to clarify the timing and the mechanisms of failing Fontan.

Methods: Patients who underwent total cavopulmonary connection between 1994 and 2023 were reviewed, and longitudinal echocardiographic examinations of ventricular function and atrioventricular valve regurgitation were analyzed.

Results: A total of 650 patients were included.

Updates implemented in version 4 of the GlyCosmos Glycoscience Portal.

Glycosylation, characterized by its complexity and diversity, is a common system across all domains of life. The glycosylation of proteins or lipids imparts them with structural and functional roles, ranging from development to infectious or Mendelian disease. The high-throughput-based omics data has revealed that glycans are involved in important cellular processes.

Immune-Modified Glasgow Prognostic Score Predicts Therapeutic Effect of Pembrolizumab in Recurrent and Metastatic Head and Neck Cancer.

Background: Previously, we proposed that the immune-modified Glasgow Prognostic Score (imGPS), which adds the lymphocyte count to the mGPS, is helpful as a prognostic marker for patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. In this study, we investigated the imGPS as a marker for the therapeutic effect of pembrolizumab in treating recurrent and metastatic head and neck cancer (RMHNC).

Methods: This study included RMHNC patients who were treated with pembrolizumab from December 2019 to April 2024.

Clinical and genetic characteristics of simple central serous chorioretinopathy according to age.

Purpose: To investigate whether genetic and clinical characteristics differ depending on generations using 326 patients (male/female, 259/67; mean age, 55.4 ± 12.5 years) with simple CSC.

Association of Polyp Regression after Loading Phase with 12-Month Outcomes of Eyes with Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy.

Purpose: We compared 12-month outcomes of eyes with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) with or without complete regression of polyps observed one month after three monthly intravitreal administrations (loading phase) of aflibercept (2.0 mg/0.05 mL) or brolucizumab (6.

Transforming tumoroids derived from ALK-positive pulmonary adenocarcinoma to squamous cell carcinoma in vivo.

Approximately 3-5% of non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC) harbor ALK fusion genes and may be responsive to anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) tyrosine kinase inhibitors. There are only a few reports on cell lines with EML4-ALK variant 3 (v3) and tumoroids that can be subject to long-term culture (> 3 months). In this study, we established tumoroids (PDT-LUAD#119) from a patient with lung cancer harboring EML4-ALK that could be cultured for 12 months.

Critical amino acid residues regulating TRPA1 Zn response: A comparative study across species.

Cellular zinc ions (Zn) are crucial for signal transduction in various cell types. The transient receptor potential (TRP) ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) channel, known for its sensitivity to intracellular Zn ([Zn]), has been a subject of limited understanding regarding its molecular mechanism. Here, we used metal ion-affinity prediction, three-dimensional structural modeling, and mutagenesis, utilizing data from the Protein Data Bank and AlphaFold database, to elucidate the [Zn] binding domain (IZD) structure composed by specific AAs residues in human (hTRPA1) and chicken TRPA1 (gTRPA1).

Glucagon-like Peptide-1 analogues and delipidation of coronary atheroma in statin-treated type 2 diabetic patients with coronary artery disease: The prespecified sub-analysis of the OPTIMAL randomized clinical trial.

Background And Aims: Randomized clinical trials have demonstrated the ability of glucagon-like peptide-1 analogues (GLP-1RAs) to reduce atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease events in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). How GLP-1RAs modulate diabetic atherosclerosis remains to be determined yet.

Methods: The OPTIMAL study was a prospective randomized controlled study to compare the efficacy of 48-week continuous glucose monitoring- and HbA1c-guided glycemic control on near infrared spectroscopty (NIRS)/intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)-derived plaque measures in 94 statin-treated patients with T2D (jRCT1052180152, UMIN000036721).

Effect of Luseogliflozin on Myocardial Flow Reserve in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (LUCENT-J Study).

Introduction: In patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D), treatment with sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors has been shown to reduce hospital admission rates for heart failure (HF). However, the multiple mechanisms hypothesized and investigated to explain the cardioprotection of SGLT2 inhibitors are not fully understood.

Objectives: The effect of luseogliflozin on myocardial flow reserve (MFR) in patients with T2D (LUCENT-J) study aims to examine the effects of SGLT2 inhibitors on myocardial perfusion.

INCIDENCE AND CHARACTERISTICS OF NEOVASCULAR AGE-RELATED MACULAR WITH OVER A 12-MONTH REMISSION AFTER THREE MONTHLY AFLIBERCEPT ADMINISTRATION: 60 Months Results of a Pro Re Nata Regimen.

Purpose: To investigate the characteristics of patients with over a 12-month remission after 3 monthly intravitreal aflibercept injections followed by a pro re nata regimen for exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Methods: One hundred forty-four eyes with exudative AMD were included. All patients received 3 monthly intravitreal aflibercept injections as a loading dose, followed by an as-needed regimen for 60 months.

Communication between parents diagnosed with cancer and their children: study with data triangulation.

Objective: To characterize the perceptions and feelings of parents diagnosed with cancer in relation to communication with their children between 3 and 12 years old.

Method: A cross-sectional, multicenter, with data triangulation, through structured and semi-structured interviews, with a question with a Semantic Differential Scale, carried out with the father or mother with cancer undergoing outpatient treatment in two hospital institutions in the city of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, content analysis, using the ATLAS.

Report of Two Contrasting Cases of Epstein-Barr Virus-Associated Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis: Comparison to Infectious Mononucleosis and Flow Cytometric Analysis of Bone Marrow.

Purpose: This study aims to investigate the characteristics of Epstein-Barr virus associated-hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (EBV-HLH) and HLH caused by a severe form of infectious mononucleosis (IM-HLH) compared to IM by EBV, and thus also to assist in early diagnosis and providing appropriate treatment.

Methods: Data for this analysis were collected from patients at the Department of General Medicine, Nara Medical University, between April 1, 2012, and August 1, 2020. EBV infection was diagnosed using clinical presentation and laboratory tests.

Control of Polar/Antipolar Layered Organic Semiconductors by the Odd-Even Effect of Alkyl Chain.

Some rodlike organic molecules exhibit exceptionally high layered crystallinity when composed of a link between π-conjugated backbone (head) and alkyl chain (tail). These molecules are aligned side-by-side unidirectionally to form self-organized polar monomolecular layers, providing promising 2D materials and devices. However, their interlayer stacking arrangements have never been tunable, preventing the unidirectional arrangements of molecules in whole crystals.

Association of scan frequency with CGM-derived metrics and influential factors in adults with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Introduction: This study aimed to investigate the association between scan frequency and intermittently scanned continuous glucose monitoring (isCGM) metrics and to clarify the factors affecting scan frequency in adults with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D).

Methods: We enrolled adults with T1D who used FreeStyle® Libre. Scan and self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) frequency and CGM metrics from the past 90-day glucose data were collected.

A Case of Mycoplasma Infection with an Atypical Presentation of Abducens Nerve Palsy, Erythema Multiforme and Polyarthritis without Respiratory Manifestations.

is a self-propagating microorganism that commonly causes respiratory tract infections. It can also cause a variety of extrapulmonary symptoms with or independently of respiratory symptoms, such as skin lesions, arthralgia, myalgia, hemolysis, cardiac lesions, gastrointestinal symptoms, and central nervous system lesions, which are rare manifestations reported in approximately 0.1% of cases.

Effect of decreased platelets on postoperative recurrence of chronic subdural hematoma.

Introduction: Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is commonly treated using simple burr hole surgery. However, postoperative recurrence occurs at a relatively high rate of 10-20%. A decrease in platelet count (PC) may be associated with recurrence via a hemostasis disorder; however, this association has not been well-studied.

Giant Cell Arteritis after COVID-19 Vaccination with Long-Term Follow-Up: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a chronic vasculitis that primarily affects the elderly, and can cause visual impairment, requiring prompt diagnosis and treatment. The global impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has been substantial. Although vaccination programs have been a key defense strategy, concerns have arisen regarding post-vaccination immune-mediated disorders and related risks.

Arteriolar Hyalinosis Predicts the Onset of Both Macroalbuminuria and Impaired Renal Function in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes.

Introduction: Arteriolar hyalinosis (AH) has been shown to be associated with albuminuria and GFR. In this study, we investigated whether or not index of AH (IAH) is a predictor of the onset of macroalbuminuria and impaired renal function (eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 [eGFR <60]) in type 2 diabetic patients with early diabetic nephropathy.

Effect of cardiopulmonary bypass on coagulation factors II, VII and X in a primate model: an exploratory pilot study.

Objectives: The use of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in cardiac surgery is a major risk factor for postoperative bleeding. We hypothesized that consumptive coagulopathy and haemodilution influence the coagulation factors; therefore, we aimed to estimate the activity profiles of coagulation factors II, VII and X during CPB circulation.

Methods: A 120-min bypass was surgically established in cynomolgus monkeys (n = 7).