RNA-DNA hybrids on protein coding genes are stabilized by loss of RNase H and are associated with DNA damages during S-phase in fission yeast.

RNA-DNA hybrid is a part of the R-loop which is an important non-standard nucleic acid structure. RNA-DNA hybrid/R-loop causes genomic instability by inducing DNA damages or inhibiting DNA replication. It also plays biologically important roles in regulation of transcription, replication, recombination and repair.

Trifecta outcomes of robotic partial nephrectomy in obese patients: A comparison of body mass index <25, 25 to <30, and ≥30.

Objective: We analyzed robotic partial nephrectomy (RPN) outcomes in obese patients based on body mass index (BMI) and trifecta achievement.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 296 patients who underwent RPN at Kansai Medical University Hospital between 2014 and 2022. The preoperative clinical data and perioperative outcomes were evaluated.

Development and evaluation of vesicourethral anastomosis bench-top model for measurement of traction force on urethra in robotic surgery.

Purpose: In vesicourethral anastomosis (VUA), which is part of robot-assisted radical prostatectomy, surgeons must proceed carefully to avoid urethral damage. We developed and evaluated a VUA bench-top model that can measure the traction force on the urethra during robotic surgery.

Materials And Methods: The VUA model included the urethra, bladder, pelvic bones, and a small force sensor that was capable of measuring the traction force on the urethra.

Homologous recombination contributes to the repair of acetaldehyde-induced DNA damage.

Acetaldehyde, a chemical that can cause DNA damage and contribute to cancer, is prevalently present in our environment, e.g. in alcohol, tobacco, and food.

Venous Congestive Ischemic Colitis After Sigmoid Colectomy: A Case Report.

Venous congestion is a possible cause of ischemic colitis following colorectal surgery. As such, congestive ischemic colitis should be considered in such cases where the mesenteric artery is preserved. Herein, we describe the case of a 73-year-old man who presented to the hospital with a two-week history of difficult defecation and frequent mucous stools and was subsequently diagnosed with refractory ischemic enterocolitis due to venous congestion.

Impact of a Cancer History on Cardiovascular Events Among Patients With Myocardial Infarction Who Received Revascularization.

Background: It remains controversial whether a cancer history increases the risk of cardiovascular (CV) events among patients with myocardial infarction (MI) who undergo revascularization.

Methods and results: Patients who were confirmed as type 1 acute MI (AMI) by coronary angiography were retrospectively analyzed. Patients who died in hospital or those not undergoing revascularization were excluded.

Temporary Rise in Blood Thrombogenicity in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction.

 Although blood thrombogenicity seems to be one of the determinant factors for the development of acute myocardial infarction (MI), it has not been dealt with in-depth. This study aimed to investigate blood thrombogenicity and its change in acute MI patients.  We designed a prospective, observational study that included 51 acute MI patients and 83 stable coronary artery disease (CAD) patients who underwent cardiac catheterization, comparing thrombogenicity of the whole blood between: (1) acute MI patients and stable CAD patients; and (2) acute and chronic phase in MI patients.

Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest due to acute myocardial infarction possibly caused by coronary vasospasm.

A 60-year-old man with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest was transported to our hospital by an emergency medical service. Ventricular fibrillation was finally terminated after the initiation of circulation support by percutaneous cardiopulmonary support device. Although acute myocardial infarction was suspected, emergency coronary angiography could not identify the culprit lesion of myocardial infarction while there were multiple intermediate stenotic lesions.

Absence of first-pass isolation is associated with poor pulmonary vein isolation durability and atrial fibrillation ablation outcomes.

Background: Pulmonary vein (PV) reconnection is the main cause of atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence. This study aimed to examine the effect of first-pass PV isolation (PVI) on PV reconnection frequency during the procedure and on AF ablation outcomes.

Methods: This retrospective study included 446 patients with drug-refractory AF (370 men, aged 64 ± 10 years) who underwent initial PVI using an open-irrigated contact force catheter between January 2015 and October 2016.

A case of pulseless electrical activity due to takotsubo syndrome following radiofrequency catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation.

A 51-year-old man with normal left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) underwent radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) for long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). After isolating the pulmonary veins (PV), we attempted to ablate multiple non-PV AF triggers evoked by isoproterenol and performed repetitive intracardiac electrical cardioversion under considerable dose of barbiturate. Finally, administration of pilsicainide was required to maintain sinus rhythm.

Clinical and Angiographic Features of Patients With Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest and Acute Myocardial Infarction.

Background: Sudden cardiac arrest is a serious complication of acute myocardial infarction (MI). Although in-hospital mortality from MI has decreased, the mortality of MI patients complicated with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) remains high. However, the features of acute MI patients with OHCA have not been well known.

Burden and Long Firing of Premature Atrial Contraction Early After Catheter Ablation Predict Late Recurrence of Atrial Fibrillation.

Background: Associations between characteristics of premature atrial contraction (PAC) 6 months after catheter ablation (CA) and later recurrence are not known. We investigated the effects of PAC characteristics on long-term outcomes of initially successful atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation.

Methods and results: In all, 378 patients (mean age 61 years, 21% female, 67% paroxysmal AF) who underwent initial radiofrequency CA for AF without recurrence up to 24-h Holter monitoring 6 months after the procedure were reviewed retrospectively.

Outcomes After Atrial Fibrillation Ablation in Patients With Premature Atrial Contractions Originating From Non-Pulmonary Veins.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between residual premature atrial contractions (PACs) originating from non-pulmonary veins (PVs), which do not initiate atrial fibrillation (AF), and AF recurrence after ablation.

Background: Residual atrial ectopic beats that trigger AF from non-PVs (non-PV AF triggers) after catheter ablation are among the major causes of AF recurrence. However, little is known about the impact of non-PV PACs on AF recurrence.

Impact of baseline left atrial function on long-term outcome after catheter ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

Background: Left atrial (LA) size is an established predictor of recurrence after catheter ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF). We investigated the impact of baseline LA function on recurrence after PAF ablation and compared the predictive values of LA function with those of LA size.

Methods: We retrospectively investigated 292 consecutive patients who underwent PAF ablation (median follow-up: 3.

Analysis of Gripping Force on a Master Controller During Simulated Robotic Surgery.

Although robotic surgery can improve ergonomics, strain in the hand and wrist is commonly reported. We evaluated gripping force differences between novice and expert surgeons while performing a da Vinci surgical simulator task. By attaching two force sensors to both master controllers, the average gripping force (AF) and maximum gripping force (MF) were evaluated.

Comparison of the Safety and Efficacy of Automated Annotation-Guided Radiofrequency Ablation and 2nd-Generation Cryoballoon Ablation in Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation.

Background: Automated ablation lesion annotation with optimal settings for parameters including contact force (CF) and catheter stability may be effective for achieving durable pulmonary vein isolation.

Methods and results: We retrospectively examined 131 consecutive patients who underwent initial catheter ablation (CA) for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) by automatic annotation system (VISITAG module)-guided radiofrequency CA (RFCA) (n=61) and 2nd-generation cryoballoon ablation (CBA) (n=70) in terms of safety and long-term efficacy. The automatic annotation criteria for the RFCA group were as follows: catheter stability range of motion ≤1.

[Late Relapse of Testicular Cancer at the Pelvis with Elevated AFP Levels : A Case Report].

We report a patient with seminoma which recurred as late relapse at the pelvis with elevated alphafetoprotein (AFP) levels. A 40-year-old man presented with a left testicular tumor and subsequently underwent high orchiectomy in 2006. Pathological findings showed that the tumor was a seminoma with invasion into the tunica albuginea (pT2N0M0).

Impact of resection and ablation for single hypovascular hepatocellular carcinoma ≤2 cm analysed with propensity score weighting.

Background And Aims: Small hypovascular hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) ≤2 cm is biologically less aggressive than hypervascular one, however, the optimal treatment is still undetermined. The efficacy of surgical resection (SR), radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) was evaluated.

Methods: The 853 (SR, 176; RFA, 491; PEI, 186) patients were enrolled who met Child-Pugh A/B, single hypovascular HCC ≤2 cm pathologically proven, available tumour differentiation and absence of macrovascular invasion and extrahepatic metastasis.

Optimal Surveillance Protocols After Curative Resection in Patients With Stage IV Colorectal Cancer: A Multicenter Retrospective Study.

Background: After patients with stage IV colorectal cancer undergo curative surgical resection, there is a large risk for recurrence. To establish optimal surveillance guidelines, an understanding of the temporal risk factors for recurrence is necessary.

Objective: The primary aim of our study was to determine predictors for early (within 1 year), middle (1-2 years), and late (2 years or later) recurrence following curative resection in patients with stage IV colorectal cancer.

Analysis of the tractive force pattern on a knot by force measurement during laparoscopic knot tying.

Background: Quantifying surgical skills assists novice surgeons when learning operative techniques. We measured the interaction force at a ligation point and clarified the features of the force pattern among surgeons with different skill levels during laparoscopic knot tying.

Methods: Forty-four surgeons were divided into three groups based on experience: 13 novice (0-5 years), 16 intermediate (6-15 years), and 15 expert (16-30 years).

Analysis of the posture pattern during robotic simulator tasks using an optical motion capture system.

Background: Surgeons are sometimes forced to maintain uncomfortable joint positions during robotic surgery despite the high degree of instrument maneuverability. This study aimed to use an optical motion capture system to analyze the differences in posture patterns during robotic simulator tasks between surgeons at two skill levels.

Methods: Ten experienced and ten novice surgeons performed two tasks in a da Vinci Skills Simulator: Suture Sponge 1 (SP) and Tubes (TU).

Solitary Variceal Rupture in the Small Intestine.

A 70-year-old man was referred to our hospital to undergo treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma. In hospital, he complained of hematochezia and a laboratory analysis revealed a decreased level of hemoglobin. Abdominal computed tomography revealed a tumor in the small intestine, with slow enhancement of the dorsal region.