Clinical evaluation of advanced MALDI-TOF MS for carbapenemase subtyping in Gram-negative isolates.

Unlabelled: The spread of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE) is emerging as a significant clinical concern in tertiary hospitals and, in particular, long-term care facilities with deficiencies in infection control. This study aims to evaluate an advanced matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (A-MALDI) mass spectrometry method for the identification of carbapenemases and further discrimination of their subtypes in clinical isolates. The A-MALDI method was employed to detect CPE target proteins.

Cough-induced severe bradycardia and syncope in a dog.

A 10-year-old spayed female shih tzu dog was brought to the hospital because of recurring syncope that occurred simultaneously with a cough. Physical examination did not reveal an abnormal heart rhythm or abnormal heart sounds. Electrocardiography revealed sinus arrest of 4.

AI-driven robotic chemist for autonomous synthesis of organic molecules.

The automation of organic compound synthesis is pivotal for expediting the development of such compounds. In addition, enhancing development efficiency can be achieved by incorporating autonomous functions alongside automation. To achieve this, we developed an autonomous synthesis robot that harnesses the power of artificial intelligence (AI) and robotic technology to establish optimal synthetic recipes.

Lemon Balm and Corn Silk Mixture Alleviates Metabolic Disorders Caused by a High-Fat Diet.

We recently reported that varying combination ratios of lemon balm ( L.) and corn silk extracts (Stigma of L. fruit) could reduce the obesity caused by a high-fat diet (HFD).

Amlodipine decreases mitral regurgitation volume in dogs over 7 days: A study of 24 dogs with myxomatous mitral valve degeneration.

Background: Amlodipine, a dihydropyridine calcium-channel blocker, is currently being investigated as a treatment for myxomatous mitral valvular degeneration (MMVD). However, the effects of amlodipine on moderate or severe spontaneous MMVD, based on changes in echocardiographic indices, remain unclear.

Animals: Client-owned small-breed dogs ( = 24) with naturally occurring MMVD of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) stage B2 or higher.

Lemon Balm and Corn Silk Extracts Mitigate High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity in Mice.

Lemon balm and corn silk are valuable medicinal herbs, which exhibit variety of beneficial effects for human health. The present study explored the anti-obesity effects of a mixture of lemon balm and corn silk extracts (M-LB/CS) by comparison with the effects of single herbal extracts in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity in mice. HFD supplementation for 84 days increased the body weight, the fat mass density, the mean diameter of adipocytes, and the thickness of fat pads.

Volumetric change of the latissimus dorsi muscle after postoperative chemotherapy and radiotherapy in immediate breast reconstruction with an extended latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap: final results from serial studies.

Background: Breast reconstruction using an extended latissimus dorsi (eLD) flap can supplement more volume than reconstruction using various local flaps after partial mastectomy, and it is a valuable surgical method since the reconstruction area is not limited. However, when performing reconstruction, the surgeon should consider latissimus dorsi (LD) volume reduction due to postoperative chemotherapy (POCTx) and postoperative radiotherapy (PORTx). To evaluate the effect of POCTx and PORTx on LD volume reduction, the effects of each therapy-both separately and jointly-need to be demonstrated.

Comparison of breast volume change between oncoplastic breast-conserving surgery with radiation therapy and a simultaneous contralateral balancing procedure through the inverted-T scar technique.

Background: Reduction mammoplasty or mastopexy is performed as an additional balancing procedure in patients with large or ptotic breasts who undergo breast-conserving surgery (BCS). Radiation therapy on breasts that have undergone surgery may result in changes in the volume. This study presents a comparative analysis of patients who received post-BCS balancing procedures to determine whether volume changes were larger in breasts that received radiation therapy than on the contralateral side.

Protective effects of fermented rice extract on ulcerative colitis induced by dextran sodium sulfate in mice.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), characterized by the gut mucosal ulceration. Growing evidence indicates that dysregulation of immune response to the commensal microbiota involves the pathogenesis of IBD. Previous studies have demonstrated the favorable probiotic effects of fermented rice extracts through triple fermentation with and (FRe).

Anti-Photoaging Effects of Low Molecular-Weight Fucoidan on Ultraviolet B-Irradiated Mice.

Ultraviolet (UV) B exposure induces DNA damage and production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which causes skin photoaging through signaling pathways of inflammation and modulation of extracellular matrix remodeling proteins, collagens, and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP). As low molecular-weight fucoidan (LMF) has potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, we examined the protective effects of LMF against UVB-induced photoaging. A UVB-irradiated mouse model was topically treated with myricetin or LMF at 2.

Posterior Shift of Contact Point between Femoral Component and Polyethylene in the LCS Rotating Platform Implant under Weight Bearing Condition.

Purpose: To analyze the contact mechanics of the femoral component and polyethylene of the Low Contact Stress rotating platform (LCS-RP) in nonweight bearing and weight bearing conditions using full flexion lateral radiographs.

Materials And Methods: From May 2009 to December 2013, 58 knees in 41 patients diagnosed with osteoarthritis and treated with total knee arthroplasty (TKA) were included in this study. TKA was performed using an LCS-RP knee prosthesis.

Open-Wedge High Tibial Osteotomy Using a Protective Cutting System: Technical Advancement for the Accuracy of the Osteotomy and Avoiding Intraoperative Complications.

Open-wedge high tibial osteotomy for medial unicompartmental arthritis of the knee joint is a successful treatment option but is associated with potential intraoperative complications such as tibial plateau fracture, dislocation of the osteotomy hinge, under- or over-correction of the posterior slope, and neurovascular injury. Therefore we devised a protective cutting system and describe our method for the prevention of these complications. The potential advantages of this system are protection of the posterior neurovascular structures using a curved protector, bone cutting along the natural tibial slope using a superior surface aligning with the natural tibial slope, and complete 1-plane sawing of the posterior wall before the lateral hinge.

Effect of the Osteotomy Length on the Change of the Posterior Tibial Slope With a Simple Distraction of the Posterior Gap in the Uni- and Biplanar Open-Wedge High Tibial Osteotomy.

Purpose: To (1) determine the length of the osteotomy at the anterior and posterior cortex, (2) compare between uni- and biplanar osteotomy, and (3) evaluate the relationship between the extent of the osteotomy and change of the posterior tibial slope.

Methods: A prospective comparative study of 24 uniplanar and 30 biplanar osteotomies was performed. To evaluate the length of osteotomy, osteotomy lines of the anterior and posterior cortex were analyzed in the 3-dimensional surface models.

Restoration of the anatomic position during a meniscal allograft transplantation using pre-existing landmarks.

Introduction: Accurate sizing and positioning of a meniscal allograft is an important factor for successful outcomes of meniscal allograft transplantation. The objectives of this study were (1) to search a proper rotational landmark, (2) to determine the sagittal slope of meniscus, and, thus (3) to determine the meniscal positioning.

Materials And Methods: A total of 121 consecutive patients who underwent magnetic resonance imaging in the 3 months prior to the beginning of the study were selected.

Changes in patellofemoral alignment do not cause clinical impact after open-wedge high tibial osteotomy.

Purpose: The objectives of this study were (1) to evaluate the clinical and radiologic outcomes of open-wedge high tibial osteotomy focusing on patellofemoral alignment and (2) to search for correlation between variables and patellofemoral malalignment.

Methods: A total of 46 knees (46 patients) from 32 females and 14 males who underwent open-wedge high tibial osteotomy were included in this retrospective case series. Outcomes were evaluated using clinical scales and radiologic parameters at the last follow-up.

Change of the tunnel configuration in the non-anatomic trans-tibial double bundle ACL reconstruction.

Background: The objectives of this study were to evaluate tunnel widening and morphologic change at the tunnel aperture.

Methods: A prospective study that included 17 trans-tibial double bundle anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) patients was conducted for the evaluation of serial computed tomography (CT) scan. The OsiriX was used for remodeling of CT images with a tunnel direction.

Comparison of femoral tunnel widening between outside-in and trans-tibial double-bundle ACL reconstruction.

Purpose: The objectives of this study were to compare (1) the degree of widening by comparing the diameter at the most widened area and the site of widening by measuring the distance from the tunnel entrance to the most widened area in two femoral tunnels (anteromedial and posterolateral), and (2) the morphologic change at the tunnel entrance between outside-in and trans-tibial double-bundle anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction.

Methods: A retrospective study that included 17 trans-tibial and 19 outside-in double-bundle ACL reconstructed patients was conducted for evaluation of serial computed tomography (CT) scan (immediate post-operation and post-operative 1 year). Digital image communication in medicine (DICOM) data was extracted from the PiViewSTAR and imported into OsiriX, which was installed on a Macbook Pro laptop computer.

Lateral tibial bone mineral density around the level of the proximal tibiofibular joint.

Purpose: During open-wedge high tibial osteotomy, fracture occurring in the insufficient osteotomy before distraction of the osteotomy gap is an important complication. The objective of this study was to evaluate bone mineral density (BMD) around the proximal tibiofibular joint (PTFJ) and the osteotomy hinge. The hypotheses of this study were (1) BMD would be higher in the level of PTFJ, compared with that of above--or below--the level of PTFJ, (2) BMD of the posterolateral side of the hinge would be higher than that of the anterior or lateral side.

Analysis of tunnel widening after double-bundle ACL reconstruction.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the tunnel widening using a multi-planar reformation of MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) in the orientation of the tunnel. The hypotheses of this study were as follows: (1) tunnel widening would be reduced with the above-mentioned technique, (2) the degree of tunnel widening would be different at the site of the tunnels, and (3) the time interval from surgery to MRI acquisition would affect the magnitude of tunnel widening.

Methods: Forty double-bundle ACL reconstructed patients who underwent postoperative MRI were enrolled in this study.

Long-term outcomes of ulnar shortening osteotomy for idiopathic ulnar impaction syndrome: at least 5-years follow-up.

Background: There have been few outcomes studies with follow-up after performing ulnar shortening osteotomy for ulnar impaction syndrome. We investigated the long-term clinical and radiological outcomes of ulnar shortening osteotomy for the treatment of idiopathic ulnar impaction syndrome.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 36 patients who had undergone ulnar shortening osteotomy for idiopathic ulnar impaction syndrome for a mean follow-up of 79.

Effect of passive stretching on simple camptodactyly in children younger than three years of age.

Purpose: To present the effectiveness of passive stretching as a treatment for camptodactyly, without any other form of physiotherapy or splinting.

Methods: From May 2003 to August 2008, 61 digits of 22 patients were treated conservatively using passive stretching exercises. All children were less than 3 years old and had no other anomalies.

Recurrent sebaceous carcinoma in an African hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris).

A 1.5-year-old intact male African hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris) was presented with a firm, non-movable subcutaneous mass on ventral chest area. Microscopically, the tumor was un-encapsulated, invasive up to the muscle layer, and composed of highly pleomorphic polygonal cells arranged in variably-sized lobules.

Improving gene expression similarity measurement using pathway-based analytic dimension.

Background: Gene expression similarity measuring methods were developed and applied to search rapidly growing public microarray databases. However, current expression similarity measuring methods need to be improved to accurately measure similarity between gene expression profiles from different platforms or different experiments.

Results: We devised new gene expression similarity measuring method based on pathway information.

Mapping of the dog skin based on biophysical measurements.

Trans epidermal water loss (TEWL), skin hydration status and pH were determined in 14 skin regions of five healthy male Beagle dogs (2-4 years) both before and after anaesthesia. Trans epidermal water loss was highest for the footpad and head and lowest for the inguinal region. Skin hydration status was higher in the ear but did not vary significantly in other regions.