Metagenomic Analysis of Gut Microbiota for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm.

The pathophysiological mechanism of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) remains unclear. We previously reported that levels were reduced in the feces of patients with AAA by 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid (RNA) gene sequencing. In this study, we increased the number of cases and conducted metagenomic analyses to examine bacterial genes associated with the pathophysiology of AAA.

Nanoconfinement-Driven Energy-Efficient CO2 Capture and Release at High Pressures on a Unique Large-Pore Mesoporous Carbon.

Although microporous carbons can perform well for CO2 separations under high pressure conditions, their energy-demanding regeneration may render them a less attractive material option. Here, we developed a large-pore mesoporous carbon with pore sizes centered around 20-30 nm using a templated technical lignin. During the soft-templating process, unique cylindrical supramolecular assemblies form from the copolymer template.

Simultaneous site-directed mutagenesis for soybean ß-amyrin synthase genes via DNA-free CRISPR/Cas9 system using a single gRNA.

We generated soybean mutants related to two ß-amyrin synthase genes using DNA-free site-directed mutagenesis system. Our results suggested that one of the genes is predominant in the soyasaponin biosynthesis. Soyasaponins, which are triterpenoid saponins contained in soybean [Glycine max (L.

Potential effect of topical antibiotics administration in the oral cavity on the reduced number of bacteria entering the lower respiratory tract after oral cancer surgery.

Background/purpose: One of the causes of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is aspiration of oropharyngeal fluid containing pathogenic microorganisms into the lower respiratory tract. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether antibiotic ointment applied to the oral cavity can reduce the number of bacteria in the fluid on the cuff of a tracheal cannula.

Materials And Methods: Tetracycline ointment was applied intraorally once to a patient under endotracheal intubation by postoperative tracheostomy for oral cancer.

Regimen Selection for Chemoimmunotherapy in Nonsquamous Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer with Low PD-L1 Expression: A Multicenter Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background: Although chemoimmunotherapy is recommended for advanced nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with low programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression, no head-to-head comparisons of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have been performed. Therefore, we compared the effect and safety of regimens in these patients to guide evidence-based treatment.

Methods: This retrospective study included patients with advanced nonsquamous NSCLC with a PD-L1 tumor proportion score of 1% to 49% administered ICI combination platinum-based chemotherapy between May 2018 and May 2023 at 19 institutions in Japan.

Comparison of Vessel Responses Following Combined Sirolimus-Eluting and Endothelial Progenitor Cell Stent and Ultra-Thin Sirolimus-Eluting Stent Implantation by Serial Optical Coherence Tomography and Coronary Angioscopy: A Multicenter Observational Study.

A dual-therapy sirolimus-eluting and CD34+ antibody-coated Combo Stent (DTS) has been developed to enhance endothelization and capture endothelial progenitor cells; however, vessel responses following DTS implantation remain unclear. Therefore, we evaluated early- and mid-term intravascular characteristics of DTS using intravascular imaging modalities. This multicenter, prospective, observational study enrolled 88 patients (95 lesions) who underwent DTS (43 patients, 48 lesions) or sirolimus-eluting Orsiro stent (SES, 45 patients, 47 lesions) implantation.

Effect of Gene Polymorphisms on Fatty Acid Composition, Chemical Composition, and Carcass Traits in Sonid Sheep.

Fatty acids (FAs) are a group of organic compounds that are regulated by polygenic and environmental factors and affect the taste, nutritional value, and quality of meat. Lamb meat is rich in FAs required by the human body, which has directed more attention to sheep research and meat production. The fatty acid-binding protein 4 () gene is considered a candidate gene that can affect FA composition in livestock.

Efficacy of Adding Locoregional Therapy in ATZ/BEV-Treated Patients with Stable HCC.

: Combination therapy with atezolizumab and bevacizumab (ATZ/BEV) is extremely effective and yields a high response rate in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this study, the efficacy of adding locoregional therapy to ATZ/BEV in patients with stable disease (SD) HCC was investigated. : One hundred five HCC patients who were treated with ATZ/BEV or lenvatinib (LEN) as first-line chemotherapy for unresectable HCC were evaluated on the basis of the modified RECIST criteria.

The Impact of Ageing on Diaphragm Function and Maximal Inspiratory Pressure: A Cross-Sectional Ultrasound Study.

: The effects of ageing on the diaphragm are unclear. This study examined the association between ageing and diaphragm thickness, thickening fraction (TF), and diaphragm excursion (DE) as assessed by ultrasonography after adjusting for other factors. The relationship between these parameters and maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) was also investigated.

Morphological and functional analysis of colorectal cancer cell lines in 2D and 3D culture models.

The epithelial and mesenchymal features of colorectal adenocarcinoma (CRAC) cell lines were compared in two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) cultures. In 2D cultures, the three CRAC cell lines exhibited epithelial characteristics with high E-cadherin and low vimentin levels, whereas two exhibited mesenchymal traits with opposite expression patterns. In 3D cultures using low-attachment plates, mesenchymal cells from 2D cultures showed reduced vimentin mRNA levels.

Syringomyelia with Central Canal Enlargement Caused by Postoperative Inflammation after Surgery for Intradural Lumbar Disc Herniation.

Intradural lumbar disc herniation (ILDH) is a very rare condition, with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage as a postoperative complication. The central canal of the conus medullaris was reported to communicate with the subarachnoid space through a caudal aperture; however, this aperture has never been observed in vivo. Herein, we report a case of L1/2 ILDH with postoperative spinal adhesive arachnoiditis and syringomyelia in which the communication considered to be a caudal aperture was detected.

Squaric Acid-Containing Hole-Collecting Monolayer Materials for p-i-n Perovskite Solar Cells.

The development of hole-collecting materials is indispensable to improving the performance of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). To date, several anchorable molecules have been reported as effective hole-collecting monolayer (HCM) materials for p-i-n PSCs. However, their structures are limited to well-known electron-donating skeletons, such as carbazole, triarylamine, etc.

Effectiveness of rehabilitation in hospitalized hemodialysis patients as compared with rehabilitation in hospitalized patients not on hemodialysis: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: The effectiveness of rehabilitation aimed at improving the activities of daily living and physical functions may differ between hospitalized patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD) and not undergoing HD (non-HD). The aim of the present study was to compare the outcomes of rehabilitation between hospitalized HD and non-HD patients.

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of inpatients who underwent rehabilitation.

Crystal Growth and Structural Analysis of Layered Lithium Titanium Sulfide.

Layered sulfide crystals are suitable hosts for lithium and sodium ions in batteries. In this study, new layered lithium titanium sulfide (LTS) crystals were grown in a sealed silica tube using a LiS self-flux at 800-950 °C. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis results indicated the formation of a new sulfide phase with higher symmetry in the Li-Ti-S system.

Personalized Dosing of Linezolid to Reduce the Risk of Thrombocytopenia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Linezolid-induced thrombocytopenia (LIT) occurs in a dose-dependent manner. There is no consensus regarding personalized dosing of linezolid in the real world. This study investigated the usefulness of personalized dosing for the potential mitigation of LIT compared with standard dosing.

Impact of diabetes remission or progression on the incidence of cardiovascular disease in Japan: historical cohort study using a nationwide claims database.

Background: Previous studies demonstrated that diabetes remission can occur during intensive intervention and in real-world settings. However, the impact of diabetes remission in real-world settings on the incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains unclear.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 299,967 individuals aged 20-72 years who underwent multiple checkups between 2008 and 2020 and completed ≥ 3 years of follow-up.

A Case of Diffuse Sclerosing Osteomyelitis (DSO) Initially Diagnosed as Bacterial Mandibular Osteomyelitis and Successfully Treated With Bisphosphonate Administration (Ibandronate).

Diffuse sclerosing osteomyelitis (DSO) is a non-bacterial disease of the jawbone, characterized by intermittent pain, swelling, and a mixture of osteosclerosis and osteolysis on radiographs. Its etiology remains unclear, and a standard treatment, based on clear diagnostic criteria, has not been established. We present the case of a 48-year-old male patient, who was initially diagnosed with chronic mandibular osteomyelitis due to apical periodontitis in the right lower second premolar, and underwent antimicrobial medication and surgical therapy based on computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and bone scintigraphy.

Role and prognostic value of growth differentiation factor 15 in patient of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: insights from the PURSUIT-HFpEF registry.

Background: Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) is a cytokine responding to oxidative stress and inflammation, and it regulates appetite and energy balance. The association between GDF15 and clinical factors and its prognostic value in elderly multimorbid patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) have not been well unknown.

Methods: This exploratory analysis is part of the Prospective mUlticenteR obServational stUdy of patIenTs with Heart Failure with preserved Ejection Fraction study (N=1231), an ongoing, prospective, multicentre observational study of acute decompensated HFpEF (UMIN000021831).

Transplantation of genome-edited retinal organoids restores some fundamental physiological functions coordinated with severely degenerated host retinas.

We have previously shown that the transplantation of stem cell-derived retinal organoid (RO) sheets into animal models of end-stage retinal degeneration can lead to host-graft synaptic connectivity and restoration of vision, which was further improved using genome-edited Islet1 ROs (gROs) with a reduced number of ON-bipolar cells. However, the details of visual function restoration using this regenerative therapeutic approach have not yet been characterized. Here, we evaluated the electrophysiological properties of end-stage rd1 retinas after transplantation (TP-rd1) and compared them with those of wild-type (WT) retinas using multi-electrode arrays.

Spontaneous resumption of severe infranodal conduction disturbances that followed COVID-19 vaccination.

We report reversible severe infranodal conduction disturbances that followed COVID-19 vaccination in a young woman. Right and left bundle branch conduction were impaired and recovered at different times, resulting in reversible paroxysmal complete atrioventricular block.

Novel anticoagulation therapy using apple watch after catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation-Up to AF trial: Design and rationale.

Background: Continuous anticoagulation based on the CHA2DS2-VASc score is recommended to prevent embolism caused by atrial fibrillation (AF), but it does not consider AF episodes. The Apple Watch's continuous heart rhythm monitoring and fast-acting direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) could enable precise, episode-tailored anticoagulation, reducing bleeding risks while preventing stroke. This study evaluates Apple Watch-guided personalized anticoagulation therapy, adjusting DOAC usage based on real-time AF detection.

Association of changes in the type 2 diabetes and MASLD/related SLD status with risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

Background & Aims: This study assessed the association of remission of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) or metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD)/related SLD (r-SLD; MASLD with excessive alcohol intake) as defined by the fatty liver index with the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Methods: Health examination data at baseline and after 2 years (2-Years) were extracted from a nationwide claims database in Japan. Among participants aged 18-72 years with at least 3 years of follow-up, 9345 participants with DM-associated MASLD/r-SLD and 71 932 participants with non-DM MASLD/r-SLD at baseline were included in the study.

Chronic kidney disease is a major risk factor for mortality in triglyceride deposit cardiomyovasculopathy patients.

Triglyceride deposit cardiomyovasculopathy (TGCV) is a rare cardiovascular disorder caused by defective intracellular lipolysis of triglyceride, resulting in heart failure and diffuse narrowing atherosclerosis. Recently, the registry of TGCV patients in Japan revealed that the 3-year overall survival rate was 80.1% and the 5-year overall survival rate was 71.

Water-Compatible Staudinger-Diels-Alder Ligation.

The development of bioorthogonal reactions is expected to propel further advances in chemical biology. In this study, we demonstrate Staudinger-Diels-Alder (SDA) ligation as a candidate for a new bioorthogonal reaction. This reaction ligates two molecules via strong C-C bonds at room temperature.