Using suture-mediated closure device for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation decannulation: A single-center experience of post-closing technique.

Background: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a critical treatment for severe cardiopulmonary failure. However, traditional ECMO decannulation methods, such as manual compression and surgical repair, are associated with significant complications. This study evaluates suture-mediated closure devices, specifically Perclose ProGlide, as a potentially favorable decannulation strategy.

Association between glottis screen location and intubation difficulty: a retrospective video laryngoscopy study.

Background: In emergency settings, difficult intubations often occur unexpectedly despite pre-intubation assessments. Traditional glottic view scoring systems for direct laryngoscope may not apply to video laryngoscopy. With video laryngoscopy, the vertical location of the glottis on the monitor can be clearly defined.

The obesity-related mutation gene on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

The prevalence of overweight and obesity is increasing, leading to metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) characterized by excessive accumulation of liver fat and a risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The driver gene mutations may play the roles of passengers that occur in single 'hotspots' and can promote tumorigenesis from benign to malignant lesions. We investigated the impact of high body weight and BMI on HCC survival using The Cancer Genome Atlas Liver Hepatocellular Carcinoma (TCGA-LIHC) dataset.

Immersive virtual reality as a surgical training tool: A cohort study.

Background: Few studies have studied the efficacy of using immersive virtual reality (iVR) to teach surgical skills, especially by using real-world iVR recordings rather than simulations. This study aimed to investigate whether viewing 360° iVR instructional recordings produces greater improvements in basic suturing skills of students without prior medical training, beyond traditional methods like reading written manuals or watching 2D instructional videos.

Materials And Methods: This was a partially blinded randomized cohort study.

Structure of adenylyl cyclase 5 in complex with Gβγ offers insights into ADCY5-related dyskinesia.

The nine different membrane-anchored adenylyl cyclase isoforms (AC1-9) in mammals are stimulated by the heterotrimeric G protein, Gα, but their response to Gβγ regulation is isoform specific. In the present study, we report cryo-electron microscope structures of ligand-free AC5 in complex with Gβγ and a dimeric form of AC5 that could be involved in its regulation. Gβγ binds to a coiled-coil domain that links the AC transmembrane region to its catalytic core as well as to a region (C) that is known to be a hub for isoform-specific regulation.

Molecular basis for Gβγ-mediated activation of phosphoinositide 3-kinase γ.

The conversion of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate to phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-triphosphate by phosphoinositide 3-kinase γ (PI3Kγ) is critical for neutrophil chemotaxis and cancer metastasis. PI3Kγ is activated by Gβγ heterodimers released from G protein-coupled receptors responding to extracellular signals. Here we determined cryo-electron microscopy structures of Sus scrofa PI3Kγ-human Gβγ complexes in the presence of substrates/analogs, revealing two Gβγ binding sites: one on the p110γ helical domain and another on the p101 C-terminal domain.

Diselenophene-Dithioalkylthiophene Based Quinoidal Small Molecules for Ambipolar Organic Field Effect Transistors.

This work presents a series of novel quinoidal organic semiconductors based on diselenophene-dithioalkylthiophene (DSpDST) conjugated cores with various side-chain lengths (-thiohexyl, -thiodecyl, and -thiotetradecyl, designated DSpDSTQ-6, DSpDSTQ-10, and DSpDSTQ-14, respectively). The purpose of this research is to develop solution-processable organic semiconductors using dicyanomethylene end-capped organic small molecules for organic field effect transistors (OFETs) application. The physical, electrochemical, and electrical properties of these new DSpDSTQs are systematically studied, along with their performance in OFETs and thin film morphologies.

Development of real-time individualized risk prediction models for contrast associated acute kidney injury and 30-day dialysis after contrast enhanced computed tomography.

Purpose: This study aimed to develop preprocedural real-time artificial intelligence (AI)-based systems for predicting individualized risks of contrast-associated acute kidney injury (CA-AKI) and dialysis requirement within 30 days following contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT).

Method: This single-center, retrospective study analyzed adult patients from emergency or in-patient departments who underwent CECT; 18,895 patients were included after excluding those who were already on dialysis, had stage V chronic kidney disease, or had missing data regarding serum creatinine levels within 7 days before and after CECT. Clinical parameters, laboratory data, medication exposure, and comorbid diseases were selected as predictive features.

Synthesis of 3,3'-(Ethane-1,2-diylidene)bis(indolin-2-one) Promoted by Thermally-activated Electron Transfer and Photoreduction of CO to CH and CO.

A Sonogashira coupling reaction leads to the formation of a serendipitous product C with the 3,3'-(ethane-1,2-diylidene)bis(indolin-2-one) unit. To our knowledge, our study provides the first example demonstrating that electron transfer between isoindigo and triethylamine can be thermally activated and can be employed in synthesis. The physical properties of C suggest that it possesses decent photo-induced electron-transfer capabilities.

GRK2 Kinases in the Primary Cilium Initiate SMOOTHENED-PKA Signaling in the Hedgehog Cascade.

During Hedgehog (Hh) signal transduction in development and disease, the atypical G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) SMOOTHENED (SMO) communicates with GLI transcription factors by binding the protein kinase A catalytic subunit (PKA-C) and physically blocking its enzymatic activity. Here we show that GPCR kinase 2 (GRK2) orchestrates this process during endogenous Hh pathway activation in the vertebrate primary cilium. Upon SMO activation, GRK2 rapidly relocalizes from the ciliary base to the shaft, triggering SMO phosphorylation and PKA-C interaction.

Isoform Specific Regulation of Adenylyl Cyclase 5 by Gβγ.

The nine different membrane-anchored adenylyl cyclase isoforms (AC1-9) in mammals are stimulated by the heterotrimeric G protein Gα, but their response to Gβγ regulation is isoform-specific. For example, AC5 is conditionally activated by Gβγ. Here, we report cryo-EM structures of ligand-free AC5 in complex with Gβγ and of a dimeric form of AC5 that could be involved in its regulation.

Molecular basis for Gβγ-mediated activation of phosphoinositide 3-kinase γ.

The conversion of PIP2 to PIP3 by phosphoinositide 3-kinase γ (PI3Kγ) is a critical step in neutrophil chemotaxis and is essential for metastasis in many types of cancer. PI3Kγ is activated via directed interaction with Gβγ heterodimers released from cell-surface G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) responding to extracellular signals. To resolve how Gβγ activates PI3Kγ, we determined cryo-EM reconstructions of PI3Kγ-Gβγ complexes in the presence of various substrates/analogs, revealing two distinct Gβγ binding sites, one on the p110γ helical domain and one on the C-terminal domain of the p101 subunit.

CT characteristics and clinical implications of acute type A aortic intramural hematoma.

Objectives: Computed tomography (CT) has been increasingly used in the diagnosis of acute aortic syndrome, and a number of high-risk CT imaging features have been reported. We aimed to identify CT imaging findings suggesting high-risk for acute aortic syndrome by examining clinical outcomes of patients with acute type A aortic intramural hematoma (TAIMH).

Methods: This retrospective study analyzed the relationship of clinical patient characteristics and imaging features with mortality and aortic events in 63 patients receiving initial medical treatment for TAIMH.

Embedded Integration of SbSe Film by Low-Temperature Plasma-Assisted Chemical Vapor Reaction with Polycrystalline Si Transistor for High-Performance Flexible Visible-to-Near-Infrared Photodetector.

Flexible optoelectronics have garnered considerable interest for applications such as optical communication, motion capture, biosignal detection, and night vision. Transition-metal dichalcogenides are widely used as flexible photodetectors owing to their outstanding electrical and optical properties and high flexibility. Herein, a two-dimensional (2D) SbSe film-based one transistor-one resistor (1T1R) flexible photodetector with high photosensing current and detection ranges from visible to near-infrared was developed.

Cardiopulmonary Fitness of Preschoolers with Congenital Heart Disease: An Observational Study.

With advancements in cardiopulmonary rehabilitation over the past few decades, the survival rate of patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) has increased. However, the Cardiopulmonary fitness (CPF) of these patients is poor. Here, we aimed to investigate CPF in preschoolers with CHD (aged 4 to 6 years) using cardiopulmonary exercise testing.

Novel Aporphine- and Proaporphine-Clerodane Hybrids Identified from the Barks of Taiwanese (Sonn.) Thwaites var. with Strong Anti-DENV2 Activity.

Hybrid natural products produced via mixed biosynthetic pathways are unique and often surprise one with unexpected medicinal properties in addition to their fascinating structural complexity/diversity. In view of chemical structures, hybridization is a way of diversifying natural products usually through dimerization of two similar or dissimilar subcomponents through a C-C or N-C covalent linkage. Here, we report four structurally attractive diterpene-alkaloid conjugates polyalongarins A-D (-), clerodane-containing aporphine and proaporphine alkaloids, the first of its kind from the barks of Taiwanese (Sonn.

NEIL3 promotes hepatoma epithelial-mesenchymal transition by activating the BRAF/MEK/ERK/TWIST signaling pathway.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is among the most prevalent visceral neoplasms. So far, reliable biomarkers for predicting HCC recurrence in patients undergoing surgery are far from adequate. In the aim of searching for genetic biomarkers involved in HCC development, we performed analyses of cDNA microarrays and found that the DNA repair gene NEIL3 was remarkably overexpressed in tumors.

Interactions between dopamine transporter and N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor-related amino acids on cognitive impairments in schizophrenia.

Background: Cognitive impairments, the main determinants of functional outcomes in schizophrenia, had limited treatment responses and need a better understanding of the mechanisms. Dysfunctions of the dopamine system and N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR), the primary pathophysiologies of schizophrenia, may impair cognition. This study explored the effects and interactions of striatal dopamine transporter (DAT) and plasma NMDAR-related amino acids on cognitive impairments in schizophrenia.

Naphthalene Diimide-Based Donor-Acceptor-Donor Small Molecules as Metal-Free Organocatalysts for Photocatalytic CO Reaction.

The application of organic small molecules as metal-free photocatalysts for light-driven photoreduction of carbon dioxide (CO) has seldom been explored. This work developed four naphthalene diimide (NDI)-derived donor-acceptor-donor small molecules with different numbers of thiophene units, namely, NDI-2T, NDI-TT, NDI-4T, and NDI-6T, as metal-free photocatalysts to catalyze the reduction of CO under irradiation with an air mass 1.5G solar simulator at one-sun intensity.

Restoring Prohealing/Remodeling-Associated M2a/c Macrophages Using ON101 Accelerates Diabetic Wound Healing.

Diabetic wounds exhibit chronic inflammation and delayed tissue proliferation or remodeling, mainly owing to prolonged proinflammatory (M1) macrophage activity and defects in transition to prohealing/proremodeling (M2a/M2c; CD206 and/or CD163) macrophages. We found that topical treatment with ON101, a plant-based potential therapeutic for diabetic foot ulcers, increased M2c-like (CD163 and CD206) cells and suppressed M1-like cells, altering the inflammatory gene profile in a diabetic mouse model compared with that in the controls. An in vitro macrophage-polarizing model revealed that ON101 directly suppressed CD80 and CD86 M1-macrophage polarization and M1-associated proinflammatory cytokines at both protein and transcriptional levels.

Structures of atypical chemokine receptor 3 reveal the basis for its promiscuity and signaling bias.

Both CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) and atypical chemokine receptor 3 (ACKR3) are activated by the chemokine CXCL12 yet evoke distinct cellular responses. CXCR4 is a canonical G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), whereas ACKR3 is intrinsically biased for arrestin. The molecular basis for this difference is not understood.

Statins were not associated with hepatocellular carcinoma after controlling for time-varying confounders in patients with diabetes.

Background And Objectives: We examined the association between statin use and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) incidence in patients with diabetes using marginal structural models (MSMs) estimated by inverse probability weight (IPW), which adjusts for time-varying confounders that are also mediators, and we compared the results with conventional regression methods.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 245,122 patients with type 2 diabetes who were new users of lipid-lowering drugs identified using the claims data of a universal health insurance program. Statin exposure was time-updated every three months during the follow-up period.