Closure of ventricular septal defect in children with trisomy 18: perioperative events and long-term survival.

Objectives: This retrospective study aimed to investigate the feasibility of surgical closure of ventricular septal defect in children with trisomy 18 by assessing perioperative events and long-term survival.

Methods: From April 2008 to March 2024, 41 consecutive patients were referred to us for ventricular septal defect surgery. The defect was closed in 35 patients at the end (median age, 16 months; median body weight, 5.

Structure-guided engineering of a mutation-tolerant inhibitor peptide against variable SARS-CoV-2 spikes.

Pathogen mutations present an inevitable and challenging problem for therapeutics and the development of mutation-tolerant anti-infective drugs to strengthen global health and combat evolving pathogens is urgently needed. While spike proteins on viral surfaces are attractive targets for preventing viral entry, they mutate frequently, making it difficult to develop effective therapeutics. Here, we used a structure-guided strategy to engineer an inhibitor peptide against the SARS-CoV-2 spike, called CeSPIACE, with mutation-tolerant and potent binding ability against all variants to enhance affinity for the invariant architecture of the receptor-binding domain (RBD).

Detachable Top Electrode-Organic Photodetector for Repeated Nondestructive Evaluation of Device Performance and Surface Analysis of the Active Layer.

Organic photodetectors (OPDs) are key devices for monitoring vital signs, such as heart rate and blood oxygen level. For realizing the long-term measurement of biosignals, stable operation is essential. To improve the stability of OPDs, it is important to analyze each layer to understand the degradation mechanism.

Apoptosis in Cancer Biology and Therapy.

Since its inception, the study of apoptosis has been intricately linked to the field of cancer. The term apoptosis was coined more than five decades ago following its identification in both healthy tissues and malignant neoplasms. The subsequent elucidation of its molecular mechanisms has significantly enhanced our understanding of how cancer cells hijack physiological processes to evade cell death.

Isolation and Total Synthesis of Ukabamide, an Antitrypanosomal Lipopeptide from a Marine sp. Cyanobacterium.

Human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) is one of the most lethal of the neglected tropical diseases. While the discovery of a novel antitrypanosomal drug is highly desired, the creation of a superior lead compound is challenging. Herein we report ukabamide (), which was isolated from a marine sp.

Benzo-Fused Phosphepines: Synthesis by Gold(I)-Catalyzed Intramolecular Hydroarylation and Ring Inversion.

Gold(I)-catalyzed intramolecular hydroarylation of dialkynyl(biaryl)phosphine oxides provided versatile benzo-fused phosphepine oxides. O-exo adducts were obtained as the major product, and O-endo adducts were the minor product. O-exo and O-endo indicate the position of an oxygen atom with respect to the central phosphepine framework.

Effect of human myoblasts on tenogenic progression in 2D and 3D culture models.

Tendon injuries and disorders associated with mechanical tendon overuse are common musculoskeletal problems. Even though tendons play a central role in human movement, the intrinsic healing process of tendon is very slow. So far, it is known that tendon cell activity is supported by several interstitial cells within the tendon.

A Simple Sensitivity Analysis Method for Unmeasured Confounders via Linear Programming With Estimating Equation Constraints.

In estimating the average treatment effect in observational studies, the influence of confounders should be appropriately addressed. To this end, the propensity score is widely used. If the propensity scores are known for all the subjects, bias due to confounders can be adjusted by using the inverse probability weighting (IPW) by the propensity score.

Transanal Minimally Invasive Surgery for a Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor of the Lower Rectum: A Case Report.

Rectal gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are prevalent in the lower rectum, and the existing literature suggests that transanal interventions are advantageous for anorectal preservation. Herein, we present a case of rectal GIST resection using transanal minimally invasive surgery. A 75-year-old woman reported vaginal discomfort and was subsequently diagnosed with GIST via transanal tumor biopsy.

Understanding disorders of the human nervous system: How fish models reveal disease mechanisms from single molecules to behavior (part 2).

The usefulness of zebrafish for understanding the human nervous system is exemplified by the articles in part 1. The virtual special issue part 2 not only covers more work using this well-established species, but also highlights that other fish species may serve as alternative or more appropriate models, due to unique biological or evolutionary characteristics, to explore genetic and molecular mechanisms of neurological and psychiatric disorders.

Epidemiological characteristics and risk factors for heart failure in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes: A retrospective analysis of the J-DREAMS database.

Aim: To determine the epidemiological characteristics and risk factors for heart failure (HF) among Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes.

Methods: A retrospective cohort analysis, using J-DREAMS database, was conducted from December 2015 to January 2020 with type 2 diabetes. The primary objectives were to describe patient characteristics stratified by HF history at baseline and new HF events during follow-up.

Size-Dependency of Electrochemically Grown Copper Nanoclusters Derived from Single Copper Atoms for the CO Reduction Reaction.

Electrochemically grown copper nanoclusters (CuNCs: < 3 nm) from single-atom catalysts have recently attracted intensive attention as electrocatalysts for CO2 and CO reduction reaction (CO2RR/CORR) because they exhibit distinct product selectivity compared with conventional Cu nanoparticles (typically larger than 10 nm). Herein, we conducted a detailed investigation into the size dependence of CuNCs on selectivity for multicarbon (C2+) production in CORR. These nanoclusters were electrochemically grown from single Cu atoms dispersed on covalent triazine frameworks (Cu-CTFs).

Transcriptome-wide alternative mRNA splicing analysis reveals post-transcriptional regulation of neuronal differentiation.

Alternative splicing (AS) plays an important role in neuronal development, function, and disease. Efforts to analyze the transcriptome of AS in neurons on a wide scale are currently limited. We characterized the transcriptome-wide AS changes in SH-SY5Y neuronal differentiation model, which is widely used to study neuronal function and disorders.

Cockroach pollination ensures sexual reproduction in the non-photosynthetic plant Balanophora tobiracola.

While Coleoptera, Diptera, Hymenoptera, and Lepidoptera have traditionally been recognized as key pollinators, recent studies suggest that other insect groups, such as Blattodea (cockroaches), may also play a significant role. However, direct evidence of fruit set resulting from cockroach pollination remains limited, even in plants presumed to rely on this mode of pollination. This study investigated the breeding system of the non-photosynthetic plant Balanophora tobiracola on Yakushima Island, Japan, with a particular focus on the potential occurrence of agamospermy.

Examining the Formalin Fixation Method for Maintaining High RNA Quality in Surgical Lung Specimens.

Background: Multiplex genetic testing is recommended when treating nonsmall cell lung cancer. A certain percentage of test failures in RNA assays owing to poor surgical specimen quality have been documented, and fixation failure is a possible cause. At our institution, sheet-like fixation is performed to reduce fixation time.

Pharmacokinetic and Exposure-Response Modeling Support Body Surface Area-Based Dosing of Farletuzumab Ecteribulin in Japanese Patients with Solid Tumors.

The first-in-human, Phase 1 Study 101 showed antitumor activity and a tolerable safety profile of farletuzumab ecteribulin in Japanese patients with platinum-resistant ovarian and non-small cell lung cancer. A pharmacometric assessment evaluated farletuzumab ecteribulin pharmacokinetics and exposure-response (E-R) relationships for efficacy and safety to support dose optimization. Patients received 0.

Overcoming low status or maintaining high status? A multinational examination of the association between socioeconomic status and honour.

We examined the relationship between socioeconomic status (SES) and endorsement of honour. We studied the SES-honour link in 5 studies (N = 13,635) with participants recruited in different world regions (the Mediterranean and MENA, East Asian, South-East Asian, and Anglo-Western regions) using measures that tap into various different facets of honour. Findings from these studies revealed that individuals who subjectively perceived themselves as belonging to a higher (vs.

Pre-operative subjective functional capacity and postoperative outcomes in adult non-cardiac surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Assessment of functional capacity is an essential part of peri-operative risk stratification. Subjective functional capacity is easier to examine than objective tests of patient fitness. However, the association between subjective functional capacity and postoperative outcomes has not been established.

A Chromosome-Level Genome Sequence Reveals Regulation of Salt Stress Response in Mesembryanthemum crystallinum.

Salt stress disturbs plant growth and photosynthesis due to its toxicity. The ice plant Mesembryanthemum crystallinum is a highly salt-tolerant facultative crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) plant. However, the genetic basis of the salt tolerance mechanisms in ice plants remains unclear.

Diurnal Regulation of SOS Pathway and Sodium Excretion Underlying Salinity Tolerance of Vigna marina.

Vigna marina (Barm.) Merr. is adapted to tropical marine beaches and has an outstanding tolerance to salt stress.

International Validation of a Novel PEACE Scale to Improve the Quality of Upper Gastrointestinal Mucosal Inspection During Endoscopy.

Introduction: The performance of a high quality esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) is dependent on the mucosal cleanliness. Recently, the Polprep: Effective Assessment of Cleanliness in EGD (PEACE) scale was created to assess the degree of mucosal cleanliness during EGD. The aim of this study was to validate this scoring system in a cohort of international endoscopists.

Ammonia Synthesis Over an Iron Catalyst with an Inverse Structure.

Achieving a substantial increase in the ammonia productivity of the Haber-Bosch (HB) process at low temperatures has been a significant challenge for over 100 years. However, the iron catalyst designed over 100 years ago remains at the forefront of this process because it is difficult to exceed the industrial iron catalyst in terms of the ammonia synthesis rate/catalyst volume that determines ammonia productivity in a reactor. Here, a new catalyst with an inverse structure of a supported metal catalyst that consists of metallic iron particles loaded with an aluminum hydride species is reported.

Comparisons in Postoperative Endoscopic Findings and Postoperative Weight Change Between Delta-Shaped Anastomosis and Circular-Stapled Anastomosis in Laparoscopy-Assisted Distal Gastrectomy With B-I Reconstruction.

Background: Laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy (LADG) with Billroth I (B-I) reconstruction is frequently performed for gastric cancer. However, the difference between the circular stapler technique (CS) and delta-shaped anastomosis (DA) remains unclear, especially regarding the postoperative endoscopic physiological findings.

Methods: Three hundred and one patients including 150 CS patients and 151 DA patients during LADG with B-I reconstruction between 2013 and 2019 at Saitama Medical University International Medical Center were chosen as study subjects.