Interpretable machine learning model for outcome prediction in patients with aneurysmatic subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Background: Aneurysmatic subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) is a critical condition associated with significant mortality rates and complex rehabilitation challenges. Early prediction of functional outcomes is essential for optimizing treatment strategies.

Methods: A multicenter study was conducted using data collected from 718 patients with aSAH who were treated at five hospitals in Japan.

In-hospital mortality of patients admitted to the intermediate care unit in hospitals with and without an intensive care unit: a nationwide inpatient database study.

Background: Intermediate care units (IMCUs) provide care for patients who need more intensive treatment than general wards but less than intensive care units (ICUs). Although the concept of an IMCU requires co-location with an ICU, some hospitals have IMCUs but no ICUs, which potentially worsens patient outcomes. This study aimed to examine the annual trends and care processes, and compare the outcomes of patients admitted to IMCUs in hospitals with and without ICUs using a nationwide inpatient database in Japan.

Quality indicators of supportive care for patients with cancer undergoing treatment: a systematic review.

Background: Patients need to be supported in combining treatment with daily life. However, measurement of supportive care indicators related to treatment-related side effects is under-reported. This review aimed to identify a list of quality indicators for managing cancer treatment-induced toxicities for adult patients with cancer.

Correlation between preoperative aqueous cytokine levels and mid-term corneal endothelial cell loss following penetrating keratoplasty.

Objective: To investigate the association between preoperative aqueous humour (AqH) cytokines and mid-term endothelial cell density (ECD) following penetrating keratoplasty (PKP).

Methods: This study analysed a total of 87 eyes of which 54 underwent PKP and 33 eyes underwent cataract surgery. AqH samples were collected at the beginning of surgery.

Upregulation of Piezo2 and increased extracellular matrix protein in diabetic kidney disease mice.

Mechanical forces such as glomerular hyperfiltration are crucial in the pathogenesis and progression of diabetic kidney disease. Piezo2 is a mechanosensitive cation channel and plays a major role in various biological and pathophysiological phenomena. We previously reported Piezo2 expression in mouse and rat kidneys and its alteration by dehydration and hypertension.

Three-dimensional Analysis of the Distribution of Smooth and Skeletal Muscle Tissue Around the Female Urethra.

Introduction And Hypothesis: The urethra is surrounded by layers of smooth muscle, including inner longitudinal and outer circler muscles, as well as the skeletal muscle of the external urethral sphincter. However, the extent of these muscles and their relationship with the levator ani (LA) remain unclear. This study aimed to clarify the composition of muscle layers around the female urethra and their three-dimensional arrangements.

Trust in scientists and their role in society across 68 countries.

Science is crucial for evidence-based decision-making. Public trust in scientists can help decision makers act on the basis of the best available evidence, especially during crises. However, in recent years the epistemic authority of science has been challenged, causing concerns about low public trust in scientists.

Real-time trajectory imaging of alpha particles emitted from actinium-225 and its daughter radionuclides.

In targeted alpha-particle therapy, actinium-225 (Ac-225) has emerged as a radionuclide of potential, driving extensive efforts to develop innovative radiopharmaceuticals. High-resolution imaging of alpha particles is required for precisely detecting alpha-emitting radionuclides in cellular environments and small organs. Here, we report real-time trajectory imaging of alpha particles emitted by Ac-225 and its daughter radionuclides, utilizing an alpha particle trajectory imaging system.

Effect of sulfinate salt on bonding and polymerization of adhesive to intracoronally bleached dentin.

To evaluate the effect of sulfinate salt on the bond performance of a two-step self-etch adhesive to an intracoronally bleached pulpal dentin surface. Intracoronally bleached bovine teeth were treated with or without sulfinate salt (sulfinate agent (SA): Clearfil DC activator) before 2-SEA (Clearfil SE Bond 2) application, while unbleached teeth served as the control (n = 5 teeth). Microtensile bond strength (µTBS) using the bonded surface area of 1 mm at the crosshead speed of 1 mm/min measurements after 24 h storage and thermocycles (TC), degree of conversion (DC) analyses by Raman spectroscopy (n = 3 teeth), ultrastructure of resin-dentin interface (n = 3 teeth), and intracoronally bleached pulp chamber dentin surface (n = 3 teeth) observations by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were subsequently performed.

Phenotypic simulation for fruit-related traits in F progenies of chili peppers (Capsicum annuum) using genomic prediction based solely on parental information.

Chili pepper (Capsicum spp.) fruits are used as vegetables, spices, and ornamental plants, necessitating various fruit characteristics. However, their genetic improvement is challenging through conventional crossbreeding due to the quantitative traits, which makes it difficult to predict phenotypes in the progeny.

DDX1 is required for non-spliceosomal splicing of tRNAs but not of XBP1 mRNA.

RNA helicase DEAD-box helicase 1 (DDX1) forms a complex with the RNA ligase 2´,3´-cyclic phosphate and 5´-OH ligase (RTCB), which plays a vital role in non-spliceosomal splicing of tRNA and X-box binding protein 1 (XBP1) mRNA. However, the importance of DDX1 in non-spliceosomal splicing has not been clarified. To analyze the functions of DDX1 in mammalian cells, we generated DDX1 cKO cells from the polyploid human U2OS cell line and found that splicing of intron-containing tRNAs was significantly disturbed in DDX1-deficient cells, whereas endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-induced splicing of XBP1 mRNA was unaffected.

Perceptions of science, science communication, and climate change attitudes in 68 countries - the TISP dataset.

Science is integral to society because it can inform individual, government, corporate, and civil society decision-making on issues such as public health, new technologies or climate change. Yet, public distrust and populist sentiment challenge the relationship between science and society. To help researchers analyse the science-society nexus across different geographical and cultural contexts, we undertook a cross-sectional population survey resulting in a dataset of 71,922 participants in 68 countries.

Exocyst complex component 1 (Exoc1) loss in dormant oocyte disrupts c-KIT and growth differentiation factor (GDF9) subcellular localization and causes female infertility in mice.

A limited number of female germ cells support reproduction in many mammals. The follicle, composed of oocytes and supporting granulosa cells, forms the basis of oogenesis. Crosstalk between oocytes and granulosa cells is essential for the formation, dormancy, re-awakening, and maturation of oocytes.

Multicenter prospective feasibility study on compliance, safety, and acceptance of small bowel and colon capsule endoscopy in the out-of-clinic setting in Japan.

Objectives: We aimed to determine the compliance, safety, and acceptance of colon capsule endoscopy (CCE) and small bowel capsule endoscopy (SBCE) in an out-of-clinic setting remotely supported by medical staff.

Methods: We enrolled 30 examinees (24 with CCE and six with SBCE) who had not undergone CE at six gastroenterological centers. All examinees were provided with instructions on equipment and bowel preparations.

Effectiveness of non-invasive ultrasound-guided electrical stimulation of genicular nerves for chronic knee pain: A case report.

Rationale: Chronic knee pain is a common health issue that requires effective and noninvasive treatment. We devised a novel noninvasive approach using ultrasound-guided electrical nerve reactivation (ENR) in which ultrasound is used to identify the genicular nerve (GN). Then, transcutaneous low-frequency stimulation is applied for 10 seconds.

Factors protecting against progression of myopia in school students exposed to societal change in Vietnam: a 3-year cohort study.

Objectives: To elucidate the incidence of myopia, progression of refractive error, axial length (AL) elongation and factors associated with myopia in secondary school students in Vietnam.

Design: Prospective cohort study.

Settings: Hue Healthy Adolescent Cohort Study, Hue City, Vietnam.

Longitudinal associations of flare and damage accrual in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of organ damage (damage) and flare and to examine longitudinal associations between flares and subsequent damage accrual, in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods: Patients enrolled in the Asia Pacific Lupus Collaboration cohort with ≥3 years of prospectively captured data were studied. Flares were assessed at routine visits, while damage ((Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology) Damage Index) was assessed annually.

Endoscopic radial incision and cutting using balloonassisted enteroscopy for small intestinal stenosis related to Crohn's disease: a pilot study.

Background/aims: Radial incision and cutting (RIC) is an alternative dilation method for stenosis of the lower gastrointestinal tract. However, its safety and efficacy for the small intestine requiring balloon-assisted enteroscopy (BAE) remain limited. Therefore, this pilot study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of RIC using BAE.

Hesperidin enhanced anti-breast cancer effect and alleviated cisplatin induced nephrotoxicity through silk fibroin delivery system.

The incidence rate and mortality rate of breast cancer remain high, and there is an urgent need for safe and effective drugs. The excellent biological activity of hesperidin (HE) is a potential drug for the treatment of breast cancer. In this study, silk fibroin peptides (SFP) were used as delivery carriers and HE loaded SFP nanofibers (SFP/HE NFs) was prepared.

Single-molecule microscopy reveals that importin α slides along DNA while transporting cargo molecules.

Importin α is a crucial player in the nucleocytoplasmic transport of nuclear localization signal (NLS)-containing cargo proteins and is suggested to bind to DNA directly. We hypothesized that importin α, after binding to DNA, may move along DNA via sliding or hopping. We investigated the movement dynamics of importin αs fused to AcGFP along DNA using single-molecule fluorescence microscopy and single-tethered DNA arrays.

Too busy with the "rat race" to have kids? Longitudinal evidence on the impact of peer grit on the fertility of reproductive-age women in China.

China is currently facing a notable decline in fertility rates. This research introduces a novel perspective on the factors influencing fertility among women of reproductive age, representing the first attempt to examine the impact of peer grit on female fertility. Analyzing nationally representative panel data from China and leveraging plausibly exogenous variations in peer exposure across cohorts, we find that peer grit is associated with a reduction in fertility behavior and intentions.

Conductive and flexible gold-coated polylactic acid nanofiber-based electrochemical aptasensor for monitoring cortisol level in sweat and saliva.

Conductive nanofibers can exhibit excellent mechanical properties such as flexibility, elasticity, porosity, large surface area-to-volume ratio, etc making them suitable for a wide range of applications including biosensor development. Their large surface area provides more active sites for immobilization of large amount of bioreceptors enabling more interaction sites with the target analytes, enhancing sensitivity and detection capabilities. However, engineering conductive nanofibers with such excellent properties is challenging limiting their effective deployment for intended applications.

Mechanical finite element analysis of needle tip shape to develop insertable polymer-based microneedle without plastic deformation.

Bioabsorbable polymer microneedles are highly attractive as modernized medical devices for efficient yet safe transdermal drug delivery and biofluid biopsy. In this study, the elastoplastic deformation of polymer microneedles, having a high aspect ratio (over 5-10), is investigated using poly(lactic) acid polymer approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration to be generally considered safe. Microneedle geometries are comprehensively analyzed for tip geometries comprising the tip diameter (ϕ) and tip taper length (l) of 100 designs.