Relationship of pulmonary artery size and venovenous collaterals during staged single ventricle reconstruction and their impact on outcomes after fontan procedure.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between pulmonary artery size and venovenous collaterals during staged single ventricle reconstruction.

Methods: Patients who underwent staged Fontan palliation between 2003 and 2023 were reviewed. The relationship between the pulmonary artery index and the development of venovenous collaterals was determined.

Competition Between One- and Two-Electron Unimolecular Reactions of Late 3d-Metal Complexes [(Me3SiCH2)nM]- (M = Fe, Co, Ni, Cu; n = 2 - 4).

Although organometallic complexes of the late 3d elements are known to undergo both one- and two-electron reactions, their relative propensities to do so remain poorly understood. To gain direct insight into the competition between these different pathways, we have analyzed the unimolecular gas-phase reactivity of a series of well-defined model complexes [(Me3SiCH2)nM]- (M = Fe, Co, Ni, Cu; n = 2 - 4). Applying a combination of tandem-mass spectrometry, quantum-chemical computations, and statistical rate theory calculations, we find several different fragmentation reactions, among which the homolytic cleavage of metal-carbon bonds and radical dissociations are particularly prominent.

Septoria tritici blotch resistance gene Stb15 encodes a lectin receptor-like kinase.

Septoria tritici blotch (STB), caused by the Dothideomycete fungus Zymoseptoria tritici, is one of the most damaging diseases of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum) and the target of costly fungicide applications. In line with the fungus's apoplastic lifestyle, STB resistance genes isolated to date encode receptor-like kinases (RLKs) including a wall-associated kinase (Stb6) and a cysteine-rich kinase (Stb16q). Here we used genome-wide association studies on a diverse panel of 300 whole-genome shotgun-sequenced wheat landraces (WatSeq consortium) to identify a 99-kb region containing six candidates for the Stb15 resistance gene.

FKBP51 in glutamatergic forebrain neurons promotes early life stress inoculation in female mice.

Early life stress (ELS) can increase vulnerability to psychiatric disorders, but also trigger resilience. FKBP51 has been associated with an increased risk for developing psychiatric disorders, specifically in interaction with ELS exposure. Here, the contribution of FKBP51 in glutamatergic forebrain neurons to the long-term consequences of ELS was investigated in both sexes.

Atomic and electronic structure of vicinal Ag(977) surface.

We conducted a detailed experimental investigation of the Ag(977) vicinal surface, a high Miller index surface derived from the (111) surface. The sample surface was prepared using standard methodology and its quality was examined by XPS, LEED, and STM. I(V)-LEED analysis was used to determine the surface structure focusing the intricate relaxation dynamics expected for this surface.

Nuclear Astrophysics in the Storage Ring: Background Suppressed Simultaneous Measurement of (p,γ) and (p,n) Reactions.

We report the application of the new elimination of Rutherford elastic scattering technique for the measurement of proton-induced reaction cross sections utilizing stored ions decelerated to astrophysical energies. This approach results in a background reduction factor of about 1 order of magnitude, enabling the first measurement of a (p, n) cross section in a storage ring. Here, the reaction channels ^{124}Xe(p,n) and ^{124}Xe(p,γ) have been studied just above the neutron threshold energy.

Renormalized Classical Spin Liquid on the Ruby Lattice.

The recent experimental detection of the onset of a dynamically prepared, gapped Z_{2} quantum spin liquid on the ruby lattice brought the physics of frustrated magnetism and lattice gauge theory to Rydberg tweezer arrays [Semeghini et al., Probing topological spin liquids on a programmable quantum simulator, Science 374, 1242 (2021)SCIEAS0036-807510.1126/science.

Unsustainable land use trajectories in the Tocantins/Araguaia basin: Insights from future scenario modeling.

Effective watershed management is essential for biodiversity conservation and mitigating environmental impacts like deforestation and ecosystem disruptions, especially in the context of climate change. The Tocantins/Araguaia Basin (TOAR), Brazil's second-largest watershed, faces significant challenges due to unsustainable land use practices. To address this, we modeled future land use and cover changes (2015-2045) using the CLUE model under three scenarios: Business-as-usual (BAUS), Conservation-based (CONS), and Production-based (PROD).

Engineering and structural elucidation of a Sac7d-derived IgG Fc-specific affitin and its application for the light-controlled affinity purification of antibodies.

While protein A affinity chromatography is widely established for antibody purification, the acidic elution conditions often lead to protein aggregation and deamidation. Here, we describe an alternative approach for the purification of antibodies utilizing an engineered binding protein based on the archaebacterial Sac7d scaffold in combination with light-controlled α-CD affinity chromatography (Excitography). Starting from a published affitin molecule, we engineered a monomeric protein version (C3A24) by substituting the unpaired thiol side chain Cys24 within the binding site by Ala and, unexpectedly, its binding activity towards the human IgG1 Fc region was even improved (KD = 76 nM).

Identifying the active microbes driving organosulfur cycling from taurine and methionine in marine sediment.

Studies on microbial sulfur cycling in marine sediment have primarily centered on the cycling of inorganic sulfur. The microbial diversity underlying the cycling of organosulfur compounds is largely unexplored. In this study, we present the first quantification of dissolved organic sulfur (DOS) microbial assimilation in marine surface sediments using C-DOS quantitative DNA stable isotope probing (qSIP).

Ventricular arrhythmias and the role of antitachycardia pacing in patients with electrical heart disease and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Background: Whether it is reasonable to program ATP in patients with electrical heart disease (EHD) or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is not thoroughly clarified. Aim of the study was to define the types of ventricular arrhythmias and evaluate the safety and efficacy of ATP activation in these patients.

Methods And Results: A total of 154 patients (53.

A versatile toolbox for determining IRES activity in cells and embryonic tissues.

Widespread control of gene expression through translation has emerged as a key level of spatiotemporal regulation of protein expression. A prominent mechanism by which ribosomes can confer gene regulation is via internal ribosomal entry sites (IRESes), whose functions have however, remained difficult to rigorously characterize. Here we present a set of technologies in embryos and cells, including IRES-mediated translation of circular RNA (circRNA) reporters, single-molecule messenger (m)RNA isoform imaging, PacBio long-read sequencing, and isoform-sensitive mRNA quantification along polysome profiles as a new toolbox for understanding IRES regulation.

Advances and Challenges in Low-temperature Upcycling of Waste Polyolefins via Tandem Catalysis.

Polyolefin waste is the largest polymer waste stream that could potentially serve as an advantageous hydrocarbon feedstock. Upcycling polyolefins poses significant challenges due to their inherent kinetic and thermodynamic stability. Traditional methods, such as thermal and catalytic cracking, are straightforward but require temperatures exceeding 400 °C for complete conversion because of thermodynamic constraints.

The late-onset Alzheimer's disease risk factor RHBDF2 is a modifier of microglial TREM2 proteolysis.

The cell surface receptor TREM2 is a key genetic risk factor and drug target in Alzheimer's disease (AD). In the brain, TREM2 is expressed in microglia, where it undergoes proteolytic cleavage, linked to AD risk, but the responsible protease in microglia is still unknown. Another microglial-expressed AD risk factor is catalytically inactive rhomboid 2 (iRhom2, RHBDF2), which binds to and acts as a non-catalytic subunit of the metalloprotease ADAM17.

[INVADE: a real-life primary care long-term intervention program for brain health - results from 2013 to 2020].

The primary care prevention program INVADE (INtervention project on VAscular brain diseases and Dementia in the district of Ebersberg) is intended to prevent stroke and dementia through systematic detection and evidence-based treatment of modifiable vascular risk factors. The study reports on the results of an eight-year evaluation phase.Longitudinal study with non-randomized control group.

Functional data analysis of the full-body kinematics during a step-up task in subjects with and without low back pain: A cross-sectional study.

This study aims to explore comprehensive kinematic patterns of all body joints utilizing a nonlinear functional data analysis (FDA) approach during a step-up task in patients with nonspecific chronic low back pain (NSCLBP). The kinematics of the trunk, pelvis, and upper- and lower-extremities during step-up exercises were assessed in NSCLBP (N = 23) and control (N = 22) groups using a Motion Analysis System. FDA was employed to compare movement-patterns of 15 segments between two groups.

Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation Effects on Flavor-Evoked Electroencephalogram and Eye-Blink Rate.

Introduction: Chemosensory food signals are carried by the vagus nerve (VN) from the gut to the brain and these signals contribute to communicating fullness and caloric value of the consumed food in regulatory and reward-related contexts. Here, we aimed to explore whether neural responses to flavor can be modulated through noninvasive VN stimulation, which can be done transcutaneously (transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation [tVNS]) on the outer ear via the auricular branch of VN. The ideal stimulation location on the outer ear for tVNS is not agreed on but two candidate locations are cymba conchae and tragus.

The extinct marine megafauna of the Phanerozoic.

The modern marine megafauna is known to play important ecological roles and includes many charismatic species that have drawn the attention of both the scientific community and the public. However, the marine megafauna has never been assessed as a whole, nor has it been defined in deep time. Here, we review the literature to define and list the species that constitute the marine megafauna, and to explore biological and ecological patterns throughout the Phanerozoic.

Importance of the mustelids from the Early Pleistocene site Schernfeld (Bavaria, Germany) on the Eurasian context.

The Early Pleistocene fossil site of Schernfeld, a karst fissure filled with an ossiferous breccia, is well known due to the abundant fossil remains, mainly of micromammals and carnivores. Since the discovery, the taxonomic status of the Schernfeld mustelids has caused controversy and, consequently, various authors have listed different species. Until recently, none of these species has been the subject of adequate studies.

Genomic determinants of antigen expression hierarchy in African trypanosomes.

Antigenic variation is an immune evasion strategy used by many different pathogens. It involves the periodic, non-random switch in the expression of different antigens throughout an infection. How the observed hierarchy in antigen expression is achieved has remained a mystery.

Enhancing Martini 3 for protein self-interaction simulations.

Coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations are highly valuable for studying protein-protein interactions. Unfortunately, commonly used force fields often overestimate these interactions. Here, we investigate the performance of the Martini 3 force field in predicting the self-interaction behavior of lysozyme and subtilisin using Metadynamics.

Spheroids Composed of Reaggregated Neonatal Porcine Islets and Human Endothelial Cells Accelerate Development of Normoglycemia in Diabetic Mice.

The engraftment of transplanted islets depends on the rapid establishment of a novel vascular network. The present study evaluated the effects of cord blood-derived blood outgrowth endothelial cells (BOECs) on the viability of neonatal porcine islets (NPIs) and the post-transplant outcome of grafted NPIs. Dispersed NPIs and human BOECs were reaggregated on microwell cell culture plates and tested for their anti-apoptotic and pro-angiogenic capacity by qRT-PCR and immunohistochemistry.

[Professional knowledge deficits and knowledge differences in interprofessional discharge planning: A questionnaire study].

Professional knowledge deficits and knowledge differences in interprofessional discharge planning: A questionnaire study This study focuses on discharge planning (DP), specifically on knowledge deficits and differences between nurses and physicians in Germany. To determine and compare the current level of knowledge, as well as potential knowledge deficits and differences, among the studied professional groups with regard to DP. A knowledge test on DP was developed and content validated.