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The book review discusses "Fighting on the Cultural Front: U.S.-China Relations in the Cold War" by Hongshan Li, focusing on the cultural interactions between the two countries from 1949 onwards. It highlights how culture became a battleground, impacting the Cold War experience of both American and Chinese people. The book covers the termination of cultural ties, cultural encounters during the Cold War, and cultural interactions after the 1970s, shedding light on the historical nature of the current US-China rivalry. [Extracted from the article]

Hypomethylating agents (HMAs) have been used for decades in the treatment of hematologic neoplasms, and now, have gathered attention again in terms of their combination with potent molecular-targeted agents such as a BCL-6 inhibitor venetoclax and an IDH1 inhibitor ivosidenib, as well as a novel immune-checkpoint inhibitor (anit-CD47 antibody) megrolimab. Several studies have shown that leukemic cells have a distinct immunological microenvironment, which is at least partially due to genetic alterations such as the TP53 mutation and epigenetic dysregulation. HMAs possibly improve intrinsic anti-leukemic immunity and sensitivity to immune therapies such as PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors and anti-CD47 agents. This review describes the immuno-oncological backgrounds of the leukemic microenvironment and the therapeutic mechanisms of HMAs, as well as current clinical trials of HMAs and/or venetoclax-based combination therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heparan sulfate (HS) is an essential glycosaminoglycan (GAG) as a component of proteoglycans, which are present on the cell surface and in the extracellular matrix. HS-containing proteoglycans not only function as structural constituents of the basal lamina but also play versatile roles in various physiological processes, including cell signaling and organ development. Thus, inherited mutations of genes associated with the biosynthesis or degradation of HS can cause various diseases, particularly those involving the bones and central nervous system (CNS). Mucopolysaccharidoses (MPSs) are a group of lysosomal storage disorders involving GAG accumulation throughout the body caused by a deficiency of GAG-degrading enzymes. GAGs are stored differently in different types of MPSs. Particularly, HS deposition is observed in patients with MPS types I, II, III, and VII, all which involve progressive neuropathy with multiple CNS system symptoms. While therapies are available for certain symptoms in some types of MPSs, significant unmet medical needs remain, such as neurocognitive impairment. This review presents recent knowledge on the pathophysiological roles of HS focusing on the pathogenesis of MPSs. We also discuss the possible use and significance of HS as a biomarker for disease severity and therapeutic response in MPSs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Whereas significant strides have been made in the treatment of lysosomal storage diseases (LSDs), the neuronopathy associated with these diseases remains impervious mainly because of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), which prevents delivery of large molecules to the brain. However, 100 years of research on the BBB since its conceptualization have clarified many of its functional and structural characteristics, spurring recent endeavors to deliver therapeutics across it to treat central nervous system (CNS) disorders, including neuronopathic LSDs. Along with the BBB, the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) also functions to protect the microenvironment of the CNS, and it is therefore deeply involved in CNS disorders at large. Recent research aimed at developing therapeutics for neuronopathic LSDs has uncovered a number of critical roles played by the CSF that require further clarification. This review summarizes the most up-to-date understanding of the BBB and the CSF acquired during the development of therapeutics for neuronopathic LSDs, and highlights some of the associated challenges that require further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Until 2010, Japan had been using the Toyobo (Nipro, Osaka, Japan) extracorporeal left ventricular assist device (VAD) developed 30 years ago as a 2-3 year bridge to transplan-tation (BTT). In contrast, western nations started to use implantable VADs in the 1980s that allow in-home care as destination therapy (DT) as well as BTT. Designated in 2007 as "medical devices in high demand," the 5 major implantable mechanical hearts are smoothly undergoing clinical testing. The Heart Mate XVE (Thoratec Corp., Pleasanton, CA, USA) gained approval from the Ministry of Health in November of 2009, the Dura Heart (Terumo Heart, Ann Arbor, Ml, USA) and EVAHEART (Sun Medical, Nagano, Japan) in December 2010, and obtained formal insurance reimbursement in April 2011. The Jarvik 2000 (Jarvik Heart Inc., New York, NY, USA) and Heart-Mate II (Thoratec) VADs are pending approval. On the other hand, the organ transplantation law allowing explantation of donor organs from brain-dead patients finally passed in July 2009 and was realized in July 2010. This law paved the way to pediatric heart transplants as well as a dramatic increase in overall organ transplantation cases. Because many juvenile patients awaiting donor organs need a VAD as a long-term bridge, development and clinical introduction of pediatric VADs capable of implantation is an exigency. Although expectations for transplants are high, the donor numbers are low. Therefore, the demand for implantable VADs capable of long-term home treatment is extremely high in Japan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reviews the book "Language and Literacy in Bilingual Children," edited by D. Kimbrough Oller and Rebecca E. Eilers.

Reviews the non-fiction book 'Bilingualism in Development: Language, Literacy, and Cognition,' by Ellen Bialystok.

The article reviews the book "How Children Learn the Meanings of Words," by Paul Bloom.

Reviews the book `Learning to Go to School in Japan: The Transition from Home to Preschool Life,' by Lois Peak.

Reviews the book `Dinner Talk: Cultural Patterns of Sociability and Socialization in Family Discourse,' by Shoshana Blum-Kulka.

The article reviews the book "Pragmatic Development," by Anato Ninio and Catherine E. Snow.

Reviews the book "Lessons from Japanese Development: An Analytical Economic History," by Allen C. Kelley and Jeffrey G. Williamson.