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In preimplantation embryos, an abnormal chromosome number causes developmental failure and a reduction in the pregnancy rate. Conventional chromosome testing methods requiring biopsy reduce the risk of associated genetic diseases; nevertheless, the reduction in cell number also reduces the pregnancy rate. Therefore, we attempted to count the chromosomes in mouse embryos using super-resolution live-cell imaging as a new method of chromosome counting that does not reduce the cell number or viability. We counted the 40 chromosomes at the first mitosis by injecting embryos with histone H2B-mCherry mRNA under conditions by which pups could be obtained; however, the results were often an underestimation of chromosome number and varied by embryo and time point. Therefore, we developed a method to count the chromosomes via CRISPR/dCas-mediated live-cell fluorescence in situ hybridization targeting the sequence of the centromere region, enabling us to count the chromosomes more accurately in mouse embryos. The methodology presented here may provide useful information for assisted reproductive technologies, such as those used in livestock animals/humans, as a technique for assessing the chromosomal integrity of embryos prior to transfer.

Objectives This study sought to determine the predictors of anatomical-functional discordance between quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) derived diameter stenosis (QCA-DS) and diastolic pressure ratio during wave-free period (dPRWFP ). Background The discrepancy between angiographical stenosis and physiological significance is frequently experienced in clinical practice. Although the anatomical-functional discordance between angiography and fractional flow reserve (FFR) has been intensively investigated, that of resting index including dPRWFP remains to be elucidated. Methods In a total of 647 angiographically intermediate lesions with QCA-DS between 30 and 70% in 502 patients, predictors of having QCA-DS >50% and dPRWFP > 0.89 (QCA-dPRWFP mismatch), and those of having QCA-DS ≤50% and dPRWFP ≤ 0.89 (QCA-dPRWFP reverse mismatch) were determined. FFR ≤0.80 was defined as positive FFR and the predictors of QCA-FFR discordance were determined as well. Results QCA-dPRWFP mismatch and reverse mismatch were observed in 27.5 and 17.6% of cases, respectively. The predictors of mismatch were non-left anterior descending artery (LAD) lesion, large minimal lumen diameter, low baseline heart rate, and high coronary flow reserve (CFR), while those of reverse mismatch were LAD lesion, non-culprit lesion of acute coronary syndrome, long lesion length, low left ventricular ejection fraction, and low CFR and index of microcirculatory resistance. Age, sex, and the culprit vessel of prior myocardial infarction were not significant determinants of QCA-dPRWFP discordance unlike QCA-FFR discordance derived from the same cohort. Conclusions Anatomical-functional discordance between angiography and dPRWFP was not uncommon. Predictors differed between QCA-dPRWFP discordance and QCA-FFR discordance.

AIM To investigate associations between glycemic control and dementia, activities of daily living (ADL), falls and fractures in Japanese older adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus living in nursing homes. METHODS A total of 384 older residents with diabetes aged ≥65 years from 95 out of 132 facilities in Hiroshima Prefecture were studied in a cross-sectional study in 2016. Primary outcomes were differences in severity of dementia and ADL among three glycosylated hemoglobin level groups. Secondary end-points included differences in falls, fragility fracture and severe hypoglycemia. RESULTS Approximately 67.6% of patients receiving any diabetes treatment received dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors, and 26.0% received sulfonylureas. Patients with glycosylated hemoglobin

OBJECTIVES To evaluate the effectiveness of the proximal optimization technique (POT) to prevent longitudinal stent elongation. BACKGROUND The mechanism of stent elongation, which occurs after post-balloon dilation, is still unclear. METHODS A total of 103 lesions treated with optical coherence tomography guided coronary intervention between May 2013 and November 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. Lesions were divided according to the circumferential degree of malapposition at the stent edge immediately after deployment into well-apposed group (