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One-month continuous in situ potentiometric measurements of redox potential (Eh) were used to investigate the dominant redox processes in the shallow groundwater (i.e., <10 m) of a Holocene aquifer, Aomori City, northern Japan. The Eh values, which were determined using a platinum electrode, were −163, −169 and −173 mV, respectively, for three monitoring campaigns. The temperatures and pH values of shallow groundwater during all three periods were approximately 12 °C and 6.6, respectively. Dissolved oxygen and sulfide ion concentrations were not detected. Chemical analyses showed that the shallow groundwater is Na-Fe-HCO type, and contains over 40 mg/L of Fe (the dominant cation) and over 200 mg/L of HCO (the dominant anion). A good fit was found between measured Eh values and Eh values calculated using thermodynamic data of fine-grained goethite. This suggests that Fe redox system is related to the Eh values of shallow groundwater in the Aomori City aquifer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study on the use of Trichoderma reesei cellulase and xylanase promoters for the improved production of extracellular-β glucosidase I (BGLI). The study involves escherichia coli (E. coli) strain for DNA manipulation and sequence analysis by performing standard techniques. Several techniques used include transformant transformation and screening, RNA isolation, and gene transcription analysis. The results conclude a better understanding for heterologous gene.

CEL-III is a Ca2+-dependent, galactose/N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc)-specific lectin isolated from the marine invertebrate Cucumaria echinata. This lectin exhibits strong hemolytic activity and cytotoxicity through pore formation in target cell membranes. The amino acid sequence of CEL-III revealed the N-terminal two-thirds to have homology to the B-chains of ricin and abrin, which are galactose-specific plant toxic lectins; the C-terminal one-third shows no homology to any known proteins. To examine the carbohydrate-binding ability of the N-terminal region of CEL-III, the protein comprising Pyr1–Phe283 was expressed in Escherichia coli cells. The expressed protein showed both the ability to bind to a GalNAc-immobilized column as well as hemagglutinating activity for rabbit erythrocytes, confirming that the N-terminal region has binding activity for specific carbohydrates. Since the C-terminal region could not be expressed in E. coli cells, a fragment containing this region was produced by limited proteolysis of the native protein by trypsin. The resulting C-terminal 15 kDa fragment of CEL-III exhibited a tendency to self-associate, forming an oligomer. When mixed with erythrocytes, the oligomer of the C-terminal fragment caused hemagglutination, probably due to hydrophobic interaction with cell membranes, while the monomeric fragment did not. Chymotryptic digestion of the preformed CEL-III oligomer induced upon lactose binding also yielded an oligomer of the C-terminal fragment comprising six molecules of the 16 kDa fragment. These results suggest that after binding to cell surface carbohydrate chains, CEL-III oligomerizes through C-terminal domains, leading to the formation of ion-permeable pores by hydrophobic interaction with the cell membrane. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Single compounds displaying a wide range of luminescent colors are attractive optical materials for sensor applications. In this study, we present the beneficial combination of a cyclometalated iridium(III) complex scaffold and boronic acid units for designing stimuli-responsive luminescent materials with various emission colors. Five iridium(III) complexes bearing a diboronic acid ligand (bpyB2) were synthesized: Ir(C^N)bpyB2 (C^N = 2-phenylpyridine (1), 2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)pyridine (2), 2-(4-methoxyphenyl)pyridine (3), benzo[h]quinoline (4), 1-phenylisoquinoline (5)). The luminescence color of Complexes 1-4 changed in response to the solution pH or saccharide concentration. Complex 1 exhibited a color change from orange to green-blue due to structural alteration of the boronic acid moiety from trigonal to tetrahedral. Furthermore, the luminescence color of Complex 1 changed reversibly due to repetitive changes in the solution pH between 5 and 10, enabling tuning of the luminescence color and pH tracking. Furthermore, the color range was tuned by selecting an appropriate C^N ligand. Time-dependent density functional theory investigations revealed that the dramatic and reversible color changes could be ascribed to a switch in the electronic distribution in the lowest excited state from bpyB2 to C^N. The stimulus-responsive iridium(III) complexes provide a prospective scaffold for future applications in color-tunable optical devices and chemosensing systems., (© 2024 Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)

Purpose: We report outcomes associated with ex vivo lung perfusion (EVLP) lungs in high-risk lung transplant recipients utilizing a national database., Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of the United Network for Organ Sharing Database (January 1, 2018-March 31, 2024). High-risk status was defined as mean pulmonary arterial pressure >35 mm Hg, lung retransplantation, or bridge to transplant. In addition to univariable analysis, propensity-score matched analysis was performed on predictors of donor and recipient characteristics., Results: Risk of dying on the waitlist was significantly higher for high-risk candidates (hazard ratio, 1.69; 95% CI, 1.51-1.89; P < .001). Following matching, 203 EVLP cases were matched to 609 standard procurement recipients. The EVLP group was associated with higher rates of postoperative acute kidney injury requiring renal replacement therapy (27% vs 16%; P < .001), higher mortality on index admission (13% vs 8%; P = .04), and longer length of stay (29 vs 25 days; P = .006). EVLP modality was associated with survival time (P < .001) with portable EVLP having significantly shorter survival (2.7 years) relative to standard cases (4.7 years; P < .02). A subgroup analysis found that this survival effect was limited to bridge and retransplant recipients., Conclusions: EVLP lungs were associated with higher rates of postoperative acute kidney injury and portable EVLP was associated with shorter survival in high-risk lung transplant recipients. However, given the high waitlist mortality in this candidate population, EVLP lungs should still be considered an alternative., Competing Interests: Conflict of Interest Statement The authors reported no conflicts of interest. The Journal policy requires editors and reviewers to disclose conflicts of interest and to decline handling or reviewing manuscripts for which they may have a conflict of interest. The editors and reviewers of this article have no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2024 The American Association for Thoracic Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To report differences between 2 anticoagulation protocols during venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) intraoperative support and their effects on outcomes after lung transplantation., Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of patients undergoing double-lung transplantation with intraoperative VA-ECMO from January 1, 2016, to December 30, 2023. Two distinct anticoagulation protocols were in place during this period. One included targeted activated clotting time >180 seconds at all times with protamine reversal after decannulation. The second included 75 units per kilogram of heparin at the time of cannulation with no redosing plus a tranexamic acid infusion after ECMO initiation., Results: A total of 116 patients (46 low heparin, 70 standard) were included in the analysis. Cannulation strategies and ECMO circuit were equivalent between the groups. The low-dose heparin protocol group had a shorter surgical time (7.28 hours vs 8.53 hours, P < .001) and required significantly less intraoperative packed red blood cells (median 0 vs 4.37 units, P < .001), fresh-frozen plasma (median 0 vs 2 units, P < .001), platelets (median 0 vs 1 units, P < .001), cryoprecipitate (median 0 vs 0 units, P < .001), and total blood products (median 0 vs 9 units, P < .001) compared with the standard group. There were no differences in rates of deep vein thrombosis (P = .13), airway dehiscence (P > .99), pneumonia (P = .38), or acute kidney injury requiring renal-replacement therapy (P = .59). There was no difference in rates of severe grade 3 primary graft dysfunction at 72 hours after transplant (P = .42)., Conclusions: Our low-dose heparin VA-ECMO protocol for intraoperative support during lung transplantation led to a significant reduction of blood product use. Although this did not translate to a reduced rates of grade 3 primary graft dysfunction, the low-dose heparin protocol was associated with similar postoperative outcomes., Competing Interests: Conflict of Interest Statement The authors reported no conflicts of interest. The Journal policy requires editors and reviewers to disclose conflicts of interest and to decline handling or reviewing manuscripts for which they may have a conflict of interest. The editors and reviewers of this article have no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2024 The American Association for Thoracic Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: The prognosis for spinal artery aneurysms associated with spinal cord arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) is poor because of the high rupture rate of aneurysms. However, endovascular treatment remains technically difficult because the catheter system must be constructed via the small-caliber anterior spinal artery (ASA) or posterior spinal artery (PSA), which feeds functionally eloquent spinal cord. A 2.6F Carnelian HF-S microcatheter (Tokai Medical Products, Aichi, Japan) has been specifically designed to assist a 1.6F Carnelian MARVEL S microcatheter (Tokai Medical Products) as a small-profile 'platform catheter' close to the target lesion. Here we present a prenidal ASA aneurysm treated using a 2.6F Carnelian HF-S microcatheter as an intraspinal canal platform catheter and review related literature., Case Presentation: A 50-year-old man presented with a subarachnoid haemorrhage due to cervical spinal cord AVM. Diagnostic vertebral angiography revealed the AVM supplied by the PSA originated from the right C2 segmental artery and ASA arising from the right V4 segment. Superselective angiography for each feeder was achieved through a 2.6F Carnelian HF-S microcatheter, and a prenidal ASA aneurysm was diagnosed, which was clinically consistent with haemorrhagic origin. A 1.6F Carnelian MARVEL S microcatheter was cannulated into the aneurysm through the 2.6F Carnelian HF-S microcatheter positioned at the ASA. The aneurysm coiling was successfully performed without system instability or periprocedural complications., Conclusions: Only a few cases have described endovascular treatment for spinal artery aneurysms. To date, no reports have been published regarding the use of an intraspinal canal platform catheter to treat spinal artery aneurysms. A 2.6F Carnelian HF-S microcatheter served as a useful intraspinal canal platform catheter for coil embolization of the ASA aneurysm. This system can provide excellent accessibility and controllability for endovascular treatment of spinal artery lesions.

Background: A conchal non-pneumatized sphenoid sinus tends to be considered as unfavorable for transsphenoidal surgery because of procedural difficulties. Especially in acromegalic patients, the proportion of the conchal type of sphenoid sinus is potentially high compared with that of other patients who have a pituitary tumor. This report investigates the characteristics and surgery of the conchal type of sphenoid sinus in acromegaly along with the internal bone properties., Clinical Presentation: A 70-year-old man with acromegaly underwent endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal surgery. Intraoperatively, the anterior wall of the non-pneumatized sphenoid was cortical, however, the cancellous bone was very soft, included fatty tissue, and was easily removed by suction. The sellar lesion could be reached without any problems, and finally, total tumor resection was achieved., Conclusion: Based on this surgical case, the conchal sphenoid sinus of acromegaly is not always homogeneous solid bone but may contain soft fatty tissue. Therefore, although the sphenoidal characteristics may have an impact on the surgical procedures, precise assessment pre- and intraoperatively can make transsphenoidal surgery with conchal sphenoid sinus feasible.

Exon-skipping therapy is a promising treatment strategy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), which is caused by loss-of-function mutations in the DMD gene encoding dystrophin, leading to progressive cardiomyopathy. In-frame deletion of exons 3-9 (Δ3-9), manifesting a very mild clinical phenotype, is a potential targeted reading frame for exon-skipping by targeting actin-binding domain 1 (ABD1); however, the efficacy of this approach for DMD cardiomyopathy remains uncertain. In this study, we compared three isogenic human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) expressing Δ3-9, frameshifting Δ3-7, or intact DMD. RNA sequencing revealed a resemblance in the expression patterns of mechano-transduction-related genes between Δ3-9 and wild-type samples. Furthermore, we observed similar electrophysiological properties between Δ3-9 and wild-type hiPSC-CMs; Δ3-7 hiPSC-CMs showed electrophysiological alterations with accelerated CaMKII activation. Consistently, Δ3-9 hiPSC-CMs expressed substantial internally truncated dystrophin protein, resulting in maintaining F-actin binding and desmin retention. Antisense oligonucleotides targeting exon 8 efficiently induced skipping exons 8-9 to restore functional dystrophin and electrophysiological parameters in Δ3-7 hiPSC-CMs, bringing the cell characteristics closer to those of Δ3-9 hiPSC-CMs. Collectively, exon-skipping targeting ABD1 to convert the reading frame to Δ3-9 may become a promising therapy for DMD cardiomyopathy., Competing Interests: K.F. is a co-founder and CEO of Heartseed Inc. S.T. is an advisor for Heartseed, Inc. S.T. and K.F. have owned equity in Heartseed, Inc., (© 2023 The Authors.)

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is utilized in the management of severe respiratory and circulatory failure. Advanced malignancy is a relative contraindication, but the indication for ECMO in the oncologic population has not been clearly established because of the wide spectrum of malignant disease and prognoses. The Extracorporeal Life Support Organization database was queried for patients older than 18 years with an International Classification of Diseases code of neoplasm over the past 2 decades (2000-2019). The data were divided into 2 decades to analyze and compare the trends with background and outcomes. One thousand six-hundred ninety-seven patients met inclusion criteria from the latest decade which is over 15 times the previous decade (n = 110). Compared with the previous decade, ECMO was used more in patients with older age (56 vs . 50.5 years old; p < 0.001), cardiac and extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) support type ( p = 0.011), and lower oxygenation index (23.0 vs . 35.6; p < 0.001) in the latest decade. Although overall survival did not show significant improvement overall (38.9% vs . 33.6%; p = 0.312), survival in pulmonary ECMO has significantly improved in the latest decade (41.6% vs . 29.1%; p = 0.032). Compared with the previously reported data for all adult ECMO, our patients had a significantly lower survival with pulmonary (41.6% vs . 61.1%; p < 0.001) and cardiac (38.4% vs . 44.3%; p = 0.008) support while not with ECPR., Competing Interests: Disclosure: The authors have no conflicts of interest to report., (Copyright © ASAIO 2022.)

Advances in stem cell biology have facilitated cardiac regeneration, and many animal studies and several initial clinical trials have been conducted using human pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (PSC-CMs). Most preclinical and clinical studies have typically transplanted PSC-CMs via the following two distinct approaches: direct intramyocardial injection or epicardial delivery of engineered heart tissue. Both approaches present common disadvantages, including a mandatory thoracotomy and poor engraftment. Furthermore, a standard transplantation approach has yet to be established. In this study, we tested the feasibility of performing intracoronary administration of PSC-CMs based on a commonly used method of transplanting somatic stem cells. Six male cynomolgus monkeys underwent intracoronary administration of dispersed human PSC-CMs or PSC-CM aggregates, which are called cardiac spheroids, with multiple cell dosages. The recipient animals were sacrificed at 4 weeks post-transplantation for histological analysis. Intracoronary administration of dispersed human PSC-CMs in the cynomolgus monkeys did not lead to coronary embolism or graft survival. Although the transplanted cardiac spheroids became partially engrafted, they also induced scar formation due to cardiac ischemic injury. Cardiac engraftment and scar formation were reasonably consistent with the spheroid size or cell dosage. These findings indicate that intracoronary transplantation of PSC-CMs is an inefficient therapeutic approach., (Copyright © 2022. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Background: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is used in the management of severe cardiopulmonary failure, but the indication in the oncologic population has not been clearly established. Among malignant neoplasms, thoracic neoplasms are unique in their potential direct impact on cardiopulmonary function. This study aimed to better define the role of ECMO for thoracic neoplasms., Methods: The Extracorporeal Life Support Organization registry was queried for patients older than 18 years with an International Classification of Diseases code of thoracic neoplasm during the past 2 decades (2000-2019). Outcomes and clinical data including associated procedures were analyzed., Results: There were 498 patients who met inclusion criteria. The neoplasms included 34 upper airway, 247 lung, 45 unspecified respiratory tract, 4 pleura, 19 heart, 40 mediastinum, 108 esophagus, and 1 unspecified; 198 patients survived to discharge (39.8%; "survival"). Upper airway neoplasms were associated with better survival (73.5%; P = .005), whereas lung neoplasms were associated with worse survival (30.0%; P < .001) compared with all adult ECMO runs. Of the 498 cases, 94 (18.9%) were started after thoracic or airway procedures. Favorable survival was associated with tracheal procedures (66.7% [n = 9]), whereas poor survival was seen with pneumonectomy (13.3% [n = 30]), any type of lung resection (23.7% [n = 76]), and esophageal procedures (21.4% [n = 14])., Conclusions: The outcome for ECMO among patients with a thoracic neoplasm is variable, depending on clinical factors including tumor subtype and type of associated procedure. Clinicians should continue to focus on individualized patient selection to achieve optimal results., (Copyright © 2022 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Over the last decade, there has been a 32% decrease in independent plastic surgery fellowships. The growing prevalence of 6-year integrated plastic surgery residencies, duty hour restrictions, and new subspecialty training fellowships for general surgeons have changed the training experience of plastic surgery fellows., Methods: A retrospective review of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) case logs for graduating fellows of independent plastic surgery fellowships in the United States was conducted from 2011 to 2019. A linear regression analysis was conducted for each case log code and category, and a 95% level of confidence was assumed (α = 0.05)., Results: In 2011, 141 residents from 69 programs graduated with an average of 1469.7 cases. In 2019, 84 residents from 47 programs graduated with an average of 1952 cases. Index procedures significantly increased overall during the 9 y (P < 0.001). Categorical cases increased in esthetics (P < 0.001), including facelift, browlift, blepharoplasty, and more. Categorical cases increased in reconstructive surgery (P < 0.001), including treatment of deformities of the skin, lower extremities, and trunk, nerve decompression, and hand reconstruction. In breast procedures, an increase was seen in the reduction of mammoplasty, reconstruction, and treatment of other breast deformities. In head and neck procedures, an increase was seen in resection of head and neck neoplasms and secondary cleft lip repair. Decreases in procedural numbers were seen in primary cleft lip repair and hand reconstruction by primary closure., Conclusions: Despite a 32% decline in the number of independent plastic surgery fellowships over the last 9 y, plastic surgery fellows are obtaining significantly more surgical experience, both in esthetic and reconstructive surgery., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: Acromegaly is an acquired disorder usually caused by growth hormone-secreting pituitary adenoma, resolution of which requires correction of the excess hormone production. Recently, intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging (iMRI) was reported to be useful during the endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) for pituitary adenoma. The present study was performed to quantitatively assess the role of iMRI in improving surgical outcomes in EEA for acromegaly., Methods: Twenty surgeries for acromegaly in EEA performed at Shinshu University Hospital between April 2016 and March 2020 were reviewed retrospectively. The inclusion criteria were cases without severe cavernous sinus tumor invasion (Knosp grade 0 - 3) or history of prior pituitary surgery. Fifteen consecutive patients were enrolled in this study. Clinical characteristics and postoperative clinical outcomes were compared between patients with and without use of iMRI during EEA for acromegaly., Results: Conventional navigation-guided surgery was performed in nine patients, and six underwent iMRI-guided EEA for acromegaly. Gross total resection (GTR) was obtained in the six (100%) patients in the iMRI group, and in four (44.4%) patients in the conventional group without iMRI. Postoperative clinical outcomes, including hormonal remission rate and surgical complications, were comparable between the two groups., Conclusion: Although iMRI significantly increased the GTR rate, we found no direct evidence of increased hormonal remission rate by use of iMRI. It is important to confirm complete tumor resection carefully with not only iMRI findings, but also with intraoperative high-definition endoscopic direct visualization to increase the hormonal remission rate of acromegaly., (© 2021. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Background: Severe intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) is associated with a high mortality rate and poor functional outcome, even with recent neurosurgical developments. IVH requires emergent surgery to save the patient's life, but the optimal surgical strategy remains controversial. We assessed the results obtained with our tailor-made endoscopic surgical strategy for severe IVH with obstructive hydrocephalus., Methods: Consecutive patients with severe IVH owing to intracerebral hemorrhage who were treated with endoscopic surgery in the acute phase were retrospectively reviewed. Both rigid and flexible endoscopes were used for removal of hematoma in the whole ventricular system. Endoscopic third ventriculostomy and septostomy were performed as appropriate in each individual case., Results: Eight patients met the inclusion criteria and were included in the analysis. Sufficient IVH removal without neglecting the fourth ventricle was achieved with our technique in 6 of 8 cases (75.0%). Endoscopic third ventriculostomy and septostomy were added in 4 cases each (50.0%). Four patients (50.0%) had a marked recovery and a good outcome (modified Rankin Scale score ≤2) despite disease severity at onset. The procedure was completed successfully in all cases, and there were no surgery-related complications., Conclusions: This study showed that our tailor-made endoscopic surgical strategy for severe IVH with obstructive hydrocephalus may be beneficial., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: A next-generation networked operating room, Smart Cyber Operating Theater (SCOT), has been developed in cooperation with medical engineers that integrates standalone medical devices, including intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using the OPeLiNK communication interface. Here, we report the application of this newly developed advanced type of operating theater for the endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA), along with an evaluation of our initial experiences., Methods: The study population consisted of 18 patients with parasellar tumor. All patients underwent surgery via the EEA in SCOT. During all procedures, various types of intraoperative information, including electrophysiologic monitoring, anatomic orientation with navigation system, intraoperative MRI, and endoscopic images of the operative field, were collected and stored by OPeLiNK. Furthermore, the intraoperative information was shared with the surgical strategy desk, where a senior neurosurgeon can direct and manage the surgical procedure in real-time., Results: We successfully completed the surgical procedures in SCOT in all cases. Using OPeLiNK, operators in SCOT were able to share various data, such as images obtained intraoperatively and surgical instrument position from navigation systems, as well as images of the surgical field, with senior neurosurgeons at the surgical strategy desk in all cases. Surgically relevant information from these sources was transmitted through an application and displayed to all surgical staff. The necessary nuances were reflected in the surgical procedures., Conclusions: SCOT, which is considered an innovative operation system in neurosurgery, enables both quality and safety in the EEA. Furthermore, the use of SCOT may also contribute to the education of young neurosurgeons., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

One of the limiting factors for the application of Trichoderma reesei to degrade cellulosic biomass is its low beta-glucosidase activity, required to convert cellobiose to glucose. The egl3 and the xyn3 promoters were used to express beta-glucosidase 1 gene bgl1 through homologous recombination to improve the cellulose degradation ability of T. reesei. The recombinant strains expressing beta-glucosidase 1 (BGLI) under the control of either the egl3 or the xyn3 promoter had 4.0 and 7.5 fold higher beta-glucosidase activity than the native strain, which compares well to the finding that in wild-type T. reesei PC-3-7, the levels of egl3 and xyn3 mRNA expression were 6.0 and 12 fold higher respectively than that of bgl1. Matrix assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry analysis of proteins secreted by the recombinant strains demonstrated that BGLI was overproduced. The increase in the transcription of bgl1 and the concomitant elevated level of BGLI in these recombinant strains were sufficient to degrade the cellobiose and cellotriose formed during the degradation of pretreated cedar powder.