AI-powered 3D pathology protocol enhances enteric nervous system visualization and quantification for clinical diagnostics.

Accurate diagnosis and understanding of gastrointestinal (GI) diseases such as ulcerative colitis and Hirschsprung's disease remain challenging due to the limitations of traditional two-dimensional (2D) histopathology in capturing the intricate three-dimensional (3D) architecture and dynamic microenvironment of GI tissues. This study explores the potential of integrating 3D imaging techniques with artificial intelligence (AI)-based analysis to improve histological evaluation and diagnostic accuracy. Using advanced imaging and computational tools, we identified critical structural and functional details of the enteric nervous system and associated tissues that are often missed by 2D approaches.

Comparison of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC)-related apoptosis factors between preterm and full-term rats.

The aim of this study was to determine whether there is a difference in the degree of apoptosis and the pathways leading to necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) between preterm and full-term rat pups. To achieve this goal, we investigated the pathogenesis of NEC. premature Sprague‒Dawley (SD) rat pups delivered by cesarean section at a gestational age of 21 days (preterm group), as well as full-term SD rat pups four days after birth (full-term group).

Clinical challenges and outcomes of thoracoscopic open repair in esophageal atresia: a single-center retrospective comparative study.

Purpose: This study aimed to compare clinical outcomes between thoracoscopic surgery (TR) and open surgery (OR) for esophageal atresia with distal tracheoesophageal fistula (EA with distal TEF) and to evaluate the feasibility of TR.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 42 patients who underwent primary surgery for EA with distal TEF from January 2012 to December 2020. We compared the OR and TR groups based on patient characteristics, intraoperative outcomes, and early and late postoperative outcomes.

Electrochemical improvement of methane production via surface engineering of graphitic cathodes in anaerobic sequential batch reactors.

Five anaerobic sequential batch reactors (SBR), SBR 1-SBR 5 run in parallel were examined for biogas output trends under varying hydraulic retention times (HRT). SBR 1 was run without biomass for 1 month to study electrode stability and the effect of applied potential on sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) degradation. Polyaniline (PANI/Graphite) modification in reactors SBR 4 and iron-coated PANI (Fe-PANI/Graphite) in SBR 5 increased biogas production by almost 2.

Inhibiting EZH2 complements steroid effects in Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a devastating X-linked disorder caused by dystrophin gene mutations. Despite recent advances in understanding the disease etiology and applying emerging treatment methodologies, glucocorticoid derivatives remain the only general therapeutic option that can slow disease development. However, the precise molecular mechanism of glucocorticoid action remains unclear, and there is still need for additional remedies to complement the treatment.

A single center experience on clinical outcome of fundoplication in pediatric patients: a retrospective cohort study.

Purpose: The study aimed to evaluate the characteristics and operative-related factors in children who underwent fundoplication, analyze surgical outcomes categorized by disease entity and surgical indication, and identify prognostic factors for reoperation risk.

Methods: A total of 109 pediatric patients who underwent fundoplication between 2008 and 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were grouped by disease entity and surgical indication.

Attenuation of esophageal anastomotic stricture through remote ischemic conditioning in a rat model.

Anastomotic stricture is a typical complication of esophageal atresia surgery. Remote ischemic conditioning (RIC) has demonstrated multiorgan benefits, however, its efficacy in the esophagus remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate whether applying RIC after esophageal resection and anastomosis in rats could attenuate esophageal stricture and improve inflammation.

Robotic surgeries in pediatric patients: an early experience in a single center.

Purpose: Robotic surgery (RS) has the advantages of 3-dimensional view, optical magnification, motional scaling, and improved ergonomics and degree of freedom. Although RS has widely been performed on pediatric patients lately, there are still numerous restrictions and ambiguous indications. The purpose of this study was to report our early experience with RS on pediatric patients at a single center.

Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b bioaugmentation unleashes polyhydroxybutyrate-accumulating potential in waste-activated sludge.

Background: Wastewater treatment plants contribute approximately 6% of anthropogenic methane emissions. Methanotrophs, capable of converting methane into polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), offer a promising solution for utilizing methane as a carbon source, using activated sludge as a seed culture for PHB production. However, maintaining and enriching PHB-accumulating methanotrophic communities poses challenges.

Continuous cultivation of mixed-culture microalgae using anaerobic digestion effluent in photobioreactors with different strategies for adjusting nitrogen loading rate.

This study examined continuous mixed-culture microalgae cultivation for nutrient removal from anaerobic digestion (AD) effluents in photobioreactors, while altering the NH-N loading rate (NLR) by adjusting either the hydraulic retention time (HRT) (reactor set RH) or the influent NH-N concentration (reactor set RS). Both RH and RS demonstrated efficient nutrient removal and microalgae cultivation at NLRs of 4-10 mg NH-N/L∙d, reaching peak performance at 10 mg NH-N/L∙d. Within this range, RH obtained greater biomass yield and productivity, while RS maintained higher microalgal concentrations.

Application of additional three-dimensional materials for education in pediatric anatomy.

We conducted this study to investigate the effects of additional education using 3D visualization (3DV) and 3D printing (3DP) after applying 2D images for anatomical education in normal pediatric structures and congenital anomalies. For the production of 3DV and 3DP of the anatomical structures, computed tomography (CT) images of the four topics (the normal upper/lower abdomen, choledochal cyst, and imperforate anus) were used. Anatomical self-education and tests were administered to a total of 15 third-year medical students with these modules.

Application of 3D printing technology for pre-operative evaluation, education and informed consent in pediatric retroperitoneal tumors.

To investigate usefulness of 3D printing for preoperative evaluations, student and resident education, and communication with parents or guardians of patients with pediatric retroperitoneal tumors. Ten patients planning retroperitoneal tumor resection between March and November 2019 were included. Preoperative computed tomography (CT) images were used for 3D reconstruction and printing.

Clinical course in children with equivocal appendicitis on computed tomography: a retrospective cohort study.

Purpose: Appendectomy is one of the most common surgeries in children. Although various radiological examinations are performed, they do not always reveal a definitive diagnosis of appendicitis. This study aimed to investigate the clinical course of equivocal appendicitis, identify the factors associated with appendectomy, and suggest appropriate management for these patients.

Long-Term Survival Outcomes beyond the First Year after Liver Transplantation in Pediatric Acute Liver Failure Compared with Biliary Atresia: A Large-Volume Living Donor Liver Transplantation Single-Center Study.

Pediatric acute liver failure (PALF) is a common cause of liver transplantation (LT) but showed poor post-LT outcomes. We reviewed 36 PALF patients and 120 BA patients who underwent LT in our institution. The cause of PALF was unknown in 66.

The proper timing of virtual reality experience for reducing preoperative anxiety of pediatric patients: A randomized clinical trial.

Background: The virtual reality (VR) experience of an operation room (OR) prior to anesthesia and surgery has been known to reduce the anxiety and distress of pediatric patients. However, the proper timing needed for this is unknown. This randomized clinical study aimed to evaluate the proper timing of a VR tour of an OR (a few days before vs.

Clinical Course of Bacillus Calmette-Guerin Lymphadenitis.

Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccination can cause lymphadenitis. The purpose of the current study was to describe patient characteristics and clinical courses of lymphadenitis associated with BCG vaccination. A total of 171 patients who visited a tertiary hospital with a diagnosis of BCG-associated lymphadenitis between January 2012 and June 2017 were included.

Tele-consent using mixed reality glasses (NREAL) in pediatric inguinal herniorrhaphy: a preliminary study.

There is an increasing demand and need for patients and caregivers to actively participate in the treatment process. However, when there are unexpected findings during pediatrics surgery, access restrictions in the operating room may lead to a lack of understanding of the medical condition, as the caregivers are forced to indirectly hear about it. To overcome this, we designed a tele-consent system that operates through a specially constructed mixed reality (MR) environment during surgery.

Disorders of hyperpigmentation. Part II. Review of management and treatment options for hyperpigmentation.

Key challenges in the management of pigmentary disorders such as melasma and postinflammatory hyperpigmentation are their resistance to treatment, tendency to recur after treatment, and the risk of exacerbating hyperpigmentation with many treatment modalities. The second article in this 2-part continuing medical education series on pigmentary disorders focuses on the evidence behind medical and procedural treatments of dyschromias, including photoprotection, topical lightening agents, oral agents, chemical peels, and laser therapy.

Characteristics of Surgical Necrotizing Enterocolitis: Is It Different from Medical Necrotizing Enterocolitis? A Single-Center Retrospective Study.

(1) Background: Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is one of the leading causes of death in newborns despite improvements in the care of critically ill neonates. Approximately 50-70% of the cases are managed by medical therapy. However, the remaining patients require surgical intervention.