Timing of surgery and outcomes in patients with congenital pulmonary airway malformation: a national inpatient database study.

Purpose: The timing of elective surgery for asymptomatic congenital pulmonary airway malformation (CPAM) at birth remains controversial. We aimed to describe characteristics and outcomes of patients who underwent surgery for CPAM.

Methods: We retrospectively identified patients aged < 18 years who were hospitalized for CPAM during the neonatal period and underwent surgery between July 2010 and March 2022 using the Diagnosis Procedure Combination database in Japan.

Flatness-based control for generalized synchronization of chaotic systems with large dissipation and dimension mismatch.

A flat control law is based on the structural analysis of a controlled system, allowing optimal placement of sensors and actuators. Once designed, any desired dynamics can be imposed onto the system. When the target dynamics comes from a system structurally different from the controlled one, generalized synchronization can be achieved, provided the control gain is sufficiently large.

Peginterferon-alpha-2a add-on to treatment with siRNA JNJ-73763989 in virologically suppressed chronic hepatitis B: The phase II PENGUIN study.

Background & Aims: Previous studies showed that combination treatment with short interfering RNA JNJ-73763989 (JNJ-3989) ± capsid assembly modulator bersacapavir (JNJ-56136379) and nucleos(t)ide analogs (NAs) was well tolerated by patients with chronic HBV (CHB), with JNJ-3989 dose-dependent reductions in viral markers, including HBsAg. The open-label, single-arm phase IIa PENGUIN study (NCT04667104) evaluated this regimen plus pegylated interferon alpha-2a (PegIFN-α2a) in patients with virologically suppressed CHB.

Methods: Patients who were either HBeAg-positive or -negative virologically suppressed and taking NAs were included; all received JNJ-3989 ± bersacapavir for 24 weeks (some either did not start or discontinued bersacapavir as a result of protocol amendment) with PegIFN-α2a added during the final 12 weeks of treatment.

Measurement-Based Analysis of a Novel Method for Orthodontic Mandibular Molar Protraction Using an Improved Superelastic Ni-Ti Alloy Wire.

Purpose Improved superelastic nickel-titanium (Ni-Ti) alloy wires (ISWs) can be used not only for aligning but also for closing the extraction space. The objective of this study was to measure and compare the force and moment generated during mandibular molar protraction using an ISW combined with either short or long hooks under simulated crowded dentition conditions. Materials and methods Assuming crowded dentition following mandibular first premolar extraction, we designed a three-tooth model simulating the canine, the second premolar, and the first molar.

ECM-Preserving Decellularization of Dermis via Subtle Cell Membrane Disruption Induced by Subcritical Dimethyl Ether.

Decellularized tissues are used as biomaterials for transplantation. Many decellularized tissues in clinical applications are prepared using surfactants; however, we have developed a new decellularization method that uses subcritical dimethyl ether (DME) instead of surfactants. Subcritical DME perfusion is usually used for lipid extraction; therefore, by perfusing tissues with subcritical DME, phospholipid cell membranes may be destroyed.

Quality and representativeness of research online with Yahoo! Crowdsourcing.

Introduction: Conducting research online has become common in human participant research and notably in the field of human-computer interaction (HCI). Many researchers have used English-language and Western participant pool and recruitment platforms like Amazon Mechanical Turk and Prolific, with panel quality and representativeness known to vary greatly. Less is known about non-English, non-Western options.

Thoracic Duct Embolization via Retrograde Cannulation of a Leaking Stump through the Thoracic Cavity.

Thoracic duct embolization has emerged as an alternative treatment for refractory chylothorax, in addition to thoracic duct ligation. Thoracic duct embolization is typically performed via direct puncture of the cisterna chyli and cannulation of the thoracic duct, or via a retrograde approach to the thoracic duct through the venous angle. The former requires a long puncture through abdominal organs; the latter has anatomical limitations depending on the case.

Genetic Code Expansion-Driven in Situ Click Labeling Enables Rapid Imaging-Based Selection of Functional Nanobody-Dye Conjugates.

Antigen-binding proteins, such as nanobodies, modified with functional small molecules hold great potential for applications including imaging probes, drug conjugates, and localized catalysts. However, traditional chemical labeling methods that randomly target lysine or cysteine residues often produce heterogeneous conjugates with limited reproducibility. Conventional site-specific conjugation approaches, which typically modify only the N- or C-terminus, may also be insufficient to achieve the desired functionalities.

The efficacy of thoracic duct ligation for post-esophagectomy chylothorax in esophageal cancer: a nationwide inpatient cohort study.

Background: Recently, thoracic duct embolization (TDE) has been increasingly adopted as a first-line minimally invasive therapy for post-esophagectomy chylothorax instead of thoracoscopic thoracic duct ligation (TTDL). However, the therapeutic efficacy and advantages of TDE over TTDL are still controversial. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the clinical and financial outcomes of TDE and TTDL for post-operative chylothorax after esophagectomy using a national database.

Thromboembolic risks after knee arthroplasty in patients with severe obesity: A large-scale analysis using Japanese medical claims data.

Background: Obesity is associated with an increased risk of complications after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA), particularly in Western populations. However, the effect of severe obesity (body mass index [BMI] ≥ 35 kg/m) on postoperative complications in Japanese patients remains unclear.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using Japan's Diagnosis Procedure Combination (DPC) database, including patients who underwent TKA or UKA between April 2016 and March 2023.

Assessing the need for multimodal care in anorexia and cachexia patients with advanced cancer referred to palliative care: a secondary analysis of a multicenter survey in Japan.

Purpose: There are no methods for assessing the need for multimodal care in cancer cachexia. We examined nine components in evaluating needs among advanced cancer patients.

Methods: This was a self-administered survey.

From Wound Coverage to Functional Healing: A Narrative Review of Biomaterial Applications in Head and Neck Mucosal Defects.

Background: Reconstruction of head and neck mucosal defects presents unique challenges due to the anatomical complexity and functional demands of the region. Artificial biomaterials such as collagen and polyglycolic acid (PGA) sheets have gained clinical traction owing to their ease of use and reduced surgical burden. However, limitations such as local inflammation, degradation-related complications, and mechanical instability-particularly in highly mobile areas like the tongue-continue to hinder their broader application.

Transition-Metal-Free Aluminosilicate Small-Pore Zeolites Upgrade Methane to Light Olefins.

Upgrading methane to value-added chemicals is significant but still challenging. Well-designed catalysts are required to activate methane. Extensive efforts have been dedicated to the catalytic conversion of methane over transition-metal-containing catalysts.

Eggshell membrane supplementation stimulates angiogenesis and promotes bone healing in a rat drill-hole injury model.

The development of new adjunct therapies to support bone healing remains an important clinical challenge. Eggshell membrane (ESM), a natural biomaterial derived from chicken eggs, has recently attracted attention for its safety, biocompatibility, and cost-effectiveness. We aimed to evaluate the effects of ESM supplementation on bone healing in a rat tibial drill-hole injury model.

External validation of the revised lethal triad criteria for appropriate strategic decision making.

Background: The conventional lethal triad criteria for trauma are too specific for death and, thus, inappropriate as a standard for strategic decisions. Revised lethal triad criteria were previously proposed based on a multicenter study. Positive is defined as meeting one major criterion (fibrin/fibrinogen degradation product >90 μg/mL) or two minor criteria (base excess <-3 mEq/L or temperature <36°C).

Hybrid Tracheal Stent Ingestion in Malignant Central Airway Stenosis: A Case Report.

Airway stents provide symptomatic relief in malignant central airway stenosis, but carry the risk of migration, which may result in potentially lethal stent ingestion. A 22-year-old man underwent hybrid stent placement for tracheobronchial stenosis caused by an undiagnosed large mediastinal mass. Within 3 weeks after placement, following initial chemotherapy for provisionally diagnosed B-cell lymphoma, the stent migrated and was ingested.

Recellularization of decellularized vascular grafts via aligned seeding of endothelial cells derived from human iPS cells.

The development of decellularized vascular tissues for tissue engineering and vascular implants presents a promising approach to creating functional blood vessels. However, effective endothelialization with human endothelial cells remains challenging. This study examined the endothelialization of decellularized porcine aortas using human induced pluripotent stem (hiPS) cell-derived endothelial cells.

Nationwide Survey of Pharmacist Involvement in Managing Cancer Pain in Children.

Background: Cancer pain distresses pediatric patients, affects quality of life, and is a psychological burden for families. The purpose of this study was to clarify the role of pharmacists in assisting children with cancer pain and their families.

Methods: Between February and May 2024, a nationwide questionnaire survey was conducted among hospital pharmacists from the Japanese Society for Pharmaceutical Palliative Care and Sciences.

Nonaqueous capillary electrophoresis of graphene suggesting charging and dispersion mechanism in certain organic solvents.

Background: Graphene, with its unique electronic, thermal, and mechanical properties, plays an important role in electronic devices and batteries. Current applications strongly rely on liquid-phase processing, which requires stable graphene dispersions. However, stabilizing graphene dispersions in a liquid phase remains challenging because graphene easily aggregates due to strong inter-sheet forces.

Inhibition of MMP activity and preservation of dentin collagen structure of zinc-releasing glass ionomer cement.

Objective: This study evaluated the ability of a novel zinc-releasing glass ionomer cement (GIC), Caredyne Restore (CR), to inhibit matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity and preserve dentin collagen integrity, compared with a conventional GIC (Fuji IX, FIX) and chlorhexidine (CHX), a widely used MMP inhibitor.

Methods: Demineralized bovine dentin beams were allocated to four groups: deionized water (negative control), CHX (positive control), FIX eluate, and CR eluate. MMP Activity was assessed before and after treatment using a colorimetric assay.

Protein-ligand affinity prediction via Jensen-Shannon divergence of molecular dynamics simulation trajectories.

Predicting the binding affinity between proteins and ligands is a critical task in drug discovery. Although various computational methods have been proposed to estimate ligand target affinity, the method of Yasuda et al. (2022) ranks affinities based on the dynamic behavior obtained from molecular dynamics (MD) simulations without requiring structural similarity among ligand substituents.

Is Transient Mixed Hearing Loss a Distinct Audiometric Feature in Patients With Inner Ear Schwannoma?

Objective: To characterize the transition of audiometric features in patients with inner ear schwannoma (IES) with a special focus on transient mixed hearing loss.

Patients: Twelve patients were clinically diagnosed with an IES.

Interventions: All patients underwent otoscopic and audiological examinations, including serial pure-tone audiometry and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans.