Robotic mitral annuloplasty using a semi-continuous three-suture technique with a flexible band.

Robotic mitral repair is often associated with longer ischaemic and cardiopulmonary bypass times, particularly early in the learning curve. We demonstrate a semi-continuous, three-suture technique for robotic annuloplasty that retains the mechanical principles of traditional interrupted sutures while leveraging the advantages of robotic precision and exposure. The use of pre-knotted sutures minimizes intra-cardiac knot tying, further enhancing procedural efficiency.

Characterization of an Extradiol Dioxygenase Using Integrating Cavity Spectrophotometry.

The development of synthetically-useful biocatalysts requires characterizing the behavior of an enzyme under conditions amenable to preparative-scale reactions. Whole cells harboring the catalyst of interest are often used in such reactions, as protein purification is laborious and expensive. However, monitoring reaction rates when using whole cells is challenging, as cellular debris precludes the use of a continuous assay.

PACAP versus CGRP in migraine: From mouse models to clinical translation.

Migraine is a complex neurological disorder involving multiple neuropeptides that modulate nociceptive and sensory pathways. The most studied peptide is calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), which is a well-established migraine trigger and therapeutic target. Recently, another peptide, pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP), has emerged as an alternative target for migraine therapeutics.

Dapagliflozin Reverses LPS-Induced Depressive-Like Behavior in Mice via Modulation of Glutamate and NF-κB.

Major depressive disorder is a prevalent and debilitating psychiatric illness that produces significant disability. Clinical data suggest that the pathophysiology of depression is due, in part, to a dysregulation of inflammation and glutamate levels in the brain. The systemic administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) has been shown to induce depressive-like behaviors in mice.

High-resolution longitudinal changes in the cortical morphology of youth with family history of bipolar disorder.

Background: Individuals with a family history of bipolar disorder are at increased risk of developing affective psychopathology. Longitudinal imaging studies in young people with familial risk have been limited, and cortical developmental trajectories in the progression towards illness remain obscure.

Aims: To establish high-resolution longitudinal differences in cortical structure that are associated with risk of bipolar disorder.

Concussive injuries induce neuronal stress-dependent tau mislocalization to dendritic spines with acrolein and functional network alteration in TBI-on-a-chip.

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD), and share several important pathological features including the development of neurofibrillary tangles (NFT) of tau protein. While this association is well established, the underlying pathogenesis is poorly defined and current treatment options remain limited, necessitating novel methods and approaches. In response we developed "TBI-on-a-chip", an trauma model utilizing murine cortical networks on microelectrode arrays (MEAs), capable of reproducing clinically relevant impact injuries while providing simultaneous morphological and electrophysiological readout.

Mechanoglycobiology: The Roles of Cell Surface Glycans in Mechanosensing and Mechanotransduction.

Mechanoglycobiology has emerged as a rapidly expanding interdisciplinary field that involves chemistry, biology, and engineering. Despite the great advancements in this field, in-depth investigation of mechanoglycobiology remains challenging due to the complex nature of glycans and cell glycocalyx, as well as the difficulty to mechanically target these biomolecules. To address the issues, novel methods and models have been established to facilitate the investigation of glycan-mediated mechanosensing and mechanotransduction.

Long-term clinical outcomes of periodontal regeneration of intrabony defects: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the long-term clinical outcomes of regenerative procedures compared with access flap surgery for the treatment of intrabony defects, with a minimum follow-up period of 5 years. A systematic review protocol following PRISMA guidelines was conducted. Both electronic and manual searches were conducted to identify randomized clinical trials (RCTs) on regenerative treatment of deep intrabony defects (≥3 mm) with a follow-up of at least 5 years.

Recent advancements in artificial intelligence-powered cancer prediction from oral microbiome.

Oral cancer is a major global health burden, ranking sixth in prevalence, with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) being the most common type. Importantly, OSCC is often diagnosed at late stages, underscoring the need for innovative methods for early detection. The oral microbiome, an active microbial community within the oral cavity, holds promise as a biomarker for the prediction and progression of cancer.

Low-grade oncocytoid neoplasm in the Milan system: Tips for the diagnosis of Warthin tumor and other differential diagnostic considerations.

The current review article deals with the evaluation of the oncocytic/oncocytoid lesions in the salivary gland. The authors will focus on the diagnosis of Warthin tumor (WT) as a launching point to detail important morphologic findings that should prompt designation of an aspirate as oncocytic salivary gland neoplasm of uncertain malignant potential or other Milan categories. Oncocytic cells are defined as cells with a moderate to abundant amount of eosinophilic finely granular cytoplasm, round-to-oval nuclei, and large-distinct nucleoli.

Facility dog intervention and young children's anxiety during outpatient echocardiography.

Background And Objectives: With more than 1 million children in the United States living with a heart defect or condition, it is important to identify interventions that may minimise the long-term impacts of repeated medical surveillance and care. Thus, the purpose of this quasi-experimental study was to examine relationships between facility dog intervention and young children's anxiety during outpatient echocardiogram.

Methods: Participants were seventy children aged 18 months to 8 years undergoing echocardiogram in a paediatric cardiology clinic.

Dosing of intravenous alprostadil in neonates with ductal-dependent CHD.

Introduction: Neonates with ductal-dependent CHD rely on the patency of the ductus arteriosus to maintain circulation. Alprostadil is utilised to maintain ductal patency, although optimal dosing has not been determined. This study aims to describe alprostadil dosing in neonates with ductal-dependent CHD.

Parental emotion socialization and internalizing problems in childhood and adolescence: A meta-analytic review.

Anxiety and depression symptoms and disorders are the leading child mental health problems in western societies. This systematic review evaluated how parental emotion socialization (ES) relates to children's internalizing problems (from birth to age 18 years). Three meta-analyses, evaluating supportive ( = 50, = 10,698), nonsupportive ES behaviors ( = 47, = 10,970), and elaboration ( = 6, = 867) were conducted.

14-3-3 Proteins Negatively Regulate Microglial Activation via Inhibition of the NF-κB Pathway.

Microglia, the resident immune cells of the central nervous system (CNS), are involved in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB), and Parkinson's disease (PD). 14-3-3 proteins act as molecular hubs to regulate protein-protein interactions, which are involved in numerous cellular functions, including cellular signaling, protein folding, and apoptosis. We previously revealed decreased 14-3-3 levels in the brains of human subjects with neurodegenerative diseases.

Paediatric scoring systems in congenital heart surgery: evaluating predictive accuracy for major adverse events.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the predictive accuracy of Paediatric Risk of Mortality-III, Paediatric Index of Mortality-II, and Paediatric Logistic Organ Dysfunction scoring systems for major adverse events following congenital heart surgery.

Methods: This prospective observational study included patients under 18 years of age who were admitted to the ICU for at least 24 hours postoperatively following congenital heart surgery. Major adverse events were defined as a composite of 30-day mortality, ICU readmission, reintubation, acute neurologic events, requirement for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, cardiac arrest requiring cardiopulmonary resuscitation, need for a permanent pacemaker, acute kidney injury, or unplanned reoperation.

Standardising cardiac CT-based personalised surgical planning and execution in congenital aortic valvar disease.

Background: Congenital aortic valvar disease represents a heterogeneous population with suboptimal surgical repair or replacement outcomes. We assess our approach and short-term outcomes in this population using cardiac CT evaluation for personalised surgical planning and execution.

Methods: We assessed patients who underwent aortic valvar surgery from February 2022 to August 2024.

Etripamil Nasal Spray for Recurrent Paroxysmal Supraventricular Tachycardia Conversion: Results From the NODE-303 Open-Label Study.

Introduction: Etripamil is a fast-acting intranasally self-administered calcium-channel blocker developed for termination of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT). Prior studies have demonstrated safety and efficacy of etripamil for PSVT termination following an initial medically supervised test dose during sinus rhythm. NODE-303 is an open-label, single-arm study that evaluated etripamil for multiple, at-home PSVT episodes, without test dose before first use.

Diagnostic approach to FNA biopsy of cystic lesions of the head and neck.

Cystic lesions of the head and neck encompass a wide spectrum of benign and malignant entities, which often presents diagnostic challenges as a result of the region's complex anatomy. Despite extensive literature, variability persists in diagnostic strategies and approaches. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy is a commonly used and highly effective method for the initial assessment of these lesions by offering a minimally invasive technique to collect cellular material for diagnostic evaluation.

Quantification of flagellar gait changes with combined shape mode analysis and swimming simulations.

Many different microswimmers propel themselves using flagella that beat periodically. The shape of the flagellar beat and swimming speed have been observed to change with fluid rheology. We quantify changes in the flagellar waveforms of in response to changes in fluid viscosity using (i) shape mode analysis and (ii) a full swimmer simulation to analyse how shape changes affect the swimming speed and to explore the dimensionality of the shape space.

Microswimmer dynamics in a Hele-Shaw droplet.

Bacterial motility is strongly influenced by confinement. Here, we derive an asymptotic solution for the flow about a microswimmer enclosed in a weakly deformable Hele-Shaw drop-a drop sandwiched between two solid planes. For a microswimmer modelled as a dipole, we explore the swimmer's trajectory, the evolution of the droplet interface and the drop velocity.

Consent to Receive Offers for Kidneys From Donors With Hepatitis C Among Pediatric Kidney Transplant Candidates in the United States.

Background: Changes to the calculation of the Kidney Donor Profile Index (KDPI) have lowered the KDPI of hepatitis C (HCV+) donor kidneys; therefore, increasing the proportion of pediatric-prioritized kidneys that are HCV+. We aimed to study consent rates for HCV+ kidneys among pediatric kidney transplant candidates.

Methods: We identified pediatric candidates waitlisted from 2019 to 2024 and excluded those who received a living donor transplant.

Bridging the Gap Between Training and Reality: A Dental Scientist Trainee Perspective.

Dental schools stand at a crossroads. While research drives clinical innovation and improves patient outcomes, the pipeline for training future dentist-scientists remains underdeveloped. Programs such as DDS/DMD-PhD pathways and NIDCR-supported initiatives aim to integrate scientific inquiry with clinical training.