Explore the vast range of titles available.

Electrochemical techniques have long been heralded for their innate sustainability as efficient methods to achieve redox reactions. Carbonyl desaturation, as a fundamental organic oxidation, is an oft-employed transformation to unlock adjacent reactivity through the formal removal of two hydrogen atoms. To date, the most reliable methods to achieve this seemingly trivial reaction rely on transition metals (Pd or Cu) or stoichiometric reagents based on I, Br, Se or S. Here we report an operationally simple pathway to access such structures from enol silanes and phosphates using electrons as the primary reagent. This electrochemically driven desaturation exhibits a broad scope across an array of carbonyl derivatives, is easily scalable (1–100 g) and can be predictably implemented into synthetic pathways using experimentally or computationally derived NMR shifts. Systematic comparisons to state-of-the-art techniques reveal that this method can uniquely desaturate a wide array of carbonyl groups. Mechanistic interrogation suggests a radical-based reaction pathway.Excising hydrogen adjacent to a carbonyl group—one of the most basic and widely employed transformations in organic synthesis—is traditionally achieved using metals and/or stoichiometric oxidants. Now, it has been shown that an electrochemically driven approach removes such requirements, resulting in a more sustainable and easily scalable method with wide substrate scope.

Ankle joint instability after acute lateral ankle sprain (LAS) is an important factor for deciding treatment strategies. Nevertheless, the degree of ankle joint mechanical instability as a criterion for making clinical decisions is unclear. This study examined the reliability and validity of an Automated Length Measurement System (ALMS) in ultrasonography for assessing real-time anterior talofibular distance. Using a phantom model, we tested whether ALMS could detect two points within a landmark following movement of the ultrasonographic probe. Furthermore, we examined whether ALMS was comparable with the manual measurement method for 21 patients with an acute LAS (42 ankles) during the reverse anterior drawer test. Using the phantom model, ALMS measurements showed excellent reliability, with errors below 0.4 mm and with a small variance. The ALMS measurement was comparable to manually measured values (ICC = 0.53–0.71, p < 0.001) and detected differences in talofibular joint distances between unaffected and affected ankles of 1.41 mm (p < 0.001). ALMS shortened the measurement time by one-thirteenth for one sample compared to the manual measurement (p < 0.001). ALMS could be used to standardize and simplify ultrasonographic measurement methods for dynamic joint movements without human error in clinical applications.

BackgroundLeadless pacemakers are an effective treatment for bradycardia. However, some cases exhibit pericardial effusions, presumably associated with device implantations on the right ventricular free-wall. The present study was carried out to find the ECG features during ventricular pacing with a Micra, which enabled distinguishing free-wall implantations from septal implantations without using imaging modalities.MethodsThirty-one consecutive patients who received Micra implantations in our facility were enrolled. The location of the device in the right ventricle was evaluated using echocardiography or computed tomography in order to determine whether the device was implanted on the septum (Sep group), apex (Apex group), or free-wall (FW group). The differences in the 12-lead ECG during ventricular pacing by the Micra were analyzed between the Sep and FW groups.ResultsThe body of the Micra was clearly identifiable in 22 patients. The location of the device was classified into Sep in 12 patients, Apex in 4, and FW in 6. The mean age was highest in the FW and lowest in the Sep group (82.7 ± 6.6 vs. 72.8 ± 8.7 years, p = 0.027). The peak deflection index (PDI) was significantly larger in the FW group than Sep/Apex group in lead V1 (Sep: 0.505 ± 0.010, Apex: 0.402 ± 0.052, FW: 0.617 ± 0.043, p = 0.004) and lead V2 (Sep: 0.450 ± 0.066, Apex: 0.409 ± 0.037, FW: 0.521 ± 0.030, p = 0.011), whereas there was no difference in the QRS duration, transitional zone, and QRS notching.ConclusionThe PDI in V1 could be useful for predicting implantations of Micra devices on the free-wall and may potentially stratify the risk of postprocedural pericardial effusions.

 Background/Objectives: This study aimed to elucidate the effect of rhythm jump training on the rhythm and motor abilities of elementary school students to provide insights into its potential benefits for their physical performance and coordination. Methods: A non-randomized controlled trial was conducted involving 101 elementary school students (grades 1–6) attending a soccer school. Participants were divided into a rhythm jump group (n = 51, age: 7.5 years, height: 126.0 cm, weight: 25.7 kg) and a control group (n = 39, age: 8.0 years, height: 128.8 cm, weight: 26.5 kg) based on their practice venue. The rhythm jump group engaged in 10 min of rhythm jump at the beginning of soccer practice once a week over 8 weeks (intervention period), while the control group continued regular soccer training. Measurements included rhythmic reproduction ability during jumps, Pro Agility Test (PAT) values, and Reactive Strength Index (RSI) scores, assessed before and after the intervention period. Rhythmic reproduction ability was measured by comparing the data of the timing of jumps to 4- and 8-beat audio tracks. These were analyzed using repeated-measures analysis of variance, with significance set at p < 0.05. Results: Significant interactions were observed between 8-beat rhythmic reproduction ability and PAT values. In 8-beat rhythm deviation, a significant decrease was observed in the rhythm jump group (0.048 s) compared to that in the control group (0.013 s) (p < 0.01). PAT time significantly decreased in the rhythm jump group (0.18 s) compared to the control group (−0.25 s) (p < 0.01). There was no observed interaction between 4-beat rhythmic reproduction ability and RSI. Conclusions: This study revealed that rhythm jump training can be effective even with short sessions and infrequent practice, emphasizing its efficiency. The short-term rhythm jump intervention improved the 8-beat rhythmic reproduction ability and agility of elementary school students.

BackgroundLeads are often considered the weakest link in implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) systems, and lead dysfunction is a major concern for ICD recipients. The aim of this study was to compare the lead performance from three different manufacturers.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed consecutive patients who underwent ICD system implantation at Chiba University Hospital, Japan, between March 2008 and September 2017. The following leads were implanted in our center: Durata (St. Jude Medical, St. Paul, MN, USA, now Abbott) (n = 105), Linox and LinoxSmart (Biotronik, Berlin, Germany) (n = 66), and Sprint Quattro (Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN, USA) (n = 126).ResultsA total of 297 ICD leads were analyzed. Failure rates for Durata, Linox/LinoxSmart, and Sprint Quattro were 0.20%/patient year, 0.95%/patient year, and 1.84%/patient year, respectively, during a mean follow-up of 4.8, 6.4, and 3.0 years, respectively. The cumulative ICD lead survival probability was 98.9%, 100%, and 87.5%, after 5 years, respectively. The survival probability over the entire follow-up time as measured by the log-rank test was lower for Sprint Quattro leads than for either Durata (p = 0.011) or Linox/LinoxSmart (p = 0.028). The difference between Durata and Linox/LinoxSmart was not significant (p = 0.393).ConclusionsIn this single-center retrospective study, the performance of Sprint Quattro was lower than the performance of Linox/LinoxSmart and Durata leads. Large-scale, multi-center studies or manufacturer-independent registries may be necessary to confirm or reject self-reported survival probabilities from manufacturers’ product performance reports.

Tissue flossing involves wrapping a rubber band around a muscle group for a few minutes while performing joint motion, enhancing ankle joint torque and range of motion. As limited ankle dorsiflexion range of motion and plantar flexion muscle weakness are risk factors for sports injury, assessing the therapeutic effects of tissue flossing is important. This study aimed to evaluate the immediate effects of calf tissue flossing on enhancing ankle joint torque and dorsiflexion range of motion. We conducted a randomized controlled crossover trial involving 19 healthy adult males who received two interventions (low and high-pressure tissue flossing bands) and a control condition (underwrap). Each intervention was applied for 2 minutes on the non-dominant calf, with 5–10 days between sessions. A pressure sensor placed on the posterior calf monitored the wrapping compression force. The intervention exercise comprised six voluntary isometric contractions of the ankle at three angles (20° plantar flexion, neutral 0°, and 10° dorsiflexion) for 3 seconds each using a dynamometer. The maximal isometric ankle plantar flexion torque and dorsiflexion range of motion were evaluated pre- and post-intervention. Significant interactions were observed in ankle plantar flexion torque at 10° dorsiflexion (p < 0.01) but not at 0° or 20° plantar flexion. The low- and high-pressure bands significantly enhanced ankle plantar flexion torque by 4.3 Nm (effect size [ES]: 0.14, p = 0.02) and 4.9 Nm (ES: 0.15, p < 0.05), respectively, and also enhanced the ankle dorsiflexion range of motion by 1.7° (ES: 0.43, p < 0.01) and 1.3° (ES: 0.35, p = 0.02), respectively, compared to the control. The low- and high-pressure band conditions had comparable effects on torque and range of motion. A few minutes of the calf tissue flossing intervention significantly enhanced ankle plantar flexion torque and dorsiflexion range of motion, although the effect sizes were trivial to small.

The Kerlan-Jobe Orthopedic Clinic (KJOC) questionnaire is a self-reported performance and functional assessment tool with good reliability and validity for overhead athletes with shoulder and elbow injuries. This study aimed to develop a Japanese version of the KJOC (J-KJOC) to clarify its reproducibility and validity for use by Japanese university baseball players. The J-KJOC was translated according to the guidelines for cross-cultural adaptation. A total of 88 university baseball players completed the J-KJOC and the Quick-Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (Q-DASH) questionnaires. Thirty players completed the J-KJOC two times after a median interval of two weeks. We assessed the absolute reliability, construct validity, internal consistency, and test-retest reliability. Cronbach's alpha coefficients ranged from 0.88 and the intraclass correlation coefficient for the total score was 0.91. A fixed bias was absent in the J-KJOC scores (mean difference: -2.2, 95% CI: -4.8 to 0.5). Furthermore, the J-KJOC score was correlated with the Q-DASH-disability/symptom (r = -0.60, p<0.01) and Q-DASH-sports/music (r = -0.63, p<0.01) scores but not correlated with the Q-DASH-work score (r = -0.11, p = 0.316). The J-KJOC questionnaire demonstrated good reproducibility and validity for assessing upper arm performance in Japanese university baseball players. The results of this study support the use of the J-KJOC for Japanese-speaking baseball players. Further research using this instrument on other types of overhead athletes is needed to determine its wider utility in sports medicine applications.

A 32‐year‐old male received catheter ablation of frequent ventricular extrasystoles (VEs). His electrocardiogram showed monomorphic VEs with an inferior axis and early precordial transitional zone. During electrophysiological testing, a 10‐pole catheter positioned in the left ventricular outflow tract recorded sharp pre‐potentials just before the ventricular activation during VEs as well as sinus beats. Three‐dimensional mapping was performed by annotating the sharp pre‐potentials to reveal that the earliest activation site was deemed to be close to the left anterior fascicle. A cryoablation catheter was introduced into the left ventricle and freezing for 240 seconds successfully eliminated the clinical VEs without any complications. A 32‐year‐old male received catheter ablation of frequent ventricular extrasystoles (VEs). During the electrophysiological study, a 10‐pole catheter positioned in the left ventricular outflow tract recorded sharp pre‐potentials just before the ventricular activation during the VEs as well as sinus beats. A cryoablation catheter was introduced into the left ventricle and freezing for 240 seconds on the blue tag successfully eliminated the clinical VEs without any complications.

Supernova neutrinos are crucially important to probe the final phases of massive star evolution. As is well known from observations of SN1987A, neutrinos provide information on the physical conditions responsible for neutron star formation and on the supernova explosion mechanism. However, there is still no complete understanding of the long-term evolution of neutrino emission in supernova explosions, although there are a number of modern simulations of neutrino radiation hydrodynamics, which study neutrino emission at times less than one second after the bounce. In the present work we systematically calculate the number of neutrinos that can be observed in Super-Kamiokande over periods longer than ten seconds using the database of Nakazato et al. (2013) anticipating that neutrinos from a Galactic supernova can be detected for several tens of seconds. We find that for a supernova at a distance of 10 kpc, neutrinos remain observable for longer than 30 s for a low-mass neutron star (\\(1.20M_\\odot\\) gravitational mass) and even longer than 100 s for a high-mass neutron star (\\(2.05M_\\odot\\)). These scenarios are much longer than the observations of SN1987A and longer than the duration of existing numerical simulations. We propose a new analysis method based on the cumulative neutrino event distribution as a function of reverse time from the last observed event, as a useful probe of the neutron star mass. Our result demonstrates the importance of complete modeling of neutrino light curves in order to extract physical quantities essential for understanding supernova explosion mechanisms, such as the mass and radius of the resulting neutron star.