Narrow Angle Research Articles

New Lunar Crater Production Function Based on High-Resolution Images

The lunar crater production function describes the general pattern of the size–frequency distribution of craters on the lunar surface, and it is the foundation of the surface dating method via crater counting. In addition, the lunar crater production function has been extended to other celestial bodies and used to analyze the meteorite flux of the inner solar system. The basic process of establishing the lunar crater production function is to map in an ideal way the primary craters in different geological units, and then to normalize all of the corresponding size–frequency distributions using a mathematical model. Currently, the most widely used lunar crater production functions have been established based on the images acquired in the last century. However, now they can be refined with newly obtained high-resolution images. In this research, we mapped all of the primary craters in 13 regions on the lunar surface with the images acquired using the narrow angle camera and wide angle camera onboard the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, and then we fitted the lunar crater production function with a polynomial. The resultant new lunar crater production function is largely comparable with the previous results, and the difference is mainly at the large diameter end. We analyzed the uncertainty of model fitting as well as the difference in the crater measurements and demonstrated the reliability of the new production function. It is expected to refine the lunar surface dating models, which can provide more accurate information on the impact rate in related studies.

Variation in the Root System Architecture of Peach × (Peach × Almond) Backcrosses.

The spatial arrangement and growth pattern of root systems, defined by the root system architecture (RSA), influences plant productivity and adaptation to soil environments, playing an important role in sustainable horticulture. Florida's peach production area covers contrasting soil types, making it necessary to identify rootstocks that exhibit soil-type-specific advantageous root traits. In this sense, the wide genetic diversity of the Prunus genus allows the breeding of rootstock genotypes with contrasting root traits. The evaluation of root traits expressed in young seedlings and plantlets facilitates the early selection of desirable phenotypes in rootstock breeding. Plantlets from three peach × (peach × almond) backcross populations were vegetatively propagated and grown in rhizoboxes. These backcross populations were identified as BC1251, BC1256, and BC1260 and studied in a completely randomized design. Scanned images of the entire root systems of the plantlets were analyzed for total root length distribution by diameter classes, root dry weight by depth horizons, root morphological components, structural root parameters, and root spreading angles. The BC1260 progeny presented a shallower root system and lower root growth. Backcross BC1251 progeny exhibited a more vigorous and deeper root system at narrower root angles, potentially allowing it to explore and exploit water and nutrients in deep sandy entisols from the Florida central ridge.

The surge of acute angle-closure glaucoma during the outbreak of Omicron in a tertiary hospital in Shanghai.

Since December 2022, China has eliminated the compulsory nucleic acid screening, which led to a new pandemic of Omicron. We observed a surge of primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG) at a largest tertiary hospital in Shanghai. We evaluated the potential relationship between the infection of Omicron and the occurrence of PACG. In this retrospective cross-sectional study, we identified 41 patients diagnosed with PACG from 523 individuals registered in ophthalmic emergency from December 2022 to January 2023. We compared the proportion of PACG patients in all the patients registered at the ophthalmic emergency department in the corresponding period (December and January) from 2018 to 2023. The proportion of PACG patients rose to 6.74% and 9.13%, nearly a five-fold increase compared to the previous 1.90%. The proportion of PACG patients throughout 2022 also increased in the recent 2 months. All PACG patients in our center from Dec. 21st 2022 to Jan. 27th 2023 had positive nucleic acid tests at their initial visits. The peak of glaucoma came around Dec. 27th 2022, while the peak of the internal medicine emergency came around Jan. 5th 2023. The behavior pattern of the infected people and anxiety mood would induce the PACG attack. Some ophthalmic advice should be added to the Chinese treatment guidelines for COVID-19. Also, a shallow anterior chamber and narrow angle need to be ruled out when necessary. Further studies on larger populations are needed to explore the relationship between PACG and Covid.

Establishing standards for Yonsei point in a White South African population for the treatment of gummy smile.

The purpose of this study is to establish the efficacy of Yonsei point in the treatment of a gummy smile in a White South African population. The accurate surface anatomy criteria in relation to the underlying musculature for the administration of Botulinum toxin injections in the treatment of gummy smile was determined. Nineteen (10 males and 9 females) cadavers were selected for facial dissection. Facial profile photographs were taken before and after dissection. The before and after photographs were overlayed to determine where the pin positions should be on the dissected cadaver to determine the Yonsei point. The levator labii superioris (LLS), LLS alaeque nasi (LLSAN), zygomaticus minor, and zygomaticus major muscles were measured using a protractor and ruler, which accounted for the manual measurements. Digital measurements were measured by importing dissected images into ImageJ. Circles with a 2 cm diameter (1 cm radius) were constructed to determine whether the Yonsei point could successfully influence muscles fibers. Digital and manual measurements show comparable results with high correlation and reliability. Results showed that the White South African population had narrower facial musculature angles as compared with the Korean population. Based on the selected sample, the Yonsei point is an ineffective injection site for the successful treatment of gummy smile in a White South African population.

Phosphorus management is key to effective deployment of root ideotypes in complex soil environments

PurposeWe questioned how root ideotypes selected for deep or shallow root architecture function in complex environments with heterogeneous distributions of phosphorus (P), such as in many cropping systems in north-eastern Australia.MethodsWe used the rhizobox method to evaluate how contrasting genotypes of durum wheat and sorghum (wide and narrow root angle) responded to combinations of starter-P and deep P bands.ResultsAlthough we found evidence that root angle may influence spatio-temporal exploration for deep P bands, (early) plant access to P was the critical driver for plant growth. Without P, root system growth was retarded such that genotypic differences were hardly observed. Access to P boosted root exploration at depth by virtue of greater root system size, such that wide-angle genotypes with P outperformed narrow-angle ones without P. Plastic root responses to P benefited the expression of the broader root system architecture. We observed variation between species and individual parameters, but overall Starter-P and deep P bands tended to deliver complementary benefits when considering plant growth, P uptake, and phenological development together.ConclusionOur study highlights that nutritional constraints may limit the ability of root ideotypes to function in complex target environments. Development and deployment of root ideotypes should consider how local conditions (including soil nutrient distribution, physical and biological properties) influence crop phenotype and their ability to deliver the intended benefits. Within this, soil nutrient management is a critical determinant and an opportunity to influence the target environment.

Volatile exposures on the 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko nucleus

Aims. We present the most extensive catalog of exposures of volatiles on the 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko nucleus generated from observations acquired with the Optical, Spectroscopic, and Infrared Remote Imaging System (OSIRIS) on board the Rosetta mission. We investigate the volatile exposure distribution across the nucleus, their size distribution, and their spectral slope evolution. Methods. We analyzed medium- and high-resolution images acquired with the Narrow Angle Camera (NAC) of OSIRIS at several wavelengths in the 250–1000 nm range, investigating images from 109 different color sequences taken between August 2014 and September 2016, and covering spatial resolution from a few m px−1 to 0.1 m px−1. To identify the icy bright spots, we adopted the following criteria: (i) they should be at least 50% brighter than the comet dark terrain; (ii) they should have neutral to moderate spectral slope values in the visible range (535–882 nm); (iii) they should be larger than 3 pixels. Results. We identified more than 600 volatile exposures on the comet, and we analyzed them in a homogeneous way. Bright spots are found isolated on the nucleus or grouped in clusters, usually at the bottom of cliffs, and most of them are small, typically a few square meters or smaller. The isolated ones are observed in different types of morphological terrains, including smooth surfaces, on top of boulders, or close to irregular structures. Several of them are clearly correlated with the cometary activity, being the sources of jets or appearing after an activity event. We note a number of peculiar exposures of volatiles with negative spectral slope values in the high-resolution post-perihelion images, which we interpret as the presence of large ice grains (> 1000 µm) or local frosts condensation. We observe a clear difference both in the spectral slope and in the area distributions of the bright spots pre- and post-perihelion, with these last having lower average spectral slope values and a smaller size, with a median surface of 0.7 m2, even if the size difference is mainly due to the higher resolution achieved post-perihelion. The minimum duration of the bright spots shows three clusters: an area-independent cluster dominated by short-lifetime frosts; an area-independent cluster with lifetime of 0.5–2 days, probably associated with the seasonal fallout of dehydrated chunks; and an area-dependent cluster with lifetime longer than 2 days consistent with water-driven erosion of the nucleus. Conclusions. Even if numerous bright spots are detected, the total surface of exposed water ice is less than 50 000 m2, which is 0.1% of the total 67P nucleus surface. This confirms that the surface of comet 67P is dominated by refractory dark terrains, while exposed ice occupies only a tiny fraction. High spatial resolution is mandatory to identify ice on cometary nuclei surfaces. Moreover, the abundance of volatile exposures is six times less in the small lobe than in the big lobe, adding additional evidence to the hypothesis that comet 67P is composed of two distinct bodies. The fact that the majority of the bright spots identified have a surface lower than 1 m2 supports a model in which water ice enriched blocks (WEBs) of 0.5–1 m size should be homogeneously distributed in the cometary nucleus embedded in a refractory matrix.

Ligand Control in Co-Catalyzed Regio- and Enantioselective Hydroboration: Homoallyl Secondary Boronates via Uncommon 4,3-Hydroboration of 1,3-Dienes.

Enantiopure homoallylic boronate esters are versatile intermediates because the C-B bond in these compounds can be stereospecifically transformed into C-C, C-O, and C-N bonds. Regio- and enantioselective synthesis of these precursors from 1,3-dienes has few precedents in the literature. We have identified reaction conditions and ligands for the synthesis of nearly enantiopure (er >97:3 to >99:1) homoallylic boronate esters via a rarely seen cobalt-catalyzed [4,3]-hydroboration of 1,3-dienes. Monosubstituted or 2,4-disubstituted linear dienes undergo highly efficient regio- and enantioselective hydroboration with HBPin catalyzed by [(L*)Co]+[BARF]-, where L* is typically a chiral bis-phosphine ligand with a narrow bite angle. Several such ligands (e.g., i-PrDuPhos, QuinoxP*, Duanphos, and BenzP*) that give high enantioselectivities for the [4,3]-hydroboration product have been identified. In addition, the equally challenging problem of regioselectivity is uniquely solved with a dibenzooxaphosphole ligand, (R,R)-MeO-BIBOP. A cationic cobalt(I) complex of this ligand is a very efficient (TON >960) catalyst while also providing excellent regioselectivities (rr >98:2) and enantioselectivities (er >98:2) for a broad range of substrates. A detailed computational investigation of the reactions using Co complexes from two widely different ligands (BenzP* and MeO-BIBOP) employing the B3LYP-D3 density functional theory provides key insights into the mechanism and the origins of selectivities. The computational results are in full agreement with the experiments. For the complexes we have examined thus far, the relative stabilities of the diastereomeric diene-bound complexes [(L*)Co(η4-diene)]+ lead to the initial diastereofacial selectivity, which in turn is retained in the subsequent steps, providing exceptional enantioselectivity for the reactions.

A scanning focus nuclear microscope with multi-pinhole collimation

Microscopic nuclear imaging down to spatial resolutions of a few hundred microns can already be achieved using low-energy gamma emitters (e.g. 125I, ∼30 keV) and a basic single micro-pinhole gamma camera. This has been applied to in vivo mouse thyroid imaging, for example. For clinically used radionuclides such as 99mTc, this approach fails due to penetration of the higher-energy gamma photons through the pinhole edges. To overcome these resolution degradation effects, we propose a new imaging approach: scanning focus nuclear microscopy (SFNM). We assess SFNM using Monte Carlo simulations for clinically used isotopes. SFNM is based on the use of a 2D scanning stage with a focused multi-pinhole collimator containing 42 pinholes with narrow pinhole aperture opening angles to reduce photon penetration. All projections of different positions are used to iteratively reconstruct a three-dimensional image from which synthetic planar images are generated. SFNM imaging was tested using a digital Derenzo resolution phantom and a mouse ankle joint phantom containing 99mTc (140 keV). The planar images were compared with those obtained using a single-pinhole collimator, either with matched pinhole diameter or with matched sensitivity. The simulation results showed an achievable 99mTc image resolution of 0.04 mm and detailed 99mTc bone images of a mouse ankle with SFNM. SFNM has strong advantages over single-pinhole imaging in terms of spatial resolution.

Improved astrometric calibration of Cassini narrow angle camera images and its accurate geometric distortion model

天体测量定标是高精度位置测量的基础。空间望远镜图像的天体测量定标是我国计划于2024年发射空间站望远镜需要突破的关键技术。本文以“卡西尼” (Cassini)飞行器窄视场照相机 (Narrow Angle Camera，NAC)拍摄的图像为例，探究了CCD图像天体测量定标技术，希望为拓展应用到我国即将发射的空间站望远镜提供有益的参考。具体地，本文选取了NAC在五个历元 (2006，2008，2010，2014，2016)拍摄的具有不同指向和取向观测密集星场的图像，探究了空间图像高精度天体测量的归算方法，求解出了各历元的CCD扭曲模型。相比目前其他学者的归算结果，本文在恒星的位置测量精度上有较大的提高。对于在2.6秒曝光时间11~12星等 (Gaia-G星等)的恒星，平均(O-C) (The Observed Minus Computed)的标准差在x和y坐标方向分别为约0.04像素 (约提高0.5倍)和0.03像素 (约提高1倍)。通过分析各历元图像的扭曲模型，本文发现在飞行器执行任务期间CCD图像的扭曲保持了良好的稳定性。在1024×1024像素尺度下，几何扭曲的最大值、中值、最小值分别为0.184 ± 0.023，0.038 ± 0.005和0.007 ± 0.003像素。根据求解扭曲的平均模型，本文提供了模型的数值表达式及改正方法。

A quantitative trait GWAS on lens thickness identifies novel risk loci on PTPRM in the narrow angle individuals susceptible to PACG.

PACG is one of the leading causes of blindness where lens thickness is a major risk factor for narrow-angle individuals. To our knowledge, no literature has been reported on candidate gene for lens thickness as a quantitative trait (QT). Here, we performed a genome-wide association analysis on lens thickness in the narrow-angle individuals. We conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) in the narrow angle individuals to investigate comprehensive genetic insights on lens thickness. In QT-GWAS, we identified 145 genome-wide suggestive significant loci in the discovery cohort. Subsequently, we observed 13 SNPs that showed statistical significance around the region of PTRRM. Regional association analysis for top significant genotyped variants identified PTPRM as the most likely candidate for increased LT. Integrative bioinformatic analyses confirmed that the associated genomic region has potential regulatory roles for modulating transcription as enhancers. In the replication cohort, the sentinel genotype SNP was further associated significantly (P-value =0.000448) with high LT individuals. In both cohorts, the T allele of rs1941137 in the PTPRM gene indicates as a risk allele for the increased LT. In this study, we discovered evidence of a genomic association between chromosomal areas around the PTPRM and increased lens thickness, resulting in a narrow angle. The regulatory components corresponding to PTPRM variations might have a role in the thicker lens. We report that the genomic region near PTPRM, a gene of potential interest, is associated with increased lens thickness.

The relationship of the posterior iliac interval and the S1 screw trajectory

IntroductionSurgical fixation is widely practised in the management of spinal deformity. S1 screws are commonly incorporated in lumbosacral fusions and can be performed in both open and percutaneous techniques. However, their entry point is determined by the position of the pedicle as well as the posterior iliac interval (PII), as it creates an impedance for screw angulation. A wider angle screw has the potential to achieve a greater length and thus strength versus a narrow screw angle insertion due to risk of anterior breach. MethodsA retrospective analysis of 50 consecutive patients between July 2018 andDecember 2021 undergoing lumbo-sacral fusion with include S1 screw insertion from a single institution and surgeon. The age, screw angles, and the posterior iliac intervals were measured. ResultsThe patients ranged from age 27 to 83 years old (mean 64.7) with a posterior iliac interval (PII) ranging from 7.76 to 12.62 cm (mean 10.24) and the average S1 screw angle on the right was 76.01 degrees (range 59.37 to 88.48) and on the left 74.37 degrees (range 59.75 to 87.47 degrees). Applying the Pearson Correlation co-efficient, a wider PII correlated with a more angulated screw entry (P < 0.05). ConclusionAs expected, a wider PPI is significantly associated with a more angulated S1 screw trajectory and may have implication on patient biomechanics in lumbo-sacral fusion constructs.

Aorto-septal angle, isolated basal septal hypertrophy, and systolic murmur in 122 cats

Introduction/ObjectivesSystolic murmurs in the absence of cardiac structural abnormalities are common in cats. Narrow aorto-septal angle (AoSA) and septal remodeling can be a cause of a systolic murmur in elderly human beings. The aim of this study was to measure the AoSA in cats and to investigate the association between the AoSA and the presence of a murmur and isolated basal septal hypertrophy (IBSH). AnimalsThe study population comprised 122 cats. Materials and methodsA physical exam, blood pressure measurement, chest radiographs, and echocardiography were performed. ResultsA systolic murmur was audible in 39/122 cats. A difference between cats with and without a murmur was found for age (P=0.0001), interventricular basal septal thickness (BIVSd) (P=0.004), AoSA (P=0.003), aortic (P<0.0001), and pulmonic (P=0.021) flow velocity, the presence of IBSH (P<0.0001), and systolic anterior motion of the mitral valve (P=0.0002). More than 50% of cats with a murmur had an AoSA ≤122°. Less than 25% of the cats with an AoSA ≥137° had a murmur. The AoSA narrowed 0.55°/year of age (P<0.001), whereas the BIVSd increased 0.11 mm/year of age (P<0.0001); the BIVSd increased as the AoSA narrowed. In all cats with AoSA < 120°, IBSH was present. ConclusionsThis study demonstrates that the probability of having a systolic murmur in cats is increased by the presence of a narrow AoSA. Aging was associated with a narrower AoSA and a thicker basal septum; these findings might represent an age-related heart remodeling.

The Collimation of Relativistic Jets in Post–Neutron Star Binary Merger Simulations

The gravitational waves from the binary neutron star merger GW170817 were accompanied by a multiwavelength electromagnetic counterpart, which confirms the association of the merger with a short gamma-ray burst (sGRB). The afterglow observations implied that the event was accompanied by a narrow, ∼5°, and powerful, ∼1050 erg, jet. We study the propagation of a Poynting flux–dominated jet within the merger ejecta (kinematic, neutrino-driven, and magnetorotational instability turbulence-driven) of a neutrino-radiation-GRMHD simulation of two coalescing neutron stars. We find that the presence of a postmerger low-density/low-pressure polar cavity, which arose due to angular momentum conservation, is crucial to let the jet break out. At the same time the ejecta collimates the jet to a narrow opening angle. The collimated jet has a narrow opening angle of ∼4°–7° and an energy of 1049–1050 erg, in line with the observations of GW170817 and other sGRBs.

Coronary computed tomography angiography assessment of relationship between right coronary artery-aorta angle and the development of coronary artery disease.

Whilst a correlation has been established between wide left main coronary artery bifurcation [left anterior descending-left circumflex (LAD-LCx)] angle (>80°) and the development of coronary artery disease (CAD), this retrospective, causal-comparative pilot study aimed to explore whether a relationship exists between right coronary artery (RCA)-aorta angle and CAD. Thirty normal cases were identified via radiology reports and selected as the control group with coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) scans performed on a 320-slice computed tomography (CT) scanner. Thirty CAD cases were selected with invasive coronary angiography performed to confirm the degree of stenosis, and CCTA performed on dual source and 320-slice CT scanners. An independent sample t-test was used to compare the differences in coronary angles between the normal and CAD group, and analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to assess for significant differences between coronary angles in normal and CAD subgroups. Coronary angle measurements were conducted by two independent assessors with high intraclass correlation (r=0.971-0.998, P<0.001). RCA-aorta angle measurements were significantly larger in the normal group [87.47°, 95% confidence interval (CI): 79.31° to 95.78°] compared to the CAD group (76.82°, 95% CI: 67.82° to 85.61°, P=0.05). No significant difference was found between RCA-aorta angle and degree of coronary stenosis (P=0.75). This study suggests a relationship between narrow RCA-aorta angle and CAD.

Contemporary, non-navigation, cup orientation techniques improve accuracy and eliminate differences seen between the anterior and posterior approach in THA.

This study aimed to: (1) Determine the ability to achieve the surgeons' desired cup orientation, without navigation, using contemporary measures with the anterior- (AA) and posterior- approaches (PA); and (2) assess whether surgical approach is associated with cup orientation accuracy, as previously reported, when contemporary measures are used. A prospective, 2-centre, multi-surgeon study of 400 THAs (200 AA; 200 PA) was performed. Intraoperative radiographs were obtained with the AA. A digital inclinometer and 3-point pelvic support were used with the PA. With the PA, intraoperative cup inclination at impaction was recorded. Radiographic inclination/anteversion (RI/RA) was measured from intraoperative radiographs (AA-only) and from postoperative radiographs for all cases. Optimum inclination/anteversion was defined as 40°/20° (±10°). The difference between intra- and postoperative orientations allowed for determination of the difference in pelvic position at impaction. Optimum RI and RA were achieved in 91.3% (n = 365) and 92% (n = 368) of cases respectively. Optimum cup orientation was detected in 84% of cases (n = 336). There was equivalent ability to achieve cup orientation between approaches (AA: 82.5% vs. PA: 85.5%; p = 0.41). The use of an inclinometer in the PA was associated with a smaller variability of inclination at implantation (10° vs. 14°) and counteracted the greater difference in pelvic position (4.4° vs. 2.1°) seen with the PA. Over 80% of cases can have optimum orientation without navigation, using simple, cheap contemporary measures. Such measures eliminate differences between approaches, related to patient position. Narrower implantation angles will further reduce variability in cup orientation achieved.

Transverse Photonic Crystal Mode Engineering for Broad-Area Semiconductor Lasers With Narrow-Divergence Angles

Broad-area semiconductor lasers, coupled with asymmetric transverse photonic crystals (TPCs), are designed by the effective index method and the transfer matrix method. Due to the propagation constant of the fundamental mode lying in the forbidden band of the TPCs, but those of the high-order modes lying in the allowed band of the TPCs, the fundamental mode is mainly concentrated in the active ridge waveguide, while all the high-order modes extend into the lossy TPCs on both sides of the active ridge waveguide. Therefore, the fundamental mode possesses larger optical confinement factor than those of the high-order modes, and reaches the lasing threshold more easily, which is demonstrated by the single-lobe horizontal far-field pattern of the TPC broad-area laser under an injection current of 0.3 A near the threshold. The proposed TPC broad-area laser provides a new strategy of designing broad-area semiconductor lasers with narrow divergence angles.

Highly Resolved Topography and Illumination at Mercury’s South Pole from MESSENGER MDIS NAC

Mercury’s south polar region is of particular interest since Arecibo radar measurements show many high-reflectance regions consistent with ice deposits. However, current elevation information in Mercury’s southern hemisphere is not sufficient to perform detailed modeling of the illumination and thermal conditions at these radar-bright locations and to constrain properties of the volatiles potentially residing there. In this work, we leverage previously existing elevation maps of Mercury’s surface from stereo-photogrammetry at 665 m pix−1, Mercury Dual Imaging System Narrow Angle Camera images, and Shape-from-Shading tools from the Ames Stereo Pipeline, to provide the first high-resolution topographic maps of the south pole with a resolution of 250 m pix−1 poleward of 75°S. We show that the increased resolution and level of detail provided by our new elevation model allow for a more realistic recovery of illumination conditions in Mercury’s south polar region, thus opening the way to future thermal analyses and for the characterization of potential ice and volatile deposits. We compare both the old and new topographic models to the Mercury Dual Imaging System Narrow Angle Camera images to show the higher level of fidelity with our products, and we assess the improved consistency of derived permanently shadowed regions with reflectance measurements by Arecibo’s antennas.

Features of the “twitching technique”-A new laparoscopic ligation technique

BackgroundLaparoscopic intracorporeal sutures and knots require advanced techniques in children. We previously reported a new ligation technique named the twitching technique (TT) using a revolvable needle holder. To evaluate the efficacy of TT, we performed laparoscopic training and thereafter held a knot tying exam for medical students. MethodsWe performed 120 min laparoscopy training in 53 medical students (4th or 5th year) at Hiroshima University following a knot tying examination of C-loop and TT under normal and narrow angle situations. ResultsIn total, 53 students were examined. The numbers of laparoscopic knot tying successes by C-loop and TT were 5.5 vs. 4.0 under normal-angle and 4.6 vs. 3.7 under narrow-angle conditions. The numbers of laparoscopic knot tying failures by C-loop and TT were 5.7 vs. 0.2 (p < 0.01) under normal-angle and 3.9 vs. 0.1 (p<0.01) under narrow-angle conditions. The frequencies of table movement and disappearance of forceps from the screen were also higher in knot tying with C-loop than with the TT. ConclusionsThe TT is an easy to learn, and a steady and safe method of ligation for difficult situations. This method may facilitate the performance of many laparoscopic surgeries in pediatric fields. Level of evidenceⅣ

Investigation of the Relationship between Right Coronary Artery-Aorta Angle and Coronary Artery Disease and Associated Risk Factors.

At the level of the left coronary artery tree, there is evidence showing an association between bifurcation angle and coronary artery disease (CAD), and this motivated us to explore similar associations at the level of the right coronary artery (RCA). The purpose of this study was to determine whether there is a relationship between RCA-aorta angle and CAD and age, sex, body mass index, smoking status, hypertension, and high blood cholesterol. The coronary computed tomography angiography datasets and CAD risk factor checklists of 250 patients were retrospectively reviewed, with RCA-aorta angles measured via multiplanar reformation images. Independent t-tests were used to compare mean RCA-aorta angle measurements between groups, correlations between continuous variables were assessed using Pearson and Spearman correlations, and a general linear model was used to adjust for potentially confounding variables. Coronary angle measurements were conducted by two independent assessors with very strong intraclass correlation (r=0.999, p<0.001). A significantly smaller mean RCA-aorta angle was observed in the CAD group (79.07 ± 24.88°) compared to the normal group (92.08 ± 19.51°, p=0.001), in smokers (76.63 ± 22.94°) compared to non-smokers (85.25 ± 23.84°, p=0.016), and a narrow RCA-aorta angle was negatively correlated with BMI (r=-0.174, p=0.010). This study suggests a relationship between narrow RCA-aorta angles and CAD, smoking, and increasing BMI.

Design, synthesis, and evaluation of substituted alkylindoles that activate G protein-coupled receptors distinct from the cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 receptors

The alkylindole (AI), WIN55212-2, modulates the activity of several proteins, including cannabinoid receptors 1 and 2 (CB1R, CB2R), and at least additional G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) that remains uncharacterized with respect to its molecular identity and pharmacological profile. Evidence suggests that such AI-sensitive GPCRs are expressed by the human kidney cell line HEK293. We synthesized fourteen novel AI analogues and evaluated their activities at AI-sensitive GPCRs using [35S]GTPγS and [3H]WIN55212-2 binding in HEK293 cell membranes, and performed in silico pharmacophore modeling to identify characteristics that favor binding to AI-sensitive GPCRs versus CB1R/CB2R. Compounds 10 and 12 stimulated [35S]GTPγS binding (EC50s = 3.5 and 1.1 nM, respectively), and this response was pertussis toxin-sensitive, indicating that AI-sensitive GPCRs couple to Gi/o proteins. Five AI analogues reliably distinguished two binding sites that correspond to the high and low affinity state of AI-sensitive GPCRs coupled or not to G proteins. In silico pharmacophore modeling suggest 3 characteristics that favor binding to AI-sensitive GPCRs versus CB1R/CB2R: 1) an s-cis orientation of the two aromatic rings in AI analogues, 2) a narrow dihedral angle between the carbonyl group and the indole ring plane [i.e., O-C(carbonyl)-C3-C2] and 3) the presence of a carbonyl oxygen. The substituted alkylindoles reported here represent novel chemical tools to study AI-sensitive GPCRs.