A CASE OF RUPTURED MITRAL VALVE ANEURYSM DUE TO INFECTIVE ENDOCARDITIS

58-year-old woman with aortic regurgitation was admitted to our hospi- tal because of high grade fever. She had infective endocarditis and an aneurysm of the anterior mitral leaflet. Doppler echocardiography indicated a ruptured mitral valve aneurysm. Aortic regurgitant flow along the anterior mitral leaflet was suspected to have contributed to mitral valve endocarditis, aneurysm formation and rupture. She was initially treated with high-dose intravenous penicillin, but congestive heart failure worsened. Mitral valve replacement was then successfully performed

Gemcitabine sensitivity-related mRNA expression in endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy of unresectable pancreatic cancer

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The aim of this study was to determine a predictive indicator of gemcitabine (GEM) efficacy in unresectable pancreatic cancer using tissue obtained by endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy (EUS-FNA).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>mRNAs extracted from 35 pancreatic tubular adenocarcinoma tissues obtained by EUS-FNA before GEM-treatment were studied. mRNAs were amplified and applied to a Focused DNA Array, which was restricted to well-known genes, including GEM sensitivity-related genes, deoxycytidine kinase (dCK), human equilibrative nucleoside transporter 1 (hENT1), hENT2, dCMP deaminase, cytidine deaminase, 5'-nucleotidase, ribonucleotide reductase 1 (RRM1) and RRM2. mRNA levels were classified into high and low expression based on a cut-off value defined as the average expression of 35 samples. These 35 patients were divided into the following two groups. Patients with partial response and those with stable disease whose tumor markers decreased by 50% or more were classified as the effective group. The rest of patients were classified as the non-effective group. The relationship between GEM efficacy and mRNA expression was then examined by chi-squared test.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Among these GEM sensitivity-related genes, dCK alone showed a significant correlation with GEM efficacy. Eight of 12 patients in the effective group had high dCK expression, whereas 16 of 23 patients in non-effective group had low dCK expressions (<it>P </it>= 0.0398).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>dCK mRNA expression is a candidate indicator for GEM efficacy in unresectable pancreatic cancer. Quantitative mRNA measurements of dCK using EUS-FNA samples are necessary for definitive conclusions.</p

A pathway of neuregulin-induced activation of cofilin-phosphatase Slingshot and cofilin in lamellipodia

Cofilin mediates lamellipodium extension and polarized cell migration by stimulating actin filament dynamics at the leading edge of migrating cells. Cofilin is inactivated by phosphorylation at Ser-3 and reactivated by cofilin-phosphatase Slingshot-1L (SSH1L). Little is known of signaling mechanisms of cofilin activation and how this activation is spatially regulated. Here, we show that cofilin-phosphatase activity of SSH1L increases ∼10-fold by association with actin filaments, which indicates that actin assembly at the leading edge per se triggers local activation of SSH1L and thereby stimulates cofilin-mediated actin turnover in lamellipodia. We also provide evidence that 14-3-3 proteins inhibit SSH1L activity, dependent on the phosphorylation of Ser-937 and Ser-978 of SSH1L. Stimulation of cells with neuregulin-1β induced Ser-978 dephosphorylation, translocation of SSH1L onto F-actin–rich lamellipodia, and cofilin dephosphorylation. These findings suggest that SSH1L is locally activated by translocation to and association with F-actin in lamellipodia in response to neuregulin-1β and 14-3-3 proteins negatively regulate SSH1L activity by sequestering it in the cytoplasm

Effects of Trehalose on Halitosis: A Randomized Cross-Over Clinical Trial

Background/Objectives: Halitosis is a condition characterized by an unpleasant malodor. Intra-oral halitosis is caused by volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) and can be associated with oral dryness. Trehalose is one of the materials used to relieve oral dryness. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of trehalose on halitosis. Methods: This prospective, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, cross-over study enrolled volunteers from Okayama University Hospital. The participants were randomly divided into two groups, with one group receiving trehalose (a 10% trehalose solution) and the other receiving a placebo (distilled water) in a 1:1 allocation. The primary study outcome was the subjective organoleptic test. The secondary outcomes were the concentrations of the VSCs, which were measured using a portable gas chromatography device, and the oral moisture status, which was measured using an oral moisture meter. The planned sample size was 10 participants based on the previous study. Results: The final intention-to-treat analysis was performed using the data from 9 participants. After applying 10% trehalose as an oral spray, the organoleptic score decreased in a time-dependent manner. However, no significant differences were seen between the trehalose and placebo groups. In terms of secondary outcomes, the oral moisture levels increased immediately after the trehalose spray application, and significant differences in the amount of change from the baseline were seen between the trehalose and placebo groups (p = 0.047). No significant differences were seen in any of the other variables (p > 0.05). Conclusions: We could not identify any positive effects on halitosis from a one-time 10% trehalose application as an oral spray in this prospective, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, cross-over study. However, the trehalose application immediately improved the oral moisture levels and was useful for treating oral dryness

Estudo da eficácia de espuma para a depopulação de aves para situações de emergência sanitária

There are several difficulties in the control of quick spreading and highly contagious poultry diseases such as avian influenza and Newcastle disease, which require large numbers of poultry to be rapidly killed inside the poultry houses in order to minimize human exposure and disease spreading. We have built and tested an equipment that uses a water-based foam from high expansion fire detergent that induces poultry anoxia measured by sensorial signs, time to death, lethality and macro and microscopically lesions. Two hundred 78-weeks old hens were divided into ten groups and exposed to different times of death according to exposure to water-foam varying from 5min30s minutes to 8min15s minutes. All poultry died after six minutes of water-foam cover. Foam bubbles were observed in oral cavity and trachea of all poultry at each time of exposure to foam, revealing physical asphyxia. Macroscopically, congestion in oral cavity and in trachea mucosa was observed. Histopathology revealed diffuse and moderate hemorrhage in lungs and no lesion in trachea. The efficacy of water-foam procedure for poultry depopulation was demonstrated validating its recommendation in case of emergency.São inúmeras as dificuldades observadas na depopulação de elevado número de aves e é importante proceder-se à depopulação no interior do próprio aviário por questões de biossegurança do homem em casos de emergência sanitária causada por doenças de aves de elevada transmissibilidade, como a influenza aviária e a doença de Newcastle. Construiu-se o equipamento gerador de espuma para provocar a anóxia física em aves. Verificou-se a eficácia da espuma gerada através do uso de líquido detergente de alta expansão sobre o sacrifício de galinhas, avaliando-se os sinais sensoriais, tempo de morte, letalidade e lesões macro e microscópicas. Duzentas galinhas de postura com 78 semanas de idade foram divididas em dez grupos experimentais e submetidas a diferentes períodos de exposição à espuma, variando de 5min30s minutos a 8min15s minutos. A partir de seis minutos de exposição à espuma 100% das aves foram mortas. A presença de bolhas de espuma na cavidade oral e traqueia foram constatadas em todos os períodos de exposição à espuma, indicando a ocorrência de asfixia física. Congestão nas mucosas da cavidade oral e traqueia foram também observadas em todos os períodos de exposição. No exame histopatológico dos pulmões de todas as aves, observou-se a presença de congestão e hemorragia difusa de moderada intensidade. Nenhuma alteração foi observada na traqueia das aves. A eficácia da espuma como método de depopulação de aves foi constatada neste trabalho, podendo ser recomendada diante da necessidade de atendimento a emergências sanitárias

Estudo da eficácia de espuma para a depopulação de aves para situações de emergência sanitária

São inúmeras as dificuldades observadas na depopulação de elevado número de aves e é importante proceder-se à depopulação no interior do próprio aviário por questões de biossegurança do homem em casos de emergência sanitária causada por doenças de aves de elevada transmissibilidade, como a influenza aviária e a doença de Newcastle. Construiu-se o equipamento gerador de espuma para provocar a anóxia física em aves. Verificou-se a eficácia da espuma gerada através do uso de líquido detergente de alta expansão sobre o sacrifício de galinhas, avaliando-se os sinais sensoriais, tempo de morte, letalidade e lesões macro e microscópicas. Duzentas galinhas de postura com 78 semanas de idade foram divididas em dez grupos experimentais e submetidas a diferentes períodos de exposição à espuma, variando de 5min30s minutos a 8min15s minutos. A partir de seis minutos de exposição à espuma 100% das aves foram mortas. A presença de bolhas de espuma na cavidade oral e traqueia foram constatadas em todos os períodos de exposição à espuma, indicando a ocorrência de asfixia física. Congestão nas mucosas da cavidade oral e traqueia foram também observadas em todos os períodos de exposição. No exame histopatológico dos pulmões de todas as aves, observou-se a presença de congestão e hemorragia difusa de moderada intensidade. Nenhuma alteração foi observada na traqueia das aves. A eficácia da espuma como método de depopulação de aves foi constatada neste trabalho, podendo ser recomendada diante da necessidade de atendimento a emergências sanitárias

Essential roles of class E Vps proteins for sorting into multivesicular bodies in Schizosaccharomyces pombe

The multivesicular body (MVB) sorting pathway is required for a number of biological processes, including downregulation of cell-surface proteins and protein sorting into the vacuolar lumen. The function of this pathway requires endosomal sorting complexes required for transport (ESCRT) composed of class E vacuolar protein sorting (Vps) proteins in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, many of which are conserved in Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Of these, sst4/vps27 (homologous to VPS27) and sst6 (similar to VPS23) have been identified as suppressors of sterility in ste12Δ (sst), although their functions have not been uncovered to date. In this report, these two sst genes are shown to be required for vacuolar sorting of carboxypeptidase Y (CPY) and an MVB marker, the ubiquitin–GFP–carboxypeptidase S (Ub–GFP–CPS) fusion protein, despite the lack of the ubiquitin E2 variant domain in Sst6p. Disruption mutants of a variety of other class E vps homologues also had defects in sorting of CPY and Ub–GFP–CPS. Sch. pombe has a mammalian AMSH homologue, sst2. Phenotypic analyses suggested that Sst2p is a class E Vps protein. Taken together, these results suggest that sorting into multivesicular bodies is dependent on class E Vps proteins, including Sst2p, in Sch. pombe

The Effects of Humidity and Wind Force on Reheating using a Steam Convection Oven

departmental bulletin pape