Location of Thalamic Neurons Mediating Vestibulo-Cortical Pathways in Cats

This study was aimed at examining vestibulo-thalamo-cortical pathways in anesthetized cats. Thirty-six neurons, which were activated by pitch rotation and contralateral labyrinth stimulation, were recorded in the following areas: the ventral posterolateral nucleus, the ventral posteromedial nucleus, the lateroposterior nucleus and the magnocellular nucleus of the medial geniculate body (MGmc) of the thalamus. Thirteen of these neurons were antidromically activated from the anterior suprasylvian sulcus or postcruciate dimple of the cortex. These results suggest that the ventrobasal complex and MGmc convey inputs from the vestibular apparatus to the vestibular cortex in cats

A Case of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Metastasizing to the Palatine Tonsil

This report presented the very rare case of a patient with a metastasis in the left palatine tonsil from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). A 69-year-old man suffered from an about 20-mm mass in the left palatine tonsil. The biopsy revealed that the mass in the palatine tonsil was a metastatic lesion from HCC. The patient underwent a left palatine tonsillectomy, and metastasis from HCC has not recurred after the operation. With the presentation of the present case, we looked through the so-far reported literature

The Effects of Nasal Massage of the Yingxiang Acupuncture Point on Nasal Airway Resistance and Sensation of Nasal Airflow in Patients with Nasal Congestion Associated with Perennial Nasal Allergy

The aim of the present study was to determine if nasal massage of the yingxiang acupuncture point in patients with nasal congestion associated with perennial nasal allergy had any effect on nasal airway resistance (NAR) measured by anterior rhinomanometry and sensation of nasal airflow on a visual analogue scale (VAS). Ten patients were recruited for this study. NAR and VAS were measured before (baseline), 2 min after and 10 min after massage. NAR had no ruled changes after massage although all patients felt their symptom of nasal congestion had improved. The results of this study, when taken together, indicate that nasal massage may provide some relief mainly from the sensation of nasal congestion

Post-mortem Plasma Cell-Free DNA Sequencing: Proof-of-Concept Study for the Liquid Autopsy

Recent genomic studies on cancer tissues obtained during rapid autopsy have provided insights into the clonal evolution and heterogeneity of cancer. However, post-mortem blood has not been subjected to genetic analyses in relation to cancer. We first confirmed that substantial quantities of cell-free DNA were present in the post-mortem plasma of 12 autopsy cases. Then, we focused on a pilot case of prostate cancer with multiple metastases for genetic analyses. Whole-exome sequencing of post-mortem plasma-derived cell-free DNA and eight frozen metastatic cancer tissues collected during rapid autopsy was performed, and compared their mutational statuses. The post-mortem plasma cell-free DNA was successfully sequenced and 344 mutations were identified. Of these, 160 were detected in at least one of the metastases. Further, 99% of the mutations shared by all metastases were present in the plasma. Sanger sequencing of 30 additional formalin-fixed metastases enabled us to map the clones harboring mutations initially detected only in the plasma. In conclusion, post-mortem blood, which is usually disposed of during conventional autopsies, can provide valuable data if sequenced in detail, especially regarding cancer heterogeneity. Furthermore, post-mortem plasma cell-free DNA sequencing (liquid autopsy) can be a novel platform for cancer research and a tool for genomic pathology

Orientation Direction Control in Liquid Crystalline Photoalignable Polymeric Films by Adjusting the Free-Surface Condition

Adjusting the free-surface condition facilely controls the in-plane and out-of-plane orientations in liquid crystalline polymer (LCP) films. Top coating with aromatic molecules onto LC polymethacrylate films with <i>N</i>-benzylideneaniline (NBA) or 4-methoxybiphenyl (MB) side groups (PNBAM or PMBM) and subsequent annealing generate a random planar orientation while simultaneously removing the coated aromatic molecules, whereas annealing noncoated films induces a homeotropic orientation of the mesogenic side groups. Additionally, irradiating a top-coated PNBAM film with linearly polarized (LP) 365 nm light induces an in-plane molecular reorientation of the NBA side groups without changing the orientation in the homeotropically oriented region. Changes in the surface topology of the LCP films due to the reorientation processes are investigated in detail. Inkjet coating with aromatic molecules and LP 365 nm light exposure precisely controls the in-plane and out-of-plane alignment pattern in a PNBAM film

Post-mortem Plasma Cell-Free DNA Sequencing: Proof-of-Concept Study for the “Liquid Autopsy”

金沢大学医薬保健研究域医学系Recent genomic studies on cancer tissues obtained during rapid autopsy have provided insights into the clonal evolution and heterogeneity of cancer. However, post-mortem blood has not been subjected to genetic analyses in relation to cancer. We first confirmed that substantial quantities of cell-free DNA were present in the post-mortem plasma of 12 autopsy cases. Then, we focused on a pilot case of prostate cancer with multiple metastases for genetic analyses. Whole-exome sequencing of post-mortem plasma-derived cell-free DNA and eight frozen metastatic cancer tissues collected during rapid autopsy was performed, and compared their mutational statuses. The post-mortem plasma cell-free DNA was successfully sequenced and 344 mutations were identified. Of these, 160 were detected in at least one of the metastases. Further, 99% of the mutations shared by all metastases were present in the plasma. Sanger sequencing of 30 additional formalin-fixed metastases enabled us to map the clones harboring mutations initially detected only in the plasma. In conclusion, post-mortem blood, which is usually disposed of during conventional autopsies, can provide valuable data if sequenced in detail, especially regarding cancer heterogeneity. Furthermore, post-mortem plasma cell-free DNA sequencing (liquid autopsy) can be a novel platform for cancer research and a tool for genomic pathology. © 2020, The Author(s)