VDR is a regulator of hair follicle regression

Vitamin D receptor (VDR) is essential for hair follicle homeostasis as its deficiency induces hair loss, although the mechanism involved remains unknown. Our research shows that, in Vdr-knockout mice, the hair cycle is halted during the catagen stage, preceding alopecia. In addition, in Vdr-knockout hair follicles, epithelial strands that normally regress during the catagen phase persist as "surviving epithelial strands." Single-cell RNA sequencing analysis suggests that these surviving epithelial strands are formed by cells in the lower part of the hair follicle. These findings emphasize the importance of the regression phase in hair follicle regeneration and establish VDR as a regulator of the catagen stage

Pitfalls in the Management of Atlanto-Occipital Dislocation

Atlanto-occipital dislocation (AOD) is rarely seen in clinic because it is characteristically immediately fatal. With recent progress in the pre-hospital care, an increasing number of AOD survivors have been reported. However, because the pathophysiology of AOD is not clearly understood yet, the appropriate strategy for the initial management remains still unclear. We report a case of successful AOD treatment and describe important points in the management of this condition. It is important to note that abducens nerve palsy is a warning sign of AOD and that AOD can result in a life-threatening distortion of the arteries and the brain stem. We recommend the application of a halo vest to protect the patient's neural and vascular competence as the immediate initial step in the treatment of AOD. Horn's grading system is useful in assessing indications for surgery. Finally, when performing posterior fixation, C2 should be included because of the anatomy of the ligamentous architecture

PRRX1 promotes malignant properties in human osteosarcoma

Paired related homeobox 1 (PRRX1) is a marker of limb bud mesenchymal cells, and deficiency of p53 or Rb in Prrx1-positive cells induces osteosarcoma in several mouse models. However, the regulatory roles of PRRX1 in human osteosarcoma have not been defined. In this study, we performed PRRX1 immunostaining on 35 human osteosarcoma specimens to assess the correlation between PRRX1 level and overall survival. In patients with osteosarcoma, the expression level of PRRX1 positively correlated with poor prognosis or the ratio of lung metastasis. Additionally, we found PRRX1 expression on in 143B cells, a human osteosarcoma line with a high metastatic capacity. Downregulation of PRRX1 not only suppressed proliferation and invasion but also increased the sensitivity to cisplatin and doxorubicin. When 143B cells were subcutaneously transplanted into nude mice, PRRX1 knockdown decreased tumor sizes and rates of lung metastasis. Interestingly, forskolin, a chemical compound identified by Connectivity Map analysis using RNA expression signatures during PRRX1 knockdown, decreased tumor proliferation and cell migration to the same degree as PRRX1 knockdown. These results demonstrate that PRRX1 promotes tumor malignancy in human osteosarcoma

Enhanced Bowtie UHF Antenna for Detecting Partial Discharge in Gas Insulated Substation

UHF method to detect partial discharge (PD) phenomenon has been proven to be an effective way. Many types of UHF antenna have been developed in order to achieve a better sensitivity and accuracy in certain bandwidth (300 MHz – 3.0 GHz) for detecting the ultra-high frequencies generated by partial discharge. Bowtie antenna is proven to be sensitive, accurate and easily designed and fabricated. This paper focuses on the enhancement of bowtie antenna to achieve better performance in detecting partial discharge using UHF method. Characteristics of antenna both on the simulation result prior to the fabrication and measurement using a network analyzer show the good agreement. Experiment was carried out in a gas insulated switchgear (GIS) model with a protrusion on the conductor as PD source and antenna located at different positions with applied voltage range from 20 – 25 kV. EM wave intensity and frequency captured by antenna were observed. The relation between the distances of PD source to antenna, either from one spacer aperture to others, or distance from one spacer aperture were investigated. Antenna mounted 55 cm from the closest spacer aperture to the PD source can still detect EM wave intensity very well. The lowest EM wave peak envelope intensity measured at 30.03 mV from the same spacer aperture compared to 1.952 mV peak-peak EM wave intensity from internal GIS UHF sensor demonstrates a sufficient sensitivity performance.48th International Universities Power Engineering Conference, UPEC 2013, 2-5 September, 2013, Dublin Institute of Technology, Dublin, Irelan

Diabetes e sua descompensação crônica: um relato de experiência

Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DAC) is a complication that needs to be understood so that its warning signs are identified by health professionals and so that control measures can be taken, thus avoiding such a problem, so the aim was to understand the decompensation metabolic pathway that promotes CAD in patients with DM. This is an experience report elaborated from the analysis of intervention data and clinical evolution of a health service user who presented CAD due to decompensated DM and died even after the medical procedures. DKA is a hyperglycemic emergency that requires prompt medical intervention. In this sense, early diagnosis and treatment of DM is important because it prevents it from evolving to CAD. However, the study presented shows the opposite, since the patient was unaware that she had DM, so she did not undergo any treatment and died due to complications from DM.A Cetoacidose Diabética (CAD) é uma complicação que necessita ser compreendida para que seus sinais de alerta sejam identificados por profissionais de saúde e para que medidas de controle possam ser tomadas, evitando assim, tal problema, por isso, objetivou-se compreender a descompensação metabólica que promove a CAD em pacientes com DM. Trata-se de um relato de experiência elaborado a partir da análise dos dados de intervenção e evolução clínica de usuário de serviço de saúde que apresentou CAD por conta da DM descompensada e faleceu mesmo após as condutas médicas. A CAD é uma emergência hiperglicêmica que necessita de intervenção médica rápida. Nesse sentido, o diagnóstico precoce e tratamento da DM é importante pois impede que evolua para CAD. No entanto, o estudo apresentado mostra o oposto, visto que a paciente desconhecia que era portadora de DM, por conta disso não fez nenhum tratamento e faleceu em razão das complicações da DM

Diabetes e sua descompensação crônica: um relato de experiência

Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DAC) is a complication that needs to be understood so that its warning signs are identified by health professionals and so that control measures can be taken, thus avoiding such a problem, so the aim was to understand the decompensation metabolic pathway that promotes CAD in patients with DM. This is an experience report elaborated from the analysis of intervention data and clinical evolution of a health service user who presented CAD due to decompensated DM and died even after the medical procedures. DKA is a hyperglycemic emergency that requires prompt medical intervention. In this sense, early diagnosis and treatment of DM is important because it prevents it from evolving to CAD. However, the study presented shows the opposite, since the patient was unaware that she had DM, so she did not undergo any treatment and died due to complications from DM.A Cetoacidose Diabética (CAD) é uma complicação que necessita ser compreendida para que seus sinais de alerta sejam identificados por profissionais de saúde e para que medidas de controle possam ser tomadas, evitando assim, tal problema, por isso, objetivou-se compreender a descompensação metabólica que promove a CAD em pacientes com DM. Trata-se de um relato de experiência elaborado a partir da análise dos dados de intervenção e evolução clínica de usuário de serviço de saúde que apresentou CAD por conta da DM descompensada e faleceu mesmo após as condutas médicas. A CAD é uma emergência hiperglicêmica que necessita de intervenção médica rápida. Nesse sentido, o diagnóstico precoce e tratamento da DM é importante pois impede que evolua para CAD. No entanto, o estudo apresentado mostra o oposto, visto que a paciente desconhecia que era portadora de DM, por conta disso não fez nenhum tratamento e faleceu em razão das complicações da DM

Hyperinduction of pectate lyase in Dickeya chrysanthemi EC16 by plant-derived sugars

Pectate lyase (Pel) synthesis in Dickeya chrysanthemi has been reported to be hyperinduced in planta and also in the medium containing plant extract in addition to polygalacturonate. In this study, the major components of Pel-hyperinducing fractions were found to be glucose, fructose, and sucrose by TLC and NMR. From the analysis of the sugars and their derivatives, it was found that acyclic d-hexoses with the trans relationship between C-3 and C-5 hydroxyl groups were found to be basic structure required for hyperinducing the expression of a major isozyme in infected plants (i.e. pelE). From the fact that some non-metabolizable sugars such as 2-deoxy-d-glucose and d-fucose could lead to hyperinduction and that the hyperinduction was observed only in the medium containing low concentration (<0.25%) but not higher of the sugars was added, these sugars may be considered to participate in hyperinduction as the signal rather than through their metabolism

Clinical Characteristics and Long-term Outcomes of Spinal Pilocytic Astrocytomas: A Multicenter Retrospective Study by the Neurospinal Society of Japan

Objective The characteristics, imaging features, long-term surgical outcomes, and recurrence rates of primary spinal pilocytic astrocytomas (PAs) have not been clarified owing to their rarity and limited reports. Thus, this study aimed to analyze the clinical presentation, radiological features, pathological findings, and long-term outcomes of spinal PAs. Methods Eighteen patients with spinal PAs who were surgically treated between 2009 and 2020 at 58 institutions were included in this retrospective multicenter study. Patient data, including demographics, radiographic features, treatment modalities, and long-term outcomes, were evaluated. Results Among the 18 consecutive patients identified, 11 were women and 7 were men; the mean age at presentation was 31 years (3–73 years). Most PAs were located eccentrically, were solid or heterogeneous in appearance (cystic and solid), and had unclear margins. Gross total resection (GTR), subtotal resection (STR), partial resection (PR), and biopsy were performed in 28%, 33%, 33%, and 5% of cases, respectively. During a follow-up period of 65 ± 49 months, 4 patients developed a recurrence; however, the recurrence-free survival did not differ significantly between the GTR and non-GTR (STR, PR, and biopsy) groups. Conclusion Primary spinal PAs are rare and present as eccentric and intermixed cystic and solid intramedullary cervical tumors. The imaging features of spinal PAs are nonspecific, and a definitive diagnosis requires pathological support. Surgical resection with prevention of neurological deterioration can serve as the first-line treatment; however, the resection rate does not affect recurrence-free survival. Investigation of relevant molecular biomarkers is required to elucidate the regrowth risk and prognostic factors