1000 nm tunable acousto-optic filter based on photonic crystal fiber

Author name used in this publication: W. JinAuthor name used in this publication: J. Ju2007-2008 > Academic research: refereed > Publication in refereed journalVersion of RecordPublishe

Combined effects of aerobic exercise and 40-Hz light flicker exposure on early cognitive impairments in Alzheimer’s disease of 3×Tg mice

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive degenerative brain disease and the primary cause of dementia. At an early stage, AD is generally characterized by short-term memory impairment, owing to dysfunctions of the cortex and hippocampus. We previously reported that a combination of exercise and 40-Hz light flickering can protect against AD-related neuroinflammation, gamma oscillations, reduction in Aβ, and cognitive decline. Therefore, we sought to extend our previous findings to the 5-mo-old 3×Tg-AD mouse model to examine whether the same favorable effects occur in earlier stages of cognitive dysfunction. We investigated the effects of 12 wk of exercise combined with 40-Hz light flickering on cognitive function by analyzing neuroinflammation, mitochondrial function, and neuroplasticity in the hippocampus in a 3×Tg-AD mouse model. Five-month-old 3×Tg-AD mice performed 12 wk of exercise with 40-Hz light flickering administered independently and in combination. Spatial learning and memory, long-term memory, hippocampal Aβ, tau, neuroinflammation, proinflammatory cytokine expression, mitochondrial function, and neuroplasticity were analyzed. Aβ and tau proteins levels were significantly reduced in the early stage of AD, resulting in protection against cognitive decline by reducing neuroinflammation and proinflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, mitochondrial function improved, apoptosis was reduced, and synapse-related protein expression increased. Overall, exercise with 40-Hz light flickering was significantly more effective than exercise or 40-Hz light flickering alone, and the improvement was comparable to the levels in the nontransgenic aged-match control group. Our results indicate a synergistic effect of exercise and 40-Hz light flickering on pathological improvements in the hippocampus during early AD-associated cognitive impairment

Mesenteric Pseudocyst of the Small Bowel in Gastric Cancer Patient: A Case Report

Mesenteric pseudocyst is rare. This term is used to describe the abdominal cystic mass, without the origin of abdominal organ. We presented a case of mesenteric pseudocyst of the small bowel in a 70-year-old man. Esophago-gastro-duodenoscopy showed a 3.5 cm sized excavated lesion on the posterior wall of angle. Endocopic biopsy confirmed a histologic diagnosis of the poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma, which includes the signet ring cell component. Abdominal computed tomography scan showed a focal mucosal enhancement in the posterior wall of angle of the stomach, a 2.4 cm sized enhancing mass on the distal small bowel loop, without distant metastases or ascites in rectal shelf, and multiple gallbladder stones. The patient underwent subtotal gastrectomy with gastroduodenostomy, segmental resection of the small bowel, and cholecystectomy. The final pathological diagnosis was mesenteric pseudocyst. This is the first case report describing incidentally detected mesenteric pseudocyst of the small bowel in gastric cancer patients

Reversible Proximal Renal Tubular Dysfunction after One-Time Ifosfamide Exposure

The alkylating agent ifosfamide is an anti-neoplastic used to treat various pediatric and adult malignancies. Its potential urologic toxicities include glomerulopathy, tubulopathy and hemorrhagic cystitis. This report describes a case of proximal renal tubular dysfunction and hemorrhagic cystitis in a 67-year-old male given ifosfamide for epitheloid sarcoma. He was also receiving an oral hypoglycemic agent for type 2 diabetes mellitus and had a baseline glomerular filtration rate of 51.5 mL/min/1.73 m2. Despite mesna prophylaxis, the patient experienced dysuria and gross hematuria after a single course of ifosfamide plus adriamycin. The abrupt renal impairment and serum/urine electrolyte imbalances that ensued were consistent with Fanconi's syndrome. However, normal renal function and electrolyte status were restored within 14 days, simply through supportive measures. A score of 8 by Naranjo adverse drug reaction probability scale indicated these complications were most likely treatment-related, although they developed without known predisposing factors. The currently undefined role of diabetic nephropathy in adult ifosfamide nephrotoxicity merits future investigation

Cardiac tamponade caused by tuberculosis pericarditis in renal transplant recipients

A 50-year-old male, renal transplant recipient, was admitted with fever and chest discomfort. At admission, chest radiologic finding was negative and echocardiography showed minimal pericardial effusion. After 2 days of admission, chest pain worsened and blood pressure fell to 60/40 mmHg. Emergency echocardiography showed a large amount of pericardial effusion compressing the entire heart. Pericardiocentesis was performed immediately. Mycobacterium tuberculosis was isolated from pericardial fluid. Tuberculosis pericarditis should be considered as the cause of cardiac tamponade in renal transplant recipients, even with the absence of pericardial effusion in the initial study or suggestive history

Effect of chitinase- 3- like protein 1 on glucose metabolism: In vitro skeletal muscle and human genetic association study

We investigated the effect of chitinase- 3- like protein 1 (CHI3L1) on glucose metabolism and its underlying mechanisms in skeletal muscle cells, and evaluated whether the observed effects are relevant in humans. CHI3L1 was associated with increased glucose uptake in skeletal muscles in an AMP- activated protein kinase (AMPK)- dependent manner, and with increased intracellular calcium levels via PAR2. The improvement in glucose metabolism observed in an intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test on male C57BL/6J mice supported this association. Inhibition of the CaMKK was associated with suppression of CHI3L1- mediated glucose uptake. Additionally, CHI3L1 was found to influence glucose uptake through the PI3K/AKT pathway. Results suggested that CHI3L1 stimulated the phosphorylation of AS160 and p38 MAPK downstream of AMPK and AKT, and the resultant GLUT4 translocation. In primary myoblast cells, stimulation of AMPK and AKT was observed in response to CHI3L1, underscoring the biological relevance of CHI3L1. CHI3L1 levels were elevated in cells under conditions that mimic exercise in vitro and in exercised mice in vivo, indicating that CHI3L1 is secreted during muscle contraction. Finally, similar associations between CHI3L1 and metabolic parameters were observed in humans alongside genotype associations between CHI3L1 and diabetes at the population level. CHI3L1 may be a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of diabetes.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/162777/2/fsb220907.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/162777/1/fsb220907_am.pd

Atopic Dermatitis-Like Skin Lesions Reduced by Topical Application and Intraperitoneal Injection of Hirsutenone in NC/Nga Mice

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common inflammatory skin disease. The increasing prevalence and severity of AD have prompted the developments of safer, more effective drugs. Although topical corticosteroids have been used as first line therapy for AD, their potential side effects limit their clinical applications. To investigate the effect of hirsutenone (HIR), a diarylheptanoid compound, on AD-like skin lesions and other factors related to immune response is the aim of this paper Th2-related cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, IL-13), eosinophil, IgE inflammatory factors (COX-2, iNOS) levels were reduced in blood, lymphocytes, and tissue after HIR treatment. These results suggest that HIR might be an effective treatment for AD

A Case of Urine Leakage: An Unusual Complication after Renal Biopsy

Renal biopsy is a crucial method in the diagnosis and treatment of acute renal failure of unknown origin, nephrotic syndrome, suspicious interstitial nephritis, and glomerulonephritis as a possible cause of hematuria or proteinuria. Complications occur in 2% to 8% of patients after percutaneous renal biopsy. Complications include gross hematuria, perirenal hematoma, arteriovenous fistula, aneurysm, injury of other organs, and urine leakage. Urine leakage as a complication after kidney biopsy is rare. We experienced a case of urine leakage into the intra-abdominal cavity after renal biopsy

A Case of Non-Functioning Huge Adrenocortical Carcinoma Extending Into Inferior Vena Cava and Right Atrium

Primary adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare tumor and its usual sites of metastasis are the lung (71%), lymph node (68%), liver (42%), and bone (26%). However, intracaval invasion extending into the right atrium is very rare and spontaneous regression of tumor burden in adrenal carcinoma is also rare. We report a case of ACC with direct invasion of the inferior vena cava and right atrium. A 34-yr-old male patient presented with progressive dyspnea, weight loss, and poor oral intake over 3 months. Non-functioning ACC with direct invasion of the inferior vena cava and right atrium was confirmed by imaging, pathologic, and hormonal study. Chemo-radio-therapy was attempted. However, tumor burden was not changed, but rather toxic hepatitis and thrombocytopenia were developed. His subjective symptoms and general conditions were improved after 1 month of conservative management and the patient was discharged. During clinical follow-up, this tumor showed spontaneous regression