134 research outputs found
Case Report Bilateral Endoscopic Medial Maxillectomy for Bilateral Inverted Papilloma
Inverted papilloma (IP) is a benign tumor of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses that is unilateral in most cases. Bilateral IP, involving both sides of the nasal cavity and sinuses, is extremely rare. This paper describes a large IP that filled in both sides of the nasal cavity and sinuses, mimicking association with malignancy. The tumor was successfully treated by bilateral endoscopic medial maxillectomy (EMM). The patient is without evidence of the disease 24 months after surgery. If preoperative diagnosis does not confirm the association with malignancy in IP, endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) should be selected, and ESS, including EMM, is a good first choice of the treatment for IP
CHANGE IN MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF TRICEPS SURAE MUSCLE-TENDON UNIT AND RACE PERFORMANCE AFTER 1 YEAR IN WELL TRAINED DISTANCE RUNNERS
The purpose of this study was to determine change in relationship between stiffness of triceps surae muscle-tendon unit and race performance after one year with continuous training in well trained long distance runners. For 9 long distance runners, official race record and stiffness indexes of both muscle and tendon were investigated in pre and post measurements (after one year). The race performance (1.9%), passive torque of ankle joint (13.2%), and muscle stiffness index (73.6%) increased significantly between pre and post. Although significant correlations were not found between increment of race performance and change in all parameters, 6 of the 9 athletes showed increments of both race performance and stiffness index of muscle tissue. These results suggest that an increment of stiffness of the ankle joint and triceps muscle could be related to improvement of race performance in distance running
Significance of Premature Stop Codons in \u3cem\u3eenv\u3c/em\u3e of Simian Immunodeficiency Virus
The location of the translational termination codon for the transmembrane protein (TMP) varies in three infectious molecular clones of simian immunodeficiency virus from macaques (SIVmac). The SIVmac251 and SIVmac142 infectious clones have premature stop signals that differ in location by one codon; transfection of these DNAs into human HUT-78 cells yielded virus with a truncated TMP (28 to 30 kilodaltons [kDa]). The SIVmac239 infectious clone does not have a premature stop codon in its TMP-coding region. Transfection of HUT-78 cells with this clone initially yielded virus with a full-length TMP (41 kDa). At 20 to 30 days posttransfection, SIVmac239 virus with a 41-kDa TMP gradually disappeared coincident with the emergence of a virus with a 28-kDa TMP. Virus production dramatically increased in parallel with the emergence of a virus with a 28-kDa TMP. Sequence analysis of viral DNAs from these cultures showed that premature stop codons arising by point mutation were responsible for the change in size of the TMP with time. A similar selective pressure for truncated forms of TMP was observed when the SIVmac239 clone was transfected into human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL). In contrast, no such selective pressure was observed in macaque PBL. When the SIVmac239 clone was transfected into macaque PBL and the resultant virus was serially passaged in macaque PBL, the virus replicated very well and maintained a 41-kDa TMP for 80 days in culture. Macaque monkeys were infected with SIVmac239 having a 28-kDa TMP; virus subsequently recovered from T4-enriched lymphocytes of peripheral blood showed only the 41-kDa form of TMP. These results indicate that the natural form of TMP in SIVmac is the full-length 41-kDa TMP, just as in human immunodeficiency virus type 1. Viruses with truncated forms of TMP appear to result from mutation and selection during propagation in unnatural human cells
Poirierite, a dense metastable polymorph of magnesium iron silicate in shocked meteorites
宇宙から飛来した隕石から新鉱物ポワリエライトを発見 --小天体の衝突過程、地球内部の変化等を探る重要な鍵に--. 京都大学プレスリリース. 2021-01-25.A dense magnesium iron silicate polymorph with a structure intermediate between olivine, ringwoodite, and wadsleyite was theoretically predicted about four decades ago. As this group of minerals constitute the major component of shocked meteorites, constraining their transitional forms and behaviour is of potential importance for understanding impact events on their parent bodies. Here we use high-resolution transmission electron microscopy techniques and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses to identify naturally occurring examples of this mineral – recently named poirierite – in shocked chondritic meteorites. We observe nanoscale lamellar poirierite topotactically intergrown within wadsleyite, and additionally within ringwoodite as recently reported. Our results confirm the intermediate structure of poirierite and suggest it might be a relay point in the shear transformations between its polymorphs. We propose that poirierite formed during rapid decompression at relatively low temperature in retrograde shock metamorphism of the meteorites
バスケットボールの競技力構造の分析 : ユニバーシアード男子ソ連・アメリカ・日本の選手比較を基に
This paper is concerned with a new method for the analysis of basketball game record, which is an application of standard multidimensional scaling analysis (MDS). This method enables us to identify essential dimensions which span the ability space of basketball performance. By using the official subscore record kept in the Universiade\u2785 held in Kobe, we extracted three major dimensions interpretable as representing fundamental basketball performance. They are as follows; 1. Ability to get rebound balls. 2. General shooting ability. 3. Ability of ball feeding and 3-points-shooting. (Corresponding contributions are 1:4.591,2:3.212 and 3:2.695.) We showed that these dimensional system is useful for simplified grasping of the intricated game situation and for individualized evaluation of players
Insufficient Production and Tissue Delivery of CD4+Memory T Cells in Rapidly Progressive Simian Immunodeficiency Virus Infection
The mechanisms linking human immunodeficiency virus replication to the progressive immunodeficiency of acquired immune deficiency syndrome are controversial, particularly the relative contribution of CD4+ T cell destruction. Here, we used the simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) model to investigate the relationship between systemic CD4+ T cell dynamics and rapid disease progression. Of 18 rhesus macaques (RMs) infected with CCR5-tropic SIVmac239 (n = 14) or CXCR4-tropic SIVmac155T3 (n = 4), 4 of the former group manifested end-stage SIV disease by 200 d after infection. In SIVmac155T3 infections, naive CD4+ T cells were dramatically depleted, but this population was spared by SIVmac239, even in rapid progressors. In contrast, all SIVmac239-infected RMs demonstrated substantial systemic depletion of CD4+ memory T cells by day 28 after infection. Surprisingly, the extent of CD4+ memory T cell depletion was not, by itself, a strong predictor of rapid progression. However, in all RMs destined for stable infection, this depletion was countered by a striking increase in production of short-lived CD4+ memory T cells, many of which rapidly migrated to tissue. In all rapid progressors (P < 0.0001), production of these cells initiated but failed by day 42 of infection, and tissue delivery of new CD4+ memory T cells ceased. Thus, although profound depletion of tissue CD4+ memory T cells appeared to be a prerequisite for early pathogenesis, it was the inability to respond to this depletion with sustained production of tissue-homing CD4+ memory T cells that best distinguished rapid progressors, suggesting that mechanisms of the CD4+ memory T cell generation play a crucial role in maintaining immune homeostasis in stable SIV infection
Effect of extracted garlic powder ingestion for two months on exercise-induced immunological responses
Introduction. Exhaustive exercise is associated with an increased risk of upper respiratory tract infection. Previously, allicin supplementation has been reported to reduce the incidence of common cold symptoms and production of exercise-induced interleukin (IL)-6. However, it is not clear if daily ingestion of the edible portion of whole garlic (Allium sativum) alters the exercise-induced immunological response. The present study investigated the effects of extracted garlic powder ingestion for 2 months on immune cell counts, natural killer cell activity (NKCA), as well as changes in cytokines, cortisol, and lactic acid in response to high-intensity cycling exercise.
Methods. The present study employed a before-after study design. Six sedentary male participants (age, 22.0±0.3 years) consumed extracted garlic powder for 2 months, and underwent 45 minutes of cycling exercise at 80% of the heart rate reserve once before and once after the supplementation period. A thousand milligrams of extracted garlic powder, comparable to 6 g (1 clove) of raw garlic, was ingested every day. Blood samples were obtained at the following five time points: before exercise, 0 min, 30 min, 60 min, and 120 min after exercise. We measured NKCA, leukocyte counts, neutrophil counts, lymphocyte counts, as well as levels of serum IL-6, IL-10, cortisol, and lactic acid. Repeated measures ANOVA was used for statistical analyses. When interaction effects were significant, measurement values at the various time points were compared between pre- and post-supplementation period using the paired t-test. Changes were deemed statistically significant when p\u3c0.05.
Results. We observed no significant difference in pre-exercise measurements between pre- and post-supplementation periods. In addition, we found no significant interaction effect for leukocytes, neutrophils, NKCA, IL-10, and cortisol. However, we did identify a significant interaction effect for lymphocytes, IL-6, and lactic acid (p=0.033, p=0.030, and p\u3c0.001, respectively). Lymphocyte counts were significantly lower post-supplementation relative to pre-supplementation immediately after exercise (p=0.014). In addition, IL-6 was significantly lower post-supplementation relative to pre-supplementation immediately and 30 minutes after exercise (p=0.015 and p=0.018, respectively). Lactic acid levels were significantly lower post-supplementation relative to pre-supplementation immediately after exercise (p=0.018).
Conclusions. The extracted garlic powder did not significantly influence exercise-induced responses by leukocytes, neutrophils, NKCA, IL-10, or cortisol. However, exercise-induced responses by lymphocytes, IL-6, and lactic acid were suppressed after ingestion of extracted garlic powder. Thus, daily ingestion of the edible portion of whole garlic may suppress exercise-induced immunological responses and lactic acid levels
Establishment of canine hemangiosarcoma xenograft models expressing endothelial growth factors, their receptors, and angiogenesis-associated homeobox genes
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Human hemangiosarcoma (HSA) tends to have a poor prognosis; its tumorigenesis has not been elucidated, as there is a dearth of HSA clinical specimens and no experimental model for HSA. However, the incidence of spontaneous HSA is relatively high in canines; therefore, canine HSA has been useful in the study of human HSA. Recently, the production of angiogenic growth factors and their receptors in human and canine HSA has been reported. Moreover, the growth-factor environment of HSA is very similar to that of pathophysiological angiogenesis, which some homeobox genes regulate in the transcription of angiogenic molecules. In the present study, we established 6 xenograft canine HSA tumors and detected the expression of growth factors, their receptors, and angiogenic homeobox genes.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Six primary canine HSAs were xenografted to nude mice subcutaneously and serially transplanted. Subsequently, the expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A, basic fibroblast growth factors (bFGF), flt-1 and flk-1 (receptors of VEGF-A), FGFR-1, and angiogenic homeobox genes HoxA9, HoxB3, HoxB7, HoxD3, Pbx1, and Meis1 were investigated in original and xenograft tumors by histopathology, immunostaining, and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), using canine-specific primer sets.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Histopathologically, xenograft tumors comprised a proliferation of neoplastic cells that were varied in shape, from spindle-shaped and polygonal to ovoid; some vascular-like structures and vascular clefts of channels were observed, similar to those in the original tumors. The expression of endothelial markers (CD31 and vWF) was detected in xenograft tumors by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR. Moreover, the expression of VEGF-A, bFGF, flt-1, flk-1, FGFR-1, HoxA9, HoxB3, HoxB7, HoxD3, Pbx1, and Meis1 was detected in xenograft tumors. Interestingly, expressions of bFGF tended to be higher in 3 of the xenograft HSA tumors than in the other tumors.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>We established 6 xenograft canine HSA tumors in nude mice and found that the expressions of angiogenic growth factors and their receptors in xenograft HSAs were similar to those in spontaneous HSA. Furthermore, we detected the expression of angiogenic homeobox genes; therefore, xenograft models may be useful in analyzing malignant growth in HSA.</p
ムシュウ ニンニク 2カゲツカン ノ セッシュ ハ ウンドウ ユウハツセイ IL-6 ジョウショウ ヲ ヨクセイ スル:ゼンゴ ヒカク シケン
ニンニクに含まれるアリシンはヒトで運動誘発性インターロイキン(IL)6産生を抑制することが報告されている。しかし,アリシンは特有の強い臭気を持つため,実生活を考えると日常的に使用することが難しい。我々はそこで,無臭ニンニク(odorless garlic ; OG)2か月間摂取が運動誘発性IL-6産生と他の免疫応答を減弱する可能性について検討することを目的とした。日頃からあまり活動的でない6名の健康な男性(22.0±0.7歳)を対象に一日当たり1 gのOGを2か月間にわたって摂取させた。研究での運動負荷条件は推定最大心拍数の80%強度の自転車運動とし,45分間実施した。運動負荷は,実験開始前(control群 ; CON-Ex)とニンニク摂取2か月後(odorless garlic supplementation and exercise群 ; OG-Ex)に実施した。血液サンプルは運動負荷を行う前,運動負荷直後(0 min),30分後,60分後に採取し,IL-6,IL-10,白血球数,好中球数,リンパ球数,Natural Killer Cell Activity (NKCA),コルチゾールを測定した。運動負荷前から運動負荷60分後までの上昇曲線下面積(iAUC)を算出し,統計解析には繰り返しのある二元配置分散分析(ANOVA)およびHolm’s methodを用いた対応のあるt検定を行った。運動負荷前の生化学値にはCON-ExとOG-Exの間に有意な差は見られなかった。運動負荷後の白血球数,好中球数,リンパ球数,NKCA,IL-10,およびコルチゾールに交互作用は見られなかったものの,IL-6には交互作用が見られた(p=0.011)。OG-Ex 群の運動誘発性IL-6 iAUC値はCON-Ex群に比べて有意な低下がみられた(CON-Ex, 82.5±12.2 min・pg/mL ; OG-Ex, 55.5±14.2 min・pg/mL ; p=0.018)。今回の結果は2か月間のOG摂取が運動誘発性IL-6上昇を抑制するという仮説を支持する結果となった。しかしながら,OG摂取は他の免疫指標に影響を及ぼすことはなかった。OG摂取が運動誘発性の免疫機能に及ぼす影響については,今後のさらなる研究が必要である。Allicin, which is a primary compound in crushed garlic, inhibits exercise-induced interleukin (IL)-6 production in humans. However, the daily use of crushed garlic or stabilized allicin is not practical due to the strong odor of allicin. We therefore investigated the possibility that odorless garlic (OG) supplementation for 2 months attenuates exercise-induced IL-6 and other immunological responses. Six healthy untrained men (aged 22.0±0.7 years) consumed 1 g of OG per day for 2 months. Participants underwent two 45-min periods of acute cycling exercise at 80% intensity of heart rate reserve (HRR). The first period was at baseline (control exercise ; CON-Ex) and the second after 2 months of OG supplementation (odorless garlic supplementation and exercise ; OG-Ex). To assess levels of IL-6, IL-10, leukocytes, neutrophils, lymphocytes, Natural Killer Cell Activity (NKCA) and cortisol, blood samples were collected before and immediately (0 min), and 30 and 60 min after each 45-min period of exercise. Two-way repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) and paired t-test with Holm’s method were performed, and the incremental area under the curve (iAUC) from before to 60 min after exercise was calculated. No significant differences in the pre-exercise levels of biochemical indices were observed between the CON-Ex and OG-Ex assessments. No significant interaction effects were observed in exercise-induced changes in leukocytes, neutrophils, lymphocytes, NKCA, IL-10, or cortisol. A significant interaction effect was observed in exercise-induced changes in IL-6 (p=0.011). OG consumption also significantly decreased the iAUC of IL-6 (CON-Ex, 82.5±12.2 min・pg/mL ; OG-Ex, 55.5±14.2 min・pg/mL ; p=0.018). Our findings support the hypothesis that two months of OG supplementation attenuates exercise-induced increases in IL-6 levels among untrained men. However, OG did not exert a similar effect on other immunological parameters. Further study is required to clarify the effect of OG on exercise-induced activation of the immune system
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