Clinical study of chronic subdural hematoma : a review of 645 cases : with special reference to elderly and non-elderly groups

Between January 1982 and October 1991, 645 patients with chronic subdural hematoma were treated at Tokushima University Hospital and its affiliated hospitals. All patients received standard treatment consisting of one burr hole and irrigation. Clinical features in a consecutive series of 645 adult patients with chronic subdural hematoma were studied, comparing two groups: 309 cases classed as elderly of 70 years of age or older (elderly group) and 336 cases below the age of 70 (non-elderly group) . In comparison with the non-elderly group, the elderly group had a higher percentage of females. The reason is considered to be the increase in the number of females in the general elderly population. Left sided hematomas were 1.6 times more common than right sided hematomas. The reason for this discrepancy was believed to be a greater degree of atrophy of the left cerebral hemisphere. An episode of head injury was noted less often in the elderly than non-elderly, so it is also assumed brain atrophy or other conditions caused by aging may play a role in the pathogenesis. In the elderly group, motor weakness and mental disturbance were seen in 66.3 % and 29.4 % respectively. The results were similar to those previously reported. When associated diseases, such as neurodegenerative disease, cerebrovascular disease, dementia and malignancy, are excluded from the analysis, functional prognosis is improved in the non-eldery group. Functional recovery in the elderly tends to be poor in cases with a longer interval between the symptomatic neurological deficit and the operative procedure, while poor operative outcome in the non-elderly group was noted even in cases with a shorter operative interval because of the severity of the condition. It is thought that early diagnosis and surgery would be required in cases of chronic subdural hematoma to obtain good functional recovery regardless of the patient's age

Application of Long-Range Surface Plasmon Resonance for ABO Blood Typing

In this study, we demonstrate a long-range surface plasmon resonance (LR-SPR) biosensor for the detection of whole cell by captured antigens A and B on the surface of red blood cells (RBCs) as a model. The LR-SPR sensor chip consists of high-refractive index glass, a Cytop film layer, and a thin gold (Au) film, which makes the evanescent field intensity and the penetration depth longer than conventional SPR. Therefore, the LR-SPR biosensor has improved capability for detecting large analytes, such as RBCs. The antibodies specific to blood group A and group B (Anti-A and Anti-B) are covalently immobilized on a grafting self-assembled monolayer (SAM)/Au surface on the biosensor. For blood typing, RBC samples can be detected by the LR-SPR biosensor through a change in the refractive index. We determined that the results of blood typing using the LR-SPR biosensor are consistent with the results obtained from the agglutination test. We obtained the lowest detection limits of 1.58 × 105 cells/ml for RBC-A and 3.83 × 105 cells/ml for RBC-B, indicating that the LR-SPR chip has a higher sensitivity than conventional SPR biosensors (3.3 × 108 cells/ml). The surface of the biosensor can be efficiently regenerated using 20 mM NaOH. In summary, as the LR-SPR technique is sensitive and has a simple experimental setup, it can easily be applied for ABO blood group typing

DIP/WISH deficiency enhances synaptic function and performance in the Barnes maze

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>DIP (diaphanous interacting protein)/WISH (WASP interacting SH3 protein) is a protein involved in cytoskeletal signaling which regulates actin cytoskeleton dynamics and/or microtubules mainly through the activity of Rho-related proteins. Although it is well established that: 1) spine-head volumes change dynamically and reflect the strength of the synapse accompanying long-term functional plasticity of glutamatergic synaptic transmission and 2) actin organization is critically involved in spine formation, the involvement of DIP/WISH in these processes is unknown.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We found that DIP/WISH-deficient hippocampal CA1 neurons exhibit enhanced long-term potentiation via modulation of both pre- and post-synaptic events. Consistent with these electrophysiological findings, DIP/WISH-deficient mice, particularly at a relatively young age, found the escape hole more rapidly in the Barnes maze test.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>We conclude that DIP/WISH deletion improves performance in the Barnes maze test in mice probably through increased hippocampal long-term potentiation.</p

ER Stress Protein CHOP Mediates Insulin Resistance by Modulating Adipose Tissue Macrophage Polarity

Obesity represents chronic inflammatory states promoted by pro-inflammatory M1-macrophage infiltration into white adipose tissue (WAT), thereby inducing insulin resistance. Herein, we demonstrate the importance of an ER stress protein, CHOP, in determining adipose tissue macrophage (ATM) polarity and systemic insulin sensitivity. A high-fat diet (HFD) enhances ER stress with CHOP upregulation in adipocytes. CHOP deficiency prevents HFD-induced insulin resistance and glucose intolerance with ATM M2 predomination and Th2 cytokine upregulation in WAT. Whereas ER stress suppresses Th2 cytokine expression in cultured adipocytes, CHOP knockdown inhibits this downregulation. In contrast, macrophage responsiveness to Th1/Th2 cytokines is unchanged regardless of whether CHOP is expressed. Furthermore, bone marrow transplantation experiments showed recipient CHOP to be the major determinant of ATM polarity. Thus, CHOP in adipocytes plays important roles in ATM M1 polarization by altering WAT micro-environmental conditions, including Th2 cytokine downregulation. This molecular mechanism may link adipose ER stress with systemic insulin resistance

Vagus-macrophage-hepatocyte link promotes post-injury liver regeneration and whole-body survival through hepatic FoxM1 activation

The mechanisms underlying the regenerative capacity of the liver are not fully understood. Here, the authors show that the acute regenerative response to liver injury in mice is regulated by the communication involving the vagus nerve, macrophages, and hepatocytes, leading to hepatic FoxM1 activation and promotion of overall survival

Report of the Yamato Traverse of the 15th Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition 1973-1975

From October 25, 1974 to January 17, 1975, the traverse for meteorite search were made from Syowa Station to Yamato Mountains via Mizuho Camp. The traverse party consisted of one geologist, one mechanics, one cook and one field logistics of the 15th Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition (1973-1975). A total of 663 meteorites were collected after a systematic search for the Yamato meteorites in the bare ice area of the Yamato Mountains, East Antarctica. This report are described the details of logistics aspects, namely, planning, itinerary, operations of the oversnow vehicles, food rations, equipments and radio communications for the Yamato traverse, but research activities of meteorite search are describe other paper by K. YANAI (Antarct. Rec., 56, 70, 1976)