Description of the Diversity in Surgical Indication and Surgical Strategies for Primary Spinal Cord Tumors: A Nationwide Survey by the Neurospinal Society of Japan

Objective To assess the current management of primary spinal cord tumors (PSCTs) and determine whether and to what extent there are differences in surgical strategies for PSCTs. Methods The Neurospinal Society of Japan conducted a survey between April 1 and 30, 2021. Certified spine surgeons were requested for information on the frequency of surgeries in 2020 and the surgical strategies adopted for each PSCTs. The following tumor histologies were focused: schwannoma, meningioma, and cauda equina tumor as extramedullary tumors; and ependymoma, hemangioblastoma, astrocytoma, and cavernoma as intramedullary tumors. The participants were divided according to their response as follows: experts, who had experienced ≥ 100 surgeries for PSCTs, and nonexperts. Results Among 308 participants (63%), 35 (11%) were experts. The total number of PSCTs in 2020 was 802 of which 564 tumors were extramedullary and 223 were intramedullary. Schwannoma accounted for 53% of the extramedullary tumors, and ependymoma accounted for 39% of the intramedullary tumors. Surgical strategies significantly differed among both the experts and nonexperts groups. Some discrepancies in the adopted surgical strategies were observed between groups. Some of the nonexperts, and none of the experts, ruled out surgery for schwannomas (Eden type 4), astrocytomas, or cavernomas. Five nonexperts (2.2%), and none of the experts, resected the entire dura for meningiomas. Conclusion A nationwide survey revealed that a sufficient consensus did not exist regarding surgical strategies for PSCTs. A disease-specific registry for PSCTs is necessary in academic societies

シイクカ マレーグマ ニ オケル コウカテキ ナ サイショク エンリッチメント

マレーグマ（Helarctos malayanus）は，IUCNのレッドリストでは絶滅危惧II類（VU）に指定されている。絶滅危惧種の保全には，生息域内での生態・行動把握に加えて，動物園などでの生息域外保全も重要である。その際，飼育環境を自然生息地に近づけ，動物のもつ野生本来の行動を発現できるエンリッチメントが大切となってくる。しかし，飼育下マレーグマでエンリッチメントが行われている前例は世界でも少なく，国内では行われた報告がない。また過去にマレーグマにおいて効果的とされた採食エンリッチメントは広い放飼場を必要とする。そこで本研究は，飼育下マレーグマにおいて限られた空間で継続的な効果を望める採食エンリッチメントを考案することを目的とした。本研究は2つの実験を甲府市遊亀公園附属動物園（以下：甲府）と豊橋総合動植物公園（以下：豊橋）にて行った。実験1はブイ，丸太の2種類のエンリッチメントを設置し，それぞれの効果を検証した。実験2はブイを定期的に移動させることでエンリッチメントの効果持続を試みた。実験1より甲府で平均17.8%（最大27.1%），豊橋で平均24.3%（最大32.8%）の採食行動の増加と，甲府で平均42.0%（最大72.9%），豊橋で平均18.2%（最大25.7%）の常同行動の減少が確認できた。ブイ，丸太ともに効果が確認できたことに加え，野生下に類似した行動が発現し，エンリッチメントとして優れていると考えられる。しかし，丸太の効果は一時的なものであった。また，ブイを移動させることによって，エンリッチメントの効果を6ヶ月にわたる5回の調査期間全てで確認できた。さらに，給餌直後に限らず，給餌から最大7時間後の採食が確認できたことから，ブイの効果は1日を通してみられた。よって，ブイを定期的に移動させることで，限られた空間の中で継続的な効果のあるエンリッチメントを考案することができた。Sun bears (Helarctos malayanus), the world’s smallest bear, have been listed as vulnerable on the IUCN red list since 2017. For such endangered species, ex-situ conservation plays a vital role, and introducing enrichment in captive environment is important in prompting natural behaviors. However, only a few enrichment studies have been done on this species, and none in Japan. An enrichment proven to be effective for sun bears in a study done in Germany requires big outdoor enclosures that is difficult to recreate in most zoos. This study devises a new feeding enrichment for sun bears, with minimal space and long-lasting effects. Two experiments were done. In experiment 1, a log filled with honey and a buoy with a small hole were placed as a feeding enrichment, and the effects were measured. In experiment 2, to avoid habituation and to achieve prolonged effect, the buoy was moved after each 3-day observation period. The experiment was done in Yuki Park Zoo (Kofu), and Toyohashi Zoo and Botanical Park (Toyohashi). In experiment 1, foraging increased by an average of 17.8% in Kofu, and 24.3% in Toyohashi. Pacing declined by an average of 42.0% in Kofu, and 18.2% in Toyohashi. Both log and buoy were proven to be effective in increasing foraging activity and decreasing pacing. Moreover, in using the enrichment, behaviors such as digging and standing up using both hands to forage was seen, which resembles those seen in wild sun bears. However, the log’s effect was temporary. In experiment 2, by moving the buoy, decline of pacing and increase in foraging was seen over time, therefore, achieving prolonged effect. Foraging activity was also seen 7 hours after the enrichment was placed, indicating that this feeding enrichment’s effect lasts throughout the day. In conclusion, by moving the buoy regularly, this study developed an effective long-term feeding enrichment within the minimal space

Augmentation of Neovascularizaiton in Hindlimb Ischemia by Combined Transplantation of Human Embryonic Stem Cells-Derived Endothelial and Mural Cells

BACKGROUND: We demonstrated that mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells-derived vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGF-R2) positive cells could differentiate into both endothelial cells (EC) and mural cells (MC), and termed them as vascular progenitor cells (VPC). Recently, we have established a method to expand monkey and human ES cells-derived VPC with the proper differentiation stage in a large quantity. Here we investigated the therapeutic potential of human VPC-derived EC and MC for vascular regeneration. METHODS AND RESULTS: After the expansion of human VPC-derived vascular cells, we transplanted these cells to nude mice with hindlimb ischemia. The blood flow recovery and capillary density in ischemic hindlimbs were significantly improved in human VPC-derived EC-transplanted mice, compared to human peripheral and umbilical cord blood-derived endothelial progenitor cells (pEPC and uEPC) transplanted mice. The combined transplantation of human VPC-derived EC and MC synergistically improved blood flow of ischemic hindlimbs remarkably, compared to the single cell transplantations. Transplanted VPC-derived vascular cells were effectively incorporated into host circulating vessels as EC and MC to maintain long-term vascular integrity. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that the combined transplantation of human ES cells-derived EC and MC can be used as a new promising strategy for therapeutic vascular regeneration in patients with tissue ischemia

Comparison of the Recurrence and Surgical Outcome of Spinal Hemangioblastoma in Sporadic and Von Hippel-Lindau Diseases: A Subanalysis of a Nationwide Study by the Neurospinal Society of Japan

Objective This study aimed to clarify the relationship between recurrence and the extent of resection in surgery for intramedullary spinal hemangioblastoma (sHB) and its impact on von Hippel-Lindau (vHL) disease. Methods Data on sHB cases followed up for at least 6 months after surgery were extracted from a nationwide registry of 1,033 consecutive spinal intramedullary tumors surgically treated between 2009 and 2020, and were retrospectively categorized into a sporadic or vHL group. The diagnosis of vHL disease was made at each institution based on clinical findings. Results A total of 168 patients (sporadic group, 101; vHL group, 67) were included in the study. Compared with the sporadic group, the vHL group had a younger onset (45.4 ± 16.8 years vs. 39.6 ± 14.1 years, p = 0.02), more preoperative motor (47.5% vs. 68.7%, p < 0.01) and gait (37.6% vs. 61.2%, p < 0.01) impairments, and more patients with worsening neurological symptoms at discharge (p = 0.02). The gross total resection (GTR) rates and the recurrence rates were not statistically different between the sporadic and the vHL groups. GTR significantly improved recurrence-free survival compared to non-GTR in all patient analysis (p < 0.01) but this trend was not observed in the sporadic group. Physical functional improvement from discharge to 6 months after surgery was observed in the sporadic group (p < 0.01) but not in the vHL group. Conclusion A high GTR rate may sufficiently decrease susceptibility to recurrence, especially in patients with sHB with vHL. In sporadic sHB, postoperative functional improvement can be expected, and the long-term functional prognosis is favorable

Evidence of infection with Leptospira interrogans and spotted fever group rickettsiae among rodents in an urban area of Osaka City, Japan

We examined 33 rodents captured in an urban area of Osaka City, Japan for IgG antibodies against Seoul virus, severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus, hepatitis E virus, Leptospira interrogans, Yersinia pestis, spotted fever, typhus and scrub typhus group rickettsiae. We found that 3 (9.1%) and 1 (3.0%) of the 33 rodents had antibodies against L. interrogans and spotted fever group rickettsiae, respectively. DNAs of leptospires were detected from 2 of the 3 seropositive rodents, but DNA of rickettsia was not detected. Phylogenetic analysis and multiple locus sequence typing revealed that the 2 leptospires were L. interrogans belonging to a novel sequence type. There is a potential risk for acquiring rodent-borne zoonotic pathogens even in cities in developed countries

Overexpression of the protein disulfide isomerase AtCYO1 in chloroplasts slows dark-induced senescence in Arabidopsis

Abstract Background Chlorophyll breakdown is the most obvious sign of leaf senescence. The chlorophyll catabolism pathway and the associated proteins/genes have been identified in considerable detail by genetic approaches combined with stay-green phenotyping. Arabidopsis CYO1 (AtCYO1), a protein disulfide reductase/isomerase localized in the thylakoid membrane, is hypothesized to assemble the photosystem by interacting with cysteine residues of the subunits. Results In this study, we report that ectopic overexpression of AtCYO1 in leaves induces a stay-green phenotype during darkness, where oxidative conditions favor catabolism. In AtCYO1ox leaves, Fv/Fm and both chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b content remained high during dark-induced senescence. The thylakoid ultrastructure was preserved for a longer time in AtCYO1ox leaves than in wild type leaves. AtCYO1ox leaves maintained thylakoid chlorophyll-binding proteins associated with both PSII (D1, D2, CP43, CP47, LHCB2, and Cyt f) and PSI (PSA-A/B), as well as stromal proteins (Rubisco and ferredoxin-NADP+ reductase). AtCYO1ox did not affect senescence-inducible gene expression for chlorophyll catabolism or accumulation of chlorophyll catabolites. Conclusions Our results suggest that ectopic overexpression of AtCYO1 had a negative impact on the initiation of chlorophyll degradation and proteolysis within chloroplasts. Our findings cast new light on the redox regulation of protein disulfide bonds for the maintenance of functional chloroplasts

Additional file 10: of Overexpression of the protein disulfide isomerase AtCYO1 in chloroplasts slows dark-induced senescence in Arabidopsis

Table S1. Number of Cys residues in chloroplast proteins in Arabidopsis. (PDF 73 kb