51 research outputs found

    Biomechanical Comparison of Posterior Fixation Using Spinal Instrumentation and Conventional Posterior Plate Fixation in Unstable Vertical Sacral Fracture

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    Vertical sacral fracture is one of the most difficult fractures to treat. Posterior fixation using spinal dual rods is a novel method for treating this fracture, but its biomechanical strength has not yet been reported. The aim of this study was to evaluate the biomechanical strength produced by posterior fixation using spinal instrumentation. Sacral fractures were created in eight pelvic bone models and classified into a posterior plate fixation group [P group, nļ¼4] and a spinal instrumentation group [R group, nļ¼4]. The biomechanical strength was tested by pushing down on the S1 vertebra from the top. The mean maximum loads were 1,057.4 N and 1,489.4 N in the P and R groups, respectively (pļ¼0.014). The loads applied to the construct at displacements of 5mm and 7.5mm from the start of the universal testing machine loading were also significantly higher in the R group. The mean stiffness levels in the P and R groups were 88.3N/mm and 119.6N/mm, respectively (pļ¼0.014). Posterior fixation using spinal instrumentation is biomechanically stronger than conventional posterior plate fixation. This procedure may be the optimal method for treating unstable sacral fracture fixation

    Mohawk promotes the maintenance and regeneration of the outer annulus fibrosus of intervertebral discs.

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    The main pathogenesis of intervertebral disc (IVD) herniation involves disruption of the annulus fibrosus (AF) caused by ageing or excessive mechanical stress and the resulting prolapse of the nucleus pulposus. Owing to the avascular nature of the IVD and lack of understanding the mechanisms that maintain the IVD, current therapies do not lead to tissue regeneration. Here we show that homeobox protein Mohawk (Mkx) is a key transcription factor that regulates AF development, maintenance and regeneration. Mkx is mainly expressed in the outer AF (OAF) of humans and mice. In Mkx(-/-) mice, the OAF displays a deficiency of multiple tendon/ligament-related genes, a smaller OAF collagen fibril diameter and a more rapid progression of IVD degeneration compared with the wild type. Mesenchymal stem cells overexpressing Mkx promote functional AF regeneration in a mouse AF defect model, with abundant collagen fibril formation. Our results indicate a therapeutic strategy for AF regeneration

    Efficacy of osimertinib in epidermal growth factor receptor-mutated non-small-cell lung cancer patients with pleural effusion

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    Background: Osimertinib is a standard first-line treatment for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) harboring epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations. Although malignant pleural effusion (PE) is a common clinical problem in NSCLC, information about the efficacy of osimertinib in patients with PE is limited, especially regarding its efficacy in EGFR T790M-negative patients with PE remains unclear. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients with NSCLC harboring EGFR mutations who were treated with osimertinib in our institution between May 2016 and December 2020. Results: A total of 63 patients with EGFR mutated NSCLC were treated with osimertinib; 33 (12 with PE) had no EGFR T790M mutation, while 30 (12 with PE) had EGFR T790M mutation. In EGFR T790M-negative NSCLC, the progression-free survival (PFS) of the patients with PE was comparable to that of the patients without PE (median PFS 19.8 vs. 19.8 months, pā€‰=ā€‰0.693). In EGFR T790M- positive NSCLC, the PFS and overall survival (OS) of the patients with PE were significantly shorter than those of the patients without PE (median PFS 16.8 vs. 8.3 months, pā€‰=ā€‰0.003; median OS 44.9 vs. 14.2 months, pā€‰=ā€‰0.007). In the multivariate analysis, the presence of PE was independently associated with shorter PFS and OS in EGFR T790M-positive NSCLC patients, but not EGFR T790M-negative patients. Conclusions: These data suggest the efficacy of osimertinib may differ between EGFR T790M-positive and -negative NSCLC patients with PE

    On the Average Time- and Frequency-Pattern of Photic Flicker Response in Relation to Intrinsic Alpha Activity Verified by a New Simple Method

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    Delivering photic flicker stimulations from about 8 to 12 flashes per second for about 60 seconds continuously to relaxed normal adult human subject, the average properties of the driven EEG waves are obtained by applying a new practical crosscorrelation method to eliminate the irrelevant oscillations to the stimulation. The average time-pattern of the intrinsic alpha activity was carved in relief by a new simple autocorrelation method, which is originally demonstrated here. The EEGs are traced from the occipital, parietal, temporal and frontal regions by monopolar technique. Even immediately after the initiation of flicker stimulation, the response wave of the stimulating frequency was driven and tended to build up gradually to the maximum average intensity in the course of contiunal stimulation, especially in the occipital region, showing some fluctuation in size. The average distribution of the driven wave over the scalp was similar to those of the relaxed intrinsic alpha wave activity, in size and phase angle. From these evidences it would be assumed at least for the first approximation that the driven waves are produced from a generator essentially similar to what acts in relaxed state. In the occipital region, the EEG response was easily driven more intensely the intrinsic alpha activity in the relaxed state by a photic flicker stimulation with a higher frequency than that of relaxed alpha activity, whereas weaker response tended to be driven by lower frequency of stimulation. In other regions, however, a reverse tendency was observed immediately after the initiation of the stimulation

    A case of pulmonary pleomorphic carcinoma with preexisting interstitial pneumonia successfully treated with pembrolizumab

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    Pulmonary pleomorphic carcinoma is often refractory to chemotherapy and follows an aggressive clinical course. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have revolutionized the treatment of advanced lung cancer, and a few cases with pleomorphic carcinoma have been reported to show tumor shrinkage after therapy with ICIs. When treating patients with ICIs, patient selection is essential, and monitoring and management of immune-related adverse events, including pneumonitis, are needed. We herein report a case of pulmonary pleomorphic carcinoma with preexisting interstitial pneumonia treated with pembrolizumab, antiprogrammed cell death 1 antibody. Our report highlights important considerations necessary when treating advanced pleomorphic carcinoma patients complicated with interstitial pneumonia. We also review the literature regarding the use of ICIs in such patients

    Development of an experimental platform for combinative use of an XFEL and a high-power nanosecond laser

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    We developed an experimental platform for combinative use of an X-ray free electron laser (XFEL) and a high-power nanosecond laser. The main target of the platform is an investigation of matter under high-pressure states produced by a laser-shock compression. In this paper, we show details of the experimental platform, including XFEL parameters and the focusing optics, the laser irradiation system and X-ray diagnostics. As a demonstration of the high-power laser-pump XFEL-probe experiment, we performed an X-ray diffraction measurement. An in-situ single-shot X-ray diffraction pattern expands to a large angle side, which shows a corundum was compressed by laser irradiation.Inubushi, Y.; Yabuuchi, T.; Togashi, T.; Sueda, K.; Miyanishi, K.; Tange, Y.; Ozaki, N.; Matsuoka, T.; Kodama, R.; Osaka, T.; Matsuyama, S.; Yamauchi, K.; Yumoto, H.; Koyama, T.; Ohashi, H.; Tono, K.; Yabashi, M. Development of an Experimental Platform for Combinative Use of an XFEL and a High-Power Nanosecond Laser. Appl. Sci. 2020, 10, 2224. https://doi.org/10.3390/app10072224

    Psychiatric-disorder-related behavioral phenotypes and cortical hyperactivity in a mouse model of 3q29 deletion syndrome

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    3q29 microdeletion, a rare recurrent copy number variant (CNV), greatly confers an increased risk of psychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorder (ASD), as well as intellectual disability. However, disease-relevant cellular phenotypes of 3q29 deletion syndrome remain to be identified. To reveal the molecular and cellular etiology of 3q29 deletion syndrome, we generated a mouse model of human 3q29 deletion syndrome by chromosome engineering, which achieved construct validity. 3q29 deletion (Df/+) mice showed reduced body weight and brain volume and, more importantly, impaired social interaction and prepulse inhibition. Importantly, the schizophrenia-related impaired prepulse inhibition was reversed by administration of antipsychotics. These findings are reminiscent of the growth defects and neuropsychiatric behavioral phenotypes in patients with 3q29 deletion syndrome and exemplify that the mouse model achieves some part of face validity and predictive validity. Unbiased whole-brain imaging revealed that neuronal hyperactivation after a behavioral task was strikingly exaggerated in a restricted region of the cortex of Df/+ mice. We further elucidated the cellular phenotypes of neuronal hyperactivation and the reduction of parvalbumin expression in the cortex of Df/+ mice. Thus, the 3q29 mouse model provides invaluable insight into the disease-causative molecular and cellular pathology of psychiatric disorders
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