麻酔下ネコの下唇と口蓋における反射性副交感神経作動性血管拡張に対する視床下部前部阻害(Anterior hypothalamic inhibition of reflex parasympathetic vasodilatation in the lower lip and palate of anaesthetized cats)

麻酔下迷走・交感神経切除ネコにおいて、舌神経(LN)の中央切断部の電気刺激による下唇と口蓋の副交感神経介在性反射性血管拡張に対する視床下部の修飾作用について報告した。視床下部前部を電気刺激すると、LN刺激による唇血流増加が減弱した。その最も大きな阻害効果は視床下部前部の脳質周囲から誘発されていた。GABAA受容体特異的アンタゴニストのピクロトキシンを前投与すると、視床下部前部刺激の阻害効果が減弱したことから、視床下部の阻害効果はGABA様効果によって発現することが示唆された。興奮性アミノ酸のL-ホモシステイン酸を視床下部前部に微量注入すると、LN刺激による唇血流増加が有意に阻害されたことから、視床下部前部の細胞体が阻害作用に応答していることが示唆された。これはネコの口・顔面の非迷走神経性副交感神経反射に対する視床下部前部による修飾に関する初めての報告である。麻酔下迷走・交感神経切除ネコにおいて、舌神経(LN)の中央切断部の電気刺激による下唇と口蓋の副交感神経介在性反射性血管拡張に対する視床下部の修飾作用について報告した。視床下部前部を電気刺激すると、LN刺激による唇血流増加が減弱した。その最も大きな阻害効果は視床下部前部の脳質周囲から誘発されていた。GABAA受容体特異的アンタゴニストのピクロトキシンを前投与すると、視床下部前部刺激の阻害効果が減弱したことから、視床下部の阻害効果はGABA様効果によって発現することが示唆された。興奮性アミノ酸のL-ホモシステイン酸を視床下部前部に微量注入すると、LN刺激による唇血流増加が有意に阻害されたことから、視床下部前部の細胞体が阻害作用に応答していることが示唆された。これはネコの口・顔面の非迷走神経性副交感神経反射に対する視床下部前部による修飾に関する初めての報告である

A transmembrane glycoprotein, gp38, is a novel marker for immature hepatic progenitor cells in fetal mouse livers

Previously, we clarified the surface antigen profiles of hepatic progenitor cells (HPCs) in fetal liver tissue as the CD49f+CD45−Thy1− cell fraction. However, these cells were a heterogeneous cell population containing various stages of differentiation. This study aimed to detect more immature HPCs, using a novel surface antigen, gp38. After the collagenase digestion of fetal livers harvested from E13.5 to E18.5 fetal mice, HPCs were obtained and divided into two subpopulations using flow cytometry: gp38-positive HPCs, and gp38-negative HPCs. Both types of HPCs were characterized by immunocytochemistry and RT-PCR. The proliferative activity was compared by BrdU incorporation and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTS) assay. Furthermore, the comprehensive gene expression was investigated by DNA microarray. Both types of HPCs expressed alpha-fetoprotein. However, the gp38-positive HPCs derived from E13.5 fetal livers did not express albumin or cytokeratin 19, while the gp38-negative HPCs did. DNA microarray revealed that some genes related to the Wnt signal pathway were up-regulated in the gp38-positive HPCs. Furthermore, Wnt3a had a proliferative effect on the gp38-positive HPCs. In conclusion, the gp38-positive HPCs derived from fetal liver tissue until E13.5 could therefore be candidates for hepatic stem cells in the fetal liver

Single Balloon Enteroscopy-Assisted ERCP Using Rendezvous Technique for Sharp Angulation of Roux-en-Y Limb in a Patient with Bile Duct Stones

The acute angulation of Roux-en-Y (R-Y) limb precludes endoscopic access for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) even using a balloon enteroscopy. Here, we describe a case of successful single balloon enteroscopy (SBE)-assisted ERCP using a rendezvous technique in a patient with sharply angulated R-Y limb in a 79-year-old woman who had bile duct stones. Method. At first, a guidewire was passed antegradely through the major papilla after the needle puncture using percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage technique. A hydrophilic guidewire with an ERCP catheter was antegradely advanced beyond the Roux limb. After a guidewire was firmly grasped by a snare forceps, it was pulled out of the body, resulting that the enteroscope could advance to the papilla. After papillary dilation, complete removal of bile duct stones was achieved without any procedure-related complication. In conclusion, although further study is needed, SBE-assisted ERCP using a rendezvous technique may have a potential for selected patients

Relationship between postprandial glucose level and carotid artery stiffness in patients without diabetes or cardiovascular disease

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between postprandial glucose level and atherosclerosis in patients without diabetes and cardiovascular disease by determining carotid ultrasonographic variables and serum levels of 1,5-anhydroglucitol (1,5-AG). METHODS: The subjects were 72 patients without diabetes and cardiovascular disease being treated for hypertension or dyslipidemia. The clinical characteristics of all subjects, including the serum level of 1,5-AG, which appears to be well suited for monitoring postprandial hyperglycemia, were evaluated after an overnight fast. The average intima-media thickness (IMT) and the average pulsatility index (PI) of the right and left common carotid arteries were determined with high-resolution ultrasonography and used as ultrasonographic variables. The subjects were divided into a Lower 1,5-AG group (n = 36) and a Higher 1,5-AG group (n = 36). We evaluated the relationship between clinical characteristics and ultrasonographic variables of the carotid artery in both groups. RESULTS: The average PI in the Lower 1,5-AG group was significantly higher than that in the Higher 1,5-AG group, but the average IMT did not differ between the groups. Linear regression analysis, with the ultrasonographic variables as the dependent variables, with 1,5-AG as the independent variable, and adjusted for other clinical characteristics, showed significant correlation between 1,5-AG and the PI but not between 1,5-AG and IMT. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that postprandial hyperglycemia increases carotid artery stiffness, but not morphological change, in patients without diabetes or cardiovascular disease

Mild inflammation persists in the glenohumeral joint of patients with shoulder instability:Cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE: Approximately two-thirds of patients with history of shoulder dislocation may develop osteoarthritis (OA) of the glenohumeral joint. However, the biochemical mechanisms underlying the association between dislocation and OA are largely unknown. This study aimed to investigate macrophage markers and inflammatory cytokine expression associated with shoulder instability (SI) in comparison to rotator cuff tears (RCTs). DESIGN: This study included 30 patients with SI and 30 patients with RCTs. Synovial membrane samples were harvested from the rotator interval during the arthroscopic anatomical repair for both groups. The localization of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β, and cluster of differentiation (CD) 68 in synovial membranes was determined by immunohistochemistry. Transcript-level expressions of the inflammatory cytokines (TNFA and IL1B) and macrophage markers pan-CD68 and -M1 (CD80 and CD86) were quantified. CD80 and CD86 expression in macrophages from the SI group was confirmed using flow cytometry. RESULTS: TNF-α, IL-1β, and CD68 were expressed in the synovial lining layer of the synovial tissue in both groups. In addition, the mRNA expressions of TNFA, IL1B, CD68, and CD80 were significantly higher in the SI group compared to the RCT group (P ​= ​0.012, 0.014, 0.022, 0.003, respectively). In samples from the SI group, 96.3% of CD68+/CD14+ macrophages were CD86-positive, whereas 2.5% of CD68+/CD14+/CD86+ cells were CD80-positive. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with SI had higher mRNA levels of TNFA, IL1B, CD68, and CD80 than those with RCTs. These findings may partially explain the biochemical mechanism underlying the frequent development and progression of osteoarthritis in patients with SI

Development of a Handy Autonomous Underwater Vehicle“Kyubic”

Ocean is one of big challenging and extreme environments, and hard for human to access directly. As the tool for ocean survey, Autonomous Underwater Vehicles: AUVs are expected and developed from ‘80s. The recent rapid progress of computer and information technologies makes the development of AUVs easier and more practical. We had developed a handy AUV “Kyubic” for the observation of shallow water and artificial structures. In this paper, we describe the system architecture of Kyubic and the experimental results in Underwater Robotics Competition in Okinawa 2020.The 2021 International Conference on Artificial Life and Robotics (ICAROB 2021), January 21-24, 2021, Higashi-Hiroshima (オンライン開催に変更

Field Experiments of Underwater Image Transmission for AUV

In order to improve the efficiency of the seafloor survey, it is necessary for AUV to report the state of the seafloor to the operators on board reasonably. We have been developing seafloor image selection and image compression technology for the seafloor image transmission using the underwater acoustic communication device. In this paper, we report the results of underwater image selection and transmission in biological sampling experiments conducted in November 2019 off the coast of Suruga-bay, Shizuoka, Japan.The 2020 International Conference on Artificial Life and Robotics (ICAROB 2020), January 13-16, 2020, B-Con Plaza, Beppu, Oit