Findings of brain 99mTc-ECD SPECT in high-functioning autism : 3-dimensional stereotactic ROI template analysis of brain SPECT

The aim of this study is confirmation of an abnormal regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) pattern in high-functioning autism (HFA). Confirmation of an abnormal rCBF pattern in HFA may be useful for elucidate of its pathophysiology and a differential diagnosis, such as with attention-deficit / hyper activity disorder (AD/HD).Brain 99mTc-ECDSPECTwas performed in 16 cases of HFA. The HFA group consisted of 16 cases of HFA. They were all male, with an IQ of 76～126. They had normal brain MRI findings, and had an age of 9～14 years. We examined abnormal rCBF in HFA by comparing the results to those in the control group. The control group consisted of 1male and 4 females cryptogenic epilepsy patients with normal intelligence. They have no problems in learning at school or mental or behavioral traits. They had normal brain MRI or SPECT findings, and had an age of 7～15 years. 3-dimensional stereotactic ROI template (3DSRT) was used to analyze SPECT data. We calculated the ‘relative rCBF (%)’ (RI count of each segment ×100 / Sum of RI count of the corresponding hemisphere), and compared the values between the two groups. We found a significantly low ‘relative rCBF (%)’ in the left temporal region in the HFA group. We also calculated the ‘L/R ratio’ (the ‘relative rCBF(%)’ of a segment on the left side / the ‘relative rCBF (%)’ of the corresponding segment on the right side), and compared the value for each segment between the two groups. There were no significant differences in any segments between the two groups. We also checked for differences in the ‘relative rCBF (%)’ between segments on the right side and corresponding segments on the left side in both the HFA and control groups. We found significant rightltleft perfusion in the angular region and significant leftltright perfusion in the pericallosal, thalamus, and hippocampus region in the HFA group. We also found significant rightltleft perfusion in the temporal region in the control group. Significant hypoperfusion in the left temporal region due to an unidentified underlying brain pathology and abnormal laterality in the angular, temporal (lack of rightltleft perfusion), pericallosal, thalamus, and hippocampus regions may influence the symptoms of autism

〈原著論文〉近世における石見銀山の森林利用と景観

森林は世界遺産「石見銀山遺跡とその文化的景観」の価値を構成する重要な要素である。本研究は銀山に植物資源を供給していた石見銀山領を対象に既往文献等から近世における植物の利用および森林の景観を概観する。近世では銀山柵内はマツ，タケ， 周辺地域はクリと炭焼き用の広葉樹，マツなどが利用されていた。石見銀山領は過半が草地で，銀山の周辺は薪炭や資材供給のため沿岸部の松を除くと高木が密集するような森林はほとんどなかったことが明らかになった。現在の石見銀山周辺の森林は竹の繁茂や荒廃などの課題を抱えている。銀の採掘や製錬に欠かせない植物資源の利用と、当時の森林を含む石見銀山の景観を伝え， 適切に森林を管理する必要がある

Occlusion of a postoperative rectoabdominocutaneous fistula with fibrin clot: a case report.

A 56 year-old rectal cancer patient who developed a chronic rectoabdominocutaneous fistula postoperatively was treated with fibrin clot, and the fistula healed completely. Occlusion of chronic postoperative fistulas with fibrin clot appears to be a useful technique.</p

Chirality Emergence in Thin Solid Films of Amino Acids by Polarized Light from Synchrotron Radiation and Free Electron Laser

One of the most attractive hypothesis for the origin of homochirality in terrestrial bioorganic compounds is that a kind of “chiral impulse” as an asymmetric excitation source induced asymmetric reactions on the surfaces of such materials such as meteorites or interstellar dusts prior to the existence of terrestrial life (Cosmic Scenario). To experimentally introduce chiral structure into racemic films of amino acids (alanine, phenylalanine, isovaline, etc.), we irradiated them with linearly polarized light (LPL) from synchrotron radiation and circularly polarized light (CPL) from a free electron laser. After the irradiation, we evaluated optical anisotropy by measuring the circular dichroism (CD) spectra and verified that new Cotton peaks appeared at almost the same peak position as those of the corresponding non-racemic amino acid films. With LPL irradiation, two-dimensional anisotropic structure expressed as linear dichroism and/or linear birefringence was introduced into the racemic films. With CPL irradiation, the signs of the Cotton peaks exhibit symmetrical structure corresponding to the direction of CPL rotation. This indicates that some kinds of chiral structure were introduced into the racemic film. The CD spectra after CPL irradiation suggest the chiral structure should be derived from not only preferential photolysis but also from photolysis-induced molecular structural change. These results suggest that circularly polarized light sources in space could be associated with the origin of terrestrial homochirality; that is, they would be effective asymmetric exciting sources introducing chiral structures into bio-organic molecules or complex organic compounds

Clinical Trials of Stem Cell Therapy for Cerebral Ischemic Stroke

Despite recent developments in innovative treatment strategies, stroke remains one of the leading causes of death and disability worldwide. Stem cell therapy is currently attracting much attention due to its potential for exerting significant therapeutic effects on stroke patients. Various types of cells, including bone marrow mononuclear cells, bone marrow/adipose-derived stem/stromal cells, umbilical cord blood cells, neural stem cells, and olfactory ensheathing cells have enhanced neurological outcomes in animal stroke models. These stem cells have also been tested via clinical trials involving stroke patients. In this article, the authors review potential molecular mechanisms underlying neural recovery associated with stem cell treatment, as well as recent advances in stem cell therapy, with particular reference to clinical trials and future prospects for such therapy in treating stroke

Optimal timing/dose of cell therapy

Objective: Stereotactic transplantation of bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) enables efficient delivery to the infarct brain. This study was aimed to assess its optimal timing and cell dose for ischemic stroke. Methods: The BMSCs were harvested from the GFP-transgenic rats and were labeled with quantum dots. The BMSCs (1 x 10^5 or 1 x 10^6) were stereotactically transplanted into the ipsilateral striatum of the rats subjected to permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion at 1 or 4 weeks post-ischemia. Motor function was serially assessed. Using in vivo near infrared (NIR) fluorescence imaging, the engrafted BMSCs were visualized at 3 weeks post-transplantation. Immunohistochemistry was performed to evaluate their fate. Results: Functional recovery was significantly enhanced when both low and high doses of BMSCs were transplanted at 1 week post-ischemia, but such therapeutic effects was observed only when the high-dose BMSCs were transplanted at 4 weeks post-ischemia. Both optical imaging and immunohistochemistry revealed their better engraftment in the peri-infarct area when the high-dose BMSCs were transplanted at 1 or 4 weeks post-ischemia. Conclusion: These findings strongly suggest the importance of timing and cell dose to yield therapeutic effects of BMSC transplantation for ischemic stroke. Earlier transplantation requires a smaller number of donor cells for beneficial effects

Spontaneous Giant Aneurysm of the Superficial Temporal Artery : Case Report

A 78-year-old woman presented with preauricular superficial temporal artery (STA) aneurysm and scalp porocarcinoma, which had both increased in size over 2 years. She had no previous history of head trauma. Three-dimensional (3D) computed tomography (CT) angiography revealed a 4-cm diameter STA aneurysm arising from the main trunk of the left STA and located just lateral to the zygomatic arch. The scalp porocarcinoma was excised by dermatologists. The STA aneurysm was carefully dissected from the surrounding tissues, and was resected after ligation of the proximal STA. Histological examination showed the aneurysm consisted of intima, media, and adventitia, and the diagnosis was atherosclerotic fusiform aneurysm. 3D CT angiography is quite useful to plan surgical strategy for such an unusually large STA aneurysm

Intracerebral Hemorrhage From a Ruptured Aneurysm at the Site of Anastomosis 27 Years After Superficial Temporal Artery-Middle Cerebral Artery Bypass : Case Report

A 77-year-old female presented with a very rare case of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) from a ruptured aneurysm at the site of the anastomosis 27 years after superficial temporal artery-middle cerebral artery (STA-MCA) bypass manifesting as sudden onset of unconsciousness and right hemiparesis. Computed tomography (CT) on admission demonstrated massive ICH in the left frontoparietal region. Magnetic resonance angiography showed good patency of the anastomosis and no obvious aneurysm, but three-dimensional CT (3D-CT) angiography revealed a small aneurysm at the site of the left STA-MCA anastomosis. Emergency evacuation of the hematoma was performed, and the aneurysm was trapped and resected after ligation. After the operation, she continued to exhibit deep consciousness disturbance. Unfortunately, her general condition grew steadily worse and she died 3 months later. Patients who undergo STA-MCA anastomosis should be carefully followed up by periodical imaging examinations. 3D-CT angiography is very useful to detect aneurysm formation at the anastomosis site