Elevated Levels of Serum Pentosidine Are Associated with Dropped Head Syndrome in Older Women

Study Design A retrospective observational study was performed. Purpose We investigated the prevalence of sarcopenia in dropped head syndrome (DHS), and the relationship between biochemical markers, including major advanced glycation end products (AGEs), pentosidine, and DHS in older women. Overview of Literature AGEs have been implicated in the pathogenesis of sarcopenia. Methods We studied 13 elderly women with idiopathic DHS (mean age, 77.2 years) and 20 healthy volunteers (mean age, 74.8 years). We used a bioelectrical impedance analyzer to analyze body composition, including appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (SMI; appendicular lean mass [kg]/[height (m)]2). Cervical sagittal plane alignment, including C2–C7 sagittal vertical axis (C2–C7SVA), C2–C7 angle, and C2 slope (C2S), was measured. Biochemical markers, such as serum and urinary pentosidine, serum homocysteine, 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D, were measured. The level of each variable was compared between DHS and controls. The relationship between biochemical markers and DHS was examined. Results Sarcopenia (SMI <5.75) was observed at a high prevalence in participants with DHS (77% compared to 22% of healthy controls). Height, weight, femoral bone mineral density, appendicular lean mass, total lean mass, and SMI all had significantly lower values in the DHS group. Serum and urinary pentosidine, and serum homocysteine were significantly higher in the DHS group compared to controls. Analysis of cervical alignment revealed a significant positive correlation of serum pentosidine with C2–C7SVA and C2S. Conclusions Sarcopenia was involved in DHS, and high serum pentosidine levels are associated with severity of DHS in older women

Up-Regulation of Pain Behavior and Glial Activity in the Spinal Cord after Compression and Application of Nucleus Pulposus onto the Sciatic Nerve in Rats

Study DesignExperimental animal study.PurposeTo evaluate pain-related behavior and changes in glial activity in the spinal dorsal horn after combined sciatic nerve compression and nucleus pulposus (NP) application in rats.Overview of LiteratureMechanical compression and inflammation caused by prostaglandins and cytokines at disc herniation sites induce pain. Structural changes and pain-associated cytokines in the dorsal root ganglia and spinal dorsal horn contribute to prolonged pain. Glial cells in the spinal dorsal horn may also function in pain transmission.MethodsThe sciatic nerve was compressed with NP for 2 seconds using forceps in the NP+nerve compression group; the sham-operated group received neither compression nor NP; and the control group received no operation. Mechanical hyperalgesia was measured for 3 weeks using von Frey filaments. Glial activity in the spinal dorsal horn was examined 7 days and 14 days postsurgery using anti-glial fibrillary acidic protein and anti-Ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule-1 antibodies to detect astrocytes and microglia, respectively.Results Mechanical hyperalgesia was detected throughout the 14-day observation in the NP+nerve compression group, but not in control or sham-operated groups (p<0.05). Both astrocytes and microglia were significantly increased in the spinal dorsal horn of the NP+nerve compression group compared to control and sham groups on days 7 and 14 (p<0.05).ConclusionsNerve compression with NP application produces pain-related behavior, and up-regulates astrocytes and microglia in the spinal dorsal horn, suggesting that these glia may be related to pain transmission

Correlation Between Walking Ability and Monthly Care Costs in Elderly Patients After Surgical Treatments for Hip Fractures

Objective To validate the relationship between residual walking ability and monthly care cost as well as long-term care insurance (LTCI) certification level in elderly patients after surgical treatment for hip fractures in Japan. Methods Elderly patients aged >75 years who underwent surgical treatment for hip fractures in our hospital were included. The preand post-surgical (6-month) walking ability and LTCI certification and the presence or absence of dementia was determined from medical records and questionnaires. Walking ability was classified into 6 levels used in our daily medical practice. Based on these data, we correlated the relationship between walking ability and the LTCI certification level. Further, based on the official statistics pertaining to the average monthly costs per person at each LTCI certification level, we evaluated the relationship between walking ability and monthly care cost. Results A total of 105 cases (mean age, 80.2 years; 16 men; 39 patients with dementia) were included. The correlation between walking ability and average monthly cost per person as well as LTCI certification level at 6 months postoperatively (r=0.58) was demonstrated. The correlation was found in both groups with and without dementia. Conclusion The ability to walk reduced the cost of care in elderly patients who experienced hip fracture, regardless of the presence of dementia

Influence of Skeletal Muscle Mass and Spinal Alignment on Surgical Outcomes for Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

Study Design Retrospective observational study. Purpose We considered the relationship between spinal alignment and skeletal muscle mass on clinical outcomes following a surgery for lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). Overview of Literature There are no reports of preoperative factors predicting residual low back pain following surgery for LSS. Methods Our target population included 34 women (mean age, 74.4 years) who underwent surgery for LSS. Prior to and 6 months after the surgery, systemic bone mineral density and lean soft tissue mass were measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) was calculated as the sum of the arm and leg lean mass in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. The spinal alignment was also measured. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using the Japanese Orthopedic Association scoring system, leg and low back pain Visual Analog Scale, and Roland–Morris Disability Questionnaire (RDQ). Additionally, we examined the bone mineral density, skeletal muscle mass, and spinal alignment before and after the surgery. We used the Spearman correlation coefficient to examine the associations among clinical outcomes, preoperative muscle mass, and spinal alignment. Results Sarcopenia (SMI 6.12), RDQ was significantly higher in subjects with sarcopenia (p =0.04). RDQ was significantly negatively correlated with SMI (r =−0.42, p <0.05). There was a significant positive correlation between postoperative RDQ and pelvic tilt (PT; r =0.41, p <0.05). SMI and PT were significantly negatively correlated (r =−0.39, r <0.05). Conclusions Good postoperative outcomes were negatively correlated with low preoperative appendicular muscle mass, suggesting that postoperative outcomes were inferior in cases of decreased appendicular muscle mass (sarcopenia). Posterior PT due to decreased limb muscle mass may contribute to postoperative back pain, showing that preoperatively reduced limb muscle mass and posterior PT are predictive factors in the persistence of postoperative low back pain

Correlation among Inflammatory Cytokine Expression Levels, Degree of Disk Degeneration, and Predominant Clinical Symptoms in Patients with Degenerated Intervertebral Discs

Study DesignObservational study.PurposeTo assess the correlation among inflammatory cytokine expression levels, degree of intervertebral disk (IVD) degeneration, and predominant clinical symptoms observed in degenerative disk disease (DDD).Overview of LiteratureLow back pain (LBP) is associated with inflammatory cytokine expression levels, including those of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and nerve growth factor (NGF). However, the association between cytokine expression levels and the physiological mechanisms of disk degeneration and clinical pain remain controversial.MethodsUsing the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, TNF-α, IL-6, and NGF expression levels were analyzed in 58 IVD samples that were harvested from patients with lumbar DDD. Patient samples were grouped according to the degree of IVD degeneration using the Pfirrmann grading system and magnetic resonance imaging, and the correlations between the disease groups and each cytokine expression level were assessed. In addition, on the basis of their predominant preoperative symptoms, the patients were assigned to either an LBP or leg pain group to determine the correlation among these disease manifestations and individual cytokine expression levels.ResultsA gradual increase in TNF-α (R=0.391) and IL-6 (R=0.388) expression levels correlated with the degree of IVD degeneration, whereas NGF (R=0.164) expression levels exhibited a minimal decrease with disease progression. Regarding the predominant clinical manifestation, only the LBP group exhibited a significant increase in TNF-α expression levels (p=0.002).ConclusionsThese results suggested that TNF-α and IL-6 play an important role in the pathophysiology of IVD degeneration at any stage, whereas NGF plays an important role during the early disease stages. Moreover, because TNF-α expression levels were significantly high in the LBP group, we propose that they are involved in LBP onset or progression

Inhibiting Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Injured Intervertebral Discs Attenuates Pain-Related Neuropeptide Expression in Dorsal Root Ganglia in Rats

Study DesignAn experimental animal study.PurposeTo evaluate effects of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) on the content and distribution of the calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in the dorsal ganglia in a rat model.Overview of LiteratureIncreased expression of VEGF in degenerative disc disease increases the levels of inflammatory cytokines and nerve ingrowth into the damaged discs. In animal models, increased levels of VEGF can persist for up to 2 weeks after an injury.MethodsThrough abdominal surgery, the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) innervating L5/L6 intervertebral disc were labeled (FluoroGold neurotracer) in 24, 8-week old Sprague Dawley rats. The rats were randomly allocated to three groups of eight rats each. The anti-VEGF group underwent L5/6 intervertebral disc puncture using a 26-gauge needle, intradiscal injection of 33.3 µg of the pegaptanib sodium, a VEGF165 aptamer. The control-puncture group underwent disc puncture and intradiscal injection of 10 µL saline solution, and the sham-surgery group underwent labeling but no disc puncture. Two rats in each group were sacrificed on postoperative days 1, 7, 14, and 28 after surgery. L1–L6 DRGs were harvested, sectioned, and immunostained to detect the content and distribution of CGRP.ResultsCompared with the control, the percentage of CGRP-positive cells was lower in the anti-VEGF group (p<0.05; 40.6% and 58.1% on postoperative day 1, 44.3% and 55.4% on day 7, and 42.4% and 59.3% on day 14). The percentage was higher in the control group compared with that of the sham group (p<0.05; sham group, 34.1%, 40.7%, and 33.7% on postoperative days 1, 7, and 14, respectively).ConclusionsDecreasing CGRP-positive cells using anti-VEGF therapy provides fundamental evidence for a possible therapeutic role of anti-VEGF in patients with discogenic lower back pain

Modelling the Effects of Chemical Modification on Dynamic Mechanical Properties of Wood

この論文は国立情報学研究所の学術雑誌公開支援事業により電子化されました

<Preliminary>Viscoelastic Relaxation of Chemically Treated Woods

この論文は国立情報学研究所の学術雑誌公開支援事業により電子化されました

Maintenance of Mouse Nephron Progenitor Cells in Aggregates with Gamma-Secretase Inhibitor.

Knowledge on how to maintain and expand nephron progenitor cells (NPC) in vitro is important to provide a potentially valuable source for kidney replacement therapies. In our present study, we examined the possibility of optimizing NPC maintenance in the "re-aggregate" system. We found that Six2-expressing (Six2(+))-NPC could be maintained in aggregates reconstituted with dispersed cells from E12.5 mouse embryonic kidneys for at least up to 21 days in culture. The maintenance of Six2(+)-NPC required the presence of ureteric bud cells. The number of Six2(+)-NPC increased by more than 20-fold at day 21, but plateaued after day 14. In an attempt to further sustain NPC proliferation by passage subculture, we found that the new (P1) aggregates reconstituted from the original (P0) aggregates failed to maintain NPC. However, based on the similarity between P1 aggregates and aggregates derived from E15.5 embryonic kidneys, we suspected that the differentiated NPC in P1 aggregates may interfere with NPC maintenance. In support of this notion, we found that preventing NPC differentiation by DAPT, a γ-secretase inhibitor that inhibits Notch signaling pathway, was effective to maintain and expand Six2(+)-NPC in P1 aggregates by up to 65-fold. The Six2(+)-NPC in P1 aggregates retained their potential to epithelialize upon exposure to Wnt signal. In conclusion, we demonstrated in our present study that the "re-aggregation" system can be useful for in vitro maintenance of NPC when combined with γ-secretase inhibitor