Anesthetic management of a patient with sodium-channel myotonia: a case report

Background: Sodium-channel myotonia (SCM) is a nondystrophic myotonia, characterized by pure myotonia without muscle weakness or paramyotonia. The prevalence of skeletal muscle channelopathies is approximately 1 in 100,000, and the prevalence of SCM is much lower. To our knowledge, this is the first report on anesthetic management of a patient with SCM. Case presentation: A 23-year-old woman with congenital nasal dysplasia and SCM was scheduled to undergo rhinoplasty with autologous costal cartilage. Total intravenous anesthesia without muscle relaxants was administered followed by continuous intercostal nerve block. Although transient elevation of potassium level in the blood was observed during surgery, the patient did not show exacerbation of myotonic or paralytic symptoms in the postoperative period. Conclusion: Total intravenous anesthesia and peripheral nerve block can be administered safely to a patient with SCM. However, careful monitoring of the symptoms and electrolytes is recommended

Measurements of the model parameter in the littlest Higgs model with T-parity

In the Littlest Higgs model with T-parity, we study production processes of new gauge bosons at the international linear collider (ILC). Through Monte Carlo simulations of the production processes, we show that the heavy gauge boson masses can be determined very accurately at the ILC for a representative parameter point of the model. From the simulation result, we also discuss the determination of other model parameters at the ILC.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures. Talk given at LCWS08, Chicago, November 200

Precision Measurements of Little Higgs Parameters at the International Linear Collider

We investigate a possibility of precision measurements for parameters of the Littlest Higgs model with T-parity at the International Linear Collider (ILC). The model predicts new gauge bosons (AH, ZH, and WH), among which the heavy photon (AH) is a candidate for dark matter. The masses of these new gauge bosons strongly depend on the vacuum expectation value that breaks a global symmetry of the model. Through Monte Carlo simulations of the processes: e+ e- ->AH ZH and e+ e- -> WH+ WH-, we show how precisely the masses can be determined at the ILC for a representative parameter point of the model. We also discuss the determination of the Little Higgs parameters and its impact on the future measurement of the thermal abundance of the dark matter relics in our universe.Comment: 22 pages, 10 figures, 6 tabl

Tissue Determinants of Human NK Cell Development, Function, and Residence.

Immune responses in diverse tissue sites are critical for protective immunity and homeostasis. Here, we investigate how tissue localization regulates the development and function of human natural killer (NK) cells, innate lymphocytes important for anti-viral and tumor immunity. Integrating high-dimensional analysis of NK cells from blood, lymphoid organs, and mucosal tissue sites from 60 individuals, we identify tissue-specific patterns of NK cell subset distribution, maturation, and function maintained across age and between individuals. Mature and terminally differentiated NK cells with enhanced effector function predominate in blood, bone marrow, spleen, and lungs and exhibit shared transcriptional programs across sites. By contrast, precursor and immature NK cells with reduced effector capacity populate lymph nodes and intestines and exhibit tissue-resident signatures and site-specific adaptations. Together, our results reveal anatomic control of NK cell development and maintenance as tissue-resident populations, whereas mature, terminally differentiated subsets mediate immunosurveillance through diverse peripheral sites. VIDEO ABSTRACT

Safe and efficient method for cryopreservation of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neural stem and progenitor cells by a programmed freezer with a magnetic field

AbstractStem cells represent a potential cellular resource in the development of regenerative medicine approaches to the treatment of pathologies in which specific cells are degenerated or damaged by genetic abnormality, disease, or injury. Securing sufficient supplies of cells suited to the demands of cell transplantation, however, remains challenging, and the establishment of safe and efficient cell banking procedures is an important goal. Cryopreservation allows the storage of stem cells for prolonged time periods while maintaining them in adequate condition for use in clinical settings. Conventional cryopreservation systems include slow-freezing and vitrification both have advantages and disadvantages in terms of cell viability and/or scalability. In the present study, we developed an advanced slow-freezing technique using a programmed freezer with a magnetic field called Cells Alive System (CAS) and examined its effectiveness on human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neural stem/progenitor cells (hiPSC-NS/PCs). This system significantly increased cell viability after thawing and had less impact on cellular proliferation and differentiation. We further found that frozen-thawed hiPSC-NS/PCs were comparable with non-frozen ones at the transcriptome level. Given these findings, we suggest that the CAS is useful for hiPSC-NS/PCs banking for clinical uses involving neural disorders and may open new avenues for future regenerative medicine

Very rare solitary primary peripheral nerve onset cytotoxic molecule-positive peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL)

Here we present the first report of solitary primary peripheral nerve onset cytotoxic molecule (CM)-positive peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) diagnosed after nerve biopsy. An 84-year-old female with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) complained of asymmetric severe tenderness in her upper limbs. The biopsy pathology revealed a direct invasion of CM-positive PTCL. When RA patients complain of numbness, tenderness, or weakness, lymphomatic peripheral nerve invasion should be considered