Real-time imaging of the lymphatic channels and sentinel lymph nodes of the stomach using contrast-enhanced ultrasonography with Sonazoid in a porcine model

The contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS)-guided method in combination with Sonazoid has not been clinically or experimentally evaluated with regard to its use for identifying sentinel lymph node (SLN) in the stomach. Therefore, we attempted to evaluate the usefulness of the CEUS-guided method with Sonazoid for imaging of the lymphatic channels and SLN of the stomach in a porcine model by comparing it with the conventional Evans blue dye-guided method. Twenty-eight 2 to 3-month-old swine weighing 17-30 kg were used in this experiment. Anesthesia was maintained with 2.0-3.0% isoflurane/O(2) inhalation. Sonazoid was injected into the intra-and sub-mucosal layers of the stomach. The intragastric or transcutaneous CEUS-guided method was used to identify the lymphatic channels and SLN of the stomach. Contrast imaging using the CEUS-guided method with Sonazoid enabled us to produce clear images of the afferent lymph vessel and SLN of the stomach until 2 h after the injection of Sonazoid. In addition, intranodal flow of the microbubble agent could be clearly identified using tissue linear harmonic images of the SLN. The SLN detection rate was not significantly different between the CEUS- and dye-guided methods. However, the Evans blue dye flowed out quickly (similar to 15 min after the injection) through the true SLN into the next LN of stomach. In conclusion, the use of the CEUS-guided method with Sonazoid might be the most useful clinical procedure for producing real-time images of the SLN of the stomach, and the linear harmonic images are also useful for evaluating intranodal structure within the SLN. (Cancer Sci 2011; 102: 2073-2081)ArticleCANCER SCIENCE. 102(11):2073-2081 (2011)journal articl

Major Depressive Disorder Complicated with Spinocerebellar Ataxia: Report of 2 Cases

Background: It is known that patients with spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA) tend to exhibit depressive symptoms. But the pathology of depressive symptoms complicated with SCA, including the reaction to the stress resulting from decreased motor function and central dysfunction due to neurodegeneration, is controversial and remains to be elucidated. To our knowledge, there have been hardly any reports on treatment methods of major depressive disorder (MDD) complicated with SCA. Case Reports: We report 2 cases in which selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) were effective against MDD complicated with SCA. Interestingly, one of the patients developed the symptoms of spinocerebellar degeneration (SCD) during the course of the MDD, and the other patient developed the symptoms of MDD during the course of SCA, but complete remission of the MDD occurred in both cases. In our cases, the depressive symptoms may have been caused mainly by an abnormality of reversible neural transmission including serotonin transmission due to central dysfunction, and there is the unlikely possibility that the depressive symptoms are reactive to the stress due to decreased motor function, because the depressive symptoms decreased with SSRIs. Conclusion: Although cerebellar degeneration is irreversible in SCA patients, our cases suggest that MDD complicated with SCA may be reversible and treatable using antidepressants such as SSRIs with few adverse events. Therefore, it is important for neurologists to detect MDD complicated with SCA early and consult a psychiatrist in order to improve quality of life of SCA patients

High Prevalence of Sinusitis in Children with Henoch-Schönlein Purpura

We evaluated the prevalence and the types of infectious foci in oral as well as ear, nose, and throat diseases, and we examined incidence of renal involvement with active treatment for focal infection in children with Henoch-Schönlein Purpura. A total of 96 children who presented at Aichi Children's Health and Medical Center and were diagnosed as having HSP were evaluated for infectious foci in the ear, nose, throat, and oral cavities. Seventy-one of 96 children (74.0%) had some type of infectious lesion, such as sinusitis or tonsillitis, and the prevalence of sinusitis was the highest (51 cases, 53.7%). In 44 HSP patients without renal involvement at the first examination, the incidence of nephritis was lower (13.6%) than in previous reports (17–54%) due to our aggressive intervention for infectious foci

Reversible modulation of circadian time with chronophotopharmacology

The circadian clock controls daily rhythms of physiological processes. The presence of the clock mechanism throughout the body is hampering its local regulation by small molecules. A photoresponsive clock modulator would enable precise and reversible regulation of circadian rhythms using light as a bio-orthogonal external stimulus. Here we show, through judicious molecular design and state-of-the-art photopharmacological tools, the development of a visible light-responsive inhibitor of casein kinase I (CKI) that controls the period and phase of cellular and tissue circadian rhythms in a reversible manner. The dark isomer of photoswitchable inhibitor 9 exhibits almost identical affinity towards the CKIα and CKIδ isoforms, while upon irradiation it becomes more selective towards CKIδ, revealing the higher importance of CKIδ in the period regulation. Our studies enable long-term regulation of CKI activity in cells for multiple days and show the reversible modulation of circadian rhythms with a several hour period and phase change through chronophotopharmacology

Basal metabolic rate and body composition of elite Japanese male athletes

The estimated energy requirement is important for adequate nutritional management in athletes. The energy requirement can be estimated from the basal metabolic rate (BMR). However, there is little data regarding the BMR of Japanese athletes. This study measured the BMR and body composition of 81 elite Japanese male athletes in different sports categories : endurance (E), strength, power and sprint (S) and ball game (B). The factors influencing the BMR were also investigated. The BMR and body composition were measured by indirect calorimetry and an air-displacement plentysmograph device (the BOD POD), respectively. The BMR per lean body mass (LBM) differed significantly among the three groups. The BMR was significantly correlated with the body weight (BW) and LBM in all groups. A multiple-regression analysis showed that the LBM was the most powerful predictor in the E and S groups, whereas the BW was the most powerful predictor in the B group. The BW appears to become an important predictor as the BW of athletes increases. Additionally, height was the second explanatory variable in the S and B groups, thus suggesting that height needs to be considered for the BMR in these groups. Therefore, the BMR in elite athletes needs to be estimated according to their body composition

アタラシイ ゲカ ノ ガイネン ト シュジュツ シュギ ノ シンポ

Although the recent progress in surgery is remarkable, many dentists do not recognize it enough. From three viewpoints, we introduce and exposit new concept of treatment for wound, device (instrument) for arrest of hemorrhage, and operation procedure by surgical knife. It is always important for dentists to continue taking in new knowledge and techniques

Photopharmacological Manipulation of Mammalian CRY1 for Regulation of the Circadian Clock

CRY1 and CRY2 proteins are highly conserved components of the circadian clock that controls daily physiological rhythms. Disruption of CRY functions are related to many diseases, including circadian sleep phase disorder. Development of isoform-selective and spatiotemporally controllable tools will facilitate the understanding of shared and distinct functions of CRY1 and CRY2. Here, we developed CRY1-selective compounds that enable light-dependent manipulation of the circadian clock. From phenotypic chemical screening in human cells, we identified benzophenone derivatives that lengthened the circadian period. These compounds selectively interacted with the CRY1 photolyase homology region, resulting in activation of CRY1 but not CRY2. The benzophenone moiety rearranged a CRY1 region called the "lid loop"located outside of the compound-binding pocket and formed a unique interaction with Phe409 in the lid loop. Manipulation of this key interaction was achieved by rationally designed replacement of the benzophenone with a switchable azobenzene moiety whose cis-trans isomerization can be controlled by light. The metastable cis form exhibited sufficiently high half-life in aqueous solutions and structurally mimicked the benzophenone unit, enabling reversible period regulation over days by cellular irradiation with visible light. This study revealed an unprecedented role of the lid loop in CRY-compound interaction and paves the way for spatiotemporal regulation of CRY1 activity by photopharmacology for molecular understanding of CRY1-dependent functions in health and disease