Prevalence and imaging characteristics of palatine tonsilloliths evaluated on 2244 pairs of panoramic radiographs and CT images

Objectives: Palatine tonsilloliths incidentally detected on diagnostic imaging should be differentiated from pathologic calcifications to enable correct diagnosis and treatment. The aim of this study is to clarify the prevalence and imaging characteristics of palatine tonsilloliths on panoramic radiographs. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 2,244 individuals who underwent pairs of consecutive panoramic radiography and computed tomography (CT) of the head and neck region. The imaging characteristics of palatine tonsilloliths on panoramic radiography were compared with the findings from CT, which was considered the gold standard. Results: Tonsilloliths were detected in 300 (13.4%) and 914 (40.7%) of the 2,244 individuals on panoramic radiographs and CT, respectively. On panoramic radiographs, tonsilloliths were superimposed over the ramus of the mandible at the level coincident with and inferior to the soft palate in 176 (7.8%) and 90 (4.0%) individuals, respectively. Tonsilloliths were also superimposed over the surrounding soft tissue inferior to the body of the mandible, postero-inferior to the angle of the mandible, and posterior to the ramus of the mandible in 33 (1.5%), 26 (1.2%), and 28 (1.3%) individuals, respectively. A significant correlation was observed between the detectability on panoramic radiographs and the size (Spearman r=1.000) and number (Spearman r=0.991) of tonsilloliths, as revealed by CT images. Conclusions: The present results suggest that tonsilloliths are commonly detected on panoramic radiographs. Furthermore, they can be superimposed on both the mandible and the surrounding soft tissue. Clinical Relevance: Clinicians should include tonsilloliths among the differential diagnoses when calcified bodies are detected on panoramic radiographs

Virulent Strain of Hepatitis E Virus Genotype 3, Japan

Virulence may be associated with mutation of the helicase domain (V239A), and source of the human infection may be swine

Effect of the solvent used to prepare the photoactive layer on the performance of inverted bulk heterojunction polymer solar cells

The initial performance and subsequent degradation of inverted polymer solar cells [indium-tin oxide/titanium oxide (TiOx)/[6,6]-phenyl C61 butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM): regioregular poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT)/poly(3,4-ethylenedioxylenethiophene):poly(4- styrene sulfonic acid)/Au, TiOx cell] are studied by photocurrent-voltage measurements as well as ac impedance spectroscopy (IS) and carrier mobility measurements. The TiOx cells containing a P3HT:PCBM layer prepared from a solution of chlorobenzene (CB) showed a maximum power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 2.23%. In contrast, the TiOx cells containing a P3HT:PCBM layer prepared from a solution of 1,2,3,4- tetrahydronaphthalene (tetralin) containing 2 vol- 1,8-octanedithiol (ODT) exhibited a maximum PCE of 2.92%. However, after exposure to light irradiation for 100 h, the maximum PCE of the tetralin:ODT cell decreased to 68% of its initial value. On the other hand, over 96% of the maximum PCE was maintained in the CB cell after 100 h of irradiation. The IS measurement results suggest that the degradation of the Tetralin: ODT cell was caused by a morphological change of the P3HT:PCBM layer that made efficient photoinduced charge separation difficult. © 2014 The Japan Society of Applied Physics

The association between hypothyroidism and proteinuria in patients with chronic kidney disease: a cross-sectional study

Hypothyroidism is known to be correlated with kidney function and nephrotic range proteinuria. However, it is uncertain whether non-nephrotic proteinuria is associated with hypothyroidism. This study aimed to evaluate the association of proteinuria and hypothyroidism in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. We conducted a cross-sectional study composed of 421 CKD patients in a single hospital with measurements of 24-h urine protein excretion (UP) and thyroid function tests. Spearman correlation analysis revealed that 24-h Cr clearance (24hrCcr) was positively (r = 0.273, p < 0.001) and UP was negatively (r = - 0.207, p < 0.001) correlated with free triiodothyronine. Frequency distribution analysis stratified by CKD stage and UP for hypothyroidism revealed that the prevalence of hypothyroidism was higher among participants with higher CKD stage and nephrotic range proteinuria. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that 24hrCcr and UP were significantly correlated with hypothyroidism (24hrCcr/10 mL/min decrease: odds ratio [OR], 1.29; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.18-1.41; UP/1 g increase: OR, 1.10; 95% CI, 1.03-1.17). In addition, nephrotic range proteinuria, but not moderate UP (UP: 1.5-3.49 g/day), was significantly correlated with hypothyroidism compared to UP < 0.5 g/day. In summary, decreased kidney function and nephrotic range proteinuria, not non-nephrotic proteinuria, are independently associated with the hypothyroidism

Muscle contractile exercise through a belt electrode device prevents myofiber atrophy, muscle contracture, and muscular pain in immobilized rat gastrocnemius muscle

Purpose: Immobilization of skeletal muscles causes muscle atrophy, muscle contracture, and muscle pain, the mechanisms of which are related to macrophage accumulation. However, muscle contractile exercise through a belt electrode device may mitigate macrophage accumula-tion. We hypothesized that such exercise would be effective in preventing myofiber atrophy, muscle contracture, and muscular pain. This study tested this hypothesis in immobilized rat gastrocnemius muscle.Materials and methods: A total of 32 rats were divided into the following control and experimental groups: immobili-zation (immobilized treatment only), low-frequency (LF; immobilized treatment and muscle contractile exercise with a 2 s (do) /6 s (rest) duty cycle), and high-frequency (HF; immobi-lized treatment and muscle contractile exercise with a 2 s (do)/2 s (rest) duty cycle). Electri-cal stimulation was performed at 50 Hz and 4.7 mA, and muscle contractile exercise was applied to the lower limb muscles for 15 or 20 min/session (once daily) for 2 weeks (6 times/ week). After the behavioral tests, the bilateral gastrocnemius muscles were collected for analysis.Results: The number of macrophages, the Atrogin-1 and MuRF-1 mRNA expression, and the hydroxyproline content in the HF group were lower than those in the immobilization and LF groups. The cross-sectional area (CSA) of type IIb myofibers in the superficial region, the PGC-1α mRNA expression, and the range of motion of dorsiflexion in the HF group were significantly higher than those in the immobilization and LF groups. The pressure pain thresholds in the LF and HF groups were significantly higher than that in the immobilization group, and the nerve growth factor (NGF) content in the LF and HF groups was significantly lower than that in the immobilization group.Conclusion: Muscle contractile exercise through the belt electrode device may be effective in preventing immobilization-induced myofiber atrophy, muscle contracture, and muscular pain in the immobilized rat gastrocnemius muscle

A randomized, quadruple crossover single-blind study on immediate action of chewed and unchewed low-dose acetylsalicylic acid tablets in healthy volunteers

金沢大学附属病院薬剤部In the initial treatment of acute myocardial infarction, it is important to administer oral low-dose acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) within 10 min of arrival at the hospital. However, ASA is supplied as an enteric-coated tablet or buffered tablet to prevent gastric irritation. Although current guidelines recommended that patients should chew their initial dose of ASA, there is little evidence as to whether this is efficacious. Therefore, we aimed to make a direct comparison of the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of ASA after ingestion of intact and chewed nonenteric-coated buffered ASA tablet (NBA) and enteric-coated ASA tablet (ECA) in a quadruple crossover study in healthy volunteers. Chewing ECA accelerated tmax of ASA absorption, which became equivalent to that after ingestion of intact or chewed NBA. A significant decrease in serum thromboxane B2 was observed 20 min after ingestion of chewed ECA, or intact or chewed NBA, and inhibition of platelet aggregation was also observed within 20 min. Thus, chewing of the ECA appears to result in a similar timing of ASA action to that in the case of chewed or unchewed NBA. © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci Copyright © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.発行後1年より全文公開

Cytoplasmic control of Rab family small GTPases through BAG6

Rab family small GTPases are master regulators of distinct steps of intracellular vesicle trafficking in eukaryotic cells. GDP‐bound cytoplasmic forms of Rab proteins are prone to aggregation due to the exposure of hydrophobic groups but the machinery that determines the fate of Rab species in the cytosol has not been elucidated in detail. In this study, we find that BAG6 (BAT3/Scythe) predominantly recognizes a cryptic portion of GDP‐associated Rab8a, while its major GTP‐bound active form is not recognized. The hydrophobic residues of the Switch I region of Rab8a are essential for its interaction with BAG6 and the degradation of GDP‐Rab8a via the ubiquitin‐proteasome system. BAG6 prevents the excess accumulation of inactive Rab8a, whose accumulation impairs intracellular membrane trafficking. BAG6 binds not only Rab8a but also a functionally distinct set of Rab family proteins, and is also required for the correct distribution of Golgi and endosomal markers. From these observations, we suggest that Rab proteins represent a novel set of substrates for BAG6, and the BAG6‐mediated pathway is associated with the regulation of membrane vesicle trafficking events in mammalian cells

本学の教育理念及びVision 150 を活かした共通英語教育開発のための基礎研究：１年目のまとめと考察

The aim of this paper is to report the results of our first-year research project named “fundamental research on developing new English language courses by actualizing the philosophy of education at DWCLA and principles of the vision 150 (English 2020)”. The paper consists of six parts. First, the overall research project English 2020 is briefly introduced. The second part discusses the aims of English language learning at the university. This is followed by the analyses of studentsʼ four skills on the TOEIC IP test. Next, we analyzed first-year studentsʼ strategies of English language learning. We also carried out a voluntary English class called “English salon” and reflected on these practices. Finally, the agendas of our monthly meetings regarding the research project up to the present time are briefly reported.論