Morphological and Allozymic Variation in Hynobius boulengeri and H. stejnegeri (Amphibia: Urodela: Hynobiidae)

We studied morphological and allozymic variation in populations of Japanese salamanders, Hynobius boulengeri and H. stejnegeri. Adult H. boulengeri showed sexual dimorphism, and juveniles differed greatly from adults in many morphological characters. From the results of multivariate analyses of morphological characters, the populations were divided into four groups: (I) H. boulengerifrom Honshu, (II) H. boulengeri from Shikoku, (III) H. boulengeri from the Sobo-Katamuki Mountains of Kyushu and H. stejnegeri, and (IV) H. boulengeri from the Amakusa Islands and the Osumi Peninsula. Phenotypic relationships among the four groups were identical to relationships clarified by allozymic analyses, except for group IV, which was included in group III in the allozyme tree. Some morphometric characters were significantly correlated with environmental variables. We consider H. stejnegeri to be a valid species based on its unique color pattern, morphometric characters, and allelic composition, even though it was nested within group III of H. boulengeri by both morphological and allozymic analyses. We propose that group I from Honshu and group II from Shikoku should be treated as H. boulengeri sensu stricto and H. hirosei, respectively. Resolving the taxonomic status of the remaining populations of groups III and IV from Kyushu requires further study

A new species of lotic breeding salamander (Amphibia, Caudata, Hynobiidae) from Shikoku, Japan

[Background] Hynobius hirosei is a lotic-breeding salamander endemic to Shikoku Island in western Japan. Significant allozymic and morphological differences have been found among the populations of this species; however, the degree and pattern of intraspecific variation have not been surveyed using a sufficient number of samples. [Methods] For the taxonomic revision of H. hirosei, we conducted genetic and morphological surveys using samples collected throughout the distribution. Phylogenetic analysis using the cytochrome b region of mitochondrial DNA and population structure analysis using single nucleotide polymorphisms were conducted to evaluate the population structure within the species and the degree of genetic differentiation. Subsequently, a morphological survey based on multivariate and univariate analyses was performed to assess the morphological variation. [Results] Genetic analyses revealed three genetic groups (Tsurugi, Central, and Nanyo) within H. hirosei, with the Nanyo group distributed allopatrically from the others, and the Tsurugi and Central groups distributed parapatrically with the formation of a hybrid zone between them. The Nanyo group was morphologically distinguishable from the remaining samples, including the topotype of H. hirosei, based on a smaller body size and several ratio values of characters to snout-vent length, longer axilla-groin distance, shorter tail length, shorter internarial distance, longer upper eyelid length, and larger medial tail width. These results support the notion that the Nanyo group is an undescribed species. However, the remaining genetically differentiated groups could not be divided in the present study. Herein, we described the Nanyo group as a new species

A THREE-DIMENSIONAL MOTION ANALYSIS OF TWO-HANDED AND WAIST BELT PULLING BACKWARD EXERCISES IN ELITE TUG OF WAR ATHLETES

In order to find the benefits of the waist belt (WB) in Tug of War (TOW) sport, the purpose of this study was to compare kinematic differences between two-handed (TH) and WB pulling backward exercises. The team that holds the gold medal record for the World Indoor TOW Championships 2004 participated in this study (N=20). According to threedimensional video analysis procedures using the direct linear transformation analysis method, the mean body center of mass (CaM) displacement during TH and WB trials were 0.7m and 1.45m, respectively. Moreover, the mean CaM speed of WB was approximately 1.6 times faster than that of TH. These results suggest that the WB had the efficacy to accomplish a given task in the pulling backward exercise. Therefore it is concluded that WB might be one of useful equipmenls in the TOW sport

Small airway disease associated with Sjögren’s syndrome: Clinico-pathological correlations

SummaryBackgroundRelationships among clinical, physiological, imaging and pathological findings of small airway disease associated with Sjögren’s syndrome have remained unclear.Subjects and methods: We retrospectively studied 14 patients who underwent surgical lung biopsy and who were diagnosed with small airway disease associated with primary or secondary Sjögren’s syndrome. We compared clinical, bronchoalveolar lavage, physiological, imaging and pathological findings between primary and secondary Sjögren’s syndrome. We scored HRCT and pathological abnormalities and investigated correlations among physiological, HRCT and pathological data, changes in physiological parameters and in HRCT scores after two years of treatment, as well as correlations between these values and pathological scores.ResultsBronchoalveolar lavage fluid, physiological, imaging and pathological findings of the airways did not significantly differ between primary and secondary Sjögren’s syndrome. Air trapping on HRCT negatively correlated with MEF50 and MEF25. Although lymphoid cell infiltration and peribronchiolar fibrosis were the most common pathologies, constrictive change scores correlated negatively with MEF50 and MEF25, positively with air trapping scores and negatively with improvements after therapy in MEF50, MEF25 and air trapping.ConclusionsConstrictive change was the most significant determinant of physiological and imaging presentations and of changes in these factors after therapy for small airway disease associated with Sjögren’s syndrome

Antitumor effects of inductive hyperthermia using magnetic ferucarbotran nanoparticles on human lung cancer xenografts in nude mice

Background: The effects of inductive hyperthermia on lung cancer have yet to be fully investigated. Magnetic nanoparticles used in inductive hyperthermia are made-to-order and expensive. This study was performed to investigate the use of ferucarbotran in inductive hyperthermia and to clarify whether inductive hyperthermia using ferucarbotran promotes antitumor effects in vivo using a lung cancer cell line. Methods: We injected A549 cells subcutaneously into the right thighs of BALB/c nu/nu nude mice. Forty mice with A549 xenografts were then classified into three groups. Group 1 was the control group. All mice in groups 2 and 3 had ferucarbotran injected into their tumors, and mice in group 3 were then subjected to alternating magnetic field irradiation. We evaluated tumor temperature during the hyperthermic procedure, the time course of tumor growth, histologic findings in tumors after hyperthermic treatment, and adverse events. Results: Intratumor temperature rose rapidly and was maintained at 43°C-45°C for 20 minutes in an alternating magnetic field. Tumor volumes in groups 1 and 2 increased exponentially, but tumor growth in group 3 was significantly suppressed. No severe adverse events were observed. Histologic findings for the tumors in group 3 revealed mainly necrosis. Conclusion: Inductive hyperthermia using ferucarbotran is a beneficial and promising approach in the treatment of lung cancer. Ferucarbotran is a novel tool for further development of inductive hyperthermia. © 2013 Araya et al, publisher and licensee Dove Medical Press Ltd

Asthma-COPD overlap : prevalence and features

Background Asthma-COPD overlap (ACO) is a disease that shares clinical features of both asthma and COPD. The purpose of this study is to investigate the prevalence and clinical features of ACO. Methods We retrospectively reviewed data for 170 patients with persistent airflow limitation and diagnosed them according to “The Japanese Respiratory Society Guidelines for the Management of ACO 2018”. Results Of the 170 patients, 111 were diagnosed as follows : COPD (74 patients, 66.6%), ACO (34 patients, 30.6%), and asthma (3 patients, 2.8%). There was no significant difference in clinical features between ACO and COPD patients. The following pulmonary function tests were significantly lower in ACO than in COPD patients : forced expiratory volume in 1 second/forced vital capacity, peak expiratory flow, maximal mid-expiratory flow, and the maximum expiratory flow at 50% and 75%. The following respiratory impedance parameters were significantly higher in ACO than in COPD patients : respiratory resistance (Rrs) at 5 Hz (R5), Rrsat 20 Hz (R20), R5-R20, and low-frequency reactance area. Conclusions About 30% of patients with persistent airflow limitation were diagnosed with ACO. ACO patients had lower lung function and higher respiratory impedance compared with COPD patients

Imatinib ameliorates bronchiolitis obliterans via inhibition of fibrocyte migration and differentiation

Background: Imatinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, has been proposed as a potential anti-fibrotic agent for fibroproliferative diseases, including bronchiolitis obliterans (BO). However, the underlying anti-fibrotic mechanisms of the agent remain unclear. We evaluated whether bone (BM)-derived progenitor cells, fibrocytes, might be a target of imatinib in the attenuation of BO. Methods: We used a murine BO model induced by heterotopic tracheal transplantation and assessed the origin of fibroblasts by using green fluorescent protein-BM chimeric mice. We also evaluated the effects of imatinib on luminal obstruction and fibrocyte accumulation. The effects of imatinib on fibrocyte migration and differentiation were assessed by culturing fibrocytes in vitro. Results: In the murine BO model, tracheal allografts showed epithelial injury and developed complete luminal occlusion 28 days after transplantation. Most of the mesenchymal cells that had accumulated in the tracheal allograft were derived from BM cells. Imatinib treatment ameliorated the airway luminal occlusion and significantly reduced the number of fibrocytes in the allografts. In vitro studies showed that imatinib inhibited migration of cultured blood fibrocytes via the platelet-derived growth factor/platelet-derived growth factor receptor axis. Imatinib also inhibited differentiation of fibrocytes via suppression of c-Abl activity that was essential for the differentiation of monocytes to fibrocytes. Conclusions: Imatinib prevents airway luminal obstruction by inhibiting the migration and differentiation of fibrocytes. Fibrocytes may be a novel target in the prevention and treatment of BO. © 2016 International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation.Embargo Period 12 month

The measurement of cough response to bronchoconstriction induced by methacholine inhalation in healthy subjects: An examination using the Astograph method

Background: We demonstrated that heightened cough response to bronchoconstriction is a fundamental feature of cough variant asthma (CVA). To evaluate this physiological feature of CVA in daily clinical practice, it is necessary to clarify the cough response to bronchoconstriction in healthy subjects. We evaluated cough response to methacholine (MCh)-induced bronchoconstriction in healthy subjects. A forced oscillometry technique was used to measure airway resistance changes with Mch. Methods: Healthy never-smokers (21 men, 20 women; mean 22.3 ± 3.7 years) participated. None had a >3-week cough history, clinically significant respiratory or cardiovascular disorders, or disorders that might put subjects at risk or influence the study results or the subjects’ ability to participate. Twofold increasing concentrations of Mch chloride diluted in phosphate-buffered saline (0.039 to 160 mg/mL) were inhaled from nebulizers at 1-minute intervals during subjects’ tidal breathing after the baseline respiratory resistance (Rrs) was recorded. Mch inhalation continued until Rrs reached twice the baseline value and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) decreased to <90% of baseline value. Spirometry was measured before Mch inhalation and immediately after Rrs had increased twofold. Coughs were counted during and for 30 minutes after Mch inhalation. The cough reflex sensitivity to capsaicin was also examined. Results: The number of coughs was 11.1 ± 14.3 (median, 7.0; range, 0 to 71; reference range, 0 to 39.7). There was no significant difference in the cough response between the sexes. The reproducibility of the cough response to bronchoconstriction was sufficient. No correlation existed between the bronchoconstriction-induced cough response and capsaicin cough-reflex sensitivity. Conclusions: Using the Astograph method, cough response to bronchoconstriction could be measured easily, safely and highly reproducibly in healthy subjects. © 2017 Taylor & FrancisEmbargo Period 12 month