Animal Models of Chronic Pancreatitis

Animal models for CP in rats can be classified into 2 groups: one is noninvasive or nonsurgical models and the other is invasive or surgical models. Pancreatic injury induced by repetitive injections of supramaximal stimulatory dose of caerulein (Cn) or by intraductal infusion of sodium taurocholate (NaTc) recovered within 14 days, whereas that caused by repetitive injection of arginine or by intraductal infusion of oleic acid was persistent. However, the destroyed acinar tissues were replaced by fatty tissues without fibrosis. Transient stasis of pancreatic fluid flow by 0.01% agarose and minimum injury of the pancreatic duct by 0.1% NaTc solution induced progressive pancreatic injury although one alone is insufficient to cause persistent pancreatic injury. However, the damaged tissue was replaced by fatty tissue without fibrosis. Continuous pancreatic ductal hypertension (PDH) caused diffuse interlobular and intralobular fibrosis closely resembling human CP

Pressure evolution of electronic structure and magnetism in the layered van der Waals ferromagnet CrGeTe3_3

Layered van der Waals ferromagnets, which preserve their magnetic properties down to exfoliated monolayers, are fueling a bonanza of fundamental research and nanoscale device demonstration. CrGeTe$_3$ is a prime example for this class of materials. Its temperature-pressure phase diagram features an insulator-to-metal transition and a significant increase of ferromagnetic Curie-Weiss temperatures upon entering the metallic state. We use density functional theory to understand the magnetic exchange interactions in CrGeTe$_3$ at ambient and elevated pressure. We calculate Heisenberg exchange couplings, which provide the correct ferromagnetic ground state and explain the experimentally observed pressure dependence of magnetism in CrGeTe$_3$. Furthermore, we combine density functional theory with dynamical mean field theory to investigate the effects of electronic correlations and the nature of the high pressure metallic state in CrGeTe$_3$.Comment: 14 pages, 11 figure

Association between reduced serum BDNF levels and insomnia with short sleep duration among female hospital nurses

Objective: Previous studies have suggested that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is associated with sleep regulation in humans. However, its relationship with self-reported sleep problems has not been clarified. The aim of the present study was to examine the association between serum BDNF levels and sleep problems among hospital nurses. Methods: Participants were enrolled from among nurses working at a general hospital in Tokyo, Japan. Data from 577 women (age: 35.45 ± 10.90 years) were analyzed. This cross-sectional survey was conducted from November to December 2015. Serum BDNF concentrations were evaluated. Participants completed a self-reported questionnaire on sleep including the presence or absence of insomnia symptoms (ie, difficulty initiating sleep (DIS), difficulty maintaining sleep (DMS), and early morning awakening [EMA]), and sleep duration. Insomnia with short sleep duration (ISS) was defined as: DIS, or DMS, or EMA; and <6 h sleep duration. Results: Among 577 participants, 21.3% reported insomnia, 41.4% slept less than 6 h, and finally 12.5% suffered from ISS. Serum BDNF levels were significantly lower in subjects with ISS than in those without ISS. The serum BDNF levels in insomniacs were significantly lower than in non-insomniacs for short sleep duration (<6 h), while serum BDNF levels did not differ between insomniacs and non-insomniacs for normal sleep duration (≥6 h). Conclusion: This is the first documented study to indicate that ISS is associated with reduced serum BDNF levels. These results may lead to clarification of the underlying pathophysiological relationship between BDNF and poor sleep

Study on the Development of a New Device with Dual Cameras for Evaluating Expiratory Nasal Flow

[Background] Use of the Glatzel mirror for measuring expiratory nasal flow in preschool children has the disadvantage of vagueness, and the mirror may induce fear and inhibition of interest in those children. In response to these limitations, we developed a new device with dual cameras for measuring expiratory nasal flow in 2 to 6 year old children. The aim of this study is to compare the Glatzel mirror and the new device, in terms of accurate assessment of expiratory nasal flow, children’s feelings, and correlation to each child’s profile. [Methods] This study evaluated 20 cleft lip and palate patients and 21 healthy children aged between 2 and 6 (under 7) years. After consent was granted, a 4-week screening period was undertaken followed by inspection at weeks 8, 16, 24, and 32. Each inspection was conducted while the children were asked to pronounce various sounds and comprised three stages: i) use of the Glatzel mirror, ii) subjective visual assessment using the new device, and iii) image recording by dual cameras of the new device. Questionnaires for the new device were administered at the initial and final inspections. To contrast the results between the Glatzel mirror and the new device, the numbers that indicated values of subjective visual assessment and camera assessment greater than the assessment values of the Glatzel mirror were compared. For measuring the children’s responses to the new device compared with those to the Glatzel mirror, the answers to the questionnaires were compared. For the comparison of the children’s profiles (age and sex) and feelings, the numbers of subjects who could use the new device were measured. [Results] The camera assessment of the new device indicated significantly greater values than that of the Glatzel mirror (P < 0.05). The feelings of the subjects to the new device mostly improved as the study progressed. Subjects aged 3 years and older were generally able to use the new device from the initial inspection. For both sexes, as the inspection progressed, the number occasions of successful use increased. [Conclusion] This study demonstrated the superiority of the new device with dual cameras to the Glatzel mirror in terms of functionality and attitude of children

Synergistic effect of sulfonation followed by precipitation of amorphous calcium phosphate on the bone-bonding strength of carbon fiber reinforced polyetheretherketone

Sulfonation and applications of amorphous calcium phosphate are known to make polyetheretherketone (PEEK) bioactive. Sulfonation followed by precipitation of amorphous calcium phosphate (AN-treatment) may provide PEEK with further bone-bonding strength. Herein, we prepared a carbon-fiber-reinforced PEEK (CPEEK) with similar tensile strength to cortical bone and a CPEEK subjected to AN-treatment (CPEEK-AN). The effect of AN-treatment on the bone-bonding strength generated at the interface between the rabbit’s tibia and a base material was investigated using a detaching test at two time-points (4 and 8 weeks). At 4 weeks, the strength of CPEEK-AN was significantly higher than that of CPEEK due to the direct bonding between the interfaces. Between 4 and 8 weeks, the different bone forming processes showed that, with CPEEK-AN, bone consolidation was achieved, thus improving bone-bonding strength. In contrast, with CPEEK, a new bone was absorbed mainly on the interface, leading to poor strength. These observations were supported by an in vitro study, which showed that pre-osteoblast on CPEEK-AN caused earlier maturation and mineralization of the extracellular matrix than on CPEEK. Consequently, AN-treatment, comprising a combination of two efficient treatments, generated a synergetic effect on the bonding strength of CPEEK

Characterization of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus A(H5N6), Japan, November 2016

Highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses (HPAIVs) A(H5N6) were concurrently introduced into several distant regions of Japan in November 2016. These viruses were classified into the genetic clade 2.3.4.4c and were genetically closely related to H5N6 HPAIVs recently isolated in South Korea and China. In addition, these HPAIVs showed further antigenic drift