A METHOD FOR APPLYING HIGH CYCLIC STRAIN TO FOCAL ADHESIONS AND MEASURING THE CELL RESPONSE

ABSTRACT This paper describes a method by which broadband cyclic strain can be applied to focal adhesions of a cell. In recent years, evidence has been growing that focal adhesions act as mechanosensors of cells which convert mechanical force into biomechanical signaling. However, there are no effective methods by which mechanical stimulation with high frequency can be directly applied to each focal adhesion. Here we develop a micropillar substrate embedding micron-sized magnetic particles and enabling the micropillars to be deflected by external magnetic field. The combination of long and short micropillars produces the difference of deflection between them and enables the micropillars to apply strain to a cell. We verified that the micropillars responded to external magnetic field up to at least 25 Hz without phase difference. Using the magnetic micropillar substrate, we observed the cytoskeletal deformation of an osteoblast cell. The findings indicate that the present micro device can be used for investigating mechanosensing systems of a cell. INTRODUCTION Cells respond to various types of mechanical stimulations such as strain or mechanical vibration. It is reported that the proliferation and the bone matrix generation of osteoblasts are promoted by applying mechanical vibratio

Accuracy of ultrawide-field fundus ophthalmoscopy-assisted deep learning for detecting treatment-naïve proliferative diabetic retinopathy

Purpose We investigated using ultrawide-field fundus images with a deep convolutional neural network (DCNN), which is a machine learning technology, to detect treatment-naïve proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). Methods We conducted training with the DCNN using 378 photographic images (132 PDR and 246 non-PDR) and constructed a deep learning model. The area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, and specificity were examined. Result The constructed deep learning model demonstrated a high sensitivity of 94.7% and a high specificity of 97.2%, with an AUC of 0.969. Conclusion Our findings suggested that PDR could be diagnosed using wide-angle camera images and deep learning

Long-Term Electrocardiographic Follow-Up of a Patient with Light-Chain Cardiac Amyloidosis

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Agriculture in Hokkaido

Agriculture in Hokkaido dawned in 1868; the time when the Meiji Government was established. Warriors who were deprived of their positions by the new government after the Meiji Revolution, and farmers who could afford only small area in the main islands of Japan, immigrated to Hokkaido. They cleared the land and planted crops facing sever winters of Hokkaido. Presently, Hokkaido leads agriculture in Japan, proudly tops the production of rice, wheat, potato, beans, sugar beet, vegetables, and especially dairy products. The people of Hokkaido, however, shall never forget that it is the hard work of their predecessors for more than hundred years that has earned the present position for Hokkaido. At the same time, misunderstanding between immigrants and native Ainu people, and environmental degradation caused by reclamation of Hokkaido, should be matters of concern. This book describes past, present and future of Hokkaido's agriculture. The articles for this have been contributed by the professors outstanding in their respective fields in Hokkaido University. All chapters have been written in a simple language and illustrated with relevant photographs. Though this book has been produced as a textbook for the foreign students at Hokkaido University, it can serve a wide range of readers. It will be a great pleasure for us if this book is read by all concerned including visitors to this lovely land of Hokkaido

Acute Effects on Signal-Averaged Electrogram Parameters and Suppressing Premature Ventricular Contractions in Single or Combined Use of Class I Antiarrhythmic Drugs

Disopyramide (DP), mexiletine (MX), and flecainide (FL) are class I antiarrhythmic drugs. However, these drugs exert different effects on the electrocardiogram (ECG) based on their unique actions on cardiac myocytes. The electrocardiographic changes during combination therapy with these drugs are not well understood. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate acute morphologic changes in the ECG based on signal-averaged high resolution ECG (SAECG) after administration of the drugs in relation to their antiarrhythmic eficacy and safety. Twenty-one patients with frequent and stable premature ventricular contractions (PVC) were studied. Changes in the filtered QRS duration (f-QRS) and the root mean square voltage of the last 40 msec of the QRS complex (RMS40) were evaluated. Suppression of PVCs was achieved soon after intravenous administration of the drugs (63% for DP, 43% for MX, 86% for FL and 100% for DP+MX). Although DP and FL significantly prolonged f-QRS, MX had little effect on f-QRS. DP+MX also prolonged f-QRS, but the degree of prolongation was moderate. RMS40 was significantly decreased by DP and FL, but not by MX. DP+MX also decreased RMS40, but the decrease was less than for DP alone. Late potentials were observed after administration in 56% of patients with DP, 0% with MX, 67% with FL and 0% with DP+MX. No adverse events were reported during the study. In summary, the class I antiarrhythmic drugs exerted different acute effects on SAECG parameters. The combination of DP and MX increased the eficacy on suppressing PVC without excess additive changes on SAECG parameters. We conclude that combination therapy with DP and MX is eficacious and safe in patients with PVC and the analysis of SAECG during antiarrhythmic therapy is clinically important