Vascular Leiomyoma of the Nasal Cavity: Case Report and Review of the Literature

We reported a rare case of nasal vascular leiomyoma that developed in a 67-year-old man. The tumor showed characteristic histological findings with proliferation of smooth muscle cells intermingled with dilated venous vessels. Review of the literature indicated that nasal vascular leiomyoma is characterized by female predominance, occurrence in aged patients and nasal obstruction or pain as the primary symptom

Recent advances and applications of human brain models

Recent advances in human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC) technologies have prompted the emergence of new research fields and applications for human neurons and brain organoids. Brain organoids have gained attention as an in vitro model system that recapitulates the higher structure, cellular diversity and function of the brain to explore brain development, disease modeling, drug screening, and regenerative medicine. This progress has been accelerated by abundant interactions of brain organoid technology with various research fields. A cross-disciplinary approach with human brain organoid technology offers a higher-ordered advance for more accurately understanding the human brain. In this review, we summarize the status of neural induction in two- and three-dimensional culture systems from hPSCs and the modeling of neurodegenerative diseases using brain organoids. We also highlight the latest bioengineered technologies for the assembly of spatially higher-ordered neural tissues and prospects of brain organoid technology toward the understanding of the potential and abilities of the human brain

Morphology of the femoral neck in Japanese persons: Analysis using CT data

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to analyze proximal femoral morphology in Japanese persons using computed tomography (CT) data.Materials and methods: Data from 19 normal hips (N group) and 19 dysplastic hips (DH group) in women who underwent total hip arthroplasty were randomly selected from a CT database. The femur 3D model created by computer software was imported to a computer-aided design software package to analyze the medullary morphology. Center edge angle (CE angle), Sharp angle, femoral head diameter (FHD), and the offset were measured. The femoral neck isthmus space (FNIS), which is the narrowest part of the femoral neck, at neck-shaft angles of 125°, 130°, and 135°, was also measured.Results: In the N group, CE angle was 36.2°, Sharp angle was 39.8°, FHD was 42.6 mm, and offset was 39.5 mm. In the DH group, CE angle was 24.7°, Sharp angle was 46.1°, FHD was 45.2 mm, and offset was 33.6 mm. Each parameter was significantly different between the groups. FNIS was 21.8 mm, 22.1 mm, and 22.1 mm, respectively, in the N group and 21.7 mm, 21.6 mm, and 21.5 mm, respectively, in the DH group.Discussion: This is the first report to clarify the medullary morphology of the proximal femur in Japanese women. Results show that there is sufficient space for currently available implant to fit in. This study also elucidated the morphologic characteristics of dysplastic hip, which will be useful information in developing hip prostheses and fixation devices suitable for Asian patients

A Case of Malignant Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor of the Transverse Colon: Evaluation of Proliferation Activity

Here, we report a colonic gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) in a middle-aged man above 40. A histologically similar second tumor was detected 2 years after initial surgery. The primary GIST, measuring 5.5 ? 6.0 cm, consisted of spindle tumor cells with a higher number of mitoses and Ki67 labeling index (about 20%) than those of the second tumor, implying a de novo GIST. These markers might be useful in evaluating malignant potential, as well as to differentiate between a de novo and a recurrent tumor in the colonic GIST

Progression of microstructural deterioration in load-bearing immobilization osteopenia

PurposeImmobilization osteopenia is a major healthcare problem in clinical and social medicine. However, the mechanisms underlying this bone pathology caused by immobilization under load-bearing conditions are not yet fully understood. This study aimed to evaluate sequential changes to the three-dimensional microstructure of bone in load-bearing immobilization osteopenia using a fixed-limb rat model.Materials and methodEight-week-old specific-pathogen-free male Wistar rats were divided into an immobilized group and a control group (n = 60 each). Hind limbs in the immobilized group were fixed using orthopedic casts with fixation periods of 1, 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks. Feeding and weight-bearing were freely permitted. Length of the right femur was measured after each fixation period and bone microstructure was analyzed by micro-computed tomography. The architectural parameters of cortical and cancellous bone were analyzed statistically.ResultsFemoral length was significantly shorter in the immobilized group than in the control group after 2 weeks. Total area and marrow area were significantly lower in the immobilized group than in the control group from 1 to 12 weeks. Cortical bone area, cortical thickness, and polar moment of inertia decreased significantly after 2 weeks. Some cancellous bone parameters showed osteoporotic changes at 2 weeks after immobilization and the gap with the control group widened as the fixation period extended (P < 0.05).ConclusionThe present results indicate that load-bearing immobilization triggers early deterioration of microstructure in both cortical and cancellous bone after 2 weeks