Gene expression in a canine basilar artery vasospasm model: a genome-wide network-based analysis

To investigate the changes of gene expression on the cerebral vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage, we used genome-wide microarray for a canine double-hemorrhage model and analyzed the data by using a network-based analysis. Six dogs were assigned to two groups of three animals: control and hemorrhage. The effects were assessed by the changes in gene expressions in the artery 7 days after the first blood injection. Among 23,914 genes, 447 and 66 genes were up-regulated more than two- and fivefold, respectively, and 332 and 25 genes were down-regulated more than two- and fivefold, respectively. According to gene ontology, genes related to cell communication (P = 5.28E-10), host–pathogen interaction (7.65E-8), and defense–immunity protein activity (0.000183) were significantly overrepresented. The top high-level function for the merged network derived from the network-based analysis was cell signaling, revealing that the subgroup that regulates the quantity of Ca2+ to have the strongest association significance (P = 4.75E-16). Canine microarray analysis followed by gene ontology profiling and connectivity analysis identified several functional groups and individual genes responding to cerebral vasospasm. Ca2+ regulation may play a key role in these gene expression changes and may be involved in the pathogenesis of cerebral vasospasm

Sensitivity of CT perfusion for the diagnosis of cerebral infarction

We aimed to determine the sensitivity of CT perfusion (CTP) for the diagnosis of cerebral infarction in the acute stage. We retrospectively reviewed patients with ischemic stroke who underwent brain CTP on arrival and MRI-diffusion weighted image (DWI) after hospitalization between October 2008 and October 2011. Final diagnosis was made from MRI-DWI findings and 87 patients were identified. Fifty-five out of 87 patients (63%) could be diagnosed with cerebral infarction by initial CTP. The sensitivity depends on the area size (s) : 29% for S<3 cm2, 83% for S≥3 cm2-<6 cm2, 88% for S≥6 cm2-<9 cm2, 80% for S≥9 cm2-<12 cm2, and 96% for S≥12 cm2 (p<0.001). Sensitivity depends on the type of infarction : 0% for lacunar, 74% for atherothrombotic, and 92% for cardioembolism (p<0.001). Sensitivity is not correlated with hours after onset. CT perfusion is an effective imaging modality for the diagnosis and treatment decisions for acute stroke, particularly more serious strokes

2019年度 八戸工業大学公開講座

Last updated: 6/15/201

Prognostic Factors of Vitreous Hemorrhage Secondary to Exudative Age-Related Macular Degeneration

PURPOSE: Vitreous hemorrhage (VH) is a rare but serious complication of the eyes with exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD). This retrospective study was designed to evaluate various clinical factors that may affect the visual prognosis of patients with VH secondary to exudative AMD. DESIGN: Retrospective case study. METHODS: We intensively documented 31 cases of VH secondary to exudative AMD and retrospectively analyzed best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA). All eyes underwent standard pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for treating VH. Three subgroups were created according to the clinical course and treatment history before the occurrence of VH: (1) Gas group (7 eyes), Pneumatic displacement with SF6 gas performed to treat massive submacular hemorrhage; (2) PDT group (9 eyes), Photodynamic therapy performed to treat exudative AMD; (3) Untreated group (15 eyes), No treatment performed. RESULTS: As a whole, BCVA before the occurrence of VH was 1.05±0.59 (LogMAR). After the occurrence of VH, BCVA before PPV dropped to 2.61±0.82. After the operation, final BCVA significantly improved to 1.25±0.73 (P<10-8). In a subgroup analysis, no statistically significant difference was seen among the three subgroups at any time point. We found that the eyes whose fellow eye had exudative AMD showed significantly poor final BCVA compared to the unilateral cases (0.92±0.57 and 1.49±0.72, P=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: PPV can improve visual acuity in the eyes with VH secondary to AMD, although effectiveness is limited. Medical practitioners should be cautious of the visual prognosis, especially in the cases whose fellow eye has exudative AMD

Serine racemase deletion attenuates neurodegeneration and microvascular damage in diabetic retinopathy.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a leading cause of blindness. DR is recognized as a microvascular disease and inner retinal neurodegeneration. In the course of retinal neurodegeneration, N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR)-mediated excitotoxicity is involved. Full activation of NMDAR requires binding of agonist glutamate and coagonist glycine or D-serine. D-Serine is produced from L-serine by serine racemase (SRR) and contributes to retinal neurodegeneration in rodent models of DR. However, the involvement of SRR in both neurodegeneration and microvascular damage in DR remains unclear. Here, we established diabetic model of SRR knockout (SRR-KO) and control wild-type (WT) mice by streptozotocin injection. Six months after the onset of diabetes, the number of survived retinal ganglion cells was higher in SRR-KO mice than that of WT mice. The reduction of thickness of inner retinal layer (IRL) was attenuated in SRR-KO mice than that of WT mice. Moreover, the number of damaged acellular capillaries was lower in SRR-KO mice than that of WT mice. Our results suggest the suppression of SRR activity may have protective effects in DR