Calcium Phosphate Composition Affects Ureteroscopic Laser Lithotripsy

The effects of stone composition on transurethral lithotripsy (TUL) have not been sufficiently elucidated. The purpose of this study was to identify how calcium phosphate stone composition impacts TUL. Two hundred eighty-nine cases of semi-rigid and/or flexible TUL for upper urinary tract calculi were reviewed retrospectively. Inclusion criteria were a preoperative assessment by noncontrast computed tomography (NCCT) and a stone composition analysis. Small stones and those without calcium composition were excluded. Stone core radiodensity (SCR) was measured by taking the average of the upper 3 of 5 points in the proximity of the center of the stone on NCCT. Fifty-three patients with calcium phosphate composition (CaP) and 118 patients with calcium oxalate and without phosphate composition were eligible for analysis. SCR was significantly higher in the CaP group (p<0.01). The CaP patient group needed a significantly longer operation time (p=0.014) and more laser energy (p=0.085), and tended to have a lower rate of complete lithotripsy (p=0.096) and higher incidence of postoperative pyelonephritis (p=0.181). Stones containing calcium phosphate are harder, demand more laser energy, and require a longer operating time. NCCT evaluation can estimate stone composition preoperatively, and may be a useful tool for predicting operative outcomes

Evidence in stable isotope ratios for lichen‐feeding by Lithosiini moths from a tropical rainforest but not from a temperate forest

Lithosiini (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae) is distinctive in having some species that feed on lichens, whereas the majority of moths feed on vascular plants. However, the larval diet of most Lithosiini species is poorly known. This study examines whether Lithosiini species, collected in a tropical rainforest of Borneo (nine species) and a temperate forest of Japan (eight species), feed on lichens as larvae, based on stable isotope analyses. As a result, the δ¹⁵N values for eight of nine Lithosiini species collected from Borneo were notably lower than those of nine co-occurring herbivorous non-Lithosiini species, and were similar to those of sympatric, lichen-feeding termites; however, δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N values of one Lithosiini species (Adites sp.) were significantly higher than those of the other moth species and similar to those of humus-feeding termites and predatory insects occurring at the same site. These results have suggested that the Lithosiini in the Southeast Asian tropical rainforests contain some species that feed on lichens as their larval main diet and at least one species whose larvae feed on humus or animal-derived materials. In contrast, the δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N values of all examined Lithosiini species (eight species) in the temperate forest have suggested that their larvae fed on plants and not on lichens. Our stable isotope ratio analysis presented quantitative evidence suggesting lichen-feeding by Lithosiini moths in a tropical rainforest without observation of feeding behavior during the larval stages

Atomic matter wave scanner

We report on the experimental realization of an atom optical device, that allows scanning of an atomic beam. We used a time-modulated evanescent wave field above a glass surface to diffract a continuous beam of metastable Neon atoms at grazing incidence. The diffraction angles and efficiencies were controlled by the frequency and form of modulation, respectively. With an optimized shape, obtained from a numerical simulation, we were able to transfer more than 50% of the atoms into the first order beam, which we were able to move over a range of 8 mrad.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

Information-analytical systems as a basis of improving the efficiency of risk management

Building an effective system-risk management in an enterprise on the basis of integrated integration of risk management procedures into virtually all enterprise processes is associated with a wide range of tasks. Such integration processes can be simplified by using modern information technologies

Contacts between the commissural axons and the floor plate cells are mediated by nectins

AbstractDuring development of the central nervous system (CNS), commissural axons grow toward the ventral midline. After crossing the floor plate, they abruptly change their trajectory from the circumferential to the longitudinal axis. The contacts between the commissural axons and the floor plate cells are involved in this axonal guidance, but their mechanisms or structures have not fully been understood. In this study, we found that nectin-1 and -3, immunoglobulin-like cell–cell adhesion molecules, asymmetrically localized at the contact sites between the commissural axons and the floor plate cells, respectively. In vitro perturbation of the endogenous trans-interaction between nectin-1 and -3 caused abnormal fasciculation of the commissural axons and impairment of the contacts, and resulted in failure in longitudinal turns of the commissural axons at the contralateral sites of the rat hindbrain. These results indicate that the contacts between the commissural axons and the floor plate cells are mediated by the hetero-trans-interaction between nectin-1 and -3 and involved in regulation of the trajectory of the commissural axons

Infusion of angiotensin II reduces loss of glomerular capillary area in the early phase of anti-Thy-1.1 nephritis possibly via regulating angiogenesis-associated factors

Infusion of angiotensin II reduces loss of glomerular capillary area in the early phase of anti-Thy-1.1 nephritis possibly via regulating angiogenesis-associated factors.BackgroundAlthough angiotensin II (Ang II) is involved in the progression of renal diseases, infusion of Ang II was reported to surprisingly ameliorate the early phase of anti-Thy-1.1 nephritis (Wenzel et al,Kidney Int 61:1020, 2002). Considering the known proangiogenic effect of Ang II and that angiogenic glomerular capillary repair is required for the recovery of damaged glomeruli in rat anti-Thy-1.1 nephritis, we hypothesized that Ang II infusion starting prior to the initiation of nephritis may induce the expression of angiogenic growth factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1), resulting in the increased glomerular capillary area in the early phase.MethodsAng II was infused (170ng/min) in rats, and 5 days later, nephritis was induced by the administration of monoclonal 1-22-3 antibodies. Ang II type 1 or type 2 receptor antagonist (AT1R or AT2R, respectively) (losartan or PD123319, respectively) was coadministered.ResultsAng II infusion affected on neither the deposition of Ig nor mesangiolysis in the initial phase, and resulted in the aggravation of creatinine clearance at day 14 and 35 after initiating anti-Thy-1.1 nephritis. Histologic alterations were ameliorated accompanied by reduced loss in rat endothelial cell antigen (RECA)-1(+) endothelial area in Ang II-infused nephritic rats on day 6 and 14 as compared to control nephritic group, and nephritic alterations were mostly resolved on day 35 in both groups. At the early stage (day 6), glomerular expression of VEGF and receptors flk-1 and flt-1 as well as Ang-1, and receptor Tie2 were increased, and glomerular monocyte infiltration and the expression of angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2), a natural antagonist of Ang-1, were reduced. Both Ang II receptors were involved in the regulation of angiogenic factors and receptors.ConclusionThese results demonstrate that infusion of exogenous Ang II starting prior to the induction of nephritis activates VEGF and Ang-1 signaling regulated via both Ang II receptors, potentially leading to the accelerated recovery of injured glomerular endothelial cells in the early phase of anti-Thy-1.1 nephritis. Increased expression of VEGF and Ang-1 on podocytes further suggests the crucial association of endothelial cells and podocytes in maintaining proper glomerular capillary structures

Nephrin and podocin dissociate at the onset of proteinuria in experimental membranous nephropathy

Nephrin and podocin dissociate at the onset of proteinuria in experimental membranous nephropathy.BackgroundThe slit diaphragm plays a critical role in maintaining the barrier function of the glomerular capillary wall. The pathogenic mechanism of proteinuria in membranous nephropathy remains uncertain. This study was undertaken to analyze the pathogenic role of slit diaphragm in proteinuria in experimental membranous nephropathy.MethodsThe expression and the localization of slit diaphragm–associated molecules (nephrin, podocin, and CD2AP) and other podocyte-associated molecules (podocalyxin and α3 integrin) in passive and active Heymann nephritis were analyzed by immunofluorescence and Western blot analysis. The interaction of slit diaphragm–associated molecules was investigated by the dual-labeling immunofluorescence method. The mRNA expression of these molecules was also analyzed.ResultsShifts in nephrin and podocin staining patterns, from linear to granular, were detected in the early stages of passive Heymann nephritis. These shifts were not parallel, and the dissociation of these molecules was detected by the dual-labeling immunofluorescence method in passive and active Heymann nephritis. Western blot analyses with sequentially solubilized materials indicated that the nephrin-rich fraction changed from being partly detergent-resistant to being predominantly detergent-soluble. This change did not occur with podocin. Nephrin excreted into urine was already detected in the early stages of passive Heymann nephritis. Decreased mRNA expression of nephrin and podocin was observed before the onset of proteinuria. By contrast, no extensive change in the expression of α3 integrin was observed in this study.ConclusionNephrin is dissociated from podocin and excreted into urine in the early stages of Heymann nephritis. The reduced expression of nephrin and podocin, along with their dissociation, may contribute to the development of proteinuria in Heymann nephritis

Fractalkine expression and the recruitment of CX3CR1+ cells in the prolonged mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis

Fractalkine expression and the recruitment of CX3CR1+ cells in the prolonged mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis.BackgroundWe established the reversible and the prolonged models of mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis (GN) with anti-Thy 1 antibody 1-22-3. However, the essential factors leading to the prolonged glomerular alterations have not been identified.MethodsThe expressions of several chemokines and cytokines were compared in the reversible and the prolonged models. Expression of fractalkine and the number of the fractalkine receptor CX3CR1-positive cells in the glomeruli in the prolonged model were significantly higher than those in the reversible model. Then, the localization of fractalkine and the characteristics of CX3CR1+ cells were analyzed in glomeruli. To elucidate the significance of the fractalkine expression, we analyzed the expression in the model treated with angiotensin II receptor antagonist, candesartan.ResultsImmunostaining of fractalkine was detected on endothelial cells on the fifth day, and fractalkine staining also was detected in the mesangial area on day 14. Major parts of the CX3CR1+ cells in the glomeruli were macrophages, especially ED3+ cells. Candesartan treatment ameliorated the glomerular morphological findings at six weeks after disease induction. Although the treatment did not ameliorate the morphological finding at two weeks, decreased expression of fractalkine and CX3CR1+ were already detected at two weeks in rats treated with candesartan.ConclusionsFractalkine expression and the recruitment of CX3CR1+ cells in glomeruli might play an important role in the development of the prolonged disease. These expressions could be predictors of the prolonged disease of the mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis