Neuropsychological assessment of visuo-perceptual processing in children with neurodevelopmental disorders

Rey 複雑図形検査（Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure test）は視空間構成能力や視覚性記憶，実行機能などを評価する神経心理学的検査である。本研究では板書のノートテイクや漢字の書字などの学習場面でのつまずきがみられる３名の神経発達障害をともなう子どもを対象に Rey 複雑図形検査を実施し，視覚認知処理過程に関する検討をおこなった。３名はいずれもまとまりのある要素を細分化させた方略を用いて図形を描画しており，視覚構成能力に関する指標において著しい低値を認め，視知覚能力の発達の未成熟さが推測された。本検査は子どもの抱える学習上の問題の把握に有用であり，神経発達障害における視覚認知能力の発達的経過に関するさらなる検討が必要と考えられた。独立行政法人日本学術振興会　科研費（25870931

Transcatheter Arterial Embolization for Shock Caused by Intratumoral Hemorrhaging in Neurofibromatosis Type 1: A Report of Two Cases

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF-1) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by café-au-lait spots and neurofibroma. Vascular NF-1 lesions are rare, but bleeding from such lesions can sometimes cause lethal complications because surgical hemostasis is difficult to achieve due to the fragile nature of the surrounding blood vessels and soft tissue. In recent years, some reports have suggested that transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) is an effective treatment for vascular NF-1 lesions. We report the cases of 2 NF-1 patients who developed intratumoral hemorrhaging and were successfully treated with TAE

Novel Application of Cultured Epithelial Autografts (CEA) with Expanded Mesh Skin Grafting Over an Artificial Dermis or Dermal Wound Bed Preparation

Cultured epithelial autografts (CEA) with highly expanded mesh skin grafts were used for extensive adult burns covering more than 30% of the total body surface area. A prospective study on eight patients assessed subjective and objective findings up to a 12-month follow-up. The results of wound healing for over 1:6 mesh plus CEA, gap 1:6 mesh plus CEA, and 1:3 mesh were compared at 3, 6, and 12 months using extensibility, viscoelasticity, color, and transepidermal water loss by a generalized estimating equation (GEE) or generalized linear mixed model (GLMM). No significant differences were observed among the paired treatments at any time point. At 6 and 12 months, over 1:6 mesh plus CEA achieved significantly better expert evaluation scores by the Vancouver and Manchester Scar Scales (p < 0.01). Extended skin grafting plus CEA minimizes donor resources and the quality of scars is equal or similar to that with conventional low extended mesh slit-thickness skin grafting such as 1:3 mesh. A longitudinal analysis of scars may further clarify the molecular changes of scar formation and pathogenesis

Visualization and tools for analysis of zebrafish lymphatic development

The accessibility and optical transparency of the zebrafish embryo offers a unique platform for live-imaging of developmental lymphangiogenesis. Transgenic lines labelling lymphatic progenitors and vessels enable researchers to visualize cellular processes and ask how they contribute to lymphatic development in genetic models. Furthermore, validated immunofluorescence staining for key signaling and cell fate markers (phosphorylated Erk and Prox1) allow single cell resolution studies of lymphatic differentiation. Here, we describe in detail how zebrafish embryos and larvae can be mounted for high resolution, staged imaging of lymphatic networks, how lymphangiogenesis can be reliably quantified and how immunofluorescence can reveal lymphatic signaling and differentiation. These methods offer researchers the opportunity to experimentally dissect developmental lymphangiogenesis with outstanding resolution