Transcriptomic Profile of Distal Middle Cerebral Artery from Moyamoya Disease Patients Reveals a Potential Unique Pathway

BACKGROUND: Moyamoya disease (MMD) is a peculiar disease, characterized by progressive steno-occlusion of the distal ends of bilateral internal carotid arteries and their proximal branches. Numerous studies of MMD investigated as a singular pathway, thus overlooked the complexity of MMD pathobiology. AIM: In this study, we sought to investigate the gene expression in the involved arteries to reveal the novel mechanism of MMD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eight middle cerebral artery (MCA) specimens were obtained from six patients underwent surgical procedure superficial temporal artery to MCA (STA-MCA bypass) for MMD and two control patients. We performed RNA extraction and microarray analysis with Agilent Whole Human Genome DNA microarray 4x44K ver.2.0 (Agilent Tech., Inc., Wilmington, DE, USA). RESULTS: From 42,405 gene probes assayed, 921 gene probes were differentially regulated in MCA of patients with MMD. Subsequent pathway analysis with PANTHER database revealed that angiogenesis, inflammation, integrin, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), and WNT pathways were distinctly regulated in MMD. Among genes in aforementioned pathways, SOS1 and AKT2 were the mostly distinctly regulated genes and closely associated with RAS pathway. CONCLUSION: The gene expression in MCA of patients with MMD was distinctly regulated in comparison with control MCA; presumably be useful for elucidating MMD pathobiology

Sulfate transporters involved in sulfate secretion in the kidney are localized in the renal proximal tubule II of the elephant fish (Callorhinchus milii)

Most vertebrates, including cartilaginous fishes, maintain their plasma SO4 (2-) concentration ([SO4 (2-)]) within a narrow range of 0.2-1 mM. As seawater has a [SO4 (2-)] about 40 times higher than that of the plasma, SO4 (2-) excretion is the major role of kidneys in marine teleost fishes. It has been suggested that cartilaginous fishes also excrete excess SO4 (2-) via the kidney. However, little is known about the underlying mechanisms for SO4 (2-) transport in cartilaginous fish, largely due to the extraordinarily elaborate four-loop configuration of the nephron, which consists of at least 10 morphologically distinguishable segments. In the present study, we determined cDNA sequences from the kidney of holocephalan elephant fish (Callorhinchus milii) that encoded solute carrier family 26 member 1 (Slc26a1) and member 6 (Slc26a6), which are SO4 (2-) transporters that are expressed in mammalian and teleost kidneys. Elephant fish Slc26a1 (cmSlc26a1) and cmSlc26a6 mRNAs were coexpressed in the proximal II (PII) segment of the nephron, which comprises the second loop in the sinus zone. Functional analyses using Xenopus oocytes and the results of immunohistochemistry revealed that cmSlc26a1 is a basolaterally located electroneutral SO4 (2-) transporter, while cmSlc26a6 is an apically located, electrogenic Cl(-)/SO4 (2-) exchanger. In addition, we found that both cmSlc26a1 and cmSlc26a6 were abundantly expressed in the kidney of embryos; SO4 (2-) was concentrated in a bladder-like structure of elephant fish embryos. Our results demonstrated that the PII segment of the nephron contributes to the secretion of excess SO4 (2-) by the kidney of elephant fish. Possible mechanisms for SO4 (2-) secretion in the PII segment are discussed

Surgical Outcome of Patients Undergoing Pancreaticoduodenectomy: Analysis of a 17-Year Experience at a Single Center

The operative mortality and morbidity of pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) remain high. We analyzed PD patientsʼ clinical characteristics and surgical outcomes and discuss how PD clinical outcomes could be improved. We retrospectively reviewed the cases of 400 patients who underwent a PD between January 1998 and April 2014 at Okayama University Hospital, a very-high-volume center. We identified and compared the clinical outcomes between two time periods (period 1: 1998-2006 vs. period 2: 2007-2014). The total postoperative mortality and major complication rates were 0.75 and 15.8 , respectively, and the median postoperative length of stay (LOS) was 32 days. Subsequently, patients who underwent a PD during period 2 had a significantly shorter LOS than those who underwent a PD during period 1 (29 days vs. 38.5 days, p＜0.001). The incidence of mortality and major complications did not differ between the two periods. In our multivariate analysis, period 1 was an independent factor associated with a long LOS (p＜0.001). The improvement of the surgical procedure and perioperative care might be related to the shorter LOS in period 2 and ot the consistently maintained low mortality rate after PD. The development of multimodal strategies to accelerate postoperative recovery may further improve PDʼs clinical outcomes

Effect of Configuration of Micro-/Nanoscale Structure on Sliding Surface on Molecular Gas-Film Lubrication

Abstract. Nakamori et al. found experimentally that the friction between a partly polished diamond coating and a metal surface was drastically reduced to zero as relative speed increased to a few m/s [Diamond Relat. Mater. 14, (2005), 2122]. It seems that diamond coating took off the counter surface because sliding was noiseless in their experiment. However, the mechanism of this phenomenon was unknown. In the previous work, we performed the numerical simulation of micro-/nanoscale gas flow between two sliding surfaces, i. e., the slider surface with microscale surface roughness like partly polished diamond coating and the flat counter surface. And then, we successfully reproduced lift force large enough to suspend the slider used in the experiment and found that this effect became notable only for micro-/nanoscale gas flow. In the present paper, we investigate the effect of configuration of micro-/nanoscale structure on sliding surface on molecular gas-film lubrication. Since micro-/nanoscale gas flows between two sliding surfaces cannot be treated as a continuum, we use the direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) method

Effects of periodic robot rehabilitation using the Hybrid Assistive Limb for a year on gait function in chronic stroke patients

Using a robot for gait training in stroke patients has attracted attention for the last several decades. Previous studies reported positive effects of robot rehabilitation on gait function in the short term. However, the long-term effects of robot rehabilitation for stroke patients are still unclear. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the long-term effects of periodic gait training using the Hybrid Assistive Limb (HAL) on gait function in chronic stroke patients. Seven chronic stroke patients performed 8 gait training sessions using the HAL 3 times every few months. The maximal 10-m walk test and the 2-minute walking distance (2MWD) were measured before the first intervention and after the first, second, and third interventions. Gait speed, stride length, and cadence were calculated from the 10-m walk test. Repeated one-way analysis of variance showed a significant main effect on evaluation time of gait speed (F = 7.69, p < 0.01), 2MWD (F = 7.52, p < 0.01), stride length (F = 5.24, p < 0.01), and cadence (F = 8.43, p < 0.01). The effect sizes after the first, second, and third interventions compared to pre-intervention in gait speed (d = 0.39, 0.52, and 0.59) and 2MWD (d = 0.35, 0.46, and 0.57) showed a gradual improvement of gait function at every intervention. The results of the present study showed that gait function of chronic stroke patients improved over a year with periodic gait training using the HAL every few months

Effect of Configuration of Micro-/Nanoscale Structure on Sliding Surface on Molecular Gas-Film Lubrication

Abstract. Nakamori et al. found experimentally that the friction between a partly polished diamond coating and a metal surface was drastically reduced to zero as relative speed increased to a few m/s [Diamond Relat. Mater. 14, (2005), 2122]. It seems that diamond coating took off the counter surface because sliding was noiseless in their experiment. However, the mechanism of this phenomenon was unknown. In the previous work, we performed the numerical simulation of micro-/nanoscale gas flow between two sliding surfaces, i. e., the slider surface with microscale surface roughness like partly polished diamond coating and the flat counter surface. And then, we successfully reproduced lift force large enough to suspend the slider used in the experiment and found that this effect became notable only for micro-/nanoscale gas flow. In the present paper, we investigate the effect of configuration of micro-/nanoscale structure on sliding surface on molecular gas-film lubrication. Since micro-/nanoscale gas flows between two sliding surfaces cannot be treated as a continuum, we use the direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) method

Preoperative obliteration of choroidal arteries in the treatment of large hypervascular tumors in the lateral ventricle

BACKGROUND: Removal of large hypervascular tumors in the lateral ventricle still poses a surgical challenge. These tumors are usually fed from choroidal arteries, and vascular control is typically performed late during the removal. We aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of our strategy for persistent preoperative obliteration of feeders from the choroidal arteries to manage large hypervascular tumors in the lateral ventricle. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed six patients with hypervascular tumors in the lateral ventricle. We first attempted to obstruct feeders using endovascular treatment, and, if unavailable, performed initial microsurgical occlusion through the temporal horn for the staged tumor removal. RESULTS: In all patients, feeder obliteration was successfully performed; the anterior choroidal arteries were occluded by the endovascular treatment and microsurgical occlusion in one and five patients, respectively, while the lateral posterior choroidal arteries were occluded via endovascular treatment in four patients. No patients had permanent symptoms due to feeder obliteration, and tumor devascularization was achieved at the mean rate of 69.9%. During the tumor removal, the mean blood loss volume was 253 ml. No postoperative hemorrhage had occurred, and all patients scored ≤ 2 on the modified Rankin Scale at six months post-removal. CONCLUSIONS: Although further studies are warranted, persistent feeder obliteration of choroidal arteries could be an effective treatment strategy against large hypervascular tumors in the lateral ventricle

Effectsof Nifedipine , 8-(N,N-Diethylamino)Octyl-3 ,4,5- Trimethoxybenzoate Hydrochloride andAtrialNatriuretic Peptide on Endothelin-Induced Antinatriuresis in Dogs

ABSTRACT octyl-3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoate hydroch@de (TMB-8) or atrial natiiuretlc peptlde (ANP) was infused Into the renal artery before and during intrarenal arte@a1 Infusionof endothelin-1(El) in anesthetizeddogs. Before El infusion, nifedipine (0.1 @t9 kg1 min&apos;), TMB-8 (75 @ig kg1 min1) or ANP (10 ng kg1 min&apos;) increased the urine flow rate, urinary sodium excretion and fractional sodium excretion with little change in renal blood flow or glomerular filtratlon rate. ET (2 ng kg1 m1n1) reØucedthe basal renal t@oodflow, glomerular filtra tion rate, urine flow rate, urinary sodium excretion and fractional (Cao and Banks, 1990; Goetz et aL, 1988; ET raises the free calciumconcentrationin vascularsmooth Received for publication April 15, 1993. (Yanagisawa et aL, 1988) and in viv