Renal shear wave velocity by acoustic radiation force impulse did not reflect advanced renal impairment

[Aim] Acoustic radiation force impulse is a noninvasive method for evaluating tissue elasticity on ultrasound. Renal shear wave velocity measured by this technique has not been fully investigated in patients with renal disease. The aim of the present study was to compare renal shear wave velocity in end‐stage renal disease patients and that in patients without chronic kidney disease and to investigate influencing factors. [Methods] Renal shear wave velocities were measured in 59 healthy young subjects (control group), 31 subjects without chronic kidney disease (non‐CKD group), and 39 end‐stage renal disease patients (ESRD group). Each measurement was performed 10 times at both kidneys, and the mean value of eight of 10 measurements, excluding the maximum and minimum values, was compared. [Results] Renal shear wave velocity could be measured in all subjects. Renal shear wave velocity in the control group was higher than in the non‐CKD group and in the ESRD group, and no difference was found between the non‐CKD group and the ESRD group. Age and depth were negatively correlated to the renal shear wave velocity. In multiple regression analysis, age and depth were independent factors for renal shear wave velocity, while renal impairment was not. There was no difference between the non‐CKD group and the ESRD group, even when ages were matched and depth was adjusted. [Conclusion] Renal shear wave velocity was not associated with advanced renal impairment. However, it reflected alteration of renal aging, and this technique may be useful to detect renal impairment in the earlier stages

APPLICABILITY OF MINIATURE C(T) SPECIMEN TO EVALUATION OF FRACTURE TOUGHNESS FOR REACTOR PRESSURE VESSEL STEEL

ABSTRACT Irradiation embrittlement of Japanese reactor pressure vessels (RPV) is usually monitored by conducting tests on irradiated RPV material according to surveillance test program. Although fracture toughness specimens are contained in Japanese PWR surveillance capsule, the number of specimens is limited due to capacity of capsule. In order to evaluate lower bound of fracture toughness considering its scatter with higher reliability, it is expected to obtain additional fracture toughness data using remaining broken specimens of irradiated materials. One of solutions to this problem is specimen reconstitution technique. However, it is difficult to make numbers of specimens by reconstitution because of need for specific equipments and time-consuming machining operations. As an alternative method, fracture toughness test using miniature C(T) specimens with dimension of 4×10×10mm, which can be taken from broken halves of Charpy specimen, is proposed and the studies to verify the reliability and robustness of evaluation method have been conducted in the Japanese round robin program since 2010. In this study, fracture toughness tests were performed on Japanese SA 533 Gr.B Cl.1 steel using miniature C(T) specimens and the effect of specimen size on reference temperature T 0 was studied by the Master Curve approach. In addition, the issues related to application to irradiated materials were discussed

Ipragliflozin Ameliorates Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Apoptosis through Preventing Ectopic Lipid Deposition in Renal Tubules

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) are major health burdens closely related to metabolic syndrome. A link between CKD and NASH has been assumed; however, the underlying mechanism is still unknown. Ectopic lipid deposition (ELD) in the hepatocyte results in endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, which plays an important role in the development of steatohepatitis. ELD is also assumed to play a role in the development of kidney injury. We aimed to investigate the role of ELD and ER stress in the development of CKD, and evaluate the efficacy of a sodium glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor, ipragliflozin. Methods: Male FLS-ob/ob mice that closely imitate the pathophysiology of NASH were treated with vehicle or ipragliflozin. Metabolic characteristics, histology of the kidney, ER stress, and apoptotic signals were evaluated. Results: The serum triglyceride was significantly lower in mice treated with ipragliflozin. Ipragliflozin reduced ELD in renal tubules. Ipragliflozin also reduced the expression levels of GRP78 and CHOP, apoptotic cells, and interstitial fibrosis. Conclusions: ELD induced kidney injury through ER stress. Ipragliflozin improved the pathogenesis of CKD by reducing ELD and ER stress in NASH-model mice. Our results suggest ipragliflozin has therapeutic effect on CKD in NASH

A novel method for assessing the renal biopsy specimens using an activatable fluorescent probe

Gamma-glutamyl hydroxymethyl rhodamine green (gGlu-HMRG) is an activatable fluorescent probe that can be activated by γ-glutamyltranspeptidase (GGT). The expression of GGT in the kidney, which is one of the major organs exhibiting enhanced GGT expression, is exclusively localised to the cortex. Here, we aimed to investigate the feasibility of gGlu-HMRG as a probe for the on-site assessment of renal biopsy specimens. gGlu-HMRG fluorescent probe was applied to the renal proximal tubular epithelial cells and cortical collecting duct cells in vitro, mouse kidneys ex vivo, and human biopsy specimens. In addition, the fluorescence intensities in the cortex and the medulla were comparatively evaluated in the biopsy specimens. The fluorescence signal was rapidly detected in the renal proximal tubular epithelial cells, whereas that in the cortical collecting duct cells was not detected. The fluorescence signal was detected in the mouse kidneys ex vivo without markedly affecting the tissue morphology. In the human biopsy specimens, the fluorescence signal in the cortex was significantly distinct from that in the medulla (p?<?0.05). Thus, this fluorescent probe can be used to distinctly identify the renal cortex in the biopsy specimens

Mammalian Fat and Dachsous cadherins regulate apical membrane organization in the embryonic cerebral cortex

Compartmentalization of the plasma membrane in a cell is fundamental for its proper functions. In this study, we present evidence that mammalian Fat4 and Dachsous1 cadherins regulate the apical plasma membrane organization in the embryonic cerebral cortex. In neural progenitor cells of the cortex, Fat4 and Dachsous1 were concentrated together in a cell–cell contact area positioned more apically than the adherens junction (AJ). These molecules interacted in a heterophilic fashion, affecting their respective protein levels. We further found that Fat4 associated and colocalized with the Pals1 complex. Ultrastructurally, the apical junctions of the progenitor cells comprised the AJ and a stretch of plasma membrane apposition extending apically from the AJ, which positionally corresponded to the Fat4–Dachsous1-positive zone. Depletion of Fat4 or Pals1 abolished this membrane apposition. These results highlight the importance of the Fat4–Dachsous1–Pals1 complex in organizing the apical membrane architecture of neural progenitor cells

ガクセイ ノ シュタイテキ サンカ ヲ タカメル タンキダイガク ニュウガクジュンビプログラム ノ カイハツ

The purpose of this study was to develop a pre-entrance-education program forenhancement of students\u27 active participation in junior college. The program wasdeveloped in accordance with remedial education, first year experience, and careerdevelopment. These are considered to play an important role for student success in juniorcollege. Specifically, 3 modules were held in March 2013, each of which included severalsmall group workshops. The results of the questionnaires showed that the program couldbe relatively useful and novel for the participants

タンダイ ニュウガクセイ ニ オケル セイカツ シュウカン オヨビ シンタイ ショウジョウ ト ジソン カンジョウ オヨビ ガクシュウ ニ タイスル インショウ ノ カンレン

本研究の目的は、短大入学生における生活習慣および身体症状と自尊感情および学習に対する印象の関連について検討することである。対象は、S短期大学に入学予定の男女103名であった。対象に対して、直接配布の質問紙法によって調査を行った。調査内容は、自作式の生活習慣および身体症状に関する調査、自尊感情尺度および学習に対する印象に関する調査であった。結果として、自尊感情尺度が低い群は、睡眠時間が有意に短かった(p<0.05)。また学習に対する印象について、自尊感情尺度の低い群は、学習に対する印象も有意に低かった(p<0.05)。身体症状と学習に関する印象について、項目別に検討した結果、「上手な勉強の仕方がわからない」(p<0.05)、「思うように成績が上がらない」(p<0.01)および「覚えなければいけないことが多い」(p<0.05)で有意差がみられた。また、身体症状と自尊感情を項目別に検討した結果、「敗北者と思うことがある」および「自分はまったくダメな人間であると思うことがよくある」で有意差がみられた(p<0.05)。以上のことから、自尊感情、生活習慣およびこれまでの学習に対する印象は関連があり、短大入学時および入学後に継続的に自尊感情を高めるプログラムを行う必要があると考える。This study was investigated the relationship of the lifestyle and physical symptoms, self-esteem, and impression of study for the first-year students of junior college.The group with a low self-esteem had short sleeping hours and low impression for study. About the relationship of physical symptoms and impression of study, there are three items about significant difference. And the relationship of physical symptoms and self -esteem, there are two items about significant difference. In conclusion, these findings suggest that it is necessary for the new student to be trained immediately and continuously to raise levels of self-esteem and impression for study

Lulu2 regulates the circumferential actomyosin tensile system in epithelial cells through p114RhoGEF

The FERM domain–containing protein Lulu2 and p114RhoGEF function at epithelial cell–cell junctions to regulate the actomyosin belt that determines cell shape

Renal Ultrasound Elastography: A Review of the Previous Reports on Chronic Kidney Diseases

The early detection of a kidney injury is essential to protect against the progression of kidney damage owing to the progressive nature of chronic kidney disease. A renal biopsy is the gold standard for the assessment of pathological alterations such as interstitial fibrosis and glomerulosclerosis. However, there are concerns regarding potential complications including bleeding and a reduction in renal function. Ultrasound elastography is an ideal modality for assessing the alterations in various organs and diagnosing malignant tumors. This technique has the potential to help detect early changes in renal function and pathological alterations. However, the careful application and interpretation of this technique in the kidney is required because of its complex hemodynamics and architecture. Shear wave elastography is the most widely investigated technique among ultrasound elastography. This review aims to summarize the previous investigations of the kidney using shear wave elastography, particularly for renal malignancy, kidney transplantation, and chronic kidney disease. Additionally, we have highlighted the influencing factors concerning the practical measurement of renal elasticity

Fluorescence Imaging Using Enzyme-Activatable Probes for Detecting Diabetic Kidney Disease and Glomerular Diseases

A clear identification of the etiology of glomerular disease is essential in patients with diabetes. Renal biopsy is the gold standard for assessing the underlying nephrotic pathology; however, it has the risk for potential complications. Here, we aimed to investigate the feasibility of urinary fluorescence imaging using an enzyme-activatable probe for differentiating diabetic kidney disease and the other glomerular diseases. Hydroxymethyl rhodamine green (HMRG)-based fluorescent probes targeting gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) and dipeptidyl-peptidase (DPP) were used. Urinary fluorescence was compared between groups which were classified by their histopathological diagnoses (diabetic kidney disease, glomerulonephritis, and nephrosclerosis) as obtained by ultrasound-guided renal biopsy. Urinary fluorescence was significantly stronger in patients with diabetic kidney disease compared to those with glomerulonephritis/nephrosclerosis after DPP-HMRG, whereas it was stronger in patients with nephrosclerosis than in patients with glomerulonephritis after GGT-HMRG. Subgroup analyses of the fluorescence performed for patients with diabetes showed consistent results. Urinary fluorescence imaging using enzyme-activatable fluorescence probes thus represents a potential noninvasive assessment technique for kidney diseases in patients with diabetes