Step-by-Step Procedure to Test Photoelectric Dye-Coupled Polyethylene Film as Retinal Prosthesis to Induce Light-Evoked Spikes in Isolated Retinal Dystrophic Tissue of rd1 Mice

Purpose: Multielectrode array recording for electric activity in cardiac and neuronal cells has been developed as preclinical tests for drug screening. This study aims to establish an in vitro assay system, using the multielectrode array, to record light-evoked spikes in isolated degenerative retinal tissues of retinal dystrophic rd1 mouse, as a preclinical test to examine the efficacy of photoelectric dye-coupled thin film retinal prosthesis. Methods: Light-evoked spike response was tested for 1 min at first step in the isolated degenerative retinal tissue of retinal dystrophic rd1 mouse only on the multielectrode array, tested in the same retinal tissue overlain with a plain control film for light-off and light-on 10 min each at second step, and tested in the same tissue overlain with a dye-coupled film at third step. The retinal tissues which showed light-evoked response at first or second step were not used for evaluation at third step. Results: Residual light-evoked spikes were recorded at first or second step in 18 of 35 retinal tissues (51%) at 6 weeks of the age in rd1 mice, 16 of 44 tissues (36%) at 7 weeks, and 10 of 39 tissues (25%) at 8 weeks. At third step, light-evoked spikes were recorded with dye-coupled films in 8 of 17 retinal tissues (47%) at 6 weeks, 10 of 28 tissues (35%) at 7 weeks, and 8 of 29 tissues (27%) at 8 weeks. Conclusion: A step-by-step procedure with internal control was established to measure light-evoked spikes by the multielectrode array in the isolated degenerative retinal tissue to evaluate photoelectric dye-coupled thin films. This preclinical study would present one line of evidence for the efficacy of photoelectric dye-coupled thin film retinal prosthesis towards a first-in-human clinical trial

Secondary autoimmune hypothalamitis with severe memory impairment 7 years after the onset of diabetes insipidus due to lymphocytic hypophysitis: a case report

Background Autoimmune hypothalamitis is a very rare neuroendocrine disorder that causes central diabetes insipidus, headache, visual impairment, and sometimes cognitive impairment. Autoimmune hypothalamitis may occur in association with autoimmune hypophysitis, including lymphocytic hypophysitis, or in isolation. It is not known whether autoimmune hypothalamitis and autoimmune hypophysitis are consecutive diseases. Case presentation A 52-year-old woman developed autoimmune hypothalamitis 7 years after developing central diabetes insipidus due to lymphocytic hypophysitis, resulting in severe memory impairment. High-dose intravenous methylprednisolone therapy improved her cognitive function and decreased the size of the lesion. Conclusion This case presented a unique clinical course, with a long period of time between the onset of autoimmune hypopituitaritis and the development of autoimmune hypothalamitis

Distance measurements between 5 nanometer diamonds – single particle magnetic resonance or optical super-resolution imaging?

5 nanometer sized detonation nanodiamonds (DNDs) are studied as potential single-particle labels for distance measurements in biomolecules

The Gender–Age–Physiology system as a prognostic model in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis treated with nintedanib: a longitudinal cohort study

Introduction: The Gender-Age-Physiology (GAP) system is a tool for predicting prognosis in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Yet, to date, the GAP system has not been evaluated in patients with IPF who received nintedanib. Material and methods: This single-center retrospective study included 89 patients with IPF who received Nintedanib for at least 3 months. All-cause mortality was set as the end point. Clinical parameters, including the GAP stage, were statistically analyzed for risk factors leading to mortality using the Cox proportional hazard model.Results: The median follow-up was 16.4 months (range 3.7–37.4 months), during which 23 patients died. Univariate analysis revealed that the GAP stage (hazard ratio [HR] 3.00, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.52–5.92, p = 0.0014) and PaO2 (HR 0.95, 95% CI 0.92–0.98, p = 0.0063) were significant prognostic factors. Multivariate analysis revealed that the GAP stage was a significant prognostic factor (HR 2.26, 95% CI 1.07–4.78, p = 0.031). Log-rank analysis revealed that there were no significant differences in “Gender” (p = 0.47) and “Age” (p = 0.18) factors. However, there were significant differences in “Physiology” factors (% of forced vital capacity, p = 0.018; % of diffusing capacity of lung carbon monoxide, p < 0.001). The cumulative incidences of mortality at 1 and 2 years were as follows: GAP I: 5.1% and 6.8%; GAP II: 9.5% and 29.3%; and GAP III: 18.9% and 84.2%.Conclusions: The GAP system is useful as a prognostic tool in patients with IPF who have been treated with nintedanib

Risk factors for acute exacerbation following bronchoalveolar lavage in patients with suspected idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: A retrospective cohort study

Introduction: Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) is useful for diagnosing diffuse lung disease and excluding other conditions. However, acute exacerbations (AEs) are recognized as important complications of BAL in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). This study aimed to identify risk factors for BAL-induced AEs in patients with IPF.Material and methods: We retrospectively analyzed the data of 155 patients with suspected IPF who had undergone BAL between January 2013 and December 2018. BAL-related AE was defined as the development of AE within 30 days after the procedure. We compared clinical features and parameters between patients with AE (AE group) and without AE (non-AE group). We also reviewed the relevant reported literature.Results: Among the 155 patients, 5 (3.2%) developed AE within 30 days after BAL. The average duration from BAL to AE onset was 7.8 days (2–16 days). Results from the univariate analysis revealed PaO2 < 75 mm Hg (p = 0.036), neutrophil content in BAL ≥ 7% (p = 0.0061), %DLCO < 50% (p = 0.019), Gender-Age-Physiology (GAP) stage III (p = 0.034), and BAL recovery rates < 30% (p < 0.001) as significant risk factors for post-BAL AE. All five patients who developed AE recovered and were discharged.Conclusions: Disease severity, high neutrophil levels in BAL, and poor BAL recovery rates may be risk factors for BAL-induced AE

Development of a Super-deep-sea Self Pop-up Ocean Bottom Seismometer using a Ceramic Pressure-tight Housing

We have developed a Super-deep-sea self-popup Ocean Bottom Seismometer (SDOBS) that can be deployed to the ocean floor up to 9,000 m depth. Because the maximum applicable water depth of a conventional self-popup Ocean Bottom Seismometers (OBS) is 6,000 m, some areas have remained inaccessible to seismic surveys, such as the deep part of Japan Trench, where the Great East Japan Earthquake occurred in 2011. Using a ceramic pressure-tight sphere, we were able to develop a SDOBS that has almost identical size, weight, and buoyancy to those of a conventional self-popup OBS using a glass sphere. Regarding the acoustic transponder, which is a key device for the development of SDOBSes. We heighten the transmitting acoustic level of an existing acoustic transponder to raise the positioning accuracy. Detailed results of sea tests conducted to evaluate the acoustic transponder performance are described herein. We used the same built-in seismometers, recorders, batteries, and other equipment as those used for conventional OBSes. We also report that by improving the test procedures, we were able to heighten the measurement accuracy of the uniaxial compressive strength of ceramics, which are important parameters to determine the applicable hydraulic pressure. We have developed seven SDOBSes to date, and have deployed 18 SDOBSes cumulatively for seismic surveys in the Japan Trench and Ryukyu Trench

Influence of feed source on determination of fat and protein in milk by near-infrared spectroscopy

,\ bstract R~.;el v~d 9 September 1998: accepted 10 April 1999 \ !v[lIk s ample~ fr om two experiments (II = 506 in tOlal) were an ,dyzed by measurement of near-infrared (NIR) spectra to investigate the etlect of feed source on milk fat and prolein content. ivlilk samples from the lirst experiment (n = 3uO) were used for development of the calibration equation and validation of the equation. The calibratlon equatIOns thus developed in the first experiment were then used in the second experiment to ~xamine the applications of NIR measurement. All feeding trials used the same basal rations, which conSisted of corn silage, [talian ryegrass, Alfalfa haycube, corn Rake and commercial concentrate. The first experiment was comprised of three rations: (I) basal ration , (2) basal ration with soy bean meal (48% of total crude protein (CP)) and (3) basal ration with soybean meal (19% of total CP) and fish meal (25% of total CP) The second experiment was comprised of five supplement alternatives (I) no supplement (NS), (2) corn g~uten meal (CGM, 26% of total CP), (3) nsh meal (FM, 26% of total CP), (4) defatted soybean meal (SSM , 28% of total CP\ and (5) roasted soybean meal (RSBM, 26% of total CPl. Feeding regimes in both experiments were adjusted to fulfill the maintenance and production requirements. The results showed that NIR prediction of milk fat content was not influenced by the feed of animal$. while the accuracy of protein prediction was significantly affected by the kind orreedstuff used in the ration . Thus, a wide range of milk sample~ from cows 0 11 ~ Iearl y defined feeding regimes is necessary for developing a satisfactory calibration for NIR systems. © [999 Elsevier Science Ltd . Ali rights reserved. Keywords .· NIP. analysis; Milk fal; Milk pro tein : }·eed supplemenl atio