Morphogenesis of the Spleen During the Human Embryonic Period

We aimed to observe morphological changes in the spleen from the emergence of the primordium to the end of the embryonic period using histological serial sections of 228 samples. Between Carnegie stages (CSs) 14 and 17, the spleen was usually recognized as a bulge in the dorsal mesogastrium (DM), and after CS 20, the spleen became apparent. Intrasplenic folds were observed later. A high-density area was first recognized in 6 of the 58 cases at CS 16 and in all cases examined after CS 18. The spleen was recognized neither as a bulge nor as a high-density area at CS 13. The mesothelium was pseudostratified until CS 16 and was replaced with high columnar cells and then with low columnar cells. The basement membrane was obvious after CS 17. The mesenchymal cells differentiated from cells in the DM, and sinus formation started at CS 20. Hematopoietic cells were detected after CS 18. The vessels were observed at CS 14 in the DM. Hilus formation was observed after CS 20. The parallel entries of the arteries and veins were observed at CS 23. The rate of increase in spleen length in relation to that of stomach length along the cranial-caudal direction was 0.51±0.11, which remained constant during CSs 19 and 23, indicating that their growths were similar. These data may help to better understand the development of normal human embryos and to detect abnormal embryos in the early stages of development

Abnormal Tei index predicts poor left ventricular mass regression and survival after AVR in aortic stenosis patients

SummaryBackgroundA Tei index is known to reflect overall cardiac performance including systolic and diastolic function in a variety of heart disease. We investigated the relationship between preoperative Tei index and postoperative left ventricular (LV) mass regression and survival after aortic valve replacement (AVR) for aortic valve stenosis (AS).MethodsOne hundred fifty-four patients with AS were classified into a group with abnormal (Abn) LV function (n=47, 0.45≤Tei index) and a group with normal (Nor) LV function (n=107, Tei index<0.45). The pre- and postoperative echocardiographic variables including LV dimension, LV wall thickness, and LV mass regression as well as 6-year survival were compared between the two groups.ResultsThere was a significant difference in both absolute and relative LV mass index (LVMI) regression (P=0.004 and 0.0007). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that the preoperative LVMI, Tei index, and follow-up period were independent predictors of LVMI regression after AVR. Thirteen patients died (valve-related death in 5). Although the overall survival rate in the Nor-LV group (92.8%) was significantly better than that in the Abn-LV group (71.6%), there was no significant difference in survival free from valve-related death.ConclusionsPreoperative Tei index can be one of the significant predictors of LVMI regression and overall survival after AVR

A q-analogue of gl_3 hierarchy and q-Painleve VI

A q-analogue of the gl_3 Drinfel'd-Sokolov hierarchy is proposed as a reduction of the q-KP hierarchy. Applying a similarity reduction and a q-Laplace transformation to the hierarchy, one can obtain the q-Painleve VI equation proposed by Jimbo and Sakai.Comment: 14 pages, IOP style, to appear in J. Phys. A Special issue "One hundred years of Painleve VI

Short-Term Impact of Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery on Lung Function, Physical Function, and Quality of Life

Background: Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) has been increasingly used as an approach for lung lobectomy. However, the recovery of respiratory and physical function may be insufficient at discharge because the average length of hospital stay is decreasing after surgery. In this study, we investigated the changes in physical function, lung function, and quality of life (QOL) of lung cancer patients after VATS, and factors for QOL were also evaluated. Methods: The subjects of this study were 41 consecutive patients who underwent video-assisted lung lobectomy for lung cancer. Rehabilitation was performed both before and after surgery. Lung function testing, physical function testing (timed up and go test (TUG) and the 30-s chair-stand test (CS-30)), and QOL (EORTC QLQ-C30) were measured before and 1 week after surgery. Results: Postoperative VC recovered to 76.3% +/- 15.6% 1 week after surgery. TUG, CS-30, and QOL were significantly worse after surgery (p < 0.05). Lung function and physical function were found to affect QOL. Postoperative complications included pneumonia in 1 patient. There were no patients who discontinued rehabilitation. Conclusion: Our rehabilitation program was safe and useful for patients after VATS

The pathophysiology of prospective memory failure after diffuse axonal injury - Lesion-symptom analysis using diffusion tensor imaging

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Prospective memory (PM) is one of the most important cognitive domains in everyday life. The neuronal basis of PM has been examined by a large number of neuroimaging and neuropsychological studies, and it has been suggested that several cerebral domains contribute to PM. For these activation studies, a constellation of experimental PM trials was developed and adopted to healthy subjects. In the present study, we used a widely used clinical PM assessment battery to determine the lesions attributable to PM failure, with the hypothesis that lesion-symptom analysis using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in subjects with diffuse axonal injury (DAI) can reveal the neuronal basis of PM in everyday life.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Fourteen DAI patients (age: range of 18-36, median 24) participated in this study. PM failure was scored in the range of 0-6 using three sub-tests of the Rivermead Behavioural Memory Test. The PM scores of DAI patients were in the range of 2-6 (median 4.5, inter-quartile range 2.25). The severity of axonal injury following DAI was examined using fractional anisotropy (FA), one of the DTI parameters, at voxel level in each subject. We then obtained clusters correlated with PM failure by conducting voxel-based regression analysis between FA values and PM scores. Three clusters exhibited significant positive correlation with PM score, the left parahippocampal gyrus, left inferior parietal lobe, and left anterior cingulate.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This is the first lesion-symptom study to reveal the neuronal basis of PM using DTI on subjects with DAI. Our findings suggest that the neuronal basis of PM is in the left parahippocampal gyrus, left inferior parietal lobe, and/or left anterior cingulate. These findings are similar to those of previous activation studies with loading experimental PM tasks.</p

Development of Bilayered Bone Marrow-derived Cell-Gelatin Grafts for Augmentation Cystoplasty and Reconstruction of Bladder Tissues in Rats

Background : This study attempted to produce a novel graft composed of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal cell (BMC) layer-gelatin sheets for bladder augmentation cystoplasty. Then, we determined if the grafts could reconstruct bladder tissues. Methods : BMCs harvested from the femurs of green fluorescence protein (GFP)-transfected Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were adherent and proliferating cells on collagen dishes. The cells were then cultured on temperatureresponsive culture dishes. Following this, the BMCs maintaining cell-cell contacts within the monolayer itself were applied to a gelatin sheet. Two BMC layer-gelatin sheets were overlaid together with the cell sides juxtaposed with one another (bilayered BMC-gelatin graft). Bladder top of SD rats were incised and transplanted with the bilayered BMC-gelatin grafts. Similarly, urinary bladders irradiated with 2 Gy once a week for 5 weeks were also conducted. As control, bilayered acellular-gelatin grafts were used. At 4 weeks after transplantation, the bladders were histologically investigated. Results : At 4 weeks after transplantation into either normal or radiation-injured urinary bladders, incised regions closed. The closed regions of bladder top had reconstructed tissues that were formed with urothelium, and smooth muscle layers. Within the reconstructed tissues, the thickness of the smooth muscle layers in the bilayered BMC-gelatin graft-transplanted bladders were larger compared to controls. The GFP-positive transplanted BMCs were detected. Some of the cells were simultaneously positive for smooth muscle or nerve cell markers. Conclusion : This study showed that the bilayered BMC-gelatin grafts that were experimentally produced could reconstruct bladder tissues. The grafts would be developed as grafts for bladder augmentation cystoplasty.Article信州医学雑誌 71(3) : 167-177, (2023)journal articl

Citrus sudachi Peel Extract Suppresses Cell Proliferation and Promotes the Differentiation of Keratinocytes through Inhibition of the EGFR–ERK Signaling Pathway

Citrus sudachi is a well-known fruit in Tokushima Prefecture, Japan, and its peels are rich in phytochemicals, including phenolic compounds. Although it is expected that the extract of the C. sudachi peel elicits various beneficial physiological activities, the effect on the skin has not been investigated. In this study, we report that the aqueous extract from the peel of C. sudachi suppresses cell proliferation of the immortalized human keratinocyte cell line, HaCaT, and primary normal human epidermal keratinocytes. The extract of C. sudachi peel suppressed epidermal growth factor (EGF)-induced EGF receptor activation and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α-induced extracellular regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 activation, which suggests that the extract exerts its inhibitory effect through inhibition of both the EGF receptor (EGFR) and its downstream molecules. Additionally, the extract of C. sudachi peel potentiated calcium-induced keratinocyte differentiation. These results suggest that the extract of C. sudachi peel may have beneficial effects against skin diseases that are characterized by hyperproliferation of epidermal keratinocytes, such as those seen in psoriasis and in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma

断酒に至る過程に関する実態調査

断酒に至るまでには，どのような問題があり，その問題に断酒会会員がどのように対処しながら，断酒に至ったかを明らかにすることが目的である．断酒会会員２９４人を調査対象として質問紙および留め置き調査を行った．回収率は５６．８％（１６７名：男性１５０名，女性１７名）であった．調査対象者の平均年齢は５８．６±１１．１（mean±SD）（男性５９．７±１０．５，女性４８±１１．７）歳であった．初回飲酒年齢は平均１８．４±６．３歳であり，１５歳未満の初回飲酒は男性２８名，女性５名であった．飲酒歴は平均２５．４±１１．３年（男性２６．４，女性１６．５年）で，平均断酒期間は１０年１ヵ月±９年６ヵ月（男性１０年７ヵ月，女性４年６ヵ月）であった．調査対象者は飲酒によって家庭や仕事における深刻な問題を引き起こしたため，酒量の調節を試みたが，逆に飲酒量が増し連続飲酒状態に陥り医療機関を受診していた．断酒例会への継続参加により，断酒が可能となり，信用と健康を取り戻し，自信となっていることがあきらかになった．アルコール依存症者が再び社会で正常な日常生活が送れるようになる為には断酒が唯一の方法であることがあらためて確認された．Aim : The purpose of this survey is to clarify alcohol-related problems, the coping methods and how to reach total abstinence in the self-help group members for total abstinence. Method : A mail survey and/or a placement method survey of alcohol dependency were conducted in two prefectures. Subjects were ２９４ recovering alcoholic and they were members of regular meeting for total abstinence. The response rate was５６．８％（１５０males,１７females）. Results : Subjects average age was ５８．６±１１．１ （mean±SD） years （male, ５９．７±１０．５； female, ４８±１１．７ years）. The average of first alcoholic experience of them was at the age of １８．４±６．３. Twenty eight men （１８．６％） and five women （２９．４％） started drinking at the age of less than １５years old. Average duration of drinking was ２５．４±１１．３ years （male, ２６．４； female, １６．５years）, and average abstinence periods were １０．１±９．５years （male, １０．６； female, ４．５years）. They tried to regulate the amount of alcohol because of serious social problems at a home and/or workplace by drinking. However, they could not visit hospitals or clinics until they lapsed into the continuous excessive drinking state. They could quit drinking with continuous participation to regular meeting for total abstinence （Dansyu Reikai） and regained trust, health, and self-confidence. Conclusion : These results suggest that the method to quit drinking is not a self-regulation of amount of alcohol but an attendance of Dansyu Reikai （self-help group participation）

Three-dimensional imaging of thoracic diseases with multidetector row CT

The benefits of multi-detector row CT (MDCT) relative to single-detector row helical CT are considerable. Multi-detector row CT allows shorter acquisition times, greater coverage, and superior image resolution. These factors substantially increase the diagnostic accuracy of the examination. Three-dimensional (3D) volume data from MDCT provides various unique applications on thoracic diseases. These includes isotropic viewings, use of multi planar reformation (MPR), maximum and minimum intensity projections (MIP and min IP), and volume rendering performed from external and internal perspectives allowing the user to “fly around” and “fly through” the structures. Recent advances in 3D volume rendering put real-time, interactive virtual reality guidance of the procedures such as bronchoscopy and surgery into practice