Postoperative assessment after AVR and TAVI

Background and aims : Severe aortic stenosis (AS) has been normally treated with surgical aortic valve replacement (AVR) whereas recently, transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has been introduced as a minimally invasive operation for patients with high surgical risk and frailty. In this study, we have evaluated postoperative physical function and nutrition intake in the patients following AVR and TAVI. Methods : This prospective observational study involved 9 patients with surgical aortic valve replacement (AVR) and 7 patients with transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). Body composition was measured one day prior surgery, postoperative day (POD) 1, POD 3, POD 5 and POD 7. Hand grip strength, calf circumference and gait speed were measured one day before surgery and on the day of discharge. Results : Skeletal muscle was significantly decreased in AVR patients at postoperative day 3 and 7, while there was no change in TAVI patients. Patients with TAVI showed higher dietary intake after surgery compared to patients with AVR, and they maintained hand grip strength and calf circumference at discharge. Conclusions : In elderly patients with AS, TAVI can improve post-operative recovery maintaining nutritional status and physical function even

プロポフォールは小胞体やミトコンドリアを含む細胞内小器官の形態変化により細胞内カルシウムの上昇を生じる

広島大学(Hiroshima University)博士(医学)Doctor of Philosophy in Medical Sciencedoctora

A novel sequence-specific RNA quantification method using nicking endonuclease, dual-labeled fluorescent DNA probe, and conformation-interchangeable oligo-DNA

We have developed a novel, single-step, isothermal, signal-amplified, and sequence-specific RNA quantification method (L-assay). The L-assay consists of nicking endonuclease, a dual-labeled fluorescent DNA probe (DL-probe), and conformation-interchangeable oligo-DNA (L-DNA). This signal-amplified assay can quantify target RNA concentration in a sequence-specific manner with a coefficient of variation (Cv) of 5% and a lower limit of detection of 0.1 nM. Moreover, this assay allows quantification of target RNA even in the presence of a several thousandfold excess by weight of cellular RNA. In addition, this assay can be used to measure the changes in RNA concentration in real-time and to quantify short RNAs (<30 nucleotides). The L-assay requires only incubation under isothermal conditions, is inexpensive, and is expected to be useful for basic research requiring high-accuracy, easy-to-use RNA quantification, and real-time quantification

SKF-10047, a prototype Sigma-1 receptor agonist, augmented the membrane trafficking and uptake activity of the serotonin transporter and its C-terminus-deleted mutant via a Sigma-1 receptor-independent mechanism

The serotonin transporter (SERT) is functionally regulated via membrane trafficking. Our previous studies have demonstrated that the SERT C-terminal deletion mutant (SERTΔCT) showed a robust decrease in its membrane trafficking and was retained in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), suggesting that SERTΔCT is an unfolded protein that may cause ER stress. The Sigma-1 receptor (SigR1) has been reported to attenuate ER stress via its chaperone activity. In this study, we investigated the effects of SKF-10047, a prototype SigR1 agonist, on the membrane trafficking and uptake activity of SERT and SERTΔCT expressed in COS-7 cells. Twenty-four hours of SKF-10047 treatment (>200 μM) accelerated SERT membrane trafficking and robustly upregulated SERTΔCT activity. Interestingly, these effects of SKF-10047 on SERT functions were also found in cells in which SigR1 expression was knocked down by shRNA, suggesting that SKF-10047 exerted these effects on SERT via a mechanism independent of SigR1. A cDNA array study identified several candidate genes involved in the mechanism of action of SKF-10047. Among them, Syntaxin3, a member of the SNARE complex, was significantly upregulated by 48 h of SKF-10047 treatment. These results suggest that SKF-10047 is a candidate for ER stress relief. Keywords: Serotonin transporter, Sigma-1 receptor, Membrane trafficking, SKF-1004

The rebuilding of the Kamaishi land station of the optical cable type ocean bottom seismometer & tsunami meter system off the Sanriku coast

＜報告