Measurement System of Biomechanical Properties for Portable Use

It is difficult to evaluate a biomechanical properties quantitatively. The authors developed the measurement system of biomechanical properties formerly but it is on a large scale because of the use of personal computer. In this study, the portable measurement system of biomechanical impedance/mobility is developed. To establish a rapid measurement, a random vibration is adopted in input signal. The system consists of the measuring probe, amplifier, and a note-typed personal computer. The measurement probe is developed newly, and has an overall length of 9 ㎝ (without a handle) and a total weight of about 500 g. The measurement program is also developed and is available to any computer which is worked under MS DOS compatible in Windows 95/98 operating system. The biomechanical spectra of thigh, temple and forehead are obtained and they show three typical spectrum patterns

R-Process Nucleosynthesis in MHD Jet Explosions of Core-Collapse Supernovae

We investigate $r$-process nucleosynthesis during the magnetohydrodynamical (MHD) explosion of supernova in a massive star of 13 $M_{\odot}$. Contrary to the case of the spherical explosion, jet-like explosion due to the combined effects of the rotation and magnetic field lowers the electron fraction significantly inside the layers above the iron core. We find that the ejected material of low electron fraction responsible for the $r$-process comes out from the silicon rich layer of the presupernova model. This leads to the production up to the third peak in the solar $r$-process elements. We examine whether the fission affects the $r$-process paths by using the full nuclear reaction network with both the spontaneous and $\beta$-delayed fission included. Moreover, we pay particular attention how the mass formula affects the $r$-process peaks with use of two mass formulae. It is found that both formulae can reproduce the global abundance pattern up to the third peak though detailed distributions are rather different. We point out that there are variations in the $r$-process nucleosynthesis if the MHD effects play an important role in the supernova explosion.Comment: 19 pages with 7 figures, submitted to Ap

RNA interference suppression of mucin 5AC (MUC5AC) reduces the adhesive and invasive capacity of human pancreatic cancer cells

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>MUC5AC is a secretory mucin normally expressed in the surface muconous cells of stomach and bronchial tract. It has been known that MUC5AC <it>de novo </it>expression occurred in the invasive ductal carcinoma and pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasm with no detectable expression in normal pancreas, however, its function remains uncertain. Here, we report the impact of MUC5AC on the adhesive and invasive ability of pancreatic cancer cells.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We used two MUC5AC expressing cell lines derived from human pancreatic cancer, SW1990 and BxPC3. Small-interfering (si) RNA directed against MUC5AC were used to assess the effects of MUC5AC on invasion and adhesion of pancreas cancer cells <it>in vitro </it>and <it>in vivo</it>. We compared parental cells (SW1990 and BxPC3) with MUC5AC suppressed cells by si RNA (si-SW1990 and si-BxPC3).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>MUC5AC was found to express in more than 80% of pancreatic ductal carcinoma specimens. Next we observed that both of si-SW1990 and si-BxPC3 showed significantly lower adhesion and invasion to extracellular matrix components compared with parental cell lines. Expression of genes associated with adhesion and invasion including several integerins, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) -3 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were down-regulated in both MUC5AC suppressed cells. Furthermore, production of VEGF and phosphorylation of VEGFR-1 were significantly reduced by MUC5AC down regulation. Both of si-SW1990 and si-BxPC3 attenuated activation of Erk1/2. <it>In vivo</it>, si-SW1990 did not establish subcutaneous tumor in nude mice.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Knockdown of MUC5AC reduced the ability of pancreatic cancer cells to adhesion and invasion, suggesting that MUC5AC might contribute to the invasive motility of pancreatic cancer cells by enhancing the expression of integrins, MMP-3, VEGF and activating Erk pathway.</p

A new equation to estimate basal energy expenditure of patients with diabetes

[Background & aims]Predictive equations for basal energy expenditure (BEE) derived from Caucasians tend to overestimate BEE in non-Caucasians. The aim of this study was to develop a more suitable method to estimate BEE in Japanese patients with diabetes using indices readily measured in clinical practice. [Methods]BEE was measured by indirect calorimetry under a strict basal condition in 68 Japanese patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. The best fitting equation was investigated by multiple regression analysis using of age, sex, and anthropometric indices. The resultant new equation was tested in a separate group of 60 Japanese patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, and the accuracy compared with existing equations. [Results]The best-fit equation was BEE [kcal/day] = 10 × (body weight)[kg] – 3 × (age)[y] + 125 (if male) + 750. Adjusted coefficient of determination was 81.0%. Root mean squared errors and accurate prediction in the validation set were 103 kcal/day and 78% for the new equation; 184 and 50 for Harris-Benedict; 209 and 38 for Oxford; 205 and 42 for Liu; and 140 and 63 for Ganpule. [Conclusions]This new equation is simpler and estimates BEE more accurately in Japanese patients with diabetes than the presently used equations do

Induction and prevention of virus-associated malignant lymphoma by serial transmission of EBV-related virus from cynomolgus by blood transfusion in rabbits.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-related herpesvirus (Si-IIA-EBV) was serially transmitted for 3 passages from rabbit to rabbit of the opposite sex by blood transfusion, which subsequently induced virus-associated rabbit lymphomas. The virus could be transmitted by transfusion with 15-20 ml of whole blood (7/7) or irradiated blood (1/6) from the EBV-related virus-infected rabbits, but there was no transmission with transfusion of cell-free plasma (0/6) from the infected rabbits. Passive anti-EBV-VCA IgG (x 20 approximately x 10) titers decreased during the first 1-2 weeks in the transfused rabbits. The virus-transmitted rabbits showed a gradual increase in antibody titers ranging from peak titers of x 640 to x 2560 after 3 weeks of transfusion. The recipient origin of malignant lymphoma that developed in the first rabbit transfused by infected blood was confirmed by chromosomal analysis. This rabbit model thus shows that EBV-related herpesvirus is serially transmissible by blood transfusion and that transmission can not be completely prevented by irradiation of blood, but removal of blood cells is the best way to prevent transmission of EBV-related virus. Therefore, this animal model provides a convenient in vivo system for studies of the prevention and therapy of transfusion-related transmission of EBV and EBV-associated lymphoproliferative diseases in immunocompromised human beings.</p

JTP-109192, a novel G protein-coupled receptor 119 agonist, prevents atherosclerosis by improving hypercholesterolemia in congenic spontaneously hyperlipidaemic mice

G protein‐coupled receptor 119 (GPR119) expression in pancreatic β‐cells and intestinal L‐cells is a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Previously, we have reported that the GPR119 agonist JTP‐109192 improves glucose metabolism with single and repeated administration. Conversely, overexpression of the Gpr119 gene reportedly regulates cholesterol transporter expression in animal models, and a natural GPR119 agonist, oleoylethanolamide (OEA), improves atherosclerosis. Therefore, improving dyslipidaemia is considered a possible feature of GPR119 agonists. In the present study, the lipid‐lowering effect of JTP‐109192 was examined in BALB/c background spontaneously hyperlipidaemic (SHL) mice with repeated administration, once daily for 12 weeks. On repeated administration, JTP‐109192 revealed a cholesterol‐lowering effect and improved atherosclerosis following histopathological examination. With further investigation, the cholesterol‐lowering effect and subsequent antiatherosclerotic effect of JTP‐109192 was attributed to changes in intestinal cholesterol metabolism gene expression. Based on these results, JTP‐109192 represents a new potential antihypercholesterolaemic agent for the treatment of dyslipidaemia

Associations between the orexin (hypocretin) receptor 2 gene polymorphism Val308Ile and nicotine dependence in genome-wide and subsequent association studies

Impact of the HCRTR2 gene risk variant on schizotypal personality traits (mean ± SD). (DOC 54 kb

Big insulin-like growth factor 2-producing multiple solitary fibrous tumors treated with debulking surgery: A case report

BackgroundNon-islet cell tumor hypoglycemia (NICTH) is a rare paraneoplastic syndrome caused by a tumor-producing high molecular weight form of insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2) known as big IGF2. The only curative treatment for this condition is surgical resection of the responsible tumors. However, this may not be feasible in cases with multiple metastases at diagnosis of NICTH, and no standard treatment strategy for multiple tumors has been established. The effects of pharmacological therapies including somatostatin analogs are often inefficient and remain difficult to predict.Case descriptionA 68-year-old man was admitted to our hospital due to impaired consciousness and severe hypoglycemia. His medical history included diagnosis of a left temporal solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) at the age of 48 years, after which local recurrent and metastatic tumors were repeatedly resected. Four years before admission, multiple intraabdominal and subcutaneous tumors were detected and, being asymptomatic, were managed conservatively. Laboratory exam on admission demonstrated hypoglycemia accompanied with low serum insulin and IGF1 levels. Computed tomography (CT) scan revealed multiple intraabdominal and subcutaneous tumors increasing in size. Serum big IGF2 was detected on immunoblot analysis, and he was diagnosed as NICTH. In addition, tumor uptake was observed on 68Ga-labelled 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-N,N’,N’’,N’’’-tetraacetic acid-d-Phe1-Tyr3-octreotide positron emission tomography/CT (DOTATOC-PET/CT). Since larger tumor is more suspicious about responsible producibility of big IGF2, we planned to resect large ones preferentially and reduce the amounts of residual tumors. Debulking surgery was performed by removing eleven intraabdominal tumors; the hypoglycemia was then completely corrected. Histological analyses revealed the resected tumors to be metastases of SFT having somatostatin receptor 2 expression. In immunoblot analysis, the resected tumors were found to be positive for big IGF2; serum big IGF2 was undetectable after surgery.ConclusionWe present a case of NICTH with multiple metastatic SFTs. We strategically performed debulking surgery, which led to remission of hypoglycemia. This result demonstrates a pioneering practical solution for NICTH cases with multiple tumors. In addition, in cases of SFTs presenting with NICTH, positivity of DOTATOC-PET/CT as well as single-dose administration of octreotide may be predictive of the efficacy of somatostatin-based therapy

Diabetes mellitus itself increases cardio- cerebrovascular risk and renal complications in primary aldosteronism

This is a pre-copyedited, author-produced version of an article accepted for publication in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism following peer review. The version of record Aya Saiki, Michio Otsuki, Daisuke Tamada, Tetsuhiro Kitamura, Iichiro Shimomura, Isao Kurihara, Takamasa Ichijo, Yoshiyu Takeda, Takuyuki Katabami, Mika Tsuiki, Norio Wada, Toshihiko Yanase, Yoshihiro Ogawa, Junji Kawashima, Masakatsu Sone, Nobuya Inagaki, Takanobu Yoshimoto, Ryuji Okamoto, Katsutoshi Takahashi, Hiroki Kobayashi, Kouichi Tamura, Kohei Kamemura, Koichi Yamamoto, Shoichiro Izawa, Miki Kakutani, Masanobu Yamada, Akiyo Tanabe, Mitsuhide Naruse, Diabetes Mellitus Itself Increases Cardio-Cerebrovascular Risk and Renal Complications in Primary Aldosteronism, The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, Volume 105, Issue 7, July 2020, Pages e2531–e2537 is available online at: https://doi.org/10.1210/clinem/dgaa177

Plasma pharmacokinetics after combined therapy of gemcitabine and oral S-1 for unresectable pancreatic cancer

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The combination of gemcitabine (GEM) and S-1, an oral 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) derivative, has been shown to be a promising regimen for patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Six patients with advanced pancreatic cancer were enrolled in this pharmacokinetics (PK) study. These patients were treated by oral administration of S-1 30 mg/m²twice daily for 28 consecutive days, followed by a 14-day rest period and intravenous administration of GEM 800 mg/m²on days 1, 15 and 29 of each course. The PK parameters of GEM and/or 5-FU after GEM single-administration, S-1 single-administration, and co-administration of GEM with pre-administration of S-1 at 2-h intervals were analyzed.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The maximum concentration (Cmax), the area under the curve from the drug administration to the infinite time (AUCinf), and the elimination half-life (T1/2) of GEM were not significantly different between GEM administration with and without S-1. The Cmax, AUCinf, T1/2, and the time required to reach Cmax (Tmax) were not significantly different between S-1 administration with and without GEM.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>There were no interactions between GEM and S-1 regarding plasma PK of GEM and 5-FU.</p