A Change of Computed Tomographic Findings of Two Cases of Giant Internal Carotid Artery Aneurysms after Cervical Carotid Artery Occlusion

The effects of cervical carotid artery occlusion on two giant internal carotid artery aneurysms were studied by computed tomography (CT). In both cases, the density on CT findings of the thrombosed parts in the aneurysms were changed with time from hyperdensity in the immediate post operative period to isodensity and finally to decreased density. For giant aneurysms treated with occlusion of the proximal artery, CT scanning is a reliable and atraumatic method for follow-up review, providing precise information concerning actual size, thrombosis, and pathological changes

Percutaneous Curettage and Continuous Irrigation for MRSA Lumbar Spondylodiscitis: A Report of Three Cases

There has been a recent increase in pyogenic spondylitis caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) associated with an increasing number of compromised patients. As long as serious paralysis is absent, we recommend percutaneous curettage and continuous irrigation as an effective treatment for MRSA lumbar spondylodiscitis. Under local anesthesia, the affected lumbar discs were curetted using percutaneous nucleotomy, and tubes were placed for continuous irrigation. The period of continuous irrigation was generally 2 weeks. Infection was controlled after one procedure in two cases and after two procedures in one case. Postoperative radiography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed callus formation, normalized signal intensity in vertebral bodies, and regression of abscesses. Open surgery under general anesthesia has been considered risky in patients with poor performance status or old age. The present method, which is an application of needle biopsy, can be performed under local anesthesia and is minimally invasive

Percutaneous Discectomy—Continuous Irrigation and Drainage for Tuberculous Lumbar Spondylitis: A Report of Two Cases

Percutaneous curettage and continuous irrigation were performed for definitive diagnosis and treatment of tuberculous (TB) lumbar spondylitis. Under local anaesthesia, affected lumbar discs were curetted using a procedure of percutaneous nucleotomy, and in-tube and the out-tube were placed for continuous irrigation. The period of continuous irrigation was 12–16 days. Mycobacterium tuberculosis was demonstrated in case 1 by culture and PCR, whereas histology showed tuberculous lesion with caseous necrosis in both cases. Postoperative MRI showed markedly reduced abscesses after 3 months in both cases. The signal intensity in vertebral bodies was improved. In Case 2, CT observations showed remodeling over time in the vertebral body cavities. This method is advantageous in that although minimally invasive, it achieves identification of pathogenic bacteria and treatment simultaneously. This surgical procedure is expected to prove effective for both TB and pyogenic spondylitis

Interactions between IL-32 and tumor necrosis factor alpha contribute to the exacerbation of immune-inflammatory diseases

IL-32 is a newly described cytokine in the human found to be an in vitro inducer of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα). We examined the in vivo relationship between IL-32 and TNFα, and the pathologic role of IL-32 in the TNFα-related diseases – arthritis and colitis. We demonstrated by quantitative PCR assay that IL-32 mRNA was expressed in the lymphoid tissues, and in stimulated peripheral T cells, monocytes, and B cells. Activated T cells were important for IL-32 mRNA expression in monocytes and B cells. Interestingly, TNFα reciprocally induced IL-32 mRNA expression in T cells, monocyte-derived dendritic cells, and synovial fibroblasts. Moreover, IL-32 mRNA expression was prominent in the synovial tissues of rheumatoid arthritis patients, especially in synovial-infiltrated lymphocytes by in situ hybridization. To examine the in vivo relationship of IL-32 and TNFα, we prepared an overexpression model mouse of human IL-32β (BM-hIL-32) by bone marrow transplantation. Splenocytes of BM-hIL-32 mice showed increased expression and secretion of TNFα, IL-1β, and IL-6 especially in response to lipopolysaccharide stimulation. Moreover, serum TNFα concentration showed a clear increase in BM-hIL-32 mice. Cell-sorting analysis of splenocytes showed that the expression of TNFα was increased in resting F4/80(+ )macrophages, and the expression of TNFα, IL-1β and IL-6 was increased in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated F4/80(+ )macrophages and CD11c(+ )dendritic cells. In fact, BM-hIL-32 mice showed exacerbation of collagen-antibody-induced arthritis and trinitrobenzen sulfonic acid-induced colitis. In addition, the transfer of hIL-32β-producing CD4(+ )T cells significantly exacerbated collagen-induced arthritis, and a TNFα blockade cancelled the exacerbating effects of hIL-32β. We therefore conclude that IL-32 is closely associated with TNFα, and contributes to the exacerbation of TNFα-related inflammatory arthritis and colitis

Perioperative Clinical Course Variables Associated with Length of Hospital Stay after Primary Intracranial Meningioma Resection

The relationship between perioperative clinical course variables and postoperative length of hospital stay (LOS) in patients undergoing primary intracranial meningioma resection has not been fully elucidated. We therefore aimed to identify the perioperative clinical course variables that predict postoperative LOS in such patients. We retrospectively collected data concerning demographics, tumor characteristics, and perioperative clinical course variables in 76 patients who underwent primary intracranial meningioma resection between January 2010 and December 2019, and tested for associations with postoperative LOS. Univariate analyses showed that younger age, fewer days to postoperative initiation of standing/walking, preoperative independence in activities of daily living (ADL), and ADL independence one week after surgery were associated with shorter postoperative LOS. Multiple regression analyses with these factors identified that days to stand/walk initiation and ADL independence one week after surgery were associated with postoperative LOS. Based on these results, we conclude that rehabilitation programs that promote early mobilization and the early acquisition of independence may reduce postoperative LOS in patients who undergo primary intracranial meningioma resection

Case Report Percutaneous Curettage and Continuous Irrigation for MRSA Lumbar Spondylodiscitis: A Report of Three Cases

There has been a recent increase in pyogenic spondylitis caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) associated with an increasing number of compromised patients. As long as serious paralysis is absent, we recommend percutaneous curettage and continuous irrigation as an effective treatment for MRSA lumbar spondylodiscitis. Under local anesthesia, the affected lumbar discs were curetted using percutaneous nucleotomy, and tubes were placed for continuous irrigation. The period of continuous irrigation was generally 2 weeks. Infection was controlled after one procedure in two cases and after two procedures in one case. Postoperative radiography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed callus formation, normalized signal intensity in vertebral bodies, and regression of abscesses. Open surgery under general anesthesia has been considered risky in patients with poor performance status or old age. The present method, which is an application of needle biopsy, can be performed under local anesthesia and is minimally invasive

1,3a,6a-Triazapentalene derivatives as photo-induced cytotoxic small fluorescent dyes

1,3a,6a-Triazapentalene (TAP) is a compact fluorescent chromophore whose fluorescence properties vary greatly depending on the substituents on the TAP ring. This study investigated the photo-induced cytotoxicities of various TAP derivatives. Among the derivatives, 2-p-nitrophenyl-TAP showed significant cytotoxicity to HeLa cells under UV irradiation but no cytotoxicity without UV. In addition, the photo-induced cytotoxicity of 2-p-nitirophenyl-TAP was found to be cancer cell selective and effective against HeLa cells and HCT 116 cells. Under UV irradiation, 2-p-nitrophenyl-TAP generated reactive oxygen species (ROS) that induced an apoptosis and ferroptosis in cancer cells. Therefore, it was revealed that 2-p-nitrophenyl-TAP is the most compact dye that can generate ROS by photoirradiation

Residual Neutron-Induced Radionuclides in Samples Exposed to the Nuclear Explosion over Hiroshima:Comparison of the Measured Values with the Calculated Values : I. DOSIMETRY

金沢大学大学院自然科学研究科物質情報解析金沢大学理学部Residual radionuclides induced by neutrons from the Hiroshima atomic bomb have been measured at Kanazawa University for these 14 years. The results of ^Eu, ^Eu and ^Co are reviewed in this paper. Where appropriate, an attempt is made to provide our new data with the aim of reinterpreting our published data. From the comparison of the measured values with the calculated values by DS86 methodology, we may point out here: (1) that close agreement was found between measured and calculated values for the specific radioactivity of ^Eu in the samples exposed at ground ranges between 320 m and 720 m; (2) that the calculated/measured ratios for the specific radioactivity of ^Eu were, however, larger than unity in the vicinity of ground zero and smaller than unity at locations more than 1000 m apart from ground zero; (3) that, in the vicinity of ground zero, epithermal neutron fluence evaluated from a set of measured specific radioactivities of ^Eu, ^Eu and ^Co showed a close agreement with the calculated result, whereas thermal neutron fluence evaluated in the same way was different from the calculated result; and (4) that the depth distribution of the specific radioactivity of ^Eu in a wall sample which was exposed at the location 320m from ground zero approximately agreed with the calculated result