Induced oscillatory signaling in the beta frequency of top-down pain modulation

Background: Induced synchronized brain activity, particularly in the beta-frequency range, has rarely been investigated in human electrophysiological studies of attentional modulation of the perception of nociceptive stimuli. Methods: We measured time-resolved brain responses to nociceptive stimuli in healthy subjects (final data set: n 5 17) using magnetoencephalography (MEG). In addition to investigating evoked responses as previous studies, we tested whether synchronized beta activity induced by nociceptive stimuli differs between 2 attentional conditions. Subjects were presented simultaneously with 2 stimulus modalities (pain-producing intraepidermal electrical stimuli and visual stimuli) in 2 different experimental conditions, ie, “attention to pain” and “attention to color.” Pain ratings between conditions were compared using a 2- sided paired-sample t test; MEG data were analyzed with Brainstorm. Results: Pain ratings were significantly higher in the “attention to pain” compared with the “attention to color” condition. Peak amplitudes of the evoked responses were significantly larger in the “attention to pain” condition bilaterally in the insula and secondary somatosensory cortex, and in the primary somatosensory cortex (SI) contralateral to stimulation. Induced responses to painful stimuli were significantly stronger in contralateral SI in the beta-frequency range in the “attention to pain” condition. Conclusions: This study replicates previous reports w.r.t. the attentional modulation of evoked responses and suggests a functional role of induced oscillatory activity in the beta frequency in top-down modulation of nociceptive stimuli

Clinical characteristics of DM-PM ILD

Background : Dermatomyositis (DM) and polymyositis (PM) often have association with interstitial lung disease (ILD) which have disease specific autoantibody. Methodology :We reviewed medical records of DM/PM associated ILD from January 2000 to December 2017 according to the autoantibody. Result : We identified 52 patients, of whom30 were antibody negative, 18 had anti aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (ARS) antibodies and 4 had anti melanoma differentiation-associated gene (MDA)-5 antibody. In high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) of the chest, area of ground glass opacity (GGO), consolidation, and lung tip consolidation were more extensive in anti MDA-5 antibody positive patients (p=0.051, p=0.026, and p=0.027, respectively). Among laboratory findings, GOT had strong correlations with CPK (r=0.889, p<0.001), and LDH (r=0.910, p<0.001). Among roentgenographic findings, there were moderate correlations between GGO and consolidation (r=0.668, p<0.001), and between reticular shadow and traction bronchiectasis (p=0.633, p<0.001). ILD patients with anti MDA-5 antibodies had decreased survival (1.00 vs 84.3, 22.9 months, p<0.001). Conclusion : ILD patients with anti ARS antibody had intense inflammation, but reversible fibrosis and good prognosis. On the other hand, anti MDA-5 antibody positive ILD patients had shorter survival. Extent of parenchymal shadow and serum GOT were useful indicator of disease activity of PM/DM associated ILD patients in our cohort

Clinical characteristics of DM-PM ILD

Background : Dermatomyositis (DM) and polymyositis (PM) often have association with interstitial lung disease (ILD) which have disease specific autoantibody. Methodology :We reviewed medical records of DM/PM associated ILD from January 2000 to December 2017 according to the autoantibody. Result : We identified 52 patients, of whom30 were antibody negative, 18 had anti aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (ARS) antibodies and 4 had anti melanoma differentiation-associated gene (MDA)-5 antibody. In high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) of the chest, area of ground glass opacity (GGO), consolidation, and lung tip consolidation were more extensive in anti MDA-5 antibody positive patients (p=0.051, p=0.026, and p=0.027, respectively). Among laboratory findings, GOT had strong correlations with CPK (r=0.889, p<0.001), and LDH (r=0.910, p<0.001). Among roentgenographic findings, there were moderate correlations between GGO and consolidation (r=0.668, p<0.001), and between reticular shadow and traction bronchiectasis (p=0.633, p<0.001). ILD patients with anti MDA-5 antibodies had decreased survival (1.00 vs 84.3, 22.9 months, p<0.001). Conclusion : ILD patients with anti ARS antibody had intense inflammation, but reversible fibrosis and good prognosis. On the other hand, anti MDA-5 antibody positive ILD patients had shorter survival. Extent of parenchymal shadow and serum GOT were useful indicator of disease activity of PM/DM associated ILD patients in our cohort

World squid fisheries

Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Comparative genome analysis of VSP-II and SNPs reveals heterogenic variation in contemporary strains of Vibrio cholerae O1 isolated from cholera patients in Kolkata, India

Cholera is an acute diarrheal disease and a major public health problem in many developing countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Since the Bay of Bengal is considered the epicenter for the seventh cholera pandemic, it is important to understand the genetic dynamism of Vibrio cholerae from Kolkata, as a representative of the Bengal region. We analyzed whole genome sequence data of V. cholerae O1 isolated from cholera patients in Kolkata, India, from 2007 to 2014 and identified the heterogeneous genomic region in these strains. In addition, we carried out a phylogenetic analysis based on the whole genome single nucleotide polymorphisms to determine the genetic lineage of strains in Kolkata. This analysis revealed the heterogeneity of the Vibrio seventh pandemic island (VSP)-II in Kolkata strains. The ctxB genotype was also heterogeneous and was highly related to VSP-II types. In addition, phylogenetic analysis revealed the shifts in predominant strains in Kolkata. Two distinct lineages, 1 and 2, were found between 2007 and 2010. However, the proportion changed markedly in 2010 and lineage 2 strains were predominant thereafter. Lineage 2 can be divided into four sublineages, I, II, III and IV. The results of this study indicate that lineages 1 and 2-I were concurrently prevalent between 2007 and 2009, and lineage 2-III observed in 2010, followed by the predominance of lineage 2-IV in 2011 and continued until 2014. Our findings demonstrate that the epidemic of cholera in Kolkata was caused by several distinct strains that have been constantly changing within the genetic lineages of V. cholerae O1 in recent years

Protocol for a multicentre, prospective observational study of elective neck dissection for clinically node-negative oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (END-TC study)

Introduction: In early-stage oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (OTSCC), elective neck dissection (END) is recommended when occult lymph node metastasis is suspected; however, there is no unanimous consensus on the risks and benefits of END in such cases. The management of clinically node-negative (cN0) OTSCC remains controversial. This study, therefore, aimed to evaluate the efficacy of END and its impact on the quality of life (QoL) of patients with cN0 OTSCC. Methods and analysis: This is a prospective, multicentre, nonrandomised observational study. The choice of whether to perform END at the same time as resection of the primary tumour is based on institutional policy and patient preference. The primary endpoint of this study is 3-year overall survival. The secondary endpoint are 3-year disease-specific survival, 3-year relapse-free survival and the impact on patient QoL. Propensity score-matching analysis will be performed to reduce selection bias. Ethics and dissemination: This study was approved by the Clinical Research Review Board of the Nagasaki University. The protocol of this study was registered at the University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry. The datasets generated during the current study will be available from the corresponding author on reasonable request. The results will be disseminated internationally, through scientific and professional conferences and in peer-reviewed medical journals

Genome-wide association study for refractive astigmatism reveals genetic co-determination with spherical equivalent refractive error : the CREAM consortium

Peer reviewe

Protocol for a multicentre, prospective observational study of elective neck dissection for clinically node-negative oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (END-TC study)

Introduction In early-stage oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (OTSCC), elective neck dissection (END) is recommended when occult lymph node metastasis issuspected; however, there is no unanimous consensus on the risks and benefits of END in such cases. The management of clinically node-negative (cN0) OTSCCremains controversial. This study, therefore, aimed to evaluate the efficacy of END and its impact on the quality of life (QoL) of patients with cN0 OTSCC.Methods and analysis This is a prospective, multicentre, nonrandomised observational study. The choice of whether to perform END at the same time as resection of the primary tumour is based on institutional policy and patient preference. The primary endpoint of this study is 3-year overall survival. The secondary endpoints are3-year disease-specific survival, 3-year relapse-free survival and the impact on patient QoL. Propensity score-matching analysis will be performed to reduce selection bias.Ethics and dissemination This study was approved by the Clinical Research Review Board of the Nagasaki University. The protocol of this study was registered at the University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry. The datasets generated during the current study will be available from the correspondingauthor on reasonable request. The results will be disseminated internationally, through scientific and professional conferences and in peer-reviewed medical journals