208 research outputs found
Remission of anorexia nervosa after thyroidectomy: A report of two cases with Graves' disease and anorexia nervosa
We report two patients with anorexia nervosa and Graves' disease who received subtotal thyroidectomy for Graves' disease and concomitantly experienced remission from anorexia nervosa. Both were young women (aged 20 and 26) at the time of surgery. Both had well controlled thyroid function and eating behavior at the time of surgery. Both were followed for over five years without relapse of anorexia nervosa or hyperthyroidism. These cases suggest the existence of an endocrine factor originating from the thyroid gland that is involved in the pathogenesis of anorexia nervosa. Since patients of thyroidectomy can remain in good health with supplement of thyroxine alone, it can be hypothesized that this anorexigenic endocrine factor is an evolutionary relic not necessary for the normal function of humans and does not have physiological effects unless secreted beyond normal levels. Given that, it implies the existence of a creature in the animal kingdom for which such an anorexigenic hormone is essential for survival. Migrating birds eat beyond their caloric expenditure before migration and become anorexic for the duration of their flight. It is also known that their thyroid function is elevated during migration. The normal physiology of migration is a complex mechanism involving the hypothalamic, pituitary, thyroid, adrenal and reproductive hormones. The mechanism of disease, however, can be simpler. A review of the literature is presented that suggest a heretofore unreported thyroid hormone, which is involved in the regulation of migration behavior, may be the responsible factor behind anorexia nervosa
Superconductivity in In-doped AgPbBiTe3 compounds synthesized by high-pressure synthesis
NaCl-type metal tellurides (MTe) have been widely studied due to unique
physical properties. We investigated the In-doping effects on structural and
physical properties of Na-Cl type (AgPbBi)(1-x)/3InxTe and the superconducting
properties of the In-doped samples. Polycrystalline samples with x = 0-0.5 were
synthesized by utilizing high-pressure synthesis. For x = 0.2-0.5,
superconductivity was observed in magnetization measurements, where the highest
transition temperature (Tc) was 2.8 K for x = 0.4. We measured specific heat
for x = 0.4 and confirmed the bulk nature of the superconductivity. The
evolution of the Seebeck coefficient and lattice constant by In doping suggests
that In valence state is In+3, and the In doping generates electron carriers in
the (AgPbBi)(1-x)/3InxTe system.Comment: 12 pages, 5 figure
Pex14p phosphorylation regulates peroxisome import
Peroxisomal matrix proteins are imported into peroxisomes via membrane-bound docking/translocation machinery. One central component of this machinery is Pex14p, a peroxisomal membrane protein involved in the docking of Pex5p, the receptor for peroxisome targeting signal type 1 (PTS1). Studies in several yeast species have shown that Pex14p is phosphorylated in vivo, whereas no function has been assigned to Pex14p phosphorylation in yeast and mammalian cells. Here, we investigated peroxisomal protein import and its dynamics in mitotic mammalian cells. In mitotically arrested cells, Pex14p is phosphorylated at Ser-232, resulting in a lower import efficiency of catalase, but not the majority of proteins including canonical PTS1 proteins. Conformational change induced by the mitotic phosphorylation of Pex14p more likely increases homomeric interacting affinity and suppresses topological change of its N-terminal part, thereby giving rise to the retardation of Pex5p export in mitotic cells. Taken together, these data show that mitotic phosphorylation of Pex14p and consequent suppression of catalase import are a mechanism of protecting DNA upon nuclear envelope breakdown at mitosis
Experimental Determination of Bose-Hubbard Energies
We present the first experimental measurement of the ensemble averages of
both the kinetic and interaction energies of the three-dimensional
Bose--Hubbard model at finite temperature and various optical lattice depths
across weakly to strongly interacting regimes, for an almost unit filling
factor. The kinetic energy is obtained through Fourier transformation of a
time-of-flight signal, and the interaction energy is measured using a newly
developed atom-number-projection spectroscopy technique, by exploiting an
ultra-narrow optical transition of two-electron atoms. The obtained
experimental results can be used as benchmarks for state-of-the-art numerical
methods of quantum many-body theory. As an illustrative example, we compare the
measured energies with numerical calculations involving the Gutzwiller and
cluster-Gutzwiller approximations, assuming realistic trap potentials and
particle numbers at nonzero entropy (finite temperature); we obtain good
agreement without fitting parameters. We also discuss the possible application
of this method to temperature estimations for atoms in optical lattices using
the thermodynamic relation. This study offers a unique advantage of cold atom
system for `quantum simulators', because, to the best of our knowledge, it is
the first experimental determination of both the kinetic and interaction
energies of quantum many-body system.Comment: 22 pages, 20 figure
Selective Gene Transfer to the Retina Using Intravitreal Ultrasound Irradiation
This paper aims to evaluate the efficacy of intravitreal ultrasound (US) irradiation for green fluorescent protein (GFP) plasmid transfer into the rabbit retina using a miniature US transducer. Intravitreal US irradiation was performed by a slight modification of the transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy system utilizing a small probe. After vitrectomy, the US probe was inserted through a scleral incision. A mixture of GFP plasmid (50 μL) and bubble liposomes (BLs; 50 μL) was injected into the vitreous cavity, and US was generated to the retina using a SonoPore 4000. The control group was not exposed to US. After 72 h, the gene-transfer efficiency was quantified by counting the number of GFP-positive cells. The retinas that received plasmid, BL, and US showed a significant increase in the number (average ± SEM) of GFP-positive cells (32 ± 4.9; n = 7; P < 0.01 ). No GFP-positive cells were observed in the control eyes (n = 7). Intravitreal retinal US irradiation can transfer the GFP plasmid into the retina without causing any apparent damage. This procedure could be used to transfer genes and drugs directly to the retina and therefore has potential therapeutic value
Weak antilocalization induced by Se substitution in layered BiCh-based (Ch = S, Se) superconductors LaOFBiSSe
We report transport properties for layered BiCh2-based (Ch = S, Se)
superconductors LaO1-xFxBiS2-ySey (x = 0.2, 0.5, y = 0-1.05) and the
observation of weak antilocalization (WAL). Electrical resistivity and Hall
coefficients for the Se-poor samples increase with decreasing temperature. The
increase becomes less pronounced with increasing Se concentration indicating a
loss of insulating behavior. Interestingly, the moderately Se-substituted
samples exhibit metallic behavior in the high-temperature region and a weak
increase in the resistivity in the low-temperature regions, which indicates the
existence of carrier localization. The heavily Se-substituted compounds show
metallic behavior in the entire-temperature region. Sign changes of the Hall
coefficients are observed for the x = 0.2 samples, which possibly is related to
a charge-density wave (CDW). Magnetoresistance measurements indicate that WAL
is realized in the heavily Se-substituted systems. The WAL behavior is weakened
by the changes in F and Se concentrations. A crossover state of the WAL and WL
emerges around the moderately F-doped and Se-free LaO0.8F0.2BiS2. The change of
the resistivity behavior by the F and Se substitution clearly correlates to the
difference of the magnetoconductance. Moreover, the localization regions of the
WAL-WL crossover and weak WAL states are possibly associated with the CDW. We
propose that the BiCh2-based system is a good platform for studying
relationship between WAL, superconductivity, and electronic ordering because
those states are tunable by element substitutions with bulk single crystals
Paracrine Effects of Adipose-Derived Stem Cells Promote Lymphangiogenesis in Irradiated Lymphatic Endothelial Cells
BACKGROUND: There is currently no reliable treatment for secondary lymphedema caused by lymph node dissection or radiotherapy; however, stem cell-based regenerative medicine is emerging as a promising remedy for such complications. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of adipose-derived stem cells on lymphangiogenesis involving human dermal lymphatic endothelial cells exposed to ionizing radiation. METHODS: Proliferation, migration, and tube formation were analyzed in human dermal lymphatic endothelial cells that were co-cultured with adipose-derived stem cells or cultured in adipose-derived stem cell-conditioned medium. The levels of lymphangiogenic factors secreted from adipose-derived stem cells were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and Western blotting. RESULTS: Co-culturing with adipose-derived stem cells and the use of adipose-derived stem cell-conditioned medium both significantly promoted proliferation, migration, and tube formation in nonirradiated human dermal lymphatic endothelial cells. The authors also found that irradiated adipose-derived stem cells had similar alleviative effects on irradiated human dermal lymphatic endothelial cells. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and Western blotting analysis revealed that irradiating adipose-derived stem cells increased their secretion of basic fibroblast growth factor in a dose-dependent manner, whereas it caused no detectable change in their secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor A or C, or hepatocyte growth factor. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrated that factors secreted by adipose-derived stem cells contribute to the promotion of lymphangiogenesis in irradiated human dermal lymphatic endothelial cells. The authors\u27 findings also suggest that radiation potentiates the paracrine effects of adipose-derived stem cells by stimulating basic fibroblast growth factor protein expression
Efficacy of Platelet-Rich Plasma for Bone Fusion in Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion
Study DesignRetrospective case series.PurposeTo examine the efficacy of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) for bone fusion in transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) using local bone grafting.Overview of LiteratureSeveral authors have reported the efficacy of PRP for bone union in animal models. However, the use of PRP for bone fusion in TLIF surgery has not been fully explored.MethodsTwenty patients underwent single-level TLIF surgery because of L4 spondylolisthesis. An interbody fusion cage and local bone were used in nine patients (control group) and an interbody fusion cage, local bone, and PRP were used in 11 patients (PRP group). PRP was prepared from the patients' blood samples (400 mL) immediately before surgery. The duration of bone union and postoperative bone fusion rate were assessed using plain radiography at every 3 months postoperatively and computed tomography at 12 or 24 months postoperatively, respectively. Lower back pain, leg pain, and leg numbness were evaluated using the visual analog scale preoperatively and at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months postoperatively.ResultsThe platelet count was 8.7 times higher in PRP than in blood. The bone union rate was significantly superior in the PRP group than in the control group (91% and 77%, respectively; p=0.035), whereas the average duration of bone union was not significantly different between the groups (7.7±0.74 and 10.0±2.00 months, respectively; p=0.131). There was no significant difference in lower back pain, leg pain, and leg numbness in both groups during follow-up (p>0.05).ConclusionsOur study suggests that the use of PRP in TLIF surgery increases bone fusion rate
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