n-3系脂肪散を強化した食事療法が有効と考えられた肺気腫の一例

An effective treatment for the advanced stages of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has not been established yet. We report our recent experience of one patient with pulmonary emphysema treated by dietary supplementation of n-3 fatty acid for two months. He presented improvements in clinical symptoms and pulmonary function, and suppression of leukotriene B(4) generation by peripheral leukocytes. We consequently suppose that dietary treatment with n-3 fatty acids (perilla seed oil) may offer benefits for the treatment of pulmonary emphysema by competitively inhiabiting the conversion of arachidonicacid to leukotrienes and prostanoids.今回我々は,肺気腫の症例に対してn-3系脂肪酸を強化した食事療法をおこない,臨床症状,呼吸機能検査所見ともに速やかに改善を認め,同時に白血球のロイコトリエンB4産生能が著明に減少した一例を経験したので報告する｡ 症例は67歳,男性｡主訴は労作時呼吸困難｡【第一回目入院】3カ月間入院し,薬物療法,温泉を用いた理学療法を行った｡自覚症状はやや改善が見られたが,呼吸機能検査所見の改善は得られなかった｡【第二回目入院】1年後に再入院｡n-3系脂肪酸強化食事療法も併用した｡自覚症状および,呼吸機能検査上,FVC,FEV1.0,PEFなどに改善を認めた｡n-3系脂肪酸はアラキドン酸代謝を通してロイコトリエン合成に関与すると推定されるが,経渦中に白血球のLTB4産生能の減少を認めた｡この症例は肺気腫に対するn-3系脂肪酸強化食 事療法の有用性が示唆され,病態を考える上でも興味深いと考えられた

Phalloidin-induced alterations of bile canaliculi.

Phalloidin, a toxin from the plant Amanita phalloides, irreversibly polymerizes actin filaments and causes cholestasis. Three-dimensional structural changes induced by phalloidin in the bile canaliculi and the intra-acinar localization of these changes were studied in the rat liver by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. After 3 days of treatment, canalicular changes appeared mainly in zones 2 and 3 of Rappaport's acinus, but after 7 days of treatment changes occurred in bile canaliculi of the whole acinus. The changes in the bile canaliculi included tortuosity, saccular dilatation, loss of microvilli, bleb formation and elongation of canalicular side branches. Some side branches extended near to Disse's space, leaving only a thin cytoplasmic rim between the canalicular lumen and Disse's space. Kupffer cells were occasionally situated near such extended bile canaliculi and protruded their processes into the hepatic cord. These results suggest that bile canaliculi in zone 3 are more susceptible to phalloidin toxicity than those in zone 1 and that biliary constituents may leak from such altered bile canaliculi.</p

サーモグラフィーによる体表面温度の測定 3.体表面温度の回復率と末消血流量との相関

The body surface peripheral circulation in 12 cases,　including 9 patients with　diabetes mellitus who were suffering coldness, numbness or pain in their feet, and 3 healthy volunteers was examined using Laser-Doppler blood flowmetry. At the same time, the body surface temperature was estimated by thermography. Thermographic results were analyzed quantitatively by calculating a recovery ratio as : Recovery ratio = [Total counts of thermography(Pixels) over temperature (T) after cold loading] ÷ [Initial counts over T before cold loading] x 100(%). The recovery ratio and the blood flow were correlated, r=0.68, p<O.01. The peripheral circulation of 16 patients with diabetes mellitus was observed at three different conditions including, l)placed at room temperature at 20℃for 15 min, 2) submerged and warmed for 5 min in a hot bath at 36℃(i.e. hot loading), and 3) submerged and cooled for 5 min in a water bath at 20℃ (i.e. cold loading). Three different baseline temperatures, 26℃, 27℃ and 28 ℃, were used in processing the　thermographic results into pictures. The highest correlation (r=0.59, p=0.0002) was obtained under the condition of cold loading using a baseline temperature limitation of27℃.The difference ratio (%) of blood flow was calculated as the blood flow at cold loading divided by the blood flow at hot loading in these 16 patients. The difference　ratio of the blood flow and the recovery ratio of thermography were correlated, r=0.46, p<O.OOO1. We found a strong correlation between the results of Laser-Doppler blood flowmetry and one of thermographic methods used to monitor peripheral circulation in patients with diabetes mellitus. Cold loading using a baseline temperature limitation of 27℃ were recommended for further examinations. Patients with low blood flow as well as　with large differences in their peripheral circulation between cold loading and hot　loading had severe coldness in their body surface temperature. We showed the usefulness of the results of thermography, when quantified by picture processing using computer software, in relation with the results of Laser-Doppler blood flowmetry.末梢神経障害を有する糖尿病患者の末梢循環障害の程度を数量的に検討する目的で､下肢に冷感ならびにしびれ感または疼痛を訴える糖尿病患者9症例と健常ボランティア3例の計12例(平均年齢59歳)についてサーモグラフィーを用いて体表面温度を測定した｡更に,サーモグラフィーで得られた結果と末梢皮膚血流量をレーザードプラー血流計を用いて測定して得られた結果と比較した｡サーモグラフィーによる測定で得られた結果は回復率として数量化して表示された｡回復率の算出方法は回復率= [冷水負荷後の特定温度27℃以 上の体表面温度のサーモグラフィーのPixelの総数]÷ [冷水負荷前の特定温度27℃以上の体表面温度のサーモグラフィーのPixelの総数]×100%で求めた｡レーザードプラ-血流計を用いて測定して得られた末梢血流量は左右それぞれ5カ所,計10カ所の測定値の平均で表示した｡その結果,末梢皮膚温度の回復率と末梢皮膚の血流量との問には正の相関関係(r=0.68,p<0.01)が認められた｡次に,末梢皮膚血流量について,室温20℃安静15分後,温水36℃浸水負荷10分後,冷水20℃浸水負荷30分後の異なる3条件について､またサーモグラフィーで得られた結果を,画像処理の過程で用いられた,26℃,27℃,28℃の3つの異なる特定温度との関連について検討を行なった｡対象は,下肢に冷感ならびにしびれ感または疼痛を訴える糖尿病患者16症例(平均年齢69歳,平均HbAIC9.6%)について測定した｡その結果,末梢皮膚 血流量は冷水20℃浸水負荷30分後に測定して得られた結果と,回復率は特定温度27℃で画像処理して得られた結果とが最も相関が高い(r=0.59,p=0.0002)ことが示された｡`次に,相関が高い条件は,室温20℃安静15分後に血流量を測定した場合(r=0.483,p=0.0002)であった｡そして温 水36℃浸水負荷10分後に測定して得られた結果とが最も相関関係が低い結果となった｡更に,冷水20℃浸水負荷30分後に測定して得られた結果を温水36℃浸水負荷10分後に測定して得られた結果で割った比を%で表示したところ回復率とこの比との間には正の相関関係(r=0.46,p<0.0001)が認められた｡このことから,温水36℃負荷時と,冷水20℃負荷時との差が大きい患者 において末梢皮膚温度の低下が著しいことが示された｡これまで悲観血的に測定されてきたサーモグラフィーによる末梢循環の数量的評価の試みは,レーザー血流計による結果と組み合わせることで,両者の間に正の相関関係が示されたことにより,今後,数量化された客観的評価を可能にした

Three-dimensional arrangement of ductular structures formed by oval cells during hepatocarcinogenesis.

The three-dimensional arrangement of ductular structures formed by oval cells in rats fed 2-acetylaminofluorene (2-AAF) was studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of biliary tract casts and light microscopy of sections of liver injected with india ink via the biliary tract. Both resin and india ink were well injected up to bile ductules, and the findings of each method correlated with each other. By the second week after 2-AAF administration, a few oval cells appeared in the periportal areas forming ductular structures which connected with the portal bile ducts. At the 4th week, increased ductular structures occupied two thirds of the lobule and formed networks communicating with each other, and with the portal bile ducts. At the 8th week, such ductular structures were compressed around hyperplastic nodules and appeared like a basket in biliary casts examined by SEM. Although a histochemical study of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase revealed activity both on the luminal side of the ductular structures and hepatocytes in hyperplastic nodules, no transition was observed between these two cell populations. These results suggest that oval cells have characteristics more similar to those of biliary epithelia than of hepatocytes, and have no relation to the development of hyperplastic nodules.</p

Newly established cell lines from mouse oral epithelium regenerate teeth when combined with dental mesenchyme

The present study attempted to examine whether clonal cell lines of the oral epithelium can differentiate into ameloblasts and regenerate tooth when combined with dental germ mesenchyme. Clonal cell lines with a distinct morphology were established from the oral epithelium of p53-deficient fetal mice at embryonic day 18 (E18). The strain of mouse is shown to be a useful source for establishing clonal and immortalized cell lines from various tissues and at various stages of development. Tooth morphogenesis is almost completed and the oral epithelium is segregated from the dental epithelium at E18. In RT-PCR analysis of cell lines, mucosal epithelial markers (cytokeratin 14) were detected, but ameloblast markers such as amelogenin and ameloblastin were not detected when cells were cultured on plastic dish. They formed stratified epithelia and expressed a specific differentiation marker (CK13) in the upper layer when cultured on feeder layer or on collagen gel for 1–3 wk, demonstrating that they are of oral mucosa origin. Next, bioengineered tooth germs were prepared with cell lines and fetal molar mesenchymal tissues and implanted under kidney capsule for 2–3 wk. Five among six cell lines regenerated calcified structures as seen in natural tooth. Our results indicate that some oral epithelial cells at E18 possess the capability to differentiate into ameloblasts. Furthermore, cell lines established in the present study are useful models to study processes in tooth organogenesis and tooth regeneration

サーモグラフィーによる体表面温度の測定 2.温水負荷の効果

The body surface temperature of 41 patients suffering coldness, numbness or pain in their feet was examined using thermography. Thermographic results were analyzed quantitatively by calculating a recovery ratio as: Recovery ratio =[Total counts of thermography (Pixels) over temperature (T) after cold loading] ÷ [Initial counts over T before cold loading] x 100(%). Three different baseline temperatures, 26℃. 27℃ and 28℃, were used in processing the thermographic results into pictures. The recovery ratio was susceptible to temperature, and we recommend a baseline temperature limitation of 27℃ for clinical study. A bi-modal distribution of recovery ratio was observed in 18 patients with diabetes mellitus. One group (6 subjects) had high recovery ratio between 80%-100%, and another group (10 subjects) had a low recovery ratio between 0%-19%. The results of thermography were also influenced by weather. To reduce the effect of outside temperature, we used pre-loading with hot water at 36℃ for 5 min (hot loading).　A large difference in　recovery ratio between presence and absence of hot loading was observed in 6 of the 30 subjects. The difference was over-estimated in more than 20% of recovery ratio without hot loading as compared with hot loading in these 6 subjects. The effect of drugs on peripheral circulation, such as beraprost sodium and sarpogrelate hydrochloride, was clear and quantified using thermography under these conditions of hot loading.下肢に冷感ならびにしびれ感または疼痛を訴える患者41症例についてサーモグラフィーを用いて体表面温度を測定した｡測定で得られた結果は回復率として数量化して表示された｡回復率の算出方法は回復率=[冷水負荷後の特定温度T℃以上の体表面温度のサーモグラフィーのPixelの総数]÷[温水負荷前の特定温度T℃以上の体表面温度のサーモグラフィーのPixelの総数]× 100%で求めた｡サーモグラフィーで得られた結果と画像処理の過程で用いられた,26℃,27℃,28℃の3つの異なる特定温度T℃ との関連について検討を行なった｡その結果,回復率は特定温度T℃に影響を受けやすいことが明らかとなった｡下肢の体表面温度の低い臨床症例においては27℃の条件が適当と考えられた｡前述の41症例中の18症例の糖尿病患者について検討を行なった｡そのサーモグラフィーの結果は,比較的回復率の高い(80%～100%)群の6症例と比較的回復率の低い(0%～19%)群の10症例の2群に別れた｡わずかに残り2症例が20%から79%の間であった｡下肢の症状が気温の低い時期に出親しやすいためにサーモグラフィーの検査を冬期に行なう必要性が高まった｡しかし,天候の影響を受けやすいために冷水負荷前の測定領域の下肢が冷えすぎているために20℃の室温に15分間の安静時間では体表面温度が十分に暖まることが出来ず,27℃以上の領域として測定範囲全体を観察できない 問題に直面した｡この間温点を解決する手段として36℃の温水に5分間下肢を入れて暖める温水負荷を加えることにした｡そこで, 温水負荷を行なった症例30症例について,温水負荷を行なう前(室温)の回復率と温水負荷を行なった後の回復率について比較検討を行なったところ,20%にあたる6症例において温水負荷を行なわなかった場合に20%以上の回復率の過剰評価が認めら れた｡温水負荷を行なうことにより年間を通じて天候の影響を最小限にすることが可能となり,この結果,長期間の内服薬の末梢循環に及ぼす影響の測 定を行なった場合に,季節の影響を最小限にしてサーモグラフィーにより回復率を用いて数値化された測定結果を検討することが可能となった｡具体的に末梢循環の改善に薬効が有ると言われている薬剤であるベラプロストおよびサルポグレラートを3ヵ月間内服した場合の前後のサーモグラフィーで得られた回復率について検討を行なった｡その結果はベラプロストにおいては,6.9%から41.9%に上昇または回復率の6.1倍の上昇を認めた。サルポグレラートにおいては,1.9%から17.3%に上昇または回復率の9.1倍の上昇を認めた。以上より,温水負荷を加えたサーモグラフィーの測定結果の数値化は下肢に症状の有る患者の末梢循環の評価ならびに薬効の評価の比較に有用であることが表わされた

A Self-Tuning Impedance-based Interaction Planner for Robotic Haptic Exploration

This paper presents a novel interaction planning method that exploits impedance tuning techniques in response to environmental uncertainties and unpredictable conditions using haptic information only. The proposed algorithm plans the robot's trajectory based on the haptic interaction with the environment and adapts planning strategies as needed. Two approaches are considered: Exploration and Bouncing strategies. The Exploration strategy takes the actual motion of the robot into account in planning, while the Bouncing strategy exploits the forces and the motion vector of the robot. Moreover, self-tuning impedance is performed according to the planned trajectory to ensure compliant contact and low contact forces. In order to show the performance of the proposed methodology, two experiments with a torque-controller robotic arm are carried out. The first considers a maze exploration without obstacles, whereas the second includes obstacles. The proposed method performance is analyzed and compared against previously proposed solutions in both cases. Experimental results demonstrate that: i) the robot can successfully plan its trajectory autonomously in the most feasible direction according to the interaction with the environment, and ii) a compliant interaction with an unknown environment despite the uncertainties is achieved. Finally, a scalability demonstration is carried out to show the potential of the proposed method under multiple scenarios.Comment: 8 pages, 9 figures, accepted for IEEE Robotics and Automation Letters (RA-L) and IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems 202

BAL液中好中球増加をともなわないⅡ型喘息について

Clinical features of asthma patients with bronchiolar obstruction (type Ⅱ asthma) were studied in relation to the proportion of neutrophils in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid. Of 13 subjects studied, 7 were accompanied with BAL neutrophilia (53.5%) (BALn(+)) and 6 were without BAL neutrophilia (3.5%) (BALn(-)). 1. The mean age was higher in BALn(-) (66.0 years) than in BALn(+) patients (55.0 years). 2. Bronchial reactivity to methacholine was slightly higher in BALn(-) patients than in those with BALn(+). 3. The value of FEV1.0% was significantly lower in BALn(+) patints than in those with BALn(-) (p<0.01). 4. The proportion of BAL lymphocytes was signicantly more decreased in BALn(+) patients compared to the proportion in those with BALn(-) (p<0.001). 5. the values of serum IgG, IgA, and IgM were not significantly different between BALn(+) and BALn(-) patients, however, the value of IgG was more decreased in BALn(+) patients than in those with BALn(-). These results suggest that two kinds of type Ⅱ asthma ; one is with BAL neutrophilia related to suppressed immunity, and another is without BAL neutrophilia in part due to aging.細気管支閉塞型(Ⅱ型)喘息の臨床的特徴が,BAL液中の好中球頻度との関連のもとに検討された｡対象13例のうち,7例がBAL液中好中球増加(平均好中球頻度;53.5%)をともなう症例(BALn(+))で,残りの6例はBAL液中好中球増加 をともなわない(3.5%)症例(BALn(-))であった｡1.平均年齢は,BALn(+)症例(55.0才)に比べ,BALn(-)症例(66.0才)でより高い傾向が見られた｡2.メサコリンに対する気道過敏性は,BALn(+)症例に比べBALn(-)症例でやや高い傾向が見られたが,両者間に有意の差は見られなかった｡3.FEV1.0%値は,BALn(-)症例に比べBALn(+)症例で有意に低い値を示した(P<0.05)｡4.BAL液中リンパ球頻度はBALn(+)症例でBALn(-)症例に比べ有意に低い値を示した(P<0.001)｡5.血清IgG,IgAおよびIgM値には両者間に有意の差は見られなかったが,IgG値はBALn(+)症例でより低い傾向が見られた｡これらの結果より,Ⅱ型喘息にはBAL液中好中球増加を示す症例と示さない症例の2種類があること,そして前者は免疫能の低下と,そして後者は加齢とある程度の関連があることが示唆された

Potentiation of 17 beta-estradiol synthesis in the brain and elongation of seizure latency through dietary supplementation with docosahexaenoic acid

Several studies have shown that docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) attenuates epileptic seizures; however, the molecular mechanism by which it achieves this effect is still largely unknown. DHA stimulates the retinoid X receptor, which reportedly regulates the expression of cytochrome P450 aromatase (P450arom). This study aimed to clarify how DHA suppresses seizures, focusing on the regulation of 17β-estradiol synthesis in the brain. Dietary supplementation with DHA increased not only the expression of P450arom, but also 17β-estradiol in the cerebral cortex. While DHA did not affect the duration or scores of the seizures induced by pentylenetetrazole, DHA significantly prolonged the seizure latency. A P450arom inhibitor, letrozole, reduced 17β-estradiol levels and completely suppressed the elongation of seizure latency elicited by DHA. These results suggest that DHA delays the onset of seizures by promoting the synthesis of 17β-estradiol in the brain. DHA upregulated the expression of anti-oxidative enzymes in the cerebral cortex. The oxidation in the cerebral cortex induced by pentylenetetrazole was significantly attenuated by DHA, and letrozole completely inhibited this suppressive action. Thus, the anti-oxidative effects of 17β-estradiol may be involved in the prevention of seizures mediated by DHA. This study revealed that 17β-estradiol in the brain mediated the physiological actions of DHA.This work was partially supported by grants from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Japan, KAKENHI for Y.I., K.I. and T.Y. (Nos. 26740024, 26460139 and 25340047), a grant from the Mishima Kaiun Memorial Foundation for Y.I. and a grant from the SKYLARK Food Science Institute for Y.I. This work was also financially supported in part by Tokushima Bunri University. We thank Y. Kamihashi, Y. Utagawa, and K. Kojima for their technical assistance. We also acknowledge S. Smiley-Jewell and M. Paz Prada for editing the manuscript. This manuscript has been checked by a professional language editing service, American Journal Experts