Nuclear factor (erythroid derived 2)-like 2 activation increases exercise endurance capacity via redox modulation in skeletal muscles

Sulforaphane (SFN) plays an important role in preventing oxidative stress by activating the nuclear factor (erythroid derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) signalling pathway. SFN may improve exercise endurance capacity by counteracting oxidative stress-induced damage during exercise. We assessed running ability based on an exhaustive treadmill test (progressive-continuous all-out) and examined the expression of markers for oxidative stress and muscle damage. Twelve- to 13-week-old Male wild-type mice (Nrf2+/+) and Nrf2-null mice (Nrf2−/−) on C57BL/6J background were intraperitoneally injected with SFN or vehicle prior to the test. The running distance of SFN-injected Nrf2+/+ mice was significantly greater compared with that of uninjected mice. Enhanced running capacity was accompanied by upregulation of Nrf2 signalling and downstream genes. Marker of oxidative stress in SFN-injected Nrf2+/+ mice were lower than those in uninjected mice following the test. SFN produced greater protection against muscle damage during exhaustive exercise conditions in Nrf2+/+ mice than in Nrf2−/− mice. SFN-induced Nrf2 upregulation, and its antioxidative effects, might play critical roles in attenuating muscle fatigue via reduction of oxidative stress caused by exhaustive exercise. This in turn leads to enhanced exercise endurance capacity. These results provide new insights into SFN-induced upregulation of Nrf2 and its role in improving exercise performance

本態性振戦に対するMRIガイド下集束超音波視床破壊術の臨床転帰に影響する因子は何か。

Objective: Magnetic resonance imaging-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) is a novel and useful treatment for essential tremor (ET); however, the factors impacting treatment outcome are unknown. The authors conducted this study to determine the factors affecting the outcome of MRgFUS. Methods: From May 2016 through August 2017, 15 patients with ET were admitted to Ohnishi Neurological Center and treated with MRgFUS. To determine the factors impacting treatment outcome, the authors retrospectively studied correlations between the Clinical Rating Scale for Tremor (CRST) improvement rate and age, disease duration, baseline CRST score, skull density ratio (SDR), skull volume, maximum delivered energy, or maximum temperature. Results: The mean CRST score was 18.5 ± 5.8 at baseline and 4.6 ± 5.7 at 1 year. The rate of improvement in the CRST score was 80% ± 22%. Younger age and lower baseline CRST score were correlated with a higher CRST improvement rate (p = 0.025 and 0.007, respectively). To obtain a CRST improvement rate ≥ 50%, a maximum temperature ≥ 55°C was necessary. There was no correlation between SDR and CRST improvement rate (p = 0.658). A lower SDR and higher skull volume required significantly higher maximum delivered energy (p = 0.014 and 0.016, respectively). A higher maximum temperature was associated with a significantly larger lesion volume (p = 0.026). Conclusions: Younger age and lower baseline CRST score were favorable outcome factors. It is important to assess predictive factors when applying MRgFUS.博士（医学）・乙第1468号・令和2年9月30日©AANS 2020, except where prohibited by US copyright law.発行元の規定により、本文の登録不可。本文は以下のURLを参照 "http://dx.doi.org/10.3171/2020.2.JNS192814"（※全文閲覧は学内限定

Geology of the Sinda-Mohari Region, Haut-Zaire Province, Eastern Zaire

The Sinda-Mohari region is topographically divided into the Mutimba plateau, hilly land and Semliki Plain. The hilly land is underlain by Precambrain basement rocks, Sinda Beds, Higher Terrace Deposits, Middle Terrace Deposits, Lower Terrace Deposits, and Alluvium (Recent river floor deposits). The Sinda Beds are subdivided into the lower, middle and upper members. The lower member consists of clayey white coarse sand and yields such mammal fossils as Bovidae, etc. from the upper part. The middle member is characterized by alternating sand and mud beds. The upper member is composed of alternating thicker beds pf sand and mud and contains such mammal fossils as Predeinotherium, etc. Generally, the Sinda Beds gently dip south to southeast. Folds parallel the northern boundary faults. An inferred fault is drawn parallel just north of these folds. The context of geological phenomena from the older to the younger in this region is as follows: 1) formation of an extensive sedimentary basin by downwarping, 2) deposition of the Sinda Beds, 3)long-term denudation and peneplanation, 4) intense activity of the northern boundary faults and formation of the Higher Terrace Deposits, 5) activity of the southeastern boundary fault, 6) formation of the present Semliki Plain as the floor of the rift valley, 7) completion of the present drainage system, and 8) formation of the Middle and Lower Terrace Deposits within the deep valleys

Immunohistochemical p16 overexpression and Rb loss correlate with high‐risk human papillomavirus infection in endocervical adenocarcinomas

Aims: p16 is a sensitive surrogate marker for transcriptionally active high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) infection in endocervical adenocarcinoma (ECA); however, its specificity is not perfect. Methods and results: We examined p16 and Rb expressions by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and the transcriptionally active HR-HPV infection by mRNA in-situ hybridisation (ISH) with histological review in 108 ECA cases. Thirteen adenocarcinomas of endometrial or equivocal origin (six endometrioid and seven serous carcinomas) were compared as the control group. HR-HPV was detected in 83 of 108 ECA cases (77%), including five HPV-associated adenocarcinomas in situ and 78 invasive HPV-associated adenocarcinomas. All 83 HPV-positive cases showed consistent morphology, p16 positivity and partial loss pattern of Rb. Among the 25 cases of HPV-independent adenocarcinoma, four (16%) were positive for p16, and of these four cases, three of 14 (21%) were gastric type adenocarcinomas and one of 10 (10%) was a clear cell type adenocarcinoma. All 25 HPV-independent adenocarcinomas showed preserved expression of Rb irrespective of the p16 status. Similarly, all 13 cases of the control group were negative for HR-HPV with preserved expression of Rb, even though six of 13 (46%) cases were positive for p16. Compared with p16 alone, the combination of p16 overexpression and Rb partial loss pattern showed equally excellent sensitivity (each 100%) and improved specificity (100 versus 73.6%) and positive predictive values (100 versus 89.2%) in the ECA and control groups. Furthermore, HR-HPV infection correlated with better prognosis among invasive ECAs. Conclusions: The results suggest that the combined use of p16 and Rb IHC could be a reliable method to predict HR-HPV infection in primary ECAs and mimics. This finding may contribute to prognostic prediction and therapeutic strategy