冠動脈バイパス術患者における術前アスピリン投与中止時期の検討

研究科: 千葉大学大学院医学薬学府学位:千大院医薬博甲第医1081号博士(医学)千葉大

Effects of time-compressed speech training on multiple functional and structural neural mechanisms involving the left superior temporal gyrus

Time-compressed speech is an artificial form of rapidly presented speech. Training with time compressed speech in a second language leads to adaptation toward time-compressed speech in a second language and toward time compressed speech in different languages. However, the effects of training with time-compressed speech of a second language (TCSSL) on diverse cognitive functions and neural mechanisms beyond time compressed speech-related activation are unknown. We investigated the effects of 4 weeks of training with TCSSL on the fractional amplitude of spontaneous low-frequency fluctuations (fALFF) of 0.01–0.08 Hz, resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC) with the left superior temporal gyrus (STG), fractional anisotropy (FA), and regional gray matter volume (rGMV) of young adults by magnetic resonance imaging. There were no significant differences in change of performance of measures of cognitive functions or second language skills after training with TCSSL compared with that of the active control group. However, compared with the active control group, training with TCSSL was associated with increased fALFF, RSFC, and FA and decreased rGMV involving areas in the left STG. These results lacked evidence of a far transfer effect of time compressed speech training on a wide range of cognitive functions and second language skills in young adults. However, these results demonstrated effects of time compressed speech training on gray and white matter structures as well as on resting-state intrinsic activity and connectivity involving the left STG, which plays a key role in listening comprehension

Lenticular nucleus correlates of general self-efficacy in young adults

General self-efficacy (GSE) is an important factor in education, social participation, and medical treatment. However, the only study that has investigated the direct association between GSE and a neural correlate did not identify specific brain regions, rather only assessed brain structures, and included older adult subjects. GSE is related to motivation, physical activity, learning, the willingness to initiate behaviour and expend effort, and adjustment. Thus, it was hypothesized in the present study that the neural correlates of GSE might be related to changes in the basal ganglia, which is a region related to the abovementioned self-efficacy factors. This study aimed to identify the brain structures associated with GSE in healthy young adults (n = 1204, 691 males and 513 females, age 20.7 ± 1.8 years) using regional grey matter density and volume (rGMD and rGMV), fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) analyses of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data. The findings showed that scores on the GSE Scale (GSES) were associated with a lower MD value in regions from the right putamen to the globus pallidum; however, there were no significant association between GSES scores and regional brain structures using the other analyses (rGMD, rGMV, and FA). Thus, the present findings indicated that the lenticular nucleus is a neural correlate of GSE

Regional homogeneity, resting-state functional connectivity and amplitude of low frequency fluctuation associated with creativity measured by divergent thinking in a sex-specific manner

Brain connectivity is traditionally thought to be important for creativity. Here we investigated the associations of creativity measured by divergent thinking (CMDT) with resting-state functional magnetic imaging (fMRI) measures and their sex differences. We examined these relationships in the brains of 1277 healthy young adults. Whole-brain analyses revealed a significant interaction between verbal CMDT and sex on (a) regional homogeneity within an area from the left anterior temporal lobe (b) on the resting state functional connectivity (RSFC) between the mPFC and the left inferior frontal gyrus and (c) on fractional amplitude of low frequency fluctuations (fALFF) in several distinct areas, including the precuneus and middle cingulate gyrus, left middle temporal gyrus, right middle frontal gyrus, and cerebellum. These interactions were mediated by positive correlations in females and negative correlations in males. These findings suggest that greater CMDT in females is reflected by (a) regional coherence (regional homogeneity) of brain areas responsible for representing and combining concepts as well as (b) the efficient functional connection (RSFC) between the key areas for the default state of cognitive activity and speech production, and (c) greater spontaneous neural activity (fALFF) during the resting of brain areas involved in frontal lobe functions, default cognitive activities, and language functions. Furthermore, these findings suggest that the associations between creativity and resting state brain connectivity patterns are different between males and females

Air Ambient-Operated pNIPAM-Based Flexible Actuators Stimulated by Human Body Temperature and Sunlight

Harnessing a natural power source such as the human body temperature or sunlight should realize ultimate low-power devices. In particular, macroscale and flexible actuators that do not require an artificial power source have tremendous potential. Here we propose and demonstrate electrically powerless polymer-based actuators operated at ambient conditions using a packaging technique in which the stimulating power source is produced by heat from the human body or sunlight. The actuating angle, force, and reliability are discussed as functions of temperature and exposure to sunlight. Furthermore, a wearable device platform and a smart curtain actuated by the temperature of human skin and sunlight, respectively, are demonstrated as the first proof-of-concepts. These nature-powered actuators should realize a new class of ultimate low-power devices

Fully Printed Flexible Fingerprint-like Three-Axis Tactile and Slip Force and Temperature Sensors for Artificial Skin

A three-axis tactile force sensor that determines the touch and slip/friction force may advance artificial skin and robotic applications by fully imitating human skin. The ability to detect slip/friction and tactile forces simultaneously allows unknown objects to be held in robotic applications. However, the functionalities of flexible devices have been limited to a tactile force in one direction due to difficulties fabricating devices on flexible substrates. Here we demonstrate a fully printed fingerprint-like three-axis tactile force and temperature sensor for artificial skin applications. To achieve economic macroscale devices, these sensors are fabricated and integrated using only printing methods. Strain engineering enables the strain distribution to be detected upon applying a slip/friction force. By reading the strain difference at four integrated force sensors for a pixel, both the tactile and slip/friction forces can be analyzed simultaneously. As a proof of concept, the high sensitivity and selectivity for both force and temperature are demonstrated using a 3 × 3 array artificial skin that senses tactile, slip/friction, and temperature. Multifunctional sensing components for a flexible device are important advances for both practical applications and basic research in flexible electronics

Infectivity of cancer cells with the adenovirus displaying the selected peptide.

<p>(a) Luciferase activities following infection of adenovirus vectors <i>in vitro</i>. The AsPC-1, PSN-1, SKOV3 and MKN45 cells were infected with adenovirus vectors (AdΔCAR-LucEGFP-PFW, AdΔCAR-LucEGFP-SYE, AdΔCAR-LucEGFP or Ad-LucEGFP), and 24 h later the luciferase activities were measured. (b) Competitive inhibition of transduction of the adenovirus vector with selected peptide. Transduction efficiencies of AdΔCAR-LucEGFP-PFW in AsPC-1 cells were evaluated at moi 30 in the presence of the cognate or a control unrelated peptide at 0.2–1.5 mmol/L. The data are expressed as the relative luciferase activity (luciferase activity in the presence of peptide/that in the absence of peptide). Control peptide: AQGQWAL.</p

Screening of a random peptide display adenovirus library in mice with peritoneal dissemination.

<p>To explore the peritoneal tumor-targeting vector, the adenovirus display library was intraperitoneally injected into the mice with peritoneal dissemination of AsPC-1 cells. Seven days after the injection, the peritoneal tumors were harvested and adenoviruses were recovered from the peritoneal tumors. The adenoviruses expanded on 293-38.HissFv.rec were subjected to a second round of selection. The oligonucleotide sequences in the HI-loop of adenoviruses that proliferated in peritoneal tumors were then analyzed. Less than 4 weeks were required to perform 2 rounds of selection and determine the targeted sequences.</p

Infectivity of organs with the adenovirus displaying the selected peptide.

<p>(a) Infectivity of organs with adenovirus vectors. The mice were injected intraperitoneally with 1×10⁸ PFU of adenovirus vectors (AdΔCAR-LucEGFP-PFW, AdΔCAR-LucEGFP-SYE, AdΔCAR-LucEGFP or Ad-LucEGFP)(n = 3∼5), and 2 days after the injection, organs such as the liver, spleen, pancreas and small intestine were harvested and the luciferase activities were measured. (b) Distribution of adenovirus DNA after intraperitoneal injection of adenovirus vectors. DNAs from AsPC-1 tumors and organs (n = 3) were analyzed by a real-time quantitative PCR for the adenovirus E4 copy number. The results are shown as adenoviral copy number per 1 µg of tissue DNA.</p

Infectivity of AsPC-1 peritoneal tumors with the adenovirus displaying the selected peptide.

<p>(a) Infectivity of AsPC-1 peritoneal tumors with AdΔCAR-LucEGFP-PFW. The various amounts (1, 3, 10×10⁷ PFU) of adenovirus vectors (AdΔCAR-LucEGFP-PFW or AdΔCAR-LucEGFP) were intraperitoneally injected once into the mice with peritoneal dissemination of AsPC-1 cells (n = 3∼4). Two days after the injection, peritoneal tumors were harvested and the luciferase activity was measured. The graph presents the luciferase activity per mg of tumor tissue. AdΔCAR-LucEGFP is a replication-incompetent adenovirus vector ablated for CAR binding and expresses a fusion gene of luciferase and EGFP. In AdΔCAR-LucEGFP-PFW, a PFWSGAV peptide is inserted in HI-loop of fiber knob in AdΔCAR-LucEGFP. i.p.; intraperitoneal injection. (b) Infectivity of AsPC-1 peritoneal tumors with various adenovirus vectors. The 1×10⁸ PFU of adenovirus vectors (AdΔCAR-LucEGFP-PFW, AdΔCAR-LucEGFP-SYE, AdΔCAR-LucEGFP or Ad-LucEGFP) were intraperitoneally injected once into the mice with peritoneal dissemination of AsPC-1 cells (n = 5). Two days after the injection, peritoneal tumors were harvested and the luciferase activity was measured. In AdΔCAR-LucEGFP-SYE, a SYENFSA peptide is inserted in HI-loop of fiber knob in AdΔCAR-LucEGFP. Ad-LucEGFP is a replication-incompetent adenovirus vector with a wild type of fiber, and expresses a fusion gene of luciferase and EGFP. n.s.; not significant.</p