Optogenetic Stimulation of 5-HT Neurons in the Median Raphe Nucleus Affects Anxiety and Respiration

Anxiety affects respiration, and in turn perturbs the internal environment, although the neuronal systems controlling anxiety-related respiration remain unclear. Recent reports indicate that serotonin（5-HT）neurons in the median raphe nucleus（MRN）enhance anxiety. In the present study, we aimed to clarify the contribution of 5-HT neurons in the MRN to anxiety and respiratory control using mice expressing a channelrhodopsin-2 variant-enhanced yellow fluorescent protein（ChR2 ［C128S］-EYFP; a step-function opsin）in the central 5-HT neurons. We applied an optogenetic method to bigenic mice expressing ChR2［C128S］-EYFP in 5-HT neurons and to monogenic mice without such expression. Photostimulation of free-moving mice was performed using a wireless system through an optical fiber pre-inserted above the MRN, and respiratory variables were measured using whole-body plethysmography. Anxiety was evaluated using an elevated-plus maze test. In the bigenic mice, we confirmed ChR2［C128S］-EYFP expression in tryptophan hydroxylase 2（a brain 5-HT synthase）-positive neurons in the raphe nuclei of the mesopontine, such as the MRN and the dorsal raphe nucleus. Blue light illumination to the MRN of the bigenic mice significantly increased respiratory rate and minute ventilation without affecting tidal volume, and significantly decreased the time spent in the open arms of the elevated plus maze without changing distance traveled, compared with monogenic mice. These results suggest that 5-HT neuron activity in the MRN increases anxiety-like behavior without affecting locomotor activity, enhances respiratory rhythm and minute ventilation without changing tidal volume, and can mimic anxiety-related respiratory responses in humans

Current status of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and umbilical cord blood bank in Chugoku-Shikoku area

The hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is rapidly and widely spreading in the treatment strategy of various types of cancers, since peripheral and umbilical cord blood (CB) have been introduced as new sources of transplantable cells in addition to ordinary bone marrow cells. In this report, the current status of HSCT was reviewed. CB is rich in hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells, which have high proliferative potential. T cells in CB are speculated to be immature and immune-tolerable cells with less potential to cause acute or chronic graft versus host disease (GVHD), which are directly related with transplant-related morbidity and mortality. Furthermore, transplants with CB are not strictly restricted by a HLA-disparity. On the other hand, the less number of collected cells from CB is a major problem when the cells are applied for clinical transplantation, because the lower number of infused cells often result in engraftment failure. Further, we have no data of the viability after long term cryopreservation. We must carefully judge the usefulness of CB as a cell source for transplantation, but the benefits of CB may have a possibility to overcome these disadvantage in the near future. Finally, the activity of cord blood bank in Chugoku-Shikoku area, which was started from August 1998, was also introduced

Evaluation of efficacy and safety of lascufloxacin for nursing and healthcare associated pneumonia: single-arm, open-label clinical trial: A study protocol

Background: Lascufloxacin hydrochloride (LSFX) is a quinolone antibiotic that inhibits DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV of bacteria, it is anticipated to minimize antibiotic resistance in bacteria. It exhibits antibacterial activity against a relatively wide range of bacterial species, including anaerobic bacteria, and its efficacy and safety against community-acquired pneumonia have been shown; however, its efficacy and safety against nursing and healthcare associated pneumonia (NHCAP) have not been verified.Methods/Design: Here, a single-arm, open-label, uncontrolled study was conducted in which LSFX was administered to patients with NHCAP at 24 facilities. The research subjects (77 cases) were orally administered 75 mg of LSFX once a day for 7 days. The primary endpoint was the clinical efficacy at the time of test of cure (TOC) (TOC; 5–10 days after the end of LSFX administration), while the secondary endpoints were the efficacy at the time of end of treatment, early clinical efficacy, microbiological efficacy at the time of TOC and end of treatment, and safety evaluation of LSFX.Discussion: NHCAP is a common pneumonia in clinical settings and a notable pneumonia whose mortality is high compared to community-acquired pneumonia. The present study showed the efficacy and safety of LSFX against NHCAP, which could lead to a larger number of therapeutic options for NHCAP

Simultaneous Spinal and Intracranial Chronic Subdural Hematoma Cured by Craniotomy and Laminectomy: A Video Case Report

Simultaneous spinal and intracranial chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is a rare entity. A 67-year-old man visited our hospital due to headache after diving into a river 2 weeks before. Non-enhanced computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed bilateral intracranial CSDH. The bilateral CSDH was evacuated and his symptoms improved. Three days after craniotomy, he complained of sensory disturbance on his buttocks. Lumbar MRI showed a space-occupying lesion behind the thecal sac at L5. CT with myelography showed a subdural mass lesion; there was no communication with the subarachnoid space. Fourteen days after craniotomy, L5 laminectomy was performed and the dura mater was incised carefully. The video shows that a liquid hematoma similar to the intracranial CSDH flowed out, followed by cerebrospinal fluid. His symptoms improved after the operation and the hematoma did not recur. This is a rare condition of spinal CSDH demonstrated by neuroimaging and intraoperative video