Regional changes of fractional anisotropy with normal aging using Statistical Parametric Mapping (SPM)

Objective :There has been reports on the usefulness of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) about age-or disease-related degradation. DTI is generally evaluated by the region of interest (ROI) methodology. In this study, we applied a statistical way using Statistical Parametric Mapping (SPM) to assess normal aging by DTI and compared results of these two methods. Methods : Ten young and ten senior normal volunteers were examined. On SPM, tensor images were changed into normalized tensor images. They were compared between the two groups by t-test. Results : In the senior group, fractional anisotropy (FA) values were higher on the basal ganglia, cingulated gyrus and other cortical gray matter, lower in the corona radiata, internal capsule, centrum semiovale and corpus callosum by using SPM. In the ROI method, the results were almost compatible except in the brain periphery. Conclusions : Aging changes on water diffusion anisotropy was clearly shown by SPM method which would be useful to evaluate change of water diffusion anisotropy without operator bias even in clinical setting instead of ROI measurement

Two cases of retroperitoneal hematoma caused by combination of anticoagulant therapy and 5-fluorouracil

We reported two cases of retroperitoneal hematoma in patients who received a combination of anticoagulant therapy and5-fluorouracil (5-FU). We should be aware of the possible interaction of this combination therapy and monitor prothrombin time (PT) prolongation. CT is useful for evaluation of the disease

Exogenous Expression of Equine MHC Class I Molecules in Mice Increases Susceptibility to Equine Herpesvirus 1 Pulmonary Infection

Equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1) uses equine major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC class I) as an entry receptor. Exogenous expression of equine MHC class I genes in murine cell lines confers susceptibility to EHV-1 infection. To examine the in vivo role of equine MHC class I as an entry receptor for EHV-1, we generated transgenic (Tg) mice expressing equine MHC class I under the control of the CAG promoter. Equine MHC class I protein was expressed in the liver, spleen, lung, and brain of Tg mice, which was confirmed by Western blot. However, equine MHC class I antigen was only detected in bronchiolar epithelium and not in other tissues, using the immunofluorescence method employed in this study. Both Tg and wild-type (WT) mice developed pneumonia 3 days after intranasal infection with EHV-1. The bronchiolar epithelial cells of Tg mice showed more severe necrosis, compared with those in WT mice. In addition, the number of virus antigen-positive cells in the lungs was higher in Tg mice than in WT mice. These results suggest that exogenous expression of equine MHC class I renders mice more susceptible to EHV-1 infection

Relevance of distinct monocyte subsets to clinical course of ischemic stroke patients.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The most common strategy for treating patients with acute ischemic stroke is thrombolytic therapy, though only a few patients receive benefits because of the narrow time window. Inflammation occurring in the central nervous system (CNS) in association with ischemia is caused by immune cells including monocytes and involved in lesion expansion. If the specific roles of monocyte subsets in stroke can be revealed, they may become an effective target for new treatment strategies. METHODS: We performed immunological examinations of 36 consecutive ischemic stroke patients within 2 days of onset and compared the results with 24 age-matched patients with degenerative disorders. The stroke patients were repeatedly tested for the proportions of monocyte subsets in blood, and serum levels of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines immediately after admission, on days 3-7 and 12-16 after stroke onset, and on the day of discharge. In addition, immunological measurements were analyzed for relationships to stroke subtypes and complications, including progressive infarction (PI) and stroke-associated infection (SAI). RESULTS: Monocyte count was significantly increased from 0-16 days after stroke as compared to the controls (p<0.05). CD14(high)CD16(-) classical and CD14(high)CD16(+) intermediate monocytes were significantly increased from 0-7 and 3-16 days after stroke, respectively (p<0.05), whereas CD14 (dim)CD16(high) non-classical monocytes were decreased from 0-7 days (p<0.05). Cardioembolic infarction was associated with a persistent increase in intermediate monocytes. Furthermore, intermediate monocytes were significantly increased in patients with PI (p<0.05), while non-classical monocytes were decreased in those with SAI (p<0.05). IL-17A levels were positively correlated with monocyte count (r=0.485, p=0.012) as well as the percentage of non-classical monocytes (r=0.423, p=0.028), and negatively with that of classical monocytes (r=-0.51, p=0.007) during days 12-16. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that CD14(high)CD16(+) intermediate monocytes have a role in CNS tissue damage during acute and subacute phases in ischemic stroke especially in relation to cardioembolism

Time courses of monocyte subsets after stroke.

<p>(<b>A</b>) The overall number of circulating monocytes was increased. The percentages of (<b>B</b>) classical and (<b>C</b>) intermediate Mo were increased, whereas that of (<b>D</b>) non-classical Mo was decreased. Bars show the mean ± SEM. *p<0.05, t-test, compared to control. Control, n=24; day 0-2, n=36; day 3-7, n=35; day 12-16; n=33; day of hospital discharge, n=26.</p

Time courses of monocyte subsets regarding stroke complications.

<p>Classical and intermediate Mo were increased, while non-classical Mo were decreased. Patients were divided into (<b>A</b>) with or without PI, (<b>B</b>) excluding SAI, (<b>C</b>) and with or without SAI. *p<0.05, t test, compared to control. †p<0.05, t test, compared to other group in category. PI = progressing infarction, SAI = stroke-associated infection.</p

Stroke subtypes and intermediate monocytes after hyperacute phase of stroke.

<p>(<b>A</b>–<b>C</b>) A significantly elevated percentage of intermediate Mo in the CE group persisted until the day of discharge. *p<0.05, t-test, as compared to control. C: control; LAA: large artery atherosclerosis; CE: cardioembolism; SAO: small artery occlusion.</p

Stroke subtype and monocyte subsets from day 0-2 (hyperacute phase).

<p>(<b>A</b>) The overall monocyte counts in the LAA and CE groups were significantly increased as compared to the control. (<b>B</b>, <b>C</b>, <b>D</b>) The percentages for the monocyte subsets in the CE group were significantly changed as compared to the control. Bars show the mean ± SEM. *p<0.05, t-test, compared to control. †p<0.05, ANOVA, compared to CE. C: control; LAA: large artery atherosclerosis; CE: cardioembolism; SAO: small artery occlusion.</p

Analysis of monocyte subsets.

<p>(<b>A</b>) Monocytes were gated in a circle using forward scatter (FSC) and side scatter (SSC) plots. (<b>B</b>) Classical monocytes were identified by high expression of CD14 and no expression of CD16 (CD14^highCD16^-), intermediate monocytes by high expression of CD14 and various levels of positivity for the CD16 molecule (CD14^highCD16⁺), and non-classical monocytes by scant expression of CD14 and high expression of CD16 (CD14 ^dimCD16^high). The proportions of each subset were evaluated by comparing the number of cells (dots) in the individual compartment to the total number of monocytes enclosed in the circle designated as P1.</p