Infected iliac artery aneurysm with aortocaval fistula.

Case: We report a case of an infected iliac artery aneurysm complicated by an aortocaval fistula.

Outcome: A 74-year-old-man was admitted with fever, chills, general fatigue, and appetite loss. The patient was diagnosed with an infected iliac artery aneurysm, which was controlled with antibiotics preoperatively.

Changes in gene expression of histone modification enzymes in rat granulosa cells undergoing luteinization during ovulation.

Background: The ovulatory LH surge rapidly alters the expression of steroidogenesis-related genes such as steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) in granulosa cells (GCs) undergoing luteinization. We recently reported that histone modifications contribute to these changes. Histone modifications are regulated by a variety of histone modification enzymes.

Three-Dimensional Characterization of Mechanical Interactions between Endothelial Cells and Extracellular Matrix during Angiogenic Sprouting.

We studied the three-dimensional cell-extracellular matrix interactions of endothelial cells that form multicellular structures called sprouts. We analyzed the data collected in-situ from angiogenic sprouting experiments and identified the differentiated interaction behavior exhibited by the tip and stalk cells. Moreover, our analysis of the tip cell lamellipodia revealed the diversity in their interaction behavior under certain conditions (e.

Clinical study of a retinoic acid-loaded microneedle patch for seborrheic keratosis or senile lentigo.

Aims: Pigmented lesions such as of seborrheic keratosis and senile lentigo, which are commonly seen on skin of people>50years of age, are considered unattractive and disfiguring because of their negative psychological impact. Drug therapy using all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) is an attractive option for self-treatment at home. We have developed an ATRA-loaded microneedle patch (ATRA-MN) and confirmed the pharmacological effects of ATRA-MN application in mice.

Tissue-Specific Expression of Estrogen Receptor 1 Is Regulated by DNA Methylation in a T-DMR.

The mechanism controlling tissue-specific expression of estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1) is unclear. In other genes, DNA methylation of a region called the tissue-dependent and differentially methylated region (T-DMR) has been associated with tissue-specific gene expression. This study investigated whether human ESR1 has a T-DMR and whether DNA methylation of the T-DMR regulates its expression.

Thioredoxin, an antioxidant redox protein, in ovarian follicles of women undergoing in vitro fertilization.

Oxidative stress has a bidirectional role in the development and maturation of zygotes and embryos. Reduction-oxidation reactions and regulatory proteins, such as thioredoxin (TRX) and thioredoxin reductase (TRXR), are intimately involved in the regulation of oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to determine the levels of TRX mRNA and protein in ovarian follicles collected from women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) and to assess these levels relative to follicle size, presence of oocytes, and responsiveness to superovulation.

Cell Invasion Dynamics into a Three Dimensional Extracellular Matrix Fibre Network.

The dynamics of filopodia interacting with the surrounding extracellular matrix (ECM) play a key role in various cell-ECM interactions, but their mechanisms of interaction with the ECM in 3D environment remain poorly understood. Based on first principles, here we construct an individual-based, force-based computational model integrating four modules of 1) filopodia penetration dynamics; 2) intracellular mechanics of cellular and nuclear membranes, contractile actin stress fibers, and focal adhesion dynamics; 3) structural mechanics of ECM fiber networks; and 4) reaction-diffusion mass transfers of seven biochemical concentrations in related with chemotaxis, proteolysis, haptotaxis, and degradation in ECM to predict dynamic behaviors of filopodia that penetrate into a 3D ECM fiber network. The tip of each filopodium crawls along ECM fibers, tugs the surrounding fibers, and contracts or retracts depending on the strength of the binding and the ECM stiffness and pore size.

Incidences of Herpes Zoster and Postherpetic Neuralgia in Japanese Adults Aged 50 Years and Older From a Community-based Prospective Cohort Study: The SHEZ Study.

Background: Many cross-sectional studies have examined the incidences of herpes zoster (HZ) and postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), but prospective studies in Japanese older adults are lacking. Therefore, we conducted a community-based prospective cohort study to determine the incidence in Japanese adults aged ≥50 years.

Methods: We recruited 12 522 participants from Shozu County, Kagawa Prefecture, between December 2008 and November 2009 and followed participants for 3 years.

Ground-glass opacities and a solitary nodule on chest in intravascular large B-cell lymphoma.

A 74-year-old woman presented with dyspnea on exertion and nocturnal cough. Chest computed tomography (CT) revealed scattered bilateral ground-glass opacities without a zonal dominance. Bronchoalveolar lavage elicited increased lymphocytes, but transbronchial lung biopsies were not performed because of hypoxemia during the examination.

Acceptability of a Touch Screen Tablet Psychosocial Survey Administered to Radiation Therapy Patients in Japan.

Background: Studies in western clinical settings suggest that touch screen computer surveys are an acceptable mode of collecting information about cancer patients' wellbeing

Purpose: We examined the acceptability of a touch screen tablet survey among cancer patients in Japan.

Methods: Eligible patients (n = 262) attending a university hospital radiation therapy (RT) department were invited to complete a touch screen tablet survey about psychosocial communication and care. Survey consent and completion rates, the proportion and characteristics of patients who completed the touch screen survey unassisted, and patient-reported acceptability were assessed.

Retinoic acid has the potential to suppress endometriosis development.

Background: Despite endometriosis is common estrogen dependent disease afflicting women in reproductive age, the pathogenesis has not been fully elucidated. Retinoic acid has various functions in cells as biologic modulator, and aberrant retinoid metabolism seems to be involved in the lesions of endometriosis. In order to evaluate the potential of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) for therapeutic treatment, a transcriptome analysis and estradiol measurements in cultured endometriotic cells and tissues were conducted.

CD34 and CD49f Double-Positive and Lineage Marker-Negative Cells Isolated from Human Myometrium Exhibit Stem Cell-Like Properties Involved in Pregnancy-Induced Uterine Remodeling.

Repeated and dramatic pregnancy-induced uterine enlargement and remodeling throughout reproductive life suggests the existence of uterine smooth muscle stem/progenitor cells. The aim of this study was to isolate and characterize stem/progenitor-like cells from human myometrium through identification of specific surface markers. We here identify CD49f and CD34 as markers to permit selection of the stem/progenitor cell-like population from human myometrium and show that human CD45(-) CD31(-) glycophorin A(-) and CD49f(+) CD34(+) myometrial cells exhibit stem cell-like properties.

VZV skin-test reaction, but not antibody, is an important predictive factor for postherpetic neuralgia.

Background: The decline of cell-mediated immunity (CMI) is thought to be related to the risk of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) as well as herpes zoster (HZ). However, the relationship between immunological condition and the incidence of PHN is still unclear.

Objective: We conducted a large-scale prospective cohort study to clarify the relationship between immunological factors for varicella-zoster virus (VZV) and the incidence of PHN.

Efficacy of additional i.v. immunoglobulin to steroid therapy in Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis.

Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) are rare and life-threatening cutaneous adverse drug reactions. While there is no established therapy for SJS/TEN, systemic corticosteroids, plasma exchange and i.v.

A retrospective study on the outcomes of MPO-ANCA-associated vasculitis in dialysis-dependent patients.

Objectives: This study investigated the clinical course of myeloperoxidase-antineutrophil cytoplasm autoantibody (MPO-ANCA)-associated vasculitis after starting dialysis.

Methods: A retrospective review was conducted of the clinical charts of dialysis-dependent patients with MPO-ANCA-associated vasculitis who attended one of 8 associated clinics over the past 21 years.

Results: Eighty-nine patients were included in the study; 88 had microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) and 1 had granulomatosis with polyangiitis.

Prognostic value of altered N-glycosylation of circulating glycoproteins in patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer treated with gemcitabine.

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to examine the whole-serum N-glycan profile of patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer and to evaluate the ability of glycans to predict gemcitabine treatment efficacy and patient survival.

Methods: We collected serum from 52 patients with advanced pancreatic cancer before they began gemcitabine monotherapy. The serum glycan profile was measured through comprehensive quantitative high-throughput glycome analysis and compared with the treatment efficacy and patient survival.

Fabrication and characterization of optogenetic, multi-strip cardiac muscles.

Cardiac tissue engineering aims to recreate functional tissue constructs similar to the structure and function of the native myocardium. To date, in vitro tissue constructs lack the architectural complexity of a vascular network and the precise motor unit control of muscle fibers. Here, we present a method to construct engineered multi-strip cardiac muscle that simulates the bundle-like architecture of the native myocardium.

Evaluation of the drug sensitivity and expression of 16 drug resistance-related genes in canine histiocytic sarcoma cell lines.

Canine histiocytic sarcoma (HS) is an aggressive tumor type originating from histiocytic cell lineages. This disease is characterized by poor response to chemotherapy and short survival time. Therefore, it is of critical importance to identify and develop effective antitumor drugs against HS.

Mechanical Characterization and Shape Optimization of Fascicle-Like 3D Skeletal Muscle Tissues Contracted with Electrical and Optical Stimuli.

In this study, we present a quantitative approach to construct effective 3D muscle tissues through shape optimization and load impedance matching with electrical and optical stimulation. We have constructed long, thin, fascicle-like skeletal muscle tissue and optimized its form factor through mechanical characterization. A new apparatus was designed and built, which allowed us to measure force-displacement characteristics with diverse load stiffnesses.

Apneas observed in trisomy 18 neonates should be differentiated from epileptic apneas.

Many children with trisomy 18 have apneas from the neonatal period. It has been reported that some children with trisomy 18 have epilepsy, including epileptic apneas. However, no previous report has described epileptic apneas in trisomy 18 neonates.