Imaging and histological evaluation of the long head of the biceps tendon in the presence of different types of rotator cuff tears.

Background: A comparison of changes in the long head of the biceps tendon for different types of rotator cuff tears has not been previously performed. Furthermore, the correlation between the thickening and degeneration of the long head of the biceps tendon and the cause of these changes have not been fully clarified. We evaluated the relationship between degenerative changes in the long head of the biceps tendon and rotator cuff tears in a rat model using imaging and histology.

Amplification-free detection of bacterial genes using a signaling probe-based DNA microarray.

In this study, we developed a novel DNA microarray system that does not require fluorophore-labeling, amplification, or washing of the target nucleic acid fragments. Two types of DNA probes (so-called "signaling probes") labeled with a fluorescence dye (Cy3) and quencher molecule (BHQ2) were spotted on the DNA microarray such that fluorescent signals of Cy3 could be quenched by BHQ2 due to duplex formation between the probes. The addition of the target DNA or RNA fragments disrupted the duplex formed by the probes, resulting in the generation of fluorescence signals.

Selection and characterization of microalgae with potential for nutrient removal from municipal wastewater and simultaneous lipid production.

Wastewater treatment, along with the simultaneous production of valuable chemical compounds, including lipids by microalgae is a challenging but attractive study. Towards this goal, the candidate microalgae were selected from culture collections or isolated from wastewater in this study. The initial screening test using microalgae revealed that various eukaryotic as well as prokaryotic microalgae showed steady growth in municipal wastewater samples.

Characterization of a novel marine unicellular alga, Pseudoneochloris sp. strain NKY372003 as a high carbohydrate producer.

Production of biofuels and fine chemicals from biomass-derived carbohydrates through biorefinery attracts much attention because it is recognized as an environmentally friendly process. Microalgae can serve as promising carbohydrate producers for biorefinery rather than woody and crop biomass due to high biomass productivity, high CO fixation, and no competition with food production. However, microalgae with high carbohydrate productivity have not been well investigated despite intensive studies of microalgal lipid production.

Genome analysis and genetic transformation of a water surface-floating microalga Chlorococcum sp. FFG039.

Microalgal harvesting and dewatering are the main bottlenecks that need to be overcome to tap the potential of microalgae for production of valuable compounds. Water surface-floating microalgae form robust biofilms, float on the water surface along with gas bubbles entrapped under the biofilms, and have great potential to overcome these bottlenecks. However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms involved in the water surface-floating phenotype.

Influence of a nerve injury proximal to the suprascapular nerve on healing of repaired rotator cuff tear.

Background: Massive rotator cuff tears have a high rate of re-injury because of severe fatty infiltration. Our data showed that injuries proximal to the suprascapular nerve may be one cause of massive rotator cuff tears. The purpose of this study was to evaluate, using a rat model, how brachial plexus injury associated with a massive rotator cuff tear influences healing of the rotator cuff repair.

Production of eicosapentaenoic acid by high cell density cultivation of the marine oleaginous diatom Fistulifera solaris.

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), including eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), have attracted attention owing to their health benefits for humans, as well as their importance in aquaculture and animal husbandry. Establishing a sustainable PUFA supply based on fish oils has been difficult due to their increasing demand. Therefore, alternative sources of PUFAs are required.

Structure and properties of oil bodies in diatoms.

Diatoms accumulate triacylglycerols in spherical organelles called oil bodies when exposed to nutrient deprivation conditions. Oil body biology in diatoms has attracted significant attention due to the complexity of the intracellular organelles and the unique combination of genes generated by the evolutionary history of secondary endosymbiosis. The demand for biofuel production has further increased the interest in and importance of a better understanding of oil body biology in diatoms, because it could provide targets for genetic engineering to further enhance their promising lipid accumulation.

UV-C irradiation accelerates neutral lipid synthesis in the marine oleaginous diatom Fistulifera solaris.

This study investigated the induction of oil synthesis in the oleaginous diatom, Fistulifera solaris, following irradiation with small doses of UV-C. A rapid induction of oil accumulation was confirmed within 6h following UV-C radiation of the diatom cells, with increases in cell oil body volumes after 24h of approximately 4- to 6-fold from the initial volume. Reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can be generated by a UV-C-mediated reaction, were detected in irradiated cells and the correlation between ROS generation and oil accumulation was confirmed.

Enhancement of Biomass and Lipid Productivities of Water Surface-Floating Microalgae by Chemical Mutagenesis.

Water surface-floating microalgae have great potential for biofuel applications due to the ease of the harvesting process, which is one of the most problematic steps in conventional microalgal biofuel production. We have collected promising water surface-floating microalgae and characterized their capacity for biomass and lipid production. In this study, we performed chemical mutagenesis of two water surface-floating microalgae to elevate productivity.

Outdoor Cultivation of Marine Diatoms for Year-Round Production of Biofuels.

Biofuel production using microalgae is believed to have the advantage of continuous year-round production over crop plants, which have strong seasonality. However, actual year-round production of microalgal lipids using outdoor mass cultivation has rarely been demonstrated. In our previous study, it was demonstrated that the oleaginous diatom, , was culturable in outdoor bioreactors from spring to autumn, whereas biomass and lipid production in winter failed because did not grow below 15 °C.

Potential of water surface-floating microalgae for biodiesel production: Floating-biomass and lipid productivities.

Microalgae have been accepted as a promising feedstock for biodiesel production owing to their capability of converting solar energy into lipids through photosynthesis. However, the high capital and operating costs, and high energy consumption, are hampering commercialization of microalgal biodiesel. In this study, the surface-floating microalga, strain AVFF007 (tentatively identified as Botryosphaerella sudetica), which naturally forms a biofilm on surfaces, was characterized for use in biodiesel production.

Efficacy of Anti-NaV1.7 Antibody on the Sensory Nervous System in a Rat Model of Lumbar Intervertebral Disc Injury.

Purpose: The pathophysiology of discogenic low back pain is not fully understood. Tetrodotoxin-sensitive voltage-gated sodium (NaV) channels are associated with primary sensory nerve transmission, and the NaV1.7 channel has emerged as an analgesic target.

Acute Lung Injury Accompanying Alveolar Hemorrhage Associated with Flu Vaccination in the Elderly.

Flu vaccinations are administered worldwide every winter for prevention. We herein describe a case of acute lung injury resulting from a pathologically confirmed alveolar hemorrhage, which may have been closely related to a preceding vaccination for pandemic influenza A of 2009/10. The present patient had been hospitalized with an acute lung injury after flu vaccination one year prior to the present hospitalization, however, he received another flu vaccination.

Pilot Analysis of Asbestos-induced Diffuse Pleural Thickening with Respiratory Compromise.

We investigated the clinical features of asbestos-induced diffuse pleural thickening (DPT) with severe respiratory compromise. We conducted a retrospective study of consecutive subjects with asbestos-induced DPT. Medical data such as initial symptoms, radiological findings, respiratory function test results, and clinical course were collected and analyzed.

Proteomics analysis of oil body-associated proteins in the oleaginous diatom.

For biodiesel production from microalgae, it is desirable to understand the entire triacylglycerol (TAG) metabolism. TAG accumulation occurs in oil bodies, and although oil body-associated proteins could play important roles in TAG metabolism, only a few microalgal species have been studied by a comprehensive analysis. Diatoms are microalgae that are promising producers of biodiesel, on which such proteomics analysis has not been conducted to date.

Churg-Strauss syndrome with necrosis of toe tips.

Churg-Strauss syndrome (CSS) is a granulomatous necrotizing vasculitis of unknown etiology associated with bronchial asthma. Despite affecting small to medium-sized vessels, necrosis of the digits due to vasculitis is extremely rare. We report a case of CSS with necrosis of the toe tips.

[Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the mediastinum].

We describe a rare case of primary mediastinal large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) with brain metastases. A 65-year-old man presented with a mediastinal abnormal shadow on chest radiography. A computed tomography-guided needle biopsy of the mediastinal tumor revealed malignant cells.

[A case of miliary tuberculosis presenting with acute resiratory distress syndrome].

An 87-year-old woman was admitted because of high fever, progressive dyspnea and abnormal shadows on chest roentgenogram. Laboratory investigation on admission demonstrated a normal white cell count with neutrophilia (4000/microl, 90.5% neutrophils), an erythrocyte sedimentation rate of 10 mm/h and C-reactive protein value of 9.