Role of 5-HT1A Receptor Stimulation in the Medial Prefrontal Cortex in the Sustained Antidepressant Effects of Ketamine.

Background: We previously reported that serotonergic transmission plays an important role in antidepressant effects of ketamine. However, detailed mechanisms have not been elucidated. Among the serotonin receptor subtypes, the serotonin1A receptor in the medial prefrontal cortex has an important role in depression.

Preoperative sarcopenia status is associated with lymphovascular invasion in upper tract urothelial carcinoma patients treated with radical nephroureterectomy.

Introduction: Sarcopenia is a novel concept representing skeletal muscle wasting and has been identified as a prognostic factor for several cancers. The aims of this study were to evaluate the prognostic significance of sarcopenia and the relationship between sarcopenia and poor pathological findings in upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) patients who underwent radical nephroureterectomy (RNU).

Methods: We identified 123 UTUC patients who underwent RNU between 2003 and 2014.

An Efficient Method for the Conjugation of Hydrophilic and Hydrophobic Components by Solid-Phase-Assisted Disulfide Ligation.

Chemical conjugation between hydrophilic and hydrophobic components is difficult because of their extremely different solubility. Herein, we report a new versatile method with a solid-phase-assisted disulfide ligation to overcome the difficulty of conjugation attributed to solubility. The method involves two steps in a one-pot process: 1) loading of a hydrophobic molecule onto a resin in an organic solvent, and 2) release of the solid-supported hydrophobic molecule as a conjugate with a hydrophilic molecule into an aqueous solvent.

Favorable effects of motivational interviewing and support in a patient with schizophrenia and alcohol abuse.

A 42-year-old man with schizophrenia was referred to our hospital after 2 weeks of worsening fatigue. His hemoglobin level was 2.8 g/dL owing to folic acid deficiency stemming from alcohol abuse and consumption of unbalanced meals.

Formation of Cell Membrane Component Domains in Artificial Lipid Bilayer.

The lipid bilayer environment around membrane proteins strongly affects their structure and functions. Here, we aimed to study the fusion of proteoliposomes (PLs) derived from cultured cells with an artificial lipid bilayer membrane and the distribution of the PL components after the fusion. PLs, which were extracted as a crude membrane fraction from Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, formed isolated domains in a supported lipid bilayer (SLB), comprising phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), and cholesterol (Chol), after the fusion.

BDNF release and signaling are required for the antidepressant actions of GLYX-13.

Conventional antidepressant medications, which act on monoaminergic systems, display significant limitations, including a time lag of weeks to months and low rates of therapeutic efficacy. GLYX-13 is a novel glutamatergic compound that acts as an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) modulator with glycine-like partial agonist properties; like the NMDA receptor antagonist ketamine GLYX-13 produces rapid antidepressant actions in depressed patients and in preclinical rodent models. However, the mechanisms underlying the antidepressant actions of GLYX-13 have not been characterized.

Identification of genes regulating GABAergic interneuron maturation.

During embryonic development, GABAergic interneurons, a main inhibitory component in the cerebral cortex, migrate tangentially from the ganglionic eminence (GE) to cerebral cortex. After reaching the cerebral cortex, they start to extend their neurites for constructing local neuronal circuits around the neonatal stage. Aberrations in migration or neurite outgrowth are implicated in neurological and psychiatric disorders such as epilepsy, schizophrenia and autism.

The Role of PD-1 Positivity in the Tumour Nest on Clinical Outcome in Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma Patients Treated with Radical Nephroureterectomy.

Aims: The role of PD-1 (programmed cell death 1) expression on the clinical outcome of upper tract urothelial carcinoma has not yet been elucidated in detail.

Materials And Methods: PD-1 expression was immunohistochemically examined in 181 upper tract urothelial carcinoma patients who underwent radical nephroureterectomy. A part of PD-1 protein expression in the tumour periphery and tumour nest was evaluated separately.

Significance of a frozen section analysis of the ureteral margin in bladder cancer patients treated with radical cystectomy and neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Although the clinical utility of a frozen section analysis (FSA) at the time of radical cystectomy (RC) has already been established, its significance and utility in bladder cancer patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) have not yet been fully evaluated. We identified 458 patients (937 ureters) who underwent open RC for bladder cancer at our 7 Japanese institutions between 2004 and 2015. Among these patients, 139 (284 ureters) received NAC before RC (NAC group), while 319 (653 ureters) underwent RC alone (non-NAC group).

Engraftment and morphological development of vascularized human iPS cell-derived 3D-cardiomyocyte tissue after xenotransplantation.

One of the major challenges in cell-based cardiac regenerative medicine is the in vitro construction of three-dimensional (3D) tissues consisting of induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocyte (iPSC-CM) and a blood vascular network supplying nutrients and oxygen throughout the tissue after implantation. We have successfully built a vascularized iPSC-CM 3D-tissue using our validated cell manipulation technique. In order to evaluate an availability of the 3D-tissue as a biomaterial, functional morphology of the tissues was examined by light and transmission electron microscopy through their implantation into the rat infarcted heart.

The fetal lung-to-liver signal intensity ratio on magnetic resonance imaging as a predictor of outcomes from isolated congenital diaphragmatic hernia.

Purpose: We investigated the developmental changes in the unaffected contralateral lungs of patients with isolated left-sided congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) using signal intensity ratios on prenatal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and determined whether these changes correlated with clinical outcomes.

Methods: We performed 47 fetal MRI screens on 30 patients with isolated left-sided CDH. A cohort of 88 fetuses was selected as the control.

Comparison of laparoscopic Toupet and laparoscopic Nissen fundoplications in neurologically normal children.

Introduction: We compared laparoscopic Toupet fundoplication (LTF) and laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication (LNF) in neurologically normal children.

Methods: Forty neurologically normal children who were followed up for more than 3 years after LTF (n = 22) or LNF (n = 18) were reviewed retrospectively. LTF and LNF were performed between 2006 and 2012.

Review of the biologic and clinical significance of genetic mutations in angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma.

Angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL) is an age-related malignant lymphoma, characterized by immune system-dysregulated symptoms. Recent sequencing studies have clarified the recurrent mutations in ras homology family member A (RHOA) and in genes encoding epigenetic regulators, tet methyl cytosine dioxygenase 2 (TET2), DNA methyl transferase 3 alpha (DNMT3A) and isocitrate dehydrogenase 2, mitochondrial (IDH2), as well as those related to the T-cell receptor signaling pathway in AITL. In this review, we focus on how this genetic information has changed the understanding of the developmental process of AITL and will in future lead to individualized therapies for AITL patients.

Predictors for hilar/intrapulmonary lymph node metastasis in discrete type of clinical N1 non-small cell lung cancer.

Objective: Accurate preoperative evaluation of lymph nodes can provide optimal treatment for patients. However, in patients with clinical N1 disease (cN1) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), no suitable predictor has been identified for hilar/intrapulmonary lymph node metastasis (pathological N1 disease; pN1). The purpose of this study was to identify pN1 in cN1 NSCLC patients.

Activation of RHOA-VAV1 signaling in angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma.

Somatic G17V RHOA mutations were found in 50-70% of angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL). The mutant RHOA lacks GTP binding capacity, suggesting defects in the classical RHOA signaling. Here, we discovered the novel function of the G17V RHOA: VAV1 was identified as a G17V RHOA-specific binding partner via high-throughput screening.

Evaluation of developmental prognosis for esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula.

Purpose: This study investigated risk factors for developmental disorders after the repair of esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula (EA/TEF).

Methods: The clinical charts of all infants with EA/TEF (gross type C) treated at our institution between 1993 and 2013 were analyzed. Patients with chromosomal aberrations were excluded.

Is Single-incision Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy Feasible for Acute Cholecystitis? A Consecutive Study of 60 Cases.

The feasibility of single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SIL-C) for patients with acute cholecystitis were evaluated based on the timing of operation after onset of symptoms. Sixty patients with acute cholecystitis who underwent SIL-C were divided into 2 groups according to the timing of operation: group E included 23 patients who underwent SIL-C within 72 hours, and group O included 37 patients who underwent SIL-C later. There were no statistical differences between group E and group O in clinicopathologic characteristics.

Addison's Disease Caused by Tuberculosis with Atypical Hyperpigmentation and Active Pulmonary Tuberculosis.

We herein report a case of Addison's disease caused by tuberculosis characterized by atypical hyperpigmentation, noted as exacerbation of the pigmentation of freckles and the occurrence of new freckles, that was diagnosed in the presence of active pulmonary tuberculosis. The clinical condition of the patient was markedly ameliorated by the administration of hydrocortisone and anti-tuberculosis agents. When exacerbation of the pigmentation of the freckles and/or the occurrence of new freckles are noted, Addison's disease should be considered as part of the differential diagnosis.

Collaborative operation with cardiovascular surgeons in general thoracic surgery.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility and safety of our surgical experiences conducted in collaboration with cardiovascular surgeons at our institution.

Methods: From May 2002 to December 2015, among 3595 general thoracic surgeries, 75 (2.1%) operations were carried out collaboratively with cardiovascular surgeons at Nagoya University Hospital.

Pathogen exploitation of an abscisic acid- and jasmonate-inducible MAPK phosphatase and its interception by immunity.

Phytopathogens promote virulence by, for example, exploiting signaling pathways mediated by phytohormones such as abscisic acid (ABA) and jasmonate (JA). Some plants can counteract pathogen virulence by invoking a potent form of immunity called effector-triggered immunity (ETI). Here, we report that ABA and JA mediate inactivation of the immune-associated MAP kinases (MAPKs), MPK3 and MPK6, in ABA induced expression of genes encoding the protein phosphatases 2C (PP2Cs), , , and through ABF/AREB transcription factors.

Comparison of circadian, weekly, and seasonal variations of electrical storms and single events of ventricular fibrillation in patients with Brugada syndrome.

In patients with Brugada syndrome (BS), VF occurred predominantly during the nocturnal period. Some patients also developed ESs. In addition to the circadian rhythm, patients showed weekly and seasonal patterns.

Metachronous Germ Cell Tumors of the Mediastinum.

We report a rare case of mediastinal nonseminomatous germ cell tumor arising after 2 complete resections of mediastinal mature teratomas 18 and 10 years prior. After three cycles of chemotherapy for the mediastinal nonseminomatous germ cell tumor, the serum α-fetoprotein and β-human chorionic gonadotropin levels were normalized. However, chest radiography revealed that the mediastinal tumor had remarkably increased in size, and thus growing teratoma syndrome was diagnosed.

The diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide is associated with the histopathological aggressiveness of lung adenocarcinoma.

Objectives: The diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO) is an indicator of lung damage. We sought to determine whether DLCO is associated with the aggressiveness of lung adenocarcinoma using histopathological indexes, such as tumour differentiation, scar grade, nuclear atypia and the mitotic index.

Methods: Fifty-seven patients with low DLCO (≤80% of predicted) and 466 patients with normal DLCO (>80% of predicted) who underwent R0 resection of lung adenocarcinoma between 2005 and 2012 were retrospectively reviewed.

Post-operative delayed ambulation after thymectomy is associated withpre-operative six-minute walk distance.

Objective: Delayed post-operative ambulation is a risk of post-operative complications and increases overall healthcare costs. We investigated pre-operative and intraoperative variables associated with delayed ambulation in patients who underwent thymectomy.

Methods: A total of 57 consecutive patients undergoing thymectomy were included in this study.