Spontaneous and multifaceted ATP release from astrocytes at the scale of hundreds of synapses.

Astrocytes participate in information processing by releasing neuroactive substances termed gliotransmitters, including ATP. Individual astrocytes come into contact with thousands of synapses with their ramified structure, but the spatiotemporal dynamics of ATP gliotransmission remains unclear, especially in physiological brain tissue. Using a genetically encoded fluorescent sensor, GRAB , we discovered that extracellular ATP increased locally and transiently in absence of stimuli in neuron-glia co-cultures, cortical slices, and the anesthetized mouse brain.

Cholesterol-load evokes robust calcium response in macrophages: An early event toward cholesterol-induced macrophage death.

Macrophages in atherosclerotic lesions accumulate large amounts of unesterified cholesterol. Excess cholesterol load leads to cell death of macrophages, which is associated with the progression of atherosclerotic lesions. Calcium depletion in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and subsequent pro-apoptotic aberrant calcium signaling are key events in cholesterol-induced macrophage death.

Sensitivity of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology and biopsy for a diagnosis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: A comparative analysis.

The utility of endoscopic ultrasound fine-needle aspiration cytology (EUS-FNAC) or endoscopic ultrasound fine-needle aspiration biopsy (EUS-FNAB) for diagnosis of small and large pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDACs) remains in question. We addressed this by analyzing 97 definitively diagnosed cases of PDAC, for which both EUS-FNAC and EUS-FNAB had been performed. We subclassified the 97 solid masses into small (n = 35) or large (n = 62) according to the maximum tumor diameter (<24 mm or ≥24 mm) and compared the diagnostic sensitivity (truly positive rate) of EUS-FNAC and of EUS-FNAB for small and large masses.

IL-3-Induced Immediate Expression of c- and c- Is Modulated by the IKK2-JNK Axis.

Interleukin (IL)-3 is a pleiotropic cytokine that regulates the survival, proliferation, and differentiation of hematopoietic cells. The binding of IL-3 to its receptor activates intracellular signaling, inducing transcription of immediate early genes (IEGs) such as c-, c-, and c-; however, transcriptional regulation under IL-3 signaling is not fully understood. This study assessed the role of the inhibitor of nuclear factor-κB kinases (IKKs) in inducing IL-3-mediated expression of IEGs.

Scoring system for intraoperative diagnosis of intracranial schwannoma by squash cytology.

Objective: To assess the utility of a newly developed squash cytology (SC)-based scoring system for accurate intraoperative diagnosis of schwannoma.

Methods: We first compared SC-based and frozen section (FS) diagnoses with final pathological diagnoses of schwannoma (16 cases), meningioma (39 cases) and low-grade astrocytoma (16 cases). Then, by logistic regression modeling, we identified features of SC preparations that were independently predictive of schwannoma.

Locus-Specific Genomic DNA Purification Using the CRISPR System: Methods and Applications.

A multitude of molecular interactions with chromatin governs various chromosomal functions in cells. Insights into the molecular compositions at specific genomic regions are pivotal to deepen our understanding of regulatory mechanisms and the pathogenesis of disorders caused by the abnormal regulation of genes. The locus-specific purification of genomic DNA using the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) system enables the isolation of target genomic regions for identification of bound interacting molecules.

Quantification of native mRNA dynamics in living neurons using fluorescence correlation spectroscopy and reduction-triggered fluorescent probes.

RNA localization in subcellular compartments is essential for spatial and temporal regulation of protein expression in neurons. Several techniques have been developed to visualize mRNAs inside cells, but the study of the behavior of endogenous and nonengineered mRNAs in living neurons has just started. In this study, we combined reduction-triggered fluorescent (RETF) probes and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) to investigate the diffusion properties of activity-regulated cytoskeleton-associated protein () and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor type 1 () mRNAs.

Intraoperative squash cytology provides a qualitative intraoperative diagnosis for cases in which frozen section yields a diagnosis of equivocal brain tumour.

Objective: We assessed whether intraoperative squash cytology could provide surgeons with a qualitative diagnosis of brain lesions when frozen section diagnosis is equivocal.

Methods: The study included 51 lesions that were diagnosed intraoperatively as equivocal brain tumour on the basis of frozen section. We retrospectively classified the lesions into five groups according to the final histopathological diagnoses (I: malignant lymphomas; II: diffuse astrocytic and oligodendroglia tumours; III: pituitary adenomas, IV: metastatic carcinomas; V: others).

The approach of scratch-imprint cytology: Is it an alternative to frozen section for intraoperative assessment of pulmonary lesions?

To address the diagnostic performance of scratch-imprint cytology (SIC), in this study we compared intraoperative diagnoses of pulmonary lesions between SIC and frozen section histology (FSH) for accuracy with respect to the final pathological diagnosis. We histologically divided 206 pulmonary lesions (resected surgically) into two groups (benign and malignant) and compared each intraoperative diagnosis by SIC and FSH with the final pathological diagnoses. We also examined the radiological existence of pure ground-glass opacity (GGO) nodules in each group.

A biosafety algorithm for the protection of pathology staff during intraoperative examinations of pulmonary lesions.

We aimed to propose a biosafety algorithm for the protection of pathology staff during intraoperative examinations of pulmonary lesions when working with cytological imprints and/or frozen sections for the intraoperative diagnosis of pulmonary lesions. We examined 148 pulmonary surgical tissues obtained intraoperatively for imprint cytology (IC) and for frozen sectioning and compared the diagnoses against the final pathological diagnoses. We analyzed concordance and non-concordance rates and then used the data to produce a biosafety algorithm.

Diagnostic utility and pitfalls of intraoperative pulmonary imprint cytology based on final pathological diagnoses.

Objective: This study aimed to determine the reliability of imprint cytology (IC) for intraoperative diagnosis of pulmonary lesions.

Methods: We reviewed 113 cases of pulmonary lesion resection for which a scratch imprint was made intraoperatively. We divided the specimens into two groups (benign and malignant) and compared the scratch IC-based diagnoses against the final histopathological diagnoses in each group for concordance.

Vessel Morphologies of the Brain in Cytological Squash Preparations Are Useful for Intraoperative Diagnosis of High-Grade Astrocytomas.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine whether intraoperative cytological evaluation of squash preparations is of benefit for differentiating high-grade from low-grade astrocytomas.

Methods: Squash preparations of 42 astrocytomas were classified histologically according to the World Health Organization (WHO) 2007 classification system as grade II (n = 12), grade III (n = 11), and grade IV (n = 19) and were divided into 2 groups, namely a low-grade group (grade II) and a high-grade group (grades III and IV). The focus was on morphological cell and vessel characteristics, namely nuclear atypia, chromatin pattern, nuclear enlargement, variation in nuclear size, the presence of nucleoli, mitosis, tumor necrosis, cell density, multibranched vessels, and vascular dilatation, and these characteristics were compared between the low- and high-grade groups.

Numerical analysis of the impact of structural changes in cellulosic substrates on enzymatic saccharification.

Here, a simple cellulose conversion model that considers the cellulose surface area and surface density of adsorbed cellulase as substrate-derived and cellulase-derived factors controlling reaction rates is provided. Microcrystalline cellulose (Avicel) and delignifed softwood were used as controls, and structure-modified samples were prepared. It was shown that the initial cellulose conversion rate is largely controlled by the cellulose surface area.

Structural changes of lignocelluloses by a nonionic surfactant, Tween 20, and their effects on cellulase adsorption and saccharification.

In this work, we found that Tween 20 treatment (0-8 mM) contributed to the cell wall collapse of most samples except for those with high lignin contents and high crystallinity. Cell wall collapse contributed to the formation of 10- to 50-nm pores and not only increased the monolayer saturation amount of adsorbed cellulase about 3-3.6 times but also increased the cellulase adsorption rate (D(e)/r(2)) about 160-880 times.

Amlodipine suppressed cardiac gene expression of brain natriuretic peptide, transforming growth factor-β₁ and fibronectin mediated by aldosterone in male stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Objectives: Amlodipine, a calcium channel blocker (CCB), is one of the most common antihypertensive medicines in Japan. We evaluated whether the calcium channel blocker confers cardiac protection through the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system in male stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR-SP).

Methods: Fifteen week-old rats were divided into 2 groups: amlodipine group (3 mg/kg/day, n = 5) and control group (n = 5).

[Two cases of advanced low rectal cancer, preoperative chemo-radiation therapy leading to complete histological response].

We report two cases of advanced low rectal cancer, with preoperative chemo-radiation therapy leading to a complete histological response. Case 1 was a 74-year-old male who was diagnosed as advanced low rectal cancer. Preoperative chemo-radiation (a total of 45 Gy radiation+oral 5'-DFUR 800 mg/day for 3 weeks) was performed.

Renoprotective effect and cost-effectiveness of using benidipine, a calcium channel blocker, to lower the dose of angiotensin receptor blocker in hypertensive patients with albuminuria.

In hypertensive patients with chronic renal disease, angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) are among the first-line drugs, and calcium channel blockers (CCBs) are recommended as a second line. We examined the effects of two therapeutic strategies using ARBs and benidipine, a CCB, on blood pressure (BP), urinary albumin excretion (UAE), and cost-effectiveness in hypertensive patients with albuminuria. Patients whose BP was 140/90 mmHg or higher despite treatment with low- or medium-dose ARBs were assigned randomly to two groups.

Adsorptive ozonation of 2-methylisoborneol in natural water with preventing bromate formation.

This paper presents an application of our newly developed adsorptive ozonation process using a high silica zeolite adsorbent (USY) for drinking water treatment. First, the adsorption of 2-methylisoborneol (2-MIB) on USY in a river water/pure water mixture was clarified by a batch-type adsorption experiment. The results showed that 2-MIB was adsorbed on USY; however, almost all of the adsorbed 2-MIB was desorbed over time.

Ozone decomposition of 2-methylisoborneol (MIB) in adsorption phase on high silica zeolites with preventing bromate formation.

This work elucidates the applicability of our newly developed adsorptive ozonation process for the decomposition of 2-methylisoborneol (MIB), a typical taste and odor chemical, without the formation of possibly carcinogenic bromate ions. First, zeolite adsorbents were screened for their ability to adsorb MIB with a batch-type adsorption experimental apparatus and a flow-type decomposition experimental apparatus included an adsorbent-packed column. The USY zeolite with the highest silica to alumina ratio (SiO(2)/Al(2)O(3) molar ratio=70) showed the best performance as an adsorbent.

Different effects on inhibition of cardiac hypertrophy in spontaneously hypertensive rats by monotherapy and combination therapy of adrenergic receptor antagonists and/or the angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker under comparable blood pressure reduction.

To confirm that alpha1, beta adrenoceptor antagonists and angiotensin II type 1 receptor blockers (ARBs) have different abilities to attenuate progressive cardiac hypertrophy despite their comparable lowering of blood pressure, we compared the effect of these agents alone or in combination on hypertensive cardiac hypertrophy. Eight-week-old spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were divided into 7 groups. Single administration of doxazosin, atenolol, or losartan, or half-dose combinations of these drugs were given orally for 6 weeks.

Tempol attenuates the development of hypertensive renal injury in Dahl salt-sensitive rats.

Background: Dahl salt-sensitive (DS) rats given a high-salt diet develop renal lesions that are virtually identical to those in human hypertensive nephrosclerosis and are associated with increased oxidative stress. This study looks at the effects of a superoxide scavenger in preventing of hypertensive renal damage in high-salt-treated DS rats.

Methods: The DS rats (n = 5 per group) were treated with 0.

Oxidative stress in the Dahl salt-sensitive hypertensive rat.

Oxidative stress has been proposed as important in the pathogenesis of hypertension. Measurement of 8-iso prostaglandin F2alpha (8-ISO) is introduced for evaluating oxidative stress in vivo. 8-ISO is the major urinary metabolite of F2-isoprostanes and is formed nonenzymatically from the attack of superoxide radicals on arachidonic acid.