Infectious Complications following Breast Reconstruction Using Tissue Expanders in Patients with Atopic Dermatitis.

Infectious complications represent one of the most prominent factors contributing to tissue expander (TE) loss in breast reconstruction procedures. Several patient characteristics that increase the risk for surgical-site infection or TE infection have been reported, but no study has focused on the relationship between atopic dermatitis (AD) and TE infection or surgical-site infection. Recently, we investigated 203 cases of breast reconstruction surgeries performed using TEs and noted that all 3 patients who had AD developed infectious complications that ultimately led to TE removal.

DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction in Patients with Breast Ptosis: 2-Stage Reconstruction Using 3-Dimensional Surface Imaging and a Printed Mold.

Background: Autologous breast reconstruction can be performed for breasts with ptosis to a certain extent, but if patients desire to correct ptosis, mastopexy of the contralateral breast is indicated. However, accurate prediction of post-mastopexy breast shape is difficult to make, and symmetrical breast reconstruction requires certain experience. We have previously reported the use of three-dimensional (3D) imaging and printing technologies in deep inferior epigastric artery perforator (DIEP) flap breast reconstruction.

The Acoustic Voice Quality Index Version 03.01 for the Japanese-speaking Population.

Objectives: We aimed to determine the most appropriate syllable number for analyzing the Acoustic Voice Quality Index for the Japanese-speaking population (AVQIv3-JP) and to validate AVQIv3-JP using the determined syllable number.

Methods: First, we counted how many syllables should be included in each continuous speech (CS) sample to achieve time-balanced analysis between CS and sustained vowel samples using our previous dataset including 336 CS samples with 58 syllables. From the descriptive statistics of the counted syllable numbers, the most appropriate syllable number was identified.

Quantitative control of mitochondria transfer between live single cells using a microfluidic device.

Quantitative control of mitochondria transfer between live cells is a promising approach for genetic manipulation of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) because single mitochondrion transfer to a mtDNA-less (ρ) cell potentially leads to homoplasmy of mtDNA. In this paper, we describe a method for quantitative control of mitochondria transfer between live single cells. For this purpose, we fabricated novel microfluidic devices having cell paring structures with a 4.

The telomere binding protein Pot1 maintains haematopoietic stem cell activity with age.

Repeated cell divisions and aging impair stem cell function. However, the mechanisms by which this occurs are not fully understood. Here we show that protection of telomeres 1A (Pot1a), a component of the Shelterin complex that protects telomeres, improves haematopoietic stem cell (HSC) activity during aging.

Tamoxifen-induced Lung Injury.

Cases of drug-induced lung injury caused by tamoxifen are rare. A 74-year-old man underwent surgery for the treatment of right breast cancer; tamoxifen was administered as an adjuvant therapy after surgery. The patient developed cough and dyspnea and chest computed tomography showed ground glass opacification in the lower lobe of the right lung.

Central chemoreflex activation induces sympatho-excitation without altering static or dynamic baroreflex function in normal rats.

Central chemoreflex activation induces sympatho-excitation. However, how central chemoreflex interacts with baroreflex function remains unknown. This study aimed to examine the impact of central chemoreflex on the dynamic as well as static baroreflex functions under open-loop conditions.

Chronic high-sucrose diet increases fibroblast growth factor 21 production and energy expenditure in mice.

Excess carbohydrate intake causes obesity in humans. On the other hand, acute administration of fructose, glucose or sucrose in experimental animals has been shown to increase the plasma concentration of anti-obesity hormones such as glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), which contribute to reducing body weight. However, the secretion and action of GLP-1 and FGF21 in mice chronically fed a high-sucrose diet has not been investigated.

[Functional analysis of Protection of Telomeres 1a (Pot1a) in regulation of hematopoietic stem cell aging].

Repeated cell divisions induce DNA damage accumulation, which impairs stem cell function during aging. However, the general molecular mechanisms by which this occurs remain unclear. Herein, we show that the expression of protection of telomeres 1a (Pot1a), a component of shelterin, is crucial for prevention of telomeric DNA damage response (DDR) and maintenance of hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) activity during aging.

Dynamics of nitric oxide controlled by protein complex in bacterial system.

Nitric oxide (NO) plays diverse and significant roles in biological processes despite its cytotoxicity, raising the question of how biological systems control the action of NO to minimize its cytotoxicity in cells. As a great example of such a system, we found a possibility that NO-generating nitrite reductase (NiR) forms a complex with NO-decomposing membrane-integrated NO reductase (NOR) to efficiently capture NO immediately after its production by NiR in anaerobic nitrate respiration called denitrification. The 3.

Esmolol Administration to Control Tachycardia in an Ovine Model of Peritonitis.

Background: Excessive adrenergic signaling may be harmful in sepsis. Using β-blockers to reduce sympathetic overactivity may modulate sepsis-induced cardiovascular, metabolic, immunologic, and coagulation alterations. Using a randomized ovine fecal peritonitis model, we investigated whether administration of a short-acting β-blocker, esmolol, could control tachycardia without deleterious effects on hemodynamics, renal perfusion, cerebral perfusion, cerebral metabolism, or outcome.

A case of improved hearing with cochlear implantation in Gaucher disease type 1.

Gaucher disease is a lysosomal storage disorder that is caused by congenital defective function of the enzyme glucocerebrosidase. Glucocerebroside that is not hydrolyzed by glucocerebrosidase mainly accumulates in the reticular tissue. We describe a Japanese boy with Gaucher disease type 1 who developed bilateral profound sensorineural hearing loss within approximately 4years.

T Cell Transcriptomes from Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria Patients Reveal Novel Signaling Pathways.

Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) is a rare acquired disorder originating from hematopoietic stem cells and is a life-threating disease characterized by intravascular hemolysis, bone marrow (BM) failure, and venous thrombosis. The etiology of PNH is a somatic mutation in the phosphatidylinositol glycan class A gene () on the X chromosome, which blocks synthesis of the glycolipid moiety and causes deficiency in GPI-anchored proteins. PNH is closely related to aplastic anemia, in which T cells mediate destruction of BM.

Measurement of the Maximum Frequency of Electroglottographic Fluctuations in the Expiration Phase of Volitional Cough as a Functional Test for Cough Efficiency.

The hypotheses of the present study were that the maximum frequency of fluctuation of electroglottographic (EGG) signals in the expiration phase of volitional cough (VC) reflects the cough efficiency and that this EGG parameter is affected by impaired laryngeal closure, expiratory effort strength, and gender. For 20 normal healthy adults and 20 patients diagnosed with unilateral vocal fold paralysis (UVFP), each participant was fitted with EGG electrodes on the neck, had a transnasal laryngo-fiberscope inserted, and was asked to perform weak/strong VC tasks while EGG signals and a high-speed digital image of the larynx were recorded. The maximum frequency was calculated in the EGG fluctuation region coinciding with vigorous vocal fold vibration in the laryngeal HSDIs.

A semi high-throughput method for screening small bispecific antibodies with high cytotoxicity.

Small bispecific antibodies that induce T-cell-mediated cytotoxicity have the potential to damage late-stage tumor masses to a clinically relevant degree, but their cytotoxicity is critically dependent on their structural and functional properties. Here, we constructed an optimized procedure for identifying highly cytotoxic antibodies from a variety of the T-cell-recruiting antibodies engineered from a series of antibodies against cancer antigens of epidermal growth factor receptor family and T-cell receptors. By developing and applying a set of rapid operations for expression vector construction and protein preparation, we screened the cytotoxicity of 104 small antibodies with diabody format and identified some with 10-times higher cytotoxicity than that of previously reported active diabody.

The effects of acute renal denervation on kidney perfusion and metabolism in experimental septic shock.

Background: Perfusion deficits likely play an important role in the development of renal dysfunction in sepsis. Renal denervation may improve kidney perfusion and metabolism.

Methods: We randomized 14 female sheep to undergo bilateral surgical renal denervation (n = 7) or sham procedure (n = 7) prior to induction of sepsis.

Role of red blood cells in the anemia-associated bleeding under high shear conditions.

Background: Red blood cells (RBCs) contribute to hemostasis under blood-flow, and anemia might contribute to a hemorrhagic diathesis. The majority of current laboratory techniques to assess hemostasis do not consider the effects of RBCs. An assay to determine the role of RBCs in hemostasis could be beneficial for clinical management.

A Comparison of Visual Recognition of the Laryngopharyngeal Structures Between High and Standard Frame Rate Videos of the Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing.

The purpose of this study was to assess whether or not high frame rate (HFR) videos recorded using high-speed digital imaging (HSDI) improve the visual recognition of the motions of the laryngopharyngeal structures during pharyngeal swallow in fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES). Five healthy subjects were asked to swallow 0.5 ml water under fiberoptic nasolaryngoscopy.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy as Adjuvant Treatment for Idiopathic Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss after Failure of Systemic Steroids.

We evaluated the outcomes of and prognostic factors for idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL) treated with adjuvant hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). A retrospective review of clinical data was performed for 167 patients with ISSNHL who failed to respond to systemic steroids and were treated by adjuvant HBOT at Shizuoka Saiseikai General Hospital. We analysed the clinical outcomes, the averaged 5-frequency hearing level after systemic steroids, patient age, the interval between post-steroids and pre-HBOT, vertigo as a complication, the presence of diabetes mellitus, smoking history, and hypertension.

Improved Diastolic Function Is Associated With Higher Cardiac Output in Patients With Heart Failure Irrespective of Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction.

Background: Little is known regarding the impact of diastolic function on cardiac output (CO) in patients with heart failure, particularly in patients with lower ejection fraction. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of end-diastolic pressure-volume relationship (EDPVR) on CO and end-diastolic pressure (EDP).

Methods And Results: We retrospectively analyzed 1840 consecutive patients who underwent heart catheterization.

Preparation of a Surface-functionalized Power-free PDMS Microchip for MicroRNA Detection Utilizing Electron Beam-induced Graft Polymerization.

We propose an easy microchannel surface functionalization method for a poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) microchip that utilizes electron beam-induced graft polymerization (EIGP) as a platform for microchip-based biomarker analysis. Unlike other grafting techniques, EIGP enables rapid surface modification of PDMS without initiator immobilization. The grafted microchip is preservable, and can be easily functionalized for versatile applications.

Specificity of MicroRNA Detection on a Power-free Microfluidic Chip with Laminar Flow-assisted Dendritic Amplification.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are attracting considerable attention as potential biomarkers for the early diagnosis of cancer. We have been developing a detection method for miRNAs on a microfluidic chip with external-power-free fluid pumping and enzyme-free amplification. The assay is completed within 20 min.