Visualization of intradermal blood vessel structures by dual-wavelength photoacoustic microscopy and characterization of three-dimensional construction of livedo-racemosa in cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa.

Background: Photoacoustic microscopy is expected to have clinical applications as a noninvasive and three-dimensional (3D) method of observing intradermal structures.

Objective: Investigate the applicability of a photoacoustic microscope equipped with two types of pulsed lasers that can simultaneously recognize hemoglobin and melanin.

Methods: 16 skin lesions including erythema, pigmented lesions, vitiligo and purpura, were analyzed to visualize 3D structure of melanin granule distribution and dermal blood vessels.

Quantitative analysis of age-related changes in vascular structure, oxygen saturation, and epidermal melanin structure using photoacoustic methods.

Background: Vascular structure, blood oxygen saturation, and melanin status of the epidermis are chromophore factors related to light absorption. Therefore, they are likely to be related to skin appearance. Thus, it is important to measure these internal skin features and understand their characteristics.

Burn depth assessments by photoacoustic imaging and laser Doppler imaging.

Diagnosis of burn depths is crucial to determine the treatment plan for severe burn patients. However, an objective method for burn depth assessment has yet to be established, although a commercial laser Doppler imaging (LDI) system is used limitedly. We previously proposed burn depth assessment based on photoacoustic imaging (PAI), in which thermoelastic waves originating from blood under the burned tissue are detected, and we showed the validity of the method by experiments using rat models with three different burn depths: superficial dermal burn, deep dermal burn and deep burn.

Distribution of c-Fos immunoreactive neurons in the brain after intraperitoneal injection of apelin-12 in Wistar rats.

The present study surveyed activation of central neurons following peripheral administration of apelin-12 (AP12), an apelin peptide homologue, by examining the distribution of neurons expressing c-Fos protein. AP12 is known to induce gastric acid secretion among other physiological functions such as regulation of circulation. It was recently reported that apelin counteracted the effect of arginine vasopressin (AVP) in the maintenance of body fluid homeostasis.

[Psychiatric background of social withdrawal in adolescence].

In recent years, Japan's mental health welfare service personnel are encountering a growing number of adolescents in whom social withdrawal persists for extended periods. The provision of treatment and support for these individuals has become a challenge that needs to be addressed on a nationwide scale. This study was conducted to identify the guidelines for treating and assisting adolescents who manifest social withdrawal behaviors, and to clarify the psychiatrist's role.

An unusual association of monoclonal gammopathy, paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria and myelodysplastic syndrome transformed into acute myeloid leukaemia: coexistence of triple clonal disorders.

An unusual association of paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria (PNH), myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) and monoclonal gammopathy is reported. A 60-year old male, who had a history of IgA monoclonal gammopathy, presented with haemoglobinuria and colic pain. Flow cytometry showed CD55negative/59dim peripheral red cells, and bone marrow examination disclosed MDS.