Effect of Low-Intensity Pulsed Ultrasound on Macrophage Properties and Fibrosis in the Infrapatellar Fat Pad in a Carrageenan-Induced Knee Osteoarthritis Rat Model.

Background: In the progression of knee osteoarthritis (KOA), fibrosis of the infrapatellar fat pad (IFP) is a key pathological change. Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) inhibits IFP fibrosis by decreasing the gene expression and activity of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF-1α), which is a protein involved in IFP fibrosis in KOA rat models. On the other hand, macrophages play an important role in the progression of fibrosis in various tissues, and LIPUS irradiation suppresses macrophage infiltration and inflammatory cytokine secretion.

Endogenous CCL21-Ser deficiency reduces B16-F10 melanoma growth by enhanced antitumor immunity.

The chemokine CCL21 regulates immune and cancer cell migration through its receptor CCR7. The gene encodes the isoform CCL21-Ser, predominantly expressed in the thymic medulla and the secondary lymphoid tissues. This study examined the roles of CCL21-Ser in the antitumor immune response in -knockout (KO) mice.

Effects of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound on the infrapatellar fat pad in knee osteoarthritis: a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled trial.

[Purpose] We investigated the effects of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) irradiation of the infrapatellar fat pad (IFP) combined with therapeutic exercise for management of knee osteoarthritis (knee OA). [Participants and Methods] The study included 26 patients with knee OA, who were randomized into the LIPUS group (patients underwent LIPUS + therapeutic exercise) and the therapeutic exercise group (patients underwent sham LIPUS + therapeutic exercise). We measured changes in the patellar tendon-tibial angle (PTTA) and in IFP thickness, IFP gliding, and IFP echo intensity after 10 treatment sessions to determine the effects of the aforementioned interventions.

Firefly luciferase-based chronological measurement of effector CD8 T-cell activity using a multi-chamber luminometer.

Although cell-mediated cytotoxicity has been evaluated with various protocols, methods for monitoring cytotoxicity in a time series have not been established. This work describes a method for evaluating cytotoxicity using a multi-chamber real-time luminometer. The efficiency of effector CD8 T-cell expansion from melanoma-bearing splenocytes was analyzed.

Inhibitory effect of low‑intensity pulsed ultrasound on the fibrosis of the infrapatellar fat pad through the regulation of HIF‑1α in a carrageenan‑induced knee osteoarthritis rat model.

Fibrotic changes in the infrapatellar fat pad (IFP) are involved in the pathogenesis of knee osteoarthritis (KOA). HIF-1α is a transcription factor that is activated during hypoxia and is suggested to play a role in fibrosis in various organs. However, its participation in the fibrotic changes in IFP remains unclear.

Clinical evaluation of [F]pitavastatin for quantitative analysis of hepatobiliary transporter activity.

It is widely accepted that uptake and efflux transporters on clearance organs play crucial roles in drug disposition. Although in vitro transporter assay system can identify the intrinsic properties of the target transporters, it is not so easy to precisely predict in vivo pharmacokinetic parameters from in vitro data. Positron emission tomography (PET) imaging is a useful tool to directly assess the activity of drug transporters in humans.

Influence of new coronavirus pandemic on behavior and awareness of young nurses and nursing students in Japan.

Background: Although mental health disorders of health care workers in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic have been focused, little is known about the psychological impact on nurses and the influence on their behavior and awareness, such as professionalism and views on life and death, in Japan where there are fewer cases of infection and deaths than in other countries. Moreover, the influence of the pandemic on nursing students is still unclear.

Methods: An online questionnaire survey was conducted among nurses and nursing students.

Decrease in volume and density of foraminiferal shells with progressing ocean acidification.

Rapid increases in anthropogenic atmospheric CO partial pressure have led to a decrease in the pH of seawater. Calcifying organisms generally respond negatively to ocean acidification. Foraminifera are one of the major carbonate producers in the ocean; however, whether calcification reduction by ocean acidification affects either foraminiferal shell volume or density, or both, has yet to be investigated.

A method for stable carbon isotope measurement of underivatized individual amino acids by multi-dimensional high-performance liquid chromatography and elemental analyzer/isotope ratio mass spectrometry.

Rationale: To achieve better precision and accuracy for δ C analysis of individual amino acids (AAs), we have developed a new analytical method based on multi-dimensional high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and elemental analyzer/isotope ratio mass spectrometry (EA/IRMS). Unlike conventional methods using gas chromatography, this approach omits pre-column chemical derivatization, thus reducing systematic errors associated with the isotopic measurement.

Methods: The separation and isolation of individual AAs in a standard mixture containing 15 AAs and a biological sample, spear squid (Heterololigo bleekeri) were performed.

Moxibustion Promotes Formation of Granulation in Wound Healing Process through Induction of Transforming Growth Factor-β in Rats.

Objective: To examine the effect of moxibustion on the wound healing process and its mechanism using a rat wound model.

Methods: Sixty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a sham-treated group (n=30, wound surgery only) and a moxibustion group (n=30, wound treated with moxibustion). Circular full-thickness skin wounds were produced in rats.

Efficient recycling of nutrients in modern and past hypersaline environments.

The biogeochemistry of hypersaline environments is strongly influenced by changes in biological processes and physicochemical parameters. Although massive evaporation events have occurred repeatedly throughout Earth history, their biogeochemical cycles and global impact remain poorly understood. Here, we provide the first nitrogen isotopic data for nutrients and chloropigments from modern shallow hypersaline environments (solar salterns, Trapani, Italy) and apply the obtained insights to δN signatures of the Messinian salinity crisis (MSC) in the late Miocene.

Beneficial effect of laughter therapy on physiological and psychological function in elders.

Aim: In the present study we investigated the effect of laughter therapy on physiological and psychological function in older people.

Design: An open-label trial.

Methods: Seventeen older people who regularly attended an elderly day care centre were recruited.

A Clinical Quantitative Evaluation of Hepatobiliary Transport of [C]Dehydropravastatin in Humans Using Positron Emission Tomography.

Various positron emission tomography (PET) probes have been developed to assess in vivo activities in humans of drug transporters, which aid in the prediction of pharmacokinetic properties of drugs and the impact of drug-drug interactions. We developed a new PET probe, sodium (3, 5)-3, 5-dihydroxy-7-((1 2, 6, 8)-6-hydroxy-2-methyl-8- ((1-[C]-()-2-methyl-but-2-enoyl) oxy) -1, 2, 6, 7, 8, 8-hexahydronaphthalen-1-yl) heptanoate ([C]DPV), and demonstrated its usefulness for the quantitative investigation of Oatps (gene symbol ) and Mrp2 (gene symbol ) in rats. To further analyze the species differences and verify the pharmacokinetic parameters in humans, serial PET scanning of the abdominal region with [C]DPV was performed in six healthy volunteers with and without an OATP1Bs and MRP2 inhibitor, rifampicin (600 mg, oral), in a crossover fashion.

Lithium, magnesium and sulfur purification from seawater using an ion chromatograph with a fraction collector system for stable isotope measurements.

We describe the mass descrimination and validation of an offline method for purification of Li, Mg and S with an ion chromatograph coupled to an automated fraction collector for use prior to stable isotope measurements. Significant sub-fraction mass fractionation was observed for both the Li and the Mg stable isotope ratios. The lighter Li and heavier Mg isotopes were preferentially retained by the column, resulting in Li/Li and Mg/Mg biases up to 85.

Leucine-rich alpha 2 glycoprotein promotes Th17 differentiation and collagen-induced arthritis in mice through enhancement of TGF-β-Smad2 signaling in naïve helper T cells.

Background: Leucine-rich alpha 2 glycoprotein (LRG) has been identified as a serum protein elevated in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Although the function of LRG is ill-defined, LRG binds with transforming growth factor (TGF)-β and enhances Smad2 phosphorylation. Considering that the imbalance between T helper 17 (Th17) cells and regulatory T cells (Treg) plays important roles in the pathogenesis of RA, LRG may affect arthritic pathology by enhancing the TGF-β-Smad2 pathway that is pivotal for both Treg and Th17 differentiation.

Therapeutic effect of intra-articular injection of ribbon-type decoy oligonucleotides for hypoxia inducible factor-1 on joint contracture in an immobilized knee animal model.

Background: Limited range of motion (ROM) as a result of joint contracture in treatment associated with joint immobilization or motor paralysis is a critical issue. However, its molecular mechanism has not been fully clarified and a therapeutic approach is not yet established.

Methods: In the present study, we investigated its molecular mechanism, focusing on the role of a transcription factor, hypoxia inducible factor-1 (HIF-1), which regulates the expression of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and evaluated the possibility of molecular therapy to inhibit HIF-1 activation by ribbon-type decoy oligonucleotides (ODNs) for HIF-1 using immobilized knee animal models.

Wound healing potential of lavender oil by acceleration of granulation and wound contraction through induction of TGF-β in a rat model.

Background: Although previous studies have suggested that lavender oil promote wound healing, no study has examined the molecular mechanisms of its effect. In this study, we investigated the effect of lavender oil on various steps of wound healing and its molecular mechanism, focusing on transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β).

Methods: Circular full-thickness skin wounds were produced on rats.

Continuous infusion of angiotensin II modulates hypertrophic differentiation and apoptosis of chondrocytes in cartilage formation in a fracture model mouse.

Although components of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) are reported to be expressed in cultured chondrocytes and cartilage, little is known about the precise function of Angiotensin II (Ang II) in chondrocytes. In this study, we employed a rib fracture model mouse to investigate the effect of Ang II on chondrocytes. Ang II type 1 receptor (AT1R) was expressed in chondrocytes in the growth plate of mouse tibia.

Effect of angiotensin II receptor blocker, olmesartan, on turnover of bone metabolism in bedridden elderly hypertensive women with disuse syndrome.

Aims: Although recent studies suggest that several antihypertensive drugs could reduce the risk of bone fracture, it is still unclear how these drugs act on bone remodeling, especially in elderly women with severe osteoporosis with disuse syndrome. In the present study, we investigated the effects of a calcium channel blocker (CCB) and an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) on bone metabolism in elderly bedridden women with hypertension and disuse syndrome.

Methods: Elderly bedridden women (aged >75 years) receiving antihypertensive therapy treated with CCB were recruited in the present study.

Identification of the chemical form of sulfur compounds in the Japanese pink coral (Corallium elatius) skeleton using μ-XRF/XAS speciation mapping.

The distributions and chemical forms of sulfur compounds in the skeleton of Japanese pink coral (Corallium elatius) were investigated using X-ray spectroscopic techniques combined with micro-focused soft X-ray radiation. Microscopic X-ray fluorescence/soft X-ray photoabsorption (μ-XRF/XAS) speciation mapping clarified that sulfate is the primary species in the coral skeleton, with minor amounts of organic sulfur, whereas both sulfate and organic sulfur coexist in coenenchyme. Analysis of the post-edge region of the XAS spectra confirmed that sulfate ions in the coral skeleton are mainly in the form of gypsum-like inorganic sulfate substituting for the carbonate ions in the calcite skeleton.

Diagnostic ability of (99m)Tc-HSA-DTPA scintigraphy in combination with SPECT/CT for gastrointestinal bleeding.

Purpose: Gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding scintigraphy in combination with single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) remains to be studied in detail. This study aimed to examine the diagnostic ability of this tool.

Methods: GI bleeding scintigraphy using (99m)Tc-human serum albumin-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid was performed for 38 patients with suspected GI bleeding.

Microscopic observation of symbiotic and aposymbiotic juvenile corals in nutrient-enriched seawater.

Symbiotic and aposymbiotic juvenile corals, which were grown in the laboratory from the gametes of the scleractinian coral Acropora digitifera and had settled down onto plastic culture plates, were observed with a microscope under different nutrient conditions. The symbiotic corals successfully removed the surrounding benthic microalgae (BMA), whereas the aposymbiotic corals were in close physical contact with BMA. The areal growth rate of the symbiotic corals was significantly higher than that of the aposymbiotic corals.

[Diagnostic study of the usefulness of virtual endoscopic images and 3-D modeling for lower urinary tract obstruction].

Purpose: I observed bladder and urethral morphology and lumen by making a virtual endoscopy (VE) of the bladder and a urethra for patients with lower urinary tract symptoms. I have herein reported the procedures to use this model to evaluate the condition of patients more precisely.

Patients And Methods: Of those referred for investigation of lower urinary tract symptoms, subjects were 22 boys (5-13 years old, mean 9) in whom voiding cystourethrography (VCUG) was suspected for urethral obstruction between March, 2009 and October, 2010.

Effects of acidified seawater on coral calcification and symbiotic algae on the massive coral Porites australiensis.

We investigated the effect of acidified seawater on calcification and symbiotic algae (zooxanthellae density, chlorophyll content per single algal cell, fluorescence yield (Fv/Fm)) on a massive coral, Porites australiensis, a common species in the Ryukyu Archipelago of Japan. We found that acidified seawater significantly decreased the calcification and fluorescence yield, but did not affect zooxanthellae density and chlorophyll content per single algal cell. This indicates low levels of photoacclimation to acidified seawater in this species, and this is contrary to the findings of previous studies of Acropora species.