[Investigating the Usefulness of Breath-holding Instructions by Change in the Room Light for the Hearing Impaired].

Purpose: In imaging examinations of patients with hearing impairment, poor image quality due to poor respiratory arrest is a problem directly related to diagnostic imaging. Although there have been studies of non-sound instructions, there have been few quantitative studies using changes in brightness. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether changes in room brightness can be used as a respiratory cessation indicator.

Fast Synaptically Activated Calcium and Sodium Kinetics in Hippocampal Pyramidal Neuron Dendritic Spines.

An accurate assessment of the time course, components, and magnitude of postsynaptic currents is important for a quantitative understanding of synaptic integration and signaling in dendritic spines. These parameters have been studied in some detail in previous experiments, primarily using two-photon imaging of [Ca] changes and two-photon uncaging of glutamate. However, even with these revolutionary techniques, there are some missing pieces in our current understanding, particularly related to the time courses of synaptically evoked [Ca] and [Na] changes.

Survey of prescriptions for triple whammy drug combinations with vitamin D as a possible fourth whammy.

Background: Improper prescriptions can cause adverse reactions in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Materials And Methods: Hospital pharmacists investigated improper prescriptions, prerenal acute kidney injury (AKI) prescriptions, and adverse effects in AKI in 199 CKD patients at Kouseikai Hospital from July 2020 to June 2021, as well as combinations of "triple whammy" drugs (renin-angiotensin-system inhibitors, diuretics, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) plus active vitamin D preparations. All participants (average age, 73.

Mechanism of ArcLight derived GEVIs involves electrostatic interactions that can affect proton wires.

The genetically encoded voltage indicators ArcLight and its derivatives mediate voltage-dependent optical signals by intermolecular, electrostatic interactions between neighboring fluorescent proteins (FPs). A random mutagenesis event placed a negative charge on the exterior of the FP, resulting in a greater than 10-fold improvement of the voltage-dependent optical signal. Repositioning this negative charge on the exterior of the FP reversed the polarity of voltage-dependent optical signals, suggesting the presence of "hot spots" capable of interacting with the negative charge on a neighboring FP, thereby changing the fluorescent output.

Improvements in Simultaneous Sodium and Calcium Imaging.

High speed imaging of ion concentration changes in neurons is an important and growing tool for neuroscientists. We previously developed a system for simultaneously measuring sodium and calcium changes in small compartments in neurons (Miyazaki and Ross, 2015). We used this technique to analyze the dynamics of these ions in individual pyramidal neuron dendritic spines (Miyazaki and Ross, 2017).

Pilot study on novel blood containers with alternative plasticizers for red cell concentrate storage.

Di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), a typical plasticizer used for polyvinyl chloride (PVC) blood containers, is eluted from the blood containers and exerts protective effects on red blood cells. However, a concern for detrimental effects of DEHP on human health has led to the development of potential DEHP substitutes. Here, we compared the red blood cell preservation ability of two types of non-DEHP blood containers with safe alternative plasticizers to that of DEHP blood containers.

Sodium Dynamics in Pyramidal Neuron Dendritic Spines: Synaptically Evoked Entry Predominantly through AMPA Receptors and Removal by Diffusion.

Dendritic spines are key elements underlying synaptic integration and cellular plasticity, but many features of these important structures are not known or are controversial. We examined these properties using newly developed simultaneous sodium and calcium imaging with single-spine resolution in pyramidal neurons in rat hippocampal slices from either sex. Indicators for both ions were loaded through the somatic patch pipette, which also recorded electrical responses.

Alternative plasticizer, 4-cyclohexene-1,2-dicarboxylic acid dinonyl ester, for blood containers with protective effects on red blood cells and improved cold resistance.

Di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), a typical plasticizer used for polyvinyl chloride (PVC), is eluted from PVC-made blood containers and protects against red blood cell (RBC) hemolysis. However, concerns have arisen regarding the reproductive and developmental risks of DEHP in humans, and the use of alternative plasticizers for medical devices has been recommended worldwide. In this study, we propose that the use of a novel plasticizer, 4-cyclohexene-1,2-dicarboxylic acid dinonyl ester (DL9TH), could help produce more useful and safe blood containers.

Hypocretin/Orexin Peptides Alter Spike Encoding by Serotonergic Dorsal Raphe Neurons through Two Distinct Mechanisms That Increase the Late Afterhyperpolarization.

Unlabelled: Orexins (hypocretins) are neuropeptides that regulate multiple homeostatic processes, including reward and arousal, in part by exciting serotonergic dorsal raphe neurons, the major source of forebrain serotonin. Here, using mouse brain slices, we found that, instead of simply depolarizing these neurons, orexin-A altered the spike encoding process by increasing the postspike afterhyperpolarization (AHP) via two distinct mechanisms. This orexin-enhanced AHP (oeAHP) was mediated by both OX1 and OX2 receptors, required Ca(2+) influx, reversed near EK, and decayed with two components, the faster of which resulted from enhanced SK channel activation, whereas the slower component decayed like a slow AHP (sAHP), but was not blocked by UCL2077, an antagonist of sAHPs in some neurons.

Simultaneous Sodium and Calcium Imaging from Dendrites and Axons.

Dynamic calcium imaging is a major technique of neuroscientists. It can reveal information about the location of various calcium channels and calcium permeable receptors, the time course, magnitude, and location of intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca(2+)]i) changes, and indirectly, the occurrence of action potentials. Dynamic sodium imaging, a less exploited technique, can reveal analogous information related to sodium signaling.

Imaging with organic indicators and high-speed charge-coupled device cameras in neurons: some applications where these classic techniques have advantages.

Dynamic calcium and voltage imaging is a major tool in modern cellular neuroscience. Since the beginning of their use over 40 years ago, there have been major improvements in indicators, microscopes, imaging systems, and computers. While cutting edge research has trended toward the use of genetically encoded calcium or voltage indicators, two-photon microscopes, and in vivo preparations, it is worth noting that some questions still may be best approached using more classical methodologies and preparations.

Ca2+ sparks and puffs are generated and interact in rat hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neuron dendrites.

1,4,5-Inositol trisphosphate receptors (IP3Rs) and ryanodine receptors (RyRs) mediate release of Ca(2+) from internal stores in many neurons. The details of the spatial and temporal characteristics of these signals and their interactions in dendrites remain to be clarified. We found that localized Ca(2+) release events, with no associated change in membrane potential, occurred spontaneously in the dendrites of rat hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons.

Prevalence of absolute pitch: a comparison between Japanese and Polish music students.

Comparable large-scale surveys including an on-site pitch-naming test were conducted with music students in Japan and Poland to obtain more convincing estimates of the prevalence of absolute pitch (AP) and examine how musical experience relates to AP. Participants with accurate AP (95% correct identification) accounted for 30% of the Japanese music students, but only 7% of the Polish music students. This difference in the performance of pitch naming was related to the difference in musical experience.

Developmental profile of localized spontaneous Ca(2+) release events in the dendrites of rat hippocampal pyramidal neurons.

Recent experiments demonstrate that localized spontaneous Ca(2+) release events can be detected in the dendrites of pyramidal cells in the hippocampus and other neurons (J. Neurosci. 29 (2009) 7833-7845).

Synaptically activated Ca2+ waves and NMDA spikes locally suppress voltage-dependent Ca2+ signalling in rat pyramidal cell dendrites.

Postsynaptic [Ca(2+)](i) changes contribute to several kinds of plasticity in pyramidal neurons. We examined the effects of synaptically activated Ca(2+) waves and NMDA spikes on subsequent Ca(2+) signalling in CA1 pyramidal cell dendrites in hippocampal slices. Tetanic synaptic stimulation evoked a localized Ca(2+) wave in the primary apical dendrites.

Suppression of injury-induced conjunctiva scarring by peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma gene transfer in mice.

Purpose: To examine the effects of introduction of the adenoviral peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-gamma gene on postinjury conjunctival scarring in mice. Its effects on fibrogenic reaction of cultured human subconjunctival fibroblasts (hSCFs) were also evaluated.

Methods: The effects of PPARgamma gene introduction on expression of type I collagen, fibronectin, and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in hSCFs were examined.

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition as a therapeutic target for prevention of ocular tissue fibrosis.

Fibrotic diseases are characterized by the appearance of myofibroblasts, the key cell type involved in the fibrogenic reaction, and by excess accumulation of extracellular matrix with resultant tissue contraction and impaired function. Myofiborblasts are generated by fibroblast-myofibrobalst conversion, and in certain tissues through epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a process through which an epithelial cell changes its phenotype to become more like a mesenchymal cell. Although inflammatory/fibrogenic growth factors/cytokines produced by injured tissues orchestrate the process of EMT, transforming growth factor beta (TGFbeta) is believed to play a central role in the process.

Corneal wound healing in an osteopontin-deficient mouse.

Purpose: To investigate the effects of loss of osteopontin (OPN) in the healing of the injured cornea in mice. Cell culture study was also conducted to clarify the effects of OPN in fibroblast behaviors.

Methods: Ocular fibroblasts from wild-type (WT) and OPN-null (KO) mice were used to study the role of OPN on cell behavior.

Connective tissue growth factor modulates extracellular matrix production in human subconjunctival fibroblasts and their proliferation and migration in vitro.

Purpose: We examined the role of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in transforming growth factor beta1 (TGFbeta1)-related behavior in cultured human subconjunctival fibroblasts (SCFs), protein production, mRNA expression of CTGF and type I collagen alpha1 chain (colIA1), and cell proliferation and migration. TGFbeta1 is the major factor involved in bleb scarring following filtration surgery.

Methods: An antisense deoxynucleotide (antisense) (5 microM) for CTGF mRNA was used to block endogenous CTGF expression.

Fibrotic disorders in the eye: targets of gene therapy.

Fibrotic diseases, e.g., cutaneous and corneal scarring, keloids, and liver and lung fibrosis, etc.

Nobiletin, a citrus flavonoid with neurotrophic action, augments protein kinase A-mediated phosphorylation of the AMPA receptor subunit, GluR1, and the postsynaptic receptor response to glutamate in murine hippocampus.

Nobiletin isolated from citrus peels prevents bulbectomy- and amyloid-beta protein-induced memory impairment in rodents. In the present study, using combined methods of biochemistry and electrophysiology, we examined the effects of nobiletin on phosphorylation of GluR1 receptor, the subunit of alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-D-aspartate (AMPA) receptors, and the receptor-mediated synaptic transmission in the hippocampus, a region implicated in memory formation, in culture and/or in slices. Western blot analysis showed that nobiletin-stimulated phosphorylation of multiple protein kinase A (PKA) substrates at 10 min following the treatment in cultured hippocampal neurons.

Small intestinal follicular lymphoma with multiple tumor formations diagnosed by double-balloon enteroscopy.

Follicular lymphoma of the small intestine remains relatively rare, especially in its early stage. Recently, double-balloon endoscopy has enabled observation of the entire small intestine. We describe a case of follicular lymphoma with multiple lesions in the small intestine detected by double-balloon endoscopy.

Loss of osteopontin perturbs the epithelial-mesenchymal transition in an injured mouse lens epithelium.

We previously reported that osteopontin (OPN), a matrix structural glycophosphoprotein, is upregulated in the injured mouse lens prior to the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Here, we investigated the role of this protein in EMT of the lens epithelium during wound healing. The crystalline lens was injured by needle puncture in OPN-null (KO, n=40) and wild-type (WT, n=40) mice.

Gene transfer of Smad7 modulates injury-induced conjunctival wound healing in mice.

Purpose: Smad7 is a molecule that blocks the Smad2/3 signal. Herein, we examined the effects of Smad7 gene introduction on post-injury conjunctival wound healing in mice. Its effects on the cultured human subconjunctival fibroblasts (SCFs) were also investigated.

Treatment of eyelid epithelial neoplasm by targeting sonic hedgehog signaling: an experimental study.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of cyclopamine, an inhibitor of the Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signal, on the growth of an epithelial neoplasm.

Methods: Chemically induced eyelid tumors in XPC-null mice (n=40) were treated daily with a subcutaneous injection of cyclopamine (1 mg/animal) for 7 days. The animals were killed after bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) labeling, and the tumors were histologically examined.