Underestimation of myocardial blood flow by dynamic perfusion CT: Explanations by two-compartment model analysis and limited temporal sampling of dynamic CT.

Purpose: Previous studies using dynamic perfusion CT and volume perfusion CT (VPCT) software consistently underestimated the stress myocardial blood flow (MBF) in normal myocardium to be 1.1-1.4 ml/min/g, whilst the O 15-water PET studies demonstrated the normal stress MBF of 3-5 ml/min/g.

Computer-Aided Diagnosis Scheme for Distinguishing Between Benign and Malignant Masses in Breast DCE-MRI.

Our purpose in this study was to develop a computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) scheme for distinguishing between benign and malignant breast masses in dynamic contrast material-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI). Our database consisted 90 DCE-MRI examinations, each of which contained four sequential phase images; this database included 28 benign masses and 62 malignant masses. In our CAD scheme, we first determined 11 objective features of masses by taking into account the image features and the dynamic changes in signal intensity that experienced radiologists commonly use for describing masses in DCE-MRI.

Successful Treatment with Pazopanib for Multiple Lung Metastases of Inguinal Epithelioid Sarcoma: A Case Report.

Epithelioid sarcoma is a rare soft tissue sarcoma and usually resistant to chemotherapy. It has high rates of local recurrence and distant metastasis, and the prognosis after metastasis is poor. We report a case of multiple lung metastases of an epithelioid sarcoma originating in the inguinal area that we treated with the multikinase inhibitor pazopanib.

PARP Inhibitor PJ34 Suppresses Osteogenic Differentiation in Mouse Mesenchymal Stem Cells by Modulating BMP-2 Signaling Pathway.

Poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation is known to be involved in a variety of cellular processes, such as DNA repair, cell death, telomere regulation, genomic stability and cell differentiation by poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). While PARP inhibitors are presently under clinical investigation for cancer therapy, little is known about their side effects. However, PARP involvement in mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) differentiation potentiates MSC-related side effects arising from PARP inhibition.

Subtle modulation of ongoing calcium dynamics in astrocytic microdomains by sensory inputs.

Astrocytes communicate with neurons through their processes. In vitro experiments have demonstrated that astrocytic processes exhibit calcium activity both spontaneously and in response to external stimuli; however, it has not been fully determined whether and how astrocytic subcellular domains respond to sensory input in vivo. We visualized the calcium signals in astrocytes in the primary visual cortex of awake, head-fixed mice.

Spontaneous Regression of Metastatic Extraskeletal Myxoid Chondrosarcoma.

Spontaneous regression of tumors is very unusual and is defined as a partial or complete disappearance of metastatic tumors without any treatment. This phenomenon has been reported in almost all types of cancer. The patient was a 25-year-old woman who presented with multiple pulmonary nodules on her bilateral lungs on the annual chest roentgenograph.

Cultural Difference in Conflict Management Strategies of Children and Its Development: Comparing 3- and 5-Year-Olds Across China, Japan, and Korea.

The purpose of this study was to examine differences in the development of conflict management strategies, focusing on 3- and 5-year-olds, through a comparison of 3 neighboring Asian cultures, those of China ( = 114), Japan ( = 98), and Korea ( = 90). The dual concern model of conflict management was adopted to probe which strategy children would prefer to use in 2 hypothetical conflict situations. Results indicated that, first, for disagreement, 3-year-olds in the 3 countries equally preferred the dominating strategy.

Memory formation and retrieval of neuronal silencing in the auditory cortex.

Sensory stimuli not only activate specific populations of cortical neurons but can also silence other populations. However, it remains unclear whether neuronal silencing per se leads to memory formation and behavioral expression. Here we show that mice can report optogenetic inactivation of auditory neuron ensembles by exhibiting fear responses or seeking a reward.

[Interpersonal motivation in a First Year Experience class influences freshmen's university adjustment].

The present study examined the influence of interpersonal motivation on university adjustment in freshman students enrolled in a First Year Experience (FYE) class. An interpersonal motivation scale and a university adjustment (interpersonal adjustment and academic adjustment) scale were administered twice to 116 FYE students; data from the 88 students who completed both surveys were analyzed. Results from structural equation modeling indicated a causal relationship between interpersonal, motivation and university adjustment: interpersonal adjustment served as a mediator between academic adjustment and interpersonal motivation, the latter of which was assessed using the internalized motivation subscale of the Interpersonal Motivation Scale as well as the Relative Autonomy Index, which measures the autonomy in students' interpersonal attitudes.

Clinical significance of the laparoscopic bariatric surgeries for morbid obesity: initial 30 cases at a single institution in Japan.

Background: Bariatric surgical procedures are becoming a standard treatment for morbid obesity in many western countries and in some Asian countries.

Aim: The aim of the current study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the initial 30 cases of bariatric surgical procedures performed for morbid obesity at a single institution in Japan.

Materials And Methods: From March 2012 until September 2014, 30 bariatric surgical procedures were performed for morbid obesity at a single medical center (Kyushu University Hospital) in Japan.

Effects of DSP-8658, a novel selective peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors a/γ modulator, on adipogenesis and glucose metabolism in diabetic obese mice.

Aims/introduction: Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) play a key regulating role in homeostasis. In this study, we investigated the effects of DSP-8658, a novel selective PPARa/γ modulator, on adipogenesis and glucose metabolism in diabetic obese mice and compared these effects to those of pioglitazone, a PPARγ full agonist.

Materials And Methods: DSP-8658 functional activity was assessed by PPARγ-target genes expression in adipose 3T3-L1 cells and its anti-diabetic efficacy evaluated in db/db mice.

DSR-71167, a novel mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist with carbonic anhydrase inhibitory activity, separates urinary sodium excretion and serum potassium elevation in rats.

Mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) antagonists, such as spironolactone (SPI) and eplerenone (EPL), are useful for treating hypertension and heart failure. However, these two agents have the serious side effect of hyperkalemia. We hypothesized that adding the ability to inhibit carbonic anhydrase (CA) would reduce the risk of hyperkalemia associated with MR antagonists.

A Novel Peroxisome Proliferator-activated Receptor (PPAR)α Agonist and PPARγ Antagonist, Z-551, Ameliorates High-fat Diet-induced Obesity and Metabolic Disorders in Mice.

A novel peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) modulator, Z-551, having both PPARα agonistic and PPARγ antagonistic activities, has been developed for the treatment of obesity and obesity-related metabolic disorders. We examined the effects of Z-551 on obesity and the metabolic disorders in wild-type mice on the high-fat diet (HFD). In mice on the HFD, Z-551 significantly suppressed body weight gain and ameliorated insulin resistance and abnormal glucose and lipid metabolisms.

The association of hypotension with the insertion of an abdominal retractor during lower abdominal surgery in pediatric patients: a retrospective observational study.

Background: The Alexis(®) wound retractor is composed of an inner- and outer-ring, with the inner-ring placed inside the abdominal cavity. This placement can constrict the internal organs and large vessels, especially in children, which can lead to hypotension. Our study aimed to investigate the relation between the incidence of hypotension and insertion of the wound retractor during lower abdominal surgery in pediatric patients.

Association between DNA Methylation of the BDNF Promoter Region and Clinical Presentation in Alzheimer's Disease.

Background/aims: In the present study, we examined whether DNA methylation of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) promoter is associated with the manifestation and clinical presentation of Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Methods: Of 20 patients with AD and 20 age-matched normal controls (NCs), the DNA methylation of the BDNF promoter (measured using peripheral blood samples) was completely analyzed in 12 patients with AD and 6 NCs. The resulting methylation levels were compared statistically.

Evaluation of the effects of quercetin on damaged salivary secretion.

With the aim of discovering an effective method to treat dry mouth, we analyzed the effects of quercetin on salivary secretion and its mechanism of action. We created a mouse model with impaired salivary secretion by exposure to radiation and found that impaired secretion is suppressed by quercetin intake. Moreover, secretion levels were enhanced in quercetin-fed normal mice.

Social networks and mental health in post-conflict Mitrovica, Kosova.

Background: To investigate the relation between social networks and mental health in the post-conflict municipality of Mitrovica, Kosovo.

Methods: Using a three-stage stratified sampling method, 1239 respondents aged 16 years or above were recruited in the Greater Mitrovica region. Social network depth was measured by the frequency of contacts with friends, relatives and strangers.

Early eicosapentaenoic acid treatment after percutaneous coronary intervention reduces acute inflammatory responses and ventricular arrhythmias in patients with acute myocardial infarction: a randomized, controlled study.

Objective: We examined whether early loading of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) reduces clinical adverse events by 1 month, accompanied by a decrease in C-reactive protein (CRP) values in patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI).

Background: Acute MI triggers an inflammatory reaction, which plays an important role in myocardial injury. EPA could attenuate the inflammatory response.

Analysis of gene expression profiles of soft tissue sarcoma using a combination of knowledge-based filtering with integration of multiple statistics.

The diagnosis and treatment of soft tissue sarcomas (STS) have been difficult. Of the diverse histological subtypes, undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS) is particularly difficult to diagnose accurately, and its classification per se is still controversial. Recent advances in genomic technologies provide an excellent way to address such problems.

Clinical outcome after bone metastasis (BM) surgery in patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC): a retrospective study of 40 cases.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to identify factors that affect survival of patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma with bone metastases and to optimize surgical treatment modality for bone metastatic lesion by comparing duration of patient survival and local control.

Methods: We examined 52 bone metastatic lesions from 40 patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma who were treated surgically between 1994 and 2008 at Keio University Hospital. Median follow-up time was 46 months (range: 4-233 months).

Rheumatoid arthritis/methotrexate-associated primary cutaneous diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, leg type.

This report concerns a 62-year-old man with primary cutaneous diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (PCLBCL), leg type that developed during methotrexate (MTX) treatment for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Several tumors were observed on the left lower leg. A histological analysis showed diffuse proliferation of large neoplastic B-cells that were immunophenotypically CD10-/MUM1+/BCL6-/BCL2+ and cytogenetically had IgH/c-MYC translocation without translocation involving BCL6 or IgH/BCL2.

Possible benefits of singing to the mental and physical condition of the elderly.

Background: The evaluation and management of stress are important for the prevention of both depression and cardiovascular disease. In addition, the maintenance of the oral condition of the elderly is essential to enable them to stay healthy, especially to prevent aspiration pneumonia and improve mental health in an aging society. Therefore, we examined the efficacy of singing on the oral condition, mental health status, and immunity of the elderly to determine if singing could contribute to the improvement of their physical condition.

Astrocyte calcium signalling orchestrates neuronal synchronization in organotypic hippocampal slices.

Astrocytes are thought to detect neuronal activity in the form of intracellular calcium elevations; thereby, astrocytes can regulate neuronal excitability and synaptic transmission. Little is known, however, about how the astrocyte calcium signal regulates the activity of neuronal populations. In this study, we addressed this issue using functional multineuron calcium imaging in hippocampal slice cultures.

Purification of the goldfish membrane progestin receptor α (mPRα) expressed in yeast Pichia pastoris.

Membrane progestin receptors (mPRs) are key mediators of rapid, nongenomic actions of progestins on plasma membranes. We established a procedure for the expression and purification of recombinant goldfish mPRα using the methylotropic yeast Pichia pastoris. In P.