Endovascular coil embolization of a ruptured distal anterior choroidal artery aneurysm associated with ipsilateral middle cerebral artery occlusion--case report.

An 84-year-old woman with a history of hypertension and a brain infarction presented with a rare distal anterior choroidal artery (AChoA) aneurysm not associated with moyamoya disease manifesting as sudden onset of headache caused by intraventricular hemorrhage. Digital subtraction angiography revealed a peripheral aneurysm in the left AChoA located distal to the plexal point and steno-occlusive changes of the proximal left middle cerebral artery (MCA) and the left posterior cerebral artery (PCA). Collateral arterial channels to the left MCA and left PCA territories were observed along the left AChoA.

Antisense oligonucleotide induced dystrophin exon 45 skipping at a low half-maximal effective concentration in a cell-free splicing system.

Antisense oligonucleotides (AOs) can facilitate the expression of internally deleted dystrophin in dystrophin-deficient Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) by correcting the reading frame of the pre-mRNA with AO-mediated exon skipping. An antisense 18-mer 2'-O-methyl RNA/ethylene-bridged nucleic acid chimera AO targeting exon 45 of the dystrophin gene, AO85, can induce exon 45 skipping efficiently in cultured cells. AO85 is expected to facilitate dystrophin expression in 8%-9% of all DMD patients.

Use of a rugby helmet brace for postoperative treatment of muscular torticollis.

Prior to 1992, our postoperative management for congenital muscular torticollis consisted of either plaster cast immobilization or no immobilization, depending on the patient's age and the degree of contracture. However, some patients required further surgery and developed complications. In 1992, we produced rugby helmet braces for postoperative management.

Comparison of recovery times from rocuronium-induced muscle relaxation after reversal with three different doses of sugammadex and succinylcholine during electroconvulsive therapy.

Purpose: This study was conducted to compare recovery times from rocuronium-induced muscle relaxation after reversal with three different doses of sugammadex with succinylcholine during electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).

Methods: Seventeen patients who were scheduled to undergo ECT were studied. Anesthesia was induced by use of propofol (1.

Expression of interleukin-24 and its receptor in human pancreatic myofibroblasts.

Interleukin (IL)-24 is a member of the IL-10 family of cytokines. In this study, we investigated IL-24 expression in chronic pancreatitis tissue and characterized the molecular mechanisms responsible for IL-24 expression in human pancreatic myofibroblasts. IL-24 expression in the tissues was evaluated by immunohistochemical methods.

A G-to-T transversion at the splice acceptor site of dystrophin exon 14 shows multiple splicing outcomes that are not exemplified by transition mutations.

Mutations at splicing consensus sequences have been shown to induce splicing errors such as exon skipping or cryptic splice site activation. Here, we identified eight splicing products caused by a G-to-T transversion mutation at the splice acceptor site of exon 14 of the dystrophin gene (c.1603-1G>T).

Photostability of lycopene dispersed in an aqueous solution.

Lycopene dispersed in aqueous solutions with different dissolved oxygen contents was photo-irradiated by using a xenon weather meter, and the contents of lycopene and dissolved oxygen were measured. Both the degradation of lycopene and the consumption of dissolved oxygen followed a first-order kinetics model. There was a proportional relationship between the degradation content of lycopene and the consumption of dissolved oxygen.

Comprehensive early intervention for patients with first-episode psychosis in Japan (J-CAP): study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

Introduction: Comprehensive approaches for patients with psychotic symptoms play essential roles in the symptomatic and functional outcomes of patients, especially during disease onset. In Japan, the shortage of mental health services, particularly for outpatients, and community-based supports has been a major problem. The purpose of this trial is to investigate the effectiveness and affordability of 18-month comprehensive early intervention services for patients with first-episode psychosis compared with typical treatment.

The characterization of protein release from sericin film in the presence of an enzyme: towards fibroblast growth factor-2 delivery.

Aqueous preparations of silk protein (sericin) films were prepared to evaluate their biodegradation properties. In the absence of trypsin, sericin film swelled rapidly, kept its shape, and remained unaltered for 28 days or longer due to form β-sheet structures. In the presence of trypsin, sericin film gradually degraded; since the rate depended on the concentration of trypsin, the films likely underwent enzymatic hydrolysis.

Chemical treatment enhances skipping of a mutated exon in the dystrophin gene.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a fatal muscle wasting disease caused by a loss of the dystrophin protein. Control of dystrophin mRNA splicing to convert severe DMD to a milder phenotype is attracting much attention. Here we report a dystrophinopathy patient who has a point mutation in exon 31 of the dystrophin gene.

Characteristics of fine vascular network pattern associated with recurrence of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy.

Objective: To characterize an irregular capillary-like structure in the vascular network of eyes with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV), and to determine whether its presence after photodynamic therapy (PDT) can be used to predict the clinical course of PCV.

Methods: We reviewed the clinical records of 29 eyes of 29 patients with PCV, who underwent PDT and confocal retinal angiographic examinations every 3 months. The images obtained before the PDT were compared with those after the PDT.

Inhibition of ATP-sensitive K+ channels and L-type Ca2+ channels by amiodarone elicits contradictory effect on insulin secretion in MIN6 cells.

Some class I antiarrhythmic drugs induce a sporadic hypoglycemia by producing insulin secretion via inhibition of ATP-sensitive K(+) (K(ATP)) channels of pancreatic β-cells. It remains undetermined whether amiodarone produces insulin secretion by inhibiting K(ATP) channels. In this study, effects of amiodarone on K(ATP) channels, L-type Ca(2+) channel, membrane potential, and insulin secretion were examined and compared with those of quinidine in a β-cell line (MIN6).

Remission and dropout rate of anti-VEGF therapy for age-related macular degeneration.

Purpose: Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy is a first-line treatment for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) but frequent visits and injections can be a burden for patients. The purpose of this study is to estimate the remission rate and tolerability of anti-VEGF therapy for AMD in a clinical setting.

Methods: We investigated 90 eyes of 87 patients with AMD who underwent anti-VEGF therapy and were followed for more than 6 months.

Family psychoeducation for major depression: randomised controlled trial.

Background: The value of family psychoeducation for schizophrenia has been well established, and indications for its use have recently expanded to include bipolar affective disorder. However, no study to date has adequately examined its use in depression.

Aims: To examine family psychoeducation in the maintenance treatment of depression and to investigate the influence of the family's expressed emotion (EE) on its effectiveness.

Use of rocuronium-sugammadex, an alternative to succinylcholine, as a muscle relaxant during electroconvulsive therapy.

We compared the recovery time from neuromuscular blockade induced by rocuronium combined with sugammadex versus succinylcholine during electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Anesthesia was induced using propofol, followed by succinylcholine (1 mg/kg) or rocuronium (0.6 mg/kg).

Sustained-release of protein from biodegradable sericin film, gel and sponge.

A silk protein, sericin, contains 18 kinds of amino acids, mostly polar side chains forming a complex of three principal polypeptides. The major polypeptides exhibit hydrophobic characteristics by forming a β-sheet structure in a hydrate state. As a drug-releasing biomaterial made by an aqueous process without using any cross linker, sericin is expected to form various hydrophobic dosage forms.

Computational fluid dynamics of carotid arteries after carotid endarterectomy or carotid artery stenting based on postoperative patient-specific computed tomography angiography and ultrasound flow data.

Background: There are significant differences in the postoperative morphological and hemodynamic conditions of the carotid arteries between carotid artery stenting (CAS) and endarterectomy (CEA).

Objective: To compare the postoperative rheological conditions after CAS with those after CEA with patch angioplasty (patch CEA) through the use of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) based on patient-specific data.

Methods: The rheological conditions in the carotid arteries were simulated in 2 patients after CAS and in 2 patients after patch CEA by CFD calculations.

[Measurement of bone mineral density is unnecessary for monitoring of bisphosphonate treatment].

A monitoring period in osteoporosis treatment should be considered in accordance with the efficacy of medicine as well as the precision of monitoring tool, because a significant bone gain should be larger than the precision error of the measurement. Regarding bisphosphonate treatment in osteoporosis, 2-5 years'period is required to detect a significant change in bone mineral density (BMD) using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Furthermore, the degree of increase in BMD by bisphosphonate treatment cannot account for the degree of reduction in the risk of fracture.