Brain activities in the auditory area and insula represent stimuli evoking emotional response.

Cinema, a modern titan of entertainment, holds power to move people with the artful manipulation of auditory and visual stimuli. Despite this, the mechanisms behind how sensory stimuli elicit emotional responses are unknown. Thus, this study evaluated which brain regions were involved when sensory stimuli evoke auditory- or visual-driven emotions during film viewing.

Rare bird forecast: A combined approach using a long-term dataset of an Arctic seabird and a numerical weather prediction model.

Wildlife observation is a popular activity, and sightings of rare or difficult-to-find animals are often highly desired. However, predicting the sighting probabilities of these animals is a challenge for many observers, and it may only be possible by limited experts with intimate knowledge and skills. To tackle this difficulty, we developed user-friendly forecast systems of the daily observation probabilities of a rare Arctic seabird (Ross's Gull ) in a coastal area in northern Japan.

Synthesis and Biological Evaluations of Novel Human Parathyroid Hormone 1 Receptor (hPTHR1) Agonists Bearing Bicyclic Aromatic Moiety.

We have previously shown that the small molecule hPTHR1 agonist PCO371 (1) orally and dose-dependently induces PTH-like calcemic and hypophostemic activity in thyroparathyroidectomized rats. Compound 2a, bearing a bicyclic aromatic ring, was identified as a novel hPTHR1 agonist during hit to lead modification. It showed moderate PTHR1 agonistic activity with an EC value of 15 μM, and its metabolic stability in human liver microsome (hLM) as well as its solubility in phosphate buffer (PPb) and Fasted state simulated intestinal fluid (FaSSIF) were found to be poor.

Asymmetric epileptic spasms after corpus callosotomy in children with West syndrome may be a good indicator for unilateral epileptic focus and subsequent resective surgery.

Objective: This retrospective study was designed to observe differences in ictal movements of epileptic spasm (ES) before and after corpus callosotomy (CC). We hypothesized that asymmetric expression of ES is more clarified after CC and would be a good indicator for the epileptic hemisphere.

Methods: We selected 16 patients with intractable ES in West syndrome who were seizure-free after CC and subsequent resection or disconnective surgery of the unilateral hemisphere.

Two High-Precision Proximity Capacitance CMOS Image Sensors with Large Format and High Resolution.

This paper presents newly developed two high-precision CMOS proximity capacitance image sensors: Chip A with 12 μm pitch pixels with a large detection area of 1.68 cm; Chip B with 2.8 μm pitch 1.

The impact of the atrial wall thickness in normal/mild late-gadolinium enhancement areas on atrial fibrillation rotors in persistent atrial fibrillation patients.

Background: Some of atrial fibrillation (AF) drivers are found in normal/mild late-gadolinium enhancement (LGE) areas, as well as moderate ones. The atrial wall thickness (AWT) has been reported to be important as a possible AF substrate. However, the AWT and degree of LGEs as an AF substrate has not been fully validated in humans.

Prognostic Impact of Myocardial Extracellular Volume Fraction Assessment Using Dual-Energy Computed Tomography in Patients Treated With Aortic Valve Replacement for Severe Aortic Stenosis.

Background Myocardial extracellular volume fraction (ECV), measured by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, is a useful prognostic marker for patients who have undergone aortic valve replacement (AVR) for aortic stenosis. However, the prognostic significance of ECV measurements based on computed tomography (CT) is unclear. This study evaluated the association between ECV measured with dual-energy CT and clinical outcomes in patients with aortic stenosis who underwent transcatheter or surgical AVR.

Varied Extent of Mitral Annular Disjunction Among Cases With Different Phenotypes of Mitral Valve Prolapse.

Detailed 3-dimensional analysis of mitral annular disjunction was undertaken in 3 comparative cases of mitral valve prolapse. A case of Barlow disease showed extensive disjunction, whereas cases of fibroelastic deficiency and forme fruste demonstrated less extensive disjunction. Considering the current controversies surrounding disjunction, these observations call for detailed research in the future.

Physiological skin FDG uptake: A quantitative and regional distribution assessment using PET/MRI.

Purpose: To retrospectively assess the repeatability of physiological F-18 labeled fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake in the skin on positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance imaging (PET/MRI) and explore its regional distribution and relationship with sex and age.

Methods: Out of 562 examinations with normal FDG distribution on whole-body PET/MRI, 74 repeated examinations were evaluated to assess the repeatability and regional distribution of physiological skin uptake. Furthermore, 224 examinations were evaluated to compare differences in the uptake due to sex and age.

Prevalence and extent of mitral annular disjunction in structurally normal hearts: comprehensive 3D analysis using cardiac computed tomography.

Aims: Mitral annular disjunction is fibrous separation between the attachment of the posterior mitral leaflet and the basal left ventricular myocardium initially described in dissected hearts. Currently, it is commonly evaluated by echocardiography, and potential relationships with mitral valve prolapse and ventricular arrhythmia have been suggested. However, controversy remains as its prevalence and extent have not been fully elucidated in normal living subjects.

Visualization of Inflammation After Cryoballoon Ablation in Atrial Fibrillation Patients - Protocol for Proof-of-Concept Feasibility Trial.

Atrial fibrosis and inflammation play important roles in perpetuating and initiating atrial fibrillation (AF). Although the fibrotic area can be visualized as a delayed enhancement area on late gadolinium enhancement magnetic resonance imaging (LGE-MRI), atrial inflammation has not yet been visualized on any imaging modality. We describe the protocol for a feasibility study to visualize atrial inflammation on positron emission tomography/MRI (PET/MRI).

Visualization of intensive atrial inflammation and fibrosis after cryoballoon ablation: PET/MRI and LGE-MRI analysis.

Background: Atrial inflammation plays an important role in initiating atrial fibrosis, which could perpetuate atrial fibrillation (AF). However, the method of visualization of atrial inflammation has not been established. We sought to investigate whether the intensive atrial inflammation caused by cryoballoon ablation (CBA) could be detected by positron emission tomography/ magnetic resonance imaging (PET/MRI) and whether the atrial inflammation could be associated with consequent fibrosis.

Late-gadolinium enhancement properties associated with atrial fibrillation rotors in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation.

Background: A computational model demonstrated that atrial fibrillation (AF) rotors could be distributed in patchy late-gadolinium enhancement (LGE) areas and play an important role in AF drivers. However, this was not validated in humans.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the LGE properties of AF rotors in patients with persistent AF.

Circulating intermediate monocytes and atrial structural remodeling associated with atrial fibrillation recurrence after catheter ablation.

Background: Inflammation, such as that associated with intermediate CD14 CD16 monocytes and atrial structural remodeling (SRM), may be important in the recurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF) after catheter ablation. However, the relationship between the intermediate CD14 CD16 monocytes, SRM, and AF recurrence is unclear.

Methods: Twenty-four patients with AF were enrolled.

Feasibility of catheter ablation in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation guided by fragmented late-gadolinium enhancement areas.

Background: A computer simulation model has demonstrated that atrial fibrillation (AF) driver can be attached to heterogeneous fibrosis assessed by late gadolinium enhancement magnetic resonance imaging (LGE-MRI). However, it has not been well elucidated in patients with persistent AF. The aim of this study was to investigate whether radiofrequency (RF) applications in the fragmented LGE area (FLA) could terminate AF or convert it to atrial tachycardia (AT) and improve the rhythm outcome.

A complete dietary review of Japanese birds with special focus on molluscs.

Birds often hold important positions in the food webs of ecosystems. As a result, interactions between birds and their prey have attracted attention not only in ecology, but also in fields like agriculture and conservation. Avian food resources are well researched in Japan, however there is no database critically reviewing molluscs as a food resource for birds.

Normative Aortic Valvar Measurements in Adults Using Cardiac Computed Tomography - A Potential Guide to Further Sophisticate Aortic Valve-Sparing Surgery.

Background: A thorough understanding of the anatomy of the aortic valve is necessary for aortic valve-sparing surgery. Normal valvar dimensions and their relationships in the living heart, however, have yet to be fully investigated in a 3-dimensional fashion.

Methods and results: In total, 123 consecutive patients (66±12 years, Men 63%) who underwent coronary computed tomographic angiography were enrolled.

Lesion characteristics between cryoballoon ablation and radiofrequency ablation with a contact force-sensing catheter: Late-gadolinium enhancement magnetic resonance imaging assessment.

Background: Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) lesions after cryoballoon ablation (CBA) are characterized as a wider and more continuous than that after conventional radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) without the contact force (CF)-sensing technology. However, the impact on the lesion characteristics of ablation with a CF-sensing catheter has not been well discussed. We sought to assess the lesions using late-gadolinium enhancement magnetic resonance imaging (LGE-MRI) and to compare the differences between the two groups (CB group vs.

Evaluation of the Role of P-glycoprotein (P-gp)-Mediated Efflux in the Intestinal Absorption of Common Substrates with Elacridar, a P-gp Inhibitor, in Rats.

Background And Objectives: P-glycoprotein (P-gp) has been shown previously to contribute to the intestinal absorption of verapamil, diltiazem, tacrolimus, colchicine and indinavir in situ; however, its contribution in vivo is unknown. The present study aimed to evaluate the in vivo involvement of P-gp using elacridar as its inhibitor to distinguish the contribution of P-gp from cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A.

Methods: Fexofenadine (5 mg/kg) and buspirone (1 mg/kg) were used as probe substrates of P-gp and CYP3A, respectively.

Lead Optimization and Avoidance of Reactive Metabolite Leading to PCO371, a Potent, Selective, and Orally Available Human Parathyroid Hormone Receptor 1 (hPTHR1) Agonist.

We have previously shown that the oral administration of the small molecule hPTHR1 agonist PCO371 and its lead compound, (CH5447240) results in PTH-like calcemic and hypophostemic activity in thyroparathyroidectomized rats. However, was converted to a reactive metabolite in a human liver microsome assay. In this article, we report on the modification path that led to an enhancement of PTHR1 agonistic activity and reduction in the formation of a reactive metabolite to result in a potent, selective, and orally active PTHR1 agonist 1-(3,5-dimethyl-4-(2-((4-oxo-2-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)-1,3,8-triazaspiro[4.

Usefulness of novobiocin as a selective inhibitor of intestinal breast cancer resistance protein (Bcrp) in rats.

We investigated whether novobiocin is useful for elucidating the contribution of breast cancer resistance protein (Bcrp) to intestinal absorption without affecting the activities of P-glycoprotein (P-gp), cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3 A and hepatic organic anion transporting polypeptide (Oatp) in rats.To determine the effects of novobiocin on Bcrp, P-gp, CYP3A and Oatp activities, we used sulfasalazine, fexofenadine, bosentan and midazolam, respectively, as probe substrates. Each substrate was orally or intravenously administered to rats 15 min after oral novobiocin administration at a dose of 3 mg/kg.

Bergamottin can be used to assess CYP3A-mediated intestinal first-pass metabolism without affecting P-glycoprotein-mediated efflux in rats.

1. We investigated whether bergamottin would be useful for evaluating CYP3A-mediated intestinal metabolism in rats utilising its characteristics as a mechanism-based inhibitor of CYP3A.2.

Quantification of Mesenteric Blood Flow by Magnetic Resonance Flow Imaging in Patients with Arterial Dissection.

Mesenteric ischemia is an infrequent, but potentially dangerous, complication of aortic or mesenteric artery dissection. Severe mesenteric ischemia presenting as a malperfusion syndrome, caused by aortic dissection or isolated mesenteric dissection, should be treated immediately by central aortic repair or angioplasty. However, treatment of non-critical, symptomatic mesenteric ischemia without narrowing true lumen of the aorta or localized mesenteric artery dissection was difficult.