Development of Microporous Covered Stents: Geometrical Design of the Luminal Surface

To reduce in-stent restenosis rates we have developed newly designed covered stents, in which a stent strut is buried into a microporous elastomeric cover film to provide a physical barrier against tissue ingrowth and a pharmacological reservoir for drug-eluting.

The covered stents were prepared by dip-coating balloon expandable stents mounted on a stainless steel rod in a segmented polyurethane (SPU) solution, and were subsequently subjected to laser-processed microporing (pore diameter, 100 μm; interpore distance, 200 μm). The covered stents, which possessed flat luminal surfaces and micropores that were homogeneously arranged on the whole surface of the covering film, were deployed into the bilateral common carotid arteries of normal New Zealand white rabbits. Angiography after one month of implantation showed all stents were patent with little thrombus formation. The mean thickness of the formed neointimal layers was 292 ± 177 μm (n=8), which was close to the size in non-covered bare stent (231 ± 58 μm, n=7), but markedly decreased (about 2/3) from that in the previously developed wrapping-type covered stents (415 ± 173 μm, P<0.01, n=8).

Hypoxia increases glucose transporter 1 expression in bovine corpus luteum at the early luteal stage

A major role of the corpus luteum (CL) is to produce progesterone (P4). The CL has immature vasculature shortly after ovulation, suggesting it exists under hypoxic conditions. Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF1) induces the expression of glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1). To clarify the physiological roles of GLUT1 in bovine CL, we examined GLUT1 mRNA expression in the CL under hypoxic conditions by quantitative RT-PCR. We also measured the effects of glucose (0-25 mM) and GLUT1 inhibitors (cytochalasin B, STF-31) on P4 production in bovine luteal cells. GLUT1 mRNA expression in bovine CL was higher at the early luteal stage compared to the other later stages. Hypoxia (3% O₂) increased GLUT1 mRNA expression in early luteal cells, but not in mid luteal cells. Glucose (0-25 mM) increased P4 production in early luteal cells, but not in mid luteal cells. Both GLUT1 inhibitors decreased P4 production in early and mid luteal cells. Overall, the results suggest that GLUT1 (possibly induced by hypoxic conditions in the early CL) plays a role in the establishment and development of bovine CL, especially in supporting luteal P4 synthesis at the early luteal stage.

The significance of bromide in the Brust-Schiffrin synthesis of thiol protected gold nanoparticles

The mechanism of the two-phase Brust-Schiffrin synthesis of alkane thiol protected metal nanoparticles is known to be highly sensitive to the precursor species and reactant conditions. In this work X-ray absorption spectroscopy is used in conjunction with liquid/liquid electrochemistry to highlight the significance of Br^- in the reaction mechanism. The species [AuBr₄]^- is shown to be a preferable precursor in the Brust-Schiffrin method as it is more resistant to the formation of Au(i) thiolate species than [AuCl₄]^-. Previous literature has demonstrated that avoidance of the Au(i) thiolate is critical to achieving a good yield of nanoparticles, as [Au(i)X₂]^- species are more readily reduced by NaBH₄. We propose that the observed behavior of [AuBr₄]^- species described herein explains the discrepancies in reported behavior present in the literature to date. This new mechanistic understanding should enable nanoparticle synthesis with a higher yield and reduce particle size polydispersity.

Uterine torsion in a full-term pregnant cat

Case summary

A 5-year-old intact female Maine Coon cat presented with a 2 day history of lethargy, anorexia and anaemia. The cat had bred 60 days previously and jumped from a height 3 days earlier, which was followed by a worsening of its condition. Ultrasonography revealed that two fetuses had died and one remained alive. Urgent surgical intervention was deemed necessary, and the cat underwent a blood transfusion and laparotomy. The right uterine horn was dark red in appearance and had rotated 360° in the clockwise direction at its base. Subsequently, an ovariohysterectomy and caesarean section were performed, and the fetus in the left uterine horn initially survived. Although the cat appeared to recover from anaemia and physical injury, the kitten died on postoperative day 1.

Relevance and novel information

In cases involving only one twisted uterine horn, the fetuses located in the contralateral horn could potentially survive; however, many such fetuses do not survive, and only a few reports have described fetal survival in a pregnant cat with uterine torsion. In the present case, early surgical intervention and blood transfusion allowed us to save the cat. Our findings demonstrate the life-saving abilities of initial support treatment and early surgical intervention for both the pregnant cat and fetuses in cases of acute abdomen caused by uterine torsion.

Classical Spin Nematic Transition in LiGa_{0.95}In_{0.05}Cr_{4}O_{8}

We present the results of a combined ^{7}Li-NMR and diffraction study on LiGa_{0.95}In_{0.05}Cr_{4}O_{8}, a member of the LiGa_{1-x}In_{x}Cr_{4}O_{8} "breathing" pyrochlore family. Via specific heat and NMR measurements, we find that the complex sequence of first-order transitions observed for LiGaCr_{4}O_{8} is replaced by a single second-order transition at T_{f}=11  K. Neutron and x-ray diffraction rule out both structural symmetry lowering and magnetic long-range order as the origin of this transition. Instead, reverse Monte Carlo fitting of the magnetic diffuse scattering indicates that the low-temperature phase may be described as a collinear spin nematic state, characterized by a quadrupolar order parameter. This state also shows signs of short-range order between collinear spin arrangements on tetrahedra, revealed by mapping the reverse Monte Carlo spin configurations onto a three-state color model.

Reliability of the SF-36 in Japanese patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and its associations with disease activity and damage: a two-consecutive year prospective study

We aimed to validate the reliability of the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 (SF-36) among Japanese patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Japanese patients with SLE ( n = 233) completed the SF-36 and other related demographic questionnaires, and physicians simultaneously completed the SLE Disease Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K) and the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics Damage Index (SDI). Patients were prospectively followed for a repeat assessment the following year. The SF-36 subscales demonstrated acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach’s α of 0.85–0.89), and an overall good test–retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient >0.70). The average baseline SF-36 subscale/summary scores except for “bodily pain” were significantly lower than those of the Japanese general population ( p < 0.05). The SDI showed an inverse correlation with the SF-36 subscale/summary scores except for “vitality” and “mental component summary” at baseline, whereas the SLEDAI-2K did not. In the second year, “social functioning” and “mental component summary” of the SF-36 deteriorated among patients whose SDI or SLEDAI-2K score increased (effect sizes < −0.20). In conclusion, the SF-36 demonstrated acceptable reliability among Japanese patients with SLE. Health-related quality of life measured by the SF-36 was reduced in Japanese patients with SLE and associated with disease damage, rather than disease activity.

Clinical and mutational spectrum of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 2Z caused by MORC2 variants in Japan

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The microrchidia family CW-type zinc finger 2 gene (MORC2) was newly identified as a causative gene of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) type 2Z in 2016. We aimed to describe the clinical and mutational spectrum of patients with CMT harboring MORC2 mutations in Japan.

METHODS

We analyzed samples from 781 unrelated patients clinically diagnosed with CMT using deoxyribonucleic acid microarray or targeted resequencing by next-generation sequencing, and samples from 434 mutation-negative patients were subjected to whole-exome sequencing. We extracted MORC2 variants from these whole-exome sequencing data and classified them according to American College of Medical Genetics standards and guidelines.

RESULTS

We identified MORC2 variants in 13 patients. As the second most common causative gene of CMT type 2 after MFN2, MORC2 variants were detected in 2.7% of patients with CMT type 2. The mean age of onset was 10.3 ± 8.7 years, and the inheritance pattern was mostly sporadic (11/13 patients, 84.6%). The clinical phenotype was typically length-dependent polyneuropathy, and electrophysiological studies revealed sensory-dominant axonal neuropathy. Mental retardation was identified in 4/13 patients (30.8%). p.Arg190Trp, as a mutational hotspot, was observed in eight unrelated families. We also identified two novel probably pathogenic variants, p.Cys345Tyr and p.Ala369Val, and one novel uncertain significance variant, p.Tyr332Cys.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study is the largest report of patients harboring MORC2 variants. We revealed a clinical and mutational spectrum of Japanese patients with MORC2 variants. More attention should be paid to cognitive impairment, and the responsible mechanism requires further research for elucidation.

Well-differentiated liposarcoma with chondroid metaplasia in the auricle of a dog

A 13-year-old spayed female dog had a mass in the left auricle. Grossly, connection between the mass and original auricular cartilage was not recognized. The mass was unencapsulated and contained multiple islands of mature hyaline cartilage and neoplastic adipocytes. The neoplastic cells comprised predominant mature adipocytes, scattered lipoblasts and irregular round to spindle cells with moderate atypia. The atypical cells occasionally had lipid droplets. A diagnosis of well-differentiated liposarcoma (WDL) with chondroid metaplasia was made. This is the first report for liposarcoma with chondroid metaplasia in the auricle of domestic animals.

Metformin enhances the cytotoxicity of 5-aminolevulinic acid-mediated photodynamic therapy in vitro

The biguanide metformin is a drug widely used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Metformin enhances the cytotoxicity of chemotherapy by promoting the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) autophagy signaling pathway. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) with 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA), a precursor of protoporphyrin IX (PpIX), leads to apoptosis when PpIX accumulates in the mitochondria, and also leads to autophagy through activation of AMPK. In the present study, the effect of metformin in combination with 5-ALA-PDT was evaluated in vitro in KLN205 lung cancer cells. At a fluence of 5 J/cm², 5-ALA-PDT in combination with 5 mM metformin exhibited significantly increased cytotoxicity compared with that observed with 0 and 0.1 mM metformin (P=0.0197 and P=0.0423, respectively). The cells treated with 5-ALA-PDT and metformin exhibited condensation of nuclear chromatin and the presence of autophagosomes. These results indicate that apoptosis and autophagy occur in KLN205 cells following combined treatment with 5-ALA-PDT and metformin. The results from the present study are the first to indicate, to the best of our knowledge, that metformin potentiates the efficacy of 5-ALA-PDT.

Establishment of a canine mammary gland tumor cell line and characterization of its miRNA expression

Canine mammary gland tumors (CMGTs), which are the most common neoplasms in sexually intact female dogs, have been suggested as a model for studying human breast cancer because of several similarities, including relative age of onset, risk factors, incidence, histological and molecular features, biological behavior, metastatic pattern, and responses to therapy. In the present study, we established a new cell line, the SNP cell line, from a CMGT. A tumor formed in each NOD.CB17-Prkdc^scid/J mouse at the site of subcutaneous SNP cell injection. SNP cells are characterized by proliferation in a tubulopapillary pattern and are vimentin positive. Moreover, we examined miRNA expression in the cultured cells and found that the expression values of miRNA-143 and miRNA-138a showed the greatest increase and decrease, respectively, of all miRNAs observed, indicating that these miRNAs might play a significant role in the malignancy of SNP cells. Overall, the results of this study indicate that SNP cells might serve as a model for future genetic analysis and clinical treatments of human breast tumors.

Clinical and mutational spectrum of Japanese patients with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease caused by GDAP1 variants

BACKGROUND

Mutations in GDAP1 are responsible for heterogeneous clinical and electrophysiological phenotypes of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT), with autosomal dominant or recessive inheritance pattern. The aim of this study is to identify the clinical and mutational spectrum of CMT patients with GDAP1 variants in Japan.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From April 2007 to October 2014, using three state-of-art technologies, we conducted gene panel sequencing in a cohort of 1,030 patients with inherited peripheral neuropathies (IPNs), and 398 mutation-negative cases were further analyzed with whole-exome sequencing.

RESULTS

We identified GDAP1 variants from 10 patients clinically diagnosed with CMT. The most frequent recessive variant in our cohort (5/10), c.740C>T (p.A247V), was verified to be associated with a founder event. We also detected three novel likely pathogenic variants: c.928C>T (p.R310W) and c.546delA (p.E183Kfs*23) in Case 2 and c.376G>A (p.E126K) in Case 8. Nerve conduction study or sural nerve biopsy of all 10 patients indicated axonal type peripheral neuropathy.

CONCLUSION

We identified GDAP1 variants in approximately 1% of our cohort with IPNs, and established a founder mutation in half of these patients. Our study originally described the mutational spectrum and clinical features of GDAP1-related CMT patients in Japan.

Photodynamic Therapy Mediated by a Novel Chlorin Derivative, TONS 501-Na, in EMT6 cells

BACKGROUND

The lipophilic photosensitizer, TONS 501, is a novel porphyrin-derived methyl ester that was developed for photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy. This study developed a hydrophilic and anionic porphyrin salt of this compound (TONS 501-Na) for use in photodynamic therapy (PDT). This chlorin derivative is synthesized from the protoporphyrin IX dimethyl ester.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We investigated the in vitro cytotoxic effects of TONS 501-Na-mediated PDT on EMT6 mouse breast cancer cells. EMT6 cells were incubated with 0-100 μg/ml TONS 501-Na for 24 h prior to replacing the culture medium and exposing the cells to 6 mW/cm² diode laser irradiation at 0-13 J/cm² to induce PDT. Morphological changes and cell viability were evaluated 24 h after PDT. The percentages of apoptotic cells were evaluated 4 h and 24 h after PDT.

RESULTS

The concentrations of TONS 501-Na that killed 50% of EMT6 cells after exposure to light doses of 0, 0.4, 3, 6, or 13 J/cm² were 84.6, 33.2, 18, 8.2, and 2.2 μg/ml, respectively. Tumor cells exposed to PDT showed chromatin condensation and fragmentation. The percentages of apoptotic cells increased in a TONS 501-Na concentration-dependent manner in the PDT group, and were significantly higher than those in the control group or in cells treated with TONS 501-Na or laser irradiation alone.

CONCLUSION

TONS 501-Na-mediated PDT induced mouse breast cancer cell death in a concentration-dependent manner. Future studies should evaluate the in vivo pharmacokinetics, tissue distribution, and photodynamic effects of TONS 501-Na.

Effects of behavioural activation on the neural basis of other perspective self-referential processing in subthreshold depression: a functional magnetic resonance imaging study

BACKGROUND

It has been demonstrated that negatively distorted self-referential processing, in which individuals evaluate one's own self, is a pathogenic mechanism in subthreshold depression that has a considerable impact on the quality of life and carries an elevated risk of developing major depression. Behavioural activation (BA) is an effective intervention for depression, including subthreshold depression. However, brain mechanisms underlying BA are not fully understood. We sought to examine the effect of BA on neural activation during other perspective self-referential processing in subthreshold depression.

METHOD

A total of 56 subjects underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging scans during a self-referential task with two viewpoints (self/other) and two emotional valences (positive/negative) on two occasions. Between scans, while the intervention group (n = 27) received BA therapy, the control group (n = 29) did not.

RESULTS

The intervention group showed improvement in depressive symptoms, increased activation in the dorsal medial prefrontal cortex (dmPFC), and increased reaction times during other perspective self-referential processing for positive words after the intervention. Also, there was a positive correlation between increased activation in the dmPFC and improvement of depressive symptoms. Additionally, there was a positive correlation between improvement of depressive symptoms and increased reaction times.

CONCLUSIONS

BA increased dmPFC activation during other perspective self-referential processing with improvement of depressive symptoms and increased reaction times which were associated with improvement of self-monitoring function. Our results suggest that BA improved depressive symptoms and objective monitoring function for subthreshold depression.