Tracing Photoinduced Hydrogen Migration in Alcohol Dications from Time-Resolved Molecular-Frame Photoelectron Angular Distributions

The recent implementation of attosecond and few-femtosecond X-ray pump/X-ray probe schemes in large-scale free-electron laser facilities has opened the way to visualize fast nuclear dynamics in molecules with unprecedented temporal and spatial resolution. Here, we present the results of theoretical calculations showing how polarization-averaged molecular-frame photoelectron angular distributions (PA-MFPADs) can be used to visualize the dynamics of hydrogen migration in methanol, ethanol, propanol, and isopropyl alcohol dications generated by X-ray irradiation of the corresponding neutral species. We show that changes in the PA-MFPADs with the pump-probe delay as a result of intramolecular photoelectron diffraction carry information on the dynamics of hydrogen migration in real space. Although visualization of this dynamics is more straightforward in the smaller systems, methanol and ethanol, one can still recognize the signature of that motion in propanol and isopropyl alcohol and assign a tentative path to it. A possible pathway for a corresponding experiment requires an angularly resolved detection of photoelectrons in coincidence with molecular fragment ions used to define a molecular frame of reference. Such studies have become, in principle, possible since the first XFELs with sufficiently high repetition rates have emerged. To further support our findings, we provide experimental evidence of H migration in ethanol-OD from ion-ion coincidence measurements performed with synchrotron radiation.

Association of adverse childhood experience-related increase in neurite density with sensory over-responsivity in autism spectrum disorder: A neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging study

Sensory over-responsivity (SOR) causes social and daily distress in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Compared to typically developed (TD) individuals, ASD individuals are at higher risk of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), which induce abnormal neuronal development. However, whether or how ACEs are associated with abnormal neural development and SOR in ASD remains to be determined. Forty-five individuals with ASD and 43 TD individuals underwent T1-weighted and neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging; the axonal and dendritic densities were defined as the neurite density index (NDI). Voxel-based analyses were performed to explore the brain regions associated with SOR. The relationships between severity of ACEs and SOR, and NDI in the brain regions were examined. ASD individuals showed a significantly positive association between SOR severity and NDI in the right superior temporal gyrus (STG), which was not found in TD individuals. Severity of ACEs correlated significantly with that of SOR and NDI in the right STG in ASD; ASD individuals having severe SOR showed significantly higher NDI in the right STG than those with mild SOR and TD individuals. In individuals with ASD, NDI in the right STG, but not ACEs, could predict the severity of SOR, which was not shown in TD subjects. Our findings suggest that severe ACEs are involved in excessive neurite density in the right STG in ASD. ACE-associated excessive neurite density in the right STG is critical for SOR in ASD, which may be a therapeutic target in the future.

Tumor necrosis factor-α expression aberration of M1/M2 macrophages in adult high-functioning autism spectrum disorder

The etiology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is complex, and its pathobiology is characterized by enhanced inflammatory activities; however, the precise pathobiology and underlying causes of ASD remain unclear. This study was performed to identify inflammatory indicators useful for diagnosing ASD. The mRNA expression of cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), was measured in cultured M1 and M2 macrophages from patients with ASD (n = 29) and typically developed (TD) individuals (n = 30). Additionally, TNF-α expression in the monocytes of patients with ASD (n = 7), showing aberrations in TNF-α expression in M1/M2 macrophages and TD individuals (n = 6), was measured. TNF-α expression in M1 macrophages and the TNF-α expression ratio in M1/M2 macrophages were markedly higher in patients with ASD than in TD individuals; however, this increase was not observed in M2 macrophages (M1: sensitivity = 34.5%, specificity = 96.7%, area under the curve = 0.74, positive likelihood ratio = 10.34; ratio of M1/M2: sensitivity = 55.2%, specificity = 96.7%, area under the curve = 0.79, positive likelihood ratio = 16.55). Additionally, TNF-α expression in monocytes did not significantly differ between patients with ASD and TD individuals. In conclusion, further studies on TNF-α expression in cultured macrophages may improve the understanding of ASD pathobiology. LAY SUMMARY: TNF-α expression in differentiated M1 macrophages and TNF-α expression ratio in differentiated M1/M2 macrophages were markedly higher in patients with ASD than in TD individuals, while no difference in TNF-α expression was found in pre-differentiation cells such as monocytes. These measurements allow elucidation of the novel pathobiology of ASD and can contribute to biomarker implementation for the diagnosis of adult high-functioning ASD.

Association of adverse childhood experiences and precuneus volume with intrusive reexperiencing in autism spectrum disorder

Compared to typically developing (TD) children, people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have an increased risk of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Exposure to ACEs is associated with adult ASD psychological comorbidities, such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Occurrence of intrusive event reexperiencing, characteristic of PTSD, often causes social dysfunction in adults with ASD, but its pathological basis is unclear. This study examined brain regions related to the severity of intrusive reexperiencing and explored whether ACE severity was associated with that of intrusive reexperiencing and/or extracted regional gray matter volume. Forty-six individuals with ASD and 41 TD subjects underwent T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging and evaluation of ACEs and intrusive reexperiencing. Brain regions related to the severity of intrusive reexperiencing in both groups were identified by voxel-based whole brain analyses. Associations among the severity of intrusive reexperiencing, that of ACEs, and gray matter volume were examined in both groups. The severities of intrusive reexperiencing and ACEs were significantly associated with reduced gray matter volume in the right precuneus in individuals with ASD but not in TD subjects. Although the right precuneus gray matter volume was smaller in individuals with ASD and severe ACEs than in those with mild ACEs or TD subjects, it was similar in the latter two groups. However, ACE-dependent gray matter volume reduction in the right precuneus led to intrusive reexperiencing in individuals with ASD. This suggests that exposure to ACEs is associated with right precuneus gray matter reduction, which is critical for intrusive reexperiencing in adults with ASD. LAY SUMMARY: Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are at increased risk of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and of subsequent manifestation of intrusive reexperiencing of stressful life events. The present study found that reduced gray matter volume in the right precuneus of the brain was associated with more severe intrusive reexperiencing of ACEs by individuals with ASD. These results suggest that ACEs affect neural development in the precuneus, which is the pathological basis of intrusive event reexperiencing in ASD.

Adverse Childhood Experience Is Associated With Disrupted White Matter Integrity in Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Diffusion Tensor Imaging Study

Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have an increased risk of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) than typically developed (TD) children. Since multiple lines of studies have suggested that ACEs are related to myelination in the frontal lobe, an exposure to ACEs can be associated with white matter microstructural disruption in the frontal lobe, which may be implicated in subsequential psychological deficits after the adulthood. In this study, we investigated the relationship between ACEs and microstructural integrity on frontal lobe-related white matter tracts using diffusion tensor imaging in 63 individuals with ASD and 38 TD participants. Using a tractography-based analysis, we delineated the uncinate fasciculus (UF), dorsal cingulum (Ci), and anterior thalamic radiation (ATR), which are involved in the neural pathology of ASD, and estimated each diffusion parameter. Compared to the TD participants, individuals with ASD displayed significantly lower fractional anisotropy (FA) and higher radial diffusivity (RD) in the left ATR. Then, ASD individuals exposed to severe ACEs displayed higher RD than those exposed to mild ACEs and TD participants in the left ATR. Moreover, the severity of ACEs, particularly neglect, correlated with lower FA and higher RD in the left UF and ATR in individuals with ASD, which was not observed in TD participants. These results suggest that an exposure to ACEs is associated with abnormality in the frontal lobe-related white matter in ASD.

Associations of childhood experiences with event-related potentials in adults with autism spectrum disorder

Childhood maltreatment is defined as experiencing of physical, emotional and sexual abuse and neglect in childhood. Maltreatment in childhood leads to substantial psychosocial problems later in life in the general population. Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have a higher risk of experiencing stressful and traumatic events, such as maltreatment, during childhood. Although childhood maltreatment reportedly leads to psychosocial problems in adults with ASD, the biological associations between childhood experiences and brain function in this population remain understudied. Here, we evaluated the relationships between childhood experiences and event-related potential (ERP) components during the auditory odd-ball task in adults with ASD (N = 21) and typically developed (TD) individuals (N = 22). We found that the higher the severity of sexual abuse, the larger the amplitude of P300 at Fz, Cz, C3, and C4 in individuals with ASD. Conversely, the severity of child maltreatment was associated with P300 latency at Cz and C3 in TD individuals. Moreover, full IQ was significantly associated with the MMN amplitude at Fz, Cz, C3, and C4 in TD individuals. These findings provide the first evidence that ERPs could be used to study the impacts childhood experiences on the brain of individuals with ASD and that childhood sexual abuse has salient impacts on brain function in this population.

Delayed prefrontal hemodynamic response associated with suicide risk in autism spectrum disorder

Adults diagnosed with Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are at high risk of experiencing suicidality compared with other clinical groups. Recently, near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) studies have investigated the association between frontotemporal functional abnormalities and suicidality in patients with mood disorders. However, whether these prefrontal hemodynamic responses are associated with suicide vulnerability in individuals with ASD remains unclear. Here, we used 24-channel NIRS to examine the characteristics of prefrontal hemodynamic responses during a verbal fluency task in 20 adults with ASD and in age-, sex-, and intelligence quotient-matched healthy controls. In addition, we used Spearman's correlation analysis to identify the relationship between the time-course of prefrontal hemodynamic activation and the current suicide risk in patients with ASD. We found no significant differences between the verbal fluency task-induced prefrontal hemodynamic responses in the ASD vs. control group. However, we found a significant positive correlation between the current suicide risk score and the time-course of prefrontal hemodynamic activation in the ASD group. Thus, the 24-channel NIRS system appears to be useful in assessing suicide risk in individuals with ASD.

Increased Dendritic Orientation Dispersion in the Left Occipital Gyrus is Associated with Atypical Visual Processing in Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder

In autism spectrum disorder (ASD), the complexity-specific hypothesis explains that atypical visual processing is attributable to selective functional changes in visual pathways. We investigated dendritic microstructures and their associations with functional connectivity (FC). Participants included 28 individuals with ASD and 29 typically developed persons. We explored changes in neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging (NODDI) and brain areas whose FC was significantly correlated with NODDI parameters in the explored regions of interests. Individuals with ASD showed significantly higher orientation dispersion index (ODI) values in the left occipital gyrus (OG) corresponding to the secondary visual cortex (V2). FC values between the left OG and the left middle temporal gyrus (MTG) were significantly negatively correlated with mean ODI values. The mean ODI values in the left OG were significantly positively associated with low registration of the visual quadrants of the Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile (AASP), resulting in a significant positive correlation with passive behavioral responses of the AASP visual quadrants; additionally, the FC values between the left OG and the left MTG were significantly negatively associated with reciprocal social interaction. Our results suggest that abnormal V2 dendritic arborization is associated with atypical visual processing by altered intermediation in the ventral visual pathway.

Microstructural Anomalies Evaluated by Neurite Orientation Dispersion and Density Imaging Are Related to Deficits in Facial Emotional Recognition via Perceptual-Binding Difficulties in Autism Spectrum Disorder

The integration of visual features is important for recognizing objects as a coherent whole, a key domain of difficulty in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We tested the hypothesis that ASD patients exhibit difficulties in facial emotional recognition via perceptual binding difficulties due to weak coherence. We assessed 18 ASD and 27 typically developing individuals for their ability to identify emotional expressions from faces in pictures moving behind a narrow vertical and horizontal slit. In this task, only a single local piece of facial information was provided at any one time through the slit. Using a voxel-based analysis of neurite-orientation dispersion and density imaging (NODDI), we examined the relationship between NODDI index values at each voxel and the behavioral performance of ASD patients in the slit-viewing paradigm. ASD patients demonstrated impaired recognition of facial emotional expression only in horizontal slit-viewing. This deficit was associated with deficits in communication ability. Voxel-based analysis revealed significant negative correlations between behavioral deficits in horizontal slit-viewing and NODDI index values in clusters including the ventral occipital complex region, superior temporal/parietal association areas, and forceps major of the corpus callosum. Our results indicated deficits for the first time in perceptual integration of facial expression across hemispheres in ASD patients due to microstructural disturbances in the corpus callosum and areas related to viewing of the human face. This may underscore the difficulties faced by ASD patients in understanding the emotions of other people, contributing to impairments in communication ability in ASD patients. Autism Res 2020, 13: 729-740. © 2020 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc. LAY SUMMARY: We assessed ASD and typically developing individuals for their ability to identify emotional expressions from faces in pictures moving behind a narrow vertical and horizontal slit. ASD patients demonstrated impaired recognition of facial emotional expression only in horizontal slit-viewing. Voxel-based analysis revealed significant negative correlations between behavioral deficits and NODDI index values in clusters including the corpus callosum. Our results indicated deficits in perceptual integration of facial expression across hemispheres in ASD patients potentially resulting from microstructural disturbances.

Influence of Self-Esteem and Psychiatric Diagnosis on Health-Related Quality of Life in Children and Adolescents with School Refusal Behavior

BACKGROUND

School refusal behavior (SRB), which is the refusal to attend or remain in school, has been associated with emotional, psychological, and other behavioral problems, as well as a lower health-related quality of life (HRQOL). However, the effects of self-esteem and a psychiatric diagnosis in students with SRB on HRQOL are not yet known. Understanding these relationships could help to develop more effective therapeutic interventions.

METHODS

A total of 175 young people (aged 8-18 years old) who visited our medical centers and outpatient clinics participated in the study. This comprised the SRB group (n = 70) and an age- and sex-matched control group (n = 105). Information about any psychiatric diagnosis was collected from medical records, HRQOL was measured using the J-KIDSCREEN-52, SRB was assessed using the School Refusal Assessment Scale-Revised for Japanese Attendance at School, self-esteem was measured using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, children's mental health status was measured using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, and social support was measured using the Oslo 3-item Social Support Scale. We performed between-group comparisons and multiple regression analysis.

RESULTS

The SRB had a significantly lower HRQOL than the control group in several of the KIDSCREEN-52 dimensions. In the SRB group, 35.7% had chronic disease and 35.7% of their parents had health problems and were receiving treatment. The multiple regression analysis revealed that, within the SRB group, a psychiatric diagnosis was associated with a lower HRQOL. However, this was not the case for a diagnosis of autistic spectrum disorder. Self-esteem positively affected HRQOL in six dimensions of the KIDSCREEN-52 within the SRB group.

CONCLUSION

Our results could inform the development of support strategies for young people with SRB. Namely, support that enhances self-esteem could be used to increase HRQOL in young people with SRB. Furthermore, the presence of psychiatric disorders should be assessed as early as possible.

The Self-Construal Scale: A Potential Tool for Predicting Subjective Well-Being of Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder

Despite accumulating evidence that culture shapes the symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), no studies have yet applied the Self-Construal Scale to individuals with ASD. We compared the self-construals (measured using the Self-Construal Scale) of 31 high-functioning Japanese individuals with ASD with those of 60 typically developing (TD) individuals. We also examined how the self-construals of individuals with ASD related to their intelligence quotient, adverse childhood experiences, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, ASD symptoms during adulthood and preschool years, and subjective well-being. Individuals with ASD were more likely to display independent self-construals than were TD individuals; unexpectedly, however, a substantial proportion of individuals with ASD (43.8%) displayed relatively interdependent self-construals. Among individuals with ASD, self-construals were significantly associated with ASD symptoms during preschool years, and with satisfaction of the need for autonomy and frustration of the need for relatedness. Evaluating self-construals can help predict the subjective well-being of high-functioning individuals with ASD. Moreover, the Self-Construal Scale may be useful for understanding the heterogeneous phenotypes of ASD, based on its association with autistic symptoms during preschool years, suggesting that the scale is a potential tool to develop efficient interventions for high-functioning individuals with ASD. Autism Res 2020, 13: 947-958. © 2019 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc. LAY SUMMARY: Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are a group of disorders presenting a variety of symptoms and biological origins that can complicate choosing an intervention best suited for improving well-being. Results indicate that a self-construal scale could help understand individuals with high-functioning ASD by independent and interdependent self-construals that are associated with ASD symptoms during preschool years and adult subjective well-being. Our findings suggest that this scale can help understand ASD and select appropriate interventions.

Reduced prefrontal hemodynamic response in pediatric autism spectrum disorder measured with near-infrared spectroscopy

BACKGROUND

Functional neuroimaging studies suggest that prefrontal cortex dysfunction is present in people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Near-infrared spectroscopy is a noninvasive optical tool for examining oxygenation and hemodynamic changes in the cerebral cortex by measuring changes in oxygenated hemoglobin.

METHODS

Twelve drug-naïve male participants, aged 7-15 years and diagnosed with ASD according to DSM-5 criteria, and 12 age- and intelligence quotient (IQ)-matched healthy control males participated in the present study after giving informed consent. Relative concentrations of oxyhemoglobin were measured with frontal probes every 0.1 s during the Stroop color-word task, using 24-channel near-infrared spectroscopy.

RESULTS

Oxyhemoglobin changes during the Stroop color-word task in the ASD group were significantly smaller than those in the control group at channels 12 and 13, located over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (FDR-corrected P: 0.0021-0.0063).

CONCLUSION

The results suggest that male children with ASD have reduced prefrontal hemodynamic responses, measured with near-infrared spectroscopy.

Simulation training for medical emergencies in the dental setting using an inexpensive software application

INTRODUCTION

Every dental provider needs to be educated about medical emergencies to provide safe dental care. Simulation training is available with simulators such as advanced life support manikins and robot patients. However, the purchase and development costs of these simulators are high. We have developed a simulation training course on medical emergencies using an inexpensive software application. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the educational effectiveness of this course.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fifty-one dental providers participated in this study from December 2014 to March 2015. Medical simulation software was used to simulate a patient's vital signs. We evaluated participants' ability to diagnose and treat vasovagal syncope or anaphylaxis with an evaluation sheet and conducted a questionnaire before and after the scenario-based simulation training.

RESULTS

The median evaluation sheet score for vasovagal syncope increased significantly from 7/9 before to 9/9 after simulation training. The median score for anaphylaxis also increased significantly from 8/12 to 12/12 (P < .01). For the item "I can treat vasovagal syncope/anaphylaxis adequately," the percentage responding "Strongly agree" or "Agree" increased from 14% to 56% for vasovagal syncope and from 6% to 42% for anaphylaxis with simulation training.

CONCLUSIONS

This simulation course improved participants' ability to diagnose and treat medical emergencies and improved their confidence. This course can be offered inexpensively using a software application.

Distinct patterns of blood oxygenation in the prefrontal cortex in clinical phenotypes of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder

BACKGROUND

Schizophrenia (SZ) and bipolar disorder (BD) are characterized by different clinical symptoms, and have previously been considered as categorically separate. However, several lines of evidence controversially suggest that these two disorders may run on a continuum. While it is therefore important to evaluate the subtle differences between SZ and BD, few studies have investigated the difference of brain functioning between the two by focusing on the common symptoms of cognitive functioning and impulsivity, rather than positive/negative and mood symptoms. Recent developments in near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) technology have enabled noninvasive assessment of brain function in people with psychiatric disorders.

METHODS

Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) using 24-channels was conducted during the verbal fluency task (VFT) and Stroop color-word task (SCWT) in 38 patients diagnosed with SZ, 34 patients with BD, and 26 age- and sex-matched healthy controls.

RESULTS

Oxyhemoglobin changes in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) were significantly lower particularly in the SZ compared to control group during the VFT. On the other hand, these were significantly lower particularly in the BD and SZ group to control group during the SCWT. Regression analysis showed that hemodynamic changes were significantly correlated with verbal memory and impulsivity in both disorders.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that different hemodynamic responses in the prefrontal cortex might reflect cognitive functioning and impulsivity, providing a greater insight into SZ and BD pathophysiology.

Intra-individual variability across cognitive task in drug-naïve pediatric patients with obsessive compulsive disorder

Attention deficit is commonly observed in several psychiatric conditions. In particular, patients with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder exhibit not only attention deficit, but also intra-individual variability in response times (IIV-RT) during the performance of cognitive tasks related to attention span and sustained attention. Although obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is commonly observed across childhood, little is known about abnormalities in IIV-RT during the auditory odd-ball task, and how these changes relate to event-related potentials (ERPs) components. In the present study, we compared the ERPs of 15 adolescent and pediatric patients with OCD with 15 healthy age, sex, and IQ-matched controls. We found that tau of IIV-TR was not significantly different between the OCD group and controls, whereas the OCD group exhibited lower mu and sigma compared to controls. Furthermore, we revealed that P300 amplitude was significantly attenuated in the OCD group at Fz, C3, and C4, compared with controls. The present study thereby provided the first evidence that individuals with pediatric or adolescent OCD exhibit lower variability in reaction time in IIV-RT during an auditory odd-ball task than controls. These results suggest that there are no impairments in attention span and sustained attention in pediatric and adolescent patients with OCD.

Reduced prefrontal hemodynamic response in adult attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder as measured by near-infrared spectroscopy

AIM

Recent developments in near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) have enabled non-invasive clarification of brain functions in psychiatric disorders. In pediatric attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), reduced prefrontal hemodynamic responses have been observed with NIRS repeatedly. However, there are few studies of adult ADHD by multi-channel NIRS. Therefore, in this study, we used multi-channel NIRS to examine the characteristics of prefrontal hemodynamic responses during the Stroop Color-Word Task (SCWT) in adult ADHD patients and in age- and sex-matched control subjects.

METHODS

Twelve treatment-naïve adults with ADHD and 12 age- and sex-matched healthy control subjects participated in the present study after giving consent. We used 24-channel NIRS to measure the oxygenated hemoglobin (oxy-Hb) changes at the frontal lobes of participants during the SCWT. We compared the oxy-Hb changes between adults with ADHD and control subjects by t-tests with Bonferroni correction.

RESULTS

During the SCWT, the oxy-Hb changes observed in the ADHD group were significantly smaller than those in the control group in channels 11, 16, 18, 21, 22, 23, and 24, corresponding to the prefrontal cortex. At channels 16, 21, 23, and 24 of the ADHD group, there were negative correlations between the symptomatic severity and the oxy-Hb changes.

CONCLUSION

The present study suggests that adults with ADHD have reduced prefrontal hemodynamic response as measured by NIRS.

Dedifferentiated Fat (DFAT) cells: A cell source for oral and maxillofacial tissue engineering

Tissue engineering is a promising method for the regeneration of oral and maxillofacial tissues. Proper selection of a cell source is important for the desired application. This review describes the discovery and usefulness of dedifferentiated fat (DFAT) cells as a cell source for tissue engineering. Dedifferentiated Fat cells are a highly homogeneous cell population (high purity), highly proliferative, and possess a multilineage potential for differentiation into various cell types under proper in vitro inducing conditions and in vivo. Moreover, DFAT cells have a higher differentiation capability of becoming osteoblasts, chondrocytes, and adipocytes than do bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells and/or adipose tissue-derived stem cells. The usefulness of DFAT cells in vivo for periodontal tissue, bone, peripheral nerve, muscle, cartilage, and fat tissue regeneration was reported. Dedifferentiated Fat cells obtained from the human buccal fat pad (BFP) are a minimally invasive procedure with limited esthetic complications for patients. The BFP is a convenient and accessible anatomical site to harvest DFAT cells for dentists and oral surgeons, and thus is a promising cell source for oral and maxillofacial tissue engineering.

Differential therapeutic effects of atomoxetine and methylphenidate in childhood attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder as measured by near-infrared spectroscopy

BACKGROUND

The stimulant methylphenidate (MPH) and the nonstimulant atomoxetine (ATX) are the most commonly-prescribed pharmacological treatments for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, the drug-specific mechanism of action on brain function in ADHD patients is not well known. This study examined differences in prefrontal hemodynamic activity between MPH and ATX in children with ADHD as measured by near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) using the Stroop color-word task.

METHODS

Thirty children with ADHD participated in the present study. We used 24-channel NIRS (ETG-4000) to measure the relative concentrations of oxyhemoglobin in the frontal lobes of participants in the drug-naïve condition and those who had received MPH (n = 16) or ATX (n = 14) for 12 weeks. Measurements were conducted every 0.1 s during the Stroop color-word task. We used the ADHD RS-IV-J (Home Version) to evaluate ADHD symptoms.

RESULTS

Treatment with either MPH or ATX significantly reduced ADHD symptoms, as measured by the ADHD RS-IV-J, and improved performance on the Stroop color-word task in terms of number of correct words. We found significantly higher levels of oxyhemoglobin changes in the prefrontal cortex of participants in the ATX condition compared with the values seen at baseline (pre-ATX). In contrast, we found no oxyhemoglobin changes between pre- and post-treatment with MPH.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study suggests that MPH and ATX have differential effects on prefrontal hemodynamic activity in children with ADHD.

Event-Related Potentials Correlate with the Severity of Child and Adolescent Patients with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

BACKGROUND

Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms can continue through adolescence and adulthood, including difficulty in staying focused, paying attention, and controlling behavior, as well as hyperactivity. While children and adolescents with ADHD have functional impairments at multiple dimensions, there are no objective biological indicators to assess the severity of ADHD. Event-related potentials (ERPs) are widely used as a noninvasive method for evaluating sensory and cognitive processes involved in attention tasks. Previous studies have shown that P300 amplitude or latency, a main component in ERPs, is altered in patients with ADHD. However, little is known about the relationship between P300 and the severity of ADHD symptoms.

METHOD

We sought to measure both P300 amplitude and latency in ERPs during auditory oddball tasks in 44 patients with ADHD (mean age ± SD 10.28 ± 3.43 years) and 15 age- and gender-matched normally developing children (11.40 ± 3.02 years). In ADHD patients, we also assessed symptom severity using the ADHD rating scale-IV-Japanese version.

RESULT

In ADHD groups, P300 amplitude and latency were attenuated and prolonged compared to controls at the frontocentral, centroparietal, and parietal positions. Furthermore, levels of P300 latency at these positions are positively correlated with the inattention subscale scores measured by the ADHD rating scale-IV-Japanese version.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study revealed that the degree of P300 latency might reflect the severity of ADHD symptoms with children and adolescents, suggesting that ERPs are a useful technique to evaluate the severity of ADHD symptoms.

Persistence of impulsivity in pediatric and adolescent patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder

AIM

Increasing clinical evidence points to impulsivity as a symptom of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). However, little is known about its persistence over time.

METHODS

In this study, we evaluated the performance of 12 pediatric patients with OCD on the Stroop color-word task, which assesses impulsivity, and compared this with age- and sex-matched controls. In parallel, we measured changes in hemodynamic responses during the task, using near-infrared spectroscopy. As patients in the OCD group were naïve to treatment, we compared results before and after 3-year medication with serotonin reuptake inhibitors.

RESULTS

We report that, compared with controls, the OCD group had significantly poorer performance and less activation in the prefrontal cortex during the Stroop color-word task. Surprisingly, while serotonin-reuptake-inhibitors treatment reduced OCD symptomology, it did not improve the diminished hemodynamic responses or task performance of these patients.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that a persistent deficit exists in the inhibitory control of pediatric patients with OCD; they also provide insight into the pathophysiology of OCD.

A longitudinal event-related potential study of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor therapy in treatment-naïve pediatric obsessive compulsive disorder patients

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is characterized by obsessive thoughts and/or compulsive behaviors, involving specific cognition and/or information processing disorders. Event-related potentials (ERPs) are commonly used as physiological measures of cognitive function. In conscious patients, ERPs are easily and non-invasively measured. Previous ERP studies have revealed differences between OCD patients and control subjects. Whether ERPs reflect the pharmacological effects of OCD treatment, particularly in treatment-naïve pediatric patients, remains unknown. We used the Child's Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (CY-BOCS) to evaluate the symptomatic severity of 12 treatment-naïve pediatric OCD patients. Comparisons were made with 12 age-, sex-, and intelligence-matched controls. The P300 and mismatch negativity (MMN) components were measured during an auditory odd-ball task at baseline in both groups and after the 3-year serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) treatment in OCD patients. Compared with controls, P300 amplitudes were smaller n the OCD group at Fz, Cz, Pz, C3, and C4. After SSRI treatment, P300 amplitudes increased partly at Fz and C4 in association with symptomatic improvements. We found a significant positive correlation between P300 amplitude in C4 and CY-BOCS scores. Our findings confirm the utility of SSRIs in pediatric OCD, and suggest the utility of ERPs for evaluating pharmacological effects in treatment-naïve pediatric OCD patients.

Event-related potentials reflect the efficacy of pharmaceutical treatments in children and adolescents with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder

Few objective biological measures of pharmacological treatment efficacy exist for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Although we have previously demonstrated that event-related potentials (ERPs) reflect the effects of osmotic-release methylphenidate in treatment of naïve pediatric patients with ADHD, whether this is true for the therapeutic effects of atomoxetine (ATX) is unknown. Here, we used the Japanese version of the ADHD rating-scale IV to evaluate 14 patients with ADHD, and compared their ERP data with 14 age- and sex-matched controls. We measured P300 and mismatch negativity (MMN) components during an auditory oddball task before treatment (treatment naïve) and after 2 months of ATX treatment. Compared with controls, P300 components at baseline were attenuated and prolonged in the ADHD group at Fz (fronto-central), Cz (centro-parietal), Pz (parietal regions), C3 and C4 electrodes. ATX treatment reduced ADHD symptomology, and after 2 months of treatment, P300 latencies at Fz, Cz, Pz, C3, and C4 electrodes were significantly shorter than those at baseline. Moreover, MMN amplitudes at Cz and C3 electrodes were significantly greater than those at baseline. Thus, ERPs may be useful for evaluating the pharmacological effects of ATX in pediatric and adolescent patients with ADHD.

Reduced Prefrontal Cortex Hemodynamic Response in Adults with Methamphetamine Induced Psychosis: Relevance for Impulsivity

Patients with methamphetamine abuse/dependence often exhibit high levels of impulsivity, which may be associated with the structural abnormalities and functional hypoactivities observed in the frontal cortex of these subjects. Although near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is a simple and non-invasive method for characterizing the clinical features of various psychiatric illnesses, few studies have used NIRS to directly investigate the association between prefrontal cortical activity and inhibitory control in patients with methamphetamine-induced psychosis (MAP). Using a 24-channel NIRS system, we compared hemodynamic responses during the Stroop color-word task in 14 patients with MAP and 21 healthy controls matched for age, sex and premorbid IQ. In addition, we used the Barrett Impulsivity Scale-11 (BIS-11) to assess impulsivity between subject groups. The MAP group exhibited significantly less activation in the anterior and frontopolar prefrontal cortex accompanied by lower Stroop color-word task performance, compared with controls. Moreover, BIS-11 scores were significantly higher in the MAP group, and were negatively correlated with the hemodynamic responses in prefrontal cortex. Our data suggest that reduced hemodynamic responses in the prefrontal cortex might reflect higher levels of impulsivity in patients with MAP, providing new insights into disrupted inhibitory control observed in MAP.

Distinctive Rorschach profiles of young adults with schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorder

OBJECTIVE

The differential diagnosis of schizophrenia (SZ) versus autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can be clinically challenging because accumulating evidence suggests both clinical and biological overlaps between them. The aim of this study was to compare Rorschach profiles between young adults with SZ and those with ASD.

METHODS

We evaluated quantitative tendencies on the Rorschach test among 20 patients diagnosed with SZ and 20 diagnosed with ASD. Both groups were matched for age, sex, and intelligence quotient.

RESULTS

We found significant differences in six response variables on the Rorschach comprehensive system. Those with SZ had significantly higher scores on D score, adjusted D score (Adj D), developmental quality code reflecting ordinary response (DQo), and form quality minus (FQ -) than those with ASD. In contrast, those with SZ had significantly lower scores on the active and developmental quality code reflecting synthesized response (DQ+) subscales than those with ASD.

CONCLUSION

The present findings reveal that individuals with SZ might have more stress tolerance, stronger perception distortions, and simpler and poorer recognition than those with ASD. We suggest that the Rorschach test might be a useful tool for differentiating between SZ and ASD.

A longitudinal, event-related potential pilot study of adult obsessive-compulsive disorder with 1-year follow-up

AIM

Earlier brain imaging research studies have suggested that brain abnormalities in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) normalize as clinical symptoms improve. However, although many studies have investigated event-related potentials (ERPs) in patients with OCD compared with healthy control subjects, it is currently unknown whether ERP changes reflect pharmacological and psychotherapeutic effects. As such, the current study examined the neurocognitive components of OCD to elucidate the pathophysiological abnormalities involved in the disorder, including the frontal-subcortical circuits.

METHODS

The Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale was used to evaluate 14 adult patients with OCD. The present study also included ten age-, sex-, and IQ-matched controls. The P300 and mismatch negativity (MMN) components during an auditory oddball task at baseline for both groups and after 1 year of treatment for patients with OCD were measured.

RESULTS

Compared with controls, P300 amplitude was attenuated in the OCD group at Cz and C4 at baseline. Pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy treatment for 1 year reduced OCD symptomology. P300 amplitude after 1 year of treatment was significantly increased, indicating normalization compared with baseline at Fz, Cz, C3, and C4. We found no differences in P300 latency, MMN amplitude, or MMN latency between baseline and after one year of treatment.

CONCLUSION

ERPs may be a useful tool for evaluating pharmacological and cognitive behavioral therapy in adult patients with OCD.

Associations between the mismatch-negativity component and symptom severity in children and adolescents with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder

AIM

Cognitive impairment is an important predictor of functional outcome in patients with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, the neurophysiology of ADHD-related cognitive impairments remains unclear. Event-related potentials (ERPs) represent the noninvasive measurement of neural correlates of cognitive function. Mismatch negativity (MMN) is an ERP component that is presumed to index the preattentive monitoring of changes in the auditory environment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Previous studies have shown altered MMN amplitude and latency in patients with ADHD. However, little is known about the relationship between MMN and ADHD-symptom severity. To address this, we measured the amplitude and latency of MMN in ERPs and assessed correlations with the clinical severity of ADHD, as measured by the ADHD Rating Scale IV - Japanese version. Participants were 51 treatment-naïve children and adolescents with ADHD (mean age 10.42±3.35 years) and 15 normally developing age- and sex-matched children (mean age 11.8±3.36 years).

RESULTS

In the ADHD group, MMN amplitudes were attenuated at the central electrode and MMN latencies prolonged at the parietal electrode (Pz) relative to those in the control group. Furthermore, MMN amplitudes at Pz were negatively correlated with ADHD full-scale and hyperactivity-impulsivity and inattention subscale scores, and MMN latency at Pz was positively correlated with ADHD hyperactivity-impulsivity subscale scores.

CONCLUSION

Our data suggest that MMN reflects the severity of ADHD symptoms in children and adolescents, and provides support for the use of ERPs in evaluating ADHD symptoms in patients.

Event-related potentials in drug-naïve pediatric patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is one of the most common mental health disorders, characterized by obsessive thoughts and/or compulsive behaviors, which may involve specific disorders in cognition and/or information processing. Event-related potentials (ERPs) are commonly used as physiological measures of cognitive function as they are easily measured and noninvasive. In the present study, 20 drug-naïve pediatric patients with OCD were compared with 20 healthy control participants who were age- and sex-matched to perform the ERP. Based on the guidelines for evoked potential measurement, the P300 and mismatch negativity (MMN) were obtained by auditory odd-ball tasks. We found that the amplitudes of the P300 components in the Fz, Cz, Pz, C3, and C4 regions were significantly smaller in the OCD group compared with the control group. There were no between-group differences in P300 latency, MMN amplitude, or MMN latency. Moreover, we found significant correlations between scores on the Children's Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (CY-BOCS) and P300 amplitudes at Cz, Pz, and C3. The present study is the first to report smaller P300s and the associations between P300 abnormalities and CY-BOCS scores.

Prefrontal dysfunction in pediatric Tourette's disorder as measured by near-infrared spectroscopy

BACKGROUND

Tourette's disorder (TD) is a chronic childhood-onset disorder characterized by the presence of multiple motor and vocal tics. Despite strong evidence that the pathophysiology of TD involves structural and functional disturbances of the basal ganglia and cortical frontal areas, in vivo imaging studies have produced conflicting results. Recent developments in near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) technology have enabled noninvasive assessment of brain function in people with psychiatric disorders.

METHODS

We asked 10 individuals with pediatric TD and 10 healthy controls who were age- and sex- matched to perform the Stroop color-word task during NIRS. We used prefrontal probes and a 24-channel NIRS machine to measure the relative concentrations of oxyhemoglobin (oxy-Hb) every 0.1 s during the task.

RESULTS

We found that oxy-Hb changes in the prefrontal cortex were significantly smaller in the TD group compared with the control group, especially in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggest that individuals with pediatric TD have a reduced prefrontal hemodynamic response as measured by NIRS.

Increased prefrontal hemodynamic change after atomoxetine administration in pediatric attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder as measured by near-infrared spectroscopy

AIM

Atomoxetine, approved in Japan for the treatment of pediatric attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in April 2009, is a nonstimulant that is thought to act presynaptically via the inhibition of norepinephrine reuptake. Near-infrared spectroscopy is a non-invasive optical tool that can be used to study oxygenation and hemodynamic changes in the cerebral cortex. The present study examined the effects of a clinical dose of atomoxetine on changes in prefrontal hemodynamic activity in children with ADHD, as measured by near-infrared spectroscopy using the Stroop Color-Word Task.

METHODS

Ten children with ADHD participated in the present study. We used 24-channel near-infrared spectroscopy to measure the relative concentrations of oxyhemoglobin in the frontal lobes of participants in the drug-naïve condition and those who had received atomoxetine for 8 weeks. Measurements were conducted every 0.1 s during the Stroop Color-Word Task. We used the ADHD Rating Scale-IV-Japanese version (Home Version) to evaluate ADHD symptoms.

RESULTS

We found a significant decrease in ADHD Rating Scale-IV-Japanese version scores, from 30.7 to 22.6 (P=0.003). During the Stroop Color-Word Task, we found significantly higher levels of oxyhemoglobin changes in the prefrontal cortex of participants in the atomoxetine condition compared with those in the drug-naïve condition.

CONCLUSIONS

This increase in oxyhemoglobin changes might indicate an intensified prefrontal hemodynamic response induced by atomoxetine. Near-infrared spectroscopy is a sensitive tool for measuring the pharmacological effects of atomoxetine in children with ADHD.

Antimicrobial properties and mechanism of volatile isoamyl acetate, a main flavour component of Japanese sake (Ginjo-shu)

AIMS

To evaluate the antimicrobial properties of the main Ginjo-flavour components of sake, volatile isoamyl acetate and isoamyl alcohol.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Volatile isoamyl acetate and isoamyl alcohol both inhibited growth of the five yeast and 10 bacterial test strains. The minimum inhibitory dose and minimum bactericidal (fungicidal) dose of isoamyl acetate were higher than those of isoamyl alcohol. Escherichia coli and Acetobacter aceti were markedly sensitive to isoamyl acetate and isoamyl alcohol. In E. coli exposed to isoamyl acetate for 5 h, changes in expression were noted in proteins involved in sugar metabolism (MalE, MglB, TalB and PtsI), tricarboxylic acid cycle (AceA, Pfl and AcnB) and protein synthesis (EF-Tu, EF-G, and GlyS). Expression of acid and alcohol stress-response proteins was altered in E. coli exposed to isoamyl acetate. Esterase activity was detected in E. coli, suggesting that isoamyl acetate was hydrolyzed to acetic acid and isoamyl alcohol. Acetic acid and isoamyl alcohol damaged E. coli cell membranes and inactivated membrane proteins, impairing respiration.

CONCLUSIONS

Volatile isoamyl acetate and isoamyl alcohol were effective in inactivating various micro-organisms, and antimicrobial mechanism of volatile isoamyl acetate against E. coli was clarified based on proteome analysis.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report to examine the antimicrobial mechanism of volatile organic compound using proteome analysis combining two-dimensional difference gel electrophoresis with peptide mass fingerprinting.

Direct evidence of spatially selective iron mineralization using an immobilized ferritin protein cage

(Apo)ferritins are cage-shaped proteins which have recently received a great deal of attention because the inner cavity of the protein shell can be used as a size-restricted reaction field for the synthesis of nanomaterials. The biomineralization behavior and inorganic nanoparticle (NP) synthesis mechanism of (apo)ferritin in solution systems have been studied but the mineralization behavior of (apo)ferritin on the substrates has not yet been well studied. Here, we conducted quantitative and kinetic analyses of the mineralization behavior of immobilized (apo)ferritin on a polyelectrolyte multilayer (PEM) using quartz crystal microbalance (QCM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) techniques. We demonstrated that the (apo)ferritin immobilized on a substrate synthesizes a ferrihydrite core within the confines of the protein cage; similar to a solution dispersed system. In addition, we applied a ferritin/apoferritin blended monolayer to the study of iron mineralization and revealed that biomineralization in this system is spatially selective. It is important to understand the mineralization mechanisms for the synthesis of other functional NPs as this approach has potential for a broad range of magnetic, catalytic, and biomedical sensing applications.

Lower prefrontal activity in adults with obsessive-compulsive disorder as measured by near-infrared spectroscopy

Recent developments in near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) have enabled the non-invasive elucidation of the neurobiological underpinnings of psychiatric disorders. Functional neuroimaging studies in human patients have suggested that the frontal cortex and subcortical structures may play a role in the pathophysiology of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Here we used NIRS to investigate neurobiological function in 12 patients with OCD and 12 age- and sex-matched, healthy control subjects. The relative concentrations of oxyhemoglobin (oxy-Hb) were measured with prefrontal probes every 0.1 s, during performance of a Stroop color-word task, using 24-channel NIRS. Oxy-Hb changes in the prefrontal cortex of the OCD group were significantly smaller than those in the control group, especially in the left lateral prefrontal cortex. These results suggest that patients with OCD have reduced prefrontal hemodynamic responses as measured by NIRS.

Reduced prefrontal hemodynamic response in pediatric obsessive-compulsive disorder as measured by near-infrared spectroscopy

Recent developments in near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) have enabled non-invasive clarification of brain functions in psychiatric disorders. Functional neuroimaging studies of patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) have suggested that the frontal cortex and subcortical structures may play a role in the pathophysiology of the disorder. Twelve treatment-naïve children with OCD and 12 age- and sex-matched healthy control subjects participated in the present study after giving consent. The relative concentrations of oxyhemoglobin (oxy-Hb) were measured with prefrontal probes every 0.1 s during the Stroop color-word task, using 24-channel NIRS machines. During the Stroop color-word task, the oxy-Hb changes in the OCD group were significantly smaller than those in the control group in the prefrontal cortex, especially in the frontopolar cortex. The present study suggests that children with OCD have reduced prefrontal hemodynamic response as measured by NIRS.

Comparison of pervasive developmental disorder and schizophrenia by the Japanese version of the National Adult Reading Test

OBJECTIVE

In adults, it is sometimes difficult to discriminate between pervasive developmental disorder (PDD) and schizophrenia (SCH) when positive symptoms are not outstanding. We examined whether the Japanese version of the National Adult Reading Test (JART), is a valid scale for evaluating pre-morbid intelligence quotient (IQ) in patients with SCH, and the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised (WAIS-R) are useful for helping to discriminate between PDD and SCH.

METHODS

Sixteen patients with adult PDD and 16 age-, education- and sex-matched patients with SCH participated in the present study. In addition, two groups were matched for JART and GAF scores. All subjects were scored on the JART and WAIS-R after informed consent on the aim of this study. Examiners who were blind to the diagnoses measured JART and WAIS-R.

RESULTS

Significant diagnosis-by-IQ examination interactions were found (F[1,30] = 10.049, P = 0.003). Furthermore, WAIS-R scores of the PDD group were higher than those of the SCH group (P = 0.002) considering two groups were matched for JART.

CONCLUSIONS

The comparison of IQ in the PDD group and in the SCH group by JART and WAIS-R might be an easy and useful method for helping to discriminate between PDD and SCH.

Brain structural changes and neuropsychological impairments in male polydipsic schizophrenia

BACKGROUND

Polydipsia frequently occurs in schizophrenia patients. The excessive water loading in polydipsia occasionally induces a hyponatremic state and leads to water intoxication. Whether polydipsia in schizophrenic patients correlates with neuropsychological impairments or structural brain changes is not clear and remains controversial.

METHODS

Eight polydipsic schizophrenia patients, eight nonpolydipsic schizophrenia patients, and eight healthy controls were recruited. All subjects underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and neuropsychological testing. Structural abnormalities were analyzed using a voxel-based morphometry (VBM) approach, and patients' neuropsychological function was assessed using the Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia, Japanese version (BACS-J).

RESULTS

No significant differences were found between the two patient groups with respect to the clinical characteristics. Compared with healthy controls, polydipsic patients showed widespread brain volume reduction and neuropsychological impairment. Furthermore, the left insula was significantly reduced in polydipsic patients compared with nonpolydipsic patients. These nonpolydipsic patients performed intermediate to the other two groups in the neuropsychological function test.

CONCLUSIONS

It is possible that polydipsia or the secondary hyponatremia might induce left insula volume reduction. Furthermore, this structural brain change may indirectly induce more severe neuropsychological impairments in polydipsic patients. Thus, we suggest that insula abnormalities might contribute to the pathophysiology of polydipsic patients.

A case of Goodpasture syndrome positive for anti-GBM antibody and MPO-ANCA complicated by a variety of serious infections

A 62-year-old female was admitted to our hospital for investigation of acute progressive renal insufficiency and a systemic inflammatory reaction, despite treatment with several antibiotics. Laboratory data revealed severe renal insufficiency and positive titers for the myeloperoxidase anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic and anti-glomerular basement membrane antibodies. The deterioration of her general status did not allow us to perform the renal biopsy. Although corticosteroid therapy, hemodialysis, and plasma exchange were concomitantly initiated, pulmonary hemorrhage occurred several days after admission. Mechanical ventilation support was provided and continuous hemodiafiltration was carried out, following which the respiratory failure improved immediately. However, she developed clinical depression and suicidal behavior under the intensive therapy. Therefore, plasma exchange was discontinued and corticosteroid was tapered as quickly as possible. Four months after admission, platelet transfusion and short-term mechanical ventilation support improved the pulmonary hemorrhage; however, her mental status deteriorated despite psychiatric consultation and treatment with a tranquilizer. Thereafter, severe and serious systemic infection due to various pathogens including Staphylococcus aureus, Cytomegalovirus, Pneumocystis jiroveci, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Bacteroides recurred, and she died from systemic invasive aspergillosis (IA). We suspected severe immunosuppression caused by various factors, such as predonisolone administration, chronic renal failure on maintenance hemodialysis, depression, and malnutrition due to chronic inflammation and granulocytopenia as a side effect of ganciclovir. When treating rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis, immunosuppressive status should be carefully monitored regarding not only the dosage of therapeutic regimen but also the mental health status and nutrition of the patient.

Feasibility of an electrochemically assisted Fenton method using Fe(2 +)/HOCl system as an advanced oxidation process

The feasibility of an electrochemically assisted Fenton treatment using a Fenton-type reaction of ferrous iron (Fe(2 + )) and hypochlorous acid (HOCl) is discussed in this research. The reactor used was composed of an undivided single cell with a ruthenium dioxide-coated titanium anode and a stainless steel cathode, in which Fe(2 + ) and HOCl were catalytically regenerated from ferric iron at the cathode and chloride ion at the anode, respectively. Although the reactor functioned well, the degradation rate of 1,4-dioxane as a hydroxyl radical probe decreased at the current density more than 6.92 mA cm(-2). The decrease in degradation rate was inferred to be caused by the vain consumption of hydroxyl radicals by excess HOCl and the deposition of ferric hydroxide on the cathode at relatively high current density. The current efficiency of 1,4-dioxane removal remained more than 90% at the current density less than 6.92 mA cm(-2) and the iron concentration not less than 1.0 mmol L(-1). Consequently, this technique is thought to be applicable to the treatment of wastewater containing high concentration of chloride ion such as landfill leachate, scrubber wastewater from incineration plants, etc.

Effect of active control of electric potential of filter medium on depth filtration

The effect of active control of electric potential of filter medium on depth filtration was explored experimentally. Activated carbon particles were selected as the conductive filter medium. The filter medium potential was controlled with an external DC power supply. Kaolin particles were used as the model suspended solid. The activated carbon and kaolin had negative zeta potential around neutral pH. When the filter medium potential against a counter electrode was greater than or equal to + 0.2 V, rejection rate of particles was 1.8 times higher than that when the potential was less than + 0.2 V. Thus adsorption of particles by interaction of electric double layers was enhanced by maintaining a positive charge on the filter media. Desorption of kaolin trapped on the filter media was also confirmed by changing the filter medium potential from positive to negative. The percentage of kaolin particles desorbed was 11% of the kaolin trapped on the filter media. The desorption rate was not high, but this technique will enhance refreshment of the filter media when combined with back washing.

Microstrip structures of ZnO nanoparticle aggregates of millimetric length formed by selected-area ion implantation and thermal oxidation

Regularly arrayed microstrip regions of width approximately 1.4 microm and length extending up to approximately 5 mm, consisting of ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) of diameter approximately 50 nm, were fabricated on silica substrates by a two-step process: i.e., selected-area ion implantation and thermal oxidation. The implantation of 60 keV Zn ions in periodic microstrip regions via a resist mask generated periodic grooves with large wings on the surface of silica glass, which can be ascribed to the radiation-induced plastic deformation of silica and sputtering loss. This is the lowest record of the electronic energy loss (S(e)) value to induce the radiation-induced plastic deformation of silica, while no or very low threshold energy has been predicted from a recent study. After thermal oxidation at 700 degrees C for 1 h, the groove structures with the wings disappeared, and periodic microstrips of ZnO nanoparticle aggregates up to 5 mm long appeared on the surface of the substrate. A clear free-exciton peak due to ZnO NPs is observed from these microstrip structures both in optical absorption and photoluminescence spectra.

Nanogroove formation by ion irradiation on indentation-modified amorphous SiO(2)

Ion beams are widely used for micro/nanostructure fabrication with unique features of the energetic processes. In this work, we present a self-assembled nanostructure fabrication by ion irradiation with a patterned strain/stress field. The patterned strain/stress field is introduced by micro-Vickers indentation to amorphous SiO(2) (load = 100 mN). After irradiation of 60 keV Cu(-) ions, nanogrooves (width from 150 to 250 nm) were created at the indentation edge. Under the ion irradiation of a constant ion flux, the nanogroove size linearly increased with ion fluence from 2 × 10(16) to 1.2 × 10(17) ions cm(-2). Comparison of indented samples after irradiation and thermal annealing suggests that the nanogrooving originates from ion beam interactions with residual stress/strain by indentation and that a non-thermal effect results from the ion irradiation processes. Cross-sectional TEM analysis showed that the grooves extend over 200 nm below the surface, implying that the groove growth is not caused by surface diffusion. It is concluded from the results that the grooving is due to irradiation-induced mass transport accompanied by vacancy aggregation at the interface between the indented and non-indented areas.

Dual surface plasmon resonances in Zn nanoparticles in SiO(2): an experimental study based on optical absorption and thermal stability

Metallic zinc nanoparticles (NPs) of 5-15 nm in diameter, formed in silica glass (SiO(2)) by Zn ion implantation of 60 keV, showed a strong ultraviolet absorption peak at around 4.8 eV, which has been assigned as the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) of Zn NPs, and another small peak at 1.2 eV, which has never been reported before. To identify the origin of the 1.2 eV peak, the correlations of thermal stability between the two peaks and Zn NPs were evaluated under annealing both in a vacuum (pure thermal stability) and in oxygen gas (thermal oxidation stability). The well-correlated stability between the 1.2 eV peak, the 4.8 eV peak and Zn NPs indicates that the 1.2 eV peak is not ascribed to radiation-induced defects but to the Zn NPs. The 1.2 eV peak can be ascribed to an SPR of Zn NPs in SiO(2), because the peak satisfies the criterion of the SPR of metallic NPs. Since the 4.8 eV peak is also expected to satisfy the criterion, Zn NPs in SiO(2) have two SPRs at 1.2 and 4.8 eV.

Histamine ameliorates anti-glomerular basement membrane antibody-induced glomerulonephritis in rats

Anti-glomerular basement membrane (anti-GBM)-induced glomerulonephritis involves T-helper type 1 (Th1) responses leading to rapid crescent formation. As many inflammatory and immune responses in general are affected by histamine, we examined the effects of histaminergic ligands on immune renal injury in the rat. Female Wistar-Kyoto rats were injected intraperitoneally with an antibody against the GBMs. Histaminergic ligands were then injected twice daily for 5 days after which renal function was assessed by proteinuria. Treatment with histamine led to significant dose-dependent reductions in proteinuria compared to the control antibody-injected group and markedly decreased the number of crescentic glomeruli and macrophage infiltration of the glomeruli. Furthermore, histamine significantly decreased the plasma concentration of interleukin-12, a Th1-type cytokine compared to the antibody-injected control animals. Dimaprit, an H(2)/H(4) agonist, mimicked the effects of histamine on proteinuria and crescent formation. Clozapine, an H(4) agonist, tended to mimic the effects of histamine, whereas an H(1), mepyramine, or an H(2) antagonist, ranitidine, did not reverse the protective effect of histamine. We suggest that histamine may alleviate renal injury in anti-GBM glomerulonephritis by suppressing the immune response.

Renal involvement in cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL)

Cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL) is a hereditary systemic arteriopathy presenting with migraines, mood disorders, focal neurologic deficits, recurrent ischemic attacks and dementia in young adults. The genesis of this disease relates to missense mutation of the Notch3 gene. We report here a newly identified CADASIL patient and discuss unique vascular lesions observed in the kidney. A 64-year-old female was admitted to our hospital for the investigation of proteinuria, hematuria and progressive neurological abnormalities. Her mother and brother died of cerebral infarction at a relatively young age despite a lack of apparent risk factors for arteriosclerosis. Over the past 4 months before admission, she had suffered from frequent transient ischemic attacks despite appropriate antiplatelet therapy. Blood examination revealed mild renal insufficiency and urinalysis revealed moderate protein excretion and dysmorphic hematuria. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain revealed multiple infarcts and leukoencephalopathy. Histopathological analysis of the kidney revealed focal segmental mesangial proliferation, the loss and degeneration of arterial medial smooth muscle cells and arterial intimal thickening. Immunofluorescence analysis of glomeruli revealed IgA deposition in the mesangial area. Electron microscope analysis revealed electron-dense deposition also in the mesangial area. In addition, granular osmophilic material (GOM) was observed in the extraglomerular mesangial area and around the vascular smooth muscle cells. Genetic analysis of Notch3 revealed an R141C missense mutation and she was diagnosed with CADASIL complicated with IgA nephropathy. In immunohistological analysis, Notch3 stains were positive in vascular smooth muscle cells of the interlobular arteries and both afferent and efferent arterioles, and weak in the glomerular mesangial area. Antihypertensive treatment using angiotensin II receptor blocker and a low protein diet were initiated, and her urinary protein excretion decreased to 0.2 g/day. However, due to the progression of her neurological abnormalities, she became socially withdrawn. In CADASIL, GOM, abnormal accumulation of Notch3 ectodomain, is thought to induce the degeneration and loss of vascular smooth muscle cells and subsequent intimal thickening. Analysis of our cases provided that these morphological abnormalities were also observed in the CADASIL patient kidney.

Cytoplasmic antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody positive pauci-immune glomerulonephritis associated with infectious endocarditis

Renal deterioration often occurs in cases of infectious endocarditis (IE), but, IE- associated nephritis with rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (RPGN) is rare. Patients with severe infection (e.g., IE) sometimes show positivity for cytoplasmic antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (C-ANCA). Therefore, diagnosis and treatment are very difficult in cases of RPGN with IE and positivity for C-ANCA. Such cases are rare, only 12 have been reported in the English literature. Herein, we describe the case of a 50-year-old man who presented with RPGN with IE and tested positively for C-ANCA. He was referred to our hospital because of leg edema, purpura and renal dysfunction. Laboratory tests revealed serum creatinine elevation and positivity for C-ANCA and proteinase 3-specific (PR3)-ANCA. RPGN and acute renal failure were diagnosed. Hemodialysis and steroid therapy were started. Streptococcus oralis was isolated by blood culture. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed grade III mitral valve insufficiency with two vegetations. Therefore, IE was diagnosed. The steroid therapy was stopped, and antibiotic therapy was begun. Because there was no improvement, surgical therapy was performed. The operation was successful, but the patient died of brain hemorrhage. Our experience in this case indicates C/PR3-ANCA positive RPGN must be ruled out in patients with infectious disease, particularly IE, together with renal symptoms, and renal biopsy should be performed.