AIM： To estimate the contribution of autoimmune thrombocytopenia to hepatitis C virus-related liver cirrhosis （type C cirrhosis）, we evaluated the influence of splenectomy upon platelet-associated immunoglobulin G ...AIM： To estimate the contribution of autoimmune thrombocytopenia to hepatitis C virus-related liver cirrhosis （type C cirrhosis）, we evaluated the influence of splenectomy upon platelet-associated immunoglobulin G （PAIgG） levels and platelet numbers. METHODS： PAIgG titers and immune markers were determined in 24 type C cirrhotic patients with an intact spleen, 17 type C cirrhotic patients submitted to splenectomy, and 21 non-C cirrhosis with an intact spleen. RESULTS： Thrombocytopenia （PLT〈15×10^4/μL） in type C cirrhosis was diagnosed in all patients with an intact spleen, 8 patients submitted to splenectomy, and in 19 non-C cirrhosis with intact spleen. Elevated titers of PAIgG at more than 25.0 ng/107cells were detected in all cirrhotic patients except for one splenectomized patient. PAIgG titers （ng/10^7cells） were significantly higher in the type C cirrhosis with an intact spleen （247.9 ± 197.0） compared with the splenectomized patients （125.6±87.8） or non-C cirrhosis （152.4± 127.4）. PAIgG titers were negatively correlated with platelet counts in type C cirrhotic patients with an intact spleen. In comparison with the type C cirrhosis with an intact spleen, the splenectomized patients had a reduced CD4/CD8 ratio and serum neopterin levels. The spleen index （cm^2） was negatively correlated with platelet counts in the non-C cirrhosis, but not in the type C cirrhosis. CONCLUSION： Our data indicate that the autoimmune mechanism plays an important role in thrombocytosis complicated by HCV-positive cirrhosis. In addition, splenectomy may impair T cells function through, at least in part, a reduction of CD4/CD8 ratio, consequently suppressing PAIgG production.展开更多
AIM: To investigate the clinicopathological features of intraductal neoplasm of the intrahepatic bile duct (INihB). METHODS: Clinicopathological features of 24 cases of INihB, which were previously diagnosed as biliar...AIM: To investigate the clinicopathological features of intraductal neoplasm of the intrahepatic bile duct (INihB). METHODS: Clinicopathological features of 24 cases of INihB, which were previously diagnosed as biliary papillomatosis or intraductal growth of intrahepatic biliary neoplasm, were reviewed. Mucin immunohistochemistry was performed for mucin (MUC)1, MUC2, MUC5AC and MUC6. Ki-67, P53 and β-catenin immunoreactivity were also examined. We categorized each tumor as adenoma (low grade), borderline (intermediate grade), and malignant (carcinoma in situ , high grade including tumors with microinvasion). RESULTS: Among 24 cases of INihB, we identified 24 tumors. Twenty of 24 tumors (83%) were composed of a papillary structure; the same feature observed in intraductal papillary neoplasm of the bile duct (IPNB). In contrast, the remaining four tumors (17%) showed both tubular and papillary structures. In three of the four tumors (75%), macroscopic mucin secretion was limited but microscopic intracellular mucin was evident. Histologically, 16 tumors (67%) were malignant, three (12%) were borderline, and five (21%) were adenoma. Microinvasion was found in four cases (17%). Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that MUC1 was not expressed in the borderline/adenoma group but was expressed only in malignant lesions (P = 0.0095). Ki-67 labeling index (LI) was significantly higher in the malignant group than in the borderline/adenoma group (22.2 ± 15.5 vs 7.5 ± 6.3, P < 0.01). In the 16 malignant cases, expression of MUC5AC showed borderline significant association with high Ki-67 LI (P = 0.0622). Nuclear expression of β-catenin was observed in two (8%) of the 24 tumors, and these two tumors also showed MUC1 expression. P53 was negative in all tumors. CONCLUSION: Some cases of INihB have a tubular structure, and are subcategorized as IPNB with tubular structure. MUC1 expression in INihB correlates positively with degree of malignancy.展开更多
AIM： To examine the hepatitis C virus （HCV） levels and immunological markers in cirrhotic patients after splenectomy. METHODS： HCV RNA titers as well as cellular and humoral immune markers were determined in 20 ci...AIM： To examine the hepatitis C virus （HCV） levels and immunological markers in cirrhotic patients after splenectomy. METHODS： HCV RNA titers as well as cellular and humoral immune markers were determined in 20 cirrhotic patients after splenectomy and in 32 cirrhotic controls with an intact spleen. RESULTS： Serum HCV RNA titers were lower in the splenectomized patients than in the controls （186 ± 225 × 10^3 copies/mL vs 541 ± 417×10^3 copies/mL, P〈0.01）. HCV RNA was judged to have been spontaneously eradicated in 4 splenectomized patients, but in none of the controls. Natural killer cell activity was higher in the splenectomized patients than in the controls （41.2 ± 19.3% vs 24.7 ± 15.3%, P〈 0.01）, and natural killer cell activity was negatively correlated to HCV RNA titers in the splenectomized patients except in those with serotype 2-related infection. The CEH/CD8 ratio was significantly lower in the splenectomized patients than in the controls. CONCLUSION： The findings suggest that splenectomy may diminish virus burden in cirrhotic patients with HCV infection at least in part, through augmentation of natural killer cell activity.展开更多
Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) is one of the most common malignancies worldwide. The main etiologies of HCC are hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus(HCV), and non-hepatitis B/non-hepatitis C HCC(NBNCHCC) has also be...Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) is one of the most common malignancies worldwide. The main etiologies of HCC are hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus(HCV), and non-hepatitis B/non-hepatitis C HCC(NBNCHCC) has also been identified as an etiological factor. Although the incidence of HCV-related HCC in Japan has decreased slightly in recent years, that of NBNC-HCC has increased. The onset mechanism of NBNC-HCC, which has various etiologies, remains unclear; however, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis(NASH), a severe form of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, is known to be an important risk factor for NBNC-HCC. Among the different advanced glycation end-products(AGEs) formed by the Maillard reaction, glyceraldehyde-derived AGEs, the predominant components of toxic AGEs(TAGE), have been associated with NASH and NBNC-HCC, including NASH-related HCC. Furthermore, the expression of the receptor for AGEs(RAGE) has been correlated with the malignant progression of HCC. Therefore, TAGE induce oxidative stress by binding with RAGE may, in turn, lead to adverse effects, such as fibrosis and malignant transformation, in hepatic stellate cells and tumor cells during NASH or NASH-related HCC progression. The aim of this review was to examine the contribution of the TAGE-RAGE axis in NASH-related HCC.展开更多
<strong>Background: </strong><span style="font-family:;" "=""><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Depressive symptoms and anxiety symptoms during the postpartu...<strong>Background: </strong><span style="font-family:;" "=""><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Depressive symptoms and anxiety symptoms during the postpartum period affect physical health and child rearing and that these effects are important social issues. </span><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Objective:</span></b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> The aims of this study were to clarify the differences in the transition of depressive symptoms and anxiety symptoms according to parity during a 6-month postpartum period and to clarify the differences in associations of depressive symptoms and anxiety symptoms with feelings for involvement with newborn infants in primiparous and multiparous postpartum women. </span><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Methods: </span></b><span style="font-family:Verdana;">The design of this study was a longitudinal investigation. This study was conducted from February 2017 to July 2018 in Japan. By using self-administered questionnaires that included questions on psychological symptoms in a standard climacteric scale and questions on feelings for involvement with newborn infants, we collected data at 3 days postpartum, 2 weeks postpartum, one month postpartum, 3 months postpartum and 6 months postpartum. </span><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Results: </span></b><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Responses to all of the questionnaires were obtained from 121 (52.8%) of 229 women. The score for depressive symptoms in primiparous women was significantly higher than that in multiparous women at 3 days postpartum. Depressive symptoms and anxiety symptoms showed peaks at 2 weeks postpartum in both primiparous women and multiparous women, but depressive symptoms reoccurred from 3 months postpartum to 6 months postpartum in primiparous women and anxiety symptoms reoccurred from one month to 3 months postpartum in multiparous women. Depressive symptoms and anxiety symptoms were associated with negative feelings for involvement with newborn infants and with mother’s sleepin展开更多
Quasi-type II heterostructured nanocrystals(NCs)have been of particular interest due to their great potential for controlling the interplay of charge carriers.However,the lack of material choices for quasi-type II NCs...Quasi-type II heterostructured nanocrystals(NCs)have been of particular interest due to their great potential for controlling the interplay of charge carriers.However,the lack of material choices for quasi-type II NCs restricts the accessible emission wavelength from red to near-infrared(NIR),which hinders their use in light-emitting applications that demand a wide range of visible colors.Herein,we demonstrate a new class of quasi-type II nanoemitters formulated in ZnSe/ZnSe_(1-X)Te_(X)/ZnSe seed/spherical quantum well/shell heterostructures(SQWs)whose emission wavelength ranges from blue to orange.In a given geometry,ZnSe_(1-X)Te_(X) emissive layers grown between the ZnSe seed and the shell layer are strained to fit into the surrounding media,and thus,the lattice mismatch between ZnSe_(1-X)Te_(X) and ZnSe is effectively alleviated.In addition,composition of the ZnSe_(1-X)Te_(X) emissive layer and the dimension of the ZnSe shell layer are engineered to tailor the distribution and energy of electron and hole wave functions.Benefitting from the capabilities to tune the charge carriers on demand and to form defectfree heterojunctions,ZnSe/ZnSe_(1-X)Te_(X)/ZnSe/ZnS NCs show near-unity photoluminescence quantum yield(PLQY>90%)in a broad range of emission wavelengths(peak PL from 450nm to 600 nm).Finally,we exemplify dichromatic white NC-based light-emitting diodes(NC-LEDs)employing the mixed layer of blue-and yellow-emitting ZnSe/ZnSe_(1-X)TeX/ZnSe/ZnS SQW NCs.展开更多
BACKGROUND Low-molecular-weight dextran(LMWD)is considered a safe alternative to contrast media for blood displacement during optical coherence tomography(OCT)imaging.AIM To investigate whether the use of LMWD for OCT...BACKGROUND Low-molecular-weight dextran(LMWD)is considered a safe alternative to contrast media for blood displacement during optical coherence tomography(OCT)imaging.AIM To investigate whether the use of LMWD for OCT is protective against kidney injury in patients with advanced renal insufficiency.METHODS In this retrospective cohort study,we identified 421 patients with advanced renal insufficiency(estimated glomerular filtration rate<45 mL/min/1.73 m2)who underwent coronary angiography or percutaneous coronary intervention;79 patients who used additional LMWD for OCT imaging(LMWD group)and 342 patients who used contrast medium exclusively(control group).We evaluated the differences between these two groups and performed a propensity score-matched subgroup comparison.RESULTS The median total volume of contrast medium was 133.0 mL in the control group vs 140.0 mL in the LMWD group.Although baseline renal function was not statistically different between these two groups,the LMWD group demonstrated a strong trend toward the progression of renal insufficiency as indicated by the greater change in serum creatinine level during the 1-year follow-up compared with the control group.Patients in the LMWD group experienced worsening renal function more frequently than patients in the control group.Propensity score matching adjusted for total contrast media volume consistently indicated a trend toward worsening renal function in the LMWD group at the 1-year follow-up.Delta serum creatinine at 1-year follow-up was significantly greater in the LMWD group than that in the control group[0.06(-0.06,0.29)vs-0.04(-0.23,0.08)mg/dL,P=0.001],despite using similar contrast volume.CONCLUSION OCT using LMWD may not be protective against worsening renal function in patients with advanced renal insufficiency.展开更多
A 70-year-old woman was found to have 2 cystic lesions in the head of the pancreas on abdominal ultrasonography during a routine medical examination.Endoscopic ultrasonography(EUS)and magnetic resonance cholangiopancr...A 70-year-old woman was found to have 2 cystic lesions in the head of the pancreas on abdominal ultrasonography during a routine medical examination.Endoscopic ultrasonography(EUS)and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography showed multilocular cysts in the head of the pancreas without dilation of the main pancreatic duct.The patient was followed-up semiannually with imaging studies for suspected branch duct-type intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm(IPMN).At 3 years after initial presentation,hypoechoic lesions were observed around each pancreatic cyst by EUS.Diffusion-weighted imaging showed high-intensity regions corresponding to these lesions.Therefore,a diagnosis of invasive carcinoma derived from IPMN could not be excluded,and subtotal stomach-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy was performed.The macroscopic examination of the surgical specimen showed whitish solid masses in the head of the pancreas,with multilocular cysts within each mass.Microscopically,each solid mass consisted of inflammatory cells such as lymphocytes and plasma cells.Furthermore,immunochemical staining revealed immunoglobulin G4-positive cells,and many obliterating phlebitides were observed.The cysts consisted of mucus-producing epithelial cells and showed a papillary growth pattern.Based on these findings,we diagnosed multiple localized type 1 autoimmune pancreatitis occurring only in the vicinity of the branch ducttype IPMN.展开更多
An ocean data assimilation system, COMPASS-K (the Comprehensive Ocean Modeling, Prediction, Analysis and Synthesis System in the Kuroshio-region), has been developed at the Meteorological Research Institute (MRI). The...An ocean data assimilation system, COMPASS-K (the Comprehensive Ocean Modeling, Prediction, Analysis and Synthesis System in the Kuroshio-region), has been developed at the Meteorological Research Institute (MRI). The purposes of the development are understanding ocean variability in the Kuroshio region as a local response to a global climate change with assimilated four-dimensional data sets, development of an operational system in the Japan Meteorological Agency, and for the GODAE (Global Ocean Data Assimilation Experiment) project. The model is an eddy permitting version of an MRI-OGCM. Space-time decorrelation scales of ocean variability are estimated with TOPEX / POSEIDON (T/P) altimeter data. Subsurface temperature and salinity fields are projected from the T / P altimeter data with a statistical correlation method and are assimilated into the model with a time-retrospective nudging scheme. Seasonal variation in the western North Pacific is investigated. Realistic space-time distribution of the physical quantities, the path of Kuroshio and its separation from Honshu are captured well. The Kuroshio volume transport is well reproduced in a reanalysis experiment of 1993. Preliminary predictability experiments are done in February and March, 1994. Predictability diagram shows the time scale of the predictability for temperature field is about 17 days in the Kuroshio south of Japan. This time scale is smaller than that in the North Atlantic.展开更多
AIM:To study the formation of intracellular glyceraldehyde-derived advanced glycation end products(Glycer-AGEs)in the presence of high concentrations of fructose.METHODS:Cells of the human hepatocyte cell line Hep3B w...AIM:To study the formation of intracellular glyceraldehyde-derived advanced glycation end products(Glycer-AGEs)in the presence of high concentrations of fructose.METHODS:Cells of the human hepatocyte cell line Hep3B were incubated with or without fructose for five days,and the corresponding cell lysates were separated by two-dimensional gradient sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.Glycer-AGEs were detected with the anti-Glycer-AGEs antibody.Furthermore,the identification of the proteins that are modified by glyceraldehyde in the presence of high concentrations of fructose was conducted using matrixassisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry(MALDI-TOF-MS).The protein and m RNA levels were determined by Western blotting and realtime reverse transcription PCR,respectively.RESULTS:The results of the two-dimensional gradient sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis indicated a greater amount of GlycerAGEs in the sample exposed to high concentrations of fructose than in the control.The detected GlycerAGEs showed isoelectric points in the range of 8.0-9.0and molecular weights in the range of 60-80 k Da.The heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein M(hn RNPM),which plays an important role in regulating gene expression by processing heterogeneous nuclear RNAs to form mature m RNAs,was identified as a modified protein using MALDI-TOF-MS.Increasing the concentration of fructose in the medium induced a concentration-dependent increase in the generated Glycer-AGEs.Furthermore,in an experiment using glyceraldehyde,which is a precursor of Glycer-AGEs,hn RNPM was found to be more easily glycated than the other proteins.CONCLUSION:The results suggest that glyceraldehyde-modified hn RNPM alters gene expression.This change may cause adverse effects in hepatocytes and may serve as a target for therapeutic intervention.展开更多
This paper presents an automatic techruque of suitable reference potential selection for quantitative EEG interpretation.The 16-channels EEG recording under mono-polar derivation is analyzed.There are two prejudgments...This paper presents an automatic techruque of suitable reference potential selection for quantitative EEG interpretation.The 16-channels EEG recording under mono-polar derivation is analyzed.There are two prejudgments defined for checking the amplitude distribution and ear lobe activation.After prejudgments,the EEG is classified into several cases in cluding diffused case,non-diffused case,and artifact contami nation case.Due to the cases,an automatic reference selection method is applied in order to find out suitable reference potential.Finally,the referential derivation constructed according to the obtained reference potential,is evaluated for further EEG rhythm analysis.The presented technique can high light the EEG rhythm of interest,which is useful for quantitative EEG interpretation by both visual inspection and automatic evaluation.展开更多
Rotation of a pair of wings was driven by the vertical harmonic motion of a pin inserted into the center hole of the wings.To elucidate the mechanism by which the rotational motion of the wings was excited,the relatio...Rotation of a pair of wings was driven by the vertical harmonic motion of a pin inserted into the center hole of the wings.To elucidate the mechanism by which the rotational motion of the wings was excited,the relationship between the wings and the pin was examined by tracking their motions using both displacement measurements and high-speed photography.The motion modes occurred in this study were categorized into five types:slipping,rolling,jumping(without eccentricity),jumping(with eccentricity),and non-rotation.In the case that the hole of the wings was located at a distance from the center of the wings,referred to as″with eccentricity,″the slipping,jumping(with eccentricity),and non-rotation modes resulted.The experimental results showed that the mechanism of the jumping(with eccentricity)was different from that of the other modes(slipping,rolling,jumping(without eccentricity)),which are well known to be driven by the periodical reaction of the wings against the vertical vibration of the pin.It was found that the jumping(with eccentricity)was driven by the non-periodical force with the collision between the wing hole and the pin.展开更多
The outcome of infection with hepatitis C virus （HCV） varies substantially from self-limiting infection to chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma among the individuals. The mechanisms that ...The outcome of infection with hepatitis C virus （HCV） varies substantially from self-limiting infection to chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma among the individuals. The mechanisms that determine the clearance or the persistence of HCV have not yet been clarified. Here, we experienced two cases of hospital-related infection with HCV from the same origin but with quite different outcomes. One case resolved after an episode of acute hepatitis, while the other case developed a chronic hepatitis although they were infected with HCV of the same origin. Although infected with the virus of the same origin, the clinical and virological courses were completely different. This suggests that host factors play a major role in conditioning the outcome of acute HCV infection.展开更多
Advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) are formed by the nonenzymatic reaction of sugars with proteins. Glycation may adversely affect proteins, such as by inducing a loss of function. It has been shown that glyceralde...Advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) are formed by the nonenzymatic reaction of sugars with proteins. Glycation may adversely affect proteins, such as by inducing a loss of function. It has been shown that glyceraldehyde-derived AGEs (Glycer-AGEs) accumulate in the liver of patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Previously, we showed the formation of intracellular Glycer-AGEs upon exposure of hepatocytes to fructose in vitro, and identified an RNA-binding protein, heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein M (HNRNPM), as a target for glycation. However, the impact of glycated HNRNPM in NASH remains poorly understood. In this study, we examined gene expression changes caused by HNRNPM knockdown, and investigated the up- and down-regulated genes as noninvasive biomarker candidates for NASH. Microarray analysis after HNRNPM knockdown showed that the levels of 138 transcripts were increased, while those of 100 transcripts were decreased as compared with those in the control. Gene Ontology-based functional analysis showed that 14 upregulated and 9 downregulated genes were associated with the extracellular space, which may enable their detection using blood tests. Among these, six of the up- and down-regulated genes were associated with the extracellular exosome. These results suggest that the loss of HNRNPM function by glycation is reflected extracellularly. Therefore, the identified genes may serve as noninvasive biomarkers for Glycer-AGEs-related NASH.展开更多
文摘AIM： To estimate the contribution of autoimmune thrombocytopenia to hepatitis C virus-related liver cirrhosis （type C cirrhosis）, we evaluated the influence of splenectomy upon platelet-associated immunoglobulin G （PAIgG） levels and platelet numbers. METHODS： PAIgG titers and immune markers were determined in 24 type C cirrhotic patients with an intact spleen, 17 type C cirrhotic patients submitted to splenectomy, and 21 non-C cirrhosis with an intact spleen. RESULTS： Thrombocytopenia （PLT〈15×10^4/μL） in type C cirrhosis was diagnosed in all patients with an intact spleen, 8 patients submitted to splenectomy, and in 19 non-C cirrhosis with intact spleen. Elevated titers of PAIgG at more than 25.0 ng/107cells were detected in all cirrhotic patients except for one splenectomized patient. PAIgG titers （ng/10^7cells） were significantly higher in the type C cirrhosis with an intact spleen （247.9 ± 197.0） compared with the splenectomized patients （125.6±87.8） or non-C cirrhosis （152.4± 127.4）. PAIgG titers were negatively correlated with platelet counts in type C cirrhotic patients with an intact spleen. In comparison with the type C cirrhosis with an intact spleen, the splenectomized patients had a reduced CD4/CD8 ratio and serum neopterin levels. The spleen index （cm^2） was negatively correlated with platelet counts in the non-C cirrhosis, but not in the type C cirrhosis. CONCLUSION： Our data indicate that the autoimmune mechanism plays an important role in thrombocytosis complicated by HCV-positive cirrhosis. In addition, splenectomy may impair T cells function through, at least in part, a reduction of CD4/CD8 ratio, consequently suppressing PAIgG production.
文摘AIM: To investigate the clinicopathological features of intraductal neoplasm of the intrahepatic bile duct (INihB). METHODS: Clinicopathological features of 24 cases of INihB, which were previously diagnosed as biliary papillomatosis or intraductal growth of intrahepatic biliary neoplasm, were reviewed. Mucin immunohistochemistry was performed for mucin (MUC)1, MUC2, MUC5AC and MUC6. Ki-67, P53 and β-catenin immunoreactivity were also examined. We categorized each tumor as adenoma (low grade), borderline (intermediate grade), and malignant (carcinoma in situ , high grade including tumors with microinvasion). RESULTS: Among 24 cases of INihB, we identified 24 tumors. Twenty of 24 tumors (83%) were composed of a papillary structure; the same feature observed in intraductal papillary neoplasm of the bile duct (IPNB). In contrast, the remaining four tumors (17%) showed both tubular and papillary structures. In three of the four tumors (75%), macroscopic mucin secretion was limited but microscopic intracellular mucin was evident. Histologically, 16 tumors (67%) were malignant, three (12%) were borderline, and five (21%) were adenoma. Microinvasion was found in four cases (17%). Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that MUC1 was not expressed in the borderline/adenoma group but was expressed only in malignant lesions (P = 0.0095). Ki-67 labeling index (LI) was significantly higher in the malignant group than in the borderline/adenoma group (22.2 ± 15.5 vs 7.5 ± 6.3, P < 0.01). In the 16 malignant cases, expression of MUC5AC showed borderline significant association with high Ki-67 LI (P = 0.0622). Nuclear expression of β-catenin was observed in two (8%) of the 24 tumors, and these two tumors also showed MUC1 expression. P53 was negative in all tumors. CONCLUSION: Some cases of INihB have a tubular structure, and are subcategorized as IPNB with tubular structure. MUC1 expression in INihB correlates positively with degree of malignancy.
文摘AIM： To examine the hepatitis C virus （HCV） levels and immunological markers in cirrhotic patients after splenectomy. METHODS： HCV RNA titers as well as cellular and humoral immune markers were determined in 20 cirrhotic patients after splenectomy and in 32 cirrhotic controls with an intact spleen. RESULTS： Serum HCV RNA titers were lower in the splenectomized patients than in the controls （186 ± 225 × 10^3 copies/mL vs 541 ± 417×10^3 copies/mL, P〈0.01）. HCV RNA was judged to have been spontaneously eradicated in 4 splenectomized patients, but in none of the controls. Natural killer cell activity was higher in the splenectomized patients than in the controls （41.2 ± 19.3% vs 24.7 ± 15.3%, P〈 0.01）, and natural killer cell activity was negatively correlated to HCV RNA titers in the splenectomized patients except in those with serotype 2-related infection. The CEH/CD8 ratio was significantly lower in the splenectomized patients than in the controls. CONCLUSION： The findings suggest that splenectomy may diminish virus burden in cirrhotic patients with HCV infection at least in part, through augmentation of natural killer cell activity.
基金Supported by The Japan Society for the Promotion of Science(JSPS)KAKENHI,Grant No.22300264 and No.25282029(to Takeuchi M)the Ministry of Education,Culture,Sports,Science+1 种基金Technology(MEXT),Regional Innovation Strategy Support Program(to Takeuchi M)Kanazawa Medical University,No.SR2012-04
文摘Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) is one of the most common malignancies worldwide. The main etiologies of HCC are hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus(HCV), and non-hepatitis B/non-hepatitis C HCC(NBNCHCC) has also been identified as an etiological factor. Although the incidence of HCV-related HCC in Japan has decreased slightly in recent years, that of NBNC-HCC has increased. The onset mechanism of NBNC-HCC, which has various etiologies, remains unclear; however, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis(NASH), a severe form of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, is known to be an important risk factor for NBNC-HCC. Among the different advanced glycation end-products(AGEs) formed by the Maillard reaction, glyceraldehyde-derived AGEs, the predominant components of toxic AGEs(TAGE), have been associated with NASH and NBNC-HCC, including NASH-related HCC. Furthermore, the expression of the receptor for AGEs(RAGE) has been correlated with the malignant progression of HCC. Therefore, TAGE induce oxidative stress by binding with RAGE may, in turn, lead to adverse effects, such as fibrosis and malignant transformation, in hepatic stellate cells and tumor cells during NASH or NASH-related HCC progression. The aim of this review was to examine the contribution of the TAGE-RAGE axis in NASH-related HCC.
文摘<strong>Background: </strong><span style="font-family:;" "=""><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Depressive symptoms and anxiety symptoms during the postpartum period affect physical health and child rearing and that these effects are important social issues. </span><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Objective:</span></b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> The aims of this study were to clarify the differences in the transition of depressive symptoms and anxiety symptoms according to parity during a 6-month postpartum period and to clarify the differences in associations of depressive symptoms and anxiety symptoms with feelings for involvement with newborn infants in primiparous and multiparous postpartum women. </span><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Methods: </span></b><span style="font-family:Verdana;">The design of this study was a longitudinal investigation. This study was conducted from February 2017 to July 2018 in Japan. By using self-administered questionnaires that included questions on psychological symptoms in a standard climacteric scale and questions on feelings for involvement with newborn infants, we collected data at 3 days postpartum, 2 weeks postpartum, one month postpartum, 3 months postpartum and 6 months postpartum. </span><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Results: </span></b><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Responses to all of the questionnaires were obtained from 121 (52.8%) of 229 women. The score for depressive symptoms in primiparous women was significantly higher than that in multiparous women at 3 days postpartum. Depressive symptoms and anxiety symptoms showed peaks at 2 weeks postpartum in both primiparous women and multiparous women, but depressive symptoms reoccurred from 3 months postpartum to 6 months postpartum in primiparous women and anxiety symptoms reoccurred from one month to 3 months postpartum in multiparous women. Depressive symptoms and anxiety symptoms were associated with negative feelings for involvement with newborn infants and with mother’s sleepin
基金the National Research Foundation of Korea(NRF)grant funded by the Ministry of Science,ICT and Future Planning(No.2020M3H4A1A01086888,No.2020M3D1A2101319,No.2020R1A2C2011478,and No.2019M3D1A1078299)the Ministry of Trade,Industry&Energy(MOTIE,Korea)(No.20010737)the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute(ETRI)grant funded by the Korean Government(No.20ZB1200,Development of ICT Materials,Components and Equipment Technologies).G.N.and L.A.P.are thankful for the financial support from the Sao Paulo Research Foundation(FAPESP)under the grant No.2018/15574-6.
文摘Quasi-type II heterostructured nanocrystals(NCs)have been of particular interest due to their great potential for controlling the interplay of charge carriers.However,the lack of material choices for quasi-type II NCs restricts the accessible emission wavelength from red to near-infrared(NIR),which hinders their use in light-emitting applications that demand a wide range of visible colors.Herein,we demonstrate a new class of quasi-type II nanoemitters formulated in ZnSe/ZnSe_(1-X)Te_(X)/ZnSe seed/spherical quantum well/shell heterostructures(SQWs)whose emission wavelength ranges from blue to orange.In a given geometry,ZnSe_(1-X)Te_(X) emissive layers grown between the ZnSe seed and the shell layer are strained to fit into the surrounding media,and thus,the lattice mismatch between ZnSe_(1-X)Te_(X) and ZnSe is effectively alleviated.In addition,composition of the ZnSe_(1-X)Te_(X) emissive layer and the dimension of the ZnSe shell layer are engineered to tailor the distribution and energy of electron and hole wave functions.Benefitting from the capabilities to tune the charge carriers on demand and to form defectfree heterojunctions,ZnSe/ZnSe_(1-X)Te_(X)/ZnSe/ZnS NCs show near-unity photoluminescence quantum yield(PLQY>90%)in a broad range of emission wavelengths(peak PL from 450nm to 600 nm).Finally,we exemplify dichromatic white NC-based light-emitting diodes(NC-LEDs)employing the mixed layer of blue-and yellow-emitting ZnSe/ZnSe_(1-X)TeX/ZnSe/ZnS SQW NCs.
文摘BACKGROUND Low-molecular-weight dextran(LMWD)is considered a safe alternative to contrast media for blood displacement during optical coherence tomography(OCT)imaging.AIM To investigate whether the use of LMWD for OCT is protective against kidney injury in patients with advanced renal insufficiency.METHODS In this retrospective cohort study,we identified 421 patients with advanced renal insufficiency(estimated glomerular filtration rate<45 mL/min/1.73 m2)who underwent coronary angiography or percutaneous coronary intervention;79 patients who used additional LMWD for OCT imaging(LMWD group)and 342 patients who used contrast medium exclusively(control group).We evaluated the differences between these two groups and performed a propensity score-matched subgroup comparison.RESULTS The median total volume of contrast medium was 133.0 mL in the control group vs 140.0 mL in the LMWD group.Although baseline renal function was not statistically different between these two groups,the LMWD group demonstrated a strong trend toward the progression of renal insufficiency as indicated by the greater change in serum creatinine level during the 1-year follow-up compared with the control group.Patients in the LMWD group experienced worsening renal function more frequently than patients in the control group.Propensity score matching adjusted for total contrast media volume consistently indicated a trend toward worsening renal function in the LMWD group at the 1-year follow-up.Delta serum creatinine at 1-year follow-up was significantly greater in the LMWD group than that in the control group[0.06(-0.06,0.29)vs-0.04(-0.23,0.08)mg/dL,P=0.001],despite using similar contrast volume.CONCLUSION OCT using LMWD may not be protective against worsening renal function in patients with advanced renal insufficiency.
文摘A 70-year-old woman was found to have 2 cystic lesions in the head of the pancreas on abdominal ultrasonography during a routine medical examination.Endoscopic ultrasonography(EUS)and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography showed multilocular cysts in the head of the pancreas without dilation of the main pancreatic duct.The patient was followed-up semiannually with imaging studies for suspected branch duct-type intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm(IPMN).At 3 years after initial presentation,hypoechoic lesions were observed around each pancreatic cyst by EUS.Diffusion-weighted imaging showed high-intensity regions corresponding to these lesions.Therefore,a diagnosis of invasive carcinoma derived from IPMN could not be excluded,and subtotal stomach-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy was performed.The macroscopic examination of the surgical specimen showed whitish solid masses in the head of the pancreas,with multilocular cysts within each mass.Microscopically,each solid mass consisted of inflammatory cells such as lymphocytes and plasma cells.Furthermore,immunochemical staining revealed immunoglobulin G4-positive cells,and many obliterating phlebitides were observed.The cysts consisted of mucus-producing epithelial cells and showed a papillary growth pattern.Based on these findings,we diagnosed multiple localized type 1 autoimmune pancreatitis occurring only in the vicinity of the branch ducttype IPMN.
文摘An ocean data assimilation system, COMPASS-K (the Comprehensive Ocean Modeling, Prediction, Analysis and Synthesis System in the Kuroshio-region), has been developed at the Meteorological Research Institute (MRI). The purposes of the development are understanding ocean variability in the Kuroshio region as a local response to a global climate change with assimilated four-dimensional data sets, development of an operational system in the Japan Meteorological Agency, and for the GODAE (Global Ocean Data Assimilation Experiment) project. The model is an eddy permitting version of an MRI-OGCM. Space-time decorrelation scales of ocean variability are estimated with TOPEX / POSEIDON (T/P) altimeter data. Subsurface temperature and salinity fields are projected from the T / P altimeter data with a statistical correlation method and are assimilated into the model with a time-retrospective nudging scheme. Seasonal variation in the western North Pacific is investigated. Realistic space-time distribution of the physical quantities, the path of Kuroshio and its separation from Honshu are captured well. The Kuroshio volume transport is well reproduced in a reanalysis experiment of 1993. Preliminary predictability experiments are done in February and March, 1994. Predictability diagram shows the time scale of the predictability for temperature field is about 17 days in the Kuroshio south of Japan. This time scale is smaller than that in the North Atlantic.
基金Supported by Grants from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science,No.22300264 and No.25282029
文摘AIM:To study the formation of intracellular glyceraldehyde-derived advanced glycation end products(Glycer-AGEs)in the presence of high concentrations of fructose.METHODS:Cells of the human hepatocyte cell line Hep3B were incubated with or without fructose for five days,and the corresponding cell lysates were separated by two-dimensional gradient sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.Glycer-AGEs were detected with the anti-Glycer-AGEs antibody.Furthermore,the identification of the proteins that are modified by glyceraldehyde in the presence of high concentrations of fructose was conducted using matrixassisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry(MALDI-TOF-MS).The protein and m RNA levels were determined by Western blotting and realtime reverse transcription PCR,respectively.RESULTS:The results of the two-dimensional gradient sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis indicated a greater amount of GlycerAGEs in the sample exposed to high concentrations of fructose than in the control.The detected GlycerAGEs showed isoelectric points in the range of 8.0-9.0and molecular weights in the range of 60-80 k Da.The heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein M(hn RNPM),which plays an important role in regulating gene expression by processing heterogeneous nuclear RNAs to form mature m RNAs,was identified as a modified protein using MALDI-TOF-MS.Increasing the concentration of fructose in the medium induced a concentration-dependent increase in the generated Glycer-AGEs.Furthermore,in an experiment using glyceraldehyde,which is a precursor of Glycer-AGEs,hn RNPM was found to be more easily glycated than the other proteins.CONCLUSION:The results suggest that glyceraldehyde-modified hn RNPM alters gene expression.This change may cause adverse effects in hepatocytes and may serve as a target for therapeutic intervention.
基金the research project‘Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases'of the Ministry of LabourHealth+2 种基金and WelfareJapan(Principal investigatorNobukatsu Ishikawa)
基金Grant sponsor:National Natural Science Foundation of China,grant number:61074113grant sponsor:Shanghai Leading Academic Discipline Project,grant number:B504grant sponsor:Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities,grant number:WH0914028
文摘This paper presents an automatic techruque of suitable reference potential selection for quantitative EEG interpretation.The 16-channels EEG recording under mono-polar derivation is analyzed.There are two prejudgments defined for checking the amplitude distribution and ear lobe activation.After prejudgments,the EEG is classified into several cases in cluding diffused case,non-diffused case,and artifact contami nation case.Due to the cases,an automatic reference selection method is applied in order to find out suitable reference potential.Finally,the referential derivation constructed according to the obtained reference potential,is evaluated for further EEG rhythm analysis.The presented technique can high light the EEG rhythm of interest,which is useful for quantitative EEG interpretation by both visual inspection and automatic evaluation.
文摘Rotation of a pair of wings was driven by the vertical harmonic motion of a pin inserted into the center hole of the wings.To elucidate the mechanism by which the rotational motion of the wings was excited,the relationship between the wings and the pin was examined by tracking their motions using both displacement measurements and high-speed photography.The motion modes occurred in this study were categorized into five types:slipping,rolling,jumping(without eccentricity),jumping(with eccentricity),and non-rotation.In the case that the hole of the wings was located at a distance from the center of the wings,referred to as″with eccentricity,″the slipping,jumping(with eccentricity),and non-rotation modes resulted.The experimental results showed that the mechanism of the jumping(with eccentricity)was different from that of the other modes(slipping,rolling,jumping(without eccentricity)),which are well known to be driven by the periodical reaction of the wings against the vertical vibration of the pin.It was found that the jumping(with eccentricity)was driven by the non-periodical force with the collision between the wing hole and the pin.
文摘The outcome of infection with hepatitis C virus （HCV） varies substantially from self-limiting infection to chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma among the individuals. The mechanisms that determine the clearance or the persistence of HCV have not yet been clarified. Here, we experienced two cases of hospital-related infection with HCV from the same origin but with quite different outcomes. One case resolved after an episode of acute hepatitis, while the other case developed a chronic hepatitis although they were infected with HCV of the same origin. Although infected with the virus of the same origin, the clinical and virological courses were completely different. This suggests that host factors play a major role in conditioning the outcome of acute HCV infection.
文摘Advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) are formed by the nonenzymatic reaction of sugars with proteins. Glycation may adversely affect proteins, such as by inducing a loss of function. It has been shown that glyceraldehyde-derived AGEs (Glycer-AGEs) accumulate in the liver of patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Previously, we showed the formation of intracellular Glycer-AGEs upon exposure of hepatocytes to fructose in vitro, and identified an RNA-binding protein, heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein M (HNRNPM), as a target for glycation. However, the impact of glycated HNRNPM in NASH remains poorly understood. In this study, we examined gene expression changes caused by HNRNPM knockdown, and investigated the up- and down-regulated genes as noninvasive biomarker candidates for NASH. Microarray analysis after HNRNPM knockdown showed that the levels of 138 transcripts were increased, while those of 100 transcripts were decreased as compared with those in the control. Gene Ontology-based functional analysis showed that 14 upregulated and 9 downregulated genes were associated with the extracellular space, which may enable their detection using blood tests. Among these, six of the up- and down-regulated genes were associated with the extracellular exosome. These results suggest that the loss of HNRNPM function by glycation is reflected extracellularly. Therefore, the identified genes may serve as noninvasive biomarkers for Glycer-AGEs-related NASH.
