Showing papers by "Gifu University of Medical Science published in 2010"

Sympathetic neural influence on bone metabolism in microgravity (Review).

Abstract: Bone loss is one of the most important complications for astronauts who are exposed to long-term microgravity in space and also for bedridden elderly people. Recent studies have indicated that the sympathetic nervous system plays a role in bone metabolism. This paper reviews findings concerning with sympathetic influences on bone metabolism to hypothesize the mechanism how sympathetic neural functions are related to bone loss in microgravity. Animal studies have suggested that leptin stimulates hypothalamus increasing sympathetic outflow to bone and enhances bone resorption through noradrenaline and β-adrenoreceptors in bone. In humans, even though there have been some controversial findings, use of β-adrenoblockers has been reported to be beneficial for prevention of osteoporosis and bone fracture. On the other hand, microneurographically-recorded sympathetic nerve activity was enhanced by exposure to microgravity in space as well as dry immersion or long-term bed rest to simulate microgravity. The same sympathetic activity became higher in elderly people whose bone mass becomes generally reduced. Our recent findings indicated a significant correlation between muscle sympathetic nerve activity and urinary deoxypyridinoline as a specific marker measuring bone resorption. Based on these findings we would like to propose a following hypothesis concerning the sympathetic involvement in the mechanism of bone loss in microgravity: An exposure to prolonged microgravity may enhance sympathetic neural traffic not only to muscle but also to bone. This sympathetic enhancement increases plasma noradrenaline level and inhibits osteogenesis and facilitates bone resorption through β-adrenoreceptors in bone to facilitate bone resorption to reduce bone mass. The use of β-adrenoblockers to prevent bone loss in microgravity may be reasonable.

Evaluation of the specific structures of IgA1 hinge glycopeptide in 30 IgA nephropathy patients by mass spectrometry.

Abstract: BACKGROUND Although many reports have described the abnormal structures of O-glycan in the IgA1 hinge region in IgA nephropathy (IgAN), the specific glycopeptide that can be used as a diagnostic biomarker for IgAN has not yet been identified. To pursue this diagnostic approach, we used mass spectrometric analysis to search for specific structures in IgA1 hinge glycopeptides in 30 IgAN patients contrasted with 30 healthy controls. METHOD IgA1 hinge glycopeptides were individually purified from the sera of 30 biopsy-proven IgAN patients and 30 healthy controls. The structure of each glycopeptide was analyzed by ion trap mass spectrometry. Sugar conformations in each glycopeptide were estimated by collision-induced dissociation tandem mass spectrometry. Furthermore, to search for specific O-glycans in IgAN patients with a statistical significance, the identified hinge glycopeptides were analyzed by Fisher exact test. RESULT A total of 57 hinge glycopeptides were identified from each of the 2 sample groups. Among the structures of the hinge glycopeptides identified, statistical significance was found for 6 glycopeptides (O-glycan compositions were 33-mer hinge core peptides + xGalNAc + yGal + zNeu5Ac; x:y:z = 5:3:3, 5:3:0, 5:2:1, 4:2:2, 3:1:1, 3:1:0) by Fisher exact test (p<0.05). In these 6 O-glycan compositions, 3 compositions (x:y:z = 4:2:2, 3:1:1, 3:1:0) were only observed in IgAN patients and were absent in the 30 controls. CONCLUSION Statistically specific O-glycans were identified in 30 IgAN patients compared with 30 controls. These results open the possibility for preparation of lectin and/or antibodies binding to specific glycopeptides in IgAN.

Molecular epidemiological analysis of methicillin-resistant staphylococci in a neonatal intensive care unit.

Abstract: To investigate the contamination by and transmission of MRSA/MRCNS in the old NICU of Hospital A and the relocated NICU (new NICU), we isolated and evaluated staphylococci from nurses' palms, towels under the heads of neonates, infant incubators (including portholes and infant covers), and room air. Detection rates of MRSA/MRCNS isolated from different sample locations were 52.6% in the old NICU and 53.4% in the new NICU, which demonstrates that the nurses' palms in both the old and new NICUs and indoor environment were contaminated with MRSA/MRCNS. In the old NICU, numerous MRSA and MRCNS strains (Log 3.17 ± 0.19 cfu/10 cm2) were identified from towels, and the implementation of improvement plans resulted in a decrease in the number of MRSA/MRCNS isolates (Log 1.95 ± 0.57 cfu/10cm2) from the towels used in the new NICU. A homology study of MRSA/MRCNS strains by PFGE DNA restriction patterns identified genotypes that showed similar patterns in the nurses' palms, towels, infant incubators, and room air.

Ethical issues in gene therapy

Abstract: After reading and mentally analyzing the two quotes below. Choose one you agree with the most and justify that reasoning with evidence from what you’ve seen and learned so far. Please include your observation based thoughts on what has happened in the past with eugenics, and the possibilities for the future with gene therapy in regards to: ● populations of humans (who will survive or be allowed to survive)

Introducing a novel image quality measure for digital phase-contrast-image evaluation

Abstract: Recently, detective quantum efficiency (DQE) arising from the concept of signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) has been used for assessing digital x-ray imaging systems Using a phase-shift of x-rays that occurs when passing through an object, digital phase contrast imaging (herein referred to as “phase imaging”), which involves magnification, can produce images different from those of standard contact imaging (herein referred to as “regular imaging”) For this reason, assessment of the image quality based on DQE which does not include the object information may not be appropriate to compare image quality between the phase images and the regular images As an alternative method, we proposed a new image quality assessment method based on radial direction distribution function (RDDF) and signal intensity distribution function (SIDF) in two-dimensional power spectra of images that contain information of an object To evaluate the usefulness of our method based on RDDF and SIDF, we assessed images of different contrast, noise characteristic and sharpness using simple phantoms Our results showed that the accurate evaluation of these factors was successfully performed Comparing the image quality of projected plant seeds by phase imaging and regular imaging, we found the phase imaging method provided higher image quality in terms of edge sharpness than that of the regular imaging.

Effect of accommodation training by stereoscopic movie presentation on myopic youth

Abstract: The abnormal contraction of ciliary muscles due to the performance of a near visual task for several hours causes various vision problems such as asthenopia and visual loss. However, these problems can be resolved by activating the muscles by alternately repeating negative and positive accommodation. In this study, we have verified the effect of accommodation training that uses the strategy of presenting a stereoscopic movie to myopic youth and measuring the uncorrected distant visual acuity, spherical diopter (SPH), and subjective index of asthenopia obtained using a visual analog scale (VAS). Stereoscopic movies are prepared by using the POWER 3D method (Olympus Visual Communications Co., Ltd.), which reduces the inconsistency between the experienced and the actual senses. Thirty two myopic students aged 20 ± 1 years (16 males and 16 females) were chosen as the subjects. One group performed the accommodation training for 6 min, and the other group underwent a near visual task during the same period as the control group. We concluded the following from each item of verification: (a) The accommodation training using a stereoscopic movie had temporarily improved visual acuity. (b) This training led to a decrease in asthenopia. (c) The training improved the near-point accommodation function.