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An experimental implementation for the reduction of power-line noise in delicate signal detection is presented. This implementation improves the signal-to-noise ratio without limiting the bandwidth of the measurement. A sinusoidal wave and its harmonics, both synchronized with the frequency of the power line, are used to cancel out the power supply noise induced in the measurement signal. The wave and the harmonics are generated via a phase-locked loop implementation. Their amplitude and phase are adjusted, and then they are added to the measurement signal using a series of operational amplifiers to compensate for the noise. Although we applied this method to the particular case of scanning tunneling microscopy measurements, considerably improving the image quality, our implementation can be applied to other measurement systems for which noise from the power lines can compromise the signal detection.
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Transposable element (TE) marker system was developed considering the useful properties of the transposable elements such as their large number in the animal and plant genomes, high rate of insertion polymorphism, and ease of detection. Various methods have been employed for developing a large number of TE markers in several crop plants for genomics studies. Here we describe some of these methods including the recent whole genome search. We also review the application of TE markers in molecular breeding.
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Productos Agrícolas/genética , Barajamiento de ADN/métodos , Elementos Transponibles de ADN , Marcadores Genéticos , Fitomejoramiento/métodos , Polimorfismo GenéticoRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate possible differences in treatment responses between two categories for the onset of lupus nephritis. METHODS: We performed a multicentre, retrospective cohort study of class III-V lupus nephritis patients diagnosed between 1997 and 2014. The renal responses to initial induction therapy were compared between patients who developed lupus nephritis within one year from diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (early (E-) LN) and the remainder (delayed (D-) LN) using the Kaplan-Meier method. We determined the predictors of renal response as well as renal flares and long-term renal outcomes using multivariate Cox regression analyses. RESULTS: A total of 107 E-LN and 70 D-LN patients were followed up for a median of 10.2 years. Log-rank tests showed a lower cumulative incidence of complete response in D-LN compared with E-LN patients. Multivariate analysis identified D-LN (hazard ratio (HR) 0.48, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.33-0.70), nephrotic syndrome at baseline, and a chronicity index greater than 2 as negative predictors of complete response. D-LN patients were more likely to experience renal flares. D-LN (HR 2.54, 95% CI 1.10-5.83) and decreased renal function were significant predictors of chronic kidney disease at baseline. CONCLUSION: D-LN was a predictor of poorer treatment outcomes, in addition to renal histology and severity of nephritis at lupus nephritis onset.
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Inmunosupresores/uso terapéutico , Lupus Eritematoso Sistémico/tratamiento farmacológico , Nefritis Lúpica/tratamiento farmacológico , Adolescente , Adulto , Estudios de Cohortes , Femenino , Humanos , Japón , Lupus Eritematoso Sistémico/complicaciones , Nefritis Lúpica/fisiopatología , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Estudios Retrospectivos , Factores de Tiempo , Resultado del Tratamiento , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
Salvage esophagectomy (SALV) is potentially beneficial for patients with residual or relapsed esophageal carcinoma after definitive chemoradiotherapy (dCRT), although preoperatively identifying good candidates for SALV remains difficult. We investigated the prognostic impacts of inflammatory and nutritional status in patients undergoing SALV after dCRT. Forty-seven SALV patients were retrospectively reviewed, of whom 46 (98%) had squamous cell carcinoma and 1 (2%) adenocarcinoma. Possible prognostic factors included patients' demographic data, physical status, blood chemistry profiles, and clinical/pathological tumor features. The Glasgow prognostic score (GPS) was derived from preoperative C-reactive protein (CRP) and albumin values. Thirty (64%), 11 (23%), and 6 (13%) patients were classified into the GPS 0, 1, and 2, respectively, groups. None of the possible prognostic factors showed significant correlations with GPS. Patients with GPS 0 had better outcomes than those with GPS 1 or GPS 2 (Median survivals: 37.8, 15.9, and 5.1 months, respectively, P < 0.001). In the multivariable Cox proportional hazards model, GPS 1 (HR 5.62, 95% CI 1.94-16.4, P = 0.002), GPS 2 (HR 9.10, 95% CI 2.60-31.8, P < 0.001), R1/2 resection (HR 16.3, 95% CI 3.62-86.7, P < 0.001) and incomplete response to dCRT (HR 3.53, 95% CI 1.12-12.5, P = 0.03) were all independent risk factors for a poor outcome. Preoperative GPS is potentially useful for predicting outcomes in esophageal cancer patients undergoing SALV.
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Carcinoma de Células Escamosas/patología , Neoplasias Esofágicas/patología , Esofagectomía/mortalidad , Terapia Recuperativa/mortalidad , Índice de Severidad de la Enfermedad , Adenocarcinoma/mortalidad , Adenocarcinoma/patología , Adenocarcinoma/cirugía , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Biomarcadores de Tumor/análisis , Proteína C-Reactiva/análisis , Carcinoma de Células Escamosas/mortalidad , Carcinoma de Células Escamosas/cirugía , Neoplasias Esofágicas/mortalidad , Neoplasias Esofágicas/cirugía , Esofagectomía/métodos , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Valor Predictivo de las Pruebas , Periodo Preoperatorio , Pronóstico , Modelos de Riesgos Proporcionales , Estudios Prospectivos , Estudios Retrospectivos , Terapia Recuperativa/métodosRESUMEN
No study has systematically reviewed the evidence on presentation of oropharyngeal dysphagia and swallowing rehabilitation following esophagectomy. The purposes of this systematic review are to 1) qualitatively synthesize the current findings on oropharyngeal swallowing abnormalities identified by instrumental swallowing evaluations, 2) describe the reported health-related outcomes in relation to swallowing abnormality following esophagectomy, and 3) examine the efficacy of reported rehabilitative interventions for oropharyngeal dysphagia in patients who underwent esophagectomy. Publications were searched using five electronic databases. No language or publication date restrictions were imposed. Two authors performed a blind review for published or unpublished studies that reported swallowing biomechanics and dysphagic symptoms using instrumental evaluation of swallowing, specifically the videofluoroscopic swallowing study and fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing, and/or health-related outcomes in relation to swallowing abnormalities, and/or therapeutic interventions for oropharyngeal dysphagia following esophagectomy. Twelve studies out of 2,193 studies including 458 patients met the inclusion criteria. Reported abnormal swallowing biomechanics included vocal fold immobility, delayed onset of swallowing, reduced hyolaryngeal elevation, and reduced opening of the upper esophageal sphincter. Aspiration (0-81%) and pharyngeal residue (22-100%) were prevalent. Those abnormal swallowing biomechanics and swallowing symptoms were commonly reported following both transhiatal and transthoracic esophagectomy. Pneumonia presented in 5-25% of the study patients. One quasi-experimental study examined the effectiveness of swallowing exercises for postoperative oropharyngeal dysphagia; three case series reported a benefit of the chin-tuck maneuver in reducing aspiration and residue. This review revealed distinct swallowing impairments and increased pneumonia risks following esophagectomy. This review also found that evidence on the efficacy of therapeutic interventions was limited. Future studies are warranted to develop effective rehabilitative interventions for postesophagectomy patients with oropharyngeal dysphagia.
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Trastornos de Deglución/rehabilitación , Neoplasias Esofágicas/cirugía , Esofagectomía/efectos adversos , Deglución/fisiología , Trastornos de Deglución/diagnóstico , Trastornos de Deglución/etiología , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Resultado del TratamientoRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is thought to be useful for chronic pain, with the pathology of the latter being closely associated with cognitive-emotional components. However, there are few resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (R-fMRI) studies. We used the independent component analysis method to examine neural changes after CBT and to assess whether brain regions predict treatment response. METHODS: We performed R-fMRI on a group of 29 chronic pain (somatoform pain disorder) patients and 30 age-matched healthy controls (T1). Patients were enrolled in a weekly 12-session group CBT (T2). We assessed selected regions of interest that exhibited differences in intrinsic connectivity network (ICN) connectivity strength between the patients and controls at T1, and compared T1 and T2. We also examined the correlations between treatment effects and rs-fMRI data. RESULTS: Abnormal ICN connectivity of the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) and inferior parietal lobule within the dorsal attention network (DAN) and of the paracentral lobule within the sensorimotor network in patients with chronic pain normalized after CBT. Higher ICN connectivity strength in the OFC indicated greater improvements in pain intensity. Furthermore, ICN connectivity strength in the dorsal posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) within the DAN at T1 was negatively correlated with CBT-related clinical improvements. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the OFC is crucial for CBT-related improvement of pain intensity, and that the dorsal PCC activation at pretreatment also plays an important role in improvement of clinical symptoms via CBT.
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Dolor Crónico/terapia , Terapia Cognitivo-Conductual , Giro del Cíngulo/fisiopatología , Imagen por Resonancia Magnética , Corteza Prefrontal/fisiopatología , Adulto , Mapeo Encefálico , Estudios de Casos y Controles , Dolor Crónico/fisiopatología , Femenino , Humanos , Japón , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Vías Nerviosas/fisiopatología , Psicoterapia de Grupo , Descanso , Regresión EspacialAsunto(s)
Anticuerpos Anticitoplasma de Neutrófilos/inmunología , Autoinmunidad , Poliangitis Microscópica/etiología , Miositis por Cuerpos de Inclusión/complicaciones , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Biopsia , Humanos , Inmunohistoquímica , Masculino , Poliangitis Microscópica/diagnóstico , Poliangitis Microscópica/inmunología , Miositis por Cuerpos de Inclusión/diagnóstico , Miositis por Cuerpos de Inclusión/inmunologíaRESUMEN
AIM: Hypoglycaemia is a common complication in diabetes patients. However, its relationship with retinopathy has not been well documented in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). This study aimed to investigate the associations between hypoglycaemia and the incidence and progression of diabetic retinopathy (DR). METHODS: In this longitudinal cohort study, which was part of the Japan Diabetes Complications Study (JDCS), adult patients with T2D were recruited at 59 diabetes clinics across Japan. Their history of hypoglycaemia was assessed by standardized self-reported questionnaires. Severe hypoglycaemia was defined as having at least one episode with coma requiring an outpatients visit or hospitalization. Adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) for incidence and progression of DR over 8 years of follow-up were determined. RESULTS: Of 1221 patients without DR, 127 (10.4%) had experienced non-severe hypoglycaemia within the previous year, whereas 10 (0.8%) reported severe hypoglycaemia episodes. During the 8-year follow-up involving 8492 person-years, 329 patients developed DR. In 410 patients with prevalent DR, the adjusted HRs for incident DR were 4.35 (95% CI: 1.98-9.56; P<0.01) and, for progression of DR, 2.29 (95% CI: 0.45-11.78; P=0.32) with severe hypoglycaemia. CONCLUSION: Having a history of severe hypoglycaemia was one of the strongest predictors of incident DR in patients with T2D, with a fourfold increased risk. Identifying patients with greater risks of DR based on their history of hypoglycaemia may help to personalize risk evaluation in patients with diabetes.
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Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2/sangre , Retinopatía Diabética/epidemiología , Hipoglucemia/sangre , Hipoglucemiantes/efectos adversos , Anciano , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2/tratamiento farmacológico , Retinopatía Diabética/sangre , Femenino , Humanos , Hipoglucemia/inducido químicamente , Hipoglucemiantes/uso terapéutico , Incidencia , Japón , Estudios Longitudinales , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Factores de RiesgoRESUMEN
Niobate nanosheets are assembled into thin membranes by a vacuum filtration. The nanosheet membranes have a dense and stable structure in water via chemical cross-linking and show higher permeance and salt rejection compared with graphene oxide membranes. A water pathway model based on the void structure is presented to explain the membrane performances.
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BACKGROUND: Processed foods are part of daily life. Almost all processed foods contain food additives such as sweeteners, preservatives and colourants. From childhood, it is difficult to avoid consuming food additives. It is thought that oral tolerance for food antigens is acquired during early life. If tolerance fails, adverse immune responses to food proteins may occur. OBJECTIVE: We hypothesized that food additives prevent acquisition of oral tolerance and aimed to verify the safety of food additives. METHODS: We induced experimental oral tolerance in mice for ovalbumin (OVA), a food antigen, by previous oral treatment with OVA before sensitization with OVA injections. Food additives were administered at the induction of oral tolerance, and food allergy was induced by repeated administration of OVA. Symptoms of food allergy were defined as a change in body temperature and allergic diarrhoea. RESULTS: Saccharin sodium and a mixture of food additives inhibited acquisition of oral tolerance. Hypothermia and allergic diarrhoea with elevation of OVA-specific IgE were induced in the murine model of oral tolerance. Analyses of antigen-presenting cells in mesenteric lymph nodes showed that food additives affected their manner of migration. Additionally, food additives decreased the proportion of CD25hi regulatory T cells among CD4+ T cells in the mesenteric lymph nodes. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: A large amount of food additives may prevent acquisition of oral tolerance. Intake of food additives in early life may increase the risk of food allergies.
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Alérgenos/inmunología , Aditivos Alimentarios/efectos adversos , Hipersensibilidad a los Alimentos/inmunología , Tolerancia Inmunológica , Edulcorantes/efectos adversos , Administración Oral , Alérgenos/administración & dosificación , Animales , Células Presentadoras de Antígenos/inmunología , Biomarcadores , Quimiotaxis/inmunología , Modelos Animales de Enfermedad , Ensayo de Inmunoadsorción Enzimática , Femenino , Aditivos Alimentarios/administración & dosificación , Inmunoglobulina E/sangre , Inmunoglobulina E/inmunología , Inmunoglobulina G/sangre , Inmunoglobulina G/inmunología , Ratones , Ovalbúmina/inmunología , Sacarina/administración & dosificación , Sacarina/efectos adversos , Edulcorantes/administración & dosificaciónRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: FOLFIRI and FOLFOX have shown equivalent efficacy for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), but their comparative effectiveness is unknown when combined with bevacizumab. PATIENTS AND METHODS: WJOG4407G was a randomized, open-label, phase III trial conducted in Japan. Patients with previously untreated mCRC were randomized 1:1 to receive either FOLFIRI plus bevacizumab (FOLFIRI + Bev) or mFOLFOX6 plus bevacizumab (mFOLFOX6 + Bev), stratified by institution, adjuvant chemotherapy, and liver-limited disease. The primary end point was non-inferiority of FOLFIRI + Bev to mFOLFOX6 + Bev in progression-free survival (PFS), with an expected hazard ratio (HR) of 0.9 and non-inferiority margin of 1.25 (power 0.85, one-sided α-error 0.025). The secondary end points were response rate (RR), overall survival (OS), safety, and quality of life (QoL) during 18 months. This trial is registered to the University Hospital Medical Information Network, number UMIN000001396. RESULTS: Among 402 patients enrolled from September 2008 to January 2012, 395 patients were eligible for efficacy analysis. The median PFS for FOLFIRI + Bev (n = 197) and mFOLFOX6 + Bev (n = 198) were 12.1 and 10.7 months, respectively [HR, 0.905; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.723-1.133; P = 0.003 for non-inferiority]. The median OS for FOLFIRI + Bev and mFOLFOX6 + Bev were 31.4 and 30.1 months, respectively (HR, 0.990; 95% CI 0.785-1.249). The best overall RRs were 64% for FOLFIRI + Bev and 62% for mFOLFOX6 + Bev. The common grade 3 or higher adverse events were leukopenia (11% in FOLFIRI + Bev/5% in mFOLFOX6 + Bev), neutropenia (46%/35%), diarrhea (9%/5%), febrile neutropenia (5%/2%), peripheral neuropathy (0%/22%), and venous thromboembolism (6%/2%). The QoL assessed by FACT-C (TOI-PFC) and FACT/GOG-Ntx was favorable for FOLFIRI + Bev during 18 months. CONCLUSION: FOLFIRI plus bevacizumab was non-inferior for PFS, compared with mFOLFOX6 plus bevacizumab, as the first-line systemic treatment for mCRC. CLINICAL TRIALS NUMBER: UMIN000001396.
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Protocolos de Quimioterapia Combinada Antineoplásica/administración & dosificación , Bevacizumab/administración & dosificación , Camptotecina/análogos & derivados , Neoplasias Colorrectales/tratamiento farmacológico , Adulto , Anciano , Protocolos de Quimioterapia Combinada Antineoplásica/efectos adversos , Bevacizumab/efectos adversos , Camptotecina/administración & dosificación , Camptotecina/efectos adversos , Neoplasias Colorrectales/patología , Supervivencia sin Enfermedad , Efectos Colaterales y Reacciones Adversas Relacionados con Medicamentos/clasificación , Efectos Colaterales y Reacciones Adversas Relacionados con Medicamentos/patología , Femenino , Fluorouracilo/administración & dosificación , Fluorouracilo/efectos adversos , Humanos , Japón , Estimación de Kaplan-Meier , Leucovorina/administración & dosificación , Leucovorina/efectos adversos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Metástasis de la Neoplasia , Compuestos Organoplatinos/administración & dosificación , Compuestos Organoplatinos/efectos adversos , Modelos de Riesgos Proporcionales , Resultado del TratamientoRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Early bowel obstruction is not a rare complication of gastrectomy, and it may require re-operation in some cases. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the case of a 71-year-old woman who underwent a total gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y reconstruction for a massive gastrointestinal stromal tumor. Postoperatively, she was making good progress and started consuming meals on postoperative day 3. However, on postoperative day 10, she complained of upper abdominal discomfort and nausea. Blood tests showed a mild inflammatory reaction. An upper gastrointestinal series showed obstruction of the elevated jejunum. An abdominal computed tomography scan suggested upper bowel obstruction. Endoscopic observation and repositioning was selected as an effective approach for treatment considering the patient's clinical condition and background. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy showed kinking of the elevated jejunum, easy passage through to the anal intestine, and no evidence of mucosal edema, stenosis of the Roux-en-Y anastomosis, bowel ischemia, or necrosis. After endoscopic repositioning, upper gastrointestinal series showed good passage of the jejunum and no evidence of bowel obstruction. At the 6-month follow-up examination, the patient was in good condition and had no complaints. CONCLUSION: We concluded that early endoscopic management should be the effective procedure considered for diagnosis and treatment of early bowel obstruction after gastrectomy in some cases.
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Despite novel antidepressant development, 10-30% of patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) have antidepressant treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Although new therapies are needed, lack of knowledge regarding the neural mechanisms underlying TRD hinders development of new therapeutic options. We aimed to identify brain regions in which spontaneous neural activity is not only altered in TRD but also associated with early treatment resistance in MDD. Sixteen patients with TRD, 16 patients with early-phase non-TRD and 26 healthy control (HC) subjects underwent resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging. To identify brain region differences in spontaneous neural activity between patients with and without TRD, we assessed fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (fALFF). We also calculated correlations between the percent change in the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD17) scores and fALFF values in brain regions with differing activity for patients with and without TRD. Patients with TRD had increased right-thalamic fALFF values compared with patients without TRD. The percent change in HRSD17 scores negatively correlated with fALFF values in patients with non-TRD. In addition, patients with TRD showed increased fALFF values in the right inferior frontal gyrus (IFG), inferior parietal lobule (IPL) and vermis, compared with patients with non-TRD and HC subjects. Our results show that spontaneous activity in the right thalamus correlates with antidepressant treatment response. We also demonstrate that spontaneous activity in the right IFG, IPL and vermis may be specifically implicated in the neural pathophysiology of TRD.
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Trastorno Depresivo Mayor/diagnóstico por imagen , Trastorno Depresivo Resistente al Tratamiento/diagnóstico por imagen , Lóbulo Parietal/diagnóstico por imagen , Corteza Prefrontal/diagnóstico por imagen , Tálamo/diagnóstico por imagen , Adulto , Antidepresivos/uso terapéutico , Encéfalo/diagnóstico por imagen , Encéfalo/fisiopatología , Estudios de Casos y Controles , Trastorno Depresivo Mayor/tratamiento farmacológico , Trastorno Depresivo Mayor/fisiopatología , Trastorno Depresivo Resistente al Tratamiento/tratamiento farmacológico , Trastorno Depresivo Resistente al Tratamiento/fisiopatología , Femenino , Neuroimagen Funcional , Humanos , Imagen por Resonancia Magnética , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Lóbulo Parietal/fisiopatología , Corteza Prefrontal/fisiopatología , Tálamo/fisiopatologíaRESUMEN
Transthoracic esophagectomy (TTE) is believed to have advantages for mediastinal lymphadenectomy in the treatment of resectable esophageal cancer despite its association with a greater incidence of pulmonary complications and postoperative mortality. Transhiatal esophagectomy is regarded as less invasive, though insufficient in terms of lymph node dissection. With the aim of achieving lymph dissection equivalent to that of TTE, we have developed a nontransthoracic esophagectomy (NTTE) procedure combining a video-assisted cervical approach for the upper mediastinum and a robot-assisted transhiatal approach for the middle and lower mediastinum. We prospectively studied 22 accumulated cases of NTTE and verified feasibility by analyzing perioperative and histopathological outcomes. We compared this group's short-term outcomes with outcomes of 139 equivalent esophageal cancer cases operated on at our institution by conventional TTE (TTE group). In the NTTE group, there were no procedure-related events and no midway conversions to the conventional surgery; the mean operation time was longer (median, 524 vs. 428 minutes); estimated blood loss did not differ significantly between the two groups (median, 385 mL vs. 490 mL); in the NTTE group, the postoperative hospital stay was shorter (median, 18 days vs. 24 days). No postoperative pneumonia occurred in the NTTE group. The frequencies of other major postoperative complications did not differ significantly, nor were there differences in the numbers of harvested mediastinal lymph nodes (median, 30 vs. 29) or in other histopathology findings. NTTE offers a new radical procedure for resection of esophageal cancer combining a cervical video-assisted approach and a transhiatal robotic approach. Although further accumulation of surgical cases is needed to corroborate these results, NTTE promises better prevention of pulmonary complications in the management of esophageal cancer.
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Neoplasias Esofágicas/cirugía , Esofagectomía/métodos , Complicaciones Posoperatorias/epidemiología , Procedimientos Quirúrgicos Robotizados/métodos , Toracoscopía/métodos , Adulto , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Neoplasias Esofágicas/patología , Estudios de Factibilidad , Femenino , Humanos , Tiempo de Internación , Escisión del Ganglio Linfático/métodos , Ganglios Linfáticos/patología , Ganglios Linfáticos/cirugía , Masculino , Mediastino/cirugía , Persona de Mediana Edad , Tempo Operativo , Complicaciones Posoperatorias/etiología , Estudios Prospectivos , Resultado del TratamientoRESUMEN
The majority of drug induced arrhythmias are related to the prolongation of action potential duration following inhibition of rapidly activating delayed rectifier potassium current (I(Kr)) mediated by the hERG channel. However, for arrhythmias to develop and be sustained, not only the prolongation of action potential duration but also its transmural dispersion are required. Herein, we evaluated the effect of hERG inhibition on transmural dispersion of action potential duration using the action potential clamp technique that combined an in silico myocyte model with the actual I(Kr) measurement. Whole cell I(Kr) current was measured in Chinese hamster ovary cells stably expressing the hERG channel. The measured current was coupled with models of ventricular endocardial, M-, and epicardial cells to calculate the action potentials. Action potentials were evaluated under control condition and in the presence of 1, 10, or 100 µM disopyramide, an hERG inhibitor. Disopyramide dose-dependently increased the action potential durations of the three cell types. However, action potential duration of M-cells increased disproportionately at higher doses, and was significantly different from that of epicardial and endocardial cells (dispersion of repolarization). By contrast, the effects of disopyramide on peak I(Kr) and instantaneous current-voltage relation were similar in all cell types. Simulation study suggested that the reduced repolarization reserve of M-cell with smaller amount of slowly activating delayed rectifier potassium current levels off at longer action potential duration to make such differences. The action potential clamp technique is useful for studying the mechanism of arrhythmogenesis by hERG inhibition through the transmural dispersion of repolarization.
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Canales de Potasio Éter-A-Go-Go/genética , Corazón/efectos de los fármacos , Miocitos Cardíacos/efectos de los fármacos , Bloqueadores de los Canales de Potasio/farmacología , Potenciales de Acción/efectos de los fármacos , Animales , Antiarrítmicos/farmacología , Células CHO , Cricetinae , Cricetulus , Disopiramida/farmacología , Relación Dosis-Respuesta a Droga , Canal de Potasio ERG1 , Endocardio/citología , Endocardio/efectos de los fármacos , Canales de Potasio Éter-A-Go-Go/efectos de los fármacos , Humanos , Técnicas de Placa-Clamp , Pericardio/citología , Pericardio/efectos de los fármacosRESUMEN
Employed cancer patients confront some challenges as they attempt to return to work after treatment. We aimed to identify correlates of return to work for cancer survivors in Japan, with an emphasis on employment status. Participants were 260 patients (aged <65 years) who had received a cancer diagnosis ≥ 1 year previously and who were employed at the time of diagnosis. Participants completed questionnaires at consultations at any Regional Cancer Center Hospitals in Yamagata, Japan between 28 November 2011 and 9 December 2011. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify correlates of return to work. Data cross-tabulation was used to evaluate relationships to workplace and income-changes by employment status. A high proportion of patients (75.8%) had returned to work. Non-regularly employed survivors were less likely to return to work (odds ratio = 5.03; 95% confidence interval, 1.18-21.35). Individuals with poor health, advanced-stage tumours, of advanced age and women were significantly less likely to return to work. Only 52.8% of non-regular employees continued to be employed, and their income decreased by as much as 61.1%. Social and financial support policies should be organised based on more intensive study of employment circumstances.
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Neoplasias de la Mama , Empleo/estadística & datos numéricos , Sobrevivientes/estadística & datos numéricos , Adaptación Psicológica , Adulto , Anciano , Femenino , Humanos , Japón , Modelos Logísticos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Oportunidad Relativa , Encuestas y CuestionariosRESUMEN
This work introduces a self-contained framework for endoscopic camera tracking by combining 3D ultrasonography with endoscopy. The approach can be readily incorporated into surgical workflows without installing external tracking devices. By fusing the ultrasound-constructed scene geometry with endoscopic vision, this integrated approach addresses issues related to initialization, scale ambiguity, and interest point inadequacy that may be faced by conventional vision-based approaches when applied to fetoscopic procedures. Vision-based pose estimations were demonstrated by phantom and ex vivo monkey placenta imaging. The potential contribution of this method may extend beyond fetoscopic procedures to include general augmented reality applications in minimally invasive procedures.
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Fetoscopía/métodos , Imagenología Tridimensional/métodos , Técnica de Sustracción , Cirugía Asistida por Computador/métodos , Ultrasonografía Prenatal/métodos , Interfaz Usuario-Computador , Algoritmos , Inteligencia Artificial , Humanos , Aumento de la Imagen/métodos , Interpretación de Imagen Asistida por Computador/métodos , Reconocimiento de Normas Patrones Automatizadas/métodos , Reproducibilidad de los Resultados , Sensibilidad y EspecificidadRESUMEN
Androgen receptor splicing variants (ARVs) that lack the ligand-binding domain (LBD) are associated with the development of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), including resistance to the new generation of high-affinity anti-androgens. However, the mechanism by which ARV expression is regulated is not fully understood. In this study, we show that the activation of classical nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling increases the expression of ARVs in prostate cancer (PCa) cells and converts androgen-sensitive PCa cells to become androgen-insensitive, whereas downregulation of NF-κB signaling inhibits ARV expression and restores responsiveness of CRPC to anti-androgen therapy. In addition, we demonstrated that combination of anti-androgen with NF-κB-targeted therapy inhibits efficiently tumor growth of human CRPC xenografts. These results indicate that induction of ARVs by activated NF-κB signaling in PCa cells is a critical mechanism by which the PCa progresses to CRPC. This has important implications as it can prolong the survival of CRPC patients by restoring the tumors to once again respond to conventional androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT).
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Antagonistas de Andrógenos/administración & dosificación , Antineoplásicos/administración & dosificación , Neoplasias de la Próstata Resistentes a la Castración/tratamiento farmacológico , Receptores Androgénicos/metabolismo , Transducción de Señal/efectos de los fármacos , Antagonistas de Andrógenos/farmacología , Anilidas/administración & dosificación , Anilidas/farmacología , Antineoplásicos/farmacología , Protocolos de Quimioterapia Combinada Antineoplásica/administración & dosificación , Protocolos de Quimioterapia Combinada Antineoplásica/farmacología , Ácidos Borónicos/administración & dosificación , Ácidos Borónicos/farmacología , Bortezomib , Línea Celular Tumoral , Humanos , Masculino , FN-kappa B/antagonistas & inhibidores , FN-kappa B/metabolismo , Nitrilos/administración & dosificación , Nitrilos/farmacología , Neoplasias de la Próstata Resistentes a la Castración/genética , Neoplasias de la Próstata Resistentes a la Castración/metabolismo , Pirazinas/administración & dosificación , Pirazinas/farmacología , Receptores Androgénicos/genética , Compuestos de Tosilo/administración & dosificación , Compuestos de Tosilo/farmacología , Ensayos Antitumor por Modelo de XenoinjertoRESUMEN
PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATION: The authors analyzed treatment results for cervical cancer after subdividing Stage Ib into Stages Ib1 and Ib2 according to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) information. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The subjects comprised 40 cases of Stage Ib cervical cancer treated by definitive radiotherapy in Kitasato University hospital and Tokyo University hospital from January 2000 to December 2008. The patients' ages ranged from 28 to 85 years (median: 68 years). The maximum tumor diameter measured with MRI ranged from undetectable to 60 mm (median: 25 mm). The authors classified tumors with the greatest dimension less than 40 mm as Stage Ib1 (29 cases) and those with the greatest dimension more than 40 mm as Ib2 (11 cases). All cases were treated with a combination of external beam irradiation and high-dose-rate intra-cavitary brachytherapy. Chemotherapy was combined with radiotherapy in 11 cases. RESULTS: The follow-up time was from four to 109 months (median: 53 months). At the time of last observation, 37 cases survived, local recurrence was seen in none, and two cases showed distant metastasis. The two- and five-year overall survival rates of all cases were 97.5% and 89.5%, respectively. When a stage was subdivided and examined, the five-year overall survival rate of Stage Ib1 was 100% and that of Stage Ib2 was 50.5% (p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: The authors suggest that the subdivision of stages using image information reflects the prognosis of Stage Ib cervical cancer.
Asunto(s)
Imagen por Resonancia Magnética/métodos , Neoplasias del Cuello Uterino/patología , Adulto , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Terapia Combinada , Femenino , Humanos , Persona de Mediana Edad , Estadificación de Neoplasias , Tasa de Supervivencia , Resultado del Tratamiento , Neoplasias del Cuello Uterino/mortalidad , Neoplasias del Cuello Uterino/terapiaRESUMEN
Chronic active Epstein-Barr virus infection (CAEBV) is characterized by chronic infectious mononucleosis-like symptoms. We report a very rare case with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) complicated by CAEBV. A 50-year-old woman with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) complicated by AIH began to suffer from acute respiratory failure and her clinical symptoms improved rapidly in response to steroid treatment. However, during the gradual tapering of the steroid dose, a steady increase of the serum hepatobiliary enzyme levels subsequently was observed and the patient began to have continuous fever. Moreover, upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed multiple intractable gastric ulcers. When EBER-ISH was performed on liver biopsy and gastric mucosal biopsy specimens, EBER-positive lymphocytes were observed. When peripheral blood was examined, 2.1 × 10(6) copies/µg of EBV-DNA were observed in the CD4-positive T cells, confirming the diagnosis of CAEBV. A cooling therapy was started by steroid and cyclosporine. Thereafter, despite the start of CHOP therapy, she developed a malignant lymphoma (PTCL-NOS) and died of hepatic failure. When treatment-resistant AIH patients are encountered, not only AIH exacerbation but also CAEBV should be considered in the differential diagnosis.