Embolization using both n-butyl cyanoacrylate and gelatin sponges in a patient with a posterior superior pancreaticoduodenal artery pseudoaneurysm that ruptured and bled into the drain tube.

Transcatheter arterial embolization is a useful treatment for postpancreatectomy hemorrhage, a severe complication of pancreatic surgery. N-butyl cyanoacrylate is a liquid and permanent embolic material that is widely used in transcatheter arterial embolization. However, its use can lead to the adherence of the catheter to the vessel wall and occlusion of the catheter lumen. This case report presents the case of a 63-year-old man with a postpancreatectomy posterior superior pancreaticoduodenal artery pseudoaneurysm, which ruptured and bled into a drain tube. The patient underwent transcatheter arterial embolization using N-butyl cyanoacrylate and a gelatin sponge without the incidence of adherence or occlusion of the drain tube. Gelatin sponge, which was used as a temporary embolic material, was effective in preventing the drain tube from adhering and occluding.

Comparative analysis of different response criteria at early phase after PD-1 blockade in non-small lung cancer.

PURPOSE: To compare different response criteria using computed tomography (CT) and positron emission tomography (PET) in measuring response and survival in the early phase after programmed death-1 (PD-1) blockade monotherapy in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS: A total of 54 patients with advanced NSCLC who had 2-deoxy-2-[fluorine-18]-fluoro-D-glucose PET or CT at baseline, and 4 and 9 weeks after PD-1 blockade, were registered. Therapeutic response was assessed according to the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST), the immune-modified RECIST (irRECIST), the PET Response Criteria in Solid Tumors (PERCIST), the immune-modified PERCIST (iPERCIST), and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) criteria for dichotomous groups, such as responders vs. non-responders and controlled vs. uncontrolled diseases. Cohen's κ was used to evaluate the concordance among the different criteria. RESULTS: The concordance between CT and PET response criteria was fair or slight for responders vs. non-responders, but the agreement between iPERCIST and irRECIST was moderate for controlled vs. uncontrolled diseases. The agreement between EORTC and PERCIST or iPERCIST in detecting responders was higher in the application of metabolic tumor volume (MTV) and total lesion glycolysis (TLG) than in the standardized uptake value corrected for lean body mass (SUL)peak. To distinguish controlled from uncontrolled disease, RECIST, irRECIST, and PET criteria (PERCIST, iPERCIST, and EORTC) defined by MTV or TLG were found to be significant predictors of progression-free survival. To distinguish responders from non-responders, iPERCIST by SULpeak or EORTC by TLG were identified as significant indicators. The EORTC criteria using TLG for the detection of responders or uncontrolled diseases had a significantly higher predictive value for response assessment. CONCLUSIONS: The EORTC criteria based on TLG for the early detection of responders and uncontrolled disease were effective as a response assessment at 4 weeks after the PD-1 blockade. When SULpeak was not used but MTV or TLG was, the agreement between EORTC and PERCIST or iPERCIST was almost perfect.

Non-invasive detection and differentiation of cardiac amyloidosis using 99mTc-pyrophosphate scintigraphy and 11C-Pittsburgh compound B PET imaging.

PURPOSE: To investigate the utility of the combined use of 11C-Pittsburgh compound B (11C-PiB) positron emission tomography (PET) imaging and 99mTc-pyrophosphate (99mTc-PYP) scintigraphy for detection and differentiation of three major types of cardiac amyloidosis, i.e. immunoglobulin light chain (AL), hereditary transthyretin (ATTRv), and wild-type transthyretin (ATTRwt) amyloidosis. METHODS: Whole-body 11C-PiB PET and 99mTc-PYP scintigraphy were performed in 17 patients with AL amyloidosis, 22 patients with ATTRv, and eight patients with ATTRwt amyloidosis. The correlations between organ involvement and the uptake of 11C-PiB and 99mTc-PYP were analyzed in each patient. RESULTS: Cardiac amyloidosis was detectable by 99mTc-PYP scintigraphy or 11C-PiB PET in all systemic amyloidosis patients with cardiac involvement. 99mTc-PYP scintigraphy and 11C-PiB PET showed an interesting complementary relation. Strict combination of positive 11C-PiB and negative 99mTc-PYP uptake (PiB pattern) was observed in all AL amyloidosis patients with cardiac involvement. In contrast, strict combination of positive 99mTc-PYP and negative 11C-PiB uptake (PYP pattern) was observed in all ATTRwt amyloidosis patients with cardiac involvement. ATTRv amyloidosis patients with cardiac involvement were divided into two groups: PiB pattern or PYP pattern. All of the early-onset V30M (p.V50M) ATTRv patients showed the PiB pattern, whereas all of the late-onset V30M and non-V30M ATTRv patients showed the PYP pattern. CONCLUSIONS: All three major types of cardiac amyloidosis can be detected and differentiated non-invasively by combined use of the two amyloid imaging methods and TTR gene testing.

Usefulness of three-dimensional magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography with partial maximum intensity projection for diagnosing autoimmune pancreatitis.

PURPOSE: To compare three-dimensional magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) with/without partial maximum intensity projection (MIP) and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in patients with autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three-dimensional MRCP and ERCP images were retrospectively analyzed in 24 patients with AIP. We evaluated the narrowing length of the main pancreatic duct (NR-MPD), multiple skipped MPD narrowing (SK-MPD), and side branches arising from the narrowed portion of the MPD (SB-MPD) using four MRCP datasets: 5 original images (MIP5), 10 original images (MIP10), all original images (full-MIP), and a combination of these three datasets (a-MIP). The images were scored using a 3- or 5-point scale. The scores of the four MRCP datasets were statistically analyzed, and the positive rate of each finding was compared between MRCP and ERCP. RESULTS: The median scores for SB-MPD on MIP5 and a-MIP were significantly higher than those on MIP10 and full-MIP. In other words, partial MIP is superior to full-MIP for visualization of detailed structures. The positive rate for SB-MPD on full-MIP was significantly lower than that on ERCP, whereas the positive rate on MIP5, MIP10, and a-MIP was not significantly different from that on ERCP. Moreover, the positive rate for NR-MPD and SK-MPD on the MRCP images was significantly higher than that on the ERCP images. CONCLUSION: Partial MIP is useful for evaluating the MPD and is comparable with ERCP for diagnosing AIP.

X-ray imaging using the thermoluminescent properties of commercial Al2O3 ceramic plates.

This research demonstrated that commercially available alumina is well-suited for use in large area X-ray detectors. We discovered a new radiation imaging device that has a high spatial resolution, high sensitivity, wide dynamic range, large imaging area, repeatable results, and low operating costs. The high thermoluminescent (TL) properties of Al2O3 ceramic plates make them useful for X-ray imaging devices.

Disruption of DNA Damage-Response by Propyl Gallate and 9-Aminoacridine.

The DNA-damage response (DDR) protects the genome from various types of endogenous and exogenous DNA damage, and can itself be a target of certain chemicals that give rise to chromosomal aberrations. Here, we developed a screening method to detect inhibition of Mediator of DNA damage Checkpoint 1 (MDC1) foci formation (the Enhanced Green Fluorescent Protein (EGFP)-MDC1 foci formation-inhibition assay) using EGFP-MDC1-expressing human cells. The assay identified propyl gallate (PG) and 9-aminoacridine (9-AA) as inhibitors of camptothecin (CPT)-induced MDC1 foci formation. We demonstrated that the inhibition of CPT-induced MDC1 foci formation by PG was caused by the direct suppression of histone H2AX phosphorylation at Ser139 (γH2AX), which is required for MDC1 foci formation, by quantifying γH2AX in cells and in vitro 9-AA also directly suppressed H2AX Ser139-phosphorylation in vitro but the concentration was much higher than that required to suppress CPT-induced MDC1 foci formation in cells. Consistent with these findings, PG and 9-AA both suppressed CPT-induced G2/M cell-cycle arrest and increased the number of abnormal nuclei. Our results suggest that early DDR-inhibitory effects of PG and 9-AA contribute to their chromosome-damaging potential, and that the EGFP-MDC1 foci formation-inhibition assay is useful for detection of and screening for H2AX Ser139-phosphorylation-inhibitory effects of chemicals.

Carpal tunnel syndrome: a common initial symptom of systemic wild-type ATTR (ATTRwt) amyloidosis.

BACKGROUND: Systemic wild-type ATTR (ATTRwt) amyloidosis is a prevalent aging-related disorder. However, a limited number of systemic ATTRwt amyloidosis patients have been diagnosed antemortem, and therefore, the prevalence of ATTRwt is underestimated. Here, we investigated clinical findings of a series of systemic ATTRwt amyloidosis patients with antemortem diagnosis. METHODS: Thirty-one consecutive patients diagnosed with systemic ATTRwt amyloidosis at Shinshu University Hospital were included in this study. Systemic ATTRwt amyloidosis was diagnosed based on proven ATTR amyloid deposition in biopsy specimens and confirmation of wild-type TTR genotype. RESULTS: The systemic ATTRwt amyloidosis patients consisted of 24 men and seven women, and mean age of onset was 69.8 ± 9.0 years. The most common initial symptom was carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS, 17 patients), followed by heart failure symptoms (14 patients). The mean age at diagnosis was 74.5 ± 8.3 years and the duration of illness from onset to diagnosis was 5.4 ± 4.4 years. Cardiogenic embolism and renal dysfunction are also frequently seen during the course of the disease. CONCLUSIONS: CTS is the most common initial symptom of systemic ATTRwt amyloidosis. Our results suggest the possibility of systemic ATTRwt amyloidosis diagnosis at an early stage by carefully examining patients with CTS.

A novel functional site in the PB2 subunit of influenza A virus essential for acetyl-CoA interaction, RNA polymerase activity, and viral replication.

The PA, PB1, and PB2 subunits, components of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase of influenza A virus, are essential for viral transcription and replication. The PB2 subunit binds to the host RNA cap (7-methylguanosine triphosphate (m(7)GTP)) and supports the endonuclease activity of PA to "snatch" the cap from host pre-mRNAs. However, the structure of PB2 is not fully understood, and the functional sites remain unknown. In this study, we describe a novel Val/Arg/Gly (VRG) site in the PB2 cap-binding domain, which is involved in interaction with acetyl-CoA found in eukaryotic histone acetyltransferases (HATs). In vitro experiments revealed that the recombinant PB2 cap-binding domain that includes the VRG site interacts with acetyl-CoA; moreover, it was found that this interaction could be blocked by CoA and various HAT inhibitors. Interestingly, m(7)GTP also inhibited this interaction, suggesting that the same active pocket is capable of interacting with acetyl-CoA and m(7)GTP. To elucidate the importance of the VRG site on PB2 function and viral replication, we constructed a PB2 recombinant protein and recombinant viruses including several patterns of amino acid mutations in the VRG site. Substitutions of the valine and arginine residues or of all 3 residues of the VRG site to alanine significantly reduced the binding ability of PB2 to acetyl-CoA and its RNA polymerase activity. Recombinant viruses containing the same mutations could not be replicated in cultured cells. These results indicate that the PB2 VRG sequence is a functional site that is essential for acetyl-CoA interaction, RNA polymerase activity, and viral replication.

Functional analysis of Aoatg1 and detection of the Cvt pathway in Aspergillus oryzae.

Autophagy is a degradation system in which cellular components are digested via vacuoles/lysosomes. In the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the induction of autophagy results from inactivation of target of rapamycin complex 1 (TORC1), promoting formation of the serine/threonine kinase Atg1, which is one of the key autophagy-related (Atg) proteins required for both nonselective and selective autophagy such as the cytoplasm-to-vacuole targeting (Cvt) pathway. Here, to understand the induction mechanism of autophagy in filamentous fungi, we first identified the ATG1 homolog Aoatg1 in Aspergillus oryzae and then analyzed the localization of an enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP)-AoAtg1 fusion protein. AoAtg1-EGFP localized to pre-autophagosomal structure (PAS)-like structures, similar to Atg1 localization in S. cerevisiae. The function of AoAtg1 was evaluated by constructing an Aoatg1 disruptant, ΔAoatg1. Conidiation and development of aerial hyphae were scarcely observed in ΔAoatg1. Moreover, autophagy in the disruptant was examined by observation of the localization of EGFP-AoAtg8 and AoApe1-EGFP, with the results indicating that AoAtg1 is essential for nonselective autophagy and the Cvt pathway. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the overexpression of Aoatg1 results in decreased conidiation and the excessive development of aerial hyphae and sclerotia. Taken together, our findings provide evidence for the existence of the Cvt pathway in A. oryzae.

Acute neurogenic pulmonary edema following electroconvulsive therapy: a case report.

OBJECTIVE: We report the case of a 47-year-old man with depression who developed acute dyspnea, hypoxemia, and mild hemoptysis after electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). METHOD: Intravenous carbazochrome sodium sulfate hydrate as a hemostatic drug (100 mg/day) was prescribed for 2 days. On the day of ECT, oxygen inhalation (4 L/min) was continued, and SpO2 was maintained at 94-96%. RESULTS: Chest radiography showed improvement in alveolar infiltration. Chest CT 6 days after ECT also confirmed the disappearance of ground glass opacities in the lung fields. CONCLUSION(S): NPE is life threatening and should be recognized as an uncommon adverse event associated with ECT.

Usefulness of the automatic quantitative estimation tool for cerebral blood flow: clinical assessment of the application software tool AQCEL.

OBJECTIVE: AQCEL enables automatic reconstruction of single-photon emission computed tomogram (SPECT) without image degradation and quantitative analysis of cerebral blood flow (CBF) after the input of simple parameters. We ascertained the usefulness and quality of images obtained by the application software AQCEL in clinical practice. METHODS: Twelve patients underwent brain perfusion SPECT using technetium-99m ethyl cysteinate dimer at rest and after acetazolamide (ACZ) loading. Images reconstructed using AQCEL were compared with those reconstructed using conventional filtered back projection (FBP) method for qualitative estimation. Two experienced nuclear medicine physicians interpreted the image quality using the following visual scores: 0, same; 1, slightly superior; 2, superior. For quantitative estimation, the mean CBF values of the normal hemisphere of the 12 patients using ACZ calculated by the AQCEL method were compared with those calculated by the conventional method. The CBF values of the 24 regions of the 3-dimensional stereotaxic region of interest template (3DSRT) calculated by the AQCEL method at rest and after ACZ loading were compared to those calculated by the conventional method. RESULTS: No significant qualitative difference was observed between the AQCEL and conventional FBP methods in the rest study. The average score by the AQCEL method was 0.25 ± 0.45 and that by the conventional method was 0.17 ± 0.39 (P = 0.34). There was a significant qualitative difference between the AQCEL and conventional methods in the ACZ loading study. The average score for AQCEL was 0.83 ± 0.58 and that for the conventional method was 0.08 ± 0.29 (P = 0.003). During quantitative estimation using ACZ, the mean CBF values of 12 patients calculated by the AQCEL method were 3-8% higher than those calculated by the conventional method. The square of the correlation coefficient between these methods was 0.995. While comparing the 24 3DSRT regions of 12 patients, the squares of the correlation coefficient between AQCEL and conventional methods were 0.973 and 0.986 for the normal and affected sides at rest, respectively, and 0.977 and 0.984 for the normal and affected sides after ACZ loading, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The quality of images reconstructed using the application software AQCEL were superior to that obtained using conventional method after ACZ loading, and high correlations were shown in quantity at rest and after ACZ loading. This software can be applied to clinical practice and is a useful tool for improvement of reproducibility and throughput.

Semiquantitative measurement of pulmonary hilar gallium-67 uptake using single photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography for the diagnosis of autoimmune pancreatitis.

PURPOSE: We ascertained the difference in the level of pulmonary hilar (PH) gallium-67 (Ga-67) uptake in autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) patients between the active (before corticosteroid therapy) and remittent (after 4 weeks of corticosteroid therapy) phases using a semiquantitative measurement method based on single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) with integrated low-dose computed tomography (CT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ga-67 planar scans and SPECT were performed in 11 AIP patients before and after 4 weeks of corticosteroid therapy. A region of interest (ROI) was drawn over the bilateral pulmonary hilum and the liver, and average counts of the pulmonary hilum and liver were calculated. The average counts of the pulmonary hilum divided by those of the liver gave the pulmonary hilum/liver ratio (H/L). RESULTS: A significant difference was observed in the H/L between active and remittent phases. H/L in the active phase was 1.03±0.32 and that in the remittent phase was 0.58±0.25 (t-test, P=0.0016). CONCLUSIONS: PH Ga-67 uptake in patients with active AIP was semiquantitatively higher than that in those with remittent AIP. Hence, this may be a useful finding for an early diagnosis, estimating the effectiveness of corticosteroid therapy, and following up patients with this disease.

Disturbed spatial learning of rats after intraventricular administration of transforming growth factor-beta 1.

Patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) who later suffer hydrocephalus show persistently high levels of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) in the cerebrospinal fluid after the onset of SAH. Recombinant TGF-beta 1 induces hydrocephalus in mice. This study examined the spatial learning ability of rats after intraventricular administration of TGF-beta 1. Thirteen-week-old Wistar rats were treated with 0.8 or 8.0 micrograms of human recombinant TGF-beta 1 by direct injection or via osmotic pump. Three months later, their spatial learning ability was evaluated with a Morris water maze. Ventricular size, ultrastructural features, and sodium-potassium-adenosine triphosphatase (Na+, K(+)-ATPase) activity of the subarachnoid space were examined. All three TGF-beta 1-treated groups clearly exhibited impaired spatial learning ability, but they did not exhibit ventricular dilation. Histological examination revealed subarachnoid fibrosis and deactivation of Na+, K(+)-ATPase in the arachnoid cells. These findings are similar to those of our previous experiments involving injection of TGF-beta 1 in mice. The present and previous studies suggest that subarachnoid fibrosis is an important factor in the disturbance of the spatial learning ability of rats, whereas ventricular size is less important.