Effects of Cardiac Glycoside Digoxin on Dendritic Spines and Motor Learning Performance in Mice.

Synapse formation following the generation of postsynaptic dendritic spines is essential for motor learning and functional recovery after brain injury. The C-terminal fragment of agrin cleaved by neurotrypsin induces dendritic spine formation in the adult hippocampus. Since the α subunit of sodium-potassium ATPase (Na/K ATPase) is a neuronal receptor for agrin in the central nervous system, cardiac glycosides might facilitate dendritic spine formation and subsequent improvements in learning.

Effects of arm and leg positions on lumbar multifidus muscle activity while on hands and knees or while standing.

Background: The lumbar multifidus (LMF) muscle, which is involved in the mechanical stability of the lumbar spine, reportedly undergoes atrophy in patients with low back pain. Preventing or mitigating low back pain requires strengthening the LMF muscle; however, methods for triggering selective and significant contraction of this muscle have not been fully studied. This study aims to clarify how, in the hands-and-knees or standing position, the position of the arm and leg on one side affects the activity of the lumbar erector spinae (LES) and LMF muscles.

The nitric oxide-cyclic guanosine monophosphate pathway inhibits the bladder ATP release in response to a physiological or pathological stimulus.

The release of ATP from the epithelium of the urinary bladder (urothelium) in response to mechanical/chemical stimuli contributes to the visceral sensation in the micturition reflex. The nitric oxide (NO)-mediated induction of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) has been detected in urothelial cells and may inhibit the micturition reflex. However, the function of the NO-cGMP pathway in the regulation of urothelial ATP release remains poorly understood in contrast to its effects on smooth muscles or primary afferent nerves.

Serum tenascin-C predicts resistance to steroid combination therapy in high-risk Kawasaki disease: a multicenter prospective cohort study.

Background: Tenascin-C (TN-C) is an extracellular matrix glycoprotein related to tissue inflammation. Our previous retrospective study conducted in 2016 revealed that the serum tenascin-C level was higher in patients with Kawasaki disease (KD) who were resistant to intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and developed coronary artery lesions (CALs). The present study is a prospective cohort study to assess if the serum level of tenascin-C could be used as a novel biomarker to predict the risk of resistance to initial treatment for high-risk patients.

[Proposal of a New Index Based on Signal-to-Noise Ratio for Low-contrast Detectability in Computed Tomographic Imaging].

The low-contrast detectability of computed tomography (CT) images is commonly evaluated by the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) because of its convenience to measure. However, the correlation between CNR and visual detectability is poor because the CNR is a simple index determined by both the contrast of the object and the standard deviation of the image noise. On the other hand, the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), especially SNR based on the statistical decision theory model (SNR) and SNR based on the matched-filter model (SNR) are considered superior to CNR.

The Bone Regeneration Using Bone Marrow Stromal Cells with Moderate Concentration Platelet-Rich Plasma in Femoral Segmental Defect of Rats.

Background: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) can provide an assortment of growth factors, but how PRP effects bone regeneration is still unknown. The aim of the study was to explore an optimal method of using PRP and bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs).

Methods: An experiment was first conducted to determine an appropriate quantity of PRP.

JNK is critical for the development of Candida albicans-induced vascular lesions in a mouse model of Kawasaki disease.

Background: Kawasaki disease (KD) is the most common systemic vasculitis of unknown etiology in children, and can cause the life-threatening complication of coronary artery aneurysm. Although a novel treatment strategy for patients with KD-caused vascular lesions is eagerly awaited, their molecular pathogenesis remains largely unknown. c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) is a signaling molecule known to have roles in inflammation and tissue remodeling.

Effect of platelet-rich plasma with fibrin matrix on healing of intrasynovial flexor tendons.

Purpose: To investigate the effects of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) with fibrin matrix on the healing of intrasynovial flexor tendons in a rabbit model in vivo.

Methods: We transected and repaired 156 toe flexors of 73 rabbits using the technique of Tsuge et al and a simple running epitendinous suture. We randomly assigned Repaired tendons to groups that recieved no additional treatment (control) or to which we applied PRP, fibrin (F), or PRP with fibrin matrix (PRP-F) at the repair site.

Feasibility study of two schedules of sunitinib in combination with pemetrexed in patients with advanced solid tumors.

Background: Sunitinib is an oral multitargeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor and platelet-derived growth factor receptors, as well as of other receptor types. We have performed a feasibility study to investigate the safety of sunitinib in combination with pemetrexed for treatment of advanced refractory solid tumors.

Methods: Sunitinib was administered once daily on a continuous daily dosing (CDD) schedule (37.

Effect of axitinib (AG-013736) on fatigue, thyroid-stimulating hormone, and biomarkers: a phase I study in Japanese patients.

Axitinib is an oral, potent, and selective inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) 1, 2, and 3. This phase I study evaluated the safety, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, antitumor activity, and recommended starting dose of axitinib in patients with advanced solid tumors. Twelve patients received single-dose axitinib 5 mg and were monitored for > or =48 h.

Absence of biglycan accelerates the degenerative process in mouse intervertebral disc.

Study Design: A study of the histologic changes of the intervertebral discs (IVDs) in biglycan (Bgn)-deficient mice.

Objective: In this study, we investigate whether the absence of Bgn accelerates the degenerative process in mouse intervertebral disc (IVD).

Summary Of Background Data: Proteoglycans and collagen fibrils are major components in the extracellular matrix (ECM) composition of IVD.

Phase I study of TLR9 agonist PF-3512676 in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer.

This phase I, open-label study investigated the Toll-like receptor 9 agonist, PF-3512676, in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel in Japanese patients with advanced, non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Patients (n = 12) with treatment-naive stage IIIB or IV NSCLC received single-agent PF-3512676 subcutaneously once during the first 7 days (monotherapy phase) in three escalating dose levels (0.1, 0.

Epimerization of diastereomeric alpha-amino nitriles to single stereoisomers in the solid state.

[reaction: see text] A diastereomeric mixture of the alpha-amino nitrile prepared by the Strecker reaction of benzaldehyde, (1S,2R)-1-aminoindan-2-ol, and cyanotrimethylsilane thermally epimerizes in the solid state to give a single diastereomer with an (S)-configuration at the alpha position to the nitrile moiety. This shows a sharp contrast to the reaction conducted in DMSO at room temperature, which gives a 1:1 mixture of (S)- and (R)-isomers. Several other alpha-amino nitriles also epimerize in the solid-state toward single diastereomers.

Engineered allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells repair femoral segmental defect in rats.

Bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) have been shown to be progenitor cells for mesenchymal tissues. These cells may also provide a potential therapy for bone repair. Our previous studies showed that MSC engineered with the gene for bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2), a growth factor for bone cells, were capable of differentiating into osteoblast lineage and inducing autologous bone formation in several animal models.