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Detecting gastrointestinal manifestations in patients with systemic sclerosis using anti-gAChR antibodies
Get PDFBackground: Patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) complicated by gastrointestinal dysmotility are difficult to treat and have high mortality. To clarify the pathogenesis of gastrointestinal manifestations, we aimed to demonstrate the association among the clinical features of SSc, the serological markers, the autoantibodies against nicotinic acetylcholine receptor at autonomic ganglia (gAChR). Methods: Fifty patients were enrolled and divided into two groups according to the presence or absence of gastrointestinal manifestations, and the characteristics were analyzed between these two groups. We measured biomarkers and the autoantibodies against two gAChRα3 and β4 subunits to test sera samples. Furthermore, patients were classified based on the presence or absence of anti-gAChR autoantibodies, and their clinical features were compared. Results: In patients with SSc and gastrointestinal manifestations, digital ulcers were more frequent (p = 0.050) and VEGF expression was significantly higher (p = 0.038). Seven subjects with SSc were seropositive for α3 subunit, whereas one patient was seropositive for β4 subunit. The mean level of anti-gAChRα3 autoantibodies in SSc patients with gastrointestinal manifestations was significantly higher than that in SSc patients without gastrointestinal manifestations (p = 0.001). The group of patients with SSc and gAChR autoantibodies had significantly higher endostatin levels (p = 0.046). Conclusions: This study is the first to demonstrate that clinical characteristics of SSc patients with seropositivity for gAChR autoantibodies. Patients with SSc have circulating autoantibodies against gAChR, which may contribute to gastrointestinal manifestations associated with this disease, suggesting that gAChR-mediated autonomic neurotransmission may provide a pathomechanism for gastrointestinal dysmotility in SSc
The study of name of place in Izayoi nikki ; with a focus on Rozinoki
No full text本研究の目的は、『十六夜日記』に登場する多くの地名詠の中から、これまで注目されてこなかった馴染みの薄い地名を詠み込んだ和歌を分析し、その特徴を明らかにすることである。鎌倉時代に阿仏尼が京都から鎌倉までの行程を描いた紀行文である『十六夜日記』の中で、特に地名詠の集中している「路次の記」を考察の対象とする。表現技巧の分析や先行歌との関係性を具体的に検討することにより、これまで注目されてこなかった地名詠にも、阿仏尼の心情や歌道家としての技能、当時の東海道の最新の様子などが盛り込まれていることがわかった。また、先行歌との影響関係からは、為家歌との関連性からその影響力が十分に看取される。さらには、鎌倉・宇都宮といった東国歌壇との影響関係にも注目され、それらの和歌には阿仏尼独自の世界を打ち出そうとする姿勢が見られることが明らかになった。本論文は「九州地区国立大学教育系・文系研究論文集」Vol.6, No.1,2(2020/3）に査読を経て受理された
The Effect of Eucalyptol on Nursing Home Residents
Get PDFCognitive impairments such as dementia are common in later life, and have been suggested to occur via a range of mechanisms, including oxidative stress, age-related changes to cellular metabolism, and a loss of phospholipids (PLs) from neuronal membranes. PLs are a class of amphipathic lipids that form plasma membrane lipid bilayers, and that occur at high concentrations in neuronal membranes. Our previous study suggested that a porcine liver decomposition product (PLDP) produced via protease treatment may improve cognitive function at older ages, by acting as a rich source of PLs and lysophospholipids (LPLs); however, its specific composition remains unclear. Thus, the present study used a novel liquid chromatography electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometric (LC-MS/MS) protocol to identify the major PLs and LPLs in PLDP. Furthermore, it assessed the effect of identified LPLs on microglial activation in vitro, including cell shape, proliferation, and cell morphology. The results of the conducted analyses showed that PLDP and PLDP-derived LPLs concentration-dependently modulate microglial activation in vitro. In particular, lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) concentration-dependently promotes cell morphology, likely via effects mediated by the enzyme autotaxin (ATX), since inhibiting ATX also promoted cell morphology, while conversely, increasing ATX production (via treatment with high levels of LPC) abolished this effect. These findings suggest that LPC is likely neuroprotective, and thus, support the importance of further research to assess its use as a therapeutic target to treat age-related cognitive impairments, including dementia
Anterior relapse or posterior drift after intraoral vertical ramus osteotomy
Get PDFThis study aimed to evaluate the factors contributing to postoperative anterior relapse or posterior drift of the distal segment after intraoral vertical ramus osteotomy. A retrospective cohort study was conducted which included 31 patients who underwent setback surgery for mandibular prognathism by the intraoral vertical ramus osteotomy technique. Uni- and multivariate analyses were performed to determine the association of potential explanatory variables (sex, age, magnitude of setback, differences in setback magnitude between sides (right/left), duration of splint use, Angle’s classification of malocclusion, mandibular angle, and tightness of occlusion of the molars) with positional changes in the distal segment. The setback magnitude was only significant factor affecting (P = 0.015) for posterior drift, with significant posterior in setback magnitudes of less than 7.25 mm. Posterior drift after intraoral vertical ramus osteotomy is less likely if setback magnitude exceeds 7.25 mm. For setbacks less than 7.25 mm, posterior drift should either be carefully corrected postoperatively, or an alternative surgical technique should be used. The setback magnitude showed a significant association with the risk of posterior drift following intraoral vertical ramus osteotomy, and the determined cut-off value may serve as a predictor for postoperative outcomes
Indices calculated by serum creatinine and cystatin C as predictors of liver damage, muscle strength and sarcopenia in liver disease
No full textSerum creatinine (Cr)-based glomerular filtration rate (CrGFR) is overestimated in liver disease. The present study evaluated whether the difference in CrGFR and cystatin C (CysC) GFR (dGFR) is significant in liver disease. The Cr-to-CysC ratio and sarcopenia index (SI) have been reported to correlate with muscle volume. An estimated total body muscle mass with Cr, CysC and calculated body muscle mass (CBMM) has also been reported to correlate with muscle mass. The applicability of dGFR, SI and CBMM for liver disease were evaluated. A total of 313 patients with liver damage were evaluated for Child-Pugh score, albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) score, model for end-stage liver disease, fibrosis-4, Cr, CysC, Cr-based estimated GFR (CreGFR), CysCGFR and grip strength. Of the 313 patients, 199 were evaluated using cross-sectional computed tomography (CT) of the third lumbar vertebra to determine the skeletal muscle (SM) mass. dGFR, CBMM and SI were compared to liver damage, muscle strength and muscle mass. In the 313 patients, dGFR was correlated with age, ALBI and grip strength; CBMM was correlated with body mass index (BMI) and grip strength; and SI was correlated with BMI and grip strength. In patients evaluated with CT, the correlation coefficients for CBMM and SI with SM were 0.804 and 0.293, respectively. Thus, CBMM and SI were associated with sarcopenia. The relationship between dGFR and ALBI does not differ with different grades of CrGFR-based chronic kidney disease (CKD). dGFR is a marker of liver damage and muscle strength regardless of CKD. CBMM and SI are markers for sarcopenia in liver disease
Effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on physical symptoms in advanced cancer patients receiving palliative care
No full textTranscutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is primarily used for pain, but
might be useful for various other physical symptoms, including nausea, fatigue,
dyspnea, and constipation. However, few studies have used TENS for treating the
physical symptoms of patients with advanced cancer. In this crossover trial, we assess
the effects of TENS on pain and other physical symptoms in 20 in-patients with
advanced cancer receiving palliative care. For 5-day phases between wash out periods
of 5 days, patients received TENS or non-TENS. TENS was delivered at four points: the
center of the back for mainly nausea and dyspnea, on the back at the same dermatomal
level as the origin of the pain (100 Hz), and on both ankle joints for constipation (10
Hz). The intensity of pain and the total opioid dose used during phases were recorded.
Physical symptoms were evaluated using the European Organization for Research and
Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 15 Palliative Care
(QLQ-C15-PAL). Hematological and biochemical data were recorded before and after
the TENS phase. The average pain and total number of opioid rescue doses were
significantly reduced by TENS. TENS tended to improve nausea and appetite loss, but
not constipation. There were no effects on hematological and biochemical parameters.
Use of TENS could safely improve pain, nausea, and appetite loss in patients with
advanced cancer. Although it cannot be used as a substitute for opioids and other
pharmaceutical treatment, it may be useful to support palliative care
