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Ventilation/Perfusion Mismatch in Pulmonary Vein Stenosis Secondary to Atrial Fibrillation Ablation
Get PDFWe present two patients with a history of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation who developed pulmonary vein stenosis (PVS) following atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation. Case 1 involved a female patient in her 50s who was asymptomatic for pulmonary symptoms but was found to have a high degree of left superior PVS 15 months after AF ablation. This was demonstrated using contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CE-CT) and supported by findings of perfusion defects on ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) scan. Case 2 was a male patient in his 60s who developed progressive left superior PVS nine months after AF ablation, evidenced by serial CE-CT and V/Q scans.
PVS is a rare but well-known complication of pulmonary vein ablation for the treatment of AF that can lead to severe complications if left untreated. V/Q scans effectively assess the functional significance of PVS by detecting abnormal blood flow segments. Although a V/Q mismatch characterized by reduced perfusion defects is more commonly used in evaluating pulmonary embolism, PVS should not be disregarded as a differential diagnosis. Few studies emphasize the utility of V/Q scans in managing PVS and highlight V/Q mismatch as a notable finding. This case report aimed to highlight their significance.journal articl
Optimizing Black Soldier Fly Larva Meal Substitution for Growth Performance and Meat Quality of Loach Fish
Get PDFBackground: The study was conducted to evaluate the substitution of fishmeal by black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) meal on growth performance, survival rate, feed utilization and meat quality of loach fish.
Methods: The experimental fish, weighing between 3 g and 8 g, were randomly assigned to one of four groups, treated with 0% (CG), 10% (TG1), 30% (TG2) and 50% (TG3) BSFL-substituted fishmeal.
Result: The growth performance in terms of length and weight was significantly higher in the TG1 and TG2 compared to the other groups. We also confirmed a positive correlation between the length (x) and weight (y) of loach fish. Regarding the quality of meat, TG1 exhibited the highest amino acid content at 18.52%. However, survival rate and feed utilization across all treatments showed no significant differences.journal articl
Liposomal formulation co-encapsulating α-tocopheryl succinate and α-tocopherol ameliorates high-fat diet-induced obesity
No full textLipid accumulation inhibition is a pivotal focus for anti-obesity drugs. α-Tocopheryl succinate (TS) is a derivative of α-tocopherol (T) that inhibits lipid accumulation, making it a propitious candidate for an anti-obesity agent. However, cytotoxicity of TS limits its application. Reactive oxygen species produced by TS are responsible for the cytotoxicity, which can be mitigated by T. Herein, we evaluated the effect of a liposomal formulation co-encapsulating TS and T (TS/T-lipo) on obesity. We prepared TS/T-lipo and evaluated the resultant cytotoxicity and lipid accumulation inhibition effect in vitro. TS/T-lipo showed a significant inhibitory effect on lipid accumulation without cytotoxicity. The inhibitory effect on lipid accumulation is likely due to upregulation of Uncoupling Protein 1, which causes lipid consumption. Moreover, we evaluated the effect of TS/T-lipo on a high-fat diet-induced obese mouse model and found that body weight significantly decreased in the TS/T-lipo group without elevation of liver toxicity or blood glucose levels. Additionally, increased glycerol serum levels are suggestive of increased lipolysis upon treatment with TS/T-lipo. Histological analysis supports inhibition of lipid accumulation by treatment with TS/T-lipo. Taken together, this evidence demonstrates that co-administration of TS/T can reduce cytotoxicity and may be a promising candidate for an anti-obesity drug.journal articl
Green Tea Through the Ages : A Comparative Study of Classical Texts From China and Japan
Get PDFWe present a comparative analysis of six influential texts on green tea: "The Classic of Tea", "Grand Treatise on Tea", "Record of Tea", "Record of Drinking Tea for Health", "Cha Pu", and "The Book of Tea". Spanning from the Tang Dynasty in China to the Meiji Period in Japan, these works collectively shaped the cultural, spiritual, and technical dimensions of tea consumption across East Asia. Each text contributes a unique perspective, ranging from Lu Yu’s foundational exploration of tea philosophy and culture to Emperor Huizong’s aesthetic refinement of tea in the imperial court, and Eisai’s promotion of tea as a medicinal and spiritual aid in Zen Buddhism. The framework used for comparison examines philosophy, health benefits, cultural practices, technical brewing methods, and global influence. This analysis highlights how green tea evolved from a simple beverage to a symbol of spirituality, aesthetic refinement, and cultural identity in China and Japan. These texts not only influenced local practices but also helped shape the global appreciation of tea culture.journal articl
The roles of the upregulation of CD26/DPP4 in myeloma cells in myeloma tumor expansion
Get PDFMultiple myeloma (MM) cells and osteoclasts (OCs) interact with each other to form a vicious cycle between bone destruction and tumor progression. Although CD26/dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4) was reported to be upregulated in MM cells upon interaction with OCs, little is known about the roles of CD26/DPP4 in MM progression. Here, we explored the effects of CD26/DPP4 expressed in MM cells on MM tumor growth and dissemination. CD26/DPP4 was expressed in MM cells in a portion of patients with MM. We previously reported that mechanical unloading acutely enhanced osteoclastogenesis and thereby accelerated MM cell expansion in 5TGM1 MM-bearing mouse models. We found the upregulation of CD26/DPP4 in MM tumor lesions in the mouse models with mechanical unloading in a manner dependent on osteoclastogenesis. Enforced expression of CD26/DPP4 did not affect cell-autonomous growth in 5TGM1 cells in vitro, but aggravated 5TGM1 cell growth and extraosseous dissemination in mouse MM models with intratibial inoculation. Interestingly, PIM inhibition suppressed the CD26/DPP4 upregulation in MM cells and alleviated MM tumor progression in the mouse models under mechanical unloading. These results suggest that aberrant expression of CD26/DPP4 in MM cells contributes to an aggressive feature of MM.doctoral thesi
Graph convolutional neural network for pulmonary perfusion scintigraphy classification
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Pursuing Desire : A Comparative Study of “La Peau de Chagrin” and “The Lotus Eater” and Their Relevance to Modern Life
Get PDFThis study presents a comparison of Honoré de Balzac’s La Peau de Chagrin and W. Somerset Maugham’s The Lotus Eater, focusing on the theme of pursuing desire and its consequences. By examining the protagonists’ motivations, life purposes, and the outcomes of their actions, the analysis reveals how each story critiques the pursuit of desires in distinct yet complementary ways. Balzac’s narrative employs a supernatural element to illustrate the existential cost of unbridled ambition, while Maugham’s tale portrays the gradual decline resulting from a life dedicated solely to pleasure. The study highlights the enduring relevance of these themes to modern life, particularly in a world increasingly dominated by instant gratification and escapism. These stories offer valuable insights into the potential pitfalls of a desire-driven existence, urging a reflection on the balance between ambition, pleasure, and responsibility in contemporary society.journal articl