Organic light emitting diode improves diabetic cutaneous wound healing in rats

A major complication for diabetic patients is chronic wounds due to impaired wound healing. It is well documented that visible red wavelengths can accelerate wound healing in diabetic animal models and patients. In vitro and in vivo diabetic models were used to investigate the effects of organic light emitting diode (OLED) irradiation on cellular function and cutaneous wound healing. Human dermal fibroblasts were cultured in hyperglycemic medium (glucose concentration 180 mM) and irradiated with an OLED (623 nm wavelength peak, range from 560 to 770 nm, power density 7 or 10 mW/cm² at 0.2, 1, or 5 J/cm²). The OLED significantly increased total adenosine triphosphate concentration, metabolic activity, and cell proliferation compared with untreated controls in most parameters tested. For the in vivo experiment, OLED and laser (635 ± 5 nm wavelength) treatments (10 mW/cm², 5 J/cm² daily for a total of seven consecutive days) for cutaneous wound healing were compared using a genetic, diabetic rat model. Both treatments had significantly higher percentage of wound closure on day 6 postinjury and higher total histological scores on day 13 postinjury compared with control. No statistical difference was found between the two treatments. OLED irradiation significantly increased fibroblast growth factor‐2 expression at 36‐hour postinjury and enhanced macrophage activation during initial stages of wound healing. In conclusion, the OLED and laser had comparative effects on enhancing diabetic wound healing.     

Cytological Kinetics of Periodontal Ligament in an Experimental Occlusal Trauma Model

Using a model of experimental occlusal trauma in mice, we investigated cytological kinetics of periodontal ligament by means of histopathological, immunohistochemical, and photographical analysis methods. Periodontal ligament cells at furcation areas of molar teeth in the experimental group on day 4 showed a proliferation tendency of periodontal ligament cells. The cells with a round-shaped nucleus deeply stained the hematoxylin and increased within the day 4 specimens. Ki67 positive nuclei showed a prominent increase in the group on days 4 and 7. Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) positivity also revealed cell movement but was slightly slow compared to Ki67. It indicated that restoration of mechanism seemed conspicuous by osteoclasts and macrophages from bone-marrow-derived cells for the periodontal ligament at the furcation area. It was suggested that the remodeling of periodontal ligament with cell acceleration was evoked from the experiment for the group on day 4 and after day 7. Periodontal ligament at the furcation area of the molar teeth in this experimental model recovered using the cells in situ and the bone-marrow-derived cells.     

Sofosbuvir plus ribavirin in Japanese patients with chronic genotype 2 HCV infection: an open‐label,phase 3 trial

Genotype 2 hepatitis C virus (HCV) accounts for up to 30% of chronic HCV infections in Japan. The standard of care for patients with genotype 2 HCV – peginterferon and ribavirin for 24 weeks – is poorly tolerated, especially among older patients and those with advanced liver disease. We conducted a phase 3, open‐label study to assess the efficacy and safety of an all‐oral combination of the NS5B polymerase inhibitor sofosbuvir and ribavirin in patients with chronic genotype 2 HCV infection in Japan. We enrolled 90 treatment‐naïve and 63 previously treated patients at 20 sites in Japan. All patients received sofosbuvir 400 mg plus ribavirin (weight‐based dosing) for 12 weeks. The primary endpoint was sustained virologic response at 12 weeks after therapy (SVR12). Of the 153 patients enrolled and treated, 60% had HCV genotype 2a, 11% had cirrhosis, and 22% were over the aged 65 or older. Overall, 148 patients (97%) achieved SVR12. Of the 90 treatment‐naïve patients, 88 (98%) achieved SVR12, and of the 63 previously treated patients, 60 (95%) achieved SVR12. The rate of SVR12 was 94% in patients with cirrhosis and in those aged 65 and older. No patients discontinued study treatment due to adverse events. The most common adverse events were nasopharyngitis, anaemia and headache. Twelve weeks of sofosbuvir and ribavirin resulted in high rates of SVR12 in treatment‐naïve and previously treated patients with chronic genotype 2 HCV infection. The treatment was safe and well tolerated by patients, including the elderly and those with cirrhosis.     

Heterogeneous Immunoreactivity of Emerin,a Nuclear Envelope LEM-domain Protein,in Normal Thyroid Follicles

Emerin is a LEM domain-containing integral membrane protein of the vertebrate nuclear envelope. Recently it has been reported that emerin regulates tissue-specific gene/protein expression. We studied the relationship between emerin expression and follicle function in normal and hyperplastic human thyroid tissues using immunohistochemistry and statistical methods. Emerin immunoreactivity was heterogeneous among follicular cells and follicles in normal thyroid tissue. It tended to be strong in the nuclei of tall follicular cells of small follicles and weak or negative in the nuclei of flat follicular cells of large follicles. Follicles with strong expression of emerin were also strongly positive for thyroglobulin (Tg) and thyroxine (T4) in follicular cells and colloid substance, suggesting active functioning follicles. In contrast, large follicles with weak expression of emerin were also weak or negative for Tg and T4. Emerin immunoreactivity was strong in almost all nuclei of hyperplastic follicular cells in Graves’ disease tissues. These findings suggest that emerin expression may be related with follicular function and may contribute to the understanding of hormonogenesis in normal thyroid follicles.     

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia with t(1;19)(q23;p13)/TCF3-PBX1 Fusion in an Adult Male with Down Syndrome

No abstract available.     

Conservative treatment for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: can it reduce the incidence of surgical treatment?

Since 1986, the authors have been conducting conservative treatment for idiopathic scoliosis with the combination of brace treatment and physical treatment (side shift exercise and hitch exercise). A total of 328 female patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis who were at least 10 years of age at the first visit, with Cobb angle of 10° at the minimum and followed until after 15 years of age or skeletal maturity were included. The average Cobb angle was 32.4° and the average age was 13.8 years at the first visit. Surgery was recommended when curvature progressed to >50°. Twenty of 328 patients (6.1%) with more severe curves to begin with (mean Cobb angle at admission of 48.5?±?9.3°) progressed to 62.2?±?8.5° and were treated with spinal fusion by the age of 16.0?±?2.6 years. The remaining 308 patients, of comparable age at inception of treatment but with a smaller original mean Cobb angle (32.4?±?11.1°), showed no significant increase in magnitude of curvature (mean 33.6?±?11.5°) by the time of discharge (18.6?±?3.1 years). The fact that curvature magnitude was maintained at <35° means that these patients will have a good prognosis for avoiding dramatic progression during adulthood.     

Evaluation of safety of endoscopic biopsy without cessation of antithrombotic agents in Japan

Background

Although guidelines in Japan recommend the cessation of antithrombotic agents before endoscopic biopsy, the safety of biopsy without the cessation of these agents has not been evaluated to date in this country. Therefore, we aimed to assess the feasibility of biopsy without cessation of antithrombotic agents in Japan.

Methods

This was a prospective single-arm study from a single institution. From May 2010 to November 2011, 112 outpatients who were receiving antithrombotic agents because of their high-risk status for a thromboembolic event (after implantation of coronary stent, after valve replacement, or a previous history of thromboembolic event or heart failure due to atrial fibrillation) were enrolled. We evaluated the rate of severe bleeding complications within 2?weeks after endoscopy and the endoscopic bleeding time (EBT) after biopsy in patients who underwent biopsy for endoscopic findings requiring pathology assessment.

Results

Among the 112 participants, 101 biopsies were performed for 48 and 12 outpatients who had had esophagogastroduodenoscopy and colonoscopy, respectively. All the biopsies provided enough specimens to evaluate pathologically. Hemostasis after biopsy was confirmed for all biopsies during endoscopic observation. No patients complained of any bleeding symptoms in the 2-week observation period after biopsy (0/101; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0–3.6%). Concerning the EBT (median 2.2?±?1.8?min, range 0.5–9?min), there were no significant differences between patients receiving single antithrombotic agents and those receiving multiple agents (2.4?±?1.4 vs. 2.1?±?2.1?min), nor were there any significant differences between patients not receiving and receiving warfarin (2.3?±?1.8 vs. 2.2?±?1.8?min).

Conclusion

Biopsy without cessation of antithrombotic agents, as recommended in Western guidelines, can also be acceptable for Japanese people if performed carefully.