Detailed magnetic analysis and successful deep-neural-network-based conformational prediction for [VO(dmso)5][BPh4]2

Pentakis(dimethylsulfoxide-κO)oxidovanadium(iv) bis(tetraphenylborate), [VO(dmso)₅][BPh₄]₂ (dmso: dimethylsulfoxide), was synthesized, and its pseudo-C₄ VO₆ coordination geometry was revealed by a single-crystal X-ray method. A novel equation set was obtained for magnetic susceptibility and magnetization of the d¹ complexes, considering the axial distortion and the spin–orbit coupling for the ²D free-ion term. The equation set enabled magnetic simulation for significantly symmetry-lowered d¹ complexes to obtain the anisotropic g-values and also the excitation energies. In addition, conformational prediction was conducted, using the enumeration results on the basis of the group theory. The dominant conformers were predicted on the basis of the density functional theory (DFT) method, and especially, the conformer in the crystal was successfully predicted by a deep neural network method.

The conformer in the crystal was successfully predicted by a deep neural network method.     

Massive bone reconstruction with heat‐treated bone graft loaded autologous bone marrow‐derived stromal cells and β‐tricalcium phosphate composites in canine models

Bone marrow‐derived stromal cells (BMSCs) contain mesenchymal stem cells that are capable of forming various mesenchymal tissues. We hypothesized that BMSCs and β‐tricalcium phosphate (β‐TCP) composites would promote the remodeling of large‐sized autologous devitalized bone grafts; therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the composites on the remodeling of autologous devitalized bone grafts. Autologous BMSCs cultured in culture medium containing dexamethasone (10^?7 M) were loaded into porous β‐TCP granules under low‐pressure. Theses BMSC/TCP composites were put into the bone marrow cavity of autologous heat‐treated bone (femoral diaphysis, 65‐mm long, 100°C, 30 min) and put back to the harvest site. In the contralateral side, β‐TCP without BMSC were used in the same manner as the opposite side as the control. Treatment with the BMSC/TCP composites resulted in a significant increase in thickness, bone mineral density, and matured bone volume of the cortical bone at the center of the graft compared to the control. Histological analysis showed matured regenerated bone in the BMSC loaded group. These results indicate that BMSC/TCP composites facilitated bone regeneration and maturation at the graft site of large‐sized devitalized bone. This method could potentially be applied for clinical use in the reconstruction of large bone defects such as those associated with bone tumors. © 2013 Orthopaedic Research Society Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 31:1308–1316, 2013

     

Successful Lung Transplantation in a Case With Diffuse Pulmonary Arteriovenous Malformations and Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia

Diffuse pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are associated with a poor prognosis and the therapeutic strategy remains controversial. We describe a pediatric patient with diffuse pulmonary AVMs associated with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT), who presented with two cerebral AVMs in the parietal and occipital lobes as well. Of note, successful bilateral lung transplantation not only improved the hypoxemia but also resulted in size reduction of the cerebral AVMs. Although it is essential to consider involvements other than pulmonary AVMs, especially brain AVMs, to decide the indication, lung transplantation can be a viable therapeutic option for patients with diffuse pulmonary AVMs and HHT.     

Astroglial IFITM3 mediates neuronal impairments following neonatal immune challenge in mice

Interferon‐induced transmembrane protein 3 (IFITM3) ?plays a crucial role in the antiviral responses of Type I interferons (IFNs). The role of IFITM3 in the central nervous system (CNS) is, however, largely unknown, despite the fact that its expression is increased in the brains of patients with neurologic and neuropsychiatric diseases. Here, we show the role of IFITM3 in long‐lasting neuronal impairments in mice following polyriboinosinic‐polyribocytidylic acid (polyI:C, a synthetic double‐stranded RNA)‐induced immune challenge during the early stages of development. We found that the induction of IFITM3 expression in the brain of mice treated with polyI:C was observed only in astrocytes. Cultured astrocytes were activated by polyI:C treatment, leading to an increase in the mRNA levels of inflammatory cytokines as well as Ifitm3. When cultured neurons were treated with the conditioned medium of polyI:C‐treated astrocytes (polyI:C‐ACM), neurite development was impaired. These polyI:C‐ACM‐induced neurodevelopmental abnormalities were alleviated by ifitm3^?/? astrocyte‐conditioned medium. Furthermore, decreases of MAP2 expression, spine density, and dendrite complexity in the frontal cortex as well as memory impairment were evident in polyI:C‐treated wild‐type mice, but such neuronal impairments were not observed in ifitm3^?/? mice. We also found that IFITM3 proteins were localized to the early endosomes of astrocytes following polyI:C treatment and reduced endocytic activity. These findings suggest that the induction of IFITM3 expression in astrocytes by the activation of the innate immune system during the early stages of development has non‐cell autonomous effects that affect subsequent neurodevelopment, leading to neuropathological impairments and brain dysfunction, by impairing endocytosis in astrocytes. GLIA 2013     

Long-term outcomes after surgical and endovascular treatment of spinal dural arteriovenous fistulae

Purpose

To examine the validity of our treatment strategy for spinal dural arteriovenous fistulae (SDAVF), based on the treatment results and the long-term outcome.

Methods

This study included 50 SDAVF patients (38 men, 12 women, mean age 63.2 years) with progressive myelopathy. The treatment strategy involved embolization as the initial management tool and surgery if embolization was considered unsuitable. Their medical records were evaluated to identify the treatment results and functional outcomes. The mean follow-up period was 81.2 months (range 27–184 months).

Results

Complete obliteration was achieved in 22 (71.0 %) of 31 embolized patients and in 18 of 19 (94.7 %) operated patients. The initial success rate was significantly lower in embolized than operated patients. At the last follow-up, 33 of the 50 patients (66 %) manifested improved gait and 16 (32 %) improved micturition. The activity of daily living (ADL) was improved in 33 (66 %). When we compared the rates of functional improvement at the last follow-up, there was no significant difference between patients treated initially by embolization or surgery.

Conclusions

The long-term outcomes in SDAVF patients treated by multidisciplinary management with first-line embolization were comparable to those in earlier surgical series. However, our results were unable to demonstrate the superiority of endovascular embolization to surgical treatment for SDAVF. For the purpose of justifying endovascular embolization as a first-line treatment for SDAVF, it will be necessary to show further improvement in both the initial treatment success and the complication rates.

     

Antiphospholipid antibodies in serum and follicular fluid: is there a correlation with IVF implantation failure?

Sir, We have read the paper of Buckingham et al. (2006) with considerableinterest because we have recently published a related study(Matsubayashi et al., 2006). Buckingham et al. (2006) reportedthat antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLs) do not appear selectivelyconcentrated in follicular fluids and, when present, do notadversely affect the reproductive outcome     

Management of Early-stage Esophageal Neoplasia (MESEN) Consensus

Background

Treatment of esophageal adenocarcinoma often involves surgical resection. Newer technologies in interventional endoscopy have led to a substantial paradigm shift in the management of early-stage neoplasia in Barrett’s esophagus comprising high-grade dysplasia (HGD), intramucosal carcinoma, and, in some cases, submucosal carcinoma. However, there has been no consensus regarding the indications for esophageal preservation in these cases. In this work, consensus guidelines were established for the management of early-stage esophageal neoplasia considering clinically relevant aspects (age, comorbidities, and social environment) in each scenario.

Methods

Seventeen experts were invited to participate based on their background and clinical expertise at high-volume centers. A questionnaire was created that included four clinical scenarios covering a wide range of situations within HGD and/or early esophageal neoplasia, particularly where controversies are likely to exist. Each of the clinical scenarios was open to discussion subdivided by patient age (20, 50, and 80 s). For each clinical scenario an expert was chosen to defend that position. Each defense triggered a subsequent discussion during a consensus meeting. Conclusions of that discussion together with an accompanying literature analysis allowed experts to confirm or change their original choices and served as the basis for the recommendations stated in this article.

Results

There was 100 % consensus supporting esophageal preservation in patients with HGD, independent of patient age or Barrett’s length. In patients with T1a adenocarcinoma, consensus for preservation was not reached (65 %) for young and middle-aged individuals but was supported for elderly patients (100 %). For T1b adenocarcinoma, consensus was reached for surgical resection (90 %), leaving organ preservation for patients with very low risk of nodal invasion or poor surgical candidates.

Conclusion

Advances in endoscopic imaging and therapy allow for organ preservation in most settings of early-stage neoplasia of the esophagus, provided that the patient understands the implications of this decision.     

Once-Weekly Injection of Low-Dose Teriparatide (28.2 μg) Reduced the Risk of Vertebral Fracture in Patients with Primary Osteoporosis

We conducted a randomized, double-blind trial to assess the effect of 28.2 μg teriparatide versus placebo (1.4 μg teriparatide) on reduction of the incidence of vertebral fractures. Individuals enrolled in this study included patients with primary osteoporosis with one to five vertebral fractures and capable of self-supported walking. Attention was focused on incident vertebral fractures, change in bone mineral density (BMD) of the lumbar spine, and safety. A total of 316 subjects participated in the study, which lasted up to 131 weeks. Incident vertebral fractures occurred in 3.3 % of subjects in the 28.2 μg teriparatide-treated group and 12.6 % of subjects in the placebo group during the 78-weeks study period. Kaplan–Meier estimates of risk after 78 weeks were 7.5 and 22.2 % in the teriparatide and placebo groups, respectively, with a relative risk reduction of 66.4 % by teriparatide (P = 0.008). Lumbar BMD in the 28.2 μg teriparatide group increased significantly by 4.4 ± 4.7 % at 78 weeks, which was significantly higher than the corresponding data in the placebo group (P = 0.001). Adverse events were observed in 86.7 % of individuals in the teriparatide group and 86.1 % of those in the placebo group. In conclusion, weekly injection of a low-dose of teriparatide (28.2 μg) reduced the risk of incident vertebral fractures and increased lumbar BMD.     

Involvement of specific macrophage-lineage cells surrounding arterioles in barrier and scavenger function in brain cortex.

The transport of solutes between blood and brain is regulated by a specific barrier. Capillary endothelial cells of brain are known to mediate barrier function and facilitate transport. Here we report that specific cells surrounding arterioles, known as Mato's fluorescent granular perithelial (FGP) cells or perivascular microglial cells, contribute to the barrier function. Immunohistochemical and in situ hybridization studies indicate that, in normal brain cortex, type I and type II macrophage scavenger receptors are expressed only in FGP/perivascular microglial cells, and surface markers of macrophage lineage are also detected on them. These cells mediate the uptake of macromolecules, including modified low density lipoprotein, horseradish peroxidase, and ferritin injected either into the blood or into the cerebral ventricles. Accumulation of scavenged materials with aging or after the administration of a high-fat diet results in the formation of honeycomb-like foam cells and the narrowing of the lumen of arterioles in the brain cortex. These results indicate involvement of FGP/perivascular microglial cells in the barrier and scavenger functions in the central nervous system.