Cell sheet engineering: recreating tissues without biodegradable scaffolds

While tissue engineering has long been thought to possess enormous potential, conventional applications using biodegradable scaffolds have limited the field's progress, demonstrating a need for new methods. We have previously developed cell sheet engineering using temperature-responsive culture dishes in order to avoid traditional tissue engineering approaches, and their related shortcomings. Using temperature-responsive dishes, cultured cells can be harvested as intact sheets by simple temperature changes, thereby avoiding the use of proteolytic enzymes. Cell sheet engineering therefore allows for tissue regeneration by either direct transplantation of cell sheets to host tissues or the creation of three-dimensional structures via the layering of individual cell sheets. By avoiding the use of any additional materials such as carrier substrates or scaffolds, the complications associated with traditional tissue engineering approaches such as host inflammatory responses to implanted polymer materials, can be avoided. Cell sheet engineering thus presents several significant advantages and can overcome many of the problems that have previously restricted tissue engineering with biodegradable scaffolds.     

Constructing an index of physical fitness age for Japanese elderly based on 7-year longitudinal data: sex differences in estimated physical fitness age

A standardized method for assessing the physical fitness of elderly adults has not yet been established. In this study, we developed an index of physical fitness age (fitness age score, FAS) for older Japanese adults and investigated sex differences based on the estimated FAS. Healthy elderly adults (52 men, 70 women) who underwent physical fitness tests once yearly for 7 years between 2002 and 2008 were included in this study. The age of the participants at the beginning of this study ranged from 60.0 to 83.0 years. The physical fitness tests consisted of 13 items to measure balance, agility, flexibility, muscle strength, and endurance. Three criteria were used to evaluate fitness markers of aging: (1) significant cross-sectional correlation with age; (2) significant longitudinal change with age consistent with the cross-sectional correlation; and (3) significant stability of individual differences. We developed an equation to assess individual FAS values using the first principal component derived from principal component analysis. Five candidate fitness markers of aging (10-m walking time, functional reach, one leg stand with eyes open, vertical jump and grip strength) were selected from the 13 physical fitness tests. Individual FAS was predicted from these five fitness markers using a principal component model. Individual FAS showed high longitudinal stability for age-related changes. This investigation of the longitudinal changes of individual FAS revealed that women had relatively lower physical fitness compared with men, but their rate of physical fitness aging was slower than that of men.     

Simple and rapid detection of the porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus from pig whole blood using filter paper

The combination of Flinders Technology Associates filter papers (FTA cards) and real-time PCR was examined to establish a simple and rapid technique for the detection of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) from whole pig blood. A modified live PRRS vaccine was diluted with either sterilised saline or pig whole blood, and the suspensions were applied onto the FTA cards. The real-time RT-PCR detection of PRRSV was performed directly with the samples applied to the FTA card without the RNA extraction step. Six whole blood samples from at random selected piglets in the PRRSV infected farm were also assayed in this study. The expected PCR product was successfully amplified from either saline diluted or pig whole blood diluted vaccine. The same PCR ampliocon was detected from all blood samples assayed in this study. This study suggested that the combination of an FTA card and real-time PCR is a rapid and easy technique for the detection of PRRSV. This technique can remarkably shorten the time required for PRRSV detection from whole blood and makes the procedure much easier.     

Streptococcus thermophilus extends lifespan through activation of DAF-16-mediated antioxidant pathway in Caenorhabditis elegans

Streptococcus thermophilus bacteria, which are widely used as fermented starter for dairy production, exert various beneficial health effects. Nevertheless, even though pro-longevity effects of various probiotics have been reported, no report has described Streptococcus thermophilus effects on longevity. This study was conducted to evaluate Streptococcus thermophilus effects on lifespan extension and to elucidate the Streptococcus thermophilus-mediated longevity mechanism using Caenorhabditis elegans worms as a model animal. They were fed standard food (Escherichia coli OP50) or Streptococcus thermophilus from the young adult stage. Feeding with Streptococcus thermophilus, compared to Escherichia coli OP50, to Caenorhabditis elegans extend the lifespan, reduced lipofuscin accumulation, and maintain vigorous locomotion. Feeding with Streptococcus thermophilus did not alter the worm growth curve or the offspring number, indicating that the Streptococcus thermophilus-mediated lifespan extension is not attributable to caloric restriction. The qRT-PCR data showed that Streptococcus thermophilus increased the expression of daf-16 and some of its downstream antioxidant genes. Furthermore, the pro-longevity effects of Streptococcus thermophilus were decreased in loss-of-function mutant of daf-16. Results show that Streptococcus thermophilus extends the lifespan of Caenorhabditis elegans through DAF-16-mediated antioxidant pathway activation.     

A terminal phase patient who can return home because of a multi-professional conference--considerations for multi-professional conference

Palliative care has been provided in our sub-acute hospital ward and multi professional conferences have also taken place in order to enhance care. In this paper, we present a 72-year-old female who has suffered from relapse of lung cancer and was able to return home because of an execution of multi-professional conferences. We also present considerations that were carried out in multi-professional conferences. We found some of the important factors for carrying an efficient conference are advance preparations in ahead, punctuality of the conference, a conference place that is kept in the ward, coping with nurse calls and participation of nutritionists. A timely conference, sharing information among the team and the education about a dying process are some of the future subjects.     

Visualization of extracranial-intracranial bypass using multidetector-row helical computed tomography angiography

PURPOSE: The advent of multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT) has enabled images with good spatial resolution to be obtained over a wide range in a short scanning time. Our purpose was to determine whether CT angiography using the MDCT system could effectively depict extracranial-intracranial (EC-IC) bypass routes. METHOD: Helical CT angiography was performed using an MDCT scanner in 12 patients who had undergone EC-IC bypass surgery: 10 patients had undergone superficial temporal artery-middle cerebral artery (MCA) anastomosis, 1 patient had undergone an encephaloduroarteriosynangiosis procedure for the treatment of moyamoya disease, and 1 patient had undergone an external carotid artery-MCA anastomosis using a graft. The resulting CT angiograms were visually evaluated for their depiction of the EC-IC bypass route. Conventional angiograms were available for comparison in all 12 patients. RESULTS: The EC-IC bypass was visualized to be patent at the site of anastomosis in all 12 patients. Branches of the MCA secondary or more to those connected to a donor artery were demonstrated in 9 patients, whereas MCA branches immediately distal to the anastomosis were demonstrated in 3 patients. The CT angiography findings corresponded well with the conventional angiography findings in all patients. CONCLUSION: Helical CT angiography using the MDCT technique is an effective method for visualizing EC-IC bypass routes.     

Relationships between lifestyle factors and neutrophil functions in the elderly

We investigated the relationships between neutrophil functions and lifestyle factors in the elderly. The subjects (84 males, 73.9+/-5.8 years old; and 63 females, 70.0+/-4.6 years old) belonged to a recreational seniors club in Japan. Investigations of the subjects' stress, exercise habits, smoking habits, and alcohol-drinking habits were performed. The phagocytosis and superoxide productivity of the neutrophils were measured with a nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) reduction test. In addition, leukocyte counts and serum total protein (TP) levels were determined. The results revealed that aging, high serum levels, and stress-coping factors (e.g., having hobbies, keeping pets, and close links with friends or family) significantly correlated with preferable neutrophil functions. In addition, significant effects of lifestyle factors on the balance between phagocytosis and subsequent superoxide production were observed. Thus, the results of the present study suggest that there are correlations between neutrophil functions and lifestyle factors in the elderly.     

Retrospective analysis of the safety of four hours administration of liposomal amphotericin B in patients with chronic necrotizing pulmonary aspergillosis

We have retrospectively analyzed the safety of 4 hours administration of liposomal amphotericin B (L-AMB) compared to less than or equal to 3 hours administration in patients with chronic necrotizing pulmonary aspergillosis (CNPA). The elevation of serum creatinine in the group with 4 hours administration of L-AMB in patients with CNPA was equal to the group with shorter administration time (less than or equal to three hours). During the administration of L-AMB, the group with 4 hours administration of LAMB had significantly a safer profile in relation to hypokalemia during L-AMB treatment than the group with shorter administration time. Additionally, white cell counts, platelet counts, serum creatinine, AST, ALT were not significantly different between L-AMB 4 hours administration group and less than or equal to 3 hours administration group. As the group with 4 hours administration of L-AMB had significantly a safer profile in relation to hypokalemia during L-AMB treatment, this modality can be one of the safer ways in the treatment of CNPA. As L-AMB is one of the fungicidal agents, 4 hours administration of L-AMB can be an optimal way of treating CNPA.