Objevtives: To explore the relationship between ? aminobutyric acid (GABA) and the proliferation or differentiation of jejunal epithelial cells. Methods: Immunohistochemical expression of GABA, glutamate decarboxylase (GAD, including two isoforms, GAD65 and GAD67) was investigated in rat jejunum. Meanwhile, double staining was performed with GAD65 immunohistochemistry followed by lectin histochemistry of fluorescent wheat germ agglutinin. Furthermore, cell kinetics was evaluated by immunohistochemistry using a monoclonal antibody to proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). Results: Immunoreactive GABA and GAD65 were distributed in the villi of jejunum, while GAD67 was negative in epithelial cells. Strong positive staining of GABA and GAD65 was mainly localized along the brush border of jejunal villi. In addition, there existed a few GABA and GAD65 strong positive cells scattering in upper portion of the jejunal villi. Double staining showed that immunoreactive GAD65 was not found in goblet cells. PCNA staining nucleoli were found in the lower and the middle portions of the jejunal crypts. Therefore, GABA and GAD65 were expressed in maturation or functional zone. Conclusion: It suggests that GABA might be involved in the regulation of differentiation and maturation of epithelial cells in rat jejunum.

We report a case of 76 year-old woman who had previously undergone coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) with the right internal thoracic artery (RITA) bypassed to the left anterior descending artery. Six years after CABG, she developed acute type A aortic dissection, and she was medically treated because the false lumen was thrombosed and it was considered that surgical intervention would be high risk for the patent RITA graft crossing between the sternum and the ascending aorta. During follow-up, her aortic aneurysm enlarged to 57 mm in diameter, and finally she was referred to our hospital for surgical intervention. In this case, preservation of the patent RITA graft was thought to be critical because the RITA graft was the only blood source for the left anterior descending artery. Prior to re-median sternotomy, we performed a right anterior minithoracotomy to make sufficient space between the sternum and the RITA graft, and then instituted peripheral cardiopulmonary bypass to decompress the heart. After re-sternotomy, we ensured minimum dissection of the RITA graft, and we successfully accomplished graft replacement of the ascending aorta to the aortic arch without injuring the patent RITA graft. In cases with a patent RITA graft and an ascending aortic aneurysm close to the sternum, our strategy is considered to be efficient for re-median sternotomy.

A 61-year old man was referred to our institute under a diagnosis of pulmonary aneurysm. Contrast computed tomography revealed a huge pulmonary aneurysm of 70 mm in maximal dimension at the main pulmonary trunk. No congenital heart disorders were identified on trans-thoracic or trans-esophageal echocardiography. No significant signs of pulmonary hypertension were demonstrated on right heart catheterization. Laboratory findings on admission included positive results for syphilitic antibodies. T-shaped graft replacement of the pulmonary arteries using a cardiopulmonary bypass was scheduled. The main and left pulmonary arteries were replaced with a J-Graft 26 mm in size (Japan Lifeline, Tokyo, Japan). Then, the right pulmonary artery was reconstructed with the rest of the J-Graft, and anastomosed to the side of the newly reconstructed main and left pulmonary arteries. His postoperative course was generally uneventful. Pathological findings of the excised aneurysmal walls revealed true aneurysmal formation with no specific inflammatory changes. This case was considered to be an idiopathic pulmonary aneurysm without congenital heart disorders, pulmonary hypertension, and pathologically inflammatory reactions of aneurysmal walls.

Benign partial epilepsy in infancy (BPEI) is a known cause of paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia (PKD) in childhood. These two conditions have recently been grouped under the diagnosis of infantile convulsions and choreoathetosis (ICCA) syndrome, for which mutations in the proline-rich transmembrane protein 2 (PRRT2) gene have been shown to be responsible. Here, we report on a case of familial ICCA syndrome with an identical mutation in the PRRT2 gene. A 4-month-old infant developed BPEI, and this led to the diagnosis of PKD in his father. The father had been having exercise-onset rigidity of the upper and lower limbs since childhood and had been diagnosed with epilepsy but had not received proper treatment. Both BPEI and PKD are known to improve dramatically with low dose carbamazepine. Correct diagnosis and proper knowledge of ICCA syndrome is essential for providing adequate treatment and precise information on the genetic aspects of the disease to patients and their families.

In C1–C2 posterior fixation, the C1 lateral mass and C2 pedicle/translaminar screw insertion under spine navigation have been used frequently. To avoid the risk of neurovascular damage in atlantoaxial stabilization, we assessed the safety and effectiveness of a preoperative computed tomography (CT) image-based navigation system with intraoperative independent C1 and C2 vertebral registration. It is ideal when a reference frame can be linked directly to the C1 posterior arch for C1-direct-captured navigation, but there is a mechanical challenge. A new spine clamp-tracker system was implemented recently, which allows reliable C1- and C2- direct-captured navigation in nine patients with traumatic C2 fractures. In this way, there was no misalignment of C1–C2 screws. C1 lateral mass screws were used except for one case, and translaminar screws were primarily used as an anchor for C2. The C1 lateral mass screw locations, which are 19 mm laterally from the C1 posterior arch’s center, are taken to be constant. However, there is one unusual circumstance in which using a C1 laminar hook instead of a C1 lateral mass screw appears to be a beneficial substitute. The increase of surgical accuracy for posterior C1–C2 screw fixation without cost constraints is significantly facilitated by intraoperative C1- and C2-direct-captured navigation with preoperative computed CT images.

A fifty-seven-year-old male farmer with a history of cerebral infarctions twice in the past without any functional disability stopped prescribed antithrombotics and regular medical follow-up. He had sudden left hemiplegia after the work, and was taken to our hospital. A contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) scan showed infarction at the right basal ganglia, occlusion of the internal carotid artery and the left vertebral artery, and mural thrombus in the ascending aorta. Mural thrombus in the ascending aorta was suspected to be the causative thrombus of other infarctions. He was started on continuous heparin infusion on the day of presentation, and had ascending aortic replacement surgery on day 24. No perioperative complication was confirmed. He was extubated on postoperative day (POD) 1, and was transferred to another rehabilitation hospital with almost no functional disability. No thrombotic event was confirmed as of POD 180.

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is a newly emerging viral disease with fatal outcomes. However, no MERS-CoV-specific treatment is commercially available. Given the absence of previous structure-based drug discovery studies targeting MERS-CoV fusion proteins, this set of compounds is considered the first generation of MERS-CoV small molecule fusion inhibitors. After a virtual screening campaign of 1.56 million compounds followed by cell-cell fusion assay and MERS-CoV plaques inhibition assay, three new compounds were identified. Compound numbers 22, 73, and 74 showed IC50 values of 12.6, 21.8, and 11.12 μM, respectively, and were most effective at the onset of spike-receptor interactions. The compounds exhibited safe profiles against Human embryonic kidney cells 293 at a concentration of 20 μM with no observed toxicity in Vero cells at 10 μM. The experimental results are accompanied with predicted favorable pharmacokinetic descriptors and drug-likeness parameters. In conclusion, this study provides the first generation of MERS-CoV fusion inhibitors with potencies in the low micromolar range.

Objective: Our previous studies suggested that hot spring aquatic exercise may immediately improve the balance ability. As the long-term effects of such repeated exercise have not yet been examined, this present study aims to analyze them, focusing on the balance-related physical indexes. Methods: A total of 12 patients (the number of cerebrovascular disease patients: 5; the number of orthopedic disease patients: 7; mean age: 71.9±13.1; FIM: 117±7.5; and FBS score: 46.4±6.7), who had been treated with hot spring aquatic exercise therapy in our hospital were studied. Each patient showed decreased balance ability due to paralysis, sensory disturbance, or fracture. The measurement indexes were the ability to bend forward while sitting with their legs straight, Functional Balance Scale (FBS), Functional Reach Test (FRT) and Timed Up and Go (TUG) scores, sensory function was measured by the instrument (Semmes-Weinstein Monofilaments), and skin stiffness. Those were measured immediately, 10, 20, and 30 days after the initiation of the intervention.   Furthermore, indexes of eight patients out of those were measured 60 days after the initiation. Each exercise session consisted of walking forward and backward, hip abduction, flexion, and extension, lunge, and squat, which lasted approximately 15 minutes. The loading level was set at a pulse of 77±11.2 ≧ 84±13.5/minute, with a perceived exertion rate (modified Borg Scale) of 0.7±1.0 ≧ 2.4±2.3. Results: The ability to bend forward while sitting with their legs straight, TUG, FBS and sensory function, scores have improved significantly. Any significant improvements were not observed on FRT and skin stiffness. Discussion: The improvement of the sensory function was observed in patients with cerebrovascular disease. This would be because these therapies have the effect on the improvement of higher neuronal function. It is assumed that training efficiency in itself was improved, as the buoyancy and hydrostatic pressure assisted the patients to keep balance.   This exercise showed more effectiveness on the complicated balance indexes. On evaluation of each balance index, the TUG scores significantly improved significantly, while the FRT scores did not show any effects. As the balance-related indexes started to show improvements 30 days after the initiation, it should be recommended to continue this exercise for 30 days or more. Furthermore, in those who had not reached the maximum FBS score 30 days after the initiation, the improvement in scores was observed after 60 days. Further studies will be necessary to analyze these physical indexes, which showed improvements so that more effective exercises for each patient can be programmed taking the relevant balance-related physical indexes into account.