We tried to evaluate the right ventricular function using a modified Swan-Ganz catheter with a rapid responsive thermistor. Twenty-four dogs comprised this series. Twelve were the model of left heart failure (Group A), and the other twelve were the model of right heart failure (Group B) produced by multiple ligation of coronary arteries. Dogs were studied for some of the circulatory indices before and after ligation with left atrial pressure at 10, 15 and 20mmHg in group A, and right atrial pressure at 10, 15 and 20mmHg in group B by volume loading. In group A, when the left atrial pressure was kept constant, right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) and right ventricular stroke work index (RVSWI) were decreased significantly after the ligation of coronary arteries. But there was no significant change in the peak right ventricular pressure-right ventricular endsystolic volume index ratio (peak RVP/RVESVI) associated with ligation. In group B, significant changes were observed in RVEF, RVSWI and peak RVP/RVESVI. Thus, it was found that right ventricular contractility in selective left heart failure was not reduced. E_max was considered to be a valuable index of ventricular contractility not affected by preload and afterload of ventricle, but this index is not easily measured clinically. The index peak RVP/RVESVI which is nearly equivalent to E_max, has an advantage in that it can be determined by the thermodilution method widely used in general. We conclude that this index is very useful to us for post-operative care in cardiac surgery.

The authors' developed a new methods of preparing and inserting intradermal needles for small experimental animals.
To create the new type of needle, the tip of a filiform needle (0.14mm in diameter) was pinched into a wavy shape using mosquito forceps. A length of about 1.5mm of this wavy section was then cut off and used as an intradermal needle.
Designated areas of the mice were depilated, and the acupoints marked. For insertion, an injection needle (27 gauge) was used to penetrate directly beneath the marked point, starting from slightly above the marking. The wavy needle was then inserted into the tip of the injection needle and a filiform needle (0.18mm in diameter; adjusted length) used to push the wavy needle out, thereby inserting it into the intended point.
Using this method, insertion of the needles was easily carried out, and they stayed in places. This method therefore seems to be highly applicable for the insertion of intradermal needles in experimental animals.

AIMTo identify proteins induced by androgen in Sertoli cells during spermatogenesis.

METHODSWe analyzed protein profiles in TM4 Sertoli cells treated with dihydrotestosterone (DHT) using surface enhanced laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (SELDI-TOF-MS).

RESULTSWe found increases in the expression of a 5.0-kDa protein at 15 min, an 11.3-kDa protein at 24 h and 4.3 kDa, 5.7 kDa, 5.8 kDa, 9.95 kDa and 9.98 kDa proteins at 48 h after the treatment. In contrast, the expression of 6.3 kDa and 8.6 kDa proteins decreased at 30 min, and 4.9 kDa, 5.0 kDa, 12.4 kDa and 19.8 kDa proteins at 48 h after the treatment. The 11.3-kDa protein was identified as macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) known to having various functions. The 9.98-kDa protein was identified as calgizzarin related to calcium channels. The timing of their expression suggests that MIF and calgizzarin are involved in late regulation of spermatogenesis in Sertoli cells by androgen.

CONCLUSIONMIF and calgizzarin are two important androgen-responsive proteins produced by Sertoli cells and they might play a role in regulating spermatogenesis.

Androgens ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Cell Line ; Dihydrotestosterone ; pharmacology ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Kinetics ; Macrophage Migration-Inhibitory Factors ; genetics ; Male ; Mice ; Protein Array Analysis ; S100 Proteins ; genetics ; Sertoli Cells ; drug effects ; physiology ; Spermatogenesis

Recently, poor posture (hyperkyphosis) has become a problem among children. This study investigated the effectiveness of an intervention (a spine mat) by measuring spinal alignment before and after the intervention in elementary school students. The study included 83 elementary school students. For the intervention, each participant was placed in a supine position on a bed and a spine mat was inserted ensuring that it adhered to the thoracic spine. The primary outcome variables included the thoracic kyphosis angle (TKA), upper thoracic angle, lower thoracic angle, lumbar lordosis angle (LLA), and sacral anteversion angle (SAA) measured in the standing and sitting positions using Spinal Mouse® before and after the intervention. Based on this evaluation, we assigned the participants to two groups: hyperkyphosis (n=25) and non-hyperkyphosis (n=58). Significant differences were observed between the pre-test and post-test TKA in the hyperkyphosis group in the standing position (pre-test: 45.3±4.5° and post-test: 40.8±9.0°, P<0.05). In the non-hyperkyphosis group, significant differences were observed between the pre-test and post-test LLA and SAA in the standing position. However, no significant difference was observed between the pre-test and post-test spinal alignment in the sitting position in both groups. The results of this study indicated that using a spine mat in elementary school children resulted in decreased TKA in the standing position only in the hyperkyphosis group, which exhibited a TKA of 40° or more after the intervention.

Poor posture (thoracic hyperkyphosis) in children is reportedly caused by changes in their living environment. A previous study (conducted 30 years ago) reported that the position of the center of pressure (COP) in a child with an upright posture was approximately 40% from the heel. The present study aimed to determine the position and characteristics of the COP while standing in children aged 6–12 years. This study enrolled 83 elementary school students. A Win-Pod (Medicapteurs) platform was used to measure the COP. The COP position was expressed as a percentage from the heel as a relative ratio with a foot length of 100%. Spinal Mouse® was used to measure thoracic kyphosis, lumbar lordosis, sacral anteversion, and trunk inclination angles in the standing position. The COP position was 30.3±8.9% from the heel. We found positive correlations between the COP position, height, and weight. Further, the COP position was significantly more anterior in 28 upper elementary grade children (35.1 ± 9.2%) than in 25 middle (29.5 ± 8.6%) and 30 lower grade children (26.5 ± 6.7%). Regarding sex differences, the COP position was significantly more anterior in 46 boys (32.3 ± 9.8%) than in 37 girls (27.9 ± 6.9%). There was a weak positive correlation between the COP position and trunk inclination angle (r=0.251, p<0.05). Thus, we found that the COP position in modern children aged 6–12 years while standing was 30.3 ± 8.9% from the heel, indicating a shift toward the heel (backward) compared to that reported in previous studies.

Previous studies have reported that poor posture can induce various musculoskeletal disorders. Recently, poor posture in children has become a problem. This study aimed to determine the characteristics of sagittal spinal alignment in standing and sitting positions in elementary school students and how spinal alignment changes from standing to sitting position. Moreover, it clarifies how poor posture (hyperkyphosis) in the standing position affects sitting posture. This study was conducted among 83 elementary school students. The Spinal-Mouse® System was used to measure the thoracic kyphosis angle (TKA), upper thoracic angle (UTA), lower thoracic angle (LTA), lumbar lordosis angle (LLA), and sacral anteversion angle (SAA) in the standing and sitting positions. Hyperkyphosis was defined as a thoracic kyphosis angle of >40°. Participants were assigned to two groups: hyperkyphosis and non-hyperkyphosis. Significant differences were noted in all spinal alignment characteristics in both the positions. When spinal alignment was changed from standing to sitting, ΔUTA and ΔLTA correlated with ΔLLA and ΔSAA, respectively. A strong negative correlation was noted between ΔLLA and ΔSAA. In the sitting position, TKA, UTA, and LLA were significantly higher in the hyperkyphosis group than in the non-hyperkyphosis group. ΔUTA was significantly higher in the hyperkyphosis group than in the non-hyperkyphosis group when spinal alignment was changed from standing to sitting. The characteristics of sagittal spinal alignment in the sitting position were significantly different from those in the standing position. The study findings suggest that poor posture (hyperkyphosis) in the standing position affects the sitting posture.