Stress can induce a serious epileptic encephalopathy that occurs during early infancy. Recent studies have revealed that prenatal stress exposure is a risk factor for the development of infantile spasms. Our previous work demonstrates that prenatal stress with betamethasone-induced alterations to the expression of the K⁺/Cl⁻ co-transporter (KCC2) in gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) interneurons lowers the seizure threshold in exposed animals. Here, we further investigated the mechanisms involved in this KCC2 dysfunction and explored possible treatment options. We stressed Sprague-Dawley rats prenatally and further treated dams with betamethasone on gestational day 15, which increases seizure susceptibility and NMDA (N-Methyl-D-aspartate)-triggered spasms on postnatal day 15. In this animal model, first, we evaluated baseline calpain activity. Second, we examined the cleavage and dephosphorylation of KCC2. Finally, we checked the effect of a calpain inhibitor on seizure occurrence. The phosphorylated-N-methyl-D-aspartate Receptor 2B (NR2B):non-phosphorylated NR2B ratio was found to be higher in the cortex of the prenatally stressed beta-methasone model. We further found that the betamethasone model exhibited increased phosphorylation of calpain-2 and decreased phosphorylation of KCC2 and Glutamic acid decarboxylase 67 (GAD67). After using a calpain inhibitor in prenatal-stress rats, the seizure frequency decreased, while latency increased. GABAergic depolarization was further normalized in prenatal-stress rats treated with the calpain inhibitor. Our study suggests that calpain-dependent cleavage and dephosphorylation of KCC2 decreased the seizure threshold of rats under prenatal stress. Calpain-2 functions might, thus, be targeted in the future for the development of treatments for epileptic spasms.
Animals ; Betamethasone ; Brain Diseases ; Calpain ; Epilepsy ; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid ; Glutamate Decarboxylase ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Interneurons ; Models, Animal ; N-Methylaspartate ; Phosphorylation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Risk Factors ; Seizures ; Spasm ; Spasms, Infantile

Variety of accessibility to edible species in different regions has climatic and historical roots. In the present study, we try to systematically analyze 28,064 records of relationships between 11,752 edible species and 228 geographic zones by hierarchical clustering. The 228 geographic regions were classified into 11 super groups named as A to K, which were further divided into 39 clusters (CLs). Of them, at least one member of each of 28 CLs is associated to 20 or more edible species according to present information of KNApSAcK DB (http://kanaya.naist.jp/KNApSAcK_World/top.jsp). We examined those 28 CLs and found that majority of the members of each of the 27 CLs (96%) have specific type of climate. Diversity of accessibility to edible species makes it possible to separate 8 geographic regions on continental landmasses namely Mediterraneum, Baltic Sea, Western Europe, Yucatan Peninsula, South America, Africa and Arabian Peninsula, Southeast Asia, and Arctic Ocean; and three archipelagos namely, Caribbean Islands, Southeast Asian Islands and Pacific Islands. In addition, we also examined clusters based on cultural exchanges by colonization and migration and mass movement of people and material by modern transportation and trades as well as biogeographic factors. The era of big data science or data intensive science make it possible to systematically understand the content in huge data and how to acquire suitable data for specific purposes. Human healthcare should be considered on the basis of culture, climate, accessibility of edible foods and preferences, and based on molecular level information of genome and digestive systems.

The consumption and sales of Kampo products, as well as the crude drugs that make up the products, have been increasing recently. However, the Kampo industry has been exhibiting a long-term decline due to the rise in price of imported crude drugs and reduction in standard prices of crude drugs by the Japanese National Health Insurance scheme. As the production of crude drug in Japan has been decreasing for the past thirty years, efforts have been made to improve the situation. Although the production of Aizu Ginseng decreased from 153 metric tons to 8 metric tons in Fukushima, university research institutes have initiated research on expansion of the farm field for Ginseng and reduction in a cultivation term. In Nara, farmers, pharmaceutical and food manufacturers, and university research institutes, aiming to develop new products using Yamato Angelica root, organized a joint council and have been working together to establish integrated systems from cultivation to sales. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, and Japan Kampo Medicines Manufacturers Association have held local meetings with farmers and pharmaceutical companies in different areas throughout Japan over the past three years from fiscal year 2013. In order to reduce national healthcare costs by Kampo medicine, it is necessary to upgrade the health care system where not only Kampo extract products but also medicinal plants as raw materials including decoctions can be used. Discussions on measures to cover the costs of domestic production of crude drugs should be required.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the distribution and prevalence of intraosseous loop (anastomosis between posterior superior alveolar artery and infraorbital artery) in Koreans detected on computed tomography (CT) images taken prior to sinus augmentation surgery. METHODS: From the 177 patients who underwent sinus augmentation with lateral approach at Ewha Womans University Department of Implant Dentistry, 284 CT scans were evaluated. The canal height (CH), ridge height (RH), and canal height from the sinus floor (CHS) were measured on para-axial views at the first premolar, first molar, and second molar. The horizontal positions of the bony canals in the lateral wall were also classified. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and t test were used to estimate the statistical differences (p < 0.05). RESULTS: The intraosseous loops were detected in 92 CT scans (32 %). The mean vertical height of the bony canals from the alveolar crest (CH) was 23.45 +/- 2.81, 15.92 +/- 2.65, and 16.61 +/- 2.92 mm at the second premolar, first molar, and second molar, respectively. In the horizontal positions of the bony canals, intraosseous type was the most predominant. The canal heights more than 15 mm and less than 17 mm were most prevalent (33.7 %) and those under 13 mm were 12.0 %. CONCLUSIONS: The radiographic findings in this study could be used to decide the lateral osteotomy line avoiding potential vascular complication. However, only one third of the canals could be detected in CT scans; a precaution should be taken for the possibility of severe bleeding during lateral osteotomy.
Arteries ; Bicuspid ; Dentistry ; Female ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Maxillary Artery ; Molar ; Osteotomy ; Prevalence ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) is, a member of the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) superfamily of proteins. Although GDF15 is well established as a potent neurotrophic factor for neurons, little is known about its role in glial cells under neuropathological conditions. We monitored GDF15 expression in astrocyte activation after a kainic acid (KA)-induced neurodegeneration in the ICR mice hippocampus. In control, GDF15 immunoreactivity (IR) was evident in the neuronal layer of the hippocampus; however, GDF15 expression had increased in activated astrocytes throughout the hippocampal region at day 3 after the treatment with KA. LPS treatment in astrocytes dramatically increased GDF15 expression in primary astrocytes. In addition, LPS treatment resulted in the decrease of the IkappaB-alpha degradation and increase of the phosphorylation level of RelA/p65. These results indicate that GDF15 has a potential link to NF-kappaB activation, making GDF15 a valuable target for modulating inflammatory conditions.
Animals ; Astrocytes* ; Growth Differentiation Factor 15* ; Hippocampus* ; Kainic Acid ; Mice* ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Neuroglia ; Neurons ; NF-kappa B ; Phosphorylation ; Transforming Growth Factor beta

Metaplastic thymoma (MT), accepted in the World Health Organization 2004 scheme, is a circumscribed tumor of the thymus exhibiting biphasic morphology. We herein describe the clinicopathologic features of four MTs and the differential diagnoses of this unusual tumor. There were three women and one man with mean age of 49.5 years. The patients were found to have mediastinal masses, and underwent surgical excision. One exhibited symptoms of myasthenia gravis, and the serum titer for anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody was positive. Grossly, the tumors were encapsulated, and showed vaguely multinodular, solid, tan-white to yellow cut surfaces. Histologically, they comprised epithelial islands intertwining with bundles of delicate spindle cells. The patients remained well after surgical excision at 5-55 months. Because of the distinctive histological appearance and benign clinical course, MT should be distinguished from other more aggressive mediastinal neoplasms displaying biphasic feature.
Carcinosarcoma ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Islands ; Mediastinal Neoplasms ; Metaplasia ; Myasthenia Gravis ; Thymoma ; Thymus Gland ; World Health Organization

Academic Medical Centers ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Prostheses and Implants ; Survival Rate ; Titanium

Academic Medical Centers ; Conscious Sedation ; Deep Sedation ; Dental Care ; Dentistry ; Humans ; Midazolam ; Monitoring, Physiologic ; Outpatients ; Postoperative Complications ; Retrospective Studies

PURPOSES: The aim of this study was to evaluate pulp healing, periodontal healing, root development of autotransplantation of immature third molars and show its viability in treatment of early loss of tooth in young patients MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this article we performed a retrospective study with 41 transplanted teeth in 36 patients. The Mean age at the time of surgery was 17 years(range 13-24 years) and mean postoperative follow up period was 2.4 years(range 1-6 years) We evaluated the survival rate, pulp healing, periodontal healing, root development of the above teeth RESULTS: At the last examination 40 teeth among 41 transplants were still present so survival rate was 97.6%. The pulpal healing was found in 38 teeth of 41 transplants. The periodontal healing was found in 38 transplants. The continuous root development was seen in 38 transplants. CONCLUSIONS: From the above results, the autotransplantation of immature third molars was found to be a useful and reliable treatment method for early loss of teeth in adolescents and young adults.
Adolescent ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Molar, Third ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Tooth ; Transplants ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVES: the effect of different sterilization methods on the surface morphology of PPDO-hybrid-PLGA nanofiber scaffold and attachments of PC12 cell were investigated. METHODS: Poly (p-dioxone)-hybrid-Poly (lactide-glycolide) (PPDO-hybrid-PLGA) nanofiber scaffold, fabricated in a tube form with 1.5 mm internal diameter, 0.2 mm thickness and 5 mm length, was prepared using electrospinning method. To study the surface morphology using SEM, The study group and control group in respective were; Control:Non-sterilized scaffold, Group I:scaffold sterilized with 70% Alcohol, Group II: scaffold sterilized with Ethylene Oxide at 65 degrees C, and Group III: scaffold sterilized with Ethylene Oxide at 37 degrees C. To investigate viability of the PC12 cell on the scaffold, The study group and control group in respective were; Control: sterilized with 70% Alcohol, Group I: sterilized with Ethylene Oxide at 65 degrees C, and Group II: sterilized with Ethylene Oxide at 37 degrees C. RESULTS: 1. The surface morphology was slightly changed in Group I, II and GroupIII, compared with control. 2. The attachment of PC12 cells in Group I, II was not higher than in control DISCUSSION: The attachment of PC12 cell is not influenced by different sterilization methods.
Animals ; Ethylene Oxide ; Ethylenes ; Nanofibers ; PC12 Cells ; Sterilization