Search

• What is the primary question addressed by this study? Are there causes of reduced DAT-SPECT accumulation in the striatum of depressed patients other than from known neurodegenerative diseases? • What is the main finding of this study? Five female patients with depressive symptoms and aging-related catatonia showed recovery of initially reduced striatal DAT-SPECT accumulation following psychiatric treatment. • What is the meaning of the finding? The findings suggest that impairment of dopaminergic transmission partly underlies catatonia, and that it is associated with a reversible decrease in striatal DAT-SPECT accumulation. The authors describe five depressive patients with initially decreased striatal accumulation of dopamine transporter (DAT) single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), which improved in parallel with clinical symptoms. Patients who exhibited decreased striatal accumulation and recovery of DATSPECT were identified among patients with the symptoms of depression. Their clinical and neuroimaging data were reviewed. Five patients were identified. All patients were presenile or senile women who presented with catatonia subsequent to symptoms of depression that remitted with treatment. DAT-SPECT showed a decreased striatal accumulation in all patients, which increased after treatment. Two patients had met the diagnostic criteria of probable dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), but no longer did so after their symptoms improved. Reversible DAT dysfunction observed in this study suggests that reversible impairment of dopaminergic transmission in the striatum partly underlies catatonia. Careful consideration should be given to diagnosing DLB in patients with decreased DAT-SPECT accumulation, especially when catatonia is present. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The objective of the present study was to establish an alkali extraction technology for FePO4-containing sewage sludge obtained from a wastewater treatment system that includes phosphorous removal by iron electrolysis. By clarifying the extraction properties of phosphorous, organic matter, and inorganic matter, conditions for alkali extraction were optimized. As a result, it was suggested that unheated phosphorous extraction would be superior for FePO4-containing sewage sludge. And, extraction methods and sewage sludge properties were also compared, and the noteworthy result that extraction of metals can be suppressed to extremely low amounts with alkali extraction as compared with acid extraction was obtained. A new insight was also gained that, as compared with the use of incinerated ash reported in previous studies, alkali extraction was more efficient when raw sewage sludge was used. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background Serum asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) levels are increased in maintenance hemodialysis patients, and this abnormality may increase cardiovascular risk. We investigated whether combined administration of oral folate and intravenous methylcobalamin in such patients is more beneficial than oral folate alone at decreasing circulating ADMA levels. Study Design Randomized controlled trial. Setting & Participants Patients undergoing hemodialysis. Intervention 40 patients were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups. For 3 weeks, they received supplementation with either folate alone (15 mg/d; n = 20; folate group) or coadministered folate (15 mg/d) and methylcobalamin (500 μg after each hemodialysis treatment 3 times weekly; n = 20; methylcobalamin group). Outcomes Primary outcomes: normalization of plasma homocysteine levels (<15 μmol/L), decrease in serum ADMA levels. Secondary outcomes: change in augmentation index in the carotid artery and ratios of S-adenosylmethionine to S-adenosylhomocysteine (as a transmethylation indicator) and dimethylamine to ADMA (as an indicator of ADMA hydrolysis). Measurements Blood samples were collected under fasting conditions during the prehemodialysis procedure. Results The proportion showing normalization of plasma homocysteine levels was much greater in the methylcobalamin group (18 of 20 patients; 90%) than in the folate group (6 of 20; 30%; P < 0.001). The percentage of decrease in ADMA levels was greater in the methylcobalamin than folate group (25.4% ± 10.2% vs 13.2% ± 11.2%; P < 0.001). The increase in ratio of S-adenosylmethionine to S-adenosylhomocysteine was not different between the 2 groups; however, the ratio of dimethylamine to ADMA was increased in only the methylcobalamin group (P = 0.04). Augmentation index was decreased in only the methylcobalamin group (P = 0.03). Limitations This study had an open-label nature and did not examine long-term effects of homocysteine-normalizing therapy (no clinical end points). Conclusion Coadministration of intravenous methylcobalamin and oral folate in hemodialysis patients normalized hyperhomocysteinemia and decreased ADMA levels and arterial stiffness. We suggest that this regimen may have greater potential than folate alone to decrease cardiovascular risk in such patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 20-year-old patient who had a single ventricle and pulmonary stenosis presented with recurrent hemoptysis 12 years after a Fontan-type operation. He was referred to us because of unsuccessful treatment with a tentative diagnosis of lung tuberculosis for 3 months. He had been relatively well for the prior 12 years, although he had attacks of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia and had underwent successful catheter ablation 3 years ago. Aortography revealed multiple collateral arteries as a cause of hemoptysis and coil embolization of these collateral arteries successfully stopped the hemoptysis. This case illustrates that collateral arteries may stay open or develop, and these collateral arteries can become a source of hemoptysis long after a Fontan-type operation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This report discusses problems and methodologies that lie in the broad scope of systems and signals, with special focus on modeling, identification and signal processing; adaptation and learning; discrete event and hybrid systems; and stochastic systems. A common theme underlying all these areas is that problems in control systems and signals are usually defined and best studied in the framework of stochastic approaches. Although there are common precepts among all these technologies, there are also many unique topics within each area. Therefore, the current key problems in each technology are explained, followed by a discussion of recent major accomplishments with trends, and finally some forecasts of likely developments are provided. The conclusion summarizes some general forecasts for the overall field of systems and signals. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Homoplasmic m.1624C>T mutation of the mitochondrial tRNAVal gene was previously demonstrated to cause fatal neonatal Leigh syndrome. Here, we report the clinical phenotypes of a Japanese male and his mother with heteroplasmic m.1624C>T mutation. The 36-year-old male presented with repeated episodes of consciousness disturbance since the age of 25, cognitive decline, and personality change. Cerebrospinal fluid levels of lactate and pyruvate were elevated. His mother showed similar symptoms and course. The mutation m.1624C>T was identified heteroplasmically in the proband''s muscle and leukocytes and in the mother''s leukocytes. The heteroplasmy load decreased with age. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Prosaposin is the precursor protein of four glycoproteins, saposins A, B, C, and D, which activate sphingolipid hydrolases in lysosomes. Besides this role, intact prosaposin is also known as a potent neurotrophic factor that prevents neuronal cell death and stimulates neurite outgrowth in in vivo and in vitro experiments. In the present study, we examined chronological changes in prosaposin immunoreactivity in the rat brain using immunofluorescence staining and Diaminobenzidine (DAB) immunohistochemistry. In the hippocampal regions CA1, CA3, and dentate gyrus, the strongest staining of prosaposin was observed on postnatal day 1. The prosaposin immunoreactivity then decreased gradually until postnatal day 28. But in the cerebral cortex, prosaposin staining intensity increased from postnatal day 1 to 14, then decreased until postnatal day 28. The prosaposin immunoreactivity co-localized with the lysosomal granules labeled by an anti-Cathepsin D antibody, indicating that prosaposin mainly localized in the lysosomes of the neurons. We also examined the chronological changes in prosaposin mRNA and its two alternatively spliced variants using in situ hybridization. We found that both the mRNA forms, especially the one without a nine-base insertion, increased significantly from embryonic day 15 to postnatal day 7, then decreased gradually until postnatal day 28. Abundant prosaposin expression in the perinatal stages indicates a potential role of prosaposin in the early development of the rat brain. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: It has been suggested that mitochondrial dysfunction is important in the pathogenesis of psychiatric disorders such as depression, schizophrenia and dementia. We report herein three adult patients exhibiting such psychiatric symptoms as the core manifestation, accompanied by various degrees of myopathic symptoms. Pathological findings in biopsied skeletal muscle were compatible with mitochondrial myopathy in all cases. Maternal inheritance was not apparent in all three cases; however, two patients were born to consanguineous parents. Mutation analysis on the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and seven nuclear genes, in which pathogenic mutations are known to cause mtDNA deletions, was performed. MtDNA deletion mutations were identified in skeletal muscles of all patients. Neither pathogenic mutations nor copy number variation was identified among the nuclear genes. Although further studies are needed, the molecular pathways inducing mitochondrial abnormalities may be implicated in a variety of psychiatric conditions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Neuroacanthocytosis syndromes are mainly comprised of two diseases: chorea-acanthocytosis (ChAc) and McLeod syndrome (MLS). There is a high incidence of psychiatric disorders such as mood disorder and schizophrenia among neuroacanthocytosis patients. We hypothesized that neuroacanthocytosis-related-genes might be associated with susceptibility to these psychiatric disorders. We performed a comprehensive mutation screen of VPS13A and XK, the gene responsible for ChAc and MLS, respectively, in 85 mood disorder subjects and XK in 86 schizophrenia subjects and compared the variants to 100 or more control alleles. We also performed copy number variation (CNV) analysis in 72 mood disorder subjects and 86 schizophrenia subjects. We identified three non-synonymous, two synonymous and six intron variants in mood disorder subjects and a novel GAT triplet repeat polymorphism in VPS13A. By CNV analysis, we identified a heterozygous exon 60–61 deletion in VPS13A in one mood disorder subject. We identified one non-synonymous and one intron variant in mood disorder and schizophrenia subjects, respectively, in XK. The presence of a pathogenic mutation or a potentially functional variant in mood disorder or schizophrenia subjects suggests that neuroacanthocytosis-related-genes might be involved in the pathogenesis of these psychiatric disorders. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The phosphodiesterase 4B (PDE4B) gene is located at 1p31, a susceptibility region for schizophrenia (SZ). Moreover, PDE4B interacts with DISC1, which is a known genetic risk factor for SZ. Recently, it was reported that the PDE4B gene is associated with SZ in Caucasian and African American populations. In this study, case-controlled association analyses were performed in the Japanese population to determine if the PDE4B gene is implicated in SZ. Thirteen single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were analyzed in 444 schizophrenic patients and 452 control subjects. Three SNPs (rs2180335, rs910694 and rs472952) were significantly associated with SZ after applying multiple test correction (p =0.039, 0.004 and 0.028). In addition, a significant association was found between specific haplotypes (rs2180335 and rs910694) and SZ (permutation p =0.001). Our result suggests that variations at the PDE4B locus may play a significant role in the etiology of SZ in the Japanese population. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Purpose: To evaluated the utility of a 5-mm long point marker system for CT localisation of small pulmonary nodules prior to thorascopic resection. Materials and methods: Percutaneous localisation of 57 pulmonary nodules was performed with computed tomographic (CT) guidance in 52 patients. The size of the nodules ranged from 3mm to 20mm (mean: 9mm, median: 8mm). The mean distance of the outer rim to the pleura ranged from 3mm to 55mm (mean: 19mm, median: 15mm). A stainless steel, 5-mm long point marker with a 30-cm long nylon suture and introducer system (21-gauge) was firmly attached to the funnel at the proximal end of the marker. Results: The point marker system was successfully placed without being dislodged in 56 out of the 57 lesions (98%) and served as a clear guide during thoracoscopy. In 10 out of 52 patients (19%), non-symptomatic pneumothorax cases were observed. In 6 out of 52 patients (10%), haemorrhages into the lung parenchyma were observed. In no case did insertion of the point marker system cause strong pain and require an analgesic agent to be added. No patients produced hemopysis or air emboli. All nodules, including a dislodgment case, were successfully resected and the suture served as a clear guide during thoracoscopy. Pathologic findings of nodules included 37 malignancies and 20 non-malignancies. Conclusion: The marker system used for thoracoscopic resection was a safe and useful procedure. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Prosaposin acts as a neurotrophic factor, in addition to its role as the precursor protein for saposins A, B, C, and D, which are activators for specific sphingolipid hydrolases in lysosomes. In rats, the prosaposin gene generates two alternative splicing forms of mRNA: Pro+9 containing a 9-base insertion and Pro+0 without. The expression of these mRNAs changes after brain injury. We examined the expression patterns of the alternative splicing forms of prosaposin mRNA in the rat facial nerve nucleus for 52 days following facial nerve transection. Pro+0 mRNA increased within 3 days of transection, peaked after 5–10 days, and remained significantly elevated for 21 days. In contrast, the expression of Pro+9 mRNA was constant throughout the regenerative period. Prosaposin mRNA expression increased not only in facial motoneurons, but also in microglia during facial nerve regeneration. Our findings indicate that the saposin B domain of prosaposin, which is the domain affected by alternative splicing, plays an important role in both neurons and microglia during neuroregeneration. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has been implicated in neuronal survival, neuroprotection, regeneration, growth, differentiation, and axonal outgrowth, which are known to be involved in the pathophysiology of major depressive disorder (MDD). Recently, the VEGF mRNA expression in the peripheral leukocytes from Alzheimer''s disease or cardiovascular disease was reported to be changed. We hypothesized that the expression of the VEGF mRNA in the peripheral leukocytes may be a good candidate for the biological marker for MDD. Thirty two patients with MDD and age- and sex-matched control subjects were included in this expression study. The VEGF mRNA levels in the peripheral leukocytes from drug-naive MDD patients were significantly higher than those from the control subjects and the magnitude of the decrease of VEGF mRNA after 8-week treatment significantly correlated with clinical improvement. Then, we genotyped two single nucleotide polymorphic markers of VEGF gene, which were reported to be associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and Alzheimer''s disease, in patients with MDD and control subjects (n =154, each). We did not find any significant association between these markers and MDD or its clinical subtypes. Our investigation indicates that the higher expression levels of VEGF mRNA in the peripheral leukocytes are associated with the depressive state and their recovery after treatment may be associated with the clinical improvement. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: LIM (PDLIM5) is a small protein that interacts with protein kinase C-epsilon and the N-type calcium channel alpha-1B subunit and modulates neuronal calcium signaling. Recently, the LIM mRNA expression in postmortem brains and immortalized lymphoblastoid cells from mood disorder patients was reported to be changed and seems to be involved in its pathophysiology. We hypothesized that the expression of the LIM mRNA in the native peripheral leukocytes may be a good candidate for the biological marker for mood disorders. Twenty patients with major depression and age- and sex-matched control subjects were included in this expression study. The LIM mRNA levels in the peripheral leukocytes from drug-naive depressive patients were significantly lower than those from control subjects and increased significantly after 4-week paroxetine treatments, to almost the same level as controls’. Hamilton depressive scores (HAM-D) were improved about 50% after 4-week treatment but neither paroxetine concentrations nor the changes of HAM-D scores showed significant correlation with the change of the mRNA levels. Then, we genotyped three single nucleotide polymorphic markers of LIM gene, which were reported to be associated with bipolar disorder in patients with major depression and control subjects (n =130, each), but there were no associations between these SNPs and major depression. Our investigation indicates that the lower expression levels of LIM mRNA in the peripheral leukocytes are associated with the depressive state and that its recovery after treatment may be an adaptive change induced by the antidepressant. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Prosaposin is the precursor of saposins A, B, C and D, which are activators of sphingolipid hydrolases. In addition, unprocessed prosaposin functions as a neurotrophic factor in the central and peripheral nervous systems by acting to prevent neuronal apoptosis, to elongate neurites and to facilitate myelination. In this study, the expression pattern of prosaposin in the facial nerve nucleus after facial nerve transection was examined by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization. Prosaposin immunoreactivity in the neurons on the operated side facial nerve nucleus showed a biphasic pattern: it was significantly increased on day 3 after transection, decreased dramatically on day 7, started to increase gradually on day 14 and reached another peak on day 21 after transection. Significant increases in the levels of prosaposin mRNA were identified in the neurons on the operated side, suggesting that prosaposin was synthesized vigorously by the neurons themselves in the case of facial nerve transection. The diverse changes in prosaposin immunoreactivity during the process of facial nerve regeneration may reflect the diverse neurotrophic activities of prosaposin in facial motoneurons. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A 17-year-old female diagnosed with bipolar II disorder was treated for emotional lability with quetiapine. Two-lead electrocardiography revealed frequent monomorphic premature ventricular contraction (PVC) during an electroencephalography examination. Twenty-four-hour Holter electrocardiography revealed 0.6% uniform frequent PVCs and indicated that the readministration and second-time withdrawal of quetiapine markedly increased (7.1%) and decreased the frequency of PVC (1.1%), respectively. This case indicates that quetiapine can cause PVC as a serious side effect. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]