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A low-cost electroencephalographic (EEG) recording system is proposed here to drive transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) of the mouse brain in vivo, utilizing a millimeter-sized coil. Using conventional screw electrodes combined with a custom-made, flexible, multielectrode array substrate, multi-site recording can be carried out from the mouse brain. In addition, we explain how a millimeter-sized coil is produced using low-cost equipment usually found in laboratories. Practical procedures for fabricating the flexible multielectrode array substrate and the surgical implantation technique for screw electrodes are also presented, which are necessary to produce low-noise EEG signals. Although the methodology is useful for recording from the brain of any small animal, the present report focuses on electrode implementation in an anesthetized mouse skull. Furthermore, this method can be easily extended to an awake small animal that is connected with tethered cables via a common adapter and fixed with a TMS device to the head during recording.The present version of the EEG-TMS system, which can include a maximum of 32 EEG channels (a device with 16 channels is presented as an example with fewer channels) and one TMS channel device, is described. Additionally, typical results obtained by the application of the EEG-TMS system to anesthetized mice are briefly reported.

Many nurses experience difficulties in pediatric palliative care practice. The study aimed to describe the current situation and structure of pediatric palliative and end-of-life care nursing practices for children and their families in Japan. The research subjects were nurses working in hospitals; facilities for persons with severe physical, motor, and intellectual disabilities; and home-visit nursing stations. The practice ratio was calculated using a 79-item survey form, and factor analysis was conducted. A total of 113 facilities (acceptance rate: 26.5%) and 777 nurses (response rate: 44.6%) responded. Five items had a "Practicing" ratio of ≥90%. In factor analysis, 7 domains were identified: "preparing to face the time of death with the child and family," "ensuring child-centered care," "managing symptoms with the child and family," "considering and coordinating for the child's peaceful time of death," "understanding and respecting the culture of the child and family," "assessing the child and family as a whole person," and "performing self-reflection on an ethical issue." Nurses' practice of pediatric palliative care differs by practice domain. It is necessary to reflect on the educational programs under development to improve the quality of life of children and their families., Competing Interests: The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. on behalf of The Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association.)

Although the phagocytic activity of macrophages has long been studied, the involvement of microtubules in the process is not well understood. In this study, we improved the fixation protocol and revealed a dynamically rearranging microtubule network in macrophages, consisting of a basal meshwork, thick bundles at the cell edge, and astral microtubules. Some astral microtubules extended beneath the cell cortex and continued to form bundles at the cell edge. These microtubule assemblies were mutually exclusive of actin accumulation during membrane ruffling. Although the stabilization of microtubules with paclitaxel did not affect the resting stage of the macrophages, it reduced the phagocytic activity and membrane ruffling of macrophages activated with serum-MAF, which induced rapid phagocytosis. In contrast, the destabilization of microtubules with nocodazole enhanced membrane ruffling and the internalization of phagocytic targets suggesting an inhibitory effect of the microtubule network on the remodeling of the actin network. Meanwhile, the microtubule network was necessary for phagosome maturation. Our detailed analyses of cytoskeletal filaments suggest a phagocytosis control system involving Ca 2+ influx, the destabilization of microtubules, and activation of actin network remodeling, followed by the translocation and acidification of phagosomes on the microtubule bundles.

We describe a case of repair of the antegrade anastomosis between the "ileal segment" and amputated ureter for recurrent rectal cancer, in which some postoperative complications occurred but eventually resolved. If the length of the ureter is inadequate for end-to-end anastomosis, an ileal segment can be used as a conduit. This surgical technique is not difficult because an ileal conduit is typically created during total pelvic exenteration of rectal cancers. Therefore, anastomosing the ureter to an "ileal segment" is easy and feasible. Hence, we consider that knowledge of this technique would be beneficial for surgical oncologists who perform colorectal surgeries., (© 2021. Japanese Society of Gastroenterology.)

Background/aim: Serum-derived macrophage activating factor (serum-MAF) is expected to have adjuvant effects through rapid phagocytic activation, which depends on F-actin accumulation in multi-layered membrane ruffles induced within 5 min after serum-MAF addition. This study aimed to elucidate the importance of annexin A2, which is a multifunctional Ca 2+ -binding protein related to cytoskeletal membrane dynamics, in serum-MAF signalling., Materials and Methods: Annexin A2 and F-actin localizations were analyzed via immunostaining and confocal microscopy. Using EGTA as chelator, the role of Ca 2+ in serum-MAF signalling was examined., Results: Annexin A2 was found to translocate from the cytosol to the cell cortex within 30 s of serum-MAF stimulation. Ca 2+ chelation inhibited the translocation of annexin A2, frill-like structure formation, and phagocytic activation by serum-MAF., Conclusion: Annexin A2 and Ca 2+ were responsible for the rapid phagocytic activation by serum-MAF. This study provides an understanding of phagocytic activation in macrophages, which could be beneficial for cancer immunotherapy., (Copyright © 2021 International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. George J. Delinasios), All rights reserved.)

Purpose: Retroperitoneal sarcoma (RPS) is a rare tumor with a poor prognosis and is often undetected until it is significantly enlarged. While surgical resection remains the primary treatment, there is little research on its benefits, especially that concerning the reoperation of recurrent disease. This study investigated the impact of surgical procedures, especially reoperation of recurrent RPS, on prognosis., Methods: This retrospective study included 51 patients who underwent radical resection surgery (R0 status) for primary or recurrent RPS without distant metastasis. Patient outcomes and prognosis were defined in terms of the clinicopathologic factors and surgical techniques performed., Results: In all cases, the 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) rate was 28.2%, 5-year overall survival rate was 89.9%, and 5-year no residual liposarcoma rate was 54.3% after operation and re-reoperation. There was a statistically significant difference between the 5-year DFS rate and 5-year no residual liposarcoma rate due to frequent re-reoperation (p = 0.011). On univariate analysis of primary and recurrent lesions, the histological type and the number of organs involved were identified as statistically significant prognostic factors. Patients with well-differentiated liposarcomas had a statistically better prognosis than those with other cancer types (primary RPS, p = 0.028; recurrence, p = 0.024)., Conclusions: Aggressive and frequent resection of recurrent RPS with combined resection of adjacent organs contributes to long-term survival. The establishment of a surgical strategy for RPS will require a prospective study., (© 2021. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH, DE part of Springer Nature.)

Lisianthus ( Eustoma grandiflorum ) is an important floricultural crop cultivated worldwide. Despite its commercial importance, few DNA markers are available for molecular genetic research. In this study, we constructed a genetic linkage map and to detect quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for important agronomic traits of lisianthus. To develop simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers, we used 454-pyrosequencing technology to obtain genomic shotgun sequences and subsequently identified 8263 putative SSRs. A total of 3990 primer pairs were designed in silico and 1189 unique primer pairs were extracted through a BLAST search. Amplification was successful for more than 1000 primer pairs, and ultimately 278 SSR markers exhibited polymorphism between the two lisianthus accessions evaluated. Based on these markers, a genetic linkage map was constructed using a breeding population derived from crosses between the two accessions, for which flowering time differed (>140 days when grown under 20°C). We detected one QTL associated with flowering time (phenotypic variance, 27%; LOD value, 3.7). The SSR marker located at this QTL may account for variation in flowering time among accessions (i.e., three accessions whose nodes of the first flower were over 30 had late-flowering alleles of this QTL)., (Copyright © 2021 by JAPANESE SOCIETY OF BREEDING.)

Background/aim: Serum-derived macrophage activating factor (serum-MAF) can rapidly activate macrophage phagocytic activity by inducing characteristic membrane ruffles designated as Frill-like structures. Serum-MAF contains γ-globulin, an activator of phagocytosis. This study examined whether serum-MAF and γ-globulin activate macrophages similarly., Materials and Methods: Morphological changes in macrophages were observed by time-lapse imaging and the efficiency of engulfment was analysed quantitatively. Immunological staining of talin-1 and a calpain inhibitor were performed., Results: The engulfment efficiency of serum-MAF- and γ-globulin-activated macrophages was significantly different. Talin-1 showed weak co-localisation with the Frill-like structures. Treatment with a calpain inhibitor similarly down-regulated phagocytosis irrespective of the activation factor., Conclusion: There was a difference between macrophage activation mechanisms by γ-globulin and serum-MAF. Talin may slightly contribute to serum-MAF activation. It is possible to distinguish between the calpain-dependent fundamental 'mechanism of phagocytosis' and the activating factor-dependent rapid 'activation mechanism'., (Copyright© 2020, International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. George J. Delinasios), All rights reserved.)

Background/aim: Serum-derived macrophage activating factor, serum-MAF, is known to increase the phagocytic activity of macrophages by enhancing the engulfment efficiency. To elucidate the mechanisms underlying phagocytic activation, morphological changes were observed and analyzed., Materials and Methods: Morphological changes in macrophages were observed and quantitatively analyzed using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and confocal microscope., Results: SEM and confocal microscopy images revealed frill-like structures and active actin accumulations, respectively, in serum-MAF treated macrophages. Actin accumulation was induced within 5 min following serum-MAF treatment., Conclusion: Serum-MAF induced a rapid rearrangement of cytoskeletal actin and enhanced phagocytic activity. Findings of the current study may contribute to the development of techniques that facilitate activation of the human immune system, which in turn may be beneficial for cancer immunotherapy., (Copyright© 2019, International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. George J. Delinasios), All rights reserved.)

Background/aim: Serum-derived macrophage activating factor (serum MAF) is known to increase the phagocytic activity of macrophages and potentially plays a role in activating cancer immunity. In order to reveal the contributing factors for phagocytic activation, the migratory activity and the efficiency of engulfment was analyzed., Materials and Methods: THP-1 macrophages were induced by 12-O-tetradecanoyl-13-acetate (TPA). The migratory activity and efficiency of engulfment were analyzed by time-lapse imaging and suspension assay, respectively., Results: While the distance of migration did not change before and after activation with serum MAF, the efficiency of beads internalisation was significantly increased., Conclusion: Phagocytic activation of serum-MAF-treated macrophages was caused by increasing the efficiency of engulfment. This study contributes to the knowledge about the activation of the immune system through phagocytic activation of macrophages., (Copyright© 2018, International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. George J. Delinasios), All rights reserved.)

[Purpose] Clarification of the differences in the compression volume of the lungs by the heart (CVLH) between postures may facilitate the selection of optimal postures in respiratory care. Determining CVLH in the supine, semi-prone (Sim's position), and side-lying positions was the aim of this study. [Subjects and Methods] Eight healthy volunteers (six males, two females; mean age, 29.0 ± 9.2 years) were enrolled in the study. Measurements were performed in the supine, right and left semi-prone, and right and left side-lying positions. semi-prone position was inclined 45° ventrally from the side-lying position. A 1.5-T system with a fast advanced spin-echo sequence in the coronal plane was used for magnetic resonance imaging. [Results] CVLH and heart compression ratio were significantly lower in the semi-prone position on both sides than the other positions. The heart was displaced ventrally when semi-prone and a larger area of the heart leaned on the ventral chest wall, localizing compression to part of the ventral region of the dependent lung. [Conclusion] The region of lungs compressed by the heart is reduced in the semi-prone position due to ventral displacement of the heart. These results suggest that maintaining expansion of the dependent lung is easier in the semi-prone position.

The fundamental performance of microangiography has been evaluated using the S-band linac-based inverse-Compton scattering X-ray (iCSX) method to determine how many photons would be required to apply iCSX to human microangiography. ICSX is characterized by its quasi-monochromatic nature and small focus size which are fundamental requirements for microangiography. However, the current iCSX source does not have sufficient flux for microangiography in clinical settings. It was determined whether S-band compact linac-based iCSX can visualize small vessels of excised animal organs, and the amount of X-ray photons required for real time microangiography in clinical settings was estimated. The iCSX coupled with a high-gain avalanche rushing amorphous photoconductor camera could visualize a resolution chart with only a single iCSX pulse of ∼3 ps duration; the resolution was estimated to be ∼500 µm. The iCSX coupled with an X-ray cooled charge-coupled device image sensor camera visualized seventh-order vascular branches (80 µm in diameter) of a rabbit ear by accumulating the images for 5 and 30 min, corresponding to irradiation of 3000 and 18000 iCSX pulses, respectively. The S-band linac-based iCSX visualized microvessels by accumulating the images. An iCSX source with a photon number of 3.6 × 10(3)-5.4 × 10(4) times greater than that used in this study may enable visualizing microvessels of human fingertips even in clinical settings.

Higher harmonics of spontaneous emission from an optical klystron have been observed. The modulation factor of the spontaneous emission spectrum for the higher harmonics can be described by considering the observation system. When the dispersive gap of the optical klystron was fixed, the microstructure interval of the spontaneous emission spectrum at a certain resonant wavelength became narrower as the order of the higher harmonic became larger. Some unique characteristics of the higher harmonics have been clarified, and these studies are likely to contribute to the development of free-electron lasers using higher harmonics of an optical klystron in the shorter-wavelengths region.

The temporal and spatial control of meristem identity is a key element in plant development. To better understand the molecular mechanisms that regulate inflorescence and flower architecture, we characterized the rice aberrant panicle organization 2 (apo2) mutant which exhibits small panicles with reduced number of primary branches due to the precocious formation of spikelet meristems. The apo2 mutants also display a shortened plastochron in the vegetative phase, late flowering, aberrant floral organ identities and loss of floral meristem determinacy. Map-based cloning revealed that APO2 is identical to previously reported RFL gene, the rice ortholog of the Arabidopsis LEAFY (LFY) gene. Further analysis indicated that APO2/RFL and APO1, the rice ortholog of Arabidopsis UNUSUAL FLORAL ORGANS, act cooperatively to control inflorescence and flower development. The present study revealed functional differences between APO2/RFL and LFY. In particular, APO2/RFL and LFY act oppositely on inflorescence development. Therefore, the genetic mechanisms for controlling inflorescence architecture have evolutionarily diverged between rice (monocots) and Arabidopsis (eudicots)., (© 2011 The Authors. The Plant Journal © 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.)

Phytochromes mediate the photoperiodic control of flowering in rice (Oryza sativa), a short-day plant. Recent molecular genetics studies have revealed a genetic network that enables the critical daylength response of florigen gene expression. Analyses using a rice phytochrome chromophore-deficient mutant, photoperiod sensitivity5, have so far revealed that within this network, phytochromes are required for expression of Grain number, plant height and heading date7 (Ghd7), a floral repressor gene in rice. There are three phytochrome genes in rice, but the roles of each phytochrome family member in daylength response have not previously been defined. Here, we revealed multiple action points for each phytochrome in the critical daylength response of florigen expression by using single and double phytochrome mutant lines of rice. Our results show that either phyA alone or a genetic combination of phyB and phyC can induce Ghd7 mRNA, whereas phyB alone causes some reduction in levels of Ghd7 mRNA. Moreover, phyB and phyA can affect Ghd7 activity and Early heading date1 (a floral inducer) activity in the network, respectively. Therefore, each phytochrome gene of rice has distinct roles, and all of the phytochrome actions coordinately control the critical daylength response of florigen expression in rice.

We report for the first time to our knowledge the experimental realization of a storage ring free-electron laser (FEL) in the middle-infrared (MIR) region. A technique to adjust the optical cavity using higher harmonic FELs was developed for a fundamental FEL in the MIR region. The MIR FELs were oscillated in the wavelength region of 2475 to 2673 nm, and the relative linewidth was 5×10⁻⁴. A quasi-monochromatic x-ray beam with an energy of 700 keV was generated using FEL Compton backscattering. We were able to realize a quasi-monochromatic x-ray beam, whose energy is difficult to generate even in advanced synchrotron radiation facilities.

We report for the first time to our knowledge the experimental achievement of a storage ring free-electron laser (FEL) device dedicated to applications in the IR region. IR FELs were oscillated in the wavelength region of 1392-1502 nm, and the relative linewidth was 3 x 10(-4). The maximum power of the IR FEL transmitted through a vacuum window was approximately 0.3 mW, and the intracavity power was approximately 2 W. We have already observed an intensive quasi-monochromatic x ray by using FEL Compton backscattering. The results of our study are expected to lead to applications in which an IR FEL and a quasi-monochromatic x ray will be used simultaneously.

Two types of branches, rachis branches (i.e. nonfloral) and spikelets (i.e. floral), are produced during rice (Oryza sativa) inflorescence development. We previously reported that the ABERRANT PANICLE ORGANIZATION1 (APO1) gene, encoding an F-box-containing protein orthologous to Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) UNUSUAL FLORAL ORGANS, suppresses precocious conversion of rachis branch meristems to spikelets to ensure generation of certain number of spikelets. Here, we identified four dominant mutants producing an increased number of spikelets and found that they are gain-of-function alleles of APO1. The APO1 expression levels are elevated in all four mutants, suggesting that an increase of APO1 activity caused the delay in the program shift to spikelet formation. In agreement with this result, ectopic overexpression of APO1 accentuated the APO1 gain-of-function phenotypes. In the apo1-D dominant alleles, the inflorescence meristem starts to increase in size more vigorously than the wild type when switching to the reproductive development phase. This alteration in growth rate is opposite to what is observed with the apo1 mutants that have a smaller inflorescence meristem. The difference in meristem size is caused by different rates of cell proliferation. Collectively, these results suggest that the level of APO1 activity regulates the inflorescence form through control of cell proliferation in the meristem.

The relationship between sleep apnea syndrome (SAS) and posture during sleep has been noted and the beneficial effect of an optimal posture on sleep apnea has been empirically indicated. We investigated this effect in a group of subjects that included obese patients and found that the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) may be normalized in the lateral position, even among patients severely affected with apnea. Among those with intermediate or lower AHI values, sleeping in a lateral position markedly improved the symptoms, with AHI even approaching the normal range in many patients. A tendency was noted for AHI to rise regardless of posture but in proportion to the increase in body mass index (BMI). In other words, the improvement due to changes in posture became increasingly insignificant with increase in BMI.

In sleep apnea syndrome, surgical treatment is applied in obstructive-type cases and some mixed-type cases. If the obstructive part is in the root of the tongue, forward transfer of the tongue, lingual tonsillectomy and laser midline glossectomy are applied. In this study, we demonstrate the surgical technique of lingual tonsillectomy using an ultrasonic coagulating dissector (SonoSurg) with a blade tip shape developed in our department. We conclude that lingual tonsillectomy using SonoSurg, which we have frequently used, should be the first choice of treatment for snoring and sleep apnea caused by hypertrophy of the lingual tonsils from the viewpoints of effectiveness, prevention of hemorrhage, safety and handling.

Sixty patients diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) underwent uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP). The effects of surgery were studied based on endoscopic findings during drug-induced sleep and determination of the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) before and after the operation. Changes in the form of the airway during sleep in the recumbent position were observed, and the role of upper airway endoscopy in the diagnosis and surgical treatment of OSAS was determined. The site of airway obstruction during sleep induced by i.v. injection of 10 mg of diazepam was classified into five types, and changes in AHI and the site of airway obstruction were compared before and after surgery. Changes in airway morphology during sleep in the supine and recumbent positions were also compared before surgery. The postoperative improvement rate was 74.4% for the soft palatal type of obstruction, 76.2% for the tonsillar type, 53.3% for the circumferential palatal type and 34.0% for the mixed type. Treatment produced excellent or good effects for the soft palatal and tonsillar types of obstruction. However, many patients with the circumferential palatal and mixed types of obstruction showed only some improvement or no change. Good airway morphology was maintained in the recumbent position by patients with the soft palatal type of obstruction. With the circumferential palatal and mixed types of obstruction, improvement can be expected from operations which include surgical treatment of the posterior pharyngeal wall or lateral funiculus, or with midline laser glossectomy. A good operative outcome can be predicted in patients showing improvement of apnea in the recumbent position preoperatively.

Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) and nasal continuous positive airway pressure (n-CPAP) are used for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). Although OSAS results from an abnormality of the pharynx, very little research has been carried out regarding the selection of UPPP or n-CPAP according to the type of abnormality. We performed n-CPAP titration before and after surgery, compared the treatment methods and evaluated the effect of the medical therapy. A sleep polygraph was recorded on the first night of admission and patients diagnosed with OSAS underwent n-CPAP titration on the second night. The blocked region was identified by means of endoscopic examination. A couple of months after surgery, polysomnography was repeated to determine the effect of surgery and the pressure level during n-CPAP forpatients who showed < 50% improvement in the apnea-hypopnea index. The results of surgery were poor in cases revealed by endoscopy to have the circumferential type of obstruction, but good for the soft palate and tonsil types. When endoscopic examinations were performed in conjunction with n-CPAP, the treatment was observed to act on the pharynx and to expand the airway in all cases Combined medical treatments were effective in cases where n-CPAP alone was ineffective due to high pressure.