Abstract
Neuroinflammation is an important biological process induced by complex interactions between immune cells and neuronal cells in the central nervous system (CNS). Recent research on the ...bidirectional communication between neuronal and immunological systems has provided evidence for how immune and inflammatory processes are regulated by nerve activation. One example is the gateway reflex, in which immune cells bypass the blood brain barrier and infiltrate the CNS to cause neuroinflammation. We have found several modes of the gateway reflex in mouse models, in which gateways for immune cells are established at specific blood vessels in the spinal cords and brain in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis and systemic lupus erythematosus models, at retinal blood vessels in an experimental autoimmune uveitis model, and the ankle joints in an inflammatory arthritis model. Several environmental stimulations, including physical and psychological stresses, activate neurological pathways that alter immunological responses via the gateway reflex, thus contributing to the development/suppression of autoimmune diseases. In the manuscript, we describe the discovery of the gateway reflex and recent insights on how they regulate disease development. We hypothesize that artificial manipulation of specific neural pathways can establish and/or close the gateways to control the development of autoimmune diseases.
Background The diagnostic efficacy of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) cytology may vary greatly depending on the treatment of the samples obtained and the level of ...proficiency of the cytopathologist or cytoscreener. Methods We prospectively evaluated the diagnostic efficacy of the cell block (CB) method and that of smear cytology using tissue samples obtained in the same needle pass at EUS-FNA in 33 patients with pancreatic tumors, abdominal tumors or swollen lymph nodes. An average of 3.1 passes were applied during the procedure without affirmation by rapid cytology. About half of the material obtained by each single pass was subjected to smear cytology, while the other half was evaluated by the CB method. Four to 12 glass slides were prepared for both Papanicolaou stain and Giemsa stain. The CB sections were prepared using the sodium alginate method and subjected to HE, PAS-AB and immunohistochemical stains. Two pathologists independently made cytological and histological diagnoses. The final diagnosis was based on integration of cytohistological findings, diagnostic imaging, and clinical course. Results The diagnostic accuracy of the CB method and that of smear cytology were 93.9 and 60.6%, respectively (p = 0.003), and their respective sensitivities were 92.0 and 60.0% (p = 0.02). It was easier to make a definite diagnosis of not only malignancies but also benign conditions by the CB method than by the smear method. Conclusion The CB method with immunostaining showed a higher diagnostic yield than smear cytology in patients who had undergone EUS-FNA without rapid on-site cytology.
Inflammatory colorectal polyp (ICRP) in miniature dachshunds (MDs) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) characterized by granulomatous inflammation that consists of neutrophil infiltration ...and goblet cell hyperplasia in the colon. Recently, we identified five MD-associated single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), namely
, and
, by whole-exome sequencing. Here, we investigated whether
c.4567C>T (p.R1523W) is associated with the ICRP pathology. We found that the frequency of the T/T SNP risk allele was significantly increased in MDs with ICRP.
experiments showed that TG expression in non-immune cells was increased by inducing the IL-6 amplifier with IL-6 and TNF-α. On the other hand, a deficiency of
suppressed the IL-6 amplifier. Moreover, recombinant TG treatment enhanced the activation of the IL-6 amplifier, suggesting that TG is both a positive regulator and a target of the IL-6 amplifier. We also found that
expression together with two NF-κB targets,
and
, was increased in colon samples isolated from MDs with the T/T risk allele compared to those with the C/C non-risk allele, but serum TG was not increased. Cumulatively, these results suggest that the T/T SNP is an expression quantitative trait locus (eQTL) of
mRNA in the colon, and local
expression triggered by this SNP increases the risk of ICRP in MDs
the IL-6 amplifier. Therefore,
c.4567C>T is a diagnostic target for ICRP in MDs, and
-mediated IL-6 amplifier activation in the colon is a possible therapeutic target for ICRP.
Objective The indications for endoscopic treatment in early stage cancer of the digestive tract are expanding with the emergence and technical development of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). ...ESD requires longer term stable sedation than conventional endoscopic procedures due to the necessity of meticulous control of the devices during the procedure. Propofol has a very short half-life and can be administered continuously, which is advantageous for long-term sedation. Propofol, thus, is likely to be useful for sedation during ESD. Methods Fifty consecutive patients who underwent ESD for early gastric cancer with propofol sedation (Group P) and those with midazolam sedation (Group M) were included in this study. Cardiorespiratory suppression rate and the condition of arousal were compared between the groups. A questionnaire survey on the satisfaction of endoscopists, anesthesiologists, endoscopy nurses, and ward nurses with the use of propofol was also carried out. Results Respiratory suppression was observed in 50% in Group M and in 20% in Group P (p<0.05). Hypotension was seen in 14% and 36% in Groups M and P, respectively (p<0.05). No sedation-related complications were encountered in either of the groups. Arousal rates 1 hour and 3 hours after the procedure were 23% and 60% in group M and 86% and 100% in Group P (p<0.05). As for the questionnaire survey, most respondents, in particular the ward nurses, supported the use of propofol. Conclusion Our data suggest that propofol is safe and useful during ESD as compared with midazolam.
We experimentally investigate recovery from multiple link failures in a multicore fiber (MCF) link-based optical network (NW). The NW is composed of an input/output interface and a two-ring structure ...to achieve high-capacity and highly reliable NWs in access areas. Each node has a switch (SW) unit consisting of field-programmable gate array (FPGA)-based optical SW units. The SW unit is able to detect failures and implements a failure recovery scheme that monitors signals and secures a restoration path, even when there are multiple link failures. Signal transmission experiments demonstrated that the path could be recovered within a short time period (approximately 8 ms), even after multiple failures in the NW. Moreover, performing a second (consecutive) switching after no signal was detected in the first switching for complicated multiple failures in the NW also led to recovery within a short time period (approximately 25 ms). These times are sufficiently less than that required by recovery time standard for telecommunication NWs of the Telecommunication Standardization Sector of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU-T). The results indicate that the MCF link would be useful for increasing the reliability of NWs.
Endosonography-guided biliary drainage (ESBD) is now gaining acceptance as a useful alternative for the management of obstructive jaundice.
1
At present, ESBD is used mainly to establish an ...anastomosis between the biliary tree and the duodenum, stomach, jejunum, or esophagus by placing a stent so as to bridge the bile duct and alimentary tract. We herein report a new application of ESBD, that is, its temporary use for gaining access to the bile duct in order to deploy a self-expandable metallic stent (SEMS) via the transhepatic route. In a patient with pylorus stenosis due to advanced gastric cancer with extrahepatic bile duct obstruction caused by nodal metastasis, a plastic stent was placed temporarily by ESBD to bridge the esophagus and the left hepatic duct. Ten days later, the stent was retrieved, leaving a guidewire in the bile duct, and a delivery unit of a SEMS was introduced into the bile duct over the guidewire via the sinus tract. The SEMS was then successfully deployed through the stenosis. No stent was left in the sinus tract. This procedure yields a mature fistula through which a delivery unit can be safely introduced into the bile duct followed by uneventful deployment of a SEMS.
Background and Aims
To prospectively evaluate the role of contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CE-CT) in the detection of colonic diverticular bleeding (CDB).
Patients and Methods
Consecutive ...patients who presented with hematochezia and were clinically suspected of CDB were prospectively enrolled. Those who could undergo both CE-CT and total colonoscopy, and who were finally diagnosed as CDB, were included in the analysis.
Results
Fifty-two cases were finally included in the analysis. The detection rate of CDB by CT was 15.4 % (8/52). Univariate analysis showed that the interval from the latest episode of hematochezia to the performance of CT and the presence of a past history of CDB were contributing factors for detection. The interval was 1.6 ± 4.6 h (mean ± SD) in patients detected by CT, and 3.4 ± 3.2 h in those without detection. The detection rate of CDB by total colonoscopy was 38.5 % (20/52). The overall detection rate was 46.2 % (24/52), which was superior to what CT or colonoscopy alone achieved.
Conclusions
CE-CT may play a complementary role to colonoscopy in patients with suspected CDB, but is not recommended for all cases due to its low detection rate. Patients who can be examined within 2 h of last hematochezia would be candidates for urgent CT.
Background Clinical demand for total colonoscopy (TCS) is increasing. Improvement of the cecal intubation rate and shortening of the examination time would expand the capacity for TCS. Objective To ...assess the efficacy of a transparent hood attached to the tip of a colonoscope for cecal intubation in TCS. Design Prospective, randomized, controlled study. Setting Single tertiary-referral center. Interventions TCS. Main Outcome Measurements Cecal intubation time and rate, complications, patient discomfort, and detection rate of colonic polyps. Methods Patients who were to undergo screening and/or surveillance TCS for colorectal cancer were invited to participate in the study. Cecal intubation time and rate, complications, patient discomfort, and detection rate of colonic polyps were evaluated. Results A total of 592 patients enrolled in this study were randomly allocated to the hood group and no-hood group. The mean (SD) cecal intubation time in the hood group and the no-hood group was 10.2 ± 12.5 minutes and 13.4 ± 15.8 minutes, respectively ( P = .0241). The effect of its use was more prominent in the expert endoscopists group compared with those with moderate experience. The cecal intubation rate and the detection rate of small polyps in the 2 groups were similar. The grade of patient discomfort was significantly lower in the hood group. No complications were encountered with the use of the hood. Conclusions Use of a transparent hood on the tip of a colonoscope shortened the time required for cecal intubation and decreased patient discomfort; such use was more effective among experts in shortening the examination time.
Aims: To assess the prevalence and clinical significance of mediastinal emphysema (ME) after esophageal endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD).
Methods: A total of 105 patients in whom assessment ...of ME was prospectively carried out with multi‐detector row computed tomography (MDCT) after esophageal ESD were included in this study. ME was graded as follows: Grade‐0, no ME; Grade‐I, bubbles around the esophagus; Grade‐II, ME around the thoracic aorta; Grade‐III, ME extending around the heart or beyond the mediastinum into the neck; and Grade‐IV, ME with pneumothorax or subcutaneous emphysema. MDCT grading was compared with the finding of conventional chest X‐ray images (CXR) and clinical symptoms.
Results: CXR revealed the presence of ME in 6.6% of the subjects. On MDCT, ME was recognized in 62.9% (Grade‐0, 37.1%; I, 46.7%; II, 10.5%; III, 5.7%; and IV, 0%), most (83.8%) being Grade‐I or 0. CXR was able to visualize ME of Grade‐II or greater. Exposure of the muscularis propria layer and location of the lesion were significant risk factors for development of ME of Grade‐II or greater (P = 0.008 and P = 0.03, respectively). The duration of a fever of 37°C or higher was longer and the serum C‐reactive protein level was higher in patients with a higher grade of ME.
Conclusions: MDCT revealed the occurrence of ME in 62.9% of the patients who had undergone esophageal ESD, most of which, however, was clinically silent. Exposure of the muscular layer during ESD and location of the lesion were independent risk factors for the development of ME.
Endosonography‐guided biliary drainage (ESBD) is a new option that allows establishment of biliary drainage. Due to the diameter of the working channel of an echoendoscope, it is necessary to replace ...a small caliber stent with a larger one to lessen the risk of stent occlusion. However, insertion of a guidewire into the bile duct via the hole of the sinus tract following direct removal of a previously placed stent is not always possible, resulting in guidewire passage outside the fistula and bile leakage. Cannulation of the previously deployed stent, guidewire insertion into the bile duct via the cannula and the stent, and removal of the stent with the snare over the guidewire leaving the guidewire in place (the snare‐over‐the‐wire technique SOW) for stent exchange following ESBD was attempted. Four patients who required stent exchange following ESBD were included in the present study to evaluate the feasibility and usefulness of SOW. SOW was successful in all the cases. A new stent was also successfully deployed over the guidewire in all the cases. No complications were encountered. The snare‐over‐the‐wire technique is feasible and useful in stent exchange following ESBD for the reduction of the risk of guidewire migration.
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