Cell-permeable p38 MAP kinase protects adult hippocampal neurons from cell death.

p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase (p38) is a member of the MAP kinase family. Previous reports using p38 chemical inhibitors have suggested that its activation contributes to hippocampal neuronal cell death rather than cell survival. In this study, we used both a cell-permeable p38 protein containing the HIV protein transduction domain (PTD) and cultured adult hippocampal neurons, which were differentiated from cultured adult hippocampal neural stem/progenitor cells (NPCs), to evaluate the direct function of p38 on adult hippocampal neurons. Our immunocytochemical experiments demonstrated that wild-type cell-permeable p38 protein prevents cell death of adult hippocampal neurons induced by a low glucose condition. Our findings indicate that cell-permeable p38 protein may be useful in preventing the degeneration of higher brain function occurring through hippocampal neuronal cell death, and furthermore, that the maintenance of intracellular p38 levels could be another therapeutic target for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Colonoscopy using a small-caliber colonoscope with passive-bending after incomplete colonoscopy due to sharp angulation or pain.

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the performance of a newly developed small-caliber (SC) colonoscope (PCF-PQ260L). This colonoscope (diameter 9.2 mm) is designed with passive-bending and high-force transmission. The SC colonoscope was used for rescue colonoscopy following incomplete colonoscopy with a standard (SD) colonoscope caused by sharp angulation, loop formation, or pain. METHODS: Records of SC colonoscopy given to patients following an incomplete colonoscopy with the SD colonoscope and in the same session were analyzed. Cecal intubation rate, pain using a visual analog scale (0 = none, 100 = extremely painful) in the first and second colonoscopy, total time, new lesions detected with the SC colonoscopy, dosage of sedation used, and any complications were assessed. Examinations that could not be completed, because the colonoscope was not long enough to reach the cecum due to a redundant colon were excluded. RESULTS: The records of 43 patients who were given SC colonoscopy following incomplete examinations using the SD colonoscope were reviewed. In 97.7 % of cases (42/43), cecal intubation was achieved with the SC colonoscope in the same session. The mean pain score during colonoscopy was significantly lower for the second SC colonoscopy than for the first SD colonoscopy (40.6 ± 14.1 vs. 74.5 ± 10.8, P < 0.001). Lesions were detected with the SC colonoscope in 41.8 % of cases (18/43). CONCLUSIONS: When a colonoscopy with SD colonoscope failed due to sharp angulations, loop formation, or pain, subsequent colonoscopy with a SC colonoscope increased cecal intubation and lesion detection rates and decreased severity of reported pain.

[Usefulness of a whole blood interferon gamma assay (QuantiFERON-TB-2G) for detecting tuberculosis infection in HIV-infected persons].

BACKGROUND: New blood test (QuantiFERON-TB-2G: QFT-2G), based on detection of IFN-gamma released by T cells in response to M. tuberculosis specific antigens, has the high sensitivity and specificity for diagnosis of tuberculosis. However, it is essential to evaluate this T cell-based approach in individuals with HIV-associated impairment in T cell immunity. METHODS: We assessed the usefulness of QFT-2G on diagnosis of tuberculosis in 13 HIV-infected patients with tuberculosis and the performance of 25 HIV infected persons under highly active antiretroviral treatment (HAART). QFT-2G, CD4 counts, and tuberculosis skin test and so on were examined. RESULTS: The sensitivity of QFT-2G in HIV-infected patients with tuberculosis was 76.9%, which was significantly higher compared with tuberculin skin test, 15.4%. There was one indeterminate case of which CD4 count was 16/microl, the lowest count among the all patients. CD4 counts of 25 HIV infected persons under HAART were between 100 and 1157/microl. There were 3 QFT-2G positive cases among them, who had past history of tuberculosis. CONCLUSION: Although the very low CD4 counts in HIV-infected patients might adversely affect QFT-2G performance, the sensitivity of QFT-2G in the most of HIV-infected patients with tuberculosis was high, and it was thought that it was useful enough to diagnose tuberculosis infection. Careful observation is required in whether the recurrence of tuberculosis takes place among QFT-2G positive persons who have past history of tuberculosis.