Type I collagen, which consists of two α1 and one α2 chains, is an abundant extracellular matrix (ECM) protein. Changes in type I collagen are often associated with various diseases including fibrosis, osteogenesis imperfecta (OI), and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS). In the present study, we developed a method for quantification of type I collagen α1 (COL1A1) in a culture medium of LX-2 human hepatic stellate cells by using nano-liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (nano-LC/MS/MS). After selecting a specific peptide of COL1A1, unlabeled and stable isotope-labeled peptides were used for quantitative analysis of COL1A1 by nano-LC/MS/MS. The concentration of secreted COL1A1 in the LX-2 cell culture medium was 38.78 ng/mL. The results indicate that this method is useful for quantifying COL1A1 in a cell culture medium.

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To clarify the relationships between the masticatory ability and the locomotive syndrome, we, a research team, evaluated simultaneously the degree of locomotive syndrome, for which “The 25-question Geriatric Locomotive Function Scale (Locomo 25),” a rough-diagnosis tool for locomotive syndrome was used, and three indexes concerning the masticatory ability; the objective masticatory ability index, the subjective masticatory ability index, and the number of teeth. The research was aimed at the younger elderly aged 65-74, who took the town’s Specific Medical Examination. Even with adjustments of the confounding factors, a significantly large number of participants with lower masticatory ability had the locomotive syndrome.

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Objective: Chronic heart failure (CHF) is one of the most common and also one of the highest mortality diseases, but there is no established effective treatment. The primary molecular mechanism of CHF is the apoptosis of myocardial cells through the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. So, we investigated the possible mechanism of yang-warming and the fluid retention-resolving method in the treatment of CHF. Methods: The rat model of chronic heart failure was reproduced by intraperitoneal injection of adriamycin. Doppler echocardiography was used to determine rats' cardiac function. ELISA kits detected the levels of BNP and cTnI. H&E staining was used to observe the changes of myocardial pathological morphology in rats. The protein contents of p-PI3K, p-Akt were detected by Western Blot. The expression of Bcl-2 and Bax, and Caspase-8, and Caspase-3 were detected by immunohistochemistry. Results: We revealed that p-PI3K and p-Akt protein expression in the CHF group were decreased, the value of Bcl-2 and Bcl-2/Bax decreased, and the value of Bax, Caspase-8 and 3 increased; All of the treatment groups attenuated the levels of BNP, cTnI, Bax, Caspase-8 and Caspase-3. And the expressions of p-PI3K, p-Akt, Bcl-2, Bcl-2/Bax were increased. The yang-warming group ameliorated the CHF state from the amounts of the releases better than other treatment groups. Conclusions: These revealed that the yang-warming and fluid retention-resolving method might play a role in protecting the myocardium by regulating the PI3K-Akt signaling transduction pathway and subsequently inhibiting apoptosis.

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Study objective: In the present study, factors contributing to ROSC were clarified and measures to improve ROSC rates based on the Utstein style items was examined. Methods: Information from the Fire and Disaster Management Agency of japan database was analyzed. The contribution of the Utstein style items to ROSC in OHCA cases transported to medical institutions by EMT between January 01, 2010, and December 31, 2010, was assessed. Results: ventricular fibrillation (VF) and ventricular tachycardia (VT), 7.87 (7.09–8.72); epinephrine administration, 3.09 (2.84–3.35); ambulance staffed with a physician, 3.06 (2.69–3.49) were shown to be contributing factors to ROSC. Conclusions: These results showed that prompt cardiopulmonary resuscitation for VF and VT, use of an automated external defibrillator, early epinephrine administration, and development of an emergency care system in the community are important for achieving ROSC and social rehabilitation in OHCA patients.

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An 80-year-old man received salvage radiation therapy for prostate-specific antigen recurrence of prostate cancer after prostatectomy. Urinary retention and edema of both legs developed 1 year and 3 months after initiation of radiation therapy. Imaging showed significant fibrosis in the radiation field. Histological findings were characteristic of ischemic changes, but not retroperitoneal fibrosis or fibrosarcoma. Development of significant fibrosis with accompanying symptoms after postoperative radiation therapy is rare in prostate cancer. The patient’s history of heavy smoking and arteriosclerotic diseases (e.g., cerebral infarction and carotid artery stenosis), in addition to an elevated D-dimer level confirmed by blood test, suggested the presence of underlying advanced vascular endothelial disorders and microvascular circulatory disorders. Significant fibrosis was likely caused by the patient’s underlying condition in addition to surgery and extensive radiation to the pelvis.

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