Masao Kinoshita

Endovascular thrombectomy has become an established treatment for acute ischemic stroke caused by large vessel occlusion, significantly improving clinical outcomes in eligible patients. Advances in thrombectomy techniques have improved recanalization rates, with newer tools enabling faster and more effective clot retrieval1 . The various techniques employed include stent retriever only, aspiration catheter and stent retriever, and direct aspiration2 . Whether using direct aspiration or stent retriever with contact aspiration, achieving optimal recanalization requires direct and secure contact between the aspiration catheter and the thrombus3 . Proper engagement of the catheter with the clot is critical for efficient aspiration and subsequent vessel recanalization. However, it is impossible to visually confirm whether the aspiration catheter is appropriately in contact with the thrombus. In this report, we introduce a novel approach termed the waveform-assisted navigation (WAN) technique, which uses pressure waveforms to confirm and visualize the secure apposition of the aspiration catheter to the thrombus during thrombectomy(video 1). Video 1 Waveform-Assisted Navigation (WAN) technique:

G‐protein‐coupled receptor kinases (GRKs) comprise a family of seven mammalian serine/threonine protein kinases that phosphorylate and regulate agonist‐bound, activated, G‐protein‐coupled receptors (GPCRs). GRKs and β‐arrestins are key participants in the canonical pathways leading to phosphorylation‐dependent GPCR desensitization, endocytosis, intracellular trafficking and resensitization. Here we show that GRK4 isoforms are expressed in human breast cancer but not in normal epithelia. In addition, GRK4‐over‐expressing cells activated the mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) mediated by ERK 1/2 and JNK phosphorylation in breast cancer‐derived cell lines. Furthermore, suppression of β‐arrestins decreased GRK4‐stimulated ERK 1/2 or JNK phosphorylations. These data indicate that high‐level expression of GRK4 may activate MAPK signalling pathways mediated by β‐arrestins in breast cancer cells, suggesting that GRK4 may be implicated in breast cancer carcinogenesis. Copyright © 2008 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Creatine has a neuroprotective effect in mutant superoxide dismutase (G93A) transgenic mice, an animal model of motor neuron disease (MND). Treatment with creatine monohydrate enhances muscle patients with neuromuscular disorders. The purpose of our study was to determine whether administration of creatine monohydrate can attenuate progressive disease in wobbler mice. METHODS: After an initial diagnosis of disease at the age of 3-4 weeks, creatine monohydrate (5 or 50 mg/kg, po) or vehicle was given to wobbler mice daily for 4 weeks in a blinded fashion. We compared symptomatic and neuropathological assessments among the three groups. RESULTS: Creatine levels in biceps muscles were increased by approximately 20% following administration of higher-dose creatine monohydrate. In comparison with vehicle, treatment with higher doses of creatine monohydrate potentiated grip strength in strength, attenuated forelimb contracture and increased the weight of biceps muscles. Mice treated with higher doses of creatine monohydrate showed retarded denervation muscle atrophy in the biceps muscles and reduced degeneration of the spinal motor neurons. Thus, oral administration of creatine monohydrate delayed the progression of disease in wobbler mice. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that this molecule may have therapeutic potential in human motor neuropathy or MND. (ALS 2000; 1:207-212)

Optical meteor observations were carried out in Mauna Kea, Hawaii, in November 1997, in order to investigate the activity of Leonid shower under strong moon shine. We report a spectacular event of a meteor burst, with 100–150 meteors in only two seconds, observed at the time of descending node of the comet at 13:31 UT on November 17, 1997. From a preliminary analysis, the spread of the meteors in the orbit are estimated to be approximately 100 km along the trajectory and 50 km in the lateral direction. This observed meteor rate is comparable to the maximum hourly rate reported in 1966. The video camera observation shown here can be very useful for observations during the forthcoming strong Leonid meteor storm.

It has been reported that both the monoamine oxidase inhibitor, deprenyl and the dopamine receptor agonist, pergolide have neuroprotective actions. To investigate the effect of deprenyl and pergolide on axotomized motor neuron death, we examined the survival of spinal motor neurons after sciatic nerve transection in the neonatal rats. Newborn rats were anesthetized with hypothermia. Sciatic nerve was cut near the obturator tendon in the left thigh. Animals were then treated daily with deprenyl (10 mg kg(-1)), pergolide (5 mg kg(-1)), or PBS for 14 days with intraperitoneal injections in a blind fashion. After the treatment, the number of spinal motor neurons in the L 4-6 was counted. There was approximately a 50% loss of spinal motor neurons in PBS-treated group. By contrast, both deprenyl and pergolide prevents spinal motor neuron death after axotomy Co-administration of deprenyl and pergolide is more effective than either agent alone but not significant. These findings are consistent with the idea that deprenyl and pergolide are survival factors for developing spinal motor neurons.

Quadriceps muscle biopsies from 24 patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and 15 age-matched controls were prepared for histochemistry and analyzed morphometrically. Pathological features for denervation and reinnervation were observed in most ALS patients, although considerable variation between patients was noted. Myopathic changes were also seen in one-third of the cases. The morphometric data were not only related to the duration and mean diameter of type I fiber, but also to the duration and hypertrophy factor of type II fiber, suggesting that the progression and severity of ALS depends on the preservation of both fibers.