Kaori Sumida

Influenza vaccine with Surfacten, a modified pulmonary surfactant, induces systemic and mucosal immune responses without side effects in minipigs.

Immune responses and side effects of intranasally administered flu vaccine with the commercial product Surfacten, a modified bovine pulmonary surfactant, were investigated in minipigs. The use of minipigs was based on the anatomical resemblance of nasal lymph nodes, the principal antigen uptake site of respiratory mucosal immunity, between pig and human. Intranasal instillation of HA vaccine adjuvanted with Surfacten elicited significantly higher serum hemagglutination inhibition titers than the antigen alone, with wide cross-neutralizing activities of secretory IgA in nasal washes. No significant induction of inflammatory cytokines or migration of inflammatory cells was observed at the site of immunization or serum after the first immunization. These data suggest the potential usefulness of Surfacten for mucosal vaccination.

Gross anatomical study of the human palatopharyngeus muscle throughout its entire course from origin to insertion.

The palatopharyngeus (PP) extends throughout the entire length of the pharynx and probably plays an important role in deglutition, but its spatial distribution remains undefined in some respects. This study was designed to clarify the exact distribution of the PP indispensable for understanding its functions. Using 50 cadavers, the PP and its neighboring muscles were bilaterally exposed in both surfaces of the pharynx. The PP was composed of two divisions: longitudinal and transverse. It is already known that the longitudinal PP is divided into two fasciculi sandwiching the levator veli palatini (LVP) immediately after originating from the palatine aponeurosis. However, we newly discovered a fasciculus originating from the uvula, and further regarded the salpingopharyngeus as another fasciculus of origin. The four fasciculi united to descend through the palatopharyngeal arch and inserted into the thyroid cartilage and beneath the mucosa of the hypopharynx. The transverse PP occupied a location transitional between the PP and superior constrictor (SC), where it originated from the palatine aponeurosis and passed dorsally to encircle the pharyngeal isthmus and reach the pharyngeal raphe. Although whether it belongs to the PP or SC has remained controversial, we regarded it as a portion of the PP from the evolutionary perspective and proposed anatomical criteria for differentiating it from the SC. The wide distribution of the PP suggests that it acts not only to elevate the pharynx or depress the soft palate, but also as a nasopharyngeal sphincter when closing the pharyngeal isthmus. Clin. Anat. 25:314–323, 2012.

Non-thermal Effects of Far-Infrared Ray(FIR) on Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells HepG2 and their Tumors

Background: We developed a cell culture CO2 incubatorand a mice rack that can continuously irradiate cells ormurine with FIR. Our goal is to make clear the non-thermaleffect of FIR on HepG2 with these instrumentsmorphologically. Methods: By using them, in vitro , we examined theproliferation of cultured HepG2 cells with hematocytometer,BrdU assay, WST-1 assay, HE staining, Toluidine bluestaining and microarray studies. And in vivo, we measuredthe tumors, observed the sections by IHC, DAPI stainingwith light microscopes and performed microarray studies. Results: Proliferation of HepG2 cells were suppressed(e.g., cell count declined by 34% after 10 days of FIRirradiation), tumor volumes reduced by 86% after 30 daysof FIR irradiation, mRNA of Vascular Endothelial GrowthFactor (VEGF) decreased by 48%, vascular area in crosssections from the tumors decreased 60% compared withthe control. More frequent properties in apoptosis wereobserved by TUNEL and DAPI staining in FIR-treatedgroups. Body weight of mice increased compared with thecontrol. Oxydation and Reduction (Redox) reactions byH+ (proton and electron)/O2- (a kind of Reactive OxygenSpecies (ROS)) were induced by FIR. Conclusions: These results clarified that FIR inhibitedthe proliferation of HepG2 at non-thermal circumstances(at 25±0.5, 37±0.5°C). FIR will serve as a tool againstdiseases induced by HepG2.

Anatomical Status of the Human Musculus Uvulae and Its Functional Implications

In our ongoing series of anatomical studies to determine the three‐dimensional architecture of the human velar muscles, we have previously reported on the palatopharyngeus. The present study deals with the musculus uvulae (MU), in which the positional relationships of its origin to the posterior nasal spine and the palatine aponeurosis, as well as the interrelation between its anatomical status and functions, have yet to be clarified. Macroscopic and microscopic examinations were performed on 25 and 2 cadavers, respectively. In the former, bilateral MUs and their adjacent structures were exposed mainly from the nasal aspect. In the latter, the soft palates embedded in paraffin were cut into frontal and sagittal sections and alternately processed with HE and Azan stains. The left and right MUs adjacent to each other were found to run longitudinally along the midline beneath the nasal aspect of velum. It was overlaid by glandular tissue that increased in amount as it coursed distally. After originating from the oral surface of palatine aponeurosis, it ran backward to cross above the sling formed by the levator veli palatini muscles of both sides and reached the tip of uvula with its muscle fibers intermingled with glandular tissue. Past studies have proposed three functions of MU to enhance the efficiency of velopharyngeal closure: space occupier, stiffness modifier, and velar extensor. All of the above‐described anatomical characteristics of MU could be explained as being adapted for these functions. This implies that MU is actively responsible for maintaining the velopharyngeal closure efficiency. Clin. Anat. 27:1009–1015, 2014.

Gross anatomical classification of the courses of the human lingual artery

PurposeThere are many reports on the variation of origin site of the lingual artery branching from the external carotid artery. However, there are few reports systematically investigating the course of the lingual artery in detail from branching site to the body of tongue. The purpose of this study is to classify systematically the courses of the lingual artery including variations.MethodsUsing 111 body sides of 63 Japanese cadavers for dissection practices, the lingual artery and the surrounding structures were investigated gross anatomically.ResultsThe courses of the lingual artery were classified into five types based on the positional relationships with the hyoglossus and the mylohyoid as follows; type M: coursing medial to the hyoglossus (normal course, 104 sides), type L: coursing lateral to the hyoglossus (2 sides), type T: transferring its course from lateral to medial to the hyoglossus (2 sides), type P: penetrating the mylohyoid (2 sides), and type C: the coinciding of types M and P (1 side). Types L, T, P, and C were considered to be variant lingual arteries. Types M and T, type L, and type P arose from the external carotid, facial, and submental arteries, respectively. In types L and P, adding to the variant lingual artery, the remnant of the normal lingual artery was also observed.ConclusionThe present study provides detailed information on the courses of lingual artery which will be of clinical importance especially in the super-selective arterial angiography.

Anatomical status of the human palatopharyngeal sphincter and its functional implications

PurposeThe transition muscle between the palatopharyngeus (PP) and the superior constrictor of the pharynx (SCP) encircles the pharyngeal isthmus from behind and is designated as the palatopharyngeal sphincter (PPS). The PPS is inferred to play important roles for velopharyngeal closure, but its existence remains controversial and its roles have been regarded as being played by the SCP. The present study aimed to clarify the anatomical status and functional implications of the PPS.Materials and methodsMacroscopic and microscopic examinations were performed on 39 and 4 cadavers, respectively. In the former, the bilateral PPSs and their adjacent structures were exposed from outside and/or inside. In the latter, the velums embedded in paraffin were cut into frontal or sagittal sections and alternately processed with HE and Azan stains.ResultsThe PPS originated from the nasal aspect of the lateral half of the palatine aponeurosis and the inferior margin of the medial pterygoid plate and was distinguishable from the PP descending in and along the palatopharyngeal arch and the cranialmost portion of the SCP in its origin. It passed dorsally on the lateral side of the levator veli palatini and traversed around the salpingopharyngeal fold running longitudinally. It then entered below the SCP and ran toward the pharyngeal raphe with SCP muscle fibers intermingled.ConclusionsThe PPS is a muscle distinct from the SCP. Its contraction produces Passavant’s ridge and conceivably enhances the efficiency of velopharyngeal closure by pressing the salpingopharyngeal fold and the musculus uvulae ridge against the velum.

Effects of far infrared ray (FIR) on human hepatoma cell HepG2

We examined the changes of human hepatoma cells HepG2 in vitro and tumors of HepG2 in vivo under the irradiation of FIR. And also microarray analysis was performed. As the result proliferation of HepG2 cells was inhibited and the volume of tumors decreased. Then it was suggested that energy-related genes might be affected.