Takahiro Suzuki

Glomangiopericytoma of the nasal cavity

Glomangiopericytoma is a rare tumor arising from the pericytes surrounding capillaries, and accounts for less than 0.5% of all sinonasal tumors. A 60-year-old male patient presented with a glomangiopericytoma of the nasal cavity manifesting as nasal obstruction and epistaxis, which was treated successfully with endoscopic excision. Histological examination showed multiplication of spindle-shaped to oval cells which reacted strongly to immunostaining for α-smooth muscle actin. Glomangiopericytoma is categorized as a borderline low malignancy tumor, which tends to recurrence. Strict follow-up is required, especially if complete resection is not achieved.

Third Generation Photo-Cross-Linked Small-Molecule Affinity Matrix: A Photoactivatable and Photocleavable System Enabling Quantitative Analysis of the Photo-Cross-Linked Small Molecules and Their Target Purification

The third generation of photoactivatable beads designed to capture bioactive small molecules in a chemo- and site-nonselective manner upon irradiation at 365 nm of UV light and release them as coumarin conjugates after exposure to UV light of 302 nm is described. These photoactivatable and photocleavable beads enable quantification of the amount and distribution of immobilized small molecules prior to the pull-down experiments to identify target protein(s) for the immobilized small molecules. The newly developed system was then used to analyze the functional group compatibility of the photo-cross-linking technology as well as the preferable nature of small molecules to be immobilized. As a result, compounds having a hydroxyl group, carboxylic acid, or aromatic ring were shown to give multiple conjugates, indicating that these compounds are well compatible with the photoactivatable beads system.

Puromycin insensitive leucyl-specific aminopeptidase (PILSAP) affects RhoA activation in endothelial cells

Puromycin insensitive leucyl‐specific aminopeptidase (PILSAP) expressed in endothelial cells (ECs) plays an important role in angiogenesis due to its involvement in migration, proliferation and network formation. Here we examined the biological function of PILSAP with respect to EC morphogenesis and the related intracellular signaling for this process. When mouse endothelial MSS31 cells were cultured, a dominant negative PILSAP mutant converted cell shape to disk‐like morphology, blocked stress fiber formation, and augmented membrane ruffling in random directions. These phenotypic changes led us to test whether PILSAP affected activities of Rho family small G‐proteins. Abrogation of PILSAP enzymatic activity or its expression attenuated RhoA but not Rac1 activation during cell adhesion. This attenuation of RhoA activation was also evident when G‐protein coupled receptors such as proteinase‐activated receptor or lysophosphatidic acid receptor were activated in ECs. These results indicate that PILSAP affects RhoA activation and that influences the proper function of ECs. J. Cell. Physiol. 211: 708–715, 2007.

Unique migration of a dental needle into the parapharyngeal space: successful removal by an intraoral approach and simulation for tracking visibility in X-ray fluoroscopy.

Objectives: The first objective was to describe a novel case of migration of a broken dental needle into the parapharyngeal space. The second was to address the importance of simulation elucidating visualization of such a thin needle under X-ray fluoroscopy. Methods: Clinical case records (including computed tomography [CT] and surgical approaches) were reviewed, and a simulation experiment using a head phantom was conducted using the same settings applied intraoperatively. Results: A 36-year-old man was referred after failure to locate a broken 31-G dental needle. Computed tomography revealed migration of the needle into the parapharyngeal space. Intraoperative X-ray fluoroscopy failed to identify the needle, so a steel wire was applied as a reference during X-ray to locate the foreign body. The needle was successfully removed using an intraoral approach with tonsillectomy under surgical microscopy. The simulation showed that the dental needle was able to be identified only after applying an appropriate compensating filter, contrasting with the steel wire. Conclusion: Meticulous preoperative simulation regarding visual identification of dental needle foreign bodies is mandatory. Intraoperative radiography and an intraoral approach with tonsillectomy under surgical microscopy offer benefits for accessing the parapharyngeal space, specifically for cases medial to the great vessels.

Dual Structure–Activity Relationship of Osteoclastogenesis Inhibitor Methyl Gerfelin Based on TEG Scanning

Methyl gerfelin derivatives, each having an amine-terminated tri(ethylene glycol) linker at the peripheral position, were designed and systematically synthesized. These TEGylated derivatives were then subjected to a structure-activity relationship (SAR) study to examine their glyoxalase 1-inhibition activity and binding affinity toward the three binding proteins identified. Among the derivatives synthesized, that with a NH(2)-TEG linker at the C6-methyl group showed the most potent glyoxalase 1-inhibiting activity and glyoxalase 1 selectivity. These results indicated that derivatization at the C6-methyl group would be suitable for the further development of selective glyoxalase 1 inhibitors.

Unusual Parapharyngeal Extension of Peritonsillar Abscess to the Masticator Space: Successfully Drained by Extraoral and Intraoral Endoscopic Approaches

Objective: The object was to describe 2 novel cases of peritonsillar abscess showing peculiar extension to the masticator space. Methods: The methods included clinical case records, including computed tomography and surgical approaches. Results: Both patients we encountered were suffering from systematic diseases, with case 1 involving a 75-year-old man with diabetes mellitus and case 2 involving a 90-year-old woman taking immunosuppressive medications. The abscesses were peritonsillar in origin, extending primarily to the parapharyngeal space, with unusual secondary extension to the masticator space. Extraoral drainage conducted in case 1 was useful for assessing the masticator space and surrounding spaces, but endoscopy-assisted intraoral drainage in case 2 was less invasive, obviating the need for identifying the facial nerve. Conclusions: It is important to bear in mind that patients suffering from systemic diseases may display unusual extension of deep head and neck infections, and enhanced computed tomography is a useful modality for evaluating such extensions.

Detection of continuous barking actions from search and rescue dogs' activities data

We have developed a method to visualize search and rescue (SAR) dogs activities from sensor data recorded by the SAR dogs sensor vests. This paper proposes two methods for detecting continuous barking actions of SAR dogs, which locate victims by smell and then bark continuously to tell handlers where victims are located. Continuous barking action is detected from audio information and a dogs body motions. This detection method is based on dynamic time warping (DTW), which has been used successfully to analyze human audio information. Cyclic body motion was observed during dogs barking motions. This cyclic motion can be detected by an inertial measurement unit (IMU) attached to the vest. A fast Fourier transform (FFT) is used to analyze a dogs barking motion. The proposed detection methods were evaluated using audio and IMU data recorded during actual SAR dog training sessions. The F-scores of the audio and motion-based barking detection methods were 0.95 and 0.90, respectively. As a trial, we marked victim locations on a map based on the body motion.

Motion control of tracked vehicle based on contact force model

In large industrial plants, the inspection of production lines is a heavy and costly task that puts human inspectors at high risk. In order to overcome these challenges, we have developed an autonomous plant inspection system using a mobile tracked vehicle. In this paper, we propose an autonomous navigation method for tracked vehicles based on a contact force model that enables the robot to compensate for collisions with obstacles. The model considers the influence of the contact force on the linear and angular motion of the robot. Using the model, the controllable velocity range is derived during collisions. The experimental results show that the robot is safely controlled by complying with velocity constraints. In addition, our method can generate motions such as leaving wall, L-shaped curve and crosswise locomotion in straight passage while navigation alongside the walls. The method allows the robot to smoothly follow a target path, despite colliding with obstacles.

Endoscopic surgical management of sinonasal inverted papilloma extending to the frontal sinuses

OBJECTIVEnSinonasal inverted papilloma has been traditionally managed with external surgical approaches. Advances in imaging guidance systems, surgical instrumentation, and intraoperative multi-visualization have led to a gradual shift from external approaches to endoscopic surgery. However, for anatomical and technical reasons, endoscopic surgery of sinonasal inverted papilloma extending to the frontal sinuses is still challenging. Here, we present our experience in endoscopic surgical management of sinonasal inverted papilloma extending to one or both frontal sinuses.nnnMETHODSnWe present 10 cases of sinonasal inverted papilloma extending to the frontal sinuses and successfully removed by endoscopic median drainage (Draf III procedure) under endoscopic guidance without any additional external approach.nnnRESULTSnThe whole cavity of the frontal sinuses was easily inspected at the end of the surgical procedure. No early or late complications were observed. No recurrence was identified after an average follow-up period of 39.5 months.nnnCONCLUSIONnUse of an endoscopic median drainage approach to manage sinonasal inverted papilloma extending to one or both frontal sinuses is feasible and seems effective.

Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Tumor of the Nasal Septum

We report an extremely rare case of inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor of the posterior edge of the nasal septum. An 11-year-old boy presented with frequent epistaxis and nasal obstruction persisting for one year. Based on the clinical presentation and imaging studies, juvenile angiofibroma was suspected, but angiography suggested the possibility of another type of tumor. Transnasal endoscopic surgery found that the tumor protruded into the nasopharynx from the posterior end of the nasal septum. Histological examination identified spindle cells with immunoreaction for vimentin, smooth muscle actin, and anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK), but not for desmin and cytokeratin. This is a report of inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor mimicking juvenile angiofibroma. This case suggests that angiography is helpful in the differential diagnosis of epipharyngeal tumor in adolescence.