We study theoretically the mixed state properties of a strong uniaxially-anisotropic type II superconductor with the Pauli paramagnetic effect, focusing on their behaviors when the magnetic field orientation is tilted from the conduction layer ab plane. On the basis of Eilenberger theory, we quantitatively estimate significant contributions of the Pauli paramagnetic effects on a variety of physical observables, including transverse and longitudinal components of the flux line lattice form factors, magnetization curves, Sommerfeld coefficient, field distributions and magnetic torques. We apply these studies to Sr2RuO4 and quantitatively explain several seemingly curious behaviors, including the Hc2 suppression for the ab plane direction, the larger anisotropy ratio and intensity found by the spin-flip small angle neutron scattering, and the first order transition observed recently in magnetocaloric, specific heat and magnetization measurements in a coherent and consistent manner. Those lead us to conclude that Sr2RuO4 is either a spin-singlet or a spin-triplet pairing with the d-vector components in the ab plane.

ABSTRACT. Clinical courses of primary immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (pIMHA) in dogs are highly variable, however, limited information is available to predict their accurate prognoses. To evaluate the prognostic significance of clinical factors and to propose a scoring system to predict prognoses, the medical records of seventy-one dogs with pIMHA were reviewed. Overall mortality rate of dogs with pIMHA was 39% and most of the dogs died within 3 months from diagnosis. Sex, body weight, seasonality, packed corpuscular volume (PCV), platelet count (PLT), total plasma protein (TP), blood urea nitrogen, albumin, total bilirubin, sodium ion, prothrombin time, and fibrin/fibrinogen degradation products before immunosuppressive treatment can influence on survival time in dogs with pIMHA. A prognostic scoring system using a combination of sex, seasonality, PCV, PLT and TP can be statistically significant for raising the accuracy of prognostic prediction. Using the scoring system for prognostication in dogs with pIMHA may enable veterinarians to predict a prognosis easily and accurately.

Several recent studies have demonstrated the potential therapeutic role of olfactory ensheathing cells in spinal cord injury. The aim of this study was to elucidate whether grafts of nasal olfactory mucosa containing olfactory ensheathing cells can repair the injured rat spinal cord as compared with the nasal respiratory mucosa containing no olfactory ensheathing cells. These grafts were then transplanted into the partially removed rat spinal cord. Compared with the respiratory mucosa-transplanted rats, the olfactory mucosa-transplanted rats partially recovered the movement of their hindlimbs and joints. Corticospinal tracing indicated that olfactory mucosa transplantation restored the severed tract. Therefore, olfactory mucosa has potential value in the repair of spinal cord injury.

Object The olfactory mucosa (OM) consists of 2 layers, the epithelium and the lamina propria. Attempts have been made to restore motor function in rat models of spinal cord injury (SCI) by transplanting olfactory ensheathing cells from the lamina propria, but there has been no attempt to transplant the OM in animal models. To investigate the potential of the OM to restore motor function, the authors developed a rat model of SCI and delayed transplantation of syngenic OM. Methods Two weeks after complete transection of the spinal cord at the T-10 level in Wistar rats, pieces of syngenic whole-layer OM were transplanted into the lesion. Rats that underwent respiratory mucosa transplantation were used as controls. The authors evaluated the locomotor activity according to the Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan scale for 8 weeks after transplantation. Obtained spinal cords were analyzed histologically. Results The OM transplantation rats showed significantly greater hindlimb locomotor recovery than the respiratory mucosa–transplanted rats. However, the recovery was limited according to the Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan scale. In the histological examination, the serotonergic raphespinal tract was regenerated. The pseudocyst cavity volume in the vicinity of the SCI lesion correlated negatively with the functional recovery. Conclusions Transplantation of whole-layer OM in rats contributes to functional recovery from SCI, but the effect is limited. In addition to OM transplantation, other means would be necessary for better outcomes in clinical situations.

Intradural extramedullary spinal ependymomas are extremely rare. Herein, we describe a lesion-type spinal ependymoma that followed a malignant course, and discuss its clinical presentation, etiopathogenesis, and treatment. We present a patient who was diagnosed with an intradural extramedullary spinal tumor at T4-T6. The patient underwent gross total resection of the tumor without damage to the spinal cord. Histological examination, classified the lesion as a World Health Organization (WHO)-grade 2 ependymoma. One and a half years later, magnetic resonance imaging detected a recurring tumor at T4-T5. The tumor was removed and classified as a WHO-grade 3 anaplastic ependymoma. The patient was started on a course of regional spinal cord radiotherapy. The patient achieved tumoral control and clinical stabilization after the recurrence. We must consider the differential diagnosis of intradural extramedullary spinal tumors. The best treatment for this lesion is gross total resection and adjunctive radiotherapy is necessary in cases of malignant-change.

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The olfactory epithelial layer contains multipotent horizontal basal cells (HBCs) that differentiate into olfactory sensory neurons. Here, we show that rat HBCs express oligodendrocyte progenitor cell (OPC) and astrocyte markers. We generated olfactory sphere (OS) cells in cultures that were derived from adult rat olfactory mucosa. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting and immunofluorescence analyses showed that OS cells also express OPC and astrocyte markers. Interestingly, OS cells underwent oligodendrocyte differentiation in vitro. To study oligodendrocyte differentiation in vivo, OS cells were transplanted into injured rat spinal cords. The transplanted cells integrated into host tissue and differentiated into oligodendrocytes. When transected saphenous nerve ends were encased in collagen-containing silicone tubes with or without OS cells, the transplanted OS cells differentiated into Schwann cells. Our data provide new insights into of the stemness of OS cells.

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