EFFECTS OF ORVUS ES PASTE ON THE MOTILITY AND VIABILITY OF YAK (BOS GRUNNIENS) EPIDIDYMAL AND EJACULATED SPERMATOZOA AFTER FREEZING AND THAWING

BACKGROUND

The addition of the detergent Orvus ES Paste (OEP) to semen freezing extenders has been observed to improve the post-thaw survival and longevity of spermatozoa from various species but has never been evaluated for yak spermatozoa.

OBJECTIVE

This study evaluated the effects of OEP on the post-thaw motility and viability of epididymal and ejaculated yak spermatozoa.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Semen samples were frozen and thawed in semen freezing extender supplemented with 0 %, 0.375 %, 0.75 % or 1.5 % OEP. The motility and viability of frozen-thawed spermatozoa were evaluated before and after 3 h of incubation.

RESULTS

The addition of 0.75 % OEP to the freezing extender significantly improved the mean motility and viability values of both the epididymal and ejaculated spermatozoa immediately after thawing, but the beneficial effects on motility disappeared after 3h of incubation.

CONCLUSION

Our findings indicate that the addition of 0.75 % OEP is effective for the preservation of yak spermatozoa.

Inhibition of human osteosarcoma cell migration and invasion by a gene silencer, pyrrole-imidazole polyamide, targeted at the human MMP9 NF-κB binding site

Osteosarcoma is one of the most prevalent bone tumors, occurring mostly in adolescence. However, no noticeable progress has been achieved in developing new therapeutic agents for this disease. Matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9), a type IV collagenase, is a known anticancer target and is overexpressed in osteosarcomas. MMPs can degrade components of the extracellular matrix and are known to be involved in tumor invasion and metastasis. In the present study, we designed and synthesized a pyrrole-imidazole polyamide (HN.49), a gene-silencing agent that specifically targets the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) binding site of the human MMP9 promoter. We then examined the effect of HN.49 on the enzyme activity of MMP9 and the migration activity of osteosarcoma cells in vitro. It was clearly shown that HN.49 polyamide reduced the expression level of MMP9 mRNA and the enzymatic activity of MMP-9 in SaOS-2 cells. Moreover, HN.49 polyamide inhibited migration and invasion by SaOS-2 cells in in vitro wound-closure and matrigel-invasion assays. These results indicate that HN.49 may be a potential therapeutic agent for inhibiting the invasion and metastasis of osteosarcoma.

Cardiac arrest due to airway obstruction in hereditary angioedema

Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is a rare genetic disease caused by a deficiency of functional C1 esterase inhibitor that causes swelling attacks in various body tissues. We hereby report a case of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest due to airway obstruction in HAE. Cutaneous swelling and abdominal pain attacks caused by gastrointestinal wall swelling are common symptoms in HAE, whereas laryngeal swelling is rare. Emergency physicians may have few chances to experience cases of life-threatening laryngeal edema resulting in a delay from symptom onset to the diagnosis of HAE. Hereditary angioedema is diagnosed by performing complement blood tests. Because safe and effective treatment options are available for the life-threatening swellings in HAE, the diagnosis potentially reduces the risk of asphyxiation in patients and their blood relatives.

183 ULTRASONOGRAPHIC MONITORING OF CANINE OVARIES CLAMPED AT SUBCUTANEOUS SITE AFTER FOLLICLE-STIMULATING HORMONE TREATMENT

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) alone can induce oestrus in bitches, but few reports describe oestrous induction by FSH because pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin (PMSG) has been more successful than FSH for oestrus induction. Real-time ultrasonography can show canine ovarian follicle development, but no method can determine or predict ovulation accurately. Moreover, the ovary location and size complicate imaging. Using ultrasonography, we investigated FSH treatment stimulation of canine ovary follicles, with clamping of the ovaries at a subcutaneous site. Bilateral malacotomy of four 5-year-old Beagle bitches (mean weight 10.3 ± 2.0 kg) with normal oestrous cycles was done using a ventral flank abdominal approach with routine techniques and materials. Each ovary that maintained blood circulation from the suspensory ligament was clamped at a subcutaneous site through muscles of the abdomen. After about six months of bilateral malacotomy, four bitches at the anestrous (two bitches) and diestrous (two bitches) stages of the oestrous cycle were given 0.5 Armour units of FSH twice daily for 5 days. Examinations with ovarian ultrasonography with 7.5 MHz sector transducer, vaginal cytology, and serum concentrations of progesterone and oestradiol were performed daily from the day before the start of FSH treatment through 7 days after FSH treatment. After 15 days of ovarian examination, each bitch received the same FSH treatment twice continually at 15-day intervals. No serosanguineous vaginal discharge was observed during the ovarian examination. The concentrations of progesterone (<0.045–9.6 ng mL–1) and oestradiol (<9.7–81.4 pg mL–1) varied through all treatments. Comparison of the concentrations of progesterone (<0.045–7.6 ng mL–1) and oestradiol (<9.7–30.3 pg mL–1) at the start of FSH administration in each trial revealed that elevated concentrations of both progesterone and oestradiol were observed in the first treatment in 3 bitches. Regarding the second and third treatments, no elevation of concentration was found for progesterone or oestradiol. A new follicular growth was observed in 1 animal after the third FSH treatment, but no follicular growth was found for the other animals. No correlation was found between follicular development and the profile of either progesterone or oestradiol. Ultrasonography proved that FSH stimulation alone cannot induce follicular growth by a single treatment, but it might increase the levels of progesterone and oestradiol, which are not correlated with follicular development and oestrous cycles at the start of FSH treatment.

40 TRICHOSTATIN A TREATMENT EFFECTS ON IN VITRO DEVELOPMENT OF INTERSPECIES NUCLEAR TRANSFER CAT EMBRYOS DEPEND ON RECIPIENT CYTOPLASM SPECIES

The developmental ability of interspecies somatic cell nuclear transfer (iSCNT) embryos decreases as the taxonomic distance between the donor and recipient species increases. Treatment of cat iSCNT embryos using bovine oocytes with 50 nM of trichostatin A (TSA) improves in vitro embryonic development (Wittayarat et al. 2013 Cell. Reprogram. 15, 301–308). This study investigated whether the TSA treatment effects differ between the development of cat iSCNT embryos reconstructed with porcine and bovine oocytes. Porcine and bovine cumulus-oocyte complexes were in vitro matured for 44 h and 24 h, respectively. After cumulus cell removal, enucleation was performed by aspiration of the metaphase II plate and the first polar body using a piezo-driven pipette. A cat fibroblast cell was then injected into cytoplasm of successfully enucleated oocyte. Reconstructed cybrids were electrically activated by a single 1.5 kV cm–1 pulse for 100 µs (pig-cat embryos), or a 2.3 kV cm–1 pulse for 30 µs (cow-cat embryos). Pig-cat and cow-cat embryos were cultured in porcine zygote medium (PZM)-5 and modified synthetic oviducal fluid medium (mSOF), respectively. After electrical activation, pig-cat and cow-cat embryos were cultured in medium supplemented with 5 µg mL–1 cytochalasin B + 50 nM TSA (TSA group) or without TSA (control group), and the cow-cat embryo medium was also supplemented with 10 µg mL–1 cycloheximide. After 2 h, TSA-treated pig-cat and cow-cat embryos were incubated in medium supplemented with TSA for 22 h, followed by 48 h incubation without TSA. Pig-cat and cow-cat control embryos were cultured in medium without TSA for 70 h after activation. Then, all pig-cat and cow-cat embryos were cultured in porcine blastocyst medium (PBM) or mSOF medium supplemented with 5% fetal bovine serum, respectively, for 5 additional days. Four to seven replicates were performed for each experiment. Data were analysed using Student's t-test. For pig-cat embryos, no difference was observed in cleavage rates between both groups, but development to the blastocyst stage was higher in the pig control group (n = 147, 8.0%) than that of pig TSA group (n = 131, 0.7%; P < 0.05). In contrast, development to the blastocyst stage in cow-cat embryos was not observed in the cow control group (n = 125, 0%), but it was observed in cow TSA group (n = 136, 3.7%). These results indicate that TSA treatment effects are species-specific, but those effects remain to be clarified.

Anisotropy of the superconducting gap in the iron-based superconductor BaFe2(As(1-x)P(x))2

We report peculiar momentum-dependent anisotropy in the superconducting gap observed by angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy in BaFe₂(As_1-xP_x)₂ (x = 0.30, T_c = 30 K). Strongly anisotropic gap has been found only in the electron Fermi surface while the gap on the entire hole Fermi surfaces are nearly isotropic. These results are inconsistent with horizontal nodes but are consistent with modified s_± gap with nodal loops. We have shown that the complicated gap modulation can be theoretically reproduced by considering both spin and orbital fluctuations.

Epidemiological link between wheat allergy and exposure to hydrolyzed wheat protein in facial soap

BACKGROUND

Recent studies have highlighted the importance of extra-intestinal routes of sensitization to food-related allergens as the cause of epidemics of food allergy. Instances of Japanese women developing food allergy to wheat after exposure to hydrolyzed wheat protein (HWP) present in facial soap have been reported. However, the epidemiologic impact of these ingredients as a cause of food allergy has not been well studied.

METHODS

To clarify the epidemiological relationship between food allergy to wheat and contact exposure to HWP, a case-control study of Japanese women aged 20-54 years with self-reported wheat allergy (WA) (cases, n = 157) and age-matched control subjects without WA (controls, n = 449) was performed using a large-scale Web-based research panel. Subjects answered a Web-based questionnaire regarding the use of skin and hair care products, as well as other possible risk factors.

RESULTS

Current use of an HWP-containing facial soap (Cha no Shizuku; Yuka) was significantly associated with an increased risk of WA (adjusted odds ratio, 2.6; 95% confidence interval, 1.2-5.7; frequencies of current use in cases and controls; 11% and 6%, respectively). Use of Cha no Shizuku was more common in subjects with more recent-onset WA, implying that this soap may have contributed to the recent epidemic of WA.

CONCLUSIONS

An epidemiological relationship between WA and contact exposure to HWP has been documented. This study implicates a possible role of contact exposure to food-derived protein hydrolysates as a risk factor for the development of food allergy manifesting itself as anaphylaxis.

Evidence of topological surface state in three-dimensional Dirac semimetal Cd3As2

The three-dimensional topological semimetals represent a new quantum state of matter. Distinct from the surface state in the topological insulators that exhibits linear dispersion in two-dimensional momentum plane, the three-dimensional semimetals host bulk band dispersions linearly along all directions. In addition to the gapless points in the bulk, the three-dimensional Weyl/Dirac semimetals are also characterized by "topologically protected" surface state with Fermi arcs on their surface. While Cd3As2 is proposed to be a viable candidate of a Dirac semimetal, more investigations are necessary to pin down its nature. In particular, the topological surface state, the hallmark of the three-dimensional semimetal, has not been observed in Cd3As2. Here we report the electronic structure of Cd3As2 investigated by angle-resolved photoemission measurements on the (112) crystal surface and detailed band structure calculations. The measured Fermi surface and band structure show a good agreement with the band structure calculations with two bulk Dirac-like bands approaching the Fermi level and forming Dirac points near the Brillouin zone center. Moreover, the topological surface state with a linear dispersion approaching the Fermi level is identified for the first time. These results provide experimental indications on the nature of topologically non-trivial three-dimensional Dirac cones in Cd3As2.

Chelation of trace elements in preservation medium influences the quality of boar spermatozoa during liquid preservation at 5°C for 4 weeks

BACKGROUND

The addition of a metal chelator, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), to semen extender has the purpose of capturing trace element ions.

OBJECTIVE

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of EDTA on the quality and in vitro fertilisability of liquid-preserved boar spermatozoa.

METHODS

In Experiment 1, semen samples were preserved in the semen extender supplemented with 0, 3, 6, or 12 mM of Na-EDTA at 5 degree C for 4 weeks. In Experiment 2, semen samples were preserved in the extender supplemented with 3 mM of Na-EDTA, Ca-EDTA, or Zn-EDTA and without chelator EDTA.

RESULTS

When Na-EDTA was used as a chelating substance in the extender, 3 mM was a most suitable concentration for sperm motility and viability after cold preservation. The supplementation of 3 mM Ca-EDTA had advantages regarding sperm motility, viability and plasma membrane integrity.

CONCLUSION

Our findings indicate that 3 mM Ca-EDTA is the most suitable metal-chelating substance for the liquid preservation of boar semen.

Immediate effect of Masai Barefoot Technology shoes on knee joint moments in women with knee osteoarthritis

Footwear modification can beneficially alter knee loading in patients with knee osteoarthritis. This study evaluated the effect of Masai Barefoot Technology shoes on reductions in external knee moments in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Three-dimensional motion analysis was used to examine the effect of Masai Barefoot Technology versus control shoes on the knee adduction and flexion moments in 17 women (mean age, 63.6 years) with radiographically confirmed knee osteoarthritis. The lateral and anterior trunk lean values, knee flexion and adduction angles, and ground reaction force were also evaluated. The influence of the original walking pattern on the changes in knee moments with Masai Barefoot Technology shoes was evaluated. The knee flexion moment in early stance was significantly reduced while walking with the Masai Barefoot Technology shoes (0.25±0.14Nm/kgm) as compared with walking with control shoes (0.30±0.19 Nm/kgm); whereas the knee adduction moment showed no changes. Masai Barefoot Technology shoes did not increase compensatory lateral and anterior trunk lean. The degree of knee flexion moment in the original walking pattern with control shoes was correlated directly with its reduction when wearing Masai Barefoot Technology shoes by multiple linear regression analysis (adjusted R2=0.44, P<0.01). Masai Barefoot Technology shoes reduced the knee flexion moment during walking without increasing the compensatory trunk lean and may therefore reduce external knee loading in women with knee osteoarthritis.

Inhibition of malignant phenotypes of human osteosarcoma cells by a gene silencer, a pyrrole-imidazole polyamide, which targets an E-box motif

•

We generated pyrrole–imidazole (PI) polyamides that could bind to an E-box motif.

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PI polyamide Myc-6 induces G1 arrest and apoptosis in human osteosarcoma MG63 cells.

•

Myc-6 represses tumor growth both in vitro and in vivo.

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Myc-6 binds to the 5′-upstream region of noncoding RNA MALAT1 and reduces its expression.

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Myc-6 exerts its tumor-suppressive ability through the down-regulation of MALAT1.

Gene amplification and/or overexpression of the transcription factor c-MYC, which binds to the E-box sequence (5′-CACGTG-3′), has been observed in many human tumors. In this study, we have designed 5 pyrrole–imidazole (PI) polyamides recognizing E-box, and found that, among them, Myc-6 significantly suppresses malignant phenotypes of human osteosarcoma MG63 cells both in vitro and in vivo. Intriguingly, knockdown of the putative Myc-6 target MALAT1 encoding long noncoding RNA remarkably impaired cell growth of MG63 cells. Collectively, our present findings strongly suggest that Myc-6 exerts its tumor-suppressive ability at least in part through the specific down-regulation of MALAT1.

A novel approach inducing transplant tolerance by activated invariant natural killer T cells with costimulatory blockade

Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells are one of the innate lymphocytes that regulate immunity, although it is still elusive how iNKT cells should be manipulated for transplant tolerance. Here, we describe the potential of a novel approach using a ligand for iNKT cells and suboptimal dosage of antibody for CD40-CD40 ligand (L) blockade as a powerful method for mixed chimerism establishment after allogenic bone marrow transplantation in sublethally irradiated fully allo recipients. Mixed-chimera mice accepted subsequent cardiac allografts in a donor-specific manner. High amounts of type 2 helper T cytokines were detected right after iNKT cell activation, while subsequent interferon-gamma production by NK cells was effectively inhibited by CD40/CD40L blockade. Tolerogenic components, such as CD11c(low) mPDCA1(+) plasmacytoid dendritic cells and activated regulatory T cells (Tregs) expressing CD103, KLRG-1 and PD-1, were subsequently augmented. Those activating Tregs seem to be required for the establishment of chimerism because depletion of the Tregs 1 day before allogenic cell transfer resulted in a chimerism brake. These results collectively suggest that our new protocol makes it possible to induce donor-specific tolerance by enhancement of the innate ability for immune tolerance in place of the conventional immunosuppression.

Photoelectron spin-polarization control in the topological insulator Bi2Se3

We study the manipulation of the spin polarization of photoemitted electrons in Bi2Se3 by spin- and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy. General rules are established that enable controlling the photoelectron spin-polarization. We demonstrate the ± 100% reversal of a single component of the measured spin-polarization vector upon the rotation of light polarization, as well as full three-dimensional manipulation by varying experimental configuration and photon energy. While a material-specific density-functional theory analysis is needed for the quantitative description, a minimal yet fully generalized two-atomic-layer model qualitatively accounts for the spin response based on the interplay of optical selection rules, photoelectron interference, and topological surface-state complex structure. It follows that photoelectron spin-polarization control is generically achievable in systems with a layer-dependent, entangled spin-orbital texture.

Long-pulse beam acceleration of MeV-class H(-) ion beams for ITER NB accelerator

In order to realize neutral beam systems in International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor whose target is to produce a 1 MeV, 200 A/m(2) during 3600 s D(-) ion beam, the electrostatic five-stages negative ion accelerator so-called "MeV accelerator" has been developed at Japan Atomic Energy Agency. To extend pulse length, heat load of the acceleration grids was reduced by controlling the ion beam trajectory. Namely, the beam deflection due to the residual magnetic field of filter magnet was suppressed with the newly developed extractor with a 0.5 mm off-set aperture displacement. The new extractor improved the deflection angle from 6 mrad to 1 mrad, resulting in the reduction of direct interception of negative ions from 23% to 15% of the total acceleration power, respectively. As a result, the pulse length of 130 A/m(2), 881 keV H(-) ion beam has been successfully extended from a previous value of 0.4 s to 8.7 s. This is the first long pulse negative ion beam acceleration over 100 MW/m(2).

Development of negative ion extractor in the high-power and long-pulse negative ion source for fusion application

High power and long-pulse negative ion extractor, which is composed of the plasma grid (PG) and the extraction grid (EXG), is newly developed toward the neutral beam injector for heating and current drive of future fusion machines such as ITER, JT-60 Super Advanced and DEMO reactor. The PG is designed to enhance surface production of negative ions efficiently by applying the chamfered aperture. The efficiency of the negative ion production for the discharge power increased by a factor of 1.3 against that of the conventional PG. The EXG is also designed with the thermal analysis to upgrade the cooling capability for the long pulse operation of >1000 s required in ITER. Though the magnetic field for electron suppression is reduced to 0.75 of that in the conventional EXG due to this upgrade, it was experimentally confirmed that the extracted electron current can be suppressed to the allowable level for the long pulse operation. These results show that newly developed extractor has the high potential for the long pulse extraction of the negative ions.

119 ULTRASONOGRAPHIC MONITORING OF CANINE OVARIES CLAMPED AT SUBCUTANEOUS SITE AFTER HORMONE TREATMENT

Follicular growth in bitches is usually detected indirectly through behaviour observation, vaginal smears, and hormonal assay in blood. Although real-time ultrasonography can reveal the development of canine ovarian follicles, no method has been established to determine or predict ovulation accurately. Moreover, the location and small size of the ovaries make imaging technically difficult. This study was conducted to investigate follicular waves of canine ovaries stimulated by hormone treatment, in which ovaries had been clamped at a subcutaneous site. Bilateral malacotomy of 3 bitches (4 years of age) at the anestrous (2 bitches) and proestrous (1 bitch) stages of the oestrous cycle was performed using a ventral flank abdominal approach with routine techniques and materials. Each ovary that maintained blood circulation from the suspensory ligament was clamped at a subcutaneous site through muscles of the abdomen. Oestrus was induced using subcutaneous administration of 500 IU of eCG and 1000 IU of hCG (eCG/hCG). Each bitch was given 1000 IU of hCG at 11 days after eCG/hCG administration. Examinations with ovarian ultrasonography using a 7.5-MHz sector transducer, vaginal cytology, and serum progesterone assay were performed daily until 20 days after eCG/hCG administration, and every 10 days thereafter from 20 days to 60 days. Serosanguineous vaginal discharges and vaginal cytology of 2 of the bitches were observed. Follicular growth (>1.1 mm in diameter) was observed in all bitches after eCG/hCG administration. The appearance of new follicular growth was observed on 2 days, 6 days, and 8 days after eCG/hCG administration. The mean diameter of follicles reached 4.3 to 5.5 mm, and the maximum numbers of follicles in bitches were 11 to 16. However, all follicles regressed, irrespective of hCG administration. Elevation in progesterone levels (>2 ng mL–1) after eCG/hCG administration was observed from 2 days to 12 days after eCG/hCG administration. No correlation was found between follicular development, progesterone profiles, and vaginal smear characteristics. Follicular growth clamped at the subcutaneous site can be monitored easily using ultrasound without an experienced operator. Moreover, ultrasonography proved that hormonal stimulation can induce follicular growth, but the day of appearance of new follicles varied.

158 ASTAXANTHIN EFFECTS ON MATURATION, FERTILIZATION, AND DEVELOPMENT OF PORCINE OOCYTES CULTURED UNDER HEAT STRESS

Heat stress can engender various disorders in reproductive functions such as impairment of oocyte maturation, fertilization, and embryonic development. Astaxanthin, an extremely common carotenoid, is a typical fat-soluble antioxidant that scavenges ROS and blocks lipid peroxidation. Moreover, astaxanthin has been shown to improve the development of embryos exposed to heat stress by a reduction in stress-inducible genes. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of astaxanthin supplementation on the meiotic competence, fertilization, and development of porcine oocytes exposed to high temperature (41°C) during maturation culture. Cumulus–oocyte complexes (COC) collected from ovaries were transferred into maturation medium supplemented with astaxanthin (0, 0.25, 0.5, or 1.0 ppm) and were then cultured for 46 h at 41°C or 38.5°C. After maturation culture, the COC were subjected to IVF and embryo culture to evaluate the fertility and development of oocytes. The total cell number and DNA fragmentation in the blastocysts were assessed using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labelling and Hoechst 33342 staining. The total numbers of oocytes matured at 41°C and 38.5°C in each treatment group were 432 to 470 and 426 to 444, respectively. Data were analysed using ANOVA, followed by Fisher's protected least significant difference test. Exposure to elevated temperatures during maturation culture significantly reduced the proportions of oocytes that reached metaphase II. When the COC were cultured in the maturation medium supplemented with 0.5 and 1.0 ppm of astaxanthin under heat stress conditions (41°C), the supplementation of astaxanthin significantly improved the proportions of maturation, fertilization, and blastocyst formation compared with the control group (0 ppm) (50–52%, 45–55%, and 11–12% v. 17, 25, and 6%, respectively). The supplementation of the maturation medium with 0.25 ppm of astaxanthin improved only blastocyst formation (9.6%). Similarly, the supplementation of astaxanthin at 1.0 ppm improved the proportions of maturation, fertilization, and blastocyst formation of oocytes matured at 38.5°C s compared with the control group (67, 57, and 18% v. 48, 33, and 12%, respectively). However, no beneficial effect of astaxanthin supplementation was found in the total cell number or DNA fragmentation in the blastocysts, irrespective of culture temperature. Our findings show that the supplementation of astaxanthin to maturation medium improves maturation, fertilization, and embryo development of porcine oocytes exposed to heat stress during maturation culture.

The effect of sex and fatigue on lower limb kinematics, kinetics, and muscle activity during unanticipated side-step cutting

PURPOSE

To determine how sex and fatigue affect lower limb kinematics, kinetics, and muscle activity during unanticipated side-step cutting.

METHODS

Twenty-three physically active subjects (men 11, women 12) performed 10 successful trials of cutting manoeuvres each to either side under unanticipated conditions in response to 2 light emitting diodes before and after fatigue conditions. Data were analysed and compared regarding sex and fatigue conditions using two-way repeated measures analysis of variance.

RESULTS

After fatigue-inducing exercise, women demonstrated larger impulses of ground reaction force (IGRF) during the first 50 ms (2.4 ± 0.8 vs. 2.1 ± 0.9, P < 0.05) than did men. Significant primary effects of sex indicated that women showed a smaller hip flexion angle at initial contact (40.4 ± 6.9° vs. 49.7 ± 9.1°, P < 0.05) and at maximum flexion angle (41.3 ± 7.7° vs. 51.4 ± 9.0°, P < 0.05) compared with men. Significant primary effects of fatigue were observed in the gluteus maximus muscle during 50 ms before initial contact (+21.5 ± 48.3 %, P < 0.05) and in the semimembranosus muscle during 50 ms before initial contact (-6.2 ± 20.1 %, P < 0.05) and the first 50 ms of side-step cutting (-7.9 ± 26.6 %, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that sex differences, especially larger IGRF in a fatigue state combined with less hip flexion angle, lead to women having a higher risk for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. These findings may contribute to understanding the underlying mechanism of injury and development of preventive exercises against ACL injury.

Higher risk of kidney graft failure in the presence of anti-angiotensin II type-1 receptor antibodies

Reports have associated non-HLA antibodies, specifically those against angiotensin II type-1 receptor (AT1R), with antibody-mediated kidney graft rejection. However, association of anti-AT1R with graft failure had not been demonstrated. We tested anti-AT1R and donor-specific HLA antibodies (DSA) in pre- and posttransplant sera from 351 consecutive kidney recipients: 134 with biopsy-proven rejection and/or lesions (abnormal biopsy group [ABG]) and 217 control group (CG) patients. The ABG's rate of anti-AT1R was significantly higher than the CG's (18% vs. 6%, p < 0.001). Moreover, 79% of ABG patients with anti-AT1R lost their grafts (vs. 0%, CG), anti-AT1R levels in 58% of those failed grafts increasing posttransplant. With anti-AT1R detectable before DSA, time to graft failure was 31 months-but 63 months with DSA detectable before anti-AT1R. Patients with both anti-AT1R and DSA had lower graft survival than those with DSA alone (log-rank p = 0.007). Multivariate analysis showed that de novo anti-AT1R was an independent predictor of graft failure in the ABG, alone (HR: 6.6), and in the entire population (HR: 5.4). In conclusion, this study found significant association of anti-AT1R with graft failure. Further study is needed to establish causality between anti-AT1R and graft failure and, thus, the importance of routine anti-AT1R monitoring and therapeutic targeting.

Pretreatment of donor islets with the Na(+) /Ca(2+) exchanger inhibitor improves the efficiency of islet transplantation

Pancreatic islet transplantation is an attractive therapy for the treatment of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. However, the low efficiency of this procedure necessitating sequential transplantations of islets with the use of 2-3 donors for a single recipient, mainly due to the early loss of transplanted islets, hampers its clinical application. Previously, we have shown in mice that a large amount of HMGB1 is released from islets soon after their transplantation and that this triggers innate immune rejection with activation of DC, NKT cells and neutrophils to produce IFN-γ, ultimately leading to the early loss of transplanted islets. Thus, HMGB1 release plays an initial pivotal role in this process; however, its mechanism remains unclear. Here we demonstrate that release of HMGB1 from transplanted islets is due to hypoxic damage resulting from Ca(2+) influx into β cells through the Na(+) /Ca(2+) exchanger (NCX). Moreover, the hypoxia-induced β cell damage was prevented by pretreatment with an NCX-specific inhibitor prior to transplantation, resulting in protection and long-term survival of transplanted mouse and human islets when grafted into mice. These findings suggest a novel strategy with potentially great impact to improve the efficiency of islet transplantation in clinical settings by targeting donor islets rather than recipients.

Relation between the nodal and antinodal gap and critical temperature in superconducting Bi2212

An energy gap is, in principle, a dominant parameter in superconductivity. However, this view has been challenged for the case of high-T_c cuprates, because anisotropic evolution of a d-wave-like superconducting gap with underdoping has been difficult to formulate along with a critical temperature T_c. Here we show that a nodal-gap energy 2Δ_N closely follows 8.5 k_BT_c with underdoping and is also proportional to the product of an antinodal gap energy Δ^* and a square-root superfluid density √P_s for Bi₂Sr₂CaCu₂O_8+δ, using low-energy synchrotron-radiation angle-resolved photoemission. The quantitative relations imply that the distinction between the nodal and antinodal gaps stems from the separation of the condensation and formation of electron pairs, and that the nodal-gap suppression represents the substantial phase incoherence inherent in a strong-coupling superconducting state. These simple gap-based formulae reasonably describe a crucial part of the unconventional mechanism governing T_c.

In conventional superconductors, the critical temperature is proportional to the superconducting energy gap, but this is not so in unconventional superconductors. Anzai et al. identify an alternative relationship involving nodal and antinodal gaps in an underdoped cuprate superconductor.

Glycemic variability in preterm infants receiving intermittent gastric tube feeding: report of three cases

Late-onset hypoglycemia (day 12-16, blood glucose <50 mg/dL) was detected in three preterm infants (birthweight 998-1780 g; gestational age 27-30 weeks) by routine screening. All infants showed high serum insulin levels and extremely low ketone levels at the time of hypoglycemia. Continuous glucose monitoring was conducted at 31-34 weeks' postconceptual age when the infants were receiving intermittent gastric tube feeding with no intravenous glucose infusion. The continuous glucose monitoring results showed characteristic postprandial glucose increases and subsequent sharp deceases along with many hyper- and hypoglycemic events. This fluctuating pattern disappeared at 38-40 weeks' postconceptual age. These observations suggest that prolonged insulin oversecretion may be associated with early aggressive intravenous nutrition, and that large glycemic variability is a common feature of tube-fed preterm infants that can be explained by immature glucose homeostasis.

312 INFLUENCE OF LARGE NONOVULATED FOLLICLES ON ESTROUS INDUCTION AFTER EMBRYO COLLECTION IN SUPEROVULATED JAPANESE BLACK COWS

Rapid oestrous induction after embryo collection shortens the calving interval of donor cows and improves the efficiency of embryo production. This study aimed to evaluate whether large nonovulated follicles present at the time of embryo collection affect oestrous induction after embryo collection in Japanese Black donor cows. Superovulation treatments were initiated during mid-cycle (9–12 days after oestrus) with 20 AU of FSH (Antrin; Kyoritsu Seiyaku Corp., Tokyo, Japan) administered intramuscularly through 6 injections of decreasing doses at 12-h intervals. On the third day, the cows received 0.5 mg of prostaglandin F2α (PGF; Resipron-C, Asuka Seiyaku Corp., Tokyo, Japan) to induce regression of the corpus luteum and were artificially inseminated 60 to 72 h later. Embryos were collected 7 days after AI. All cows received 0.5 mg of PGF immediately after embryo collection and were allocated to 1 of 2 groups: cows (n = 6) with one or more large nonovulated follicles >18 mm in diameter (Group 1) and cows (n = 5) with no large follicles (Group 2). Oestrus detection was performed by visual observation conducted twice daily after embryo collection. Ovarian ultrasonographic examinations and blood collections (for serum progesterone [P4] and oestradiol [E2] measurements) were performed once daily until the next ovulation. Statistical significance was determined using Student’s t-test. There were no differences in the numbers of corpora lutea, ova/embryos, and transferable embryos or the percentages of transferable embryos between the 2 groups. The interval (mean ± SEM) from embryo collection to the appearance of the dominant follicle and to ovulation was longer (P < 0.05) in Group 1 (5.3 ± 0.7 and 11.0 ± 1.0 days, respectively) than in Group 2 (2.6 ± 0.7 and 8.2 ± 0.7 days, respectively). However, the interval from embryo collection to luteolysis (P4 <1 ng mL–1) did not differ between the 2 groups (4.0 ± 0.7 v. 3.6 ± 0.7 days). In conclusion, the presence of large nonovulated follicles at the time of embryo collection may delay oestrous induction after embryo collection.

28 EFFECT OF TRICHOSTATIN A ON IN VITRO EMBRYO DEVELOPMENT OF INTERSPECIES NUCLEAR TRANSFER EMBRYOS RECONSTRUCTED FROM CAT DONOR NUCLEI AND BOVINE CYTOPLASM

Interspecies somatic cell nuclear transfer (iSCNT) is an invaluable tool for studying nucleus-cytoplasm interactions and may provide an alternative for cloning endangered animals whose oocytes are difficult to obtain. The developmental ability of iSCNT embryos decreases with increases in taxonomic distance between the donor and recipient species. The development of cat-bovine iSCNT embryos is reportedly blocked at the 8-cell stage (Thongphakdee et al. 2008 J. Reprod. Dev. 54, 142–147). Abnormal epigenetic reprogramming, such as DNA methylation or histone modifications, may cause low iSCNT efficiencies. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of the histone deacetylase inhibitor trichostatin A (TSA), previously used to enhance nuclear reprogramming following SCNT, on the developmental ability of cat iSCNT embryos using bovine oocytes matured in vitro. The matured bovine oocyte was enucleated by the glass needle and the domestic cat fetal fibroblast used as the donor nuclei was then placed into the perivitelline space adjacent to the plasma membrane of the oocyte. Couplets with bovine ooplasm were fused and activated simultaneously with a single DC pulse of 2.3 kV cm–1 for 30 µs, respectively, using an electro cell fusion generator followed by cycloheximide treatment. Reconstructed cat-bovine embryos were treated with 0, 25, 50, and 100 nM concentrations of TSA for 24 h following fusion. The percentages of embryos cleaved and embryos developed to the blastocyst stage were subjected to arc sin transformation before ANOVA. The TSA treatment at 50 nM contributed significantly higher rates of cleavage and blastocyst formation (n = 139; 84.3 and 4.6%, respectively) compared with untreated embryos (n = 187; 63.8 and 0%, respectively) and embryos treated with 100 nM TSA (n = 172; 71.4 and 0%, respectively; P < 0.05). Development to the morula stage of iSCNT embryos was observed in the TSA treatment groups, whereas no embryos developed beyond the 16-cell stage in the untreated group. In conclusion, our results indicate that TSA treatment for 24 h following fusion improves the development of iSCNT embryos. Specifically, 50 nM TSA treatment provides a beneficial effect on cleavage and development to the blastocyst stage of cat iSCNT embryos using bovine oocytes matured in vitro as recipients and domestic cat fibroblasts as donor nuclei.

Isolated neurosarcoidosis in the medulla oblongata involving the fourth ventricle: a case report

We report a 61-year-old woman with definite diagnosis of isolated neurosarcoidosis in the medulla oblongata involving the fourth ventricle. We could not recognize neurosarcoidosis as one of the differential diagnoses of the lesion before biopsy because the brainstem lesion location and periventricular lesion configuration were quite unusual.

Topological surface states with persistent high spin polarization across the Dirac point in Bi2Te2Se and Bi2Se2Te

Helical spin textures with marked spin polarizations of topological surface states have been unveiled for the first time by state-of-the-art spin- and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy for two promising topological insulators, Bi(2)Te(2)Se and Bi(2)Se(2)Te. Their highly spin-polarized natures are found to be persistent across the Dirac point in both compounds. This novel finding paves a pathway to extending the utilization of topological surface states of these compounds for future spintronic applications.

Profiling of differentially expressed microRNA and the bioinformatic target gene analyses in bovine fast- and slow-type muscles by massively parallel sequencing

MicroRNA (miRNA) are highly conserved, noncoding small RNA involved in post-transcriptional gene regulation in a variety of biological processes. To elucidate roles of miRNA in bovine muscle type specification and maintenance, we sought to determine differentially expressed miRNA between semitendinosus (STD) and masseter (MS) muscles from 3 Japanese black cattle by massively parallel sequencing. Differential gene expression of myosin heavy chain (MyHC) isoforms confirmed that STD and MS were MyHC-2x- and MyHC-1-abundant muscles, respectively. In total, 192 known miRNA and 20 potential new bovine miRNA were obtained from the sequencing. The differentially expressed miRNA with more than 2-fold difference in each muscle were identified. In particular, miR-196a and miR-885 were exclusively expressed in STD muscle, which was validated by quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (P=0.045 and P<0.001, respectively), whereas a slow type-directing miR-208b was highly expressed in MS compared with STD (false discovery rate<0.05). In addition, 16 potential novel miRNA were mapped and confirmed for their precursor structures by computational analyses. The results of functional annotation combined with in silico target analysis showed that the predicted target genes of miR-196a/b and miR-885 enriched gene ontology (GO) terms related to skeletal system development and regulation of transcription, respectively. Moreover, GO terms enriched from predicted targets miRNA suggested that STD-abundant- and MS-abundant-miRNA were associated with embryonic body planning and organ/tissue pattern formation, respectively. The present results revealed that the differentially expressed miRNA between the STD and MS muscles may play key roles to determine muscle type-specific tissue formation and maintenance in cattle thorough attenuating putative target genes involved in different developmental events.

A model of enzyme adsorption and hydrolysis of microcrystalline cellulose with slow deactivation of the adsorbed enzyme

Reduction in the activity and the concentration of the adsorbed enzyme are noted in the experimental data. Two alternative mechanisms, inactivation of the adsorbed enzyme and mass transfer of the enzyme from the bulk solution to the solution within the cellulose fibril where the cellulase is assumed to be inactive, are used to represent the decline in activity. The decline in concentration of the adsorbed enzyme is represented by a modest product inhibition and, more importantly, the assumption that the concentration of the adsorption sites is proportional to the square of the remaining substrate concentration. Measurements of both adsorbed enzyme and product concentration over time are used in determining parameter values. The model is applied to a series of experiments having a 10-fold range of substrate concentration and to an experiment in which the product is removed continuously. For both deactivation mechanisms, a very good representation of product concentration (standard deviation 3.6%) is obtained over the full period (168 h) of hydrolysis; the representation of adsorbed enzyme is, however, less accurate (standard deviation 6.7-6.8%).

High-energy anomaly in the band dispersion of the ruthenate superconductor

We reveal a "high-energy anomaly" (HEA) in the band dispersion of the unconventional ruthenate superconductor Sr2RuO4, by means of high-resolution angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) with tunable energy and polarization of incident photons. This observation provides another class of correlated materials exhibiting this anomaly beyond high-T(c) cuprates. We demonstrate that two distinct types of band renormalization associated with and without the HEA occur as a natural consequence of the energetics in the bandwidth and the energy scale of the HEA. Our results are well reproduced by a simple analytical form of the self-energy based on the Fermi-liquid theory, indicating that the HEA exists at a characteristic energy scale of the multielectron excitations. We propose that the HEA universally emerges if the systems have such a characteristic energy scale inside of the bandwidth.