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Background Blood pressure (BP) variability has reportedly been a risk factor for various clinical events. To clarify the influence of BP visit‐to‐visit variability on adverse events in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation, a post hoc analysis of the J‐RHYTHM Registry was performed. Methods and Results Of 7406 outpatients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation from 158 institutions, 7226 (age, 69.7±9.9 years; men, 70.7%), in whom BP was measured 4 times or more (14.6±5.0 times) during the 2‐year follow‐up period or until occurrence of an event, constituted the study group. SD and coefficient of variation of BP values were calculated as BP variability. Thromboembolism, major hemorrhage, and all‐cause death occurred in 110 (1.5%), 121 (1.7%), and 168 (2.3%) patients, respectively. When patients were divided into quartiles of systolic BP‐SD (P =0.015 for thromboembolism; HR, 2.60, 95% CI, 1.36–4.97, P =0.004 for major hemorrhage; and HR, 1.85, 95% CI, 1.11–3.07, P =0.018 for all‐cause death) after adjusting for components of the CHA 2 DS 2 ‐VASc score, warfarin and antiplatelet use, atrial fibrillation type, BP measurement times, and others. These findings were consistent when BP‐coefficient of variation was used instead of BP‐SD. Conclusions Systolic BP visit‐to‐visit variability was significantly associated with all adverse events in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. Further studies are needed to clarify the causality between BP variability and adverse outcomes in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. Registration URL: https://www.umin.ac.jp/ctr/ ; Unique Identifier: UMIN000001569.

Chlorogenic acid (CGA) is a quinic acid conjugate of caffeic acid, and a phytochemical found in many fruits and beverages that acts as an antioxidant. The present study investigated the effects of CGA supplementation during in vitro maturation, on in vitro development of porcine oocytes, in order to improve the porcine in vitro production (IVP) system. Oocytes were matured either without (control) or with CGA (10, 50, 100, and 200 µM). Subsequently, the matured oocytes were fertilised, and cultured in vitro for 7 d. The rates of maturation, fertilisation, and blastocyst formation of oocytes matured with 50 µM CGA was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than those of the control oocytes. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is one of the reactive oxygen species and induces DNA damage in porcine oocytes. When oocytes were matured with 1 mM H2O2 to assess the protective effect of CGA, 50 µM CGA supplementation improved the maturation rate and the proportion of DNA-fragmented nuclei in oocytes compared with control oocytes matured without CGA. Moreover, when oocytes were matured with either 50 µM CGA (control) or caffeic acid (10, 50, and 100 µM), the rates of maturation, fertilisation, and the blastocyst formation of oocytes matured with 50 µM CGA were similar to those of oocytes matured with 10 and 50 µM caffeic acid. Our results suggest that CGA has comparable effects to caffeic acid, and in vitro maturation with 50 µM CGA is particularly beneficial to in vitro production of porcine embryos and protects oocytes from DNA damage induced by oxidative stress. Supplementation of CGA to the maturation medium has a potential to improve porcine IVP system.

Background:An all-case post marketing surveillance (PMS) of baricitinib (Bari), that started in Sep 2017, collects safety and effectiveness for the first 24 wks of treatment and continues to collect serious adverse events (SAEs) for 3 yrs.Objectives:To evaluate Bari safety in RA patients (pt) in clinical practice.Methods:We report pt baseline demographics and adverse events (AEs) up to 24 wks for pts whose case report files for 24-wk data were completed as of Jun 2020.Results:Data from 3445 pts were analyzed (females=80%, mean age=64yr, mean RA duration 12yr). Bari dose regimen was as follows: 4mg, 60%, 2mg, 27%, 4mg→2mg, 5%, 2mg→4mg, 5%, and others, 2%. Concomitant use of MTX and glucocorticoid was 65% and 48%, respectively. 74% continued treatment for 24 wks. AE and SAE were recognized in 887 (26%) and 122 pts (4%), respectively. 6 pts died of pneumonia, aspiration pneumonia, bacterial pneumonia, cerebral infarction/ILD/aspiration pneumonia, adenocarcinoma, and colorectal cancer. Major AEs were as follows: herpes zoster=3%, liver dysfunction=3%, serious infection=1%, anemia=1%, hyperlipidemia=1%, malignancy=0.3%, interstitial pneumonia=0.2%, MACE=0.1%, and VTE=0.1%.Conclusion:Data do not show new safety concerns and encourage guideline-compliant use of Bari.Disclosure of Interests:Takao Fujii Speakers bureau: Chugai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.; Eisai Co. Ltd; Eli Lilly Japan K.K.; Janssen Pharmaceutical K.K.; Ono Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Consultant of: Asahikasei Pharma Corp, Grant/research support from: Asahikasei Pharma Corp; AbbVie Japan GK; Chugai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Eisai Co. Ltd; Eli Lilly Japan K.K.; Mitsubishi-Tanabe Pharma Co.; Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Tatsuya Atsumi Speakers bureau: AbbVie Japan GK; Astellas Pharma Inc.; Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. Ltd; Chugai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.; Daiichi Sankyo Co. Ltd.; Eisai Co. Ltd.; Eli Lilly Japan K.K.; Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Co.; Pfizer Japan Inc.; Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., UCB Japan Co. Ltd., Consultant of: AbbVie Japan GK; AstraZeneca plc.; Boehringer Ingelheim Co. Ltd.; Medical & Biological Laboratories Co. Ltd.; Novartis Pharma K.K.; Ono Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.; Pfizer Japan Inc., Grant/research support from: Astellas Pharma Inc., Alexion Inc.; Chugai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Daiichi Sankyo Co. Ltd., Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Co., Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.Pfizer Japan Inc.; Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Nami Okamoto Speakers bureau: AbbVie Japan GK; Asahikasei Pharma Co.; AYUMI Pharmaceutical Co.Eisai Co. Ltd; Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. Ltd.; Eli Lilly Japan K.K.; Mitsubishi-Tanabe Pharma Co.; Pfizer Japan Inc.Sanofi K.K.; Chugai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.; Novartis Pharma Co.; Teijin Pharma Ltd.; Torii Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Nobunori Takahashi Speakers bureau: AbbVie Japan GK; Eisai Co. Ltd.; Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Co.; Pfizer Japan Inc.; Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.; Eli Lilly Japan K.K.; Janssen Pharmaceutical K.K.; UCB Japan Co. Ltd.; Astellas Pharma Inc.; Bristol Myers Squibb Co. Ltd., Grant/research support from: Bristol Myers Squibb Co. Ltd., Naoto Tamura Speakers bureau: AbbVie Japan GK; Bristol Myers Squibb Co. Ltd.; Chugai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.; Eisai Co. Ltd.; Eli Lilly Japan K.K.; Glaxo Smith Kline K.K.; Janssen Pharmaceutical K.K.; Mitsubishi-Tanabe Pharma Co.; Novartis Pharma Co., Atsuo Nakajima: None declared, Ayako Nakajima Speakers bureau: AbbVie Japan GK; Actelion Pharmaceuticals Japan Ltd., Asahi Kasei Pharma Co., Astellas Pharma Inc., Ayumi Pharmaceutical Co., Bristol Myers Squibb Co., Ltd.,Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Eisai Co., Ltd., Eli Lilly Japan K.K., Glaxo Smith Kline K.K., Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical Co. Inc., Kyorin Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Co., Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Pfizer Japan Inc., Teijin Pharma Ltd., Grant/research support from: Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Co., Pfizer Japan Inc., Hiroaki Matsuno Speakers bureau: Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Eli Lilly Japan K.K., Consultant of: Mochida Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Grant/research support from: Astellas Pharma Inc., Eli Lilly Japan K.K.; Janssen Pharmaceutical K.K, Naoto Tsujimoto Shareholder of: Eli Lilly, Employee of: Eli Lilly Japan K.K., Atsushi Nishikawa Shareholder of: Eli Lilly, Employee of: Eli Lilly Japan K.K., Taeko Ishii Shareholder of: Eli Lilly, Employee of: Eli Lilly Japan K.K., Tsutomu Takeuchi Speakers bureau: AbbVie Japan GK, Ayumi Pharmaceutical Co., Bristol Myers Squibb Co., Ltd., Chugai Pharmaceutical Co, Ltd. Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd. Eisai Co., Ltd. Eli Lilly Japan K.K.; Gilead Sciences, Inc. Janssen Pharmaceutical K.K.; Mitsubishi-Tanabe Pharma Co.; Novartis Pharma Co.; Pfizer Japan Inc.; Sanofi K.K.; UCB Japan Co., Ltd., Consultant of: AbbVie Japan GK, Astellas Pharma, Inc.; Chugai Pharmaceutical Co, Ltd.; Eli Lilly Japan K.K.; Eisai Co., Ltd.; Gilead Sciences, Inc.; Janssen Pharmaceutical K.K.; Mitsubishi-Tanabe Pharma Corp., Pfizer Japan Inc., Grant/research support from: AbbVie Japan GK, Asahikasei Pharma Corp., Chugai Pharmaceutical Co, Ltd., DNA Chip Research Inc.; Eisai Co., Ltd., Eli Lilly Japan K.K.; Mitsubishi-Tanabe Pharma Corp., UCB Japan Co., Ltd., Masataka Kuwana Speakers bureau: AbbVie Japan GK, Astellas Pharma Inc., Asahi Kasei Pharma Co., Boehringer-Ingelheim, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Eisai Co., Ltd., Janssen Pharmaceutical K.K., Medical &Biological Laboratories Co., Ltd.; Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Co.; Mochida Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Nippon Shinyaku Co., Ltd.; Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.; Pfizer Japan Inc., Consultant of: Boehringer-Ingelheim, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Corbus Pharmaceuticals Holdings, Inc.; Medical &Biological Laboratories Co., Ltd.; Mochida Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Grant/research support from: Boehringer-Ingelheim, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Eisai Co., Ltd., Medical &Biological Laboratories Co., Ltd; Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Co., Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Michiaki Takagi Speakers bureau: Yes, but sponsored lectures without COI in the academic meetings, only.

Repeat-breeder (RB) cows are a major source of economic waste due to their decreased fertility. Embryo transfer (ET) is an alternative tool to improve the fertility of RB cows. The aims of the present study were to evaluate the effects of recipient parity and the season on pregnancy rates following ET in RB Japanese Black beef cattle. Embryos were transferred nonsurgically to recipients, consisting of 155 heifers (

Aims To determine differences in predictors of albuminuria and decreased estimated GFR in Japanese people with Type 2 diabetes mellitus without chronic kidney disease. Methods This single‐centre observational cohort study involved 1802 Japanese people with Type 2 diabetes with normoalbuminuria and estimated GFR ≥ 60 ml/min/1.73 m2 (740 women; mean ± sd age 58 ± 12 years). Two separate outcomes were evaluated: onset of albuminuria ( ≥ 30 mg/g creatinine, albuminuria cohort; n = 1655) and decrease in estimated GFR (, What's new? This was a cohort study showing differences in risk factors for the onset of albuminuria and decreased estimated GFR (

Background: This study aimed to determine whether combination S-1 plus cisplatin (CDDP) therapy, the most widely used therapy for Japanese patients with advanced gastric cancer, and the novel oral antiangiogenic agent TSU-68 could contribute to gastric cancer treatment. Methods: Ninety-three patients with chemotherapy-naïve unresectable or recurrent advanced gastric cancers were randomised into two groups: TSU-68 plus S-1/CDDP (group A) and S-1/CDDP (group B) groups. Both patient groups received identical S-1 and CDDP dosages. TSU-68 was orally administered for 35 consecutive days. Group B patients received S-1 orally twice daily for three consecutive weeks, followed by intravenous CDDP on day 8. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). Results: Median PFS periods were 208 and 213 days in groups A and B, respectively (P=0.427). Median survival periods for groups A and B were 497.0 and 463.5 days, respectively (P=0.219). No statistically significant differences were noted for PFS, survival or the adverse event (AE) incidence rate. All AEs were expected according to previous reports for TSU-68, TS-1, and CDDP. Conclusion: Combination therapy involving TSU-68, S-1, and CDDP was safe and well tolerated in patients with chemotherapy-naïve unresectable or recurrent advanced gastric cancers. However, factors related to therapeutic efficacy should be investigated further.

Background To clarify the influence of hypertension and blood pressure ( BP ) control on thromboembolism and major hemorrhage in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation, a post hoc analysis of the J‐ RHYTHM Registry was performed. Methods and Results A consecutive series of outpatients with atrial fibrillation was enrolled from 158 institutions. Of 7937 patients, 7406 with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (70.8% men, 69.8±10.0 years) were followed for 2 years or until an event occurred. Hypertension was defined as a systolic BP ≥140 mm Hg, a diastolic BP ≥90 mm Hg, a history of hypertension, and/or antihypertensive drug use. Hypertension was an independent risk factor for major hemorrhage (hazard ratio 1.52, 95% CI 1.05–2.21, P =0.027) but not for thromboembolism (hazard ratio 1.05, 95% CI 0.73–1.52, P =0.787). When patients were divided into quartiles according to their systolic BP at the time closest to the event or at the end of follow‐up (Q1, CI 1.75–4.74, P CI 1.02–2.53, P =0.041) after adjustment for components of CHA 2 DS 2 ‐ VAS c score, warfarin use, and antiplatelet use. A systolic BP of ≥136 mm Hg was an independent risk factor for thromboembolism and major hemorrhage. Conclusions BP control appears to be more important than a history of hypertension and baseline BP values at preventing thromboembolism and major hemorrhage in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. Clinical Trial Registration URL : http://www.umin.ac.jp/ctr . Unique identifier: UMIN 000001569.

Radiologists often encounter intraosseous tumors of the calvarium. Compared with parenchymal lesions, information is limited. In this review, we list the calvarial tumors and correlate the radiologic appearance with the pathologic findings. We discuss primary intraosseous tumors and tumor secondary to systemic disease as well as metastatic malignant tumor. Differentiation between primary tumors and tumors secondary to systemic disease can be difficult. Physicians should explore the systematic disease. In the case of primary tumors, it is important to verify any soft-tissue component since this is an important differential diagnostic feature with the potential for malignant transformation.

The influence of graft site on the survival of canine follicles and oocytes after autografting was investigated. Hemi-ovaries were autografted to three locations (quadriceps femoris muscle fascia, kidney capsule, and gastrosplenic ligament), and grafted ovaries were recovered (under anesthesia) 28 to 31 d after transplantation. The grafted hemi-ovaries were bisected: one-quarter ovary was used for histological assessment and another quarter for evaluation of oocyte viability. As controls, the remaining fresh hemi-ovaries were used to assess the viability of follicles and oocytes in non-transplanted ovaries. Most follicles in the histological sections of the grafts were classified as primordial or primary follicles. Antral follicles were not observed in the grafts, irrespective of the graft site. The percentages of viable follicles in the sections from control ovaries, and the ovaries grafted to the kidney capsule, the quadriceps femoris muscle fascia, and the gastrosplenic ligament were 17.4, 22.9, 18.3, and 32.4%, respectively. A total of 12 oocytes was recovered from the 15 hemi-ovaries grafted in five bitches, of which five (41.7%) oocytes from the ovaries grafted to the quadriceps femoris muscle fascia and the kidney capsule were cultured for assessment of meiotic competence. Three oocytes were viable but remained in the germinal vesicle stage after 72 h of maturation culture. The quadriceps femoris muscle fascia might be useful for grafting like the kidney capsule, but improvement of follicle survival and meiotic competence of oocytes in the grafts is necessary.

Background: The pathogenesis of breast cancer in very elderly women is of interest, because estrogen levels are likely to be extremely low during the development of the disease. Estrogens have opposing effects on the pathogenesis of breast cancer and osteoporosis. In an effort to understand the significance of estrogens in the pathogenesis of breast cancer in this group, we examined the association between breast cancer and osteoporosis in women at least 85 years old, taking body mass index (BMI) and hormone receptors status into consideration. Methods:Clinical records of consecutive elderly women (≥ 85 y/o) who underwent breast cancer surgery at Tokyo Metropolitan Geriatric Hospital (BC) and control women of the same age group (Cont) were reviewed; osteoporosis and BMI status in both groups were recorded and compared. The status of estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) of breast cancers was examined immunohistochemically and compared between BC with and without osteoporosis (BC-OP and BC-nonOP, respectively). Results:Frequency of osteoporosis was significantly lower among BC than Cont. There was no difference in BMI measured after 85 y/o between BC and Cont; however, percentage of women, whose BMI measured when they were in their sixties or seventies was ≥ 20% higher than BMI measured when they were 85 y/o or older, was significantly higher among BC than Cont (31% and 2%, respectively. P = 0.0001). ER positivity of breast cancer did not differ between BC-OP and BC-nonOP, whereas PR positivity was significantly higher among BC-nonOP than BC-OP (P = 0.0359). Discussion: The inverse relationship between the incidence of breast cancer and osteoporosis suggests an important role for estrogens in the pathogenesis of breast cancer in the very elderly women. Our finding that one third of BC had ≥ 20% higher BMI when they were in their sixties or seventies suggests they may also had elevated serum estrogens during these earlier years, because increased BMI has been reported to be associated with increased serum estrogens in postmenopausal women. Expression of PR is regulated by estrogen-ER signaling, and PR positivity is considered to reflect the effectiveness of estrogen-ER pathway. Significant difference of PR positivity between BC-nonOP and BC-OP suggests the more importance of estrogens in BC-nonOP than BC-OP. Conclusion:Estrogens seem to play an important role in the pathogenesis of breast cancers in very elderly women, especially without osteoporosis. With increasing aging population in developed countries, those findings may have implications for breast cancer prevention in this age group. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2011;71(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P5-17-04.

This study reports about follicular development on the surface of canine ovarian tissue after autografting under the fascia of the thoracolumbar muscle and about meiotic resumption of follicle-derived oocyte after maturation culture. After ovarian excision from a bitch, each ovary of the pairs was cut approximately into half. The hemi-ovaries were transplanted into the bitch of origin at three different body sites (under the fascia of the quadriceps femoris muscle and the thoracolumbar muscle, and in the deltoid muscle in the scapular region). All grafted ovaries were recovered from the bitch at 35 days post-transplantation. A visible antral follicle was observed on the surface of the ovary grafted under the thoracolumbar fascia. Histological examination revealed viable follicles at different stages of development irrespective of graft site. Most granulosa cells in the follicles at different stages of development expressed proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). A total of three oocytes were collected from an ovary grafted under the fascia of the thoracolumbar muscle, wherein an oocyte reached metaphase I after maturation culture. This is the first report to demonstrate follicular development and meiotic resumption of oocytes recovered from autografted canine ovarian tissues.

Background and Purpose— The purpose of this study was to evaluate further the efficacy of 0.6 mg/kg intravenous alteplase on vascular and clinical outcomes in patients with middle cerebral artery occlusion in a postmarketing Phase IV trial of prospective cohort study design. Methods— Alteplase was given intravenously at 0.6 mg/kg to patients with ischemic stroke within 3 hours of onset with MR angiography-documented middle cerebral artery occlusion. Vascular outcome was evaluated by MR angiography at 6 and 24 hours after symptom onset based on the modified Mori grade. The primary end points also included a favorable outcome (modified Rankin Scale 0 to 1 at 3 months after onset) and incidence of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage within 36 hours after treatment. The impact of recanalization on clinical outcome was assessed by stepwise logistic regression analysis. Results— Fifty-eight patients were enrolled. Recanalization was noted in 51.7% on 6-hour MR angiography and 69.0% on 24-hour MR angiography. A favorable clinical outcome was achieved in 46.6%. None had symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage. In logistic regression models, recanalization on either 6-hour or 24-hour MR angiography was an independent predictor for clinical outcome as well as the baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score. Conclusions— Early recanalization of an occluded middle cerebral artery can be provoked by 0.6 mg/kg intravenous alteplase and may induce a favorable clinical outcome. The rates of recanalization and favorable outcome are comparable to that previously reported with the 0.9-mg/kg dose.

Urea is an important reutilizable nitrogen source for the ruminant and is mainly synthesized through the urea cycle in the liver. The cycle is undertaken by 5 enzymes: carbamoyl phosphate synthetase (CPS), ornithine transcarbamoylase (OTC), arginino-succinate synthetase (AS), argininosuccinate lyase (AL), and arginase. The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in the activity of the enzymes and mRNA expression, given that previous observations have indicated an increase in plasma urea concentrations with age in Holstein calves. First, plasma concentrations of metabolites and hormones were determined in calves at 1, 3, 8, 13, and 19 wk of age (n = 4, weaned at 6 wk of age). The plasma concentration of urea drastically increased after weaning (P < 0.001). The plasma concentration of glucose was lowest at 8 wk. The plasma concentration of IGF-I gradually increased with age, although those of NEFA, glucagon, and cortisol decreased (P < 0.001). Concentrations of triglyceride, alpha-amino nitrogen, growth hormone, and insulin did not change significantly with age of the calf. Next, using the liver tissues taken from calves at 2, 13, and 19 wk of age (n = 4 to 6 at each time point, weaned at 6 wk of age), we measured the activity and mRNA expression of the enzymes by biochemical methods and quantitative reverse transcription-PCR, respectively. The activities of CPS (P < 0.001), OTC (P = 0.001), and AS (P = 0.015) increased with age, whereas AL (P = 0.003) decreased. Although mRNA expression was decreased with age for AL (P = 0.002) and arginase (P = 0.007), no significant change was observed for CPS, OTC, or AS mRNA expression. We conclude that the increased urea production in the liver may be explained not only by an increase in the activities of the urea cycle enzymes, but also by increased ammonia production by rumen fermentation and gluconeogenesis from amino acids around weaning time.

Nedocromil sodium has a number of known hydrate states, a monohydrate, a trihydrate and a heptahemihydrate, including an amorphous state. Effect of grinding on the hydration states of nedocromil sodium crystals was studied. After grinding the trihydrate, heptahemihydrate was observed in the ground sample, even though, the water content in the ground sample was not sufficient to cover the heptahemihydrate’s hydration level. On the other hand, in the ground heptahemihydrate, trihydrate was existed. Apparent activation energies (ΔE) for hydrates, monohydrate→anhydrate, trihydrate→monohydrate and heptahemihydrate→amorphous(anhydrate), were calculated using TG data. ΔE for the dehydration of heptahemihydrate was significantly lower than that of other hydrates. Obtained ΔE data explained the inter-conversion behavior of nedocromil sodium induced by grinding.

We have developed a technique for drawing commercially available polyimide tubing to the required fill tube dimensions. The tubes are then precisely cut with an Excimer laser to produce a clean, flat tip. We have also demonstrated that one can use the Excimer laser to drill less than a 5 {micro}m diameter through hole in the {approx}150 wall of a NIF dimension GDP shell, and can then create a 10-15 {micro}m diameter, 20-40 {micro}m deep counterbore centered on the through hole with the same laser. Using a home built assembly station the tube is carefully inserted into the counterbore and glued in place with UV-cure epoxy, using a LED UV source to avoid heating the joint. We expect that the same joining technique can be used for Be shells.

The effect of nine constant temperatures (15, 17.5, 20, 22.5, 25, 27.5 30, 32.5, and 35°C) on the development of the stone leek leafminer, Liriomyza chinensis (Kato), on Japanese bunching onion, Allium fistulosum L., was studied in the laboratory. Developmental times for immature stages were inversely proportional to temperature between 15 and 30°C but increased at 32.5°C. Total developmental times from egg to adult emergence decreased from 69.6 to 17.1 d for temperatures from 15 to 30°C, with pupae requiring more time for development than the combined egg and larva stages. Both linear and nonlinear (Logan equation VI) models provided a reliable fit of development rates versus temperature for all immature stages. The lower developmental thresholds that were estimated from linear regression equations for the egg, first, second, and third instars, total larva, egg-larval, pupa, and total combined immature stages were 12.1, 10.6, 13.6, 8, 9.6, 11.3, 11.2, and 11.4°C, respectively. The degree-day accumulation was calculated as 312.5 DD for development from egg to adult emergence. By fitting the nonlinear models to the data, the upper and optimal temperatures for egg, larva, pupa, and total immature stages were calculated as 37.8 and 31.7, 34.9 and 30.1, 35.8 and 30.6, and 35.0 and 30.9°C, respectively. These data are useful for predicting population dynamics of L. chinensis under field conditions and determining the maximum proportion of susceptible individuals for facilitating improved timing of application of control measures.

The relationship between the mRNA expression of proteolytic and steroidogenic enzymes in bovine placentomes was examined. Caruncle and cotyledon tissues were collected every 6 hr after spontaneous parturition until the fetal membranes were released. Based on the time of fetal membrane release after parturition, the specimens were classified as follows: (1) the early group, in which the fetal membranes were released within 6 hr after parturition; and (2) the late group, in which the fetal membranes were released 6–12 hr after parturition. The placentomes from a slaughterhouse were additionally collected as samples for the examination of enzymes during the gestation period. The mRNA expression of steroidogenic enzymes in the cotyledon was observed to be higher than that in caruncle tissues; however, the mRNA expression patterns of P450scc and StAR tended to be similar in both placental tissues. On the other hand, although the expression levels of TIMP-2 mRNA in both caruncle and cotyledon tissues were similar, during gestation and postpartum the expression levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 mRNA were approximately 10 times higher in caruncle than in cotyledon tissue. Marked contrasting changes in mRNA expression patterns between pre- and postpartum periods were observed for MMP-2 and MMP-9 in caruncle tissues and for MMP-9 and TIMP-2 in cotyledon tissues. The present study provides the first evidence that MMP-2, MMP-9, and TIMP-2 mRNAs are expressed in bovine placentomes during the gestational and postpartum periods and suggests that these enzymes, in conjunction with steriodogenic enzymes, mediate fetal membrane detachment after parturition. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 74: 801–807, 2007. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Mucolipidosis (ML) II alpha/beta is an autosomal recessive disease caused by reduced enzyme activity of N-acetylglucosamine-1-phosphotransferase. Clinical symptoms of ML II are severe psychomotor delay and dysostosis multiplex; death usually occurs by 5-8 years of age from cardiopulmonary complications. Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) has been attempted for ML; however, few reports have documented the detailed outcomes of HSCT for ML. A 26-month-old girl received a human leukocyte antigen 3/6-allele-matched transplant from cord blood. The preparative regimen consisted of fludarabine, cyclophosphamide, 6-Gy total body irradiation, and rabbit antithymocyte globulin. Although comparing before and after cord blood transplantation results, we observed that lysosomal enzyme activities in the plasma decreased by approximately 20-40%. Low serum levels of immunoglobulin A, G2, and G4 were also observed before HSCT; however, these values normalized after transplantation. Despite undergoing HSCT, she was treated twice for bacterial pneumonia with acute respiratory distress syndrome at ages 37 and 38 months. Although HSCT effects on the clinical manifestations were limited, laboratory data including plasma lysosomal enzyme activities and serum levels of immunoglobulin showed improvement.

Melatonin has been reported to improve the in vitro development of embryos in some species. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of melatonin supplementation during in vitro maturation (IVM) and development culture on the development and quality of porcine embryos. In the first experiment, when the in vitro fertilized embryos were cultured with different concentrations of melatonin (0, 10, 25 and 50 ng/ml) for 8 days, the blastocyst formation rate of embryos cultured with 25 ng/ml melatonin (10.7%) was significantly increased (p < 0.05) compared to the control embryos cultured without melatonin (4.2%). The proportion of DNA-fragmented nuclei in blastocysts derived from embryos cultured with 50 ng/ml melatonin was significantly lower (p < 0.05) than that of embryos cultured without melatonin (2.1% vs 7.2%). In the second experiment, when oocytes were cultured in the maturation medium supplemented with different concentrations of melatonin (0, 10, 25 and 50 ng/ml), fertilized and then cultured with 25 ng/ml melatonin for 8 days, there were no significant differences in the rates of cleavage and blastocyst formation among the groups. However, the proportions (2.7-5.4%) of DNA-fragmented nuclei in blastocysts derived from oocytes matured with melatonin were significantly decreased (p < 0.05) compared to those (8.9%) from oocytes matured without melatonin, irrespective of the concentration of melatonin. Our results suggest that supplementation of the culture media with melatonin (25 ng/ml) during IVM and development has beneficial effects on the developmental competence and quality of porcine embryos.

Viral nervous necrosis caused by sevenband grouper nervous necrosis virus (SGNNV) has occurred in grow-out stages (0-3 years old) of sevenband grouper, Epinephelus septemfasciatus, since the 1980s. In the present study, based on histopathological features of the central nervous system (CNS) in naturally diseased fish, pernasal infection experiments using grow-out fish were performed and pernasal infection was established as a putative invasion route of SGNNV. The definite SGNNV-targeted cells were determined by histopathological studies including indirect fluorescent antibody test and electron microscopy. Nerve cells in the olfactory lobe were most extensively necrotized with vacuolation followed by infiltration of microglia and macrophages. Purkinje cells and Golgi cells were extensively infected in the cerebellum. Megalocells and small nerve cell nuclei were also infected in the preoptic area, thalamus, medulla oblongata and spinal cord. Only a few small nerve cells were infected in the olfactory bulb and optic tectum. The retina of some diseased fish displayed vacuolated bipolar cells of the inner nuclear layer and in the ganglion cell layer. These SGNNV-infected nerve cells displayed viroplasmic inclusions containing virions, vacuoles and myelin-like structures. Based on observed histopathological changes, the lesion of the CNS was characterized by encephalitis but not encephalopathy.

Objective: To evaluate the acute effects on haemodynamic variables of biatrial pacing in comparison with high right atrial (HRA) pacing and left lateral atrial pacing. Patients and design: 23 patients were paced from the HRA site, the lateral site of the coronary sinus (CS), and both sites on two fixed atrioventricular delays (100 and 150 ms) during atrioventricular sequential pacing at 80 and 100 beats/min in random order. Main outcome measures: After five minute pacing, the maximum P wave duration on a 12 lead ECG, cardiac output, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, and the transmitral flow pattern by transthoracic echocardiography were measured. Results: Biatrial pacing delivered the shortest P wave duration (133 (25) ms, 133 (27) ms, and 96 (15) ms during HRA, CS, and biatrial pacing, respectively; p < 0.001), and the most improvement in cardiac output and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (3.71 (0.93) l/min and 15 (7) mm Hg, 3.79 (0.97) l/min, and 14 (6) mm Hg, and 4.09 (1.01) l/min and 13(6) mm Hg during HRA, CS, and biatrial pacing, respectively; p < 0.01). Biatrial pacing most significantly decreased the intervals between the atrial pacing spike and the peak and end of the atrial filling wave (186 (16) ms and 250 (22) ms, 172 (19) ms and 242 (24) ms, and 153 (15) ms and 227 (23) ms during HRA, CS, and biatrial pacing, respectively; p < 0.001). It also significantly increased the mitral flow time velocity integral and peak atrial filling wave velocity (7.5 (3.4) cm and 63.8 (17.6) cm/s, 7.8 (3.0) cm and 62.4 (16.6) cm/s, and 8.3 (3.4) cm and 67.8 (19.3) cm/s during HRA, CS, and biatrial pacing, respectively; p < 0.05). The improvements in haemodynamic variables were especially remarkable in patients who had a longer interatrial conduction delay. Conclusions: Biatrial pacing yielded the most significant improvements in haemodynamic variables. These haemodynamic benefits may play a part in reducing intra-atrial pressure and preventing atrial fibrillation.

SUMMARY MRL/Mp mice bearing the Fas deletion mutant gene, lpr (MRL/lpr), spontaneously develop polyarthritis, sialoadenitis and dacryoadenitis, resembling rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and also corneal involvement such as keratopathy and scleritis, which is a major complication in RA patients. In this study, we found that the expression levels of IL-1β and MMP-1 mRNAs in cornea were high in both MRL/lpr and MRL/Mp-+/+ strains of mice at an age younger than when they develop any inflammatory lesions. This was not true of other inbred strains, even those bearing the lpr gene, and also not of (NZB × NZW) F1 lupus mice. There was no significant difference in the expression of IL-1α and TGFβ in cornea in these strains. Using crosses between MRL/lpr and C3H/HeJ-lpr/lpr (C3H/lpr) mice, at least the expression of IL-1β was found to be under the control of the MRL genetic background, likely with a recessive mode of inheritance. Considering that IL-1β in cornea was detected particularly in the epithelial layer, the high expression of IL-1β in cornea is most likely involved in the genetic predisposition for corneal involvement and possibly also for arthritis in an MRL strain of mice.

Periprosthetic interface tissue and pseudocapsule samples surrounding aseptically loosened hip implants and control knee synovium were studied by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry. Endothelial cells, fibroblasts, and monocyte/macrophages contained bone formation-enhancing insulin-like growth factors (IGFs). In interface tissue we found fewer IGF-I and IGF-II positive cells than in control tissue. In pseudocapsular tissue we found fewer IGF-I positive cells and an equal amount of IGF-II positive cells compared to control tissues. Decreased bone formation may contribute to net loss of bone around aseptically loosened hip implants.

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of quantifying low temperature radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) lesions using a phased array intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) catheter—with better tissue penetration and in a deflectable device—in the canine model. Intervention: Low temperature radiofrequency (RF) energy (50–60°C at up to 40 W) was delivered to the left ventricle in 11 beagles for 60 seconds, using an 8 French catheter with a deflectable tip and a 4 mm distal electrode. Main outcome measures: Comparison of the width and depth of RFCA lesions measured by ICE with pathological findings. Results: 33 RF energies were delivered in 11 dogs. 31 lesions (94%) were confirmed at necropsy. 27 of 31 ablation lesions (87%) were detected by ICE. The mean (SD) width and depth of the ICE detected lesions were 10.4 (2.6) mm and 5.7 (1.9) mm, respectively. Pathological findings showed that RFCA lesions consisted of inner and outer layers. Macroscopically, the mean (SD) width and depth of the inner layers were 7.6 (2.3) mm and 3.6 (1.2) mm and those for the whole layers were 10.0 (2.8) mm and 5.3 (1.5) mm, respectively. Microscopically, the inner and outer layers corresponded to necrotic and oedematous areas, respectively. The ICE detected lesion size had better correlation with the pathological measurements of the whole layers in width (r = 0.911) and in depth (r = 0.756). Conclusion: The real time evaluation of RFCA lesion size using the phased array ICE is feasible, even with a low temperature RF application. However, ICE slightly overestimates RFCA lesion size compared with pathological necrotic lesion size.

It is widely recognized that methamphetamine enhances the release of dopamine at dopaminergic neuron terminals of the mesolimbic system, which induces dopamine-related behaviors. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a neurotrophin, binds to and activates its specific receptor tyrosine kinase, TrkB. BDNF has been shown to influence the release of dopamine in the mesolimbic dopamine system. The present study was designed to investigate roles of BDNF and TrkB in the expression of methamphetamine-induced dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens and dopamine-related behaviors induced by methamphetamine in rats. Methamphetamine (1 mg/kg, s.c.) produced a substantial increase in the extracellular levels of dopamine and induced a progressive augmentation of dopamine-related behaviors such as rearing and sniffing. In contrast, both the stimulation of dopamine release and induction of dopamine-related behaviors by methamphetamine were significantly suppressed by pretreatment with intra-nucleus accumbens injection of either BDNF (2.0 microl/rat, 1:1000, 1:300 and 1:100) or TrkB (2.0 microl/rat, 1:1000 and 1:100) antibody. Furthermore, the basal level of dopamine in the nucleus accumbens was not affected by treatment with both BDNF and TrkB antibodies. These findings provide further evidence that BDNF/TrkB pathway is implicated in the methamphetamine-induced release of dopamine and the induction of dopamine-related behaviors.

Background The in vivo hematopoietic microenvironment is composed of stromal cells and extracellular matrix in a 3D configuration. We have created a 3D microenvironment in vitro, employing spatial development of stromal cells in a nonwoven fabric porous carrier, Fibra-cel (FC). We compared its performance with that of a 2D microenvironment. Methods Primary murine BM cells were inoculated on the layers of stromal cells prepared in FC (3D) or on a dish (2D) and cultured for 7–21 days. The hematopoietic cells harvested from the cultures were evaluated by colony-forming unit (CFU) assay and transplantation to sub lethally irradiated mice. Results The maximum stromal cell concentration in the 2D culture was higher than that in the 3D culture. However, the hematopoietic cell concentration in the 3D culture was kept at a higher level than that in the 2D culture. The number of CFU-mix increased five times during 3D cultivation, but decreased in the 2D culture. The engraftment percentage of 3D cultured cells was comparable with that of fresh cells, and markedly higher than that of 2D cultured cells. Discussion The 3D culture constructed with FC and stromal cells was clearly superior to 2D culture because hematopoietic progenitor cells were expanded without the addition of cytokines and the content of hematopoietic stem cells was maintained.

We investigated the effects of the mitogen supplements of 3 types, pokeweed mitogen (PWM), phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and concanavalin A (ConA), to a whole blood culture system on the number of metaphase spreads obtained in perinatal bovine chromosome analysis. In addition, the supplementation of -mercaptoethanol (-ME) and FBS was examined in such system. Significant differences (p 30 ng/ml) of the blood samples were examined. There was no significant effect of cortisol concentration (p>0.05) among these 3 cortisol concentration groups. The mean percentages of normal metaphase plates (2n=60) from each calf 1) with -ME, 2) without -ME and 3) with FBS stimulated with PWM were not significantly different (p>0.05). In conclusion, these findings may be useful in cytogenetic screening programs for not only perinatal calves but also for mature cattle. (Asian-Aust. J. Anim. Sci. 2002. Vol 15, No. 5 : 615-621)

Sixteen antimicrobial agents were tested for their activity against 68 isolates of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae by determining the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs). Ceftiofur and the fluoroquinolones danofloxacin and enrofloxacin were the most active compounds, with a MIC for 90% of the isolates (MIC90) of ≤ 0.05 µg/ml. The MIC90 values of benzylpenicillin, amoxicillin and aspoxicillin were 0.78 units/ml, 0.39 µg/ml and ≤ 0.05 µg/ml, respectively. Three isolates (4.4%) were resistant to penicillins, but aspoxicillin was as active as ceftiofur against the susceptible isolates, with MICs of ≤ 0.05 µg/ml for all isolates. Resistance to oxytetracycline, chloramphenicol and thiamphenicol occurred in 22 (32.4%), 14 (20.6%) and 15 (22.1%) of the isolates, respectively. Doxycycline was more active than oxytetracycline, with a MIC90 of 1.56 µg/ml as against 25 µg/ml. Florfenicol was not only as active as thiamphenicol, with a MIC for 50% of the isolates (MIC50) of 0.39 µg/ml, but also active against thiamphenicol-resistant isolates. All the isolates were susceptible to florfenicol. All the isolates were also susceptible to gentamicin, spectinomycin, tilmicosin, colistin and tiamulin. Of these, spectinomycin was the least active, with a MIC50 of 25 µg/ml, followed by tiamulin, with a MIC50 of 6.25 µg/ml. Of the 68 isolates tested, 49 (72.0%) were of serotype 2; 14 (20.5%) were of serotype 1; 2 each (3.0$) were of serotypes 5 and 6; and one was of serotype 7. Of the isolates, 23 (33.8%) were resistant to one or more of the major antibiotics. Antibiotic resistance was found only infrequently among serotype 2, with 5 (10.2%) of 49 isolates being resistant to chloramphenicol and/or oxytetracycline, while it occurred in 18 (94.7%) of the 19 isolates of other serotypes.

Despite the recent development of the technology of in vitroproduction of embryos, superovulation by injection ofexogenous gonadotrophin is still the fundamental methodto produce in vivoderived embryos for embryo transfer incattle. However, the yield and quality of the embryos raisedafter superovulation are variable and unpredictable owingto variations in ovarian response, fertilization rate andembryo development (Boland et al., 1991). As well as cowfactors, such as genetic background, age, breed, reproduc-tive and lactation status, many other factors are assumed tocontribute to this variability (Hasler et al., 1983; Donaldson,1984a,b; Lerner et al., 1986). An important cause of therelatively low efficiency of superovulation are disorders inpreovulatory development (Monniaux et al., 1984; Callesenet al., 1986). The preovulatory-sized follicles that developafter gonadotrophin stimulation have a high incidence ofasynchrony between follicular and oocyte maturation(matured oocytes within unmatured follicles or vice versa)(Hyttel et al., 1986; Callesen et al., 1987; de Loos et al.,1991). The causes of these disorders in preovulatorydevelopment are still unclear. One possibility is that part ofthe follicles in which growth is stimulated by thegonadotrophin consists of rescued atretic follicles thatremain aberrant. Another possibility is related to therelatively short time interval between luteolysis andoccurrence of the LH surge in cows stimulated bygonadotrophin compared with unstimulated cows (Beversand Dieleman, 1987). In addition, several studies haveshown that there is a difference in LH pulse frequencybetween unstimulated and gonadotrophin-stimulated cows(Bevers et al., 1989; Ben Jebara et al., 1994). These eventsmight result in part of the follicles being incompletelymatured to respond properly to the LH surge.The variability in the FSH:LH ratio of gonadotrophin

The safety and immunogenicity of Japanese encephalitis (JE) vaccine (Nakayama strain, monovalent / BIKEN) was studied in 538 U.S. soldiers in 1990. Three doses of vaccine from three consecutively manufactured lots were given on days 0, 7, and either 14 or 30. Serum for antibody determination was drawn at months 0, 2, and 6. Japanese encephalitis plaque reduction neutralization tests were performed by three laboratories on each specimen. Five hundred twenty-eight (98%) participants completed the immunization series. All recipients without antibody before immunization developed neutralizing antibody against JE virus. There were no differences in geometric mean titer among the three test lots at months 2 and 6. Soldiers who received the third dose on day 30 had higher titers at both time points. Antibody to yellow fever had no significant effect on immune response to vaccine. Conclusions drawn from analysis of serologic data from the three labs were nearly identical. Symptoms were generally limited to mild local effects and were reduced in frequency with each subsequent does in the series (21% to 11%; P < 0.0001). Generalized symptoms were rare (e.g., fever = 5%) with no reported cases of anaphylaxis.

The present experiment was conducted to clarify the effect of bovine oviductal epithelial cells (BOEC) collected from oviducts ipsilateral to cystic follicles (CFs) using an in vitro coculture system on the development of in vitro matured/fertilized (IVM/IVF) bovine embryos. In the first comparison, the effect of the presence of CF on the development of the embryos cocultured with BOEC derived from the cows with CF (n = 18) and corpus hemorrhagicum (CH, n = 10) was examined. In the second comparison, the effect of the type of cyst [progesterone (P4)-dominant; n = 9, estradiol-17beta (E2)-dominant; n = 5] on the development of the embryos cocultured with BOEC derived from the cystic cows was examined. No difference was observed between CF and CH (control) groups in the mean developmental rates of embryos developed to > or =2-cell (86.3% vs. 86.4%), 8-16 cells (53.0% vs. 56.2%), blastocyst (24.2% vs. 24.8%) and hatched blastocyst (12.0% vs. 14.6%). However, the blastocyst production rate was significantly different (P

Objective To investigate the specificity and sensitivity of the combination of redistribution in exercise thallium-201 single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and exercise induced ST elevation for detecting the viable myocardium in patients with acute myocardial infarction. Design 37 patients were studied within seven weeks of onset of Q wave myocardial infarction (anterior in 22, inferior in 15). All patients underwent exercise four hour redistribution thallium-201 SPECT and positron emission tomography using fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) and nitrogen-13 ammonia under fasting conditions. Results Sixteen patients showed exercise induced ST elevation ⩾ 1.5 mm, and 15 of these had increased FDG uptake in the infarct region. Eleven of 16 patients (10 of 11 patients with anterior infarctions) with irreversible thallium-201 defects and increased FDG uptake showed exercise induced ST elevation. The sensitivity, specificity, and predictive accuracy of redistribution, exercise induced ST segment elevation, or both for detecting increased FDG uptake were 82%, 75%, and 67% (94%, 75%, and 91% for anterior infarctions), respectively. Conclusions In patients with acute Q wave myocardial infarction, the combination of redistribution in exercise thallium-201 SPECT and exercise induced ST elevation can detect the viable myocardium in the infarct region with high sensitivity and specificity, especially in patients with anterior infarctions.

The influence of metatarsophalangeal lesions on the position of the center of plantar pressure in rheumatoid patients was analyzed by a photoelastic method. Fifteen patients were divided radiographically into three groups (A to C) based on the degree of destruction of the metatarsophalangeal joints. Fifteen age-matched non-rheumatoid subjects were studied as a control group. As parameters expressing the position of the centre of plantar pressure, longitudinal ratio (λ) and transverse ratio (η) were defined and analyzed respectively. the λ of group B was significantly lower than those of group A and C (A: 44.6 ± 6.4, B: 39.0 ± 0.5, P = 0.0327; B: 39.0 ± 0.5, C: 44.7 ± 4.9, P = 0.0075). The η of group B was significantly lower than those of group A and C (A: 46.2 ± 3.4, B: 43.4 ± 7.4, P = 0.0161; B: 43.4 ± 7.4, C: 46.4 ± 1.9, P = 0.0075). By comparing the above data with the control data and combinations of patterns in both parameters, the positions of the centre of plantar pressure were divided into four types. The most common type in group A and C was ‘anterolateral (steady)', and that in group B was ‘posteromedial (unsteady)'. Based on the result, we conclude that the treatment of the lesions in group B is the most necessary to maintain the stability of standing.

The viability of embryos before flushing from donor mares (n = 5) and after transfer to recipient mares (n = 7) was monitored in mare serum by detecting early pregnancy factor (EPF) using the rosette inhibition test (RIT). The EPF activity was measured in donor mares before and after natural mating at natural estrus; after ovulation on Days 2, 5 and 8; and after embryo flushing (Day 8) on Days 8, 9, 10 and 13 after ovulation. The collected embryos were transferred immediately after flushing. The EPF activity in recipient mares were measured on the day of transfer and after embryo transfer on Days 1, 2, 3 and 5. Pregnancy was confirmed on Day 12 to 14 after embryo transfer. The mean EPF activity of donor mares was increased to the pregnant level (> an RI titer score of 10) on Day 2 after ovulation. Two days after flushing the embryos, the EPF activity of donor mares had decreased to the nonpregnant level. Among the 7 recipient mares, 3 mares were diagnosed pregnant on Day 12 after embryo transfer with ultrasound. The EPF activity of the pregnant recipient mares was increased above the minimum level observed in pregnant mares on Days 2 to 3 after transfer. However, among the nonpregnant recipient mares after embryo transfer, the EPF activity of 3 mares remained at the pregnant level only 2 to 3 d and then declined to the nonpregnant level. In one recipient mare, EPF activity did not reach the pregnant level throughout the sample collection. The results of this study indicated that equine EPF can be detected in serum of pregnant mares as early as Day 2 after ovulation. From our observation, we conclude that the measurement of EPF activity is useful for monitoring the in vivo viability of equine embryos and early detection of embryonic death.

Objective—To investigate the relations between myocardial metabolism and the kinetics of thallium-201 in myocardial scintigraphy. Methods—46 patients within six weeks after the onset of acute myocardial infarction underwent resting myocardial dual isotope, single acquisition, single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) using radioiodinated 15-iodophenyl 3-methyl pentadecaenoic acid (BMIPP) and thallium-201, exercise thallium-201 SPECT, and positron emission tomography (PET) using nitrogen-13 ammonia (NH3) and [F18]fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) under fasting conditions. The left ventricle was divided into nine segments, and the severity of defects was assessed visually. Results—In the resting SPECT, less BMIPP uptake than thallium-201 uptake was observed in all of 40 segments with reverse redistribution of thallium-201, and in 21 of 88 segments with a fixed defect of thallium-201 (p

The present study was conducted with ovaries to evaluate the effect of the presence of a cystic follicle and its steroid hormone concentration on the oocyte recovery rates, oocyte morphology and in vitro maturation of the oocytes from coexisting small follicles. Ovaries, each bearing a follicular cyst (containing > 10 ml of follicular fluids, > 3 cm in diameter, and without a functional corpus luteum), were collected from each of the 26 Holstein cows from a local slaughterhouse. Small follicles (1-7 mm) from these ovaries were aspirated and their cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) classified into one of 5 groups (A to E), depending on oocyte and cumulus cell morphologies. Those oocytes with compact cumulus cells were cultured and their maturation rates determined. Concentrations of estradiol-17 beta (E2) and progesterone (P4) were measured in cystic follicular fluid using double antibody enzyme immunoassays (EIA). The morphology of the COCs and maturation rates of the oocytes were then evaluated using two comparisons. In first comparison, the left and right ovaries obtained from an individual cow were considered as a pair, with each pair being divided into two groups depending on the presence or absence of an E2 dominant or P4 dominant cystic follicle in one or another of the ovaries: E2 dominant cows; and P4 dominant cows. Oocytes collected from the ovaries of cyclic cows at follicular, luteal and post-ovulatory stages served as controls. The oocyte recovery rates, oocyte morphologies and oocyte maturation rates were independent of the presence or absence of a coexisting cystic follicle, or its steroid hormone classification or concentration. In the second comparison, each ovary was consider individually and divided into one of the two classes, depending on the presence or absence of a cystic follicle. Those ovaries with cystic follicles were then divided into three subclasses on the basis of E2 and P4 concentrations in the cystic follicular fluids: P4 dominant (P4/E2 ratio > 1); E2 dominant (P4/E2 ratio < 1); and both P4 and E2 dominant follicles present. The numbers of oocytes obtained from an ovary, their morphology and their maturation rates were not significantly different in the presence or absence of a coexisting cystic follicle. Moreover, the number of the oocytes aspirated from an ovary, their morphology and their maturation rates in small follicles coexisting with P4 dominant, E2 dominant and both P4 and E2 dominant cystic follicles were also not different. These results suggested that neither the presence of a cystic follicle in a cow's ovary nor the cyst's steroid hormone concentrations affected the oocyte recovery rate, oocyte morphology and maturation rates of the coexisting small follicles.

This study was conducted to assess the ability of the follicular fluid derived from large and small follicles to support the in vitro oocyte maturation and subsequent fertilization and developmental capacity. Oocytes were cultured in bovine follicular fluid aspirated from small (SFF; 2-5 mm in diameter), large (LFF; 10 to 20 mm in diameter) follicles and TCM199 as a control under 5% CO2 in air. All maturation media were supplemented with 1 IU ml-1 pregnant mare serum gonadotropin. After 24 h culture, oocytes were fertilized in vitro with frozen-thawed and heparin-treated (10 micrograms ml-1, 15 min) bull spermatozoa and cultured in TCM199 with bovine oviductal epithelial cells (BOEC) for 7 days. Maturation of bovine oocytes cultured in LFF was inhibited and the low of male pronucleus formation was observed when compared with that of SFF (maturation rate: 69 vs. 78%; P0.05; male pronucleus formation rate: 58 vs. 80%; P0.05). Developmental capacity of bovine oocytes cultured in SFF was significantly (P0.05) higher than that of LFF (15 vs. 5%), but significantly (P0.05) lower than that of the control. There were no differences in the number of nuclei per blastocyst obtained after each treatment. These results indicate that the inhibitory action of follicular fluid on in vitro maturation, male pronucleus formation and developmental capacity of bovine oocytes is dependent on the developmental stage of the follicles from which fluid was obtained.

Changes and local distribution of oviductal progesterone (P(4)) concentration during the estrous cycle and early pregnancy in cows were investigated. Intact reproductive tracts were collected from 16 Holstein cows at an abattoir. Samples were classified in to 4 stages (follicular, postovulatory, luteal and early pregnant,< 20 d) based on visual observation of corpus luteum (CL), uterine characteristics and luteal P(4) concentrations. Oviducts were separated from the uterus at the utero-tubal junction and divided into 4 parts: fimbriae, proximal, medial and distal parts. Luteal tissue samples were also collected. Progesterone levels in oviductal and luteal tissues were determined by radioimmunoassay (RIA). Comparatively higher (P < 0.001) P(4) levels were found in stages with a functioning CL ( luteal phase and early pregnancy) than in those with a regressing CL (follicular phase and post ovulation). The oviduct ipsilateral to the CL bearing ovary during the luteal phase and early pregnancy showed higher ( P < 0.001) P(4) concentrations than the contralateral side. Such a difference was not observed during the follicular phase or post ovulation. The ipsilateral oviduct to the functioning CL at early pregnancy showed higher (P

McCune-Albright syndrome (MAS) is characterized by café-au-lait spot, multiple endocrine hyperfunction, and polyostotic fibrous dysplasia. A somatic point mutation of Gsalpha protein was reported to decrease GTPase activity, leading to increase in the GSalpha-associated hormone actions via cAMP. IL-6 is known to stimulate osteoclast formation and in the IL-6 promoter, a cAMP responsive element has been identified. In this paper, we investigated the role of IL-6 in the bone lesions of MAS, using the isolated fibrous cells from the polyostotic fibrous dysplasia tissues in bones of the two patients with MAS. Bone biopsy specimen revealed the increased osteoclast in number. In both patients, a GSalpha mutation (Arg201 -> His) was identified in the cultured fibrous cells. Intracellular cAMP content and IL-6 secretion by the patient cells were increased. Rp-8Br-cAMP significantly inhibited IL-6 production in the patient cells, while it had no effect on normal control. The addition of dibutyryl cAMP significantly increased the synthesis of IL-6 in normal control cells. In contrast, no effect of dibutyryl cAMP on IL-6 synthesis was observed in the cells from one of the MAS patients. These data suggest that IL-6 is, at least, one of the downstream effectors of cAMP and that the increased IL-6 synthesis has a pathogenic role in the bone lesions of MAS patients via increasing the number of osteoclasts. These results may provide a new strategy for the therapy of MAS patients.

Purpose: The value of coronary angiography in the diagnosis of thrombus in the left atrial appendage (LAA) was retrospectively analyzed. Material and Methods: The study covers 34 patients in whom coronary angiography showed coronary neovascularity in LAA with coronary artery-left atrial fistula indicating LAA thrombus. All 34 patients underwent transthoracic echocardiography within one week of coronary angiography. Open-heart surgery was undertaken 2–31 months after angiography in 28 patients. Results: Coronary neovascularity and coronary artery-left atrial fistula arose from the left circumflex artery in 28 patients, and from the left circumflex artery and the right coronary artery in the remaining 6 patients. By echocardiography, LAA thrombus was detected in only one of the 34 patients. In 18 of the 28 patients who underwent open-heart surgery, LAA thrombus was found at surgery to have resolved. Conclusion: Coronary angiography is useful in the diagnosis of LAA thrombus, and coronary neovascularity and fistula formation may indicate that the thrombus can spontaneously resolve.

Summary Twenty‐two strains of Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae, 14 strains of Erysipelothrix tonsillarum, and four other strains representing two serovars were examined for virulence in 30‐ to 40‐day‐old specific pathogen‐free chickens. Some of the chickens that were given strains of serovars la, 2, 5, 6, 8, 9, 15 or 21 of E. rhusiopathiae showed signs of disease, lesions, bacteraemia or recovery of the bacterium. In contrast, there were no clinical signs, pathological lesions or bacterial isolations in chickens inoculated with the E. tonsillarum or other strains. The study thus confirmed that strains of some serovars of E. rhusiopathiae are pathogenic for chickens, but that E. tonsillarum strains are not pathogenic and should be omitted from potential causes of erysipelas in chickens.

Abdominal ultrasonographic screening for cancer was performed in 6001 Hiroshima and Nagasaki A-bomb exposed and comparison subjects, all members of the Adult Health Study of the Radiation Effects Research Foundation, formerly the Atomic Bomb Casualty Commission. This study yielded 20 cancers, including 7 hepatocellular, 3 gastric, 3 renal and 2 urinary bladder cancers; one cancer each of the ovary, pancreas, colon and ureter; and one cancer metastatic to the liver, whose primary was unknown. Seventeen of these 20 subjects manifested no symptoms or signs of their disease. A variety of additional tumors, unproven and probably benign, including uterine myomata, and other abnormalities were also detected. Abdominal ultrasonographic screening greatly assisted in the detection of cancers, most of which neither the patients nor their physicians were aware. In this screened fixed population sample the cancer detection rate was 0.33%, exceeding any such rates previously reported in the medical literature.

A case of osteoid osteoma (OO) in the mandible of 26-year-old female is presented. Her main complaint was intermittent pain during a 3 year period. The panoramic radiograph of the mandible showed diffuse sclerosis including an ill-defined circular radiopacity in the molar region. Computed tomography (CT) revealed an osseous lesion of 10 mm diameter that was located in the cortical bone of the mandible. Bone scintigraphy showed a localized region of high uptake of 99mTc HMDP. The lesion was diagnosed as an OO by histopathological examination of the surgical specimen and CT findings. Since radiological appearance has very significant meaning in the differentiation of an OO from other bone forming tumors, CT is the method of choice when the main symptom is pain and the conventional radiography was not informative.

We overexpressed one of the hydrophobic repeated domains (HBDs) (110 amino acid residues) of the cellulose-binding protein (CbpA) from Clostridium cellulovorans by making a hybrid protein with the Escherichia coli maltose-binding protein (MalE). The HBD was purified to homogeneity, and interactions between the HBD and endoglucanases were analyzed by a novel interaction Western blotting (immunoblotting) method. The HBD had specific interactions with endoglucanases (EngB and EngD) from C. cellulovorans. These results indicated that the HBD was an endoglucanase binding site of CbpA.

The relationship between post-thaw exposure time in cryoprotectants and the viability of in vitro fertilized (IVF) derived bovine embryos after culture was examined. Good- and excellent-quality Day 7 to Day 8 blastocysts and expanded blastocysts were frozen by the nonstepwise method using 1.6 M propylene glycol (PG) or ethylene glycol (EG) as the cryoprotectant. After the straws were thawed, the embryos were kept in the cryoprotectants for 1, 10, or 30 min. Then the embryos were placed directly into culture medium and washed three times, followed by coculture with cumulus cells. After 48 h of culture, there were no significant differences in survival rate among the various exposure times in PG (79-81%) and EG (71-75%). After 72 h or culture, there were no significant differences among the various exposure times in the fully expanded (PG 76-81%; EG 71-72%). hatching (PG 69-74%; EG 58-71%), and hatched blastocyst rates (PG 60-71%; EG 47-65%). Our findings suggest that different post-thaw exposure times up to 30 min using PG or EG as the cryoprotectant are not harmful to IVF bovine embryos.