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Needlestick and sharps injuries (NSIs) are serious problems for dental health care workers (DHCWs) because they are at risk for occupational blood-borne infections. In this study, risk factors for NSIs in DHCWs at Tohoku University Hospital (TUH) in Japan over 19 years were analysed.NSI data of DHCWs at TUH from April 2002 to March 2020 were collected from the Exposure Prevention Information Network (EPINet) and statistically analysed.A total of 195 NSIs occurred during the 19-year study period. Approximately 58.5% of NSIs occurred in DHCWs with less than 5 years of experience. Injection needles were the most frequent cause of NSIs (19.0%) followed by suture needles (13.3%) and ultrasonic scaler chips (12.8%). Needle injuries occurred mainly on the left hand, whereas ultrasonic scaler chip and bur injuries occurred on the right hand and other body parts whilst DHCWs were placing the instruments back on the dental unit hanging holder without removing the sharps. NSIs from other instruments primarily occurred on both hands and foot insteps during cleanup. No case of occupational blood-borne infection caused by NSIs was observed during the study period at TUH.NSIs occurred in DHCWs with less experience, and there were associations between the instruments, timing of use, and NSI site. EPINet was considered a valuable tool for monitoring NSIs in order to develop future strategies for minimising NSIs.

Osteocyte network architecture is closely associated with bone turnover. The cellular mechanosensing system regulates osteocyte dendrite formation by enhancing focal adhesion. Therefore, titanium surface nanotopography might affect osteocyte network architecture and improve the peri-implant bone tissue quality, leading to strengthened osseointegration of bone-anchored implants. We aimed to investigate the effects of titanium nanosurfaces on the development of osteocyte lacunar-canalicular networks and osseointegration of dental implants. Alkaline etching created titanium nanosurfaces with anisotropically patterned dense nanospikes, superhydrophilicity, and hydroxyl groups. MLO-Y4 mouse osteocyte-like cells cultured on titanium nanosurfaces developed neuron-like dendrites with increased focal adhesion assembly and gap junctions. Maturation was promoted in osteocytes cultured on titanium nanosurfaces compared to cells cultured on machined or acid-etched micro-roughened titanium surfaces. Osteocytes cultured in type I three-dimensional collagen gels for seven days on nano-roughened titanium surfaces displayed well-developed interconnectivity with highly developed dendrites and gap junctions compared to the poor interconnectivity observed on the other titanium surfaces. Even if superhydrophilicity and hydroxyl groups were maintained, the loss of anisotropy-patterned nanospikes reduced expression of gap junction in osteocytes cultured on alkaline-etched titanium nanosurfaces. Four weeks after placing the titanium nanosurface implants in the upper jawbone of wild-type rats, osteocytes with numerous dendrites were found directly attached to the implant surface, forming well-developed lacunar-canalicular networks around the nano-roughened titanium implants. The osseointegration strength of the nano-roughened titanium implants was significantly higher than that of the micro-roughened titanium implants. These data indicate that titanium nanosurfaces promote osteocyte lacunar-canalicular network development via nanotopographical cues and strengthen osseointegration. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: The clinical stability of bone-anchoring implant devices is influenced by the bone quality. The osteocyte network potentially affects bone quality and is established by the three-dimensional (3D) connection of neuron-like dendrites of well-matured osteocytes within the bone matrix. No biomaterials are known to regulate formation of the osteocyte network. The present study provides the first demonstration that titanium nanosurfaces with nanospikes created by alkali-etching treatment enhance the 3D formation of osteocyte networks by promoting osteocyte dendrite formation and maturation by nanotopographic cues, leading to strengthened osseointegration of titanium implants. Osteocytes attached to the titanium nanosurfaces via numerous cellular projections. The success of osteocyte regulation by nanotechnology paves the way for development of epoch-making technologies to control bone quality.

Acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) elastography has been used to diagnose acute pancreatitis (AP). The present study aimed to assess the effectiveness of ARFI elastography in the diagnosis of AP. Studies examining the efficacy of ARFI elastography in AP were selected by searching MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, ICTRP, and ClinicalTrial.gov. until September 2021. Meta-analyses were performed using random effects models. The Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach was used to assess the certainty of the evidence. Eight case-control studies (994 patients) were included in the meta-analysis. The ARFI-Virtual Touch Quantification value (or ARFI shear wave propagation velocity) of the AP patient group was 0.83 m/s higher (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.36-1.3) than that in the control group (95% CI: 1.0-1.28). The sensitivity and specificity of ARFI elastography for diagnosing AP were 98.3% (95% CI: 92.6-96.6%) and 95.5% (95% CI: 87.5-98.5%), respectively. The results showed that physicians could use ARFI elastography to accurately diagnose patients with AP. Additional well-designed studies are necessary to validate the efficacy of ARFI elastography in patients with AP.

Sarcopenia, as assessed by body composition, can affect morbidity and survival in several gastrointestinal cancer. However, the impact of sarcopenia, referring to both quantity and quality of skeletal muscle, in biliary tract cancer (BTC) is debatable. We aimed to investigate the impact of sarcopenia on morbidity and mortality in patients with BTC.Electronic databases and trial registries were searched through July 2021 to perform random-effects meta-analyses. Study selection, data abstraction and quality assessment were independently performed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach.Twenty-nine studies (4443 patients) were included; 28 used computed tomography and one used dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry to assess body composition. Eighteen studies reported the impact of pre-operative sarcopenia on postoperative outcomes; namely, sarcopenia increased postoperative complications (risk ratio = 1.23, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.07 to 1.41; IIn sarcopenia, low muscle quantity and quality by body composition conferred an independent risk of morbidity and mortality in patients with BTC. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings and mitigate risk.

Introduction Although hepatitis B virus infection is well-described, the additional risk posed by oral bleeding in individuals with chronic hepatitis B virus infection has not been determined. This study aimed to determine the quantity of hepatitis B virus in the saliva of carriers in Japan, as a means of understanding the potential risk for horizontal transmission. Methods Saliva samples from 48 confirmed hepatitis B virus carriers were included in the analysis. Hepatitis B virus concentrations and the presence of occult blood as periodontal disease were evaluated in each sample. Results Hepatitis B surface antigen was identified in 46 of the 48 samples (98%), with hepatitis B virus DNA identified in 19 of the 48 saliva samples (40%). Occult blood was detected in 32 (67%) samples with the prevalence increasing as a function of age (r = 0.413; P = 0.003). There was a significantly positive correlation between hepatitis B virus DNA levels in the serum and saliva specimens (r = 0.895; P Conclusions Occult blood in saliva was detected in most participants. The detection of hepatitis B virus DNA correlated positively with hepatitis B virus in the serum and occult blood in the saliva. Therefore, improved care of periodontal disease among older people is important for preventing horizontal transmission of hepatitis B virus.

Made available in DSpace on 2020-12-12T02:13:21Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2020-10-01 Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) Difference in blood and peritoneal glucose (DBPG) is used in clinical practice to support a diagnosis of septic peritonitis in horses. It is inexpensive, easy and rapid to perform. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of the DBPG to differentiate between septic and non-septic peritonitis in horses. Blood and peritoneal fluids were harvested from suspected animals. Plasma and peritoneal glucose levels, total nucleated cell count, direct microscopic and microbiological examinations of the peritoneal fluid were evaluated. Using DBPG levels, the animals were classified into two groups: difference ≥ 50 mg/dL (positive test) and difference < 50 mg/dL (negative test). Positive microbiological examination and/or presence of bacteria in direct microscopic examination was used as a gold standard to detect septic peritonitis. The accuracy parameters analysed were: sensitivity, specificity, and positive/negative predictive values, for which the results were respectively: 0.23, 0.91, 0.60 and 0.67. Due to poor accuracy, other cut-off margins and peritoneal glucose concentrations were evaluated. The test was considered most accurate when the DBPG was zero with sensitivity, specificity, and positive/negative predictive values of 0.85, 0.82, 0.73, 0.90 respectively. Peritoneal glucose concentrations alone were not a reliable feature to detect peritonitis. DBPG ≥50 mg/dL, widely used for the diagnosis of septic peritonitis, does not have a good accuracy and the DBPG = 0 has a better accuracy for detecting the disease. Department of Veterinary Surgery and Animal Reproduction School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science Univ. Estadual Paulista (Unesp) Department of Animal Production and Preventive Veterinary Medicine School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science Univ. Estadual Paulista (Unesp) Department of Internal Medicine Botucatu Medical School Univ. Estadual Paulista (Unesp) Department of Veterinary Clinics School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science Univ. Estadual Paulista (Unesp) Department of Veterinary Surgery and Animal Reproduction School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science Univ. Estadual Paulista (Unesp) Department of Animal Production and Preventive Veterinary Medicine School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science Univ. Estadual Paulista (Unesp) Department of Internal Medicine Botucatu Medical School Univ. Estadual Paulista (Unesp) Department of Veterinary Clinics School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science Univ. Estadual Paulista (Unesp) FAPESP: 2016/08712-8 e 2018/ 16013-8

The bacterial community structure in 29 naturally fermented samples of sunki, an unsalted lactic-fermented pickle in Japan, was determined by 16S rRNA gene-targeted metagenomic analysis. The data revealed that genus Lactobacillus was dominant in all samples and various bacterial species, related to Lactobacillus delbrueckii, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus buchneri, Lactobacillus fermentum, Lactobacillus reuteri, Lactobacillus crispatus, Lactobacillus intestinalis, and Lactobacillus gasseri, showed a range of dominance depending on the samples. Comparative analysis of the bacterial composition by principal coordinate analysis and hierarchical clustering classified the varied bacterial composition of the 29 samples into three types of bacterial community structure. These types comprised lactobacilli belonging to different phylogenetic groups: type A had a certain ratio of Lactobacillus fermentum (70.3-22.1%, average 41.2%) in combination with several species belonging to Lactobacillus delbrueckii-phylogenetic group, type B comprised remarkably high levels of species Lactobacillus delbrueckii (average 89.5%), and type C had combinations of species belonging to Lactobacillus plantarum- and Lactobacillus buchneri-phylogenetic groups. Interestingly, these types differed in the compositional profiles of water-soluble and volatile compounds, and statistically significant differences were observed in the levels of acetic acid, succinic acid, ethanol, ethyl acetate, glutamic acid, γ-aminobutyric acid, and isovaleraldehyde. Furthermore, metabolomic analysis revealed a correlation of Lactobacillus fermentum dominance with pH value and lactic and acetic acid levels, with high R values of 0.643, -0.642, and 0.528, respectively. The data reported in this study showed the characteristics of the bacterial composition in the unsalted sunki pickle and its potential relationship with the compositional profile.

Objective Venous thromboembolism (VTE) often is encountered in patients with high-grade gliomas. The underlying mechanisms are unclear, as is the optimal prophylactic protocol. The purpose of the present study was to identify risk factors of VTE and examine the validity of early VTE detection in high-grade gliomas. Methods We reviewed the medical records of 165 patients with newly diagnosed high-grade glioma treated at Niigata University Hospital during the years 2009 to 2016. If the serum D-dimer levels increased to 5.0 μg/mL or more, computed tomography was performed to detect VTE. Furthermore, immunohistochemistry with antibodies against podoplanin was performed on available 101 tumor tissues. Results Of the 165 patients, 44 (26.7%) developed VTE. Of the 44 patients, 34 (79.5%) developed VTE within 7 days after surgery. No fatal VTE occurred and major complications secondary to anticoagulation occurred in only 2 (1.2%) patients. On multivariate analysis, lower Karnofsky Performance Scale status, podoplanin expression, and isocitrate dehydrogenase-wildtype status were independently associated with the risk of VTE (P Conclusions We found that most VTEs occurred early in the postoperative period and commonly in patients with lower Karnofsky Performance Scale status and isocitrate dehydrogenase-wildtype gliomas, which expressed podoplanin.

Background Schizencephaly is a rare congenital central nervous system malformation characterized by linear, thickened clefts of the cerebral mantle. Recently, germline mutations in collagen type IV alpha 1 (COL4A1) have been reported to be a genetic cause of schizencephaly as a result of prenatal stroke. Patients with COL4A1 mutation demonstrate a variety of disease phenotypes. However, little is known about the potential complications of patients with COL4A1 mutations before and after neurologic surgery. Case Description A 9-month-old boy with schizencephaly and a congenital cataract underwent a ventriculoperitoneal shunt for progressive hydrocephalus. Postoperatively, he developed malignant hyperthermia and cerebral venous thrombosis. Early treatment with dantrolene sodium and hydration was effective. Genetic testing revealed a germline COL4A1 mutation. Conclusions To our knowledge, malignant hyperthermia and cerebral venous thrombosis have not been reported in the literature in patients with COL4A1 mutations after surgery. Schizencephaly arising from COL4A1 mutations might be a disease prone to these adverse effects because this mutation is known to be associated with venous tortuosity, venous vulnerability, and muscle spasms due to basement membrane protein abnormalities. We need to better understand the wide spectrum of clinical phenotypes of COL4A1 mutations and potential complications in order to better manage surgery of patients with schizencephaly.

The tensile strengths of unidirectional carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) were predicted by using a spring element model that considers the surface stress concentration on fibers caused by a fracture site in an adjacent fiber. The surface stress concentration on the fibers was experimentally evaluated by implementing multi-fiber fragmentation tests in conjunction with a spring element model simulation. Four types of epoxy materials were utilized to explore the effects of matrix polymer properties on the surface stress concentration of the fibers. The size scaling results, coupled with the results of the spring element model simulation, designed to take into account the surface stress concentration, were reasonably consistent with the experimental data on the tensile strengths of the unidirectional CFRP composites, regardless of the differences in the matrix mechanical properties. Possible mechanisms by which additional stress concentration is generated on an intact fiber surface were analyzed numerically using the finite element method.

The aims of this study were to isolate halophilic lactic acid bacteria possessing aspartate decarboxylase and elucidate the property of the isolates as starter cultures for fish sauce fermentation. Seventy-four strains were isolated from fermented fish foods on aspartate indicator broth containing bromocresol purple, and all isolates were identified as Tetragenococcus halophilus and confirmed to possess the aspartate decarboxylase gene (aspD) by PCR amplification. The isolates were classified into 14 groups based on their aspD-encoding plasmid construction. Strains selected from each group and a control strain incapable of aspartate decarboxylation were inoculated into fish sauce mash as starter cultures. Isolated strains possessing aspD converted aspartate into alanine almost completely in the fish sauce mash. In addition, the strains prevented the accumulation of biogenic amines, as did the control strain, whereas various amines were accumulated in fish sauce mash without starter cultures. Sensory evaluation tests indicated that converting the sour amino acid aspartate into the sweet amino acid alanine made the fish sauce taste milder. In conclusion, the use of T. halophilus possessing aspartate decarboxylase as a fish sauce fermentation starter causes the conversion of aspartate to alanine, accompanied by taste alteration, and prevents biogenic amine accumulation in fish sauce products.

Background: There are no standardised criteria for the determination of the ‘regional’ pericolic node in colon cancer surgery, which represents a major cause of the international uncertainty regarding the optimal bowel resection margin. This prospective cohort study aimed to determine ‘regional’ pericolic nodes based on detailed mapping for feeding arteries and lymph nodes. Methods: In all, 2,996 patients with stages I–III colon cancer who underwent curative surgery between June 2013 and December 2017 at 25 institutions in Japan were included. The anatomical distributions of the feeding artery and lymph nodes were determined in resected fresh surgical specimens based on in vivo measurements of the bowel. Findings: The mean number of retrieved pericolic nodes was 20·9 per patient. In all patients except seven (0·2%), the primary feeding artery was distributed within 10 cm of the primary tumour. The metastatic pericolic node location most distant from the primary tumour was within 3 cm in 837 patients, 3–5 cm in 130 patients, 5–7 cm in 39 patients and 7–10 cm in 34 patients. Only four patients (0·1%) had pericolic lymphatic spread beyond 10 cm; all of whom had T3/4 tumours accompanying extensive mesenteric lymphatic spread, and three developed systemic recurrence. The positive pericolic node distance from the primary tumour did not differ depending on the primary tumour location or the distribution of the feeding arteries. Postoperatively, none of the 2996 patients developed recurrence in the remaining pericolic nodes. Interpretation: Based on the distribution of metastatic lymph nodes and prognostic outcomes, the pericolic nodes designated as ‘regional’ were those located within 10 cm of the primary tumours. Despite the fact that surgeons tend to prefer complete mesocolic excision, these findings should be fully considered when determining the bowel resection margin. Funding: Japanese Society for Cancer of the Colon and Rectum Declaration of Interest: All authors declare no competing interests. Ethical Approval: This study was conducted according to the Declaration of Helsinki and comparable Japanese ethical standards. The study was approved by the Institutional Review Boards of the JSCCR and each participating institution. Written informed consent was obtained from all study participants

Made available in DSpace on 2018-12-11T17:21:20Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2018-10-01 Jugular thrombophlebitis is a major vascular disease in horses and can lead even to death. Heparin is used to inhibit thrombus growth in humans. The aim of this experiment was to evaluate heparin administration in horses with induced thrombophlebitis. Ten animals were subjected to experimental thrombophlebitis and divided into a control group and heparin group (HG). The HG received heparin (150 IU/kg) for 10 days. Coagulation tests, ultrasound, and venography were performed before and after thrombophlebitis induction. Comparing the HG and control group, a break in the growth of the thrombus after the start of administration of the drug and a decrease in the length of the thrombus with the appearance of flow down the sides of the cranial portion of the thrombus were observed. However, after discontinuation of heparin, fast daily growth of the thrombus and decreased blood flow to the side were observed. Department of Veterinary Surgery and Anesthesiology School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science São Paulo State University (Unesp) Department of Surgery Medical School São Paulo State University (Unesp) Department of Veterinary Surgery and Anesthesiology School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science São Paulo State University (Unesp) Department of Surgery Medical School São Paulo State University (Unesp)

Introduction A prospective study was designed to elucidate incidence and predictors of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in patients undergoing craniotomies. Materials and Methods Ninety-two patients who underwent craniotomies received pre- and postoperative venous ultrasonography and/or contrast-enhanced spiral computed tomography for diagnosis of DVT. The primary endpoint was DVT occurrence. Serial levels of serum D-dimer, soluble fibrin, and thrombin–antithrombin complex (TAT) were analyzed. Results Twenty-four of 92 patients (26.1%) had DVT, of whom 10 (41.7%) were diagnosed preoperatively. In patients with preoperative DVT, age, incidence of decreased performance status and leg paresis, levels of D-dimer, soluble fibrin, and TAT were significantly greater. In patients with postoperative DVT, length of surgery, incidence of decreased postoperative performance status, levels of D-dimer on postoperative days (POD) 3, 7, and 14, and TAT on POD7 were significantly greater. Patients with postoperative DVT had elevated D-dimer levels on POD 7 compared with POD 3. The D-dimer cutoff of 2.65 μg/mL at POD 7 could be used to identify DVT with 85.7% sensitivity and 72.3% specificity. A cutoff of 5.25 μg/mL at POD 7 yielded a specificity of 96.9%. Decreased performance status and elevated D-dimer were independent predictors for preoperative DVT, prolonged operation time, and elevated D-dimer on POD 7 for postoperative DVT. Conclusions DVT frequently was observed in patients before and after undergoing craniotomies. Patients with decreased performance status should be preoperatively screened for DVT by checking D-dimer levels. Elevated D-dimer levels on POD 7 compared with POD 3 and D-dimer levels greater than 2.65 μg/mL at POD7 suggest the presence of DVT.

Background: Injury of the internal carotid artery (ICA) in the cavernous portion is one of the most critical complications of transsphenoidal surgery (TSS), especially in cases of coexistence with a pituitary adenoma (PA) and ICA aneurysm. Case description: We present a rare case of unruptured medial paraclinoid ICA aneurysm (ICA-An) associated with symptomatic nonfunctioning giant PA. After endovascular coil embolization of the unruptured 4-mm saccular medial paraclinoid ICA-An, the patient underwent adenomectomy through an endoscopic endonasal TSS. During the bone resection over the right sellar floor near the right cavernous sinus, a tangle of packed coils in the treated medial paraclinoid ICA-An was observed immediately after a bite of a Kerrison rongeur. The dural layer over the coiled aneurysm had become thin to the point of transparency or complete absence. Careful inspection revealed that the bone hillock was formed by the medial paraclinoid ICA-An. Gross total resection of the adenoma was achieved without vascular injuries related to the coiled aneurysm despite postoperative transient right oculomotor paresis. Conclusions: This case conveys three important lessons about TSS: 1) coil embolization will manage a medial paraclinoid ICA-An as a sufficient preoperative procedure for TSS; 2) a medial paraclinoid ICA-An can appear directly under the sellar floor as an apparent extradural aneurysm; and; 3) surgeons should take great care in procedures near a coil-embolized medial paraclinoid ICA-An because the aneurysmal wall can be thin to the point of transparency. Keywords: Medial paraclinoid internal carotid artery aneurysm, Coil embolization, Extradural unruptured aneurysm, Pituitary giant adenoma, Endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal surgery

Made available in DSpace on 2018-12-11T17:11:10Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2017-07-01 The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of therapeutic bandages, the Kinesio Taping Method (KTM), in controlling swelling following arthroscopic tibio-patellofemoral surgery in horses. In vivo experimental study was studied. Twelve horses undergoing experimental tibio-patellofemoral arthroscopy were divided into two groups: six animals in the control group (CG) (without tape) and six animals in the treatment group (TG) that received therapeutic bandages based on the KTM. All of the horses were evaluated by thermography of the lateral and cranial aspect of the joint as well as by a perimeter assessment of the tibio-patellofemoral joint. The TG showed greater control of postoperative swelling with a significant reduction in swelling after 24 hours of treatment compared to the CG staying up to 72 hours, but there were no significant differences in temperature based on the thermography. In this study, which was unprecedented in horses, the use of therapeutic bandages resulted in a significant reduction in postoperative swelling of tibio-patellofemoral arthroscopy in horses compared with CG. Although often employed in human rehabilitation, this therapy is potentially beneficial for veterinary rehabilitation, specifically in horses. Department of Surgery and Anaesthesiology of Large Animals Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science UNESP—São Paulo State University Department of Surgery and Anaesthesiology of Large Animals Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science UNESP—São Paulo State University

4-Hydroxy-2(or 5)-ethyl-5(or 2)-methyl-3(2H)-furanone (HEMF) is considered a key flavor compound in soy sauce. The compound has a caramel-like aroma and several important physiological activities, such as strong antioxidant activity. Here, we report the identification and characterization of an enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of HEMF in yeast. We fractionated yeast cell-free extract from Saccharomyces cerevisiae using column chromatography and partially purified a fraction with HEMF-forming activity. Peptide mass fingerprinting analysis showed that the partially purified fraction contains aldehyde reductase encoded by YNL134C. This reductase shares low sequence identity with enone oxidoreductase, which is responsible for the formation of 4-hydroxy-2,5-dimethyl-3(2H)-furanone (HDMF) and HEMF in plants. YNL134C was expressed heterologously in Escherichia coli, and the purified protein catalyzed the formation of HEMF from the mixture of Maillard reaction products, acetaldehydes, and NADPH. Multicopy expression in S. cerevisiae resulted in increased HEMF productivity, and gene knockout of YNL134C in S. cerevisiae resulted in decreased HEMF productivity. These data suggest that the translation product of YNL134C is the HEMF-producing enzyme in yeast. Detailed analyses of an intermediate in the enzymatic reaction mixture revealed that HEMF is synthesized from (2E)-2-ethylidene-4-hydroxy-5-methyl-3(2H)-furanone, which formed via Knoevenagel condensation between the acetaldehyde and 4-hydroxy-5-methyl-3(2H)-furanone derived from the Maillard reaction based on ribose and glycine, by YNL134Cp in an NADPH dependent manner. Overall, this study shed light on the molecular basis for the improvement of soy sauce flavor and the biotechnological production of HEMF.

We report the fluorescence spectra of ZrO2 and trivalent Ho-doped ZrO2 ceramics under ultraviolet (UV) excitation at 213, 266, and 355 nm wavelengths. The Ho3+-doped ZrO2 ceramics exhibited varying fluorescence color tones depending on the excitation wavelength used. The different color tones match the fluorescence spectrum characteristics at each excitation wavelength. Our results demonstrate that Ho3+-doped ZrO2 ceramics can discriminate between UV light, specifically the third, fourth, and fifth harmonics of a Nd:YAG laser. It can potentially be used for developing UV laser beam viewers to aid laser alignment.

Background The ACTS-CC 02 trial demonstrated that S-1 plus oxaliplatin (SOX) was not superior to tegafur-uracil and leucovorin (UFT/LV) in terms of disease-free survival (DFS) as adjuvant chemotherapy for high-risk stage III colon cancer (any T, N2, or positive nodes around the origin of the feeding arteries). We now report the final overall survival (OS) and subgroup analysis according to the pathological stage (TNM 7th edition) for treatment efficacy. Patients and methods Patients who underwent curative resection for pathologically confirmed high-risk stage III colon cancer were randomly assigned to receive either UFT/LV (300 mg/m2 of UFT and 75 mg/day of LV on days 1-28, every 35 days, five cycles) or SOX (100 mg/m2 of oxaliplatin on day 1 and 80 mg/m2/day of S-1 on days 1-14, every 21 days, eight cycles). The primary endpoint was DFS and the patients’ data were updated in February 2020. Results A total of 478 patients in the UFT/LV group and 477 patients in the SOX group were included in the final analysis. With a median follow-up time of 74.3 months, the 5-year DFS rate was 55.2% in the UFT/LV group and 58.1% in the SOX group [stratified hazard ratio (HR) 0.92; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.76-1.11; P = 0.3973], and the 5-year OS rates were 78.3% and 79.1%, respectively (stratified HR 0.97; 95% CI 0.76-1.24; P = 0.8175). In the subgroup analysis, the 5-year OS rates in patients with T4N2b disease were 51.0% and 64.1% in the UFT/LV and SOX groups, respectively (HR 0.72; 95% CI 0.40-1.31). Conclusion Our final analysis reconfirmed that SOX as adjuvant chemotherapy is not superior to UFT/LV in terms of DFS in patients with high-risk stage III colon cancer. The 5-year OS rate was similar in the UFT/LV and SOX groups., Highlights • This final analysis reconfirmed that SOX is not superior to UFT/LV in high-risk stage III colon cancer in terms of DFS. • With a median follow-up time of 74.3 months, the 5-year OS rate was similar in both groups. • The 5-year OS rates in patients with T4N2b disease were 51.0% and 64.1% in the UFT/LV and SOX groups, respectively.

Summary Caramel color is widely used in the food industry, and its many variations are generally considered to be safe. It has been known for a long time that THI (2-acetyl-4-(tetrahydroxybutyl)imidazole), a component of caramel color III, causes lymphopenia in animals through sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) lyase (S1PL) inhibition. However, this mechanism of action has not been fully validated because THI does not inhibit S1PL in vitro. To reconcile this situation, we examined molecular details of THI mechanism of action using "smaller" THI derivatives. We identified a bioactive derivative, A6770, which has the same lymphopenic effect as THI via S1PL inhibition. In the case of A6770 we observe this effect both in vitro and in vivo, and demonstrate that A6770 is phosphorylated and inhibits S1PL in the same way as 4-deoxypyridoxine. In addition, A6770 was detected in rat plasma following oral administration of THI, suggesting that A6770 is a key metabolic intermediate of THI.

Although considerable progress has been made in understanding how the temporal and regional control of neural progenitor cells (NPCs) dictates their fate, their key regulators during neural development are still unknown. Ghrelin, which is isolated from porcine stomach extract, is an endogenous ligand for the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R). The widespread expression of ghrelin and GHS-R in the central nervous system during development suggests that ghrelin may be involved in developmental neural growth. However, its role in regulating fetal NPCs is still unclear. In this study, we investigated the effects of ghrelin on primary cultured NPCs derived from fetal mouse telencephalon. The expressions of both ghrelin and its receptor were observed in NPCs using RT-PCR, immunoblotting and immunocytostaining. Interestingly, the exposure of fetal NPCs to ghrelin at concentrations of 10(-7) and 10(-9)M suppressed their proliferation, and caused them to differentiate into neurons and to extend neurites. These results strongly suggest that ghrelin plays an autocrine modulatory role in fetal neural development.

Voluntary muscle relaxation is an “active process” requiring cortical activation. However, cortical activation during motor imagery of muscle relaxation has not been well understood. The purpose of this study was to clarify time-dependent changes in corticospinal excitability during the imagery of muscle relaxation. Ten participants imagined volitional muscle relaxation from an imagined pinching with their right index finger and thumb in response to an auditory cue. Transcranial magnetic stimulation was applied at the left primary motor area of the first dorsal interosseous (FDI) muscle at different time intervals after the auditory cue. Motor evoked potentials (MEPs) were recorded from the right hand and forearm muscles. The MEP amplitudes of the FDI and the synergist temporally decreased after the auditory cue as compared with those present in the resting condition. Our finding indicates that motor imagery of muscle relaxation induces a temporal reduction of the corticospinal excitability related to the targeted muscle.

O/W emulsion is desirable to control the stability of oil droplets for the protection of bioactive lipophilic components during the storage and their targeted release in a gastrointestinal tract. In this study, we modified the surface properties of oil droplets larger than 10 μm in size by electrostatic layer-by-layer multicoatings using polyelectrolyte dietary fibers, aiming to control their stability. Monodisperse large oil droplets were prepared by microchannel emulsification using modified-lecithin as emulsifier. Chitosan (CHI) as a cationic dietary fiber and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) as an anionic fiber were alternately coated onto oil droplet surface. The ζ-potential of oil droplets was alternately changed, depending on the net charge of droplets dominated by the electrostatic property of the outer fiber layer. Multicoated oil droplets did not aggregate or coalescence in an emulsifier-free aqueous medium after two weeks storage at room temperature. When CHI was modified outer layer, oil droplets were unstable at high pH value (pH > 6), due to loss of CHI charge. When CMC was outer layer, the oil droplets showed good stability to aggregation in between pH 5 and 9, but aggregated at lower pH value (pH

Made available in DSpace on 2019-10-06T16:42:48Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2019-10-01 There are no previous reports of cranial meningocele in horses. In this report, we present the case of a 1-day-old male Quarter Horse that was born with a mass in the occipital region. The newborn was brought to the veterinary hospital, and a meningocele was diagnosed. The patient then underwent surgical closure of the defect. After an initial favorable response, the patient displayed signs of infection. The antibiotic therapy was changed, and the patient's condition improved. On the 13th postoperative day, the patient exhibited ataxia, difficulty standing, and limb hypertonia. Hydrocephalus was suspected, and a cerebrospinal puncture was performed. Because of the lack of improvement after the puncture and the high turbidity of the obtained fluid, bacterial encephalitis was suspected and antibiotic therapy restarted. The patient was euthanized on the 14th postoperative day when no response to therapy was observed. Postmortem tomography and magnetic resonance imaging showed dilation of the encephalic ventricles with the presence of gas. On necropsy, bacterial encephalitis was confirmed, and multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli was isolated. This case suggests that surgical treatment of meningocele in horses is feasible; however, infectious complications may limit the long-term therapeutic success. Department of Veterinary Surgery and Anesthesiology Large Animals Surgery School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) Department of Neurology Psychology and Psychiatry Neurosurgery Medical School of Botucatu (FMB) Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) Department of Animal Reproduction and Veterinary Radiology Diagnostic Imaging School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) Department of Veterinary Clinic Veterinary Pathology School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) Department of Veterinary Surgery and Anesthesiology Large Animals Surgery School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) Department of Neurology Psychology and Psychiatry Neurosurgery Medical School of Botucatu (FMB) Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) Department of Animal Reproduction and Veterinary Radiology Diagnostic Imaging School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) Department of Veterinary Clinic Veterinary Pathology School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP)

The sum of hydrophilic antioxidants of 23 vegetables and 13 fruits commonly consumed in Japan was evaluated by a modified hydrophilic-oxygen radical absorbance capacity (H-ORAC) method. The “typical vegetable” and “typical fruit” in Japan contained hydrophilic antioxidants that are equivalent to 6.95 and 12.23 μmol of Trolox per g of the edible portion, respectively, on average. Hence, the daily intake of hydrophilic antioxidants from vegetables and fruits was estimated to be 4423 μmol Trolox equivalent (TE)/d based on data of the National Health and Nutrition Survey in Japan. However, the biological significance of these antioxidant values has not yet been clarified. To address this issue, our data will provide a foundation for high-quality epidemiological studies aimed at elucidating the relationship between daily intake of antioxidants and health. In addition, the comparison of the results of the H-ORAC assay with those of polyphenol content and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay was also studied. The H-ORAC values had a strong positive correlation with polyphenol contents ( r = 0.956), and were 1.0–18.2-times higher than the antioxidant capacities evaluated by the DPPH assay.

The close relationship between guttural pouches, cranial nerves, and sympathetic structures make neurologic abnormalities due to diseases of the guttural pouches (especially mycosis) possible. Recognition of epistaxis or mucopurulent nasal discharge, together with signs of dysfunction of the cranial nerves in contact with the guttural pouches, are important key points in order to consider a comprehensive evaluation of these structures and further definitive diagnosis. Diseases of the guttural pouches can also cause signs such as dysphagia, abnormal soft palate positioning, laryngeal paralysis, and Horner syndrome due to lesions in one or more of the cranial nerves or sympathetic structures involved with these functions. Therefore, an accurate diagnosis is essential for treatment.

Aspergillus oryzae AB390, a derivative of A. oryzae OR101, was found to be suitable for soy sauce production, yielding a product light brown in color. Compared to the parent strain, hemicellulase and cellulase activities in the mutant were higher; however, its amylase activity was found to be much lower. To determine the cause of these differences, the enzymatic profile change, as a function of the carbon source in submerged cultures, was examined. Amylase activity in AB390 was hardly detectable and not affected by the carbon source utilized. In the absence of starch where glucose could not be generated, hemicellulase and cellulase activities in both the parent and mutant were the same. A nonsense mutation was found in the upstream region of the putative transactivation domain of the transcriptional activator of the amylolytic genes, amyR in AB390. Complementation of AB390 with the wild-type amyR reduced hemicellulase and cellulase activities and increased amylase activity in soy sauce koji, the mold responsible for giving soy sauce. Northern analysis and two-dimensional (2-D) electrophoresis indicated that the unique enzymatic profile of AB390 was regulated transcriptionally. The results suggested that the loss of amyR function indirectly affected the production of hemicellulolytic and cellulolytic enzymes, likely through a carbon catabolite repression-mediated control.

Polysiloxane-modified silica hybrid particles were synthesized by hydrolysis and subsequent polycondensation of phenyltrimethoxysilane in the presence of colloidal silica at above 220 °C. The process variables include pH of the colloid, [silica]/[phenyltrimethoxysilane] molar ratio, reaction temperature, and reaction time. The products were characterized by solvent extraction, TGA, GPC, TEM, and 29Si NMR. The degree of surface modification (DOM) ranged between 5 and 35 wt.% by tuning the process variables when a neutral colloid was used. On the other hand, the DOM proved to be strongly dependent on temperature and becomes essentially zero when the synthesis was conducted with an acidic colloid at temperatures as high as 350 °C. TEM analysis suggested that each silica particle was surface modified resulting in minimal aggregation of the particles. The hybridization mechanism was studied by the DOM and the molecular weight of ungrafted polysiloxane.

A catalyst-free silicone synthetic process that uses high temperature and pressure water for the hydrolysis and subsequent polycondensation of alkoxysilanes is demonstrated. Polyorganosiloxanes with various structural units including RSiO3/2 (R: methyl and phenyl), Me2SiO2/2, and SiO4/2 were synthesized without organic solvent at temperatures between 200 and 300 °C. The driving force of the present catalyst-free reaction seems to be both high Kw of subcritical water and high reaction temperature. The synthesis depended on the pressure in a reactor because equilibrium is present between the polycondensation of phenyltrimethoxysilane yielding poly(phenylsilsesquioxane) (PPSQ) and depolymerization of PPSQ. The molecular weight of PPSQ decreased as the pressure increases above the pressure threshold ranging between approximately 3 and 7 MPa. It is notable that the molecular weight of PPSQ increased by employing a modified reaction system where non-heated narrow tubing was connected with the heated reactor. Advantageous features of this new process include (1) high product yield within quite shorter process time, (2) easiness of the product isolation, and (3) no contamination of volatile organic compounds in the product due to the organic solvent-free in nature. These may lead to developing an environmentally friendly polyorganosiloxanes manufacturing process.

Activity-dependent neurotrophic protein (ADNP) was discovered as a novel response gene for vasoactive intestinal polypeptide. We have reported that PACAP strongly stimulated ADNP mRNA expression in a mouse neuron/glial cell culture; however, the distribution of ADNP in the brain and its possible co-expression with the PACAP receptor (PAC1R) are unknown. In this study, the specificity of the ADNP antibody used in subsequent immunohistochemistry experiments was first characterized. Mouse brain lysates were analysed by Western blot, with an ADNP-immunopositive signal corresponding to the expected molecular weight of ADNP detected as a 124 kDa band. Immunohistochemical staining to identify ADNP and PAC1R immunoreactivity in mouse brain was then performed. ADNP immunoreactive cells were observed in the cerebral cortex, cerebellum, hippocampus, and medial septum of brain slices. ADNP-immunoreactive cells in the cerebral cortex were multi-polar-shaped and co-immunostained with the astrocyte marker, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). ADNP-immunoreactive cells in the cerebellum were found to surround Purkinje cells and showed GFAP immunoreactivity. On the other hand, ADNP-immunoreactive cells in the hippocampus and septum were round in shape and co-immunostained with the neuron marker, neuron-specific enorase. All of the ADNP-immunopositive cells co-localized with PAC1R immunoreactivity. These observations suggest that ADNP is expressed in both astrocytes and neurons, and that ADNP expression may be regulated by PACAP.

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) is known to participate in the regulation of neuronal proliferation and differentiation. While these processes are considered to be mediated via PACAP's actions on the PACAP-specific receptor, PAC1R, the precise distribution of PAC1R during neurodevelopment has not yet to be elucidated in detail. The purpose of this study is to examine the distribution of PAC1R in the neurogenic region of the rostral migratory stream (RMS) from the apical subventricular zone (SVZa) to the olfactory bulb (OB) in infant mice using immunostaining. Co-immunostaining for PAC1R in a variety types of cell were carried out using different markers. These included the neural stem cell markers, nestin and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), a marker for migrating neuroblasts (doublecortin, DCX), a marker for immature neurons betaIII-tubulin, (Tuj1), and a marker for mature neurons, neuronal nuclei (NeuN). PAC1R-like immunoreactivity (LI) was observed in the RMS. However, the intensity of PAC1R- LI was different depending on the regions which were investigated. PAC1R-LI was strong in nestin- and GFAP-positive cells in the SVZa and was also observed in NeuN-positive cells in the OB. However, the intensities of PAC1R-LI in DCX- and Tuj1-positive cells were weaker than the other markers. These results suggest that PACAP may participate in the neurodevelopment with the stage-specific expression of PAC1R and that PACAP plays important roles in neurons as well as in glial cells.

Estrogen is known as a major risk factor in tumorigenesis of the endometrium. The aim of this study is to establish stable estrogen-responsive endometrial cancer cell lines and to investigate the mechanism of estrogen action, focusing on cell-cycle regulation. Human wild-type estrogen receptor cDNA was transfected into endometrial cancer cells (Ishikawa) and estrogen-responsive cell lines were cloned. Their estrogen responsiveness was evaluated by the effect of estrogen on cellular growth and progesterone receptor expression. It was quantitatively estimated by immunocytochemistry or immunoblotting how the expression of cell-cycle regulators such as cyclin D1, cyclin E, Cyclin A, p53, p21 and p27 was regulated by estrogen. A cell line stably responsive to estrogen was established, and cells proliferated and the glandular structure was formed by estrogen stimulation. Cyclin D1 expression increased at 6-24h and cyclin A gradually increased until 48h of estrogen treatment compared with untreated cells. On the other hand, p53 and p21 expressions decreased at 6-24h, and p27 gradually decreased until 24h by estrogen. Our results show that the stimulatory effect of estrogen on cell proliferation may be regulated by the up-regulation of cyclin D1 and cyclin A, and down-regulation of p53, p21 and p27. This cell line is useful to clarify the molecular mechanism of estrogen action on endometrial cancer.

Objectives Immunochemical therapy combining cytokines and chemotherapeutic agents is expected to be effective for treating advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC). We investigated the mechanism underlying the synergism of interferon-α (IFN-α) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and the effect of p53 status on the synergy of the combined therapy in RCC cell lines. Methods The synergy of IFN-α and 5-FU was analyzed by isobolographic analysis in five RCC cell lines. The effect of combined treatment on apoptosis induction was measured by flow cytometric analysis, Hoechst staining, and caspase activity assay; PCNA expression was investigated by Western blotting to examine the effect of combined treatment on the antiproliferative effect. Results We demonstrated synergy of IFN-α and 5-FU in five RCC cell lines with wild-type p53. IFN-α suppressed the proliferation of RCC cells via G1 or G2/M cell cycle arrest without inducing apoptosis, whereas 5-FU induced apoptosis in a dosage-dependent manner. IFN-α enhanced the apoptosis of RCC cells induced by 5-FU, whereas 5-FU did not increase the antiproliferative effect of IFN-α. However, the synergistic inhibition by IFN-α and 5-FU was abolished when the cell lines were transfected with p53 dominant-negative vector. Conclusions The synergy of IFN-α and 5-FU requires p53 activity, suggesting that p53 status may serve as a predictive factor for response to the combination therapy. Because metastatic RCC frequently has p53 mutations, therapy restoring p53 may markedly improve the response rate of immunochemical therapy combining IFN-α and 5-FU.

Neural development is controlled by region-specific factors that regulate cell proliferation, migration and differentiation. Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) is a neuropeptide that exerts a wide range of effects on different cell types in the brain as early as the fetal stage. Here we review current knowledge concerning several aspects of PACAP expression in embryonic and neonatal neural tissue: (i) the distribution of PACAP and PACAP receptors mRNA in the developing brain; (ii) the characteristic generation of neurons, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes in brain areas where the PACAP receptor is expressed and (iii) the role of PACAP as a regulator of neural development, inducing differentiation and proliferation in association with other trophic factors or signal transduction molecules.

Objectives We conducted a collaborative cohort study to evaluate the predictive power of microvolt T-wave alternans (TWA) in patients with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) after myocardial infarction (MI). Background There is little information available about the prognostic value of risk stratification markers in this population. Although these patients have a relatively good prognosis, identifying high-risk patients is important in clinical practice. Methods This study enrolled 1,041 post-MI patients with an LVEF ≥40% (average 55 ± 10%). Microvolt TWA testing was performed 48 ± 66 days after acute MI, and 10 other risk variables were also evaluated. The end points were prospectively defined as sudden cardiac death or life-threatening arrhythmic events. Results During a follow-up of 32 ± 14 months, 38 patients (3.7%) died of nonarrhythmic causes and were not considered for analysis. Of the 1,003 evaluable patients, 18 (1.8%) reached an end point. Microvolt TWA was positive in 169 patients (17%), negative in 747 (74%), and indeterminate in 87 (9%). A positive microvolt TWA test, nonsustained ventricular tachycardia, and ventricular late potentials were predictors of events, and percutaneous coronary intervention decreased the risk rate. On multivariate analysis, a positive microvolt TWA test was the most significant predictor, with a hazard ratio of 19.7 (p Conclusions In patients with preserved cardiac function, the incidence of indeterminate results of microvolt TWA is low, and a positive test result is associated with arrhythmic events. Microvolt TWA could be used for risk stratification in this low-risk population.