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Aim: Our previous study proposed a technique of inserting gauze coated with oxytetracycline–hydrocortisone ointment into the extraction socket that suppressed the occurrence of dry socket and post‐extraction pain compared with the gauze‐free group. In this study, we estimated the incidence of dry socket and post‐extraction infection in patients with ointment gauze insertion and identified predictors of post‐extraction pain and change in maximum opening volume. Methods: This retrospective study was carried out on patients who underwent lower third molar extraction in the Department of Oral Surgery at a general hospital in Japan. Results: The incidence of dry socket and infection after tooth extraction was 1.05% and 0.35%. The mean visual analog scale (VAS) on the operative day was 4.15; the VAS for postoperative day (POD)1 and POD7 were 2.28 and 0.55, respectively. The percentage change in maximum mouth opening on POD1 was −9.88%, and that on POD7 was −1.51%. Multivariable analysis indicated that age and Winter position classification were predictors of POD1 VAS, and female sex, smoking, and Winter position classification were predictors of POD7 VAS. Winter position classification and preoperative maximum mouth opening, respectively, were identified as predictors of maximum mouth opening percent change on POD1 and POD7. Conclusions: The insertion of gauze coated with oxytetracycline–hydrocortisone ointment into the extraction socket of the mandibular third molar showed a low incidence of dry socket and post‐extraction infection. Moreover, the Winter position classification was suggested to be an independent predictor of postoperative pain and the maximum mouth opening percent change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Uniform quality of cooked foods regardless of its position in the pot is desirable. However, there are no research about the effect of cooking scale on the flow and water temperature distribution. This study investigated the effects of the weight and the presence of food on the water temperature distribution and flow during cooking. Using nylon cylinders with thermophysical properties similar to those of root vegetables, the water temperature near the inner surface of the pot was measured. The water temperature and flow were simulated with 2D models based on the finite element method. The water temperature was highly uniform at a total weight of 20 kg than at 3 kg due to the greater convection and faster flow velocity. The water flow velocity was lower with nylon cylinders than in its absence and decreases with decreasing sample size. This study demonstrates the usefulness of combining simulations with nylon cylinders. Practical applications: The evaluation of temperature distribution and water flow during cooking is important for ensuring uniform quality of products in a pot. Particularly, it is important to evaluate the effect of cooking scale, presence of food and ingredient size. However, the experimental verification of large‐scale cooking is costly and time‐consuming. This study shows the usefulness of combining computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation with the nylon cylinders having thermophysical properties similar to those of root vegetables as food analogs. The CFD analysis revealed that increasing cooking scale increases the water flow velocity and uniformity of water temperature. This result should be considered in the actual large‐scale cooking of prototypes, which are tested at small scale, for example, in laboratories. Furthermore, small‐sized foods hinder the flow and cause uneven water temperature distribution. The findings suggest that sample size affects the temperature and uniformity in quality of cooked products in a pot. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The KEGG database and analysis tools (https://www.kegg.jp) have been developed mostly for understanding genes and genomes of cellular organisms. The KO (KEGG Orthology) dataset, which is a collection of functional orthologs, plays the role of linking genes in the genome to pathways and other molecular networks, enabling KEGG mapping to uncover hidden features in the genome. Although viruses were part of KEGG for some time, they were not fully integrated in the KEGG analysis tools, because the KO assignment rate is very low for virus genes. To supplement KOs a new dataset named virus ortholog clusters (VOCs) is computationally generated, covering 90% of viral proteins in KEGG. VOCs can be used, in place of KOs, for taxonomy mapping to uncover relationships of sequence similarity groups and taxonomic groups and for identifying conserved gene orders in virus genomes. Furthermore, selected VOCs are used to define tentative KOs for characterizing protein functions. Here an overview of KEGG tools is presented focusing on these extensions for viral protein analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aujeszky's disease virus (ADV), also known as Suid alphaherpesvirus 1, which mainly infects swine, causes life‐threatening neurological disorders. This disease is a serious global risk factor for economic losses in the swine industry. The development of new anti‐ADV drugs is highly anticipated and required. Natto, a traditional Japanese fermented food made from soybeans, is a well‐known health food. In our previous study, we confirmed that natto has the potential to inhibit viral infections by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 and bovine alphaherpesvirus 1 through their putative serine protease(s). In this study, we found that an agent(s) in natto functionally impaired ADV infection in cell culture assays. In addition, ADV treated with natto extract lost viral infectivity in the mice. We conducted an HPLC gel‐filtration analysis of natto extract and molecular weight markers and confirmed that Fraction No. 10 had ADV‐inactivating ability. Furthermore, the antiviral activity of Fraction No. 10 was inhibited by the serine protease inhibitor 4‐(2‐Aminoethyl) benzene sulfonyl fluoride hydrochloride (AEBSF). These results also suggest that Fraction No. 10, adjacent to the 12.5 kDa peak of the marker in natto extract, may inactivate ADV by proteolysis. Our findings provide new avenues of research for the prevention of Aujeszky's disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiple‐site optical recordings with NK2761, a voltage‐sensitive absorption dye, were applied to the embryonic chick olfactory system, and the functional development of olfactory nerve (N.I)‐related neural circuits was examined in the forebrain. The stimulation of the N. I elicited neural responses in N.I‐olfactory bulb (OB)‐forebrain preparations at the embryonic 8–12 day (E8‐E12) stages. At the E11 stage, we functionally identified two circuits projecting from the OB to the forebrain. The first circuit passed through the ventral side of the forebrain and spread in the dorso‐caudal direction, whereas the second circuit passed through the dorsal side to the first circuit. Pharmacological experiments showed that N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate (NMDA) receptor function was more significant for the transfer of sensory information in these circuits. The functional development of N.I‐related circuits was investigated, and the results obtained revealed that the ventral circuit was generated earlier than the dorsal circuit. Neural responses in the ventral circuit were detected from the E9 stage in normal physiological solution and the E8 stage in Mg2+‐free solution, which activated NMDA receptor function. At the E10 stage, neural responses in the dorsal circuit were clearly recognised in addition to ventral responses. We attempted to identify possible candidates for relay nuclei in the forebrain by comparing contour line maps of the optical signal amplitude with previously reported neuroanatomical data. The results suggest that N.I‐related neural circuits from the periphery to the subpallium functionally mature earlier than those to the pallium during ontogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The balance between proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis is well‐coordinated in spermatogenesis for the timely production of appropriate numbers of sperm in animals. Disruption or decrease in sperm production is due to many conditions, including changes in testicular cell fate balance. Interspecies hybridization of domestic yaks and cattle results in sterility in males because of spermatogenic arrest; however, the underlying mechanisms involved in sterility are still unclear. In the present study, we investigated the proliferation and apoptosis status during the development of yaks and crossbred cattle‐yaks using immunohistochemistry of proliferating cell nuclear antigen and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase‐mediated dUTP nick end labelling assays. Testicular tissues from yaks (immature: 1 year old, mature: 2–3 years old) and backcrossed hybrids (2 year old) were collected and used to investigate the expression of each parameter in testicular cells. During the maturation of yak testes, proliferation and apoptosis became active only in spermatogenic cells, and not in other somatic cells, such as Sertoli cells, myoid cells and Leydig cells. Furthermore, hybrid cattle‐yak testes maintained proliferation ability but less apoptotic ability in spermatogenic cells when compared to yaks of the same age, suggesting that normal spermatogenic cell fate control is disrupted by changes in the balance between proliferation and apoptosis. In addition, Leydig cell proliferation rate was higher than apoptosis rate in the cattle‐yak testes, indicating an increased number of Leydig cells, which may affect spermatogenesis through changes in steroidogenesis. Although epigenetic changes may be involved in cattle‐yak testes, further studies are needed to clarify the modulation of proliferation and apoptosis to elucidate the mechanisms of infertility in hybrid cattle‐yak males. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Salivary duct carcinoma (SDC) is a high‐grade salivary malignancy that frequently occurs as the carcinomatous component of carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma. We herein examined the clinical factors affecting outcomes in a large cohort of SDC. Methods: We selected 304 SDC cases and investigated clinical characteristics and the factors affecting outcomes. Results: The median age of the cases examined was 68 years, the most common primary site was the parotid gland (238 cases), and there was a male predominance (M/F = 5:1). Outcomes were significantly worse when the primary tumor site was the minor salivary glands (SG) than when it was the major SG. Outcomes were also significantly worse in pN(+) cases (161 cases) than in pN0 cases, particularly those with a metastatic lymph node number ≥11. The cumulative incidence of relapse and distant metastases was significantly higher in stage IV cases than in stage 0–III cases. Conclusions: The absolute number of lymph node metastases, higher stages, and the minor SG as the primary tumor site were identified as factors affecting the outcome of SDC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the interspecies hybridization of bovids, such as cattle–yak (Bos taurus × Bos grunniens), has heterosis benefits, the infertility of hybrid males affects the maintenance of dominant traits in subsequent generations. To achieve reproductive capacity, male germ cell development requires coordinated changes in gene expression, including DNA methylation and generalized histone modifications. Although gene expression‐related mechanisms underlying hybrid male sterility have been investigated recently, information on the cell types and stage‐specific controls remains limited. Here, we used immunohistochemistry and image analyses to evaluate the 5‐methylcytosine (5MC) and acetyl‐histone H3 Lys9 (AcK9) expression in all spermatogonia and testicular somatic cell types to determine their roles in cattle–yak spermatogenesis. Testicular tissues from yak (1–3 years old) and backcrossed hybrids (2 years old) were used. In yak, the AcK9 expression levels increased in all cell types during maturation, but the 5MC expression levels did not change until reaching 3 years when they increased in all testicular cell types, except spermatogonia. Cattle–yak hybrids showed higher 5MC expression levels and different AcK9 expression levels in all cell types compared to the same‐aged yak. These results suggested that both gene modulation by AcK9 and constant levels of DNA methylation are required for spermatogenesis during maturation in yak. Therefore, inappropriate expression levels of both AcK9 and DNA methylation might be the major factors for disruption of normal germ cell development in cattle–yak. Additionally, various modulations occurred depending on the cell type. Further experiments are needed to identify the stage‐specific gene expression modulations in each cell type in yak and cattle–yak to potentially solve the infertility issue in crossbreeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In contrast to artificial intelligence and machine learning approaches, KEGG (https://www.kegg.jp) has relied on human intelligence to develop "models" of biological systems, especially in the form of KEGG pathway maps that are manually created by capturing knowledge from published literature. The KEGG models can then be used in biological big data analysis, for example, for uncovering systemic functions of an organism hidden in its genome sequence through the simple procedure of KEGG mapping. Here we present an updated version of KEGG Mapper, a suite of KEGG mapping tools reported previously (Kanehisa and Sato, Protein Sci 2020; 29:28–35), together with the new versions of the KEGG pathway map viewer and the BRITE hierarchy viewer. Significant enhancements have been made for BRITE mapping, where the mapping result can be examined by manipulation of hierarchical trees, such as pruning and zooming. The tree manipulation feature has also been implemented in the taxonomy mapping tool for linking KO (KEGG Orthology) groups and modules to phenotypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To evaluate whether the long‐term usage of mirabegron, which was reported to have potential side effects on male reproductive organs in animal studies, was harmful to spermatogenesis in human testis. Methods: Thirty consecutive patients with spinal cord injury (20‐48 years old) who performed clean intermittent catheterization were involved in this study. Ten patients were treated with mirabegron (50 mg/d) for more than 2 years and refrained from using an antimuscarinic agent due to the side effects of constipation and dry mouth. Twenty patients were treated with neither anticholinergic agents nor mirabegron. All underwent conventional testicular sperm extraction. The sperm recovery rate and histopathologic findings of the retrieved testicular tissue were compared between both groups. Results: We found no difference in the sperm recovery rate (P =.083) between both groups. Spinal cord injury patients treated with mirabegron had better spermatogenesis than those not treated with mirabegron (P <.05). Conclusions: From these data, we conclude that the therapeutic dose of mirabegron had no harmful effect on spermatogenesis in spinal cord injury patients of reproductive age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Follicular changes throughout the oestrous phase have been poorly documented in queens because of the location and the small size of ovaries. We investigated follicular development in queens treated with a combination of equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and evaluated the effects of vaginal stimulation by a tomcat on ovulation induction. A hormonal treatment was administered using a simple crossover design. Four queens were administered 150 IU of eCG (day 1) and 250 IU of hCG on day 5 and 6. Half of the queens were mated with a vasectomised tomcat for 3 days after hCG injection. Ultrasound imaging of the ovaries clamped at a subcutaneous site was performed once a day from day 1 to 7, and on day 13, and the serum concentrations of oestradiol and progesterone were examined on day 1, 5, 7 and 13. The mean number of follicles gradually increased with the eCG treatment and decreased after hCG injection. The ovulation rate of follicles was significantly higher in the vaginal stimulation group (70.0%) than in the control group (42.6%). During the hormonal treatments, the serum concentration of oestradiol and progesterone did not differ between the two groups. Ultrasound imaging of the ovaries clamped at a subcutaneous site showed that eCG and hCG treatment promoted the follicular growth and corpus luteum formation, respectively. The combination of hCG injection with vaginal stimulation by a vasectomised tomcat enhanced the ovulation rate of follicles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) is globally rampant, and to curb the growing burden of this disease, in‐depth knowledge about its pathophysiology is needed. This was an observational study conducted at a single center to investigate serum cytokine and chemokine levels of COVID‐19 patients, based on disease severity. We included 72 consecutive COVID‐19 patients admitted to our hospital from March 21 to August 31, 2020. Patients were divided into Mild‐Moderate I (mild) and Moderate II‐Severe (severe) groups based on the COVID‐19 severity classification developed by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) of Japan. We compared the patient characteristics as well as the serum cytokine and chemokine levels on the day of admission between the two groups. Our findings indicated that the severe group had significantly higher levels of serum fibrinogen, d‐dimer, lactate dehydrogenase, C‐reactive protein, ferritin, Krebs von den Lungen‐6, surfactant protein (SP)‐D, and SP‐A than the mild group. Strikingly, the levels of interleukin (IL)‐28A/interferon (IFN)‐λ2 were significantly lower in the severe group than in the mild group. We believe that reduced levels of type III interferons (IFN‐λs) and alterations in the levels of other cytokines and chemokines may impact the severity of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hamster is useful for the study of male reproductive biology. However, unlike in the mouse and rat, the gross structure of seminiferous tubules in the hamster is largely unknown. The aim of the present study was to clarify the precise 3‐dimensional (3D) structure of seminiferous tubules in hamsters. We reconstructed all seminiferous tubules in 3 and 1 testes from 0‐day (P0) and 10‐week (adult) Syrian hamsters, respectively, using serial paraffin sections and high‐performance 3D reconstruction software. In P0 hamsters, the average numbers of seminiferous tubules, terminating points, branching points, and blind ends per testis were 9.0, 89.7, 93.0, and 0.7, respectively. There were two types of tubules: shorter and dominant ones. The dominant tubules, 2–4 in number per testis and accounting for 86% of the total tubule length, had many terminating and branching points and appeared to be derived from the anastomosis of many shorter tubules. In an adult hamster, there were 11 seminiferous tubules with a total length of 22 m, 98 terminating points, 88 branching points, and 2 blind ends per testis. Three of the 11 tubules were dominant ones, accounting for 83% of the total length, and occupied the testis from the surface over the circumference to the center, while the others were short and occupied only one side of the testis. The amplitude and direction of the curves of tubules were random, and there were no funnel‐shaped networks of tubules present, in contrast to the mouse testis. The present study revealed the 3D structure of seminiferous tubules in developing and adult Syrian hamsters, which is different from that in mice and rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The effect of the type of implant superstructure on oral health‐related quality of life (OHRQoL) among edentulous patients remains controversial. Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate the association between the type of implant superstructure and OHRQoL. Materials and Methods: Seventy‐two completely edentulous patients who received implant fixed complete dentures (IFCDs) or implant overdentures (IODs) were administered the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP) questionnaire during the post‐treatment maintenance period. The OHIP summary score, as well as the four dimension scores, were calculated to evaluate OHRQoL. Results: The mean OHIP summary score for the IFCD group tended to be lower than that for the IOD group, but this difference was not statistically significant (19.9 ± 21.9, 22.8 ± 18.2, respectively; P =.57). However, a significant group difference was found in the four dimension scores (P <.01), with the OHIP item scores representing masticatory function being significantly lower in the IFCD group than in the IOD group (P <.05). Conclusions: Our results suggested that patients with an IOD exhibited comparable OHRQoL to those with an IFCD, with the exception of perceived masticatory function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Mongolia, yak (Bos grunniens) are able to live in alpine areas and their products greatly influence the lives of the local people. Increased vigour in hybridized yak and cattle can offer benefits for livestock farmers. However, male hybrids show reproductive defects resulting from spermatogenesis arrest, affecting the conservation and maintenance of dominant traits in the next generation. The underlying mechanisms involved in hybrid cattle–yak infertility have recently been investigated; however, the genetic cause is still unclear. Androgens and androgen receptor (AR) signalling are required for spermatogenesis. We, therefore, evaluated the expression of AR, 3β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3βHSD) and 5α‐reductase 2 (SRD5A2) in Leydig cells to investigate their function in cattle–yak spermatogenesis. Testicular tissues from yaks (1–3 years old) and hybrids (F1–F3, 2 years old) were collected and subjected to immunohistochemistry and image analyses to investigate the expression of each parameter in the Leydig cells. After maturation at 2 years, the expression levels of AR increased and the levels of 3βHSD decreased, but the SRD5A2 levels remained constant in yak. However, the cattle–yak hybrid F2 showed immature testicular development and significantly different expression levels of AR and 3βHSD compared with mature yak. These results suggest that the decreased expression of AR and increased expression of 3βHSD in the Leydig cells of cattle–yak hybrid testes may represent one of the causes of infertility. Our study might help in solving the problem of infertility in crossbreeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

KEGG is a reference knowledge base for biological interpretation of large‐scale molecular datasets, such as genome and metagenome sequences. It accumulates experimental knowledge about high‐level functions of the cell and the organism represented in terms of KEGG molecular networks, including KEGG pathway maps, BRITE hierarchies, and KEGG modules. By the process called KEGG mapping, a set of protein coding genes in the genome, for example, can be converted to KEGG molecular networks enabling interpretation of cellular functions and other high‐level features. Here we report a new version of KEGG Mapper, a suite of KEGG mapping tools available at the KEGG website (https://www.kegg.jp/ or https://www.genome.jp/kegg/), together with the KOALA family tools for automatic assignment of KO (KEGG Orthology) identifiers used in the mapping. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Depression has major negative consequences for individuals and society, and psychological assessment tools for early disease detection are needed. The aim of this study was to investigate the reliability and validity of an updated Japanese version of the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI‐J) and set a cut‐off score for the detection of depression. Methods: The participants consisted of 465 children and adolescents aged 7–17 years. The control (CON) groups consisted of students recruited from elementary and junior‐high school (CONEJ) and children recruited from among hospital staff members (CONRE), while the outpatient clinical (OPC) groups consisted of pediatric psychosomatic outpatients (OPCPD) and adolescent psychiatric outpatients (OPCPS). The CON and OPC CDI‐J scores underwent factor analysis using varimax rotation, followed by measurement invariance analysis. The Youth Self‐Report (YSR) was administered to assess concurrent validity. The Mini‐International Neuropsychiatric Interview was administered to the OPC group to diagnose current depressive symptoms. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis was conducted to evaluate case‐finding performance and to set cut‐off points for the detection of depression. Results: The CDI‐J was reliable in terms of internal consistency (Cronbach α = 0.86; mean inter‐item correlation, 0.16). Re‐test reliability was substantial (mean interval 18 days: γ = 0.59, P < 0.05). The four‐factor solution exhibited adequate internal consistency (range, 0.52–0.73) and correspondence (Pearson correlation of 0.65 with the YSR) for both the CON and OPC groups. On ROC analysis the optimal cut‐off score was 23/24. Conclusion: The CDI‐J can be used as a reliable and well‐validated instrument alongside standard diagnostic procedures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key Clinical Message: In our case reports, we mentioned about the utility of NPPV therapy in addition to standard pharmacologic therapy for acute asthma exacerbations in pregnant women with dyspnea and hypoxemia compared with that of oxygen therapy alone. Careful patient selection and clinicians' NPPV experience are crucial in optimizing patient outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Fractional exhaled nitric oxide concentration (FeNO) is widely used to support diagnosis and monitoring of bronchial asthma (BA). Tsoukias and George proposed a two‐compartment model (2CM) for assessing the alveolar concentration of NO, referred to as CANO(2CM), while Condorelli et al proposed a model based on the trumpet shape of the airway tree and axial diffusion (TMAD), referred to as CANO(TMAD). In addition, Högman et al proposed non‐linear model, referred to as CANO(non‐linear). Objective: We examined associations between the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) mRNA in airway cells (ACs) by bronchoscopy and NO‐parameters calculated by the three methods and identified which of them accurately reflected expression of iNOSmRNA from different airway portions. Methods: We retrospectively analysed data of 18 patients with stable, mild‐moderate asthma, including 10 steroid‐naïve BA (snBA) patients. Samples were obtained from airway brushings and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). Expressions of iNOS protein in tissue samples were evaluated by immunostaining. The iNOSmRNA in ACs was measured by qPCR. NO‐parameters calculated by the three methods above and evaluated whether they were associated with iNOSmRNA in ACs derived from proximal (2nd carina), distal (10‐15th) airways and alveolar regions. Results: Immunostaining revealed expression of iNOS proteins mainly in epithelial cells in the airways, while it was mainly expressed in macrophages in the alveolar region in the snBA group. The iNOSmRNA expression was increased in both proximal and distal ACs in the snBA group compared with steroid‐treated BA group (stBA). CANO(2CM) negatively associated with FEV1 (%predicted) and also associated with iNOSmRNA in distal ACs significantly. However, CANO(TMAD) and CANO(non‐linear) showed no correlation with lung function nor iNOSmRNA expression in any portions of ACs. Conclusions: These results suggested that CANO(2CM) reflected distal airway inflammation in steroid‐naïve asthma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Facial motor neurons of the rat embryo are first generated in rhombomere 4 and then migrate in the caudo‐ventral direction. This migration forms a unique axonal trajectory called the genu, a loop of facial motor axons around the abducens nucleus. It is still unclear when and how this unique structure is functionally established during ontogenesis. Using voltage‐sensitive dye (VSD) recording and the DiI staining method, we identified neural responses evoked by facial nerve (N.VII) stimulation and examined developmental processes of the facial motor nucleus in E12‐E17 rat brainstems. We identified two types of fast spike‐like signals; a long‐duration signal, which corresponded to the action potential in the N.VII soma, and a short‐duration signal, which reflected the action potential in the N.VII axons. The long‐duration signal was detected as early as E13, suggesting that the N.VII motor neuron is already excitable at the beginning of cell migration. The response area of the long‐duration signal extended caudally at E13‐E14, and shifted in a ventral direction at E15. At E16‐E17, the long‐duration signal was concentrated in the caudo‐ventral area, which was comparable to the location of the facial motor nucleus in the adult rat brainstem. These results demonstrate that developmental processes of cell migration and nuclear organization can be visualized and identified functionally with the VSD recording. We discuss the results by comparing functiogenesis and morphogenesis of the N.VII pathway. Appling voltage‐sensitive dye recording and the DiI staining method to the embryonic rat brainstem, we examined functiogenesis/morphogenesis of the facial motor system. Stimulation of the facial nerve elicited a long‐duration signal, which reflected the activity in the soma, and a short‐duration signal, which was associated with the axonal pathway. By examining the spatiotemporal patterns of these signals, we elucidated the developmental dynamics and functional organization of the facial motor nucleus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: N‐myristoylation and S‐acylation promote protein membrane association, allowing regulation of membrane proteins. However, how widespread this targeting mechanism is in plant signaling processes remains unknown. Through bioinformatics analyses, we determined that among plant protein kinase families, the occurrence of motifs indicative for dual lipidation by N‐myristoylation and S‐acylation is restricted to only five kinase families, including the Ca2+‐regulated CDPK‐SnRK and CBL protein families. We demonstrated N‐myristoylation of CDPK‐SnRKs and CBLs by incorporation of radiolabeled myristic acid. We focused on CPK6 and CBL5 as model cases and examined the impact of dual lipidation on their function by fluorescence microscopy, electrophysiology and functional complementation of Arabidopsis mutants. We found that both lipid modifications were required for proper targeting of CBL5 and CPK6 to the plasma membrane. Moreover, we identified CBL5–CIPK11 complexes as phosphorylating and activating the guard cell anion channel SLAC1. SLAC1 activation by CPK6 or CBL5–CIPK11 was strictly dependent on dual lipid modification, and loss of CPK6 lipid modification prevented functional complementation of cpk3 cpk6 guard cell mutant phenotypes. Our findings establish the general importance of dual lipid modification for Ca2+ signaling processes, and demonstrate their requirement for guard cell anion channel regulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Aim: A good fit between an individual's personality traits and job characteristics motivates employees, and thus enhances their work behavior. However, how nurses’ personality traits and their environmental characteristics relate to nurses’ engagement in workplace learning, which improves their competence, has not been investigated. The aim of this study was to investigate how nurses’ personality traits, environmental characteristics, and workplace learning were related to nursing competence. Methods: A cross‐sectional survey design was used. Questionnaires were distributed to 1167 Japanese registered nurses. Multiple regression analysis was used to examine the relationships between nurses’ personality traits, the environmental characteristics, the nurses’ engagement in workplace learning, and their competence. Results: A total of 315 nurses returned questionnaires (i.e., a return rate of 27.0%). The results showed that both the personality traits (extraversion, conscientiousness, openness to experience) and environmental characteristics (autonomy at work and feedback given) were related to workplace learning and self‐rated nursing competence. The results also showed that the relationship between extraversion (active, adventurous and ambitious dispositions of an individual) and self‐rated nursing competence was moderated by environmental characteristics, and partially mediated by workplace learning. Conclusion: Positive personality traits, such as extraversion, conscientiousness, and openness to experience could enhance workplace learning and nursing competence. Moreover, environmental characteristics that allow nurses to express their personality traits have the potential to improve their learning and competence further. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An accumulation of protein-bound uremic toxins (PBUTs) is one of major reasons for development of uremia-related complications. We examined the PBUT removal ability of a hexadecyl-immobilized cellulose bead (HICB)-containing column for patients undergoing hemodialysis. Adsorption of indoxyl sulfate (IS), a representative PBUT, to HICBs was examined in vitro. The HICB column was used in patients undergoing hemodialysis for direct hemoperfusion with a regular hemodialyzer. The serum IS, indole acetic acid (IAA), phenyl sulfate (PhS), and p-cresyl sulfate (PCS) levels were measured before and after passing the column. HICBs adsorbed protein-free (free) IS in a dose- and time-dependent manner in vitro (55.4 ± 1.4% adsorption of 1 millimolar, 251 µg/mL, IS for 1 h). In clinical studies, passing the HICB-containing column decreased the serum level of free IS, IAA, PhS, and PCS levels significantly (by 34.4 ± 30.0%, 34.8 ± 25.4%, 28.4 ± 18.0%, and 34.9 ± 22.1%, respectively), but not protein-bound toxins in maintenance hemodialysis patients. HICBs absorbed some amount of free PBUTs, but the clinical trial to use HICB column did not show effect to reduce serum PBUTs level in hemodialysis patients. Adsorption treatment by means of direct hemoperfusion with regular hemodialysis may become an attractive blood purification treatment to increase PBUT removal when more effective materials to adsorb PBUTs selectively will be developed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The central issue in developmental neuroscience is when and how neural synaptic networks are established and become functional within the central nervous system ( CNS). Investigations of the neural network organization have been hampered because conventional electrophysiological means have some technical limitations. In this study, the multiple-site optical recording technique with a voltage-sensitive dye was employed to survey the developmental organization of the vagal system in the mouse embryo. Stimulation of the vagus nerve in E11-E14 mouse embryos elicited optical responses in areas corresponding to the vagal sensory and motor nuclei. Postsynaptic responses in the first-order sensory nucleus, the nucleus of the tractus solitarius ( NTS), were identified from E11, suggesting that sensory information becomes transferred to the brain at this stage. In addition to the NTS, optical responses were identified in the rostral and contralateral brainstem regions, which corresponded to second/higher order nuclei of the vagus nerve including the parabrachial nucleus ( PBN). Postsynaptic responses in the second/higher-order nuclei were detected from E12, suggesting that polysynaptic networks were functional at this stage. We discuss the results of our optical mapping, comparing them with previous findings obtained in the chick and rat embryos, and suggest some fundamental principles in the functional organization of synaptic networks in the embryonic brain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a previous study, we applied a multiple-site optical recording technique with a voltage-sensitive dye to the embryonic chick olfactory system and showed that functional synaptic transmission in the olfactory bulb was expressed at embryonic 6-7-day stages. It is known that oscillations, i.e. stereotyped sinusoidal neural activity, appear in the olfactory system of various species. The focus of the present study is to determine whether the oscillation is also generated in the embryonic chick olfactory bulb and, if this is the case, when the oscillation appears and how its profiles change during embryogenesis. At the early stages of development (embryonic 6- to 8-day stages), postsynaptic response-related optical signals evoked by olfactory nerve stimulation exhibited a simple monophasic waveform that lasted for a few seconds. At embryonic 9-day stage, the optical signal became multi-phasic, and the oscillatory event was detected in some preparations. The oscillation was restricted to the distal half of the olfactory bulb. As development proceeded, the incidence and duration of the oscillation gradually increased, and the waveform became complicated. In some cases at embryonic 12-day stage, the oscillation lasted for nearly a minute. The frequency of the oscillation increased slightly with development, but it remained in the range of theta oscillation during the 9- to 12-day stages. We discuss the ontogenetic dynamics of the oscillation and the significance of this activity in the developing olfactory bulb. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the effects of skim milk on the quality and fertility of boar spermatozoa under long-term chilled preservation. Semen samples were stored in Modena solution supplemented with 0 (control) to 50 mg/mL skim milk at 5° C for 4 weeks; spermatozoa stored with 7.5 and 15 mg/mL of skim milk (7.5- SM and 15- SM groups, respectively) exhibited significantly higher motility indices than those of the control group up to 3 weeks ( P < 0.05), and the 7.5- SM group showed improved motility indices even after 4 weeks ( P < 0.05). In vitro fertilization using spermatozoa in the 7.5- SM and 15- SM groups stored at 5° C for 2 weeks showed significantly higher fertilization rates of spermatozoa and the development rates to blastocyst than the control group ( P < 0.05), and the 7.5- SM group showed similar rates of fertilization and blastocyst formation in the fresh non-stored spermatozoa group. After artificial insemination using spermatozoa stored for 2 weeks in the 7.5- SM group, healthy piglets were obtained. Boar spermatozoa can be stored at 5° C in a Modena solution containing skim milk. Supplementation of 7.5 mg/mL skim milk improves boar spermatozoa motility and fertility even after liquid preservation at 5° C for 2 weeks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The present study evaluates the long-term effects of a universal prevention approach for depression in children. It looks into the 2- and 3-year follow-ups of previously reported postintervention and 1-year outcomes. Method One hundred and eighty-nine 3rd grade (8-9 years old) children participated in a five-session, school-based, universal prevention program designed to encourage social skills and peer support. The study was conducted from 2006 to 2009 in two public schools in Miyazaki, the south main island of Japan. Results Depressive symptoms decreased significantly from the pre to the postintervention periods, and this effect was maintained. Furthermore, children in the prevention group showed significantly lower depression than the normative sample. Conclusions This study reveals the beneficial long-term effects of a universal approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spontaneous embryonic movements, called embryonic motility, are produced by correlated spontaneous activity in the cranial and spinal nerves, which is driven by brainstem and spinal networks. Using optical imaging with a voltage-sensitive dye, we revealed previously in the chick and rat embryos that this correlated activity is a widely propagating wave of neural depolarization, which we termed the depolarization wave. One important consideration is whether a depolarization wave with similar characteristics occurs in other species, especially in different mammals. Here, we provide evidence for the existence of the depolarization wave in the mouse embryo by summarizing spatiotemporal characteristics and pharmacological natures of the widely propagating wave activity. The findings show that a synchronized wave with common characteristics is expressed in different species, suggesting its fundamental roles in neural development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A photochromic circular polarizer was studied for use in organic light-emitting-diode displays (OLEDs). This polarizer transmits light emitted from an OLED efficiently under ambient light, extending the life and lowering the power consumption of the OLED. Under bright ambient light, the polarizer changes to a high degree of polarization and low transmittance, which maintains the contrast ratio and retains image visibility by reducing light reflection from the OLED electrodes. An outdoor experiment confirmed that the photochromic circular polarizer enhanced the contrast ratio of the OLED. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the early development of the nervous system, synchronized activity is observed in a variety of structures, and is considered to play a fundamental role in neural development. One of the most striking examples of such activity is the depolarization wave reported in chick and rat embryos. In the accompanying paper (Momose-Sato et al., 2012), we have demonstrated that a depolarization wave is also present in the mouse embryo by showing large-scale optical waves, which spread remarkably over the central nervous system, including the spinal cord, hindbrain, cerebellum, midbrain, and forebrain. In the present study, we examined the pharmacological nature of the mouse depolarization wave and its developmental changes. We show here that two types of switching in pharmacological characteristics occur during development. One is that the depolarization wave is strongly dependent on nicotinic acetylcholine receptors during the early developmental stage [embryonic day (E)11-12], but is dominated by glutamate at the later stage (E13 onwards). The second is that γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which acts as an excitatory mediator of the depolarization wave during the early phase, becomes an inhibitory modulator by E14. These changes seemed to occur earlier in the hindbrain than in the spinal cord. Furthermore, we show that the second switch causes the loss of synchronization over the network, resulting in the disappearance of the depolarization wave and segregation of the activity into discrete regions of the medulla and spinal cord. We suggest that pharmacological switching is a possible mechanism underlying replacement of the primordial correlated network by a mature neuronal circuit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spontaneous embryonic movements, called embryonic motility, are produced by correlated spontaneous activity in the cranial and spinal nerves, which is driven by brainstem and spinal networks. Using optical imaging with a voltage-sensitive dye, we have revealed previously that this correlated activity is a widely propagating wave of neural depolarization, which we termed the depolarization wave. We have observed in the chick and rat embryos that the activity spread over an extensive region of the CNS, including the spinal cord, hindbrain, cerebellum, midbrain and forebrain. One important consideration is whether a depolarization wave with similar characteristics occurs in other species, especially in different mammals. Here, we provide evidence for the existence of the depolarization wave in the mouse embryo by showing that the widely propagating wave appeared independently of the localized spontaneous activity detected previously with Ca2+ imaging. Furthermore, we mapped the origin of the depolarization wave and revealed that the wave generator moved from the rostral spinal cord to the caudal cord as development proceeded, and was later replaced with mature rhythmogenerators. The present study, together with an accompanying paper that describes pharmacological properties of the mouse depolarization wave, shows that a synchronized wave with common characteristics is expressed in different species, suggesting fundamental roles in neural development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spontaneous correlated neuronal activity during early development spreads like a wave by recruiting a large number of neurons, and is considered to play a fundamental role in neural development. One important and as yet unresolved question is where the activity originates, especially at the earliest stage of wave expression. In other words, which part of the brain differentiates first as a source of the correlated activity, and how does it change as development proceeds? We assessed this issue by examining the spatiotemporal patterns of the depolarization wave, the optically identified primordial correlated activity, using the optical imaging technique with voltage-sensitive dyes. We surveyed the region responsible for the induction of the evoked and spontaneous depolarization waves in chick embryos, and traced its developmental changes. The results showed that the wave initially originated in a restricted area near the obex and was generated by multiple regions at later stages. We suggest that the upper cervical cord/lower medulla near the obex is the kernel that differentiates first as the source of the correlated activity, and that regional and temporal differences in neuronal excitability might underlie the developmental profile of wave generation in early chick embryos. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Widely propagating correlated neuronal activity is a hallmark of the developing nervous system. The activity is usually mediated by multiple transmitters, and the contribution of gap junctions has also been suggested in several systems. In some structures, such as the retina and spinal cord, it has been shown that the dominant transmitter mediating the correlated wave switches from acetylcholine to glutamate during development, although the functional significance of this phenomenon has not been clarified. An important question is whether such a transmitter switch occurs in other systems, especially in the brain. In the present study, we demonstrate that the major transmitter mediating correlated wave activity in the embryonic chick hindbrain changes from acetylcholine/γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)/glycine to glutamate/GABA as development proceeds. The results show for the first time that the dominant transmitter switches from acetylcholine to glutamate in a region other than the retina and spinal cord. This finding sheds more light on the role of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the generation of correlated wave activity, which is considered to regulate the development of the nervous system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. Multiple-site optical recording with the voltage-sensitive absorption dye NK2761 was used to investigate functiogenesis of the neural circuits in the embryonic central nervous system (CNS). In the present review, we emphasize the functional development of glossopharyngeal nerve (N. IX)- and vagus nerve (N. X)-related neural circuits in the embryonic chick brainstem. 2. In the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS), glutamatergic excitatory post-synaptic potentials (EPSPs) evoked by stimulation of N. IX/N. X were first detected at Embryonic Day (E) 7, when morphological differentiation of pre- and post-synaptic neurons is incomplete. The removal of extracellular Mg2+ elicited small EPSPs at E6, suggesting that synaptic function mediated by N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors (glutamatergic receptors) is latently generated 1 day before the expression of glutamatergic EPSPs. In the nucleus of the glossopharyngeal nerve and the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus nerve, action potentials were detected from E3.5 and E4, respectively. Similar chronological sequences were observed in the rat embryo and in other cranial nerve-related nuclei and were used to construct basic profiles of embryonic EPSPs in the vertebrate CNS. 3. We further investigated the development of the secondary synaptic pathways from the NTS to higher centres and found that neuronal circuits from the NTS are already generated when the primary afferents form functional synapses with NTS neurons. 4. A widely spreading depolarization wave was found in the embryonic CNS. This wave was triggered by multisensory inputs and spontaneous activities and was suggested to be mediated by a dual network of chemical synapses and gap junctions. It was also accompanied by a Ca2+ wave, indicating its nurturing effects on CNS development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During development, correlated neuronal activity plays an important role in the establishment of the central nervous system (CNS). We have previously reported that a widely propagating correlated neuronal activity, termed the depolarization wave, is evoked by various sensory inputs. A remarkable feature of the depolarization wave is that it spreads broadly through the brain and spinal cord. In the present study, we examined whether the depolarization wave occurs spontaneously in the embryonic rat CNS and, if so, where it originates. In E15–16 rat embryos, spontaneous optically-revealed signals appeared in association with the rhythmic discharges of cranial motoneurons and propagated widely with similar characteristics to the evoked depolarization wave. At E15, the spontaneous wave mostly originated in the cervical to upper lumbar cords. At E16, the wave was predominantly generated in the lumbosacral cord although a wave associated with the second oscillatory burst was initiated in the rostral cord. At E16, a few waves also originated in the rostral ventrolateral medulla and the dorsomedial pons. When the influence of the caudal cord was removed by transecting the spinal cord, the contribution of the medulla and pons became more significant. These results show that the depolarization wave can be triggered by the spontaneous activity of multiple neuronal populations which are distributed widely from the pons to the lumbosacral cord, although the spinal cord usually plays a predominant role. This network possibly works as a self-distributing system that maintains the incidence and complicated patterns of the correlated activity in the developing CNS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports the development and evaluation of a dysphagia management course taught to the third year dental hygiene students during 2004–2005 as one framework of the new curriculum. The course consisted of lectures by specialists in each field, basic practice and clinical practice at a facility for the elderly. Evaluation of the course showed that improvements were found in students’ understanding in certain subjects when compared with that during 2003–2004. Scores on the post-test were statistically significantly higher than those on the pre-test, showing that basic knowledge of the students had been improved. Introductory and follow-up lectures by dental hygiene instructors and appropriate basic practice enhanced the learning process of the students. In the clinical practice, the concept of ‘dental hygiene process of care’ was incorporated. The dental hygiene process facilitated the students in planning and implementing dental hygiene care that meets the needs of the individual clients. This active learning experience enhanced the students’ understanding of dysphagia management. Although further improvements are necessary, this dysphagia management course should help dental hygienists in playing a greater role in the field of oral care and dysphagia rehabilitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the developmental pattern of functional synaptogenesis in the chick visual pathway using a multiple-site optical recording method. Responses to optic nerve stimulation were recorded from the diencephalon and mesencephalon of the chick embryo. The first excitatory postsynaptic responses to optic nerve stimulation appeared in the contralateral diencephalon at Hamburger-Hamilton stage 27, which corresponds to an incubation day 5.5 (E5.5). At more developed stages, the optical signals evoked by optic nerve stimulation spread to several different regions, including the tectum and extra-tectal visual nuclei. We constructed maps of neural activity in the diencephalon and mesencephalon at different stages to investigate the spatio-temporal patterns of functional development in the chick visual system. The maps revealed that distinct postsynaptic response areas in the extra-tectal regions showed different onsets of activity, suggesting that the corresponding visual nuclei exhibit different time courses of functional synaptogenesis. We also identified the onset and location of the first functional synaptic connection in the optic tectum, which had been a point of controversy in earlier studies. In the tectal region, the action potential and the excitatory postsynaptic potential first appeared at E8, although these signals were recognized in the tecto/tegmental region at E7. The response area expanded with retinotectal fibre elongation, and reached the area centralis at E9. These results show that the onset of synaptic function in the tectum occurs 2-3 days earlier than was previously reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The multiple-site optical recording technique with a voltage-sensitive dye, NK2761, was used to survey functional organization of neural circuits related to the vagus nerve in the embryonic chick brainstem. When we stimulated the vagus nerve, in addition to the responses in the vagal sensory nucleus (nucleus of the tractus solitarius (NTS)) and motor nucleus (dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus nerve (DMNV)) on the stimulated side, another response area was discriminated at the level of the pons/rostral medulla on the contralateral side. Characteristics of the contralateral optical signals suggested that they correspond to the neural activity in the second/higher-ordered nucleus of the vagal pathway, possibly the parabrachial nucleus, which receives inputs from the NTS. Blockade of non-N-methyl- d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors abolished the responses on the contralateral side, together with the postsynaptic firing in the NTS, suggesting the significance of non-NMDA receptor function in sensory information transfer via the NTS. The responses on the contralateral side were first detected from the 7-day-old embryonic stage, when the glutamatergic excitatory postsynaptic potentials were first expressed in the NTS. The results suggest that the synaptic pathway from the NTS to the contralateral nucleus is already generated when the primary vagal afferents make functional synapses on NTS neurons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A case of giant inflammatory polyposis associated with a localized inflammatory bowel disease of the descending colon in a 49-year-old man is presented. Lower abdominal distension rapidly appeared without any previous history of gastrointestinal disease. Two months later, he underwent a left hemicolectomy. Postoperative recovery was complete and he remains in good health more than 2 years later. The resected colon showed a giant and bizarre polyposis measuring up to 12 cm in length and 2 cm in height and covering the entire circumference of the colon. The polyposis consisted of narrow worm- or noodle-like polyps that bridged over the irregularly shaped ulcers, which sometimes extended into muscularis propria. Although longitudinal ulcers or scars, stricture, and a cobble-stone appearance were not observed, transmural inflammation and deep fissures were found in the interpolypoid area. From these findings, this case seems to be more similar to Crohn’s disease than other inflammatory bowel diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Using a multiple-site optical recording technique with a voltage-sensitive dye, we found that widely spreading depolarization waves were evoked by dorsal root stimulation in embryonic chick spinal cords. Spatiotemporal maps of the depolarization waves showed that the signals were mainly distributed in the ventral half of the slice, with the highest activity in the ventrolateral area. The propagation velocity of the waves was estimated to be in the order of mm/s. Depolarization waves were evoked in the ventral root-cut preparation, but not in the dorsal root-cut preparation, suggesting that the wave was triggered by synaptic inputs from the primary afferents, and that activation of the motoneurons was not essential for wave generation. In intact spinal cord–brain preparations, the depolarization wave propagated rostrally and caudally for a distance of several spinal segments in normal Ringer's solution. In a Mg2+-free solution, the amplitude and extent of the signals were markedly enhanced, and the depolarization wave triggered in the cervical spinal cord propagated to the brainstem and the cerebellum. The depolarization wave demonstrated here had many similarities with the vagus nerve-evoked depolarization wave reported previously. The results suggest that functional cell-to-cell communication systems mediated by the depolarization wave are widely generated in the embryonic central nervous system, and could play a role in large-scale coactivation of the neurons in the spinal cord and brain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract We examined embryonic expression of postsynaptic potentials in stages 26–31 (E5 to E7) chick spinal cord slices. Slow optical signals related to the postsynaptic potentials which were evoked by electrical stimulation of afferent fibers were identified in the dorsal grey matter and the ventral motoneuronal area. In cervical spinal cord (C13) preparations, the dorsal slow signal appeared from stage 28 (E6), whilst the ventral slow signal was recognized from stage 29. At stages 26 and 27 (E5), no slow signal was observed in either the dorsal or ventral regions. On the other hand, in lumbosacral spinal cord (LS5) preparations, the dorsal, as well as ventral, slow signals appeared from stage 29; at stage 28 no slow signal was detected in the dorsal or ventral regions. These results suggest that there are differences in the ontogenetic expression of synaptic functions between the dorsal and ventral regions, and between the cervical and lumbosacral spinal cords. In embryos older than stage 29, removal of Mg2+ from the bathing solution markedly enhanced the amplitude and incidence of the ventral slow signal. In addition, in C13 preparations at stage 28, removal of Mg2+ elicited small slow signals in the ventral region in which no synaptic response was evoked in normal Ringer's solution. The slow signals induced in the Mg2+-free solution were blocked by 2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid (APV), showing that they are attributable to N-methyl- d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors. These results suggest that functional synaptic connections via polysynaptic pathways are already generated on motoneurons, but are suppressed by a Mg2+ block on the NMDA receptors at developmental stages when synaptic transmission from the primary afferents to the dorsal interneurons is initially expressed in the dorsal region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to determine the acetylation at lysine 9/18/23 of histone H3 (H3K9ac/H3K18ac/H3K23ac; H3K9/18/23 ac) and the di-methylation at lysine 9 of histone H3 (H3K9me2) during early embryogenesis among trichostatin A (TSA)-treated interspecies somatic cell nuclear transfer (iSCNT) cat-cow (TSA-iSCNT) embryos, TSA-untreated iSCNT cat-cow control (control) embryos and bovine in vitro fertilization (IVF) embryos, because TSA-iSCNT embryos can develop to blastocysts. Compared to the control embryos, higher expressions of H3K9/18/23 ac were observed in TSA-iSCNT embryos and IVF embryos at most following stages (2 h post-fusion / post-insemination (PF/PI) to eight-cell stage). At 6 h PF/PI the expression of H3K9/23 ac in TSA-iSCNT embryos and IVF embryos were lower than those in control embryos, and the expression of H3K18ac was no difference among the three groups. The expression of H3K9/23 ac increased in TSA-iSCNT embryos and IVF embryos at pronuclear (PN) stages. The expression of H3K9me2 in TSA-iSCNT embryos resembled that of IVF embryos at 2 h PF/PI to PN stages, and these expression levels were greater than those of control embryos. These results suggest that treatment of iSCNT embryos with TSA modifies the patterns of histone modification at certain lysine residues in a manner that is comparable with that seen in IVF during early embryogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]