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To understand the regulatory mechanism of the secretory rhythm of GH and the involvement of melatonin (MEL) in GH regulation in cattle, daytime and nighttime profiles of GH secretion and the effect of a photic stimulation on nocturnal GH and MEL secretion were investigated in Holstein steers. Steers were kept under a constant lighting condition of 12 h of light (LIGHT; 500 lx, 0600 to 1800 h):12 h of dark (DARK; 10 lx, 1800 to 0600 h). In Exp. 1, blood was taken for 4 h at 15-min intervals during LIGHT (1100 to 1500 h) and DARK (2300 to 0300 h), respectively. The sampling was also performed from 0500 to 0900 h, with the usual light transition (light onset at 0600 h; morning sampling). In Exp. 2, steers were exposed to light (500 lx) for 1 h from 0000 to 0100 h. Plasma GH and MEL concentrations were determined by RIA and enzyme immunoassay, respectively. Both GH (P < 0.05) and MEL (P < 0.01) concentrations in plasma for 4 h during DARK were greater than those during LIGHT. On the other hand, although MEL concentrations were decreased after the light onset at 0600 during the morning, GH release was not altered. Increased GH secretion during DARK was suppressed (P < 0.01) by the 1 h of light exposure, as were MEL concentrations (P < 0.05). Pineal MEL, which was affected by the photic condition, may play an important role in the secretory rhythm of GH secretion in cattle. Key words: cattle, growth hormone, melatonin, photic stimulation, rhythm

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of changes in ruminal conditions arising from feeding and sucrose supplementation to the diet on the natural abundance of 15N (|Delta~ 15N value) of some biological components and of feces and urine in sheep. Four wethers fitted with ruminal fistulas were fed on alfalfa hay cubes with or without sucrose either 2 or 12 times daily. With twice-daily feeding, the |Delta~ 15N values of ruminal ammonia and plasma urea decreased after feeding, whereas only small changes were observed throughout the sampling period with 12 times daily feeding. With 12 times daily feeding with and without sucrose, the |Delta~ 15N values of ruminal ammonia were higher (P |is less than~ .05) than those of the diet and plasma urea. The |Delta~ 15N values of ruminal bacteria were lower (P |is less than~ .05) than those of ruminal ammonia but higher (P |is less than~ .05) than those of the diet. The |Delta~ 15N values for feces were higher (P |is less than~ .05) than those of the diet, and no differences (P |is greater than~ .25) were observed between the |Delta~ 15N values of urine and those of the diet. Dietary sucrose supplementation lowered (P |is less than~ .05) the |Delta~ 15N values of ruminal ammonia but had no effect (P |is greater than~ .10) on values for ruminal bacteria and plasma urea. Nitrogen excretion in urine was decreased (P |is less than~ .05) by sucrose supplementation to the diet, but the |Delta~ 15N value of urine showed no effect (P |is greater than~ .25) of sucrose addition. The |Delta~ 15N value of plasma protein and the calculated value for retained N were increased (P |is less than~ .05) by dietary sucrose supplementation. These results suggest that the natural abundance of 15N in the animal body is a reflection of N metabolic rate.

Oxytocin (OXT) is a neuropeptide that regulates memory, emotion, stress response, and behavior in the brain. In our previous study with cattle, we demonstrated the anti-stress effect of intracerebroventricularly administered OXT on the central nervous system. However, it is important to investigate the effects of this peptide after intranasal administration, as it offers convenience and non-invasiveness for practical use. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of intranasal OXT on the behavior and autonomic nervous system of Holstein steers. The experiment followed a within-subjects design, including a total of six steers. Each steer received intranasal administration of either 1 mL of saline (SAL), 100 µg OXT (OXT100), or 200 µg OXT (OXT200). However, due to some issues, the sample size for the OXT200 group was reduced to five. After these treatments, we conducted electrocardiography recordings to analyze heart rate variability (HRV) and also made behavioral observations for 90 min. OXT200 tended to increase the time spent ruminating while lying down (Steel's multiple comparison test; P=0.053). In contrast, OXT treatment did not affect HRV indices. In conclusion, the current OXT dosage did not significantly affects behavior or the autonomic nervous system. However, the observed tendency to increase rumination may suggest a central effect of OXT.

Biopsy is a commonly used method for determining pathological diagnoses by directly using human tissues and cells. Biopsies are widely used to determine disease progression and treatment efficacy. Although organs and tissues are usually obtained by sacrifice during animal experiments, it is theoretically possible to use the same biopsy techniques in humans. In the present study, we examined the feasibility of performing four repeated liver biopsies in a spontaneous metabolic syndrome mouse model. Even though a small number of mice died accidently, most mice were able to undergo four liver biopsies without significant adverse events. We also performed three liver biopsies in mouse liver tumor carcinogen models at 4, 8, and 12 weeks of age. In addition to the sample collected at 16 weeks of age during sacrifice, we successfully collected four liver samples from the same mice at different stages of disease progression. The application of this liver biopsy technique might make it possible for direct evaluation of pathological conditions in the same individual over time, thereby reducing the number of experimental animals., Competing Interests: The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: KOICHI TSUNEYAMA reports financial support was provided by JSPS-KAKENHI. KOICHI TSUNEYAMA reports a relationship with JSPS-KAKENHI that includes: funding grants., (© 2023 The Authors.)

According to previous clinical studies, the prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is higher in men than women only during the reproductive age. Animal models of NAFLD that reflect sex differences in humans have not been established. In this study, we examined sex differences in the hepatic lesions of Tsumura Suzuki obese diabetes (TSOD) and db/db mice, which are representative genetic models of NAFLD. Male and female TSOD and db/db mice were fed with a normal diet and tap water ad libitum. Six male and female mice of each strain were sacrificed at the ages of 3 and 9 months, respectively, and serum biochemical, pathological, and molecular analyses were performed. Serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels were significantly higher in male than female mice of both strains at the age of 3 months; however, at 9 months, significant sex differences were not observed. Similarly, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were significantly higher in male mice than in female TSOD mice at the age of 3 months; however, at 9 months, significant sex differences were not observed. Image analysis of histological slides revealed that the frequency of the steatotic area was significantly higher in male than female db/db mice at the age of 3 months; however, significant sex differences were not observed at 9 months. The frequency of Sirius red-positive fibrotic area was significantly higher in male than female mice in both strains at the age of 3 months; however, significant sex differences were not observed at 9 months. Serum AST and ALT levels and hepatic steatosis and fibrosis in TSOD and db/db mice showed age-dependent sex differences consistent with those observed in human NAFLD. These mice may be suitable for studying sex differences of the disease., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright: © 2022 Dungubat et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.)

Male Tsumura-Suzuki Obese Diabetes (TSOD) mice, a spontaneous metabolic syndrome model, develop non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and liver tumors by feeding on a standard mouse diet. Nearly 70% of liver tumors express glutamine synthetase (GS), a marker of hepatocellular carcinoma. In contrast, approximately 30% are GS-negative without prominent nuclear or structural atypia. In this study, we examined the characteristics of the GS-negative tumors of TSOD mice. Twenty male TSOD mice were sacrificed at 40 weeks and a total of 21 tumors were analyzed by HE staining and immunostaining of GS, liver fatty acid-binding protein (L-FABP), serum amyloid A (SAA), and beta-catenin. With immunostaining for GS, six (29%) tumors were negative. Based on the histological and immunohistological characteristics, six GS-negative tumors were classified into several subtypes of human hepatocellular adenoma (HCA). One large tumor showed generally similar findings to inflammatory HCA, but contained small atypical foci with GS staining and partial nuclear beta-catenin expression suggesting malignant transformation. GS-negative tumors of TSOD mice contained features similar to various subtypes of HCA. Different HCA subtypes occurring in the same liver have been reported in humans; however, the diversity of patient backgrounds limits the ability to conduct a detailed, multifaceted analysis. TSOD mice may share similar mechanisms of HCA development as in humans. It is timely to review the pathogenesis of HCA from both genetic and environmental perspectives, and it is expected that TSOD mice will make further contributions in this regard.

Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) results from non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) via multiple-parallel events, including hepatic triglyceride accumulation, oxidative stress, and inflammation. The complex interaction between the liver and multiple other organs is involved in NASH development. Although spleen-derived humoral factors can directly contribute to NAFLD/NASH onset via the portal vein, the status of the spleen in the early stage of NASH remains unknown. Here, our aim was to investigate whether splenocytes may exacerbate NASH via the generations of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and proinflammatory cytokines. Iron accumulation was observed in the spleen but not the liver, and the proportion of phagocytic macrophages increased in the spleen of Tsumura Suzuki Obese Diabetes (TSOD) mice showing histological characteristics of NASH in the early stage. The splenocytes generated moderate amounts of ROS and released high amounts of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in response to lipopolysaccharide, indicating excessive inflammatory cytokine released by activated macrophages in iron-accumulating spleens. Our results suggest that iron-accumulating splenocytes can easily induce inflammation and contribute to exacerbate NASH via the portal vein. Thus, the regulation of iron metabolism in the spleen should be considered in the development of novel therapeutic targets against NASH.

Although diabetes mellitus (DM) is a well-known risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the underlying mechanisms have not yet to be defined. We previously reported that DIAR mice fed with standard murine diet developed type 1 diabetes and HCC at age of 16 weeks old with a neonatal streptozotocin treatment (n-STZ). Because DIAR mice did not manifest obesity nor develop steatohepatitis, hyperglycemia with streptozotocin trigger or streptozotocin alone might turn on the hepato-carcinogenesis. An insulin-recruitment to DIAR-nSTZ mice showed an increased frequency of HCC during the first 12 weeks of age, although the diabetic indications notably improved. To elucidate the role of hyperglycemia in hepato-carcinogenesis, we performed a head-to-head comparative study by using 4CS mice and DIAR mice with n-STZ treatment. Newborn 4CS mice and DIAR mice were divided into STZ treated group and control group. The blood glucose levels of DIAR-nSTZ mice increased at age of eight weeks, while that of 4CS-nSTZ mice were maintained in the normal range. At eight weeks old, three out of five DIAR-nSTZ mice (60%) and one out of ten 4CS-nSTZ mice (10%) developed multiple liver tumors. At age of 12 weeks old, all eight of DIAR-nSTZ mice (100%) and two of 10 4CS-nSTZ mice (20%) developed multiple liver tumors. At 16 weeks old, all animals of DIAR-nSTZ and 4CS-nSTZ mice occurred liver tumors. DIAR-nSTZ showed hyperglycemia and HCC, and 4CS-nSTZ developed HCC without hyperglycemia. These results were interpreted that the onset of HCC maybe not related to the presence or absence of hyperglycemia but nSTZ treatment. On the other hand, since the carcinogenesis of 4CS-nSTZ is delayed compared to DIAR-nSTZ, hyperglycemia may play a role in the progression of carcinogenesis. Histologically, the liver tumor appeared irregularly trabecular arrangements of hepatocytes with various degrees of nuclear atypia. By immunohistochemical analyses, all liver tumors showed positive staining of glutamine synthetase (GS), an established human HCC marker. The expression pattern of GS was divided into a strong diffuse pattern and weak patchy pattern, respectively. The liver tumor showing the weak GS-patchy pattern expressed biliary/stem markers, EpCAM, and SALL4, partially. Because 4CS-nSTZ mice did not show any metabolic complications such as gaining body weight or high blood glucose level, it is a unique animal model with a simple condition to investigate hepatic carcinogenesis by excluding other factors., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.)

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of tryptophan (TRP) supply on the thermoregulatory responses via brain serotonin (5-HT) in cattle. In period 1, 12 Holstein steers were kept under a constant room temperature (22°C) and were administered the intravenous (i.v.) infusion of saline or TRP (38.5 mg/kg/2 h). Changes in rectal temperature (RT), 5-HT concentration in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and other factors involved in thermoregulation were measured. In period 2, the steers received the same treatments as in period 1; however, the room temperature was elevated from 22°C to 33°C during i.v. infusion and maintained at 33°C for 3 h. 5-HT concentration in CSF increased following TRP infusion in both periods, and RT significantly decreased following TRP infusion only in period 2. The effect of TRP on respiration rate and plasma prolactin and total triiodothyronine concentrations was not significant. These results suggest that increase in TRP supply can attenuate increase in RT in response to acute heat stress through the increase in brain 5-HT, followed by presumable increase in evaporative heat loss from the skin surface in cattle. It is possible that the increase in peripheral blood TRP metabolites could also participate in the hypothermic effect of TRP., (© 2018 Japanese Society of Animal Science.)

The effects of l-DOPA, a precursor of dopamine (DA), and sulpiride, a D 2 -type DA receptor blocker, on growth hormone (GH) and prolactin (PRL) secretion were investigated in steers. Eight Holstein steers (212.8 ± 7.8 kg body weight) were used. Lighting conditions were 12:12 L:D (lights on: 06.00-18.00 hours). Blood samplings were performed during the daytime (11.00-15.00 hours) and nighttime (23.00-03.00 hours). Intravenous injections of drugs or saline were performed at 12.00 hour for the daytime and 00.00 hour for the nighttime, respectively. Plasma GH and PRL concentrations were determined by radioimmunoassay. l-DOPA did not alter the GH secretion when it was injected at 12.00 hour (spontaneous GH level at its peak). On the other hand, l-DOPA increased GH secretion at 00.00 hour (GH level at its trough). Injection of sulpiride suppressed GH secretion at 12.00 hour but did not affect GH levels at 00.00 hour. l-DOPA inhibited and sulpiride stimulated PRL release during both periods. These results suggest that dopaminergic neurons have stimulatory action on GH secretion and inhibitory action on PRL secretion in cattle. In addition, injection time should be considered to evaluate the exact effects on GH secretion due to its ultradian rhythm of GH secretion in cattle., (© 2017 Japanese Society of Animal Science.)

We previously reported that Tsumura-Suzuki obese diabetic (TSOD) mice, a polygenic model of spontaneous type 2 diabetes, is a valuable model of hepatic carcinogenesis via non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). One of the characteristics of tumors in these mice is the diffuse expression of glutamine synthetase (GS), which is a diagnostic marker for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this study, we performed detailed histopathological examinations and found that GS expression was diffusely positive in >70% of the hepatic tumors from 15-month-old male TSOD mice. Translocation of β-catenin into nuclei with enhanced membranous expression also occurred in GS-positive tumors. Small lesions (<1 mm) in GS-positive cases exhibited dysplastic nodules, with severe nuclear atypia, whereas large lesions (>3 mm) bore the characteristics of human HCC, exhibiting nuclear and structural atypia with invasive growth. By contrast, the majority of GS-negative tumors were hepatocellular adenomas with advanced fatty change and low nuclear grade. In GS-negative tumors, loss of liver fatty acid-binding protein expression was observed. These results suggest that the histological characteristics of GS-positive hepatic tumors in TSOD mice resemble human HCC; thus, this model may be a useful tool in translational research targeting the NAFLD/NASH-HCC sequence.

This study was conducted to investigate the possibility of suppression of stress-induced cortisol (CORT) secretion by tryptophan (TRP) administration and to better understand its regulatory mechanisms by using a noradrenaline (NA) injection into the third ventricle (3V) as a stress model in cattle. A total of 25 Holstein steers with a cannula in the 3V were used. First, the increase in CORT secretion was observed following a NA injection into the 3V in a dose-dependent manner, verifying the appropriateness of this treatment as a stress model of CORT secretion (Experiment 1). The effect of prior-administration of TRP into peripheral blood with a dose that has been demonstrated to increase brain 5-hydroxytryptamine levels on the elevation of plasma CORT induced by NA or corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) was then examined (Experiment 2). The prior administration of TRP suppressed NA-induced, but not CRH-induced, CORT elevation. These results suggest that an increase in TRP absorption into peripheral blood could suppress the stress-induced CORT secretion in cattle via the attenuation of the stimulatory effect of NA on the hypothalamic CRH release., (© 2015 Japanese Society of Animal Science.)

Outer-arm dynein is the main engine providing the motive force in cilia. Using three-dimensional tracking microscopy, we found that contrary to previous reports Tetrahymena ciliary three-headed outer-arm dynein (αβγ) as well as proteolytically generated two-headed (βγ) and one-headed (α) subparticles showed clockwise rotation of each sliding microtubule around its longitudinal axis in microtubule corkscrewing assays. By measuring the rotational pitch as a function of ATP concentration, we also found that the microtubule corkscrewing pitch is independent of ATP concentration, except at low ATP concentrations where the pitch generated by both three-headed αβγ and one-headed α exhibited significantly longer pitch. In contrast, the pitch driven by two-headed βγ did not display this sensitivity. In the assays on lawns containing mixtures of α and βγ at various ratios, the corkscrewing pitch increased dramatically in a nonlinear fashion as the ratio of α in the mixture increased. Even small proportions of α-subparticle could significantly increase the corkscrewing pitch of the mixture. Our data show that torque generation does not require the three-headed outer-arm dynein (αβγ) but is an intrinsic property of the subparticles of axonemal dyneins and also suggest that each subparticle may have distinct mechanical properties., (Copyright © 2015 Biophysical Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background and Aim: Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is the hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome (MS). Monosodium glutamate (MSG)-treated ICR mice is a useful model of MS and NASH, but it shows the different patterns of steatosis from human NASH. Because inbred aged DIAR (ddY, Institute for Animal Reproduction) mice spontaneously show the similar pattern of steatosis as NASH, we analyzed their liver pathology after administering MSG., Methods: MSG-treated DIAR mice (DIAR-MSG) and untreated DIAR mice (DIAR-controls) were sacrificed and assessed histopathologically at 29, 32, 40, 48, and 54 weeks of age. The NASH activity score, body mass index, blood glucose level, and oral glucose tolerance test were also assessed., Results: The body mass index and blood glucose levels of DIAR-MSG were significantly higher than controls. The oral glucose tolerance test revealed a type 2 diabetes pattern in DIAR-MSG. The livers of DIAR-MSG mice showed macrovesicular steatosis, lobular inflammation with neutrophils, and ballooning degeneration after 29 weeks. At 54 weeks, mild fibrosis was observed in 5/6 DIAR-MSG and 2/5 DIAR-control mice. In imaging mass spectrometry analysis, cholesterol as well as triglyceride accumulated in the liver of DIAR-MSG mice. Atypical liver nodules were also observed after 32 weeks in DIAR-MSG, some with cellular and structural atypia mimicking human hepatocellular carcinoma. The NASH activity score of DIAR-MSG after 29 weeks was higher than that of control mice, suggesting the development of NASH., Conclusions: DIAR-MSG had NASH-like liver pathology and liver nodules typically associated with MS symptoms. DIAR-MSG provides a valuable animal model to analyze NASH pathogenesis and carcinogenesis., (© 2014 Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Foundation and Wiley Publishing Asia Pty Ltd.)

Objective: The operative strategies for retrograde acute type A aortic dissection with a primary intimal tear remain controversial because resection of an intimal tear via a median sternotomy is difficult. We evaluated the frozen elephant trunk technique for treating this type of aortic dissection., Methods: The frozen elephant trunk technique was used for acute retrograde type A aortic dissection with a primary intimal tear in the descending aorta in 25 consecutive patients (16 men, 9 women; median age, 64 years) seen between 1997 and 2011 at the Hiroshima City Asa Hospital. Three patients had Marfan syndrome. Fourteen patients had ischemia of the lower half of the body, 2 had stroke, 3 had coronary ischemia, and 10 had pericardial tamponade., Results: There were no hospital deaths. Postoperative complications occurred in 2 patients, including stroke and mediastinitis. Two late deaths occurred over a median follow-up period of 58 months (12-169 months), one caused by stroke and the other by colon cancer. Two patients needed additional operations: one required a second operation for descending aorta replacement because of ulceration caused by the stent graft, and the other required an endovascular stent graft because of dilatation of the descending aorta. Computed tomography follow-up scans revealed that the false lumen was completely thrombosed and obliterated in all 25 patients with stent grafts., Conclusions: The frozen elephant trunk technique for retrograde type A aortic dissection yielded acceptable outcomes, despite the high preoperative morbidity, and might improve the prognosis of dissection., (Copyright © 2014 The American Association for Thoracic Surgery. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.)

To clarify endocrine responses to psychological stressors in cattle, the effects of isolation from familiar peers on plasma prolactin (PRL) and cortisol (CORT) concentrations, and the effect of 3,4-dihydroxy-L-phenylalanine (L-DOPA), a precursor of dopamine (DA), on stress-induced PRL secretion were determined in Holstein steers. First, the potency of peripheral L-DOPA administration on attenuation of central DA levels was confirmed. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) collected from a chronic cannula in the third ventricle and plasma were sampled 1 h before and 3 h after intravenous injection of L-DOPA (100 mg/head). DA concentrations in CSF increased just after L-DOPA injection with subsequent decrease in PRL secretion. Injection of L-DOPA increased CORT secretion. Second, one experimental steer was isolated in its stall by removing its peers for 2 h with or without- pre-injection of L-DOPA. The concentration of PRL was elevated by isolation treatment, whereas the effect of isolation on CORT concentration could not be detected. The increase in PRL concentration after isolation was abolished by pre-injection of L-DOPA. These results suggest that PRL responds to isolation and that DA neurons in the central nervous system may regulate stress-induced PRL secretion in steers., (© 2013 Japanese Society of Animal Science.)

This study was conducted to investigate physiological and behavioral effects of the exposure to plant-derived odorants in Holstein steers (8 month of age) under the acute stress of social isolation in a novel environment. Each steer was tethered in a new room alone and exposed to one of three odorants: a mixture of equal amounts of trans-2-hexenal and cis-3-hexenol (green odor, GO; n = 5), essential oil of grapefruits (EOG; n = 5) and solvent (SOL; n = 6). Behaviors were recorded and blood samples were taken at intervals of 10-15 min for 6 h. Compared with SOL, exposure to GO or EOG decreased the frequency of vocalization (P < 0.05), shortened the latency period before the onset of rumination (P < 0.05) and increased the duration of rumination (P < 0.05). Plasma cortisol concentrations in steers exposed to plant-derived odorants (GO and EOG) during 90-130 min from commencement of sampling were significantly lower (P < 0.05) compared with SOL. These results suggest that appeasing effects of plant-derived odorants on behavioral and physiological stress responses previously reported in laboratory rodents could be also be expected in steers., (© 2012 The Authors. Animal Science Journal © 2012 Japanese Society of Animal Science.)

To shed light on the role of central oxytocin (OXT) in regulating social behavior in cattle, the impact of intracerebroventricularly administered OXT agonist, carbetocin (CBT), on the social behavior of a group of familiar steers was investigated. In the first experiment, we determined the dose response of intracerebroventricularly administered CBT (0.5, 5 or 50 nmol) on plasma cortisol level and behavior using 7 steers aged from 6 to 10 months. Five of the steers were assigned to the second experiment. CBT (50 or 200 nmol/200 μl) in artificial cerebrospinal fluid (aCSF) or aCSF (200 μl) was injected into the third ventricle. Immediately after the injection, the animal and two peers were taken outside to the adjacent paddock. Thirty minutes later, maintenance and social behaviors of the animal were observed for 2 hr. CBT had no effect either on the basal cortisol level or on the maintenance and the abnormal behavior in steers with their movement restricted by a stanchion stall in the first experiment. However, in the same steers with no movement restrictions in the second experiment, CBT facilitated lying, probably because of its sedative effect via OXT receptor activation, which disturbed some aspects of social behavior. These results suggest that central OXT receptor activation might not affect social behavior itself among "familiar members", because the stimulation of the central OXT system by intracerebroventricular administration of CBT did not facilitate social behavior between familiar steers.

We reported simple partial root remodeling using a graft trimmed twin "U" shape for extensive dissection into the right/non-coronary sinuses with acute type A aortic dissection with cardiac tamponade, acute myocardial infarction on the right coronary artery and aortic regurgitation. After total arch replacement with frozen elephant trunk technique for distal dissection, partial root remodeling on the non and right coronary sinuses was performed. Postoperative computed tomography (CT) showed well shaped Valsalva sinuses and aortic regurgitation completely disappeared. This technique might become an alternative procedure for aortic dissection severely involving Valsalva sinuses without dilatation on the aortic root.

Core 2 β-1,6-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase (C2GnT) forms an N-acetylglucosamine branch in O-glycans (core 2 O-glycans) of cell surface glycoproteins. C2GnT-expressing bladder tumors acquire highly metastatic phenotypes by surviving longer in host blood circulation. However, the detailed mechanisms underlying this increased survival remain unclear. In this study, we report that the expression of C2GnT in bladder tumors positively correlates with tumor progression and that bladder tumor cell-surface mucin 1 (MUC1) carrying core 2 O-glycans plays an important role in the evasion from natural killer (NK) cell attack. In C2GnT-expressing bladder tumor cells, heavily core 2 O-glycosylated MUC1 carries poly-N-acetyllactosamine in its O-glycans and galectin-3 binds to MUC1 through this poly-N-acetyllactosamine. The binding of galectin-3 to poly-N-acetyllactosamine in MUC1 core 2 O-glycans attenuates the interaction of the tumor cells with NK cells and interferes with the access of tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand to the tumor cell surface. These effects of MUC1 carrying core 2 O-glycans on NK cell attack facilitate C2GnT-expressing tumor cells to evade NK cell immunity and survive longer in host blood circulation. We reveal that MUC1 carrying core 2 O-glycans thus functions as a molecular shield against NK cell attack, thereby promoting bladder tumor metastasis.

Growth hormone (GH) secretion regularity and the effects of lighting condition and GH-releasing hormone (GHRH) on GH release were determined in steers. First, steers were kept under 12:12 L : D conditions (light: 06.00-18.00 hours). The animals were then subjected to a 1-h advancement in lighting on/off conditions (05.00 and 17.00 hours, respectively). Blood was sampled for 24 h at 1-h interval on the seventh day of each condition. Second, GHRH was injected intravenously (IV) at 12.00 and 00.00 hours under 12:12 L : D and blood was sampled at 15-min interval for 4-h (1 h before and 3 h after the injection). Plasma GH concentrations were measured by a radioimmunoassay. Periodicity of GH secretory profile was calculated by power spectrum analysis using the maximum entropy method. Plasma GH concentrations showed a characteristic pattern consisting of four distinct peaks. Mean periodicity of GH secretory profile was 5.7 h, and it was not altered by any change in lighting conditions. IV injection of GHRH increased GH secretion during the day and night. The increase in GH secretory volume after GHRH injection during the night was equal to that during the day. The present results suggest that GH secreted from the anterior pituitary have regularity in steers., (© 2011 The Authors. Animal Science Journal © 2011 Japanese Society of Animal Science.)

Purpose: We have introduced a new surgical approach for extended thoracic aortic repair, anterolateral thoracotomy with partial sternotomy (ALPS)., Description: The surgical approach to the chest was made via left anterolateral thoracotomy and lower median sternotomy through the third or fourth intercostal space. All cannulations (arterial, venous, venting, and cardioplegia) could be easily performed using a retractor in this approach., Evaluation: From November 2005 to December 2010, we performed surgical treatment in 12 patients by employing the ALPS approach for a complex, extended thoracic aortic diseases with different pathologies, i.e., arteriosclerotic aneurysms in 5, acute type B dissection in 5, and chronic type B dissection in 2 patients. One patient died in the hospital, and 1 had temporary spinal cord injury., Conclusion: The ALPS approach might become an alternative for a complex, extended thoracic aortic replacement.

As a preliminary step to elucidate the involvement of central neurotransmitters in the dip in voluntary feed intake during the perinatal period in cows, we investigated the effect of intracerebroventricular (ICV) administration of oxytocin, prolactin-releasing peptide (PrRP), or corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), the central functions of all of which undergo drastic changes during the perinatal period, on feed intake in steers. Thirty minutes before the onset of feeding, the treatment solution was injected into the third ventricle through an implanted cannula, and feeding-related behaviors were observed for 1 h after the onset of feeding. Neither ICV oxytocin (5 and 50 μg) nor PrRP (2 and 20 nmol) reduced feed intake (n=6). Twenty nanomoles of bovine CRH noticeably inhibited feeding behavior compared with vehicle treatment (n=5, p<0.05). Fifty micrograms of oxytocin reduced latency to the first water access after feeding onset (p<0.1), which may be because of the stimulation of arginine vasopressin V1b receptor by the high dose of oxytocin. We conclude that CRH inhibits feeding behavior by its central action in this species, although this could also be an indirect effect due to the increased expression of abnormal behaviors caused by CRH. Central administration of neither oxytocin nor PrRP reduced feed intake in steers. Although the effects of sex steroids need to be examined, it appears that increased activity of oxytocin, and possibly PrRP, during the perinatal period does not contribute to the dip in voluntary feed intake in this species. On the other hand, it makes sense that suppressed central CRH activity during the perinatal period should act in the direction of maintaining or even increasing food intake to aid a steady supply of energy to the fetus or offspring. We thus speculate that CRH is not a prime candidate involved in the dip in voluntary feed intake during the perinatal period in cows., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: The aimed to describe the frozen elephant trunk (FET) technique and partial remodeling (PR) for acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD), considering the long-term prognosis on the basis of our 13 years of experience., Methods: There were 80 consecutive patients (mean age: 66.4 years) with an FET and PR technique for ATAAD between September 1997 and February 2010. We indicated a PR for all 80 patients without dilatation of the sinuses and a FET for 20 patients with a distal entry in the descending aorta, 14 patients with a dilatation more than 4cm on the distal arch and 46 patients with a narrow true lumen younger than 70 years with a narrow true lumen. During moderate hypothermic circulation with selective cerebral perfusion and distal perfusion from the femoral artery, a stent graft (mean diameter: 27.7mm, mean length: 9.9mm, mean distal depth: thoracic vertebra (Th) 6.0th) was inserted through the transected proximal aortic arch. The plication of the sinotubular junction (N=42) or partial remodeling for right and/or non-coronary cusp (N=38) was performed after total arch replacement with a four-branched prosthesis., Results: Four patients died in hospital. Early morbidity included two (2.5%) strokes but no spinal cord injury. In long-term follow-up (mean 94.6 months), five patients died of non-aortic events and two re-operations (Bentall and stent grafting to the descending aorta) were required. No patients had patent false lumen on the stent graft and residual aortic regurgitation, according to late follow-up computed tomography (CT) and echogram. The 10-year survival was 75% and the overall 10-year re-operation free rate on the thoracic aorta was 95%., Conclusion: FET and modified PR techniques could be effective for improving the long-term outcome on the distal and proximal aorta in an ATAAD., (Crown Copyright © 2011. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)