Sheep Semen Characteristics and Artificial Insemination by Laparoscopy

The semen characteristics and technology using the method of direct injection of the semen to the uterus by laparoscopy were examined to improve the conception rate in sheep. Fifty-two sheep in total were examined which were raised at the Faculty of Agriculture and Kawatabi Experimental Station of Tohoku University. The semen characteristic was better in the breeding season than in the other seasons based on the semen volume, number of spermatozoa and the spermatozoa movement index. The method of direct injection of the semen to the uterus by laparoscopy produced a much better conception rate in sheep than the generally done vaginal insemination, and the cervical insemination. In addition, the new uterine insemination via the vagina was evaluated.sheepsemenartificial inseminationlaparoscop

Cultivable Anaerobic Microbiota of Infected Root Canals

Objective. Periapical periodontitis is an infectious and inflammatory disease of the periapical tissues caused by oral bacteria invading the root canal. In the present study, profiling of the microbiota in infected root canals was performed using anaerobic culture and molecular biological techniques for bacterial identification. Methods. Informed consent was obtained from all subjects (age ranges, 34–71 years). Nine infected root canals with periapical lesions from 7 subjects were included. Samples from infected root canals were collected, followed by anaerobic culture on CDC blood agar plates. After 7 days, colony forming units (CFU) were counted and isolated bacteria were identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Results. The mean bacterial count (CFU) in root canals was (0.5 ± 1.1) × 106 (range 8.0 × 101–3.1 × 106), and anaerobic bacteria were predominant (89.8%). The predominant isolates were Olsenella (25.4%), Mogibacterium (17.7%), Pseudoramibacter (17.7%), Propionibacterium (11.9%) and Parvimonas (5.9%). Conclusion. The combination of anaerobic culture and molecular biological techniques makes it possible to analyze rapidly the microbiota in infected root canals. The overwhelming majority of the isolates from infected root canals were found to be anaerobic bacteria, suggesting that the environment in root canals is anaerobic and therefore support the growth of anaerobes

Rapid Quantification of Bacteria in Infected Root Canals Using Fluorescence Reagents and a Membrane Filter: A Pilot Study on Its Clinical Application to the Evaluation of the Outcomes of Endodontic Treatment

Objective. The bacterial examination has been performed during the course of the root canal treatment. In the present pilot study, the new developed method, using fluorescence reagents and a membrane filter, was applied to the detection and quantification of bacteria in infected root canals, in order to evaluate the outcomes of the treatment. Methods. Six infected root canals with periapical lesions from 5 subjects were included. Informed consent was obtained from all subjects (age ranges, 23–79 years). Samples from infected root canals were collected at the beginning of the treatment (termed #25 First), the end of the first day of treatment (termed #55 First), and the next appointment day (termed #55 Second). Then, the bacterial count (CFU) was measured using fluorescence reagents (4′,6′-diamidino-2-phenylindole and propidium iodide) and the polycarbonate membrane filter by Bioplorer. Results. The mean ± SD of CFU in the sample of “#25 First” was (1.0 ± 1.4) × 105. As the root canal treatment progressed, the CFU decreased as 7.9 × 103 (#55 First) and 4.3 × 102 (#55 Second). Conclusion. In the present pilot study, rapid detection and quantification of bacteria in infected root canals were found to be successfully performed using fluorescence reagents and a membrane filter (Bioplorer analysis)

Prenylated Quinolinecarboxylic Acid Derivative Prevents Neuronal Cell Death Through Inhibition of MKK4

The development of neuroprotective agents is necessary for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Here, we report PQA-11, a prenylated quinolinecarboxylic acid (PQA) derivative, as a potent neuroprotectant. PQA-11 inhibits glutamate-induced cell death and caspase-3 activation in hippocampal cultures, as well as inhibits N-Methyl-4-phenylpyridinium iodide- and amyloid β1-42-induced cell death in SH-SY5Y cells. PQA-11 also suppresses mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 4 (MKK4) and c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling activated by these neurotoxins. Quartz crystal microbalance analysis and in vitro kinase assay reveal that PQA-11 interacts with MKK4, and inhibits its sphingosine-induced activation. The administration of PQA-11 by intraperitoneal injection alleviates 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine-induced degeneration of nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons in mice. These results suggest that PQA-11 is a unique MKK4 inhibitor with potent neuroprotective effects in vitro and in vivo. PQA-11 may be a valuable lead for the development of novel neuroprotectants

Primary mediastinal atypical meningioma: Report of a case and literature review

Meningiomas are common neoplasms arising from the central nervous system meninges. On the other hand, primary ectopic meningiomas are extremely rare and usually limited to the head and neck region or to the paravertebral soft tissues. Their occurrence in the mediastinum is even rarer. Until now, only 4 cases of primary mediastinal meningioma have been reported in the literature searched on Medline. Because of its rarity and intriguing pathogenesis, we report here a case of primary mediastinal meningioma that was treated by surgical resection. The clinical features, treatment, pathological findings, and prognosis are analyzed, and the literature on ectopic meningioma is reviewed

Different prognostic outcomes in two cases of FDG-PET/CT-Positive and -negative cardiac angiosarcoma

Cardiac angiosarcoma is a rare malignant tumor with a poor prognosis, characterized by the high uptake of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG). This case report presents two cases of cardiac angiosarcoma with a marked difference in FDG uptake and prognosis.Case Summary:Case 1: A 40-year-old male presented with syncope. Ultrasound echocardiography demonstrated a cardiac tumor with a high uptake of 18F-FDG (maximum standardized uptake value=9.2). The patient underwent heart catheterization and tumor biopsy. The pathological result was high-grade angiosarcoma, and the MIB-1(Ki-67) proliferation index was approximately 20%. Systemic chemotherapy was administered; however, the patient died 2 years and 5 months after disease onset.Case 2: A 65-year-old female had a right atrial tumor incidentally diagnosed during routine ultrasound echocardiography. The tumor exhibited a low uptake of 18F-FDG (maximum standardized uptake value=1.8). Open heart surgery was performed, and the tumor was completely resected. Histological analysis revealed low-grade angiosarcoma, and the MIB-1(Ki-67) proliferation index was less than 5%. The patient was followed-up and had not relapsed 2 years after surgery.Conclusion: 18F-FDG uptake may reflect pathological tumor grade and prognosis in cardiac angiosarcoma