Vitrification of Germinal Vesicle Stage Oocytes

In order to cryopreserve germinal vesicle (GV) stage oocytes, we first need to develop a novel container for keeping large quantities of GV oocytes, because of collecting them as cumulus oocytes complexes (COCs) that have bigger size and larger volume than oocytes themselves, and second modify a protocol for optimizing vitrification of them. In this mini-review, we describe our recent progress for attaining these objectives. When 65 bovine COCs having GV oocytes could be placed on a sheet of nylon mesh, and plunged directly into liquid nitrogen for vitrification, the recovery rate was significantly higher compared with that in 15 ones on the electron microscope (EM) grid as a control, followed by obtaining the resultant cleavage and developmental rates after in vitro fertilization and culture (IVFC) without significant difference. Using bovine and murine oocytes, we found that a step-wise manner to expose them with the vitrification solution increased rates of in vitro maturation, subsequent development to blastocysts and hatching/hatched blastocysts after IVFC. Our results show that nylon mesh is an alternative material for cryopreserving large quantities of bovine GV oocytes, and that a step-wise exposure to cryoprotectants may have befit for decreasing disadvantage during vitrification

Macrophage centripetal migration drives spontaneous healing process after spinal cord injury.

Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) brings numerous inflammatory cells, including macrophages, from the circulating blood to lesions, but pathophysiological impact resulting from spatiotemporal dynamics of macrophages is unknown. Here, we show that macrophages centripetally migrate toward the lesion epicenter after infiltrating into the wide range of spinal cord, depending on the gradient of chemoattractant C5a. However, macrophages lacking interferon regulatory factor 8 (IRF8) cannot migrate toward the epicenter and remain widely scattered in the injured cord with profound axonal loss and little remyelination, resulting in a poor functional outcome after SCI. Time-lapse imaging and P2X/YRs blockade revealed that macrophage migration via IRF8 was caused by purinergic receptors involved in the C5a-directed migration. Conversely, pharmacological promotion of IRF8 activation facilitated macrophage centripetal movement, thereby improving the SCI recovery. Our findings reveal the importance of macrophage centripetal migration via IRF8, providing a novel therapeutic target for central nervous system injury

Gliosarcoma arising from a fibrillary astrocytoma

We report a 67-year-old woman who was diagnosed with a gliosarcoma at a second operation after diagnosis of a fibrillary astrocytoma 5 months previously. Initially, she underwent a CT-guided stereotactic biopsy. Histological examination showed fibrillary astrocytoma (World Health Organization [WHO] grade II). Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) on 1 p, 10q, and 19q was not detected. She received chemotherapy, but no radiotherapy. Five months after the biopsy, MRI revealed rapid tumor growth. Tissue obtained from partial removal of the tumor revealed gliosarcoma (WHO grade IV), and LOH on 10q and 19q was detected. The history, histopathology, and genetic alterations of this patient are discussed.ArticleJOURNAL OF CLINICAL NEUROSCIENCE. 18(9):1251-1254 (2011)journal articl

Targeting of MIST to Src-family kinases via SKAP55–SLAP-130 adaptor complex in mast cells11The rat SKAP55 cDNA nucleotide sequence has been deposited in DDBJ database under accession number AB092812.

AbstractMIST (mast cell immunoreceptor signal transducer; also termed Clnk) is an adaptor protein structurally related to SLP-76-family hematopoietic cell-specific adaptor proteins. We demonstrate here that two major MIST-associated phosphoproteins expressed in mast cell lines are SLAP-130 and SKAP55, adaptors known to interact with the Src-homology (SH) 2 domain of Src-family protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs). MIST directly associated with SLAP-130 via its SH2 domain, and collaboration of SLAP-130 with SKAP55 was required for the recruitment of MIST to Lyn. Furthermore, MIST was preferentially recruited to Fyn rather than Lyn, which is regulated by higher affinity binding of SLAP-130 and SKAP55 with the Fyn-SH2 domain than the Lyn-SH2 domain. Our results suggest that the MIST–SLAP-130–SKAP55 adaptor complex functions downstream of high-affinity IgE receptor-associated Src-PTKs in mast cells

Characteristics of dietary intake in relation to the consumption of home-produced foods among farm women in two rural areas of Kenya: A preliminary study

The present study aimed to clarify the differences in nutritional intake in relation to the consumption of local food products and dietary patterns between two rural Kenyan regions, Kitui and Vihiga, where different ethnic groups live in different agro-ecological zones. A participant observation study with weighted dietary records was conducted in August 2019. Enumerators stayed in each targeted household for approximately one week and measured the ingredients and dishes. We compared the dietary intake of farm women in charge of meal preparation (n = 21) between the two regions and examined the contribution of each dish to the intake and the degree of home production for each food item. The results showed no difference in energy intake, but vitamin B2, B12, and C intakes were significantly higher in Vihiga, influenced by their consuming small fish and a variety of homegrown leafy vegetables. The people in Kitui consumed large quantities of homegrown pigeon peas, largely contributing to their nutritional intake. Dietary patterns were similar; common staple foods and tea with sugar accounted for about 40% of energy and protein intakes and fruit consumption was low. There was no difference in foods purchased frequently. These results suggested that promoting locally available fruits and vegetables would contribute to a sustainable supply of adequate micronutrients. Further studies are required to develop strategies to promote healthy dietary habits and improve health status

Simulation study on enhancing hydrogen production in an ocean thermal energy (OTEC) system utilizing a solar collector

This article reports the simulation study on the performance of utilizing a solar collector at the inlet of an evaporator to provide auxiliary heat into a system for hydrogen generation in an OTEC cycle. The conventional method of OTEC is simulated by FORTRAN programming and the results were compared with the presence of solar collector on the system. In the simulation experimental, the incoming temperature of warm seawater was boosted by using a flat plate solar collector. For the purpose of the experiment, a 100 kW OTEC cycle that was designed incorporated a solar boosting capability. Its thermodynamic efficiency was then compared through a series of simulation involving several control parameters. The results reveal that the proposed solar boosted OTEC enhanced the thermal efficiency, TE. Increase in solar power absorption can increase the net power output, thus increasing the amount of hydrogen produced. The results obtained provided insights, from a thermodynamic perspective, on the outcome of combining sustainable energy with solar thermal energy to improve the system performance

Phosphodiesterase-III Inhibitor Prevents Hemorrhagic Transformation Induced by Focal Cerebral Ischemia in Mice Treated with tPA

The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether cilostazol, a phosphodiesterase-III inhibitor and antiplatelet drug, would prevent tPA-associated hemorrhagic transformation. Mice subjected to 6-h middle cerebral artery occlusion were treated with delayed tPA alone at 6 h, with combined tPA plus cilostazol at 6 h, or with vehicle at 6 h. We used multiple imaging (electron microscopy, spectroscopy), histological and neurobehavioral measures to assess the effects of the treatment at 18 h and 7 days after the reperfusion. To further investigate the mechanism of cilostazol to beneficial effect, we also performed an in vitro study with tPA and a phosphodiesterase-III inhibitor in human brain microvascular endothelial cells, pericytes, and astrocytes. Combination therapy with tPA plus cilostazol prevented development of hemorrhagic transformation, reduced brain edema, prevented endothelial injury via reduction MMP-9 activity, and prevented the blood-brain barrier opening by inhibiting decreased claudin-5 expression. These changes significantly reduced the morbidity and mortality at 18 h and 7 days after the reperfusion. Also, the administration of both drugs prevented injury to brain human endothelial cells and human brain pericytes. The present study indicates that a phosphodiesterase-III inhibitor prevents the hemorrhagic transformation induced by focal cerebral ischemia in mice treated with tPA

Metabolic syndrome and metabolically unhealthy obesity with cancer mortality

Purpose The association between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and the risk of death from cancer is still a controversial issue. The purpose of this study was to examine the associations of MetS and metabolically unhealthy obesity (MUHO) with cancer mortality in a Japanese population. Methods We used data from the Japan Multi-Institutional Collaborative Cohort Study. The study population consisted of 28,554 eligible subjects (14,103 men and 14,451 women) aged 35–69 years. MetS was diagnosed based on the criteria of the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP-ATP III) and the Japan Society for the Study of Obesity (JASSO), using the body mass index instead of waist circumference. The Cox proportional hazards analysis was used to estimate adjusted hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for total cancer mortality in relation to MetS and its components. Additionally, the associations of obesity and the metabolic health status with cancer mortality were examined. Results During an average 6.9-year follow-up, there were 192 deaths from cancer. The presence of MetS was significantly correlated with increased total cancer mortality when the JASSO criteria were used (HR = 1.51, 95% CI 1.04–2.21), but not when the NCEP-ATP III criteria were used (HR = 1.09, 95% CI 0.78–1.53). Metabolic risk factors, elevated fasting blood glucose, and MUHO were positively associated with cancer mortality (P <0.05). Conclusion MetS diagnosed using the JASSO criteria and MUHO were associated with an increased risk of total cancer mortality in the Japanese population