Two activators of in vitro fertilization in mice from licorice

AbstractSystems for artificial insemination have been established in some animals. However, due to limited availability of sperm and oocytes, more effective treatment methodologies are required. Recently, it was demonstrated that the rate of in vitro fertilization (IVF) in mice was improved by adding a water extract of licorice (Glycyrrhiza uralensis), but not glycyrrhizic acid, to the artificial insemination culture medium. In this study, we examined licorice extract for active compounds using bioassay-guided separation. The results indicated that isoliquiritigenin and formononetin were the active molecules in licorice that contributed to the improved rate of IVF

High-speed simulation of PCB emission and immunity with frequency-domain IC/LSI source models

Some recent results from research conducted in the EMC group at Okayama University are reviewed. A scheme for power-bus modeling with an analytical method is introduced. A linear macro-model for ICs/LSIs, called the LECCS model, has been developed for EMI and EMS simulation. This model has a very simple structure and is sufficiently accurate. Combining the LECCS model with analytical simulation techniques for power-bus resonance simulation provides a method for high-speed EMI simulation and decoupling evaluation related to PCB and LSI design. A useful explanation of the common-mode excitation mechanism, which utilizes the imbalance factor of a transmission line, is also presented. Some of the results were investigated by implementing prototypes of a high-speed EMI simulator, HISES. </p

A 5 kDa protein (SCS23) from the 30 S subunit of the spinach chloroplast ribosome

AbstractThe proteins of the 30 S ribosomal subunits from spinach chloroplasts were investigated using a radical-free and highly reducing (RFHR) method of two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). Twenty-three proteins were resolved on the gel down to the smallest protein of 5 kDa. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of the 5 kDa protein showed no homology with that of any other protein stored in databases, and the copy numbers were estimated to be 0.88±0.16 and 0.72±0.04 in the 30 S subunits and the 70 S ribosomes, respectively. The results suggest that the 5 kDa protein, which we have called SCS23, may be an essential ribosomal protein specific to spinach chloroplasts

In Vitro Fertilization Activators for Future

Artificial insemination is an indispensable technology for cattle breeding and is used for treating infertility in humans. Thus, new or improved methods are needed to increase the efficiency of artificial insemination. In vitro fertilization (IVF) has been developed in mice. Although many mouse lines produced using IVF have been preserved by freezing embryos and/or fertilized eggs, the more efficient IVF using freezing preservation or long‐term refrigeration of sperm is expected to preserve mouse lines more easily. In this chapter, we introduce the active compounds in licorice to improve the rate of IVF. We previously reported that the rate of IVF in mice was improved by adding a water extract of licorice (Glycyrrhiza uralensis), but not glycyrrhizin, to the artificial insemination culture medium. Recently, we analyzed the active ethyl acetate fraction containing high levels of flavonoids. This fraction was further purified by bioassay‐guided separation to isolate isoliquiritigenin and formononetin, which contributed to the improved rate of IVF. Isoliquiritigenin and formononetin may be useful therapeutic agents for infertility treatment

T1強調像での信号強度が出生後日数と負の相関性を示す新生児・乳児期の脳構造

Purpose: Although the neonatal and infantile brain typically shows sequential T1 shortening according to gestational age as a result of myelination, several structures do not follow this rule. We evaluated the relationship between the signal intensity of various structures in the neonatal and infantile brain on T1-weighted imaging (T1WI) and either postnatal or gestational age. Materials and Methods: We examined magnetic resonance images from 120 newborns and infants without any abnormalities in the central nervous system. Written informed consent was obtained from all parents and the institutional review board approved the study. Gestational age at examination ranged from 35 weeks, 3 days to 46 weeks, 6 days, and postnatal age ranged from 7 days to 127 days. Signal intensity on T1WI was evaluated on a scale from Grade 1 (indistinguishable from surrounding structures) to Grade 4 (higher than cortex and close to fat). We evaluated relationships between the T1 signal grades of various structures in the neonatal brain and postnatal or gestational age using Spearman’s correlation analysis. Results: Significant positive correlations were identified between T1 signal grade and gestational age in the pyramidal tract (P < 0.001). Conversely, significant negative correlations were evident between T1 signal grade and postnatal age (P < 0.001), in structures including the stria medullaris thalami, fornix cerebellar vermis, dentate nucleus and anterior pituitary gland. Conclusion: Significant negative correlations exist between signal intensity on T1WI and postnatal age in some structures of the neonatal and infantile brain. Some mechanisms other than myelination might play roles in the course of signal appearance.博士（医学）・乙第1405号・平成29年6月28日Copyright © 2017 by Japanese Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine : This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives International License(https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/deed.ja)

IL-34 mediates acute kidney injury and worsens subsequent chronic kidney disease

Macrophages (Mø) are integral in ischemia/reperfusion injury–incited (I/R-incited) acute kidney injury (AKI) that leads to fibrosis and chronic kidney disease (CKD). IL-34 and CSF-1 share a receptor (c-FMS), and both cytokines mediate Mø survival and proliferation but also have distinct features. CSF-1 is central to kidney repair and destruction. We tested the hypothesis that IL-34–dependent, Mø-mediated mechanisms promote persistent ischemia-incited AKI that worsens subsequent CKD. In renal I/R, the time-related magnitude of Mø-mediated AKI and subsequent CKD were markedly reduced in IL-34–deficient mice compared with controls. IL-34, c-FMS, and a second IL-34 receptor, protein-tyrosine phosphatase ζ (PTP-ζ) were upregulated in the kidney after I/R. IL-34 was generated by tubular epithelial cells (TECs) and promoted Mø-mediated TEC destruction during AKI that worsened subsequent CKD via 2 distinct mechanisms: enhanced intrarenal Mø proliferation and elevated BM myeloid cell proliferation, which increases circulating monocytes that are drawn into the kidney by chemokines. CSF-1 expression in TECs did not compensate for IL-34 deficiency. In patients, kidney transplants subject to I/R expressed IL-34, c-FMS, and PTP−ζ in TECs during AKI that increased with advancing injury. Moreover, IL-34 expression increased, along with more enduring ischemia in donor kidneys. In conclusion, IL-34-dependent, Mø-mediated, CSF-1 nonredundant mechanisms promote persistent ischemia-incited AKI that worsens subsequent CKD

Total humerus replacement for osteosarcoma with proximal part of humerus: a case report

Incisional biopsy and intramedullary pinning were performed for pathological fracture associated with a malignant bone tumor of the proximal humerus. Osteosarcoma, for which preoperative chemotherapy had been performed, was confirmed by postoperative pathological examination. To achieve wide resection and acquire a safe resected margin, total humerus replacement was performed, and the whole humerus was reconstructed using the Howmedica Modular Reconstruction system. The patient resumed normal activities, although mild contracture of the elbow joint remains 8 years after surgery

Factors influencing the Effectiveness of Hemodilution Therapy for Patients with Ruptured Cerebral Aneurysm

We operated on 621 patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) due to ruptured intracranial aneurysm from 1979 to 1987. All the patients were operated on within 72 hours after the rupture of aneurysm. From 1979 to 1983, 312 patients with ruptured intracranial aneurysm were treated without postoperative hemodilution therapy (No-Hemodilution). From 1984 to 1987, 309 patients were treated with hemodilution therapy (Hemodilution). We have performed the hemodilution therapy for the prevention of cerebral ischemia due to vasospasm following SAH since January, 1984. Indication for the hemodilution therapy was the hematocrit value of above 30.0-33.0 % at Day 7 after onset. In the No-Hemodilution period (1979-1983), the mean value of hematocrit of 253 patients was 36.7 % and in the Hemodilution period (1984-1987) , the value of 150 patients was 31.9 %. The difference in these values is statistically significant. From the viewpoint of over-all outcome, the rate of Good Recovery was higher and that of Death was lower in the Hemodilution period (p < 0.001). 1. The correlation of the age and outcome: The mortality was higher with increasing age especially in patients over 60 years (p < 0.001). This result seemed to be due to the vulnerability of the brain by cerebral ischemia in the old age. 2. The correlation of the sites of ruptured aneurysm and outcome: In the ruptured aneurysm of the anterior cerebral artery, the mortality was higher than that of other sites (p < 0.001). Generally, the symptoms of ischemia in the anterior cerebral artery terri tory are more severe than those of other sites. By the hemodilution therapy the symptoms of ische mia in the anterior cerbral artery territory seemed to be prevented. 3. The correlation of the preoperative grade and outcome: The mortality and morbidity were higher especially in the preoperative grade (p < 0.001). In the preoperative grade Id the outcome has a tendency to be determined by the severity of cerebral vasospasm. By the hemodilution therapy the occurrence of ischemia is decreased. We conclude that the hemodilution therapy is effective for the prevention and treatment of cerebral ischemia due to vasognasm