Search for η

We measured missing mass spectrum of the ^{12}C(γ,p) reaction for the first time in coincidence with potential decay products from η^{'} bound nuclei. We tagged an (η+p) pair associated with the η^{'}N→ηN process in a nucleus. After applying kinematical selections to reduce backgrounds, no signal events were observed in the bound-state region. An upper limit of the signal cross section in the opening angle cosθ_{lab}^{ηp}<-0.9 was obtained to be 2.2 nb/sr at the 90% confidence level. It is compared with theoretical cross sections, whose normalization ambiguity is suppressed by measuring a quasifree η^{'} production rate. Our results indicate a small branching fraction of the η^{'}N→ηN process and/or a shallow η^{'}-nucleus potential.

Induced expression of Toll-like receptor 9 in peritubular capillary endothelium correlates with the progression of tubulointerstitial lesions in autoimmune disease-prone mice.

BACKGROUND: Toll-like receptor (Tlr) 9 is capable of recognizing exogenous and/or endogenous nucleic acids and plays a crucial role in innate and adaptive immunity. Recently, we showed that Tlr9 is overexpressed in podocytes, a component of the blood-urine barrier (BUB), in glomeruli of autoimmune glomerulonephritis (AGN) model mice. This study investigated the activation of peritubular capillary (PTC) endothelial cells (ECs), a component of the BUB in the tubulointerstitium, through overexpressing Tlr9, and the subsequent development of tubulointerstitial lesions (TILs) in AGN model mice. METHODS: Lupus-prone BXSB/MpJ-Yaa (Yaa) and BXSB/MpJ (BXSB) mice were used as an AGN model and control, respectively. In addition to histopathological and ultrastructural techniques, protein and mRNA levels were also evaluated. The relationship between Tlr9 and TIL indices was analyzed by statistical correlation analysis. RESULTS: Yaa mice developed TILs and showed strong Tlr9 mRNA expression in PTC ECs at 24 weeks (wks) of age. However, BXSB mice showed no TIL but faint expression of Tlr9 mRNA at 8 and 24 wks of age. Tlr9 protein localization on PTC was almost absent in BXSB mice at both ages but intense expression was found in Yaa mice only at 24 wks of age. Relative mRNA expression of Tlr9 and its putative downstream cytokines, including interleukin 1 beta ( Il1b), Il6, interferon gamma ( Ifng), and tumor necrosis factor alpha ( Tnf) was markedly increased in isolated tubulointerstitium from Yaa mice at 24 wks of age. Furthermore, electron microscopy examination revealed PTC injury and TIL in Yaa mice at 24 wks. The expression level of Tlr9 in the tubulointerstitium was correlated with inflammatory cells in TILs, injured PTC, Ilb and Tnf expression, and damaged tubules ( P < 0.05 and 0.01). CONCLUSION: Induced expression of Tlr9 in ECs correlates with PTC injury and the development of TILs in lupus-prone AGN model mice.

Differential Cross Section and Photon-Beam Asymmetry for the γ[over →]p → π

Differential cross sections and photon-beam asymmetries for the γ[over →]p→π^{-}Δ^{++}(1232) reaction have been measured for 0.7

Autoimmune abnormality affects ovulation and oocyte-pick-up in MRL/MpJ-Fas lpr/lpr mice.

Ovulation and oocyte-pick-up are essential processes in fertilization. Herein, we found associations between autoimmune disease and the aforementioned processes in mice. At three and six months, along with the evaluation of autoimmune disease indices, the ovary, mesosalpinx, and oviducts were histologically examined in C57BL/6, MRL/MpJ, and MRL/MpJ-Fas lpr/lpr mice as healthy control, mild and severe models of autoimmune disease, respectively. In superovulated mice, the number of "oocyte cumulus complexes" found in the ampulla was macroscopically counted, and that of "ovulated oocytes" was histologically evaluated, as indicated by ruptured follicles or corpora hemorrhagica in ovaries. Finally, the oocyte-pick-up rate was calculated. In MRL/MpJ-Fas lpr/lpr mice, the oocyte-pick-up rate decreased with disease-related deterioration, unlike in other mouse strains. Further, more ovulated oocytes were found in MRL/MpJ mice than in C57BL/6 mice, and this number significantly decreased with aging in MRL/MpJ-Fas lpr/lpr mice. Numerous T-cells infiltrated into the infundibulum or a part of the mesosalpinx in aged MRL/MpJ-Fas lpr/lpr mice, and their infundibulum showed swelling and fewer ciliated epithelial cells compared to that of C57BL/6 mice. In conclusion, the progression of severe autoimmune disease affected the oocyte-pick-up process through histopathological changes in the infundibulum. These results provide important insights into female infertility associated with autoimmune disease.

Interference Effect between ϕ and Λ(1520) Production Channels in the γp→K

The ϕ-Λ(1520) interference effect in the γp→K^{+}K^{-}p reaction has been measured for the first time in the energy range from 1.673 to 2.173 GeV. The relative phases between ϕ and Λ(1520) production amplitudes were obtained in the kinematic region where the two resonances overlap. The measurement results support strong constructive interference when K^{+}K^{-} pairs are observed at forward angles but destructive interference for proton emission at forward angles. Furthermore, the observed interference effect does not account for the sqrt[s]=2.1 GeV bump structure in forward differential cross sections for ϕ photoproduction. This fact suggests possible exotic structures such as a hidden-strangeness pentaquark state, a new Pomeron exchange, or rescattering processes via other hyperon states.

BXSB-type genome causes murine autoimmune glomerulonephritis: pathological correlation between telomeric region of chromosome 1 and Yaa.

The autoimmune-prone BXSB/MpJ-Yaa mouse is a model of membranous proliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN). Severe MPGN has been reported only in male BXSB/MpJ-Yaa mice because of the Y-linked autoimmune accelerator (Yaa) locus. However, we show that female BXSB/MpJ mice develop age-related MPGN without Yaa. Female BXSB/MpJ mice clearly developed MPGN characterized by increased mesangial cells, thickening of the glomerular basement membrane (GBM), double contouring and spike formation of GBM with T-cell infiltrations and podocyte injuries corresponding with increased autoantibody production and albuminuria. Analysis of the renal levels of the Fc gamma receptor (Fcgr) and interferon-activated gene 200 (Ifi200) family genes, which are MPGN candidate genes localized to the telomeric region of chromosome 1 (Chr.1), showed that Fcgr2b levels decreased, whereas Fcgr3 and Ifi202b levels increased in female BXSB/MpJ mice compared with healthy C57BL/6 mice. Furthermore, in isolated glomeruli, microarray analysis revealed that Fcgr3, Fcgr4 and Ifi202b expression was higher in male BXSB/MpJ-Yaa mice than in male BXSB/MpJ mice. These findings indicate that the BXSB/MpJ-type genome causes age-related MPGN with significant contribution from the telomeric region of Chr.1, and Yaa enhances the expression of genes localizing to this locus, thereby leading to severe MPGN in male mice.

Two-hour post-load plasma glucose levels are associated with carotid intima-media thickness in subjects with normal glucose tolerance.

AIMS: Elevated post-load plasma glucose levels may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, even when they are within the normoglycaemic range. We examined the association of carotid artery intima-media thickness, a marker of early atherosclerosis, with glycaemic variables, including post-load plasma glucose levels, in Japanese subjects with normal glucose tolerance. METHODS: The study participants were 663 Japanese subjects with normal glucose tolerance (565 men, mean age 47 ± 9 years) who underwent both a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test and carotid artery intima-media thickness measurement by B-mode ultrasonography during a health examination. Associations between maximal common carotid artery intima-media thickness and fasting plasma glucose, 1-h and 2-h plasma glucose during an oral glucose tolerance test, and HbA1c were examined. RESULTS: The carotid artery intima-media thickness gradually increased across the tertiles of 1-h plasma glucose, 2-h plasma glucose and HbA1c . In multiple linear regression analysis, 2-h plasma glucose (ß = 0.09, P = 0.012), as well as age, male gender, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, and current smoking were independent determinants of carotid artery intima-media thickness. In contrast, other glycaemic variables were not independent determinants of carotid artery intima-media thickness. The carotid artery intima-media thickness in hypertensive subjects with the highest tertile of 2-h plasma glucose [0.70 (95% CI 0.64-0.76) mm] was significantly greater than in normotensive subjects, with the lowest tertile of 2-h plasma glucose [0.60 (95% CI 0.58-0.63) mm, P = 0.037], even after adjusting for the multiple potential confounders. CONCLUSIONS: The 2-h plasma glucose during an oral glucose tolerance test was positively and independently associated with carotid artery intima-media thickness in Japanese subjects with normal glucose tolerance. In particular, the combination of elevated 2-h plasma glucose and hypertension may contribute to an increased carotid artery intima-media thickness.

Pathogenetic role of an autoimmune susceptibility locus derived from MRL/MpJ strain chromosome 1 in chronic pancreas inflammation.

We examined the role of Mag, an autoimmune susceptibility locus encoded by the telomeric region of MRL/MpJ mouse chromosome 1, in the pathogenesis of autoimmune exocrinopathy. At nine to 12 months of age, strain-specific differences were observed in the pancreas of the animals. B- and T-cell-containing periductal/perivascular cell infiltrations in the pancreases of MRL/MpJ and B6.MRLc1 congenic C57BL/6-background Mag-carrying strains were more severe than were those of C57BL/6. Pancreatic periductal/perivascular cell infiltration was observed frequently in A/J, AKR/N, B6.MRLc1, C57BL/6, and MRL/MpJ, moderately in DBA/1 and DBA/2, and rarely in BALB/c and C3H/He strains. Females tended to have greater pancreatic periductal/perivascular cell infiltration than males. C57BL/6 mice possessed defined borders between cell infiltrations and acini, but borders were indistinct in MRL/MpJ and B6.MRLc1 mice. We attributed this to the invasion of inflammatory cells between each acinus and the disruption of acinar cells around cell infiltrations in the latter strains. No strain-specific differences were observed in the appearance of fibrotic lesions and high endothelial venules in the cell infiltrates. The levels of serum anti-dsDNA antibodies and amylase, and mRNA expression of tumor necrosis factor-α and Fc gamma receptor III (encoded on Mag) in the pancreases, were elevated in MRL/MpJ- and B6.MRLc1-strain mice relative to C57BL/6. These results emphasized the crucial roles of Mag in the molecular and genetic pathogenesis of autoimmune-mediated pancreatitis.

Spin-density matrix elements for γp→K*0Σ+ at Eγ=1.85-3.0 GeV with evidence for the κ(800) meson exchange.

The exclusive reaction γp→K(+)π(-)Σ(+) was measured for the first time using linearly polarized photons at beam energies from 1.85 to 2.96 GeV. Angular distributions in the rest frame of the K(+)π(-) system were fitted to extract spin-density matrix elements of the K(*0) decay. The measured parity spin asymmetry shows that natural-parity exchange is dominant in this reaction. This result clearly indicates the need for t-channel exchange of the κ(800) scalar meson.

Predominant prevalence of arterial thrombosis in Japanese patients with antiphospholipid syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical and immunological manifestations of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) in the Japanese population by a single-centre registration. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, 141 consecutive patients with APS, fulfilling the Sydney revised Sapporo criteria for definite APS, who visited our autoimmune clinic from 1988 to 2010, were recruited and followed up. All the patients were interviewed and underwent a general physical examination by qualified rheumatologists on the day of blood sampling. RESULTS: The population comprised 119 woman and 22 men with a mean age at diagnosis of 44 years (range 9-79 years). Seventy patients (49.6%) had primary APS, and 71 (50.4%) had systemic lupus erythematosus. The prevalence of thrombosis was 85.8 per cent, arterial thrombosis was found in 93 patients (66.0%) and venous thrombosis was found in 46 patients (32.6%). The most common thrombosis was cerebral infarction [86/141 (61.0%)] followed by deep vein thrombosis [33/141 (23.4%)]. Among 70 pregnant women, 45 (64.3%) had obstetric complications. Lupus anticoagulant was detected in 116 patients (82.3%), anticardiolipin antibodies in 83 (58.9%), anti-ß2 glycoprotein I antibodies in 73 (51.8%) and phosphatidylserine-dependent antiprothrombin antibodies in 98 (69.5%). CONCLUSION: High prevalence of arterial thrombosis was noted in Japanese patients with APS. The profile of heterogeneous and complex clinical manifestations was substantiated in Japanese patients with APS.

Overexpression of interferon-activated gene 202 (Ifi202) correlates with the progression of autoimmune glomerulonephritis associated with the MRL chromosome 1.

B6.MRLc1(82-100) congenic mice carrying the telomeric region of lupus-prone MRL chromosome 1 develop autoimmune glomerulonephritis (GN). The GN susceptibility locus of B6.MRLc1(82-100) contains the interferon activated gene 200 (Ifi200) family, which consists of Ifi202, 203, 204, and 205. Recently, Ifi202 was suggested as a candidate gene for murine lupus. In this study, we assessed the association between Ifi200 family and GN in several disease models. We compared the expression of Ifi200 family members in 24 organs between the C57BL/6 and B6.MRLc1(82-100). The expressions of Ifi200 family members differed between strains, and the most dramatic differences appeared in Ifi202 expression. Briefly, in the blood, immune organs, lungs, and testes mRNA expression was higher in B6.MRLc1(82-100) mice. In the kidney and immune organs, only Ifi202 expression increased with the development of GN in B6.MRLc1(82-100), and significant differences from C57BL/6 were observed even before disease onset. Ifi202 expression in the kidneys of BXSB, NZB/WF1, and MRL/lpr was also significantly high in the early- and late-disease stages. Furthermore, laser microdissection-reverse-transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analysis confirmed the high Ifi202 expression in all areas of B6.MRLc1(82-100) kidneys. In conclusion, in the Ifi200 family, Ifi202 expressions in the kidney and immune organs significantly increased with GN progression.

Microarray analysis of multiple candidate genes and associated plasma proteins for nephropathy secondary to type 2 diabetes among Chinese individuals.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Evolving research suggests that common and rare alleles jointly constitute the genetic landscape of complex disease. We studied the association between 43 pathway-related candidate genes with 'intermediate phenotype' (i.e. corresponding plasma protein) and diabetic nephropathy in a customised microarray of 1,536 SNPs. METHODS: In this case-control study of type 2 diabetic Chinese individuals with and without diabetic nephropathy, cases (n = 545) were defined on the basis of a spot urinary albumin/creatinine ratio (ACR) > 113 mg/mmol; the value for controls (n = 503) was ACR < 3.3 mg/mmol. Genotyping was performed using Illumina GoldenGate assay. RESULTS: No single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) remained significant in single locus analysis after correction for multiple testing. Therefore, we explored the best approximately 1% SNPs. Of these 13 SNPs, four clustered to a 5' end NADPH oxidase homologue 4 (NOX4) haplotype (GGCC frequency = 0.776) with estimated OR for diabetic nephropathy of 2.05 (95% CI 1.04-4.06) (heterozygous) and 2.48 (1.27-4.83) (homozygous) (p = 0.0055). The haplotype was correlated with plasma Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD) concentration, suggesting increased oxidative burden. Endothelin-1 SNP (rs1476046G>A, frequency = 0.252) was correlated with plasma C-terminal pro-endothelin-1 concentrations with an estimated OR for diabetic nephropathy of (heterozygous) 1.26 (0.96-1.66) and (homozygous) 1.87 (1.13-3.12) (p = 0.0072). Nitric oxide synthase 1 (NOS1) 5' haplotype (TGTC frequency = 0.38) also revealed a suggestive association with diabetic nephropathy: heterozygous 1.26 (0.95-1.67), homozygous 1.57 (1.04-2.35) (p = 0.0073). A rare NADPH oxidase homologue 1 (NOX1)-coding non-synonymous SNP (Arg315His, frequency = 0.006) was found exclusively among cases. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: Our preliminary observations suggest that common haplotypes from NOX4 and endothelin-1 SNP correlated with plasma Cu/Zn SOD and C-terminal pro-endothelin-1 concentrations, respectively, and might have conferred diabetic nephropathy susceptibility. Common NOS1 and rare NOX1 variants also revealed a suggestive association with diabetic nephropathy. Future studies to validate our observation are needed.

Effect of carbohydrates on the ability of bull sperm to bind to bovine oviduct epithelial cells.

In the present study, we investigated the effect of various carbohydrates on the ability of bovine spermatozoa to bind to the bovine oviduct epithelial cells (OECs). We also examined the fertilization competence and motility of spermatozoa that bind to OECs in the presence of carbohydrates. Frozen-thawed spermatozoa were incubated with OECs, with and without various carbohydrates. The sperms were then divided into two fractions: OEC-binding sperms (B-sperm) and non-OEC binding sperms (NB-sperm). The fertilization rate, ability to bind the zona pellucida, and membrane integrity of the spermatozoa as determined using a hypo-osmotic-swelling test (HOST) were lower in NB-sperm than in the unseparated spermatozoa (control). The motility of the B-sperm was maintained for a longer time than that of the control spermatozoa. The addition of N-acetyl-d-glucosamine (GlcNAc, 5 mm) to the sperm-OEC mixture increased the number of B-sperm. D-mannose (5 mm) and D-fucose (5 mm) had no effect on the number of B-sperm. The motility of B-sperm, which bound to OECs in the presence of GlcNAc, however, was not maintained. When either OECs or the spermatozoa were treated with GlcNAc prior to sperm-OEC co-incubation, only sperm-side treatment enhanced sperm-OEC binding, but B-sperm motility was not maintained. The motility of spermatozoa incubated with GlcNAc was lower than that of controls. These results indicate that GlcNAc enhances sperm binding to OECs, probably via sperm surface modification, but does not promote increased sperm survival.

Effect of high fat diet on NKT cell function and NKT cell-mediated regulation of Th1 responses.

Diet is one of the important factors that modulate immune responses. In the present study, we have examined the capacity of dietary lipids to modify immune responses in mice and we have investigated the contribution of glycolipid-reactive natural killer T (NKT) cells in this process. Mice fed, high fat diet (HFD; 21.2% fat, 0.20% cholesterol) for 3 weeks, as compared with mice fed standard fat diet (SFD; 4.3% fat, 0.03% cholesterol), showed significantly reduced interferon-gamma production in sera at 6 or 12 h after intraperitoneal injection of an NKT cell ligand, alpha-galactosylceramide. In contrast, production of interleukin-13 was significantly higher at 2 and 6 h in HFD fed mice compared with mice on SFD. No difference was detected in the serum interleukin-4 levels between these two groups of animals. The proportion of NKT cells in spleen and liver was reduced in mice fed HFD compared with those on SFD. In addition, activation of NKT cells assessed by up-regulation of CD69 was suppressed specifically in liver from mice fed HFD. Recall responses of conventional T cells and delayed-type hypersensitivity (Th1 type) against ovalbumin were significantly suppressed in mice fed HFD in comparison with those fed SFD. This suppression was not observed in CD1d-/- mice, suggesting that NKT cells in mice fed HFD played a role in suppressing Th1 responses. Taken together, our findings suggest a critical link between NKT cells, dietary lipid and adaptive immune responses.

Thrombotic microangiopathy in patients with phosphatidylserine dependent antiprothrombin antibodies and antiphospholipid syndrome.

Thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) is a rare disorder characterized by microvascular thrombosis. TMA has been reported in patients with antiphospholipid antibodies and/or antiphospholipid syndrome but its pathogenesis is not clarified. We present two patients with TMA associated with IgG phosphatidylserine dependent antiprothrombin antibodies (aPS/PT). CASE 1: A 44-year-old Japanese female with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and positive lupus anticoagulant (LA) was started on ticlopidine after having stroke. Four weeks later she developed TMA. IgG/M/A anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL) were negative, but strong positive IgG aPS/PT were detected. CASE 2: A 32-year-old Russian female with SLE was admitted because of hypertension, renal insufficiency and proteinuria at 14 weeks of pregnancy. She developed TMA after surgical abortion. IgG aPS/PT and LA were strongly positive but IgG/M/A aCL were negative. Neither case had von Willebrand factor cleaving protease (ADAMTS-13), suggesting that TMA in those patients was associated with thrombophilia rather than insufficient ADAMTS-13. Both patients were successfully treated with a series of plasma exchange.

Effect of follicular fluid collected from various diameter follicles on the progression of nuclear maturation and developmental competence of pig oocytes.

Supplementing in vitro maturation medium with porcine follicular fluid (FF) improves maturation rate, male pronucleus formation, and monospermic fertilization of pig oocytes. This study examined, (1) if there are differences in FF derived from large follicles (LF, 5-6mm in diameter) and small follicles (SF, 3-4mm in diameter) on the effect of supplementing the maturation medium with FF on the progression of nuclear maturation, fertilization rate, and developmental competence of porcine oocytes; (2) whether the FF source influences the effect of the FF on the maturation medium on the survival rate and proliferation rate of cumulus cells (CCs) and the expansion of cumulus-oocyte-complexes (COCs); (3) whether the oocyte source (oocytes collected from LFs or SFs) influences the effect of FF on the progression of the nuclear maturation of oocytes; (4) whether the factors in the FF that affect the kinetics of nuclear maturation are proteins, and the range of the molecular weight of the FF factors. In experiment 1, adding FF from LFs (LFF) significantly accelerated nuclear maturation and improved the fertilization rate; the developmental ratio was comparable with those of adding FF from SFs (SFF). In experiment 2, adding LFF, but not SFF, improved the CC survival rate, although the FF source did not affect the proliferation rate. Expansion of COCs was greater with SFF than LFF. In experiment 3, LFF promoted nuclear maturation of oocytes collected from only LFs. There was a significant interaction between the FF source and the oocyte source in the effect on nuclear maturation stages at 36 h of maturation. In experiment 4, treatment of FF with heat or trypsin diminished the difference between the effect of LFF and SFF on the progression of nuclear maturation. In addition, the predominant effect of LFF compared to that of SFF on nuclear maturation was not affected by ultrafiltration of the FF with a 30-kDa filter, but was diminished by ultrafiltration with a 100-kDa filter. The present study suggests that some proteins present in LFF that range in molecular weight from 30 to 100 kDa improve the developmental competence of oocytes probably via progression of nuclear maturation and cumulus cells viability.

Effects of modification of in vitro fertilization techniques on the sex ratio of the resultant bovine embryos.

The duration of sperm-oocyte co-incubation has been observed to affect the sex ratio of in vitro produced bovine embryos. The purpose of this study was to investigate some factors that may be responsible for the skewed sex ratio. The factors studied were selected combinations of the duration of co-incubation, the presence or absence of cumulus cells, and the level of hyaluronic acid (HA) in the culture medium. Experiment 1 examined the effect of selected combinations of different factors during the fertilization phase of in vitro oocyte culture. The factors were the nature of the sperm or its treatment, the duration of the sperm-oocyte co-incubation, and the level of hyaluronic acid in the culture medium. In experiment 2, the capacitation of frozen-thawed-Percoll-washed sperm (control), pre-incubated, and non-binding sperm was evaluated by the zona pellucida (ZP) binding assay and the hypo-osmotic swelling test (HOST). The purpose of experiment 3 was to determine the oocyte cleavage rate and sex ratio of the embryos (>5 cells) produced as a consequence of the 10 treatments used in experiment 1. In treatments 1-3 (experiments 1 and 3) COC were co-cultured with sperm for 1, 5 or 18 h. Polyspermic fertilization rose as the co-incubation period increased (1 h 6.5%, 5 h 15.9%, 18 h 41.8%; P<0.05), and the highest rate of normal fertilization was observed for 5h culture (73.4%; P<0.05). The sex ratio was significantly (P<0.05) skewed from the expected 50:50 towards males following 1 h (64.4%) and 5 h (67.3%) co-incubation, but was not affected by 18 h incubation (52.3%). In treatment 4, sperm was pre-incubated for 1h and cultured with COC for 5 h. Relative to control sperm, pre-incubation of sperm increased ZP binding (116 versus 180 per ZP; P<0.05) and decreased the proportion of HOST positive sperm (65.8-48.6%; P<0.05; experiment 2). Pre-incubation did not affect the rates of polyspermy, normal fertilization or the sex ratio of the embryos (experiments 1 and 3). The oocytes used in treatments 5-10 of experiments 1 and 3 were denuded prior to fertilization. Co-incubation of denuded oocytes for 1h (treatment 5) or 5h (treatment 6) resulted in levels of polyspermic fertilization similar to that for treatment 2 with significantly lower levels of normal fertilization (41.7% and 52.6%, respectively; P<0.05), and the 1h co-incubation significantly skewed (P<0.05) the proportion of male embryos to 70.0%. Denuded oocytes were fertilized for 5h with sperm unable to bind to cumulus cells (NB sperm) in treatment 7 or those that bound to cumulus cells (B) in treatment 8. These two treatments had similar rates of polyspermic, normal and non-fertilization. However, the B sperm caused the sex ratio of the embryos to be significantly skewed to males (63.9%; P<0.05). Fertilization of denuded oocytes in medium containing hyaluronic acid (0.1 mg/ml, treatment 9; 1.0 mg/ml treatment 10) significantly (P<0.05) reduced the incidence of polyspermic fertilization relative to treatments 2 and 6, and normal fertilization relative to treatment 2, but did not affect the sex ratio of the embryos. It was concluded that exposure of sperm to cumulus cells, either before fertilization of denuded oocytes or during the process of fertilization of complete COC, increased the proportion of male embryos produced by in vitro culture. It was hypothesized that this may be due to the capacitation state of the sperm, the cumulus-sperm interaction, and/or the ability of the sperm to bind to cumulus cells or oocytes.

Non-traumatic hemorrhage is controlled with REBOA in acute phase then mortality increases gradually by non-hemorrhagic causes: DIRECT-IABO registry in Japan.

PURPOSE: Resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) is now a feasible and less invasive resuscitation procedure. This study aimed to compare the clinical course of trauma and non-trauma patients undergoing REBOA. METHODS: Patient demographics, etiology, bleeding sites, hemodynamic response, length of critical care, and cause of death were recorded. Characteristics and outcomes were compared between non-trauma and trauma patients. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was then conducted. RESULTS: Between August 2011 and December 2015, 142 (36 non-trauma; 106 trauma) cases were analyzed. Non-traumatic etiologies included gastrointestinal bleeding, obstetrics and gynecology-derived events, visceral aneurysm, abdominal aortic aneurysm, and post-abdominal surgery. The abdomen was a common bleeding site (69%), followed by the pelvis or extra-pelvic retroperitoneum. None of the non-trauma patients had multiple bleeding sites, whereas 45% of trauma patients did (P < 0.001). No non-trauma patients required resuscitative thoracotomy compared with 28% of the trauma patients (P < 0.001). Non-trauma patients presented a lower 24-h mortality than trauma patients (19 vs. 51%, P = 0.001). The non-trauma cases demonstrated a gradual but prolonged increased mortality, whereas survival in trauma cases rapidly declined (P = 0.009) with similar hospital mortality (68 vs. 64%). Non-trauma patients who survived for 24 h had 0 ventilator-free days and 0 ICU-free days vs. a median of 19 and 12, respectively, for trauma patients (P = 0.33 and 0.39, respectively). Non-hemorrhagic death was more common in non-trauma vs. trauma patients (83 vs. 33%, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Non-traumatic hemorrhagic shock often resulted from a single bleeding site, and resulted in better 24-h survival than traumatic hemorrhage among Japanese patients who underwent REBOA. However, hospital mortality increased steadily in non-trauma patients affected by non-hemorrhagic causes after a longer period of critical care.

The use of aortic balloon occlusion in traumatic shock: first report from the ABO trauma registry.

PURPOSE: Resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) is a technique for temporary stabilization of patients with non-compressible torso hemorrhage. This technique has been increasingly used worldwide during the past decade. Despite the good outcomes of translational studies, clinical studies are divided. The aim of this multicenter-international study was to capture REBOA-specific data and outcomes. METHODS: REBOA practicing centers were invited to join this online register, which was established in September 2014. REBOA cases were reported, both retrospective and prospective. Demographics, injury patterns, hemodynamic variables, REBOA-specific data, complications and 30-days mortality were reported. RESULTS: Ninety-six cases from 6 different countries were reported between 2011 and 2016. Mean age was 52 ± 22 years and 88% of the cases were blunt trauma with a median injury severity score (ISS) of 41 (IQR 29-50). In the majority of the cases, Zone I REBOA was used. Median systolic blood pressure before balloon inflation was 60 mmHg (IQR 40-80), which increased to 100 mmHg (IQR 80-128) after inflation. Continuous occlusion was applied in 52% of the patients, and 48% received non-continuous occlusion. Occlusion time longer than 60 min was reported as 38 and 14% in the non-continuous and continuous groups, respectively. Complications, such as extremity compartment syndrome (n = 3), were only noted in the continuous occlusion group. The 30-day mortality for non-continuous REBOA was 48%, and 64% for continuous occlusion. CONCLUSIONS: This observational multicenter study presents results regarding continuous and non-continuous REBOA with favorable outcomes. However, further prospective studies are needed to be able to draw conclusions on morbidity and mortality.

Immunoglobulin (Ig)-containing plasma cells in the Harderian gland in broiler and native chickens of Bangladesh.

The distribution and frequency of immunoglobulin (Ig)-containing plasma cells, their variations due to sex, and the mode of secretion of Ig cells into the duct system of the Harderian gland was investigated in broiler and native chickens of both sexes in Bangladesh. The Harderian gland is covered by a capsule, and the connective tissue septa divide the gland into numerous unequal-sized numerous lobes and lobules. The Ig-containing plasma cells were located in the interstitial space, interacinar space, apical part of the lobule, and lumina of the lobules of the Harderian gland in both broiler and native chickens. The population of these Ig-containing plasma cells varied in between broiler and native chickens, and also between male and female broiler and native chickens. In the broiler, the number of IgM-containing plasma cells was higher; in contrast, in the native chickens, the population of IgA-containing plasma cells was larger. In the broiler, there were more IgA- and IgG-containing plasma cells in the male; in contrast, there were more IgM-containing plasma cells in female. In native chickens the frequency of IgA-containing plasma cells was greater in the female than male. When the data for broiler and native birds were compared, it was found that there were significantly more IgA- and IgG-containing plasma cells in the native male and female chickens than in the broiler males and females. The secretory Igs were located in the lumina of acini and the duct system of the Harderian gland. In the present study Ig-containing plasma cells were observed to be released in the lumina of the lobules of Harderian gland by the breakdown of acinar tissues in broilers, and by holocrine mode of secretion in the native chicken. These results suggested that the Harderian gland, even though it is not a lymphoid organ as a whole, but acts as an immunopotent organ in chickens, and that the gland in native chicken contains more Ig-containing plasma cells due to their scavenging.