A Novel Method for Acquired Sex Chromosome Mosaicism.

The phenomenon of sex chromosome loss from hematopoietic cells is an emerging indicator of biological aging. While many methods to detect this loss have been developed, enhancing the field, these existing methods often suffer from being labor-intensive, expensive, and not sufficiently sensitive. To bridge this gap, a novel and more efficient technique is developed, named the SinChro assay. This method employs multiplexed single-cell droplet PCR, designed to detect cells with sex chromosome loss at single-cell resolution. Through the SinChro assay, the age-dependent increase in Y chromosome loss in male blood is successfully mapped. The age-dependent loss of the X chromosome in female blood is also identified, a finding that has been challenging with existing methods. The advent of the SinChro assay marks a significant breakthrough in the study of age-related sex mosaicism. Its utility extends beyond blood analysis, applicable to a variety of tissues, and it holds the potential to deepen the understanding of biological aging and related diseases.

Anti-androgenic activities of Ganoderma lucidum.

The inhibitory effects of methanol extracts of 19 edible and medicinal mushrooms on 5alpha-reductase activity were examined. The extract of Ganoderma lucidum Fr. Krast (Ganodermataceae) showed the strongest 5alpha-reductase inhibitory activity. The treatment of the fruit body of Ganoderma lucidum or the extract prepared from it significantly inhibited the testosterone-induced growth of the ventral prostate in castrated rats. These results showed that Ganoderma lucidum might be a useful ingredient for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

Ultrastructure of ceramic-bone interface using hydroxyapatite and beta-tricalcium phosphate ceramics and replacement mechanism of beta-tricalcium phosphate in bone.

Hydroxyapatite (HA) and beta-tricalcium phosphate (beta-TCP) are useful for grafting and augmentation of bone tissue. Observation by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was done to investigate the ultrastructures at the interfaces between the biomaterials and the adjacent tissue, and osteogenesis around the biomaterials in the present study. HA and beta-TCP ceramics were used in disk forms which had macropores and micropores, and were implanted between the parietal bone and the cranial periosteum of rats. Specimens were prepared for observation at 4 and 8 weeks postoperatively. The microscopic results indicated that an intervening layer was present on the surface of HA, whereas it was not present on the surface of beta-TCP. A characteristic fibrillar structure was observed in the intervening layer between HA and bone under decalcification by HCl. In beta-TCP, in reticular structures observed close to the bone tissue by optical microscopy, calcification and sparse collagen fibers were interspersed among the granules of beta-TCP. In addition, close to the interface between beta-TCP and bone, many osteocytes with numerous processes were present. Some processes were elongated towards the interface. These results revealed the difference in the ultrastructures of the interfaces between HA and beta-TCP, and the dissolution mechanism of beta-TCP in bone.

Bone augmentation osteogenesis using hydroxyapatite and beta-tricalcium phosphate blocks.

PURPOSE: In this study, we investigated the differences in osteogenesis and resorption between hydroxyapatite (HA) and beta-tricalcium phosphate (beta-TCP) implanted on the parietal bone of rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: HA and beta-TCP were used in blocks with macropores and micropores. They were implanted between the parietal bone and the cranial periosteum in rats. Osteogenesis around the implanted materials was investigated histopathologically and histomorphometrically at 1, 2, 4, 8, and 24 weeks after surgery. RESULTS: At 2 weeks, osteogenesis from the parietal bone was observed around both materials, and new bone had attached directly to the surfaces of both materials. New bone grew into the pores of the upper regions of both materials with time. The beta-TCP block had a characteristic basophilic reticular structure in which the dissolution of the materials was observed close to the new bone. The HA blocks were stable for 24 weeks, whereas parts of the beta-TCP blocks were fractured and resorbed at 24 weeks. Histomorphometrically, the volume of new bone around HA was larger than that around beta-TCP. There was no remarkable change in the amount of remaining HA, but that of beta-TCP was decreased. CONCLUSION: HA blocks in this model are suitable for onlay grafts because of its stability and osteogenesis, beta-TCP is not stable. Therefore, when beta-TCP blocks are used for onlay grafts, the mechanical stress on the recipient site should be taken into consideration because of resorption and fracture.