[Features of the B chromosome in Korean wood mice Apodemus peninsulae (Thomas, 1906) from Transbaikalia and the Far East identified by the FISH method].

Korean field mice (Apodemus peninsulae) are widely distributed throughout northeastern Asia, including the Russian Far East, northern China, the Korean peninsula, Sakhalin, and Hokkaido. This mouse species is characterized by a high frequency of animals with B chromosomes differing in their number, morphology, and DNA composition in different geographical regions. For the first time a comparative analysis of DNA probes from B chromosomes with metaphase chromosomes of mice from Transbaikalia, the Far East (including the Russian Far East), Japan, and South Korea was conducted by in situ hybridization. B chromosomes in mice from the Russian Far East were shown to exhibit low variability in DNA content; however, the DNA composition of B chromosomes in species from Transbaikalia and Japan were highly variable. B chromosomes in A. peninsulae from the South Korean population demonstrate minor differences from those from the Russian Far East. We discuss the origin of B chromosomes in the studied region in comparison with previously obtained data for mice from Siberia and the Baikal region, as well as the dispersal routes of the Korean field mouse.

Intra-operative warming with a forced-air warmer in preventing hypothermia after tourniquet deflation in elderly patients.

This randomized, single-blind study aimed to explore the effects of intra-operative warming with a forced-air warmer in the prevention of hypothermia after tourniquet deflation in elderly patients undergoing unilateral total knee replacement arthroplasty under general anaesthesia. Patients were randomized to receive either intra-operative warming using a forced-air warmer with an upper body blanket (warming group; n = 12) or no intra-operative warming (nonwarming group; n = 12). Oesophageal temperature was measured as core body temperature. At 30 min following tourniquet inflation, the core body temperature started to increase in the warming group whereas it continued to drop in the non-warming group. This difference was statistically significant. The final core body temperature after tourniquet deflation was significantly higher in the warming group (mean +/- SD 36.1 +/- 0.2 degrees C) than in the non-warming group (35.4 +/- 0.3 degrees C). Intra-operative forced-air warming increased the core body temperature before tourniquet deflation and prevented subsequent hypothermia in elderly patients under general anaesthesia.

Enhancement of neurite outgrowth using nano-structured scaffolds coupled with laminin.

Cell interactions with scaffolds are important for cell and tissue development in the process of repairing and regeneration of damaged tissue. Scaffolds that mimic extracellular matrix (ECM) surface topography, mechanical stiffness, and chemical composition will be advantageous to promote enhanced cell interactions. Electrospinning can easily produce nano-structured synthetic polymer mats with architecture that structurally resembles the ECM of tissue. Although electrospinning can produce sub-micron fibrous scaffolds, modification of electrospun scaffolds with bioactive molecules is beneficial as this can create an environment that consists of biochemical cues to further promote cell adhesion, proliferation and differentiation. Incorporation of laminin, a neurite promoting ECM protein, onto the nanofibers is an alternative to further mimic the biochemical properties of the nervous tissue to create a biomimetic scaffold. In this study, we investigated the feasibility to functionalize scaffolds by coupling laminin onto poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) nanofibers. Laminin was successfully added to nanofibers using covalent binding, physical adsorption or blended electrospinning procedures. PC12 cell viability and neurite outgrowth assays confirmed that the functionalized nanofibers were able to enhance axonal extensions. Significantly, compared to covalent immobilization and physical adsorption, blended electrospinning of laminin and synthetic polymer is a facile and efficient method to modify nanofibers for the fabrication of a biomimetic scaffold. Using these functionalization techniques, nanofibers can be effectively modified with laminin for potential use in peripheral nerve regeneration applications.

Contralateral Approach to Coil Embolization of Proximal A1 Aneurysms Using the Anterior Communicating Artery.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Aneurysms arising from the proximal A1 segment of the anterior cerebral artery are rare, and their distinctive configurations often pose technical challenges during endovascular embolization. Herein, we present 11 patients with proximal A1 aneurysms requiring a contralateral approach (via the anterior communicating artery) to coil embolization. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From a prospectively collected data repository, we retrieved records of 11 patients consecutively treated for proximal A1 aneurysms between January 2011 and March 2018. In each instance, coil embolization was performed by the contralateral route. Outcomes were analyzed in terms of morphologic features and clinical status. RESULTS: Aneurysms in all 11 patients were directed posteriorly and were small (<5 mm). A contralateral approach (via the anterior communicating artery) was used after ipsilateral attempts at aneurysm selection failed in each instance, despite using a variety of microcatheters. Single punctures and single guiding catheters sufficed in 9 patients, but 2 patients required dual punctures and 2 guiding catheters. All endovascular treatments ultimately yielded excellent outcomes. Although 1 symptomatic infarct was manifested in the course of ipsilateral treatment, no morbidity or mortality resulted from the contralateral access. CONCLUSIONS: Due to angio-anatomic constraints, a contralateral strategy for coil embolization of proximal A1 aneurysms is acceptable if ipsilateral access is technically prohibitive and the vessels (contralateral A1 and anterior communicating artery) are amenable to the passage of microdevices.

Chondrocyte apoptosis in the regenerated articular cartilage after allogenic chondrocyte transplantation in the rabbit knee.

We attempted to repair full-thickness defects in the articular cartilage of the trochlear groove of the femur in 30 rabbit knee joints using allogenic cultured chondrocytes embedded in a collagen gel. The repaired tissues were examined at 2, 4, 8, 12 and 24 weeks after operation using histological and histochemical methods. The articular defect filling index measurement was derived from safranin-O stained sections. Apoptotic cellular fractions were derived from analysis of apoptosis in situ using TUNEL staining, and was confirmed using caspase-3 staining along with quantification of the total cellularity. The mean articular defect filling index decreased with time. After 24 weeks it was 0.7 (SD 0.10), which was significantly lower than the measurements obtained earlier (p < 0.01). The highest mean percentage of apoptotic cells were observed at 12 weeks, although the total cellularity decreased with time. Because apoptotic cell death may play a role in delamination after chondrocyte transplantation, anti-apoptotic gene therapy may protect transplanted chondrocytes from apoptosis.

Expression of an HSP110 family, ischemia-responsive protein (irp94), in the rat brain after transient forebrain ischemia.

The transcriptional expression of an ischemia responsive protein (irp94) in the hippocampus of rats was analyzed by Northern blotting. A transient forebrain ischemia was induced in the rats by temporary occluding of the bilateral common carotid arteries (CCAs) for various periods, and then reperfusion. Among the frontal, parietal, temporal and occipital lobes, and the cerebellum and hippocampus, the maximum mRNA expression of irp94 was at the occipital lobe, and the minimum was at the parietal lobe following ten min of forebrain ischemia. The irp94 mRNA expression reached a maximum fifteen min after the transient ischemia. From twenty min on after the ischemia its expression decreased. After a ten-min ischemia and the following reperfusion, irp94 mRNA expression gradually increased in the first twelve h, and then decreased. The expression pattern was like that of the endoplasmic reticulum chaperone, Erp72, but not that of the cytosol chaperone, hsp72. In addition, when intracellular ATP was depleted with antimycin A the mRNA level of irp94 increased in a thyrocyte cell culture model. The results suggest that irp94, like a molecular chaperone, may play a role in protecting the cell against external stimulation, especially after a transient forebrain ischemia. Although future studies of irp94 will be required to clarify the interactions with other intracellular factors inducing ischemia or showing molecular chaperone activity, what is offered here is an insight into its functional role as a component of stress response in neurons that should be considered as a new therapeutic approach for the treatment of ischemia.

Ischemia-responsive protein (irp94) is up-regulated by endoplasmic reticulum stress.

The expression of the ischemia-responsive protein (irp94) was enhanced by endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress inducing drugs such as brefeldin A (BFA), calcium ionophor A23187, dithiothreitol (DTT) and tunicamycin in fisher rat thyroid epithelial cell line (FRTL-5 cells). In particular, irp94 mRNA expression was increased dose dependently by tunicamycin, and there was increased irp94 expression when the cells were incubated with the thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) together.

Effect of reverse curve mushroom archwire on lower incisors in adult patients: a prospective study.

This prospective clinical study was undertaken to analyze adult skeletodental changes induced by a reverse curve mushroom archwire during the initial stage of treatment. Lateral cephalograms from before treatment and immediately after bite opening were evaluated from 8 female adult patients who were undergoing lingual orthodontic treatment. Before treatment the patients had a mean overbite of 3.9 mm. Six linear and 5 angular measurements were selected for cephalometric analysis. The mean change in the cephalometric parameters was subjected to paired t-tests to determine whether the change was significant. There was a highly significant overbite reduction (-1.9 mm, P < .001) leaving a postintrusion overbite of 2.0 mm. The lower incisors were intruded 1.5 mm (P < .001) and the lower incisor edge was in an approximately stable sagittal position (L1 to NPg = -0.2 mm, NS). Some lower incisor proclination (L1 to MP = 1.2 degrees) was seen, which was not of significance. The mandibular molars were not significantly extruded. After bite opening the mandibular plane angle was not significantly altered. Consequently, the lower anterior face height was not significantly increased. The results of this study revealed that the use of reverse curve mushroom archwire is capable of intruding the lower incisors with minimal side effects on the posterior teeth.

In vivo study of novel nanofibrous intra-luminal guidance channels to promote nerve regeneration.

A novel nanofibrous construct for promoting peripheral nerve repair was fabricated and tested in a rat sciatic nerve defect model. The conduit is made out of bilayered nanofibrous membranes with the nanofibers longitudinally aligned in the lumen and randomly oriented on the outer surface. The intra-luminal guidance channel is made out of aligned nanofibrous yarns. In addition, biomolecules such as laminin and nerve growth factor were incorporated in the nanofibrous nerve construct to determine their efficacy in in vivo nerve regeneration. Muscle reinnervation, withdrawal reflex latency, histological, axon density and electrophysiology tests were carried out to compare the efficacy of nanofibrous constructs with an autograft. Our study showed mixed results when comparing the artificial constructs with an autograft. In some cases, the nanofibrous conduit with aligned nanofibrous yarn as an intra-luminal guidance channel performs better than the autograft in muscle reinnervation and withdrawal reflex latency tests. However, the axon density count is highest in the autograft at mid-graft. Functional recovery was improved with the use of the nerve construct which suggested that this nerve implant has the potential for clinical usage in reconstructing peripheral nerve defects.

Hydroxychloroquine potentiates Fas-mediated apoptosis of rheumatoid synoviocytes.

Inadequate apoptosis may contribute to the synovial hyperplasia associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The Fas-associated death domain protein (FADD)-like interleukin (IL)-1beta-converting enzyme (FLICE)-inhibitory protein (FLIP), which is an apoptotic inhibitor, has been implicated in the resistance to Fas-mediated apoptosis of synoviocytes. This study investigated whether hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), an anti-rheumatic drug, induces the apoptosis of rheumatoid synoviocytes, and modulates the expression of FLIP. Fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) were prepared from the synovial tissues of RA patients, and were cultured with various concentrations of HCQ in the presence or absence of the IgM anti-Fas monoclonal antibodies (mAb) (CH11). Treatment with HCQ, ranging from 1 to 100 microM, induced the apoptosis of FLS in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The increase in synoviocytes apoptosis by HCQ was associated with caspase-3 activation. A combined treatment of HCQ and anti-Fas mAb increased FLS apoptosis and caspase-3 activity synergistically, compared with either anti-Fas mAb or HCQ alone. The Fas expression level in the FLS was not increased by the HCQ treatment, while the FLIP mRNA and protein levels were decreased rapidly by the HCQ treatment. Moreover, time kinetics analysis revealed that the decreased expression of FLIP by HCQ preceded the apoptotic event that was triggered by HCQ plus anti-Fas mAb. Taken together, HCQ increases the apoptosis of rheumatoid synoviocytes by activating caspase-3, and also sensitizes rheumatoid synoviocytes to Fas-mediated apoptosis. Our data suggest that HCQ may exert its anti-rheumatic effect in rheumatoid joints through these mechanisms.

Isolation ofC-glycosylflavones as probing stimulant of planthoppers in rice plant.

Three species of planthopper,Nilaparvata lugens,Sogatella furcifera, andLaodelphax striatellus, showed characteristic behavior of stylet probing in parenchymal tissues of plants. Feeding experiments of planthoppers on aqueous sucrose solution containing the extract of rice plants or barnyard grass revealed the presence of the stimulant for the probing behavior in the plant tissues. EightC-glycosylflavones which stimulated stylet probing were isolated from rice plants. Four of them were identified to be schaftoside, neoschaftoside, carlinoside, and neocarlinoside, the last one being a new compound isolated from the plant. The isolatedC-glycosylflavones showed the same level of the activity for the probing ofN. lugens as the rice plant extract only when all of them were combined.

The genetic relationships of two subspecies of striped field mice, Apodemus agrarius coreae and Apodemus agrarius chejuensis.

We obtained 282 base pairs of sequence for the mitochondrial control region of 70 individuals of Korean striped field mice Apodemus agrarius coreae and Apodemus agrarius chejuensis to determine the levels of genetic divergence between these morphologically distinct taxa. The DNA sequences showed more genetic diversity (pi) in A. agrarius coreae (2.98%) than in A. agrarius chejuensis (1.86%). Our data do not support the current concept that the two morphotypes are different species, but phylogenetic analysis indicates that animals of A. agrarius coreae with large body size from Wan Island cluster with the large-bodied A. agrarius chejuensis, and should be included in that taxon. As currently accepted A. agrarius coreae is not strictly monophyletic, because the large-bodied samples cluster within the range of mitochondrial variation of A. agrarius chejuensis. The fact that the two morphotypes do not share mitochondrial haplotypes (chi2=66, P < 0.001) suggests that there is little gene flow between them. A molecular clock estimate suggests that the two subspecies might have been isolated at the time of separation of the islands from the mainland.

Mitochondrial cytochrome b gene sequence diversity in the Korean hare, Lepus coreanus Thomas (Mammalia, Lagomorpha).

Partial sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene of the Korean hare (Lepus coreanus) were analyzed to determine the degree of genetic diversity. Nine haplotypes were observed, and the maximum Tamura-Nei nucleotide distance among them was 2.8%, indicating that genetic diversity of L. coreanus is moderate. In order to clarify the Korean hare's taxonomic status and relationship with the Manchurian hare (L. mandshuricus) and the Chinese hare (L. sinensis), these nine haplotypes of the Korean hare were compared with 13 haplotypes from five other species of eastern Asian Lepus including L. mandshuricus and L. sinensis. The Korean hare was distinct in its cytochrome b gene, and it is confirmed that L. coreanus is a valid species, as noted by Jones and Johnson (1965, Univ. Kansas Publ. (Mus. Nat. Hist.) 16:357). Further analyses of mtDNA cytochrome b gene with additional specimens of L. coreanus from North Korea and other species of Lepus from eastern Asia are needed to clarify the taxonomic status of the divergent mtDNA clades of L. mandshuricus and L. sinensis.