Estimation of discrimination threshold for emulsified chicken oil in chicken broth.

Although fat content affects the texture and flavor of meat and meat products, the fat discrimination thresholds are unknown. This study aimed to elucidate the discrimination threshold of fat in meat products using broth from chicken thigh meat as a meat taste model. In Experiment 1, triangle tests were conducted between 1%, 0.2%, 0.04%, and 0.008% (w/v) chicken oil-supplemented broth and broth without chicken oil. The results indicated the discrimination threshold to be between 0.04% and 0.008% (w/v). In Experiment 2, similar triangle tests were conducted using oil supplementation at 0.1%, 0.0333%, 0.0111%, and 0.0037% to refine the discrimination threshold. Logistic regression analysis revealed that the discrimination threshold of emulsified chicken oil in chicken broth was 0.0387% (w/v). We demonstrated that chicken oil made a sensory difference in chicken broth at a low concentration and indicates that the chicken oil strongly affects the sensory characteristics of chicken broth.

Giant Intraosseous Meningioma Associated with Calvarial Hyperostosis and Subcutaneous Invasion: Case Reports and Literature Review.

Most meningiomas grow intracranially, and primary intraosseous meningioma is rarely reported. We present two rare surgical cases of giant intraosseous meningothelial meningioma. The first patient was a 35-year-old male with parietal skull deformity without neurological symptoms. Total resection was successful. The origin was the parasagittal intraosseous layer, and the superior sagittal sinus was partially opened. The second patient was a 20-year-old female with a slightly upward protrusion of the frontal skull without pain or neurological deficits. The lesion was totally resected, and the origin was the parasagittal intraosseous layer invading into the dura matter and subcutaneous layer. The clinical management of these cases presented a surgical challenge because of detachment and repair from venous sinuses. The current report provides surgical tips for such rare diseases and is a good reference for the future treatment of similar diseases.

H3K27M and TERT promoter mutations are poor prognostic factors in surgical cases of adult thalamic high-grade glioma.

BACKGROUND: Thalamic high-grade gliomas (HGGs) are rare tumors with a dismal prognosis. H3K27M and telomerase reverse transcriptase promoter (TERTp) mutations reportedly contribute to poor prognoses in HGG cases. We investigated the outcomes of surgically treated adult thalamic HGGs to evaluate the prognostic significance of H3K27M and TERTp mutations. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 25 adult patients with thalamic HGG who underwent maximum surgical resection from January 1997 to March 2020. The histological and molecular characteristics, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) of the patients were compared. For molecular characteristics, target sequencing was used to determine the H3F3A, HIST1H3B, and TERTp mutations. RESULTS: H3K27M mutations were detected in 12/25 (48.0%) patients. TERTp mutations were not detected in H3K27M-mutant gliomas but were detected in 8/13 (61.5%) of H3 wild-type gliomas. Although it was not significant, H3K27M-mutant gliomas tended to have a shorter PFS (6.7 vs 13.1 months; P = .2928) and OS (22.8 vs 24.4 months; P = .2875) than H3 wild-type gliomas. Moreover, the prognosis of TERTp-mutant gliomas was as poor as that of H3K27M-mutant gliomas. Contrary, 5 gliomas harboring both H3 and TERTp wild-type showed a better median PFS (59.2 vs 6.4 months; P = .0456) and OS (71.8 vs 24.4 months; P = .1168) than those harboring H3K27M or TERTp mutations. CONCLUSIONS: TERTp-mutant gliomas included in the H3 wild-type glioma group limited patient survival as they exhibited an aggressive course similar to H3K27M-mutant gliomas. Comprehensive molecular work-up for the H3 wild-type cases may further confirm this finding.

Efficacy of intra-arterial indocyanine green angiography for the microsurgical treatment of dural arteriovenous fistula: A case report.

BACKGROUND: In this study, we report a case of dural arteriovenous fistula (dAVF) that was successfully treated using intra-arterial indocyanine green (IA-ICG) videoangiography during open surgery. Moreover, the findings of IA-ICG videoangiography were compared with those of intraoperative digital subtraction angiography (DSA). CASE DESCRIPTION: A 72-year-old male patient with a history of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and thrombocytosis presented with generalized seizure. DSA revealed Cognard Type III dAVF in the superior wall of the left transverse sinus, which was fed by a single artery (the left occipital artery [OA]) and drained into a single vein (the left temporal cortical vein), without drainage into a venous sinus. Since transarterial embolization was considered challenging due to the tortuosity of the left OA, surgical interruption of the shunt was performed by craniotomy. After excising the feeding artery, we were unable to observed dAVF on intraoperative DSA. However, IA-ICG videoangiography revealed the remaining shunt, which was fed by the collateral route from the feeding artery. The shunting point and draining vein were then surgically resected to eliminate the shunt. The shunt was not observed during the second IA-ICG videoangiography conducted after resection. CONCLUSION: ICG videoangiography is a better method compared with DSA in terms of visualizing fine vascular lesions. In contrast to the typical intravenous administration, selective IA-ICG can be repeatedly injected at a minimal dose. IA-ICG is a useful intraoperative tool that can be used to evaluate the elimination of the dAVF.

[Coil Embolization of Vertebral Artery Aneurysm Using Direct Percutaneous Puncture of Vertebral Artery:A Technical Report].

Although direct puncture of the cervical vertebral artery(VA)is not commonly performed in neuroendovascular therapy, it is sometimes inevitable for procedural or technical reasons. We report a case of a ruptured VA aneurysm that required direct cervical VA puncture for treatment. A 79-year-old man was transferred to our hospital with the diagnosis of subarachnoid hemorrhage. Cerebral angiography revealed a right VA-posterior inferior cerebellar artery aneurysm. The aneurysm showed downward projection due to retrograde flow of the right VA caused by chronic occlusion of the right subclavian artery. For endovascular treatment, the approach through the VA union via the left VA was thought to be most appropriate;however, the left VA was very tortuous and the microcatheter could not cross the VA union. We performed percutaneous direct puncture of the left cervical VA. An 18-G intravenous catheter needle(Surflo®)was advanced and set into the C5/6 segment of the VA under biplane fluoroscopic road-mapping guidance. The microcatheter reached the aneurysm and coil embolization was successfully performed. The patient was kept intubated under general anesthesia overnight, to monitor for cervical subcutaneous hematoma. Several procedures for direct VA puncture have been reported. The major problem is the difficulty with hemostasis and maintenance of the airway is important. Although the indication is limited due to the difficulty of adjunctive techniques and postoperative antithrombotic therapy, direct VA puncture under biplane fluoroscopic guidance was useful in this case.

The Effective Treatment of Lung Infection Due to Scedosporium prolificans with Voriconazole and Surgery.

Scedosporium prolificans is a fungus that has demonstrated resistance against most currently available antifungal agents and which causes a rapidly disseminating and potentially fatal infection. A 68-year-old woman presented with a fever and consolidation in the lung field. Her symptoms and inflammatory reaction did not improve despite treatment with tazobactam/piperacillin, meropenem, and micafungin. Scedosporium prolificans was detected from the patient's bronchial lavage fluid, and we initiated treatment with voriconazole. Voriconazole was effective in shrinking the consolidation and suppressing the inflammatory reaction. The residual lesion was surgically resected because of the risk of systemic dissemination. The patient is currently alive without relapse or dissemination.

Complete in vitro generation of fertile oocytes from mouse primordial germ cells.

Reconstituting gametogenesis in vitro is a key goal for reproductive biology and regenerative medicine. Successful in vitro reconstitution of primordial germ cells and spermatogenesis has recently had a significant effect in the field. However, recapitulation of oogenesis in vitro remains unachieved. Here we demonstrate the first reconstitution, to our knowledge, of the entire process of mammalian oogenesis in vitro from primordial germ cells, using an estrogen-receptor antagonist that promotes normal follicle formation, which in turn is crucial for supporting oocyte growth. The fundamental events in oogenesis (i.e., meiosis, oocyte growth, and genomic imprinting) were reproduced in the culture system. The most rigorous evidence of the recapitulation of oogenesis was the birth of fertile offspring, with a maximum of seven pups obtained from a cultured gonad. Moreover, cryopreserved gonads yielded functional oocytes and offspring in this culture system. Thus, our in vitro system will enable both innovative approaches for a deeper understanding of oogenesis and a new avenue to create and preserve female germ cells.

Adhesion Properties of Human Oral Epithelial-Derived Cells to Zirconia.

BACKGROUND: Few studies have examined epithelial attachment to zirconia and the proliferative ability of epithelial cells on zirconia surfaces. PURPOSE: To evaluate the adhesion properties of zirconia materials for epithelial cell attachment and compare this with titanium and alumina. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Human oral epithelial cells were cultured on smooth-surfaced specimens of commercially pure titanium (cpTi), ceria-stabilized zirconia/alumina nano-composite (P-NANOZR), yttria-stabilized zirconia (Cercon), and alumina oxide (inCoris AL). The cell morphology, the cell viability and mRNA of integrin ß4 , laminin γ2 , catenin δ2 , and E-cadherin were evaluated by SEM, Cell-Counting Kit-8, and real-time PCR, respectively. RESULTS: Morphology of cells attached to specimens was similar among all groups. The viable cell numbers on Cercon and inCoris AL after 24 hours culture were significantly higher than for cpTi. Integrin ß4 , laminin γ2 , and catenin δ2 mRNA expression was not different among all groups. However, at 3 and 24 hours after incubation, E-cadherin mRNA expression in the P-NANOZR group was significantly higher than for cpTi. CONCLUSION: Zirconia may support binding of epithelial cells through hemidesmosomes comparable with titanium. Furthermore, P-NANOZR may impart resistance to exogenous stimuli through strong intercellular contacts with peri-implant mucosal cells when used as an abutment and implant superstructure.

Expression dynamics of bovine MX genes in the endometrium and placenta during early to mid pregnancy.

MX belongs to a family of type I interferon (IFN)-stimulated genes, and the MX protein has antiviral activity. MX has at least two isoforms, known as MX1 and MX2, in mammals. Moreover, bovine MX1 has been found to have alternative splice variants-namely, MX1-a and MX1B. In ruminants, IFN-τ-a type I IFN-is temporarily produced from the conceptus before implantation and induces MX expression in the endometrium. However, the expression dynamics of MX after implantation are not clear. In the present study, we investigated the expression of MX1-a, MX1B and MX2 in the endometrium and placenta before and after implantation along with the expression of IFN-α, type I receptors (IFNAR1 and IFNAR2) and interferon regulatory factors (IRF3 and IRF9). Pregnant uterine samples were divided into five groups according to pregnancy days 14-18, 25-40, 50-70, 80-100, and 130-150. Tissue samples were collected from the intercaruncular endometrium (IC), caruncular endometrium (C) and fetal placenta (P). Although all the MX expressions were significantly higher in the IC and C at days 14-18, presumably caused by embryo-secreted IFN-τ stimulation, their expressions were also detectable in the IC, C and P after implantation. Furthermore, IFN-α expression was significantly higher in the IC. RT-PCR indicated IFNAR1, IFNAR2, IRF3 and IRF9 mRNA in all the tissues during pregnancy. These results suggest that all the MX genes are affected by the type I IFN pathway during pregnancy and are involved in an immune response to protect the mother and fetus.

[A young case of pulmonary tuberculosis with atypical tumor shadow on chest computed tomography and its difficulty in diagnosis].

BACKGROUND: Diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis is usually made by diagnostic imaging such as chest X-ray or computed tomography (CT), and sputum test including smear and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. However there is difficulty in making diagnose when atypical imaging and negative sputum test are presented, followed by diagnostic delay. CASE: A 26-year-old man from Philippines consulted other clinic because of dry cough and was pointed out mass shadow in right upper lung field in his chest CT. He visited our office because of positive interferon gamma release assay, but repeated sputum test could not find tuberculosis. Bleeding from mass lesion failed to perform biopsy by bronchoscope, and we failed to find tuberculosis by smear and PCR test from bronchial brushing and wash. Transthoracic needle biopsy from his mass lesion revealed multiple non-caseous granuloma, and lead to make a decision about starting medication. Four weeks later sputum culture from his first visit revealed positive, and diagnosis of tuberculosis was made. DISCUSSION: For avoiding therapy delay it is important to perform invasive diagnostic procedure including histological examination and clinical decision of starting medication, when conservative diagnostic procedure such as sputum test or diagnostic imaging present atypical finding for diagnosing tuberculosis.

Adhesive properties of predominant bacteria in raw cow's milk to bovine mammary gland epithelial cells.

Various bacteria have been found in raw cow's milk, and identifying milk microflora and its functions is critical for maintaining cow health and farm hygiene. Although studies on pathogens and spoilage bacteria in milk have been widely reported, the relationship between milk bacteria, including nonpathogenic bacteria, and the bovine udder is poorly understood. We investigated milk microflora over 1 year using a culture-dependent method and culture-independent analysis by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis. Among 240 isolates, Lactococcus lactis (81/240) was predominant. The predominant genera were Lactococcus, Stenotrophomonas, Microbacterium, Chryseobacterium, Serratia and Pseudomonas. Among seven strains belonging to these predominant genera, two strains of L. lactis (ssp. lactis and ssp. cremoris) exhibited the highest adherence to bovine mammary gland epithelial cells (BMECs) derived from the bovine udder; 3.4 % of the inoculated bacteria adhered to BMECs. This was followed by Serratia sp. (1.6 %), Microbacterium sp. (0.8 %), Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (0.5 %), Pseudomonas sp. (0.3 %) and Chryseobacterium sp. (0.1 %). The two L. lactis isolates exhibited higher adherence to BMECs than type strains and isolates of various origins.

Important property of polymer spheres for the preparation of three-dimensionally ordered macroporous (3DOM) metal oxides by the ethylene glycol method: the glass-transition temperature.

We demonstrate that the glass-transition temperature (T(g)) of a polymer sphere template is a crucial factor in the production of three-dimensionally ordered macroporous (3DOM) materials. Metal nitrate dissolved in ethylene glycol-methanol was infiltrated into the void of a face-centered, close-packed colloidal crystal of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)-based spheres. The metal nitrate reacts with EG to form a metal oxalate (or metal glycoxylate) solid (nitrate oxidation) in the void of the template when the metal nitrate-EG-PMMA composite is heated. Further heating converts metal oxalate to metal oxide and removes PMMA to form 3DOM materials. We investigated the effect of T(g) of PMMA templates and obtained clear evidence that the solidification temperature of the metal precursor solution (i.e., nitration oxidation temperature) should be lower than the T(g) of the polymer spheres to obtain a well-ordered 3DOM structure.

Osteoanagenesis after transplantation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells using polyvinylidene chloride film as a scaffold.

The aim of this study was to develop a new cell transplantation technique for osteoanagenesis at bone defect sites. Polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC) film was evaluated because of its good biocompatibility and flexibility. We used this film as both a cell scaffold and a barrier membrane. Initially, the cell compatibility of the PVDC film for fibroblast-like cells and osteoblast-like cells was confirmed. Subsequently, bone marrow cells were obtained from rats and cultured on PVDC films in two kinds of medium. The PVDC films with bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were then applied to critical-sized bone defects in the calvarial bone of rats. After the transplantation, the surgical sites were dissected out and evaluated by soft X-ray radiography, micro-CT analysis and histological examinations. The bone marrow-derived MSC-transplanted rats showed greater bone regeneration than the control rats. Therefore, PVDC film is considered to be useful as a scaffold for bone regeneration.

Inhibition of leukotriene B4 production in murine macrophages by lactic acid bacteria.

Leukotriene B(4) (LTB(4)) is a lipid mediator associated with innate immune function. LTB(4) is produced mainly by polymorphonuclear leukocytes and macrophages and plays important roles in host defense. However, LTB(4) is also associated with inflammation, and excessive production of LTB(4) can result in inflammation, allergic reactions, and carcinogenesis. Regulation of excessive LTB(4) production may therefore assist in controlling these conditions. In this study, we investigated the capacity of 7 strains of lactic acid bacteria to inhibit LTB(4) production by the murine macrophage cell line J774.1. All strains tested inhibited calcium ionophore (A23187)-stimulated LTB(4) production in macrophages, but to varying extents. Lactobacillus helveticus Bc-10 exhibited the highest level of inhibitory activity. The inhibitory activity of strain Bc-10 was sustained after heat-killing and was observed in the intracellular cell-free extract prepared from this strain. This is the first report that intact lactic acid bacteria and their isolated cellular components can directly inhibit LTB(4) production by macrophages, and provides a useful method to screen the inhibitory activity of lactic acid bacteria. This study also highlights the potential of the strain Bc-10 as a treatment option for the regulation of LTB(4) production in vivo.

Immunomodulatory and cytotoxic effects of various Lactococcus strains on the murine macrophage cell line J774.1.

In a series of in vitro culture experiments using the murine macrophage-like cell line, J774.1, we investigated the ability of 46 different Lactococcus lactis strains to induce production of the cytokines interleukin (IL)-6, IL-12 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha. The extent of induction of IL-6, IL-12 and TNF-alpha was strain-specific and was not related to subspecies, biovariety, or the source of the isolate. When incubated with a high concentration of viable cells of some lactococcal strains, J774.1 cells hardly produced cytokines in which case the percentage of J774.1 cells that were double-stained with the apoptosis probe FITC-labeled annexin V and propidium iodide was significantly increased. This finding suggests that perturbation of cytokine induction is due to the cytotoxic effects of these strains. On the other hand, when incubated with living cells of other strains, even at a high concentration, J774.1 cells produced IL-6, IL-12 and TNF-alpha. In these cases, FITC-labeled annexin V interacted with these cells, suggesting that incubation with these strains causes phosphatidylserine to be exposed at the cell surface. The ability of these strains to induce TNF-alpha, but not IL-6 and IL-12, was lost after heat treatment, suggesting that the stimulus required for TNF-alpha induction is heat sensitive and is different from those required for IL-6 and IL-12 induction. The specificity of cytokine induction by different lactococci is discussed in terms of interaction of non-pathogenic bacteria with macrophages, as well as the implications for the use of lactococci as probiotics.