Homeostatic and pathogenic roles of GM3 ganglioside molecular species in TLR4 signaling in obesity.

Innate immune signaling via TLR4 plays critical roles in pathogenesis of metabolic disorders, but the contribution of different lipid species to metabolic disorders and inflammatory diseases is less clear. GM3 ganglioside in human serum is composed of a variety of fatty acids, including long-chain (LCFA) and very-long-chain (VLCFA). Analysis of circulating levels of human serum GM3 species from patients at different stages of insulin resistance and chronic inflammation reveals that levels of VLCFA-GM3 increase significantly in metabolic disorders, while LCFA-GM3 serum levels decrease. Specific GM3 species also correlates with disease symptoms. VLCFA-GM3 levels increase in the adipose tissue of obese mice, and this is blocked in TLR4-mutant mice. In cultured monocytes, GM3 by itself has no effect on TLR4 activation; however, VLCFA-GM3 synergistically and selectively enhances TLR4 activation by LPS/HMGB1, while LCFA-GM3 and unsaturated VLCFA-GM3 suppresses TLR4 activation. GM3 interacts with the extracellular region of TLR4/MD2 complex to modulate dimerization/oligomerization. Ligand-molecular docking analysis supports that VLCFA-GM3 and LCFA-GM3 act as agonist and antagonist of TLR4 activity, respectively, by differentially binding to the hydrophobic pocket of MD2. Our findings suggest that VLCFA-GM3 is a risk factor for TLR4-mediated disease progression.

Spontaneous Overactivation of Xenopus Frog Eggs Triggers Necrotic Cell Death.

The excessive activation of frog eggs, referred to as overactivation, can be initiated by strong oxidative stress, leading to expedited calcium-dependent non-apoptotic cell death. Overactivation also occurs spontaneously, albeit at a low frequency, in natural populations of spawned frog eggs. Currently, the cytological and biochemical events of the spontaneous process have not been characterized. In the present study, we demonstrate that the spontaneous overactivation of Xenopus frog eggs, similarly to oxidative stress- and mechanical stress-induced overactivation, is characterized by the fast and irreversible contraction of the egg's cortical layer, an increase in egg size, the depletion of intracellular ATP, a drastic increase in the intracellular ADP/ATP ratio, and the degradation of M phase-specific cyclin B2. These events manifest in eggs in the absence of caspase activation within one hour of triggering overactivation. Importantly, substantial amounts of ATP and ADP leak from the overactivated eggs, indicating that plasma membrane integrity is compromised in these cells. The rupture of the plasma membrane and acute depletion of intracellular ATP explicitly define necrotic cell death. Finally, we report that egg overactivation can occur in the frog's genital tract. Our data suggest that mechanical stress may be a key factor promoting egg overactivation during oviposition in frogs.

[Evaluation of the Clinical Validity of the Clostridioides difficile Nucleic Acid Detection Kit "Smart Gene® CD ToxinB"].

Clostridioides difficile is the most common anaerobic bacterium that causes healthcare-associated infections, and prompt diagnosis and infection control are important because it causes C. difficile infection (CDI). In this evaluation, the C. difficile nucleic acid detection reagent, Smart Gene CD Toxin B (Mizuho Medy Co., Ltd., hereinafter referred to as the "evaluation reagent") was evaluated for its clinical performance in comparison with real-time PCR and toxigenic culture (TC). Measurement of evaluation reagents and real-time PCR were performed on 157 residual stool specimens from suspected CDI patients. For TC, stool culture was performed, and colonies in which C. difficile was identified by a mass spectrometer (MALDI Biotyper) were checked for toxin production using a rapid antigen diagnostic kit. The results of the evaluation reagents showed a high concordance rate; 100% sensitivity (81/81) and 100% specificity (76/76) with real-time PCR, 89.8% sensitivity (79/88), and 97.1% specificity (67/69) with TC. The evaluation reagent enables a simple nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) in a short time and is thought to be useful in CDI treatment, which requires rapid diagnosis and infection control.

Morphology and chemical characteristics of taste buds associated with P2X3-immunoreactive afferent nerve endings in the rat incisive papilla.

The present study investigated the cellular components and afferent innervations of taste buds in the rat incisive papilla by immunohistochemistry using confocal scanning laser microscopy. Taste buds containing guanine nucleotide-binding protein G(t), subunit α3 (GNAT3)-imunoreactive cells were densely distributed in the lateral wall of incisive papilla forming the opening of nasoincisor ducts. GNAT3-immunoreactive cells in the taste buds were slender in shape and the tips of apical processes gathered at one point at the surface of the epithelium. The number of taste buds was 56.8 ± 4.5 in the incisive papilla. The incisive taste buds also contained ectonucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase 2-immunoreactive cells and synaptotagmin-1-immunoreactive cells in addition to GNAT3-immunoreactive cells. Furthermore, GNAT3-immunoreactive cells were immunoreactive to taste transduction molecules such as phospholipase C, ß2-subunit, and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor, type 3. P2X3-immunoreactive subepithelial nerve fibers intruded into the taste buds and terminated with hederiform or calix-like nerve endings attached to GNAT3-immunoreactive cells and synaptosomal-associated protein, 25 kDa-immunoreactive cells. Some P2X3-immunoreactive endings were also weakly immunoreactive for P2X2. Furthermore, a retrograde tracing method using fast blue dye indicated that most of the P2X3-immunoreactive nerve endings originated from the geniculate ganglia (GG) of the facial nerve. These results suggest that incisive taste buds are morphologically and cellularly homologous to lingual taste buds and are innervated by P2X3-immunoreactive nerve endings derived from the GG. The incisive papilla may be the palatal taste papilla that transmits chemosensory information in the oral cavity to the GG via P2X3-immunoreactive afferent nerve endings.

Polarization-insensitive local-oscillator-carrier loopback modulation for a cost-effective and high-port-count wavelength-routing optical switch.

A wavelength-routing optical switch uses a wavelength-tunable laser at each input port, and this transmitter implements output port selection by tuning the wavelength that is associated with each output port. With coherent transmission, loopback modulation of a local oscillator (LO) carrier generated at the output port can eliminate the need for a wavelength-tunable laser. However, loopback modulation can be unstable since the power fluctuates because fiber traversal by the light creates polarization rotation. Here, we propose a simple polarization-alignment circuit and verify its effectiveness in creating a high-port-count optical switch system. The proposed circuit consists of passive components and aligns the polarization state of the supplied LO carrier to be linearly polarized along the x-direction of a TE-input dual-polarization (DP) IQ modulator. The circuit is shown to yield stable modulation with Q-variation of less than 0.8 dB, regardless of any birefringence along the transmission path. The proposal's effectiveness is verified in optical switch system experiments with DP-QPSK signals; 1,856 × 1,856 switch scale is achieved with loopback modulation.

Can serum periostin predict bronchopulmonary dysplasia in premature infants?

BACKGROUND: Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is the most common morbidity complicating preterm birth and affects long-term respiratory outcomes. The objectives of this study were to establish whether serum periostin at birth, day of life (DOL) 28, and corrected 36 weeks' gestational age could be potential biomarkers for BPD. METHODS: A total of 98 preterm Japanese infants born at <32 weeks and comparing 41 healthy controls born at term, were divided into BPD (n = 44) and non-BPD (n = 54) cohorts. Serum periostin levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Among 98 preterm infants, the median serum periostin levels at birth were higher with BPD (338.0 ng/mL) than without (275.0 ng/mL, P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that serum periostin levels at birth were significantly associated with BPD (P = 0.013). Serum periostin levels at birth with moderate/severe BPD (345.0 ng/mL) were significantly higher than those with non-BPD/mild BPD (283.0 ng/mL, P = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: Serum periostin levels were significantly correlated with birth weight and gestational age, and serum periostin levels at birth in BPD infants were significantly higher than that in non-BPD infants. IMPACT: This study found higher serum periostin levels at birth in preterm infants subsequently diagnosed with bronchopulmonary dysplasia. It also emerged that serum periostin levels at birth significantly correlated with gestational age and birth weight. The mechanism by which serum periostin is upregulated in BPD infants needs further investigation.

Intraoperative motor-evoked potential monitoring during coil embolization for anterior choroidal artery aneurysms.

PURPOSE: Intraoperative motor-evoked potential (MEP) monitoring is widely used in the neck clipping of cerebral aneurysms. Little is known regarding the usefulness of intraoperative MEP monitoring in endovascular aneurysm surgery. The purpose of this study was to validate the feasibility of intraoperative MEP monitoring during the coil embolization of anterior choroidal artery (AChA) aneurysms. METHODS: Clinical and angiographic data of consecutive patients who underwent coil embolization for unruptured AChA aneurysms with or without intraoperative MEP monitoring between January 2014 and December 2018 at our institute were abstracted and analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: Twenty-three unruptured AChA aneurysms were treated. Eleven patients received MEP monitoring, and three of them experienced intraoperative reduction or disappearance of the MEP wave. Even during MEP changes, AChA filling showed no change in any of the three cases. Although one case with MEP monitoring encountered the disappearance of AChA filling, there was no change in MEP. This might be due to retrograde filling of the AChA from the anastomosis with the lateral posterior choroidal artery. AChA blood flow detected by angiography did not always reflect MEP status. When comparing the presence or absence of MEP monitoring, the volume embolization ratio of coiled aneurysms was significantly better in the MEP group. CONCLUSION: Intraoperative MEP monitoring during endovascular coiling for AChA aneurysms may be feasible. AChA blood flow detected by angiography does not always reflect MEP status.

Prediction of atherosclerotic changes in cavernous carotid aneurysms based on computational fluid dynamics analysis: a proof-of-concept study.

PURPOSE: Recent computational fluid dynamics (CFD) studies have demonstrated the concurrence of atherosclerotic changes in regions exposed to prolonged blood residence. In this proof-of-concept study, we investigated a small but homogeneous cohort of large, cavernous carotid aneurysms (CCAs) to establish the clinical feasibility of CFD analysis in treatment planning, based on the association between pathophysiology and hemodynamics. METHODS: This study included 15 patients with individual large CCAs. We identified calcifications, which indicated atherosclerotic changes, using the masking data of digital subtraction angiography. We conducted a CFD simulation under patient-specific inlet flow rates measured using magnetic resonance (MR) velocimetry. In the post-CFD analysis, we calculated the blood residence time ([Formula: see text]) and segmented the surface exposed to blood residence time over 1 s ([Formula: see text]). We measured the decrease in volume after flow diversion using the original time-of-flight MR angiography data. RESULTS: Calcifications were observed in the region with [Formula: see text]. In addition, the ratio of [Formula: see text] to the surface of the aneurysmal domain exhibited a negative relationship with the rate of volume reduction at the 6- and 12-month follow-ups. Post-CFD visualization demonstrated that intra-aneurysmal swirling flow prolonged blood residence time under the condition of a small inlet flow rate, when compared to the aneurysmal volume. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest the usefulness of CFD analysis for the diagnosis of atherosclerotic changes in large CCAs that may affect the therapeutic response after flow diversion.

Pinellic Acid Isolated from Quercetin-rich Onions has a Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor-Alpha/Gamma (PPAR-α/γ) Transactivation Activity.

Quercetin, a flavonol, is a functional compound that is abundant in onions and is known to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Quercetin and its glucoside are known to function as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) ligands and showed high PPAR-α transactivation activity but little PPAR-γ transactivation activity in some reports. In this study, we demonstrated that an aqueous extract of a quercetin-rich onion cultivar increased transactivation activities not only of PPAR-α but also of PPAR-γ. We isolated (9S,12S,13S)-(10E)-9,12,13-trihydroxyoctadec-10-enoic acid (pinellic acid) obtained from the aqueous extract using PPAR-γ transactivation as an index. Furthermore, it was revealed that pinellic acid could transactivate PPAR-α. Our findings are the first report mentioned showing that trihydroxyoctadec-10-enoic acids showed PPAR-α/γ transactivation activities.

Exploring culinary medicine as a promising method of nutritional education in medical school: a scoping review.

BACKGROUND: Dietary modifications are considered a first-line intervention for chronic disease management, yet graduating doctors still report not feeling competent to counsel patients on their diet. Research has focused on methods to address this shortfall in physician competency, including culinary medicine. Culinary medicine is an approach to education that involves hands-on food and cooking learning experiences to equip participants with tools for improving the nutrition behaviour and health of their future patients. Despite positive findings in the efficacy of these interventions, they differ markedly in approach and target, which therefore fails to provide adequate evidence that could serve to guide future culinary medicine interventions. OBJECTIVE: A scoping review to synthesize the existing literature on culinary medicine interventions that are offered during medical training. METHODS: Online databases were used to identify literature published prior to April 2022 that involve a hands-on culinary medicine component to nutrition and examine academic impact, feasibility and acceptability. RESULTS: Twenty-four studies met the eligibility criteria. Despite promising gains in nutrition knowledge, confidence and high acceptability of the programs, large variations exist in delivery method, setting, and course content between programs. There is a lack of program cost reporting and long-term follow up of participants, inconsistent evidence for improved nutrition attitudes amongst participants, as well as geographically limited adoption of such programs. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this research demonstrate a clear increase in interest in the use of hands-on culinary medicine programs as educational tools, evidence of feasibility in implementation, and improved student nutritional knowledge, skill and counseling compared to a traditional didactic curriculum. The quality of culinary medicine research studies is increasing and the aims of research are narrowing to focus on how culinary medicine can positively impact medical education. The findings from this review will aid in legitimising culinary medicine as an effective delivery method of nutritional education in medical programs.

Ocular Ischemic Syndrome due to Internal Carotid Artery Occlusion with Neurofibromatosis Type 1.

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF-1) is associated with multiple vascular abnormalities, including internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis/occlusion. Depending on the site of stenosis/occlusion of the ICA, both cerebral circulation and ocular circulation can be impaired. We describe a rare pediatric case of ocular ischemic syndrome (OIS) due to ICA occlusion in NF-1. The patient diagnosed with NF-1 suffered right ICA occlusion at 12 years of age, and developed right dense vitreous hemorrhage due to OIS at 13 years of age. The patient underwent right cerebral revascularization surgery to improve cerebral and ocular ischemia, but the visual acuity of the right eye did not improve. This case suggests that attention should be paid not only to cerebral ischemia but also to ocular ischemia in patients with ICA stenosis/occlusion of NF-1. Surgical interventions such as cerebral revascularization surgery should be considered in the early stages of OIS to protect visual function, and careful follow-up is required.

Design and verification of a LO bank enabled by fixed-wavelength lasers and fast tunable silicon ring filters for creating large scale optical switches.

The fast and widely tunable wavelength bank is a key enabler in creating wavelength-routing optical switches that do not use fast wavelength tunable lasers. A cost-effective design criterion needs to be developed before it can be applied to intra data center networks. In this paper, we develop a systematic method for designing a wavelength bank that yields high port-count and fast wavelength-routing optical switches for intra data center application. The wavelength bank is created with fixed-wavelength laser sources and wavelength-tunable filters with rapid wavelength selectivity. To optimize the optical switching system that uses the wavelength bank for supplying local oscillator (LO) lights for coherent detection, various parameters are analyzed, including effective bandwidth, laser output power, loss distribution, splitter port count, and optical amplifier gain. We carry out numerical simulations for optimizing the tradeoff between system performance and cost. To verify the designed wavelength bank, a silicon ring filter is newly fabricated with an average fiber-to-fiber insertion loss of 5.3 dB over a 22-nm bandwidth. Using 256-Gb/s DP-QPSK signals, experiments demonstrate a 1,024×1,024 optical switch that uses a fabricated silicon ring filter. The effectiveness of the scalable and fast-tunable LO bank is verified by achieving 262.1-Tb/s switch throughput with switching time under 18 µs.

Delineability and anatomical variations of perforating arteries from normal vertebral artery on 3D DSA: implications for endovascular treatment of dissecting aneurysms.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Endovascular trapping of the vertebral artery dissecting aneurysms (VADAs) carries a risk of medullary infarction due to the occlusion of the perforating arteries. We evaluated the detectability and anatomical variations of perforating arteries arising from the vertebral artery (VA) using three-dimensional DSA. METHODS: In 120 patients without VA lesions who underwent rotational vertebral arteriography, the anatomical configurations of perforating arteries from the VA were retrospectively evaluated on the bi-plane DSA and reconstructed images to reach the consensus between two experienced reviewers. The images were interpreted by focusing on the numbers and types of perforating arteries, the relationships between the number of perforators and the anatomy of the VA and its branches. RESULTS: Zero, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 perforators were detected in 2, 51, 56, 9, 1, and 1 patient, respectively (median of 2 perforators per VA). The 200 perforators were classified into 146 terminal and 54 longitudinal course types and into 32 ventral, 151 lateral, and 17 dorsolateral distribution types. All ventral type perforators were also terminal type. In contrast, the longitudinal type was seen in 28.5% of lateral types and in 65% of dorsolateral types. Regarding the difference in the origin of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA), non-PICA type VAs gave off larger number of perforators than the other types of VAs. CONCLUSIONS: Non-PICA type VAs give off a significantly larger number of perforators than other types, indicating that the trapping of non-PICA type VAs is associated with a risk of ischemic complications.

Risk factors for medullary infarction after endovascular trapping of vertebral artery dissecting aneurysms.

Internal trapping (IT) is a treatment option for intracranial vertebral artery dissecting aneurysms (VADAs). Medullary infarction (MI) is a complication linked to this treatment. This study aims to clarify the outcomes of IT for VADAs and the risk factors for MIs. We retrospectively reviewed the databases from 2010 to 2017 to identify patients with VADAs treated by IT at seven collaborating institutions. Radiological findings, clinical courses, and outcomes were analyzed. Perforating arteries were classified into terminal or longitudinal types using preoperative angiography. IT was completed in 90 patients (74 ruptured and 16 unruptured VADA). Postoperative rebleeding did not occur in any ruptured VADA patients. Postoperative MRI detected MIs in 26 patients (28.9%). The incidence of MIs in the ruptured VADA (32%) was higher compared with that in the unruptured VADA (13%), though it was not significant. In the MI group, the occlusion or blind alley of the terminal-type and longitudinal-type perforator was confirmed in 23 patients (88%) and 11 patients (42%), respectively. The occlusion or blind alley of the terminal-type perforator was an independent risk factor for MIs in the logistic regression analysis (OR 5.81; 95% CI 1.34-25.11; p = 0.018). In ruptured VADA, postoperative MI (OR 12.2; 95% CI 3.19-64.55; p = 0.0001) and high-grade SAH (OR 8.02; 95% CI 2.32-37.70; p = 0.0006) were independent risk factors of an unfavorable clinical outcome. In conclusion, MIs were an independent risk factor for unfavorable outcomes after IT, especially for a ruptured VADA. The occlusion or blind alley of the terminal-type perforator caused by the IT was associated with postoperative MIs.

[How to Avoid Intraoperative Rupture and What to Do When It Ruptures].

Intracranial aneurysm rupture is the main fatal complication of coil embolization for an intracranial aneurysm performed in conjunction with systemic heparinization. We answered five clinical questions about anesthesia, systemic heparinization, intraoperative aneurysmal rupture, the balloon-assisted technique, and the next step of initial response in case of aneurysmal rupture. It is crucial to understand when and why intraoperative aneurysmal rupture occurs to reduce its mortality rate. In cases of intraoperative problems, never pull the microcatheter or coil when perforating an aneurysm; lowering blood pressure, administering protamine for the reversal of heparin, and occluding blood flow into an aneurysm by inflating balloon(s) will help in the treatment. It is our pleasure that this chapter will help in your daily care.

Prediction of Cerebral Hyperperfusion after Superficial Temporal Artery-Middle Cerebral Artery Anastomosis by Three-Dimensional-Time-of-Flight Magnetic Resonance Angiography in Adult Patients with Moyamoya Disease.

INTRODUCTION: Superficial temporal artery (STA)-middle cerebral artery (MCA) anastomosis is an effective surgical procedure for adult patients with moyamoya disease (MMD) and is known to have the potential to prevent cerebral ischemia and/or hemorrhagic stroke. Cerebral hyperperfusion (CHP) syndrome is one of the serious complications of this procedure that can result in deleterious outcomes, such as delayed intracerebral hemorrhage, but the prediction of CHP before revascularization surgery remains challenging. The present study evaluated the diagnostic value of preoperative three-dimensional (3D)-time-of-flight (TOF) magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) for predicting CHP after STA-MCA anastomosis for MMD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The signal intensity of the peripheral portion of the intracranial major arteries, such as the anterior cerebral artery (ACA), MCA, and posterior cerebral artery (PCA) ipsilateral to STA-MCA anastomosis, on preoperative MRA was graded (0-2 in each vessel) according to the ability to visualize each vessel on 97 affected hemispheres in 83 adult MMD patients. Local cerebral blood flow (CBF) at the site of anastomosis was quantitatively measured by N-isopropyl-p-[123I]-iodoamphetamine single-photon emission computed tomography 1 and 7 days after surgery, in addition to the preoperative CBF value at the corresponding area. Then, we investigated the correlation between the preoperative MRA score and the development of CHP. RESULTS: The CHP phenomenon 1 day after STA-MCA anastomosis (local CBF increase over 150% compared with the preoperative value) was evident in 27 patients (27/97 hemispheres; 28%). Among them, 8 (8 hemispheres) developed CHP syndrome. Multivariate analysis revealed that the hemispheric MRA score (0-6), the summed ACA, MCA, and PCA scores for the affected hemisphere, was significantly associated with the development of CHP syndrome (p = 0.011). The hemispheric MRA score was also significantly correlated with the CHP phenomenon, either symptomatic or asymptomatic (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The signal intensity of the intracranial major arteries, including the ACA, MCA, and PCA, on preoperative 3D-TOF MRA may identify adult MMD patients at higher risk for CHP after direct revascularization surgery.

Endovascular Treatment of Internal Carotid Artery Dissection Presenting with Acute Ischemic Stroke.

BACKGROUND: Definitive treatment of carotid dissection-related strokes is currently unproved. The best endovascular technique in this setting remains to be established. OBJECTIVE: To report our experience in endovascular treatment of internal carotid artery dissection presenting with acute strokes. METHODS: Consecutive patients with acute strokes due to internal carotid artery dissection treated with endovascular therapy at our hospital between January 2008 and July 2019 were included. Patients were assigned to endovascular treatment according to clinical-radiologic mismatch, NIHSS greater than or equal to 5, and within 6 hours after symptom onset. The endovascular technique is described. Intracranial recanalization, carotid dilatation, and clinical outcomes were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Seven patients met the inclusion criteria. The mean age was 55 years; 5 patients (71.4%) were male. 71.4% had tandem occlusion strokes, while 28.6% had hemodynamic strokes. The mean onset-to-puncture time was 3.92 hours. Stent-assisted angioplasty for internal carotid artery was done for 85.7% of patients with a mean of 1.6 deployed stents. Dilatation was successful in 83.3% of them. Successful overall recanalization rate was 85.7%. No major complications were encountered. Minor complications occurred in 42.8% of cases. The mean NIHSS score decreased from 13.7 preoperative to 5 after 3 days. Good functional outcome (mRS 0-2) was found in 85.7% of patients at 3 months. No recurrent strokes identified over an average of 40.86 months follow-up. CONCLUSION: Our study provides evidence that endovascular therapy for internal carotid artery dissection-related strokes has high rates of reperfusion and favorable outcomes. Stent-assisted angioplasty of carotid dissection is thought to be safe and effective.

Enlargement of a Middle Cerebral Artery Aneurysm after Intra-Aneurysmal Embolization with Parent Artery Preservation for an Ipsilateral Large Internal Carotid Artery Aneurysm: A Case Report.

We report a 77-year-old woman with marked enlargement of a middle cerebral artery (MCA) aneurysm 4 years after the successful intra-aneurysmal embolization of an ipsilateral large internal carotid artery (ICA) aneurysm. She intially presented with right third cranial nerve palsy due to a large ICA aneurysm, 20.8 mm in diameter. Initial magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) revealed a signal decrease in the right MCA, suggesting hemodynamic disturbance based on the contrast pooling in the right large ICA aneurysm exhibiting "Windkessel phenomenon". The large ICA aneurysm was successfully managed by intra-aneurysmal embolization with parent artery preservation, and immediate post-treatment MRA demonstrated significant signal recovery in the right MCA. Meticulous follow-up by MRA identified sudden growth in the aneurysmal height within 1 week after embolization, with further growth over the following 4 years, necessitating microsurgical clipping. Enlargement of the ipsilateral distal aneurysm following the treatment of proximal large aneurysm could be altered by marked distal hemodynamic change in view of the sudden amelioration of the "Windkessel phenomenon". Thus, we recommend meticulous follow-up of the associated distal aneurysm after the management of proximal large or giant aneurysms with parent artery preservation.

Toward the understanding of biology of oocyte life cycle in Xenopus Laevis: No oocytes left behind.

BACKGROUND: For the past more than 25 years, we have been focusing on the developmental and reproductive biology of the female gametes, oocytes, and eggs, of the African clawed frog Xenopus laevis. METHODS: The events associated with the life cycle of these cells can be classified into the four main categories: first, oogenesis and cell growth in the ovary during the first meiotic arrest; second, maturation and ovulation that occur simultaneously and result in the acquisition of fertilization competence and the second meiotic arrest; third, fertilization, that is sperm-induced transition from egg to zygote; and fourth, egg death after spontaneous activation in the absence of fertilizing sperm. MAIN FINDINGS: Our studies have demonstrated that signal transduction system involving tyrosine kinase Src and other oocyte/egg membrane-associated molecules such as uroplakin III and some other cytoplasmic proteins such as mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) play important roles for successful ovulation, maturation, fertilization, and initiation of embryonic development. CONCLUSION: We summarize recent advances in understanding cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying life cycle events of the oocytes and eggs. Our further intention is to discuss and predict potentially promising impact of the recent findings on the challenges facing reproductive biology and medicine, as well as societal contexts.

[Comparative Verification of DNA Extraction Methods for Bacterial Nucleic Acid Amplification Test].

Genetic testing is widely used as a rapid diagnostic method to identify microorganisms and detect antibiotic resistance genes. The nucleic acid to be analyzed is located inside the cell wall, the cell membrane or nuclear envelope. Therefore, it is essential to disassemble them in nucleic acid extraction operation. It is also necessary to remove or inactivate interfering substances by exposing cytoplasmic components accompanying cell disruption. Nucleic acid extraction is an indispensable task, but depending on the selected method, it may have a significant effect on the genetic test results. However, the DNA extraction method that is actually selected tends to emphasize work efficiency, and the appropriate evaluation of the extraction operation is neglected. In this study, we focused on the purity of the extracted DNA, and examined six existing extraction methods and original extraction methods using Gram-negative bacilli as a simple model. As a result, there was a large difference in DNA purity depending on the extraction method. When used in a qualitative gene amplification test, there was a difference in the shading of the bands. However, the detection of resistance genes all gave similar results. Furthermore, as a result of using the original extraction method, the extraction method using sodium decylbenzenesulfonate (SDBS) was the most excellent extraction method from the viewpoint of recovered DNA and operability.