Potential of temperature-response collagen-genipin sol as a novel submucosal injection agent for endoscopic resection: Acute and chronic phase study using living animals.

OBJECTIVES: We proposed a novel temperature-response collagen sol as a submucosal injection agent for endoscopic resection (ER) using pepsin-solubilized collagen (PSC) and genipin (Ge) in a prior study. This study aimed to evaluate the usefulness and safety of the sol (PSC/Ge) in acute and chronic phase experiments using living animals. METHODS: In experiment 1, we performed endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for six pigs using normal saline (NS), sodium hyaluronate (SH), and PSC/Ge. We compared the required amount of each agent per unit area and procedure time. In experiment 2, we created artificial ulcers with endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) for five pigs using NS and PSC sol. We compared the artificial ulcer residual rate at 7 and 14 days after EMR, and the scarring rate at 14 days after EMR. RESULTS: The required amount of agents per unit area for PSC/Ge (0.8 ± 0.8 mL/cm2 ) and SH (1.1 ± 0.8 mL/cm2 ) were significantly smaller than that for NS (1.8 ± 0.7 mL/cm2 ). The total procedure time did not have a statistical difference. The artificial ulcer residual rates were 47.3 ± 0.7% for NS and 40.3 ± 0.7% for PSC/Ge on day 7 (P = 0.51), and 15.0 ± 0.1% for NS and 10.2 ± 0.1% for PSC/Ge sol on day 14 (P = 0.35). The scarring rate on day 14 was 10% for NS and 20% for PSC/Ge. CONCLUSION: We demonstrated the feasibility of a novel temperature-response collagen gel as a submucosal injection agent for ER in the acute and chronic phase animal experiment.

Repeated thermal conditioning during the neonatal period affects behavioral and physiological responses to acute heat stress in chicks.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of repeated thermal conditioning (RTC) at an early age on physiological and behavioral responses in chicks. METHODS: Birds were assigned to one of the four treatments in which the RTC was exposure to 40 °C for 15 min daily. The treatments were 1) no thermal conditioning (control); 2) early exposure group (EE; RTC from 2 to 4 days of age); 3) later exposure group (LE; RTC from 5 to 7 days of age); or 4) both early and later exposure (BE; RTC from 2 to 7 days of age). All groups of chicks were challenged with high ambient temperature (40 °C for 15 min) at two weeks of age. RESULTS: During heat challenge, initiation times of dissipation behaviors (panting and wing-drooping) were measured. Rectal temperature and respiration rate were measured after and before heat challenge. Hypothalamic samples and blood were collected at the end of heat challenges. Initiation times of dissipation behaviors and rectal temperature were not affected by the treatments. Increases in respiration rate in response to heat challenge were suppressed by early RTC treatment. There was no clear pattern of glucose levels in relation to thermal conditioning, whereas plasma corticosterone levels were decreased by early treatment (EE and BE groups). Hypothalamic thyrotropin releasing hormone gene expression was suppressed by early and later thermal conditioning and suppressed further by both early and later exposure. Neuropeptide Y gene expression in the BE group was lower than in the other groups, with a similar trend for corticotropin releasing hormone expression. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the effect of repeated thermal conditioning on the central thermoregulatory system depends on the number of times that chicks experienced conditioning. In addition, repeated thermal conditioning has greater effects on the acquisition of thermotolerance when conditioning occurs in chicks of two to four days of age in comparison with chicks of five to seven days of age.

Embryonic Cadaverine Signaling: Implications for Plasma Free Amino Acid and Skeletal Muscle Energy Metabolism in Newly Hatched Chicks.

Cadaverine is a bioactive substance derived from lysine degradation by lysine decarboxylase and has gained attention for its physiological effects. Studies in rodents have revealed its role as a cell growth regulator, particularly intestinal bacterial-produced cadaverine. However, the nutritional and physiological roles of cadaverine during the embryonic period remain unclear, especially considering the immature state of the gut microbiota and digestive functions during this stage. This study explored the potential functions of cadaverine as a nutritional and metabolic signal during chicken embryonic development. Experiments were conducted using an in ovo administration method to evaluate the effects of nutritional bioactive substances on developing chicken embryos. Although there were no observable changes in body or organ weights of newly hatched chicks following in ovo cadaverine administration to day 18 chick embryos, plasma tryptophan, Nτ-methylhistidine, and Nπ-methylhistidine concentrations decreased and the gene expression of insulin/insulin-like growth factor 1 signaling in skeletal muscle was upregulated. These findings imply that cadaverine influences tryptophan metabolism and skeletal muscle catabolism during the embryonic period, suggesting its role as a bioactive factor contributing to energy metabolism signaling in skeletal muscle.

Quantification of Nτ -Methylhistidine and Nπ-Methylhistidine in Chicken Plasma by Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry.

The concentration of Nτ-methylhistidine in plasma provides an index of skeletal muscle protein breakdown. This study aimed to establish a quantitative method for measuring the concentrations of Nτ-methylhistidine and its isomer Nπ-methylhistidine in chicken plasma, using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry with stable isotope dilution analysis. The acceptable linear ranges of detection were 1.56-50.00 µmol/L for Nτ-methylhistidine and 0.78-25.00 µmol/L for Nπ-methylhistidine. The proposed method detected changes in the plasma levels of Nτ-methylhistidine and Nπ-methylhistidine in response to fasting and re-feeding. These results suggest that the method developed in this study can be used for the simultaneous measurement of Nτ-methylhistidine and Nπ-methylhistidine in chicken plasma.

Comparison of oral administration of fructose and glucose on food intake and physiological parameters in broiler chicks.

Like glucose, fructose is a monosaccharide, but the mechanisms of its absorption and metabolism in the body are very different between the 2 molecules. In this study, we investigated the effects of oral administration of glucose and fructose on food intake, diencephalic gene expression, and plasma metabolite concentrations in broiler chicks. The animals used in this study were 4-day-old male broiler chicks (Ross 308). They were given glucose, fructose (200 mg/ 0.5 mL/ bird), or a similar volume of distilled water orally after 6 h fasting. After treatment, measurements of food intake (at 0, 30, and 60 min), and blood glucose as well as insulin concentrations were measured over time; however, diencephalic (hypothalamus) gene expression and plasma metabolites were measured at 30 min. The results showed that glucose administration suppressed food intake, but fructose administration did not suppress food intake and it was at the same level as distilled water administration. In addition, fructose administration did not increase plasma glucose and insulin levels as did glucose administration. In the diencephalon, expression levels of genes related to the melanocortin system were unaffected by the treatment, while gene expression levels related to intracellular energy regulation, such as AMP-activated protein kinase were affected by the glucose treatment in the fasted chicks. These results suggest that fructose administration does not suppress feeding behavior as a result of possible reduction in the energy levels in the diencephalon and associated energy metabolism.

Liposarcoma of the pleural cavity.

Liposarcoma rarely occurs in the pleura or thoracic cavity, and few reports appear in the literature. We hypothesized that combining clinicopathologic, immunohistochemical, and fluorescence in situ hybridization methods would allow definite diagnoses. Using formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded blocks, we examined 6 atypical lipomatous tumor/well-differentiated liposarcomas (ALT/WDLPS), 5 dedifferentiated liposarcomas (DDLPSs), 2 pleomorphic liposarcomas, and 1 myxoid liposarcoma (MLPS). We used the Kaplan-Meier method and the Wilcoxon test for survival analysis for prognostic factor evaluation. Histologically, ALT/WDLPS was composed of a relatively mature adipocytic proliferation, accompanied by some lipoblasts. DDLPS exhibited round-to-oval tumor cells with a high nucleus-to-cytoplasm ratio that had proliferated in nests, accompanied in case 10 by some giant cells but no fatty cells. The pleomorphic type contained a varying proportion of pleomorphic lipoblasts. MLPS displayed uniform round- to oval-shaped cells and small signet-ring lipoblasts in a myxoid stroma. Immunohistochemically, 11 (79%), 11 (79%), and 10 (71%) of 14 cases were positive for S-100, p16, and CDK4, respectively. Six of the 14 cases (43%) were positive for MDM2 and adipophilin. One case of ALT/WDLPS and 3 cases of DDLPS exhibited MDM2 amplification by fluorescence in situ hybridization (Vysis LSI MDM2 SpectrumGreen Probe plus Vysis CEP 12 SpectrumOrange probe). ALT/WDLPS was the most favorable type for survival, while adipophilin tended to be a negative prognostic factor for pleural liposarcoma. For a firm diagnosis of liposarcoma in the pleura, immunohistochemistry for CDK4, MDM2, and adipophilin together with MDM2 gene amplification by fluorescence in situ hybridization may be an important diagnostic tool.

Palisading Adenocarcinoma: A Morphologically Unique Salivary Gland Tumor With a Neuroendocrine-like Appearance and a Predilection for the Sublingual Glands of Women.

Adenocarcinoma, not otherwise specified (NOS) is a heterogenous group of salivary gland tumors that likely contains distinct tumors that have not yet been characterized. Indeed, in recent years, cases previously diagnosed as adenocarcinoma, NOS have been recategorized into novel tumor designations such as secretory carcinoma, microsecretory adenocarcinoma, and sclerosing microcystic adenocarcinoma. We sought to describe a distinctive, hitherto-undescribed salivary gland tumor encountered in the authors' practices. Cases were pulled from the surgical pathology archives of the authors' institutions. Histologic, immunohistochemical, and clinical findings were tabulated, and targeted next-generation sequencing was performed on all cases. Nine cases were identified, arising in 8 women and 1 man ranging from 45 to 74 years (mean, 56.7 y). Seven tumors (78%) arose in the sublingual gland, while 2 (22%) arose in the submandibular gland. The cases shared a distinctive morphologic appearance. They were biphasic, with ducts scattered among a predominant polygonal cell with round nuclei, prominent nucleoli, and pale eosinophilic cytoplasm. These cells were arranged as trabeculae and palisaded as pseudorosettes around hyalinized stroma and vessels, resembling a neuroendocrine tumor. Four of the cases were well-circumscribed, while the remaining 5 showed infiltrative growth including perineural invasion in 2 (22%) and lymphovascular invasion in 1 (11%). Mitotic rates were low (mean, 2.2/10 HPFs); necrosis was absent. By immunohistochemistry, the predominant cell type was strongly positive for CD56 (9 of 9) and variably positive for pan-cytokeratin (AE1/AE3) (7 of 9) with patchy S100 (4 of 9), but negative for synaptophysin (0 of 9) and chromogranin (0 of 9), while the ducts were strongly positive for pan-cytokeratin (AE1/AE3) (9 of 9) and CK5/6 (7 of 7). Next-generation sequencing did not reveal any fusions or obvious driver mutations. All cases were resected surgically, with external beam radiation also done in 1 case. Follow-up was available in 8 cases; there were no metastases or recurrences after 4 to 160 months (mean, 53.1 mo). A dual population of scattered ducts with a predominance of CD56-positive neuroendocrine-like cells characterizes a unique salivary gland tumor which is often encountered in the sublingual glands of women, for which we propose the term "palisading adenocarcinoma." Although the tumor was biphasic and had a neuroendocrine-like appearance, it lacked convincing immunohistochemical evidence of myoepithelial or neuroendocrine differentiation. Although a subset showed unequivocally invasive growth, this tumor appears to behave in an indolent manner. Moving forward, recognition of palisading adenocarcinoma and its separation from other salivary adenocarcinomas, NOS will facilitate a better understanding of the characteristics of this previously unrecognized tumor.

Metabolism of Imidazole Dipeptides, Taurine, Branched-Chain Amino Acids, and Polyamines of the Breast Muscle Are Affected by Post-Hatch Development in Chickens.

To explore metabolic characteristics during the post-hatch developmental period, metabolomic analyses of breast muscle and plasma were performed in chickens. The most significant growth-related changes in metabolite levels were observed between seven and 28 days of age. Some of these metabolites are essential nutrients or reported as growth-promoting metabolites. In the muscle, two imidazole dipeptides-carnosine and its methylated metabolite, anserine-increased with the development. These dipeptide levels may be, in part, regulated transcriptionally because in the muscle mRNA levels of carnosine synthase and carnosine methylation enzyme increased. In contrast, taurine levels in the muscle decreased. This would be substrate availability-dependent because some upstream metabolites decreased in the muscle or plasma. In branched-chain amino acid metabolism, valine, leucine, and isoleucine decreased in the muscle, while some of their downstream metabolites decreased in the plasma. The polyamines, putrescine and spermidine, decreased in the muscle. Furthermore, mRNA levels associated with insulin/insulin-like growth factor 1 signaling, which play important roles in muscle growth, increased in the muscle. These results indicate that some metabolic pathways would be important to clarify metabolic characteristics and/or growth of breast muscle during the post-hatch developmental period in chickens.

Cryopreservation Competence of Chicken Oocytes as a Model of Endangered Wild Birds: Effects of Storage Time and Temperature on the Ovarian Follicle Survival.

For the conservation of endangered avian species, developing gamete preservation technologies is essential. However, studies in oocytes have not been widely conducted. In this study, assuming that the ovaries are transported to a research facility after death, we investigated the effect of ovary storage on oocytes for the purpose of cryopreserving avian female gametes by using a chicken as a model of endangered avian species. After excision, the ovaries were stored at either a low temperature (4 °C) or room temperature for 1-3 days. Ovarian follicles stored under different conditions for each period were examined by neutral red staining, histology, and gene and protein expression analysis. In addition, the pH of the storage medium after preserving the ovaries was measured. Then, ovarian tissues were vitrified to determine the cryopreservation competence. Storing the ovarian tissues at 4 °C kept the follicles viable and morphologically normal for 3 days with slow decline. In contrast, although different storage temperature did not influence follicle viability and morphology after only 1 day of storage, ovarian tissues stored at room temperature rapidly declined in structurally normal follicles, and viable follicles were rarely seen after 3 days of storage. Gene and protein expression analysis showed that apoptosis had already started on the first day, as shown by the higher expression of CASP9 under room temperature conditions. Furthermore, high expression of SOD1 and a rapid decline of pH in the storage medium under room temperature storage suggested the influence of oxidative stress associated with low pH in this condition on the follicle survivability in hen ovarian tissues. Our cryopreservation study also showed that ovarian tissues stored at 4 °C could recover after cryopreservation even after 3 days of storage. The described storage conditions and cryopreservation methods, which preserve chicken follicle survival, will lay the foundation of ovarian tissue preservation to preserve the fertility of wild female birds.

A novel pathogenic variant of the FH gene in a family with hereditary leiomyomatosis and renal cell carcinoma.

Hereditary leiomyomatosis and renal cell carcinoma caused by loss-of-function germline variants of the FH gene can develop into aggressive renal cell carcinoma (RCC). We report the case of a 27-year-old man who died of RCC. Genetic testing revealed a novel pathogenic variant of FH, NM_000143.3:c.1013_1014del (p.Ile338Serfs*3), that was also identified in healthy siblings. Identification of genetic causes in the proband helped us to provide relatives with precise genetic counseling and appropriate surveillance programs.

Oral administration of L-citrulline changes the concentrations of plasma hormones and biochemical profile in heat-exposed broilers.

We examined the effects of oral administration of L-citrulline (L-Cit) on plasma metabolic hormones and biochemical profile in broilers. Food intake, water intake, and body temperature were also analyzed. After dual oral administration (20 mmol/head/administration) of L-Cit, broilers were exposed to a high ambient temperature (HT; 30 ± 1°C) chamber for 120 min. Oral administration of L-Cit reduced (p < .001) rectal temperature in broilers. Food intake was increased (p < .05) by heat stress, but it was reduced (p < .05) by L-Cit. Plasma levels of 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine, which initially increased (p < .0001) due to heat stress, were reduced (p < .01) by oral administration of L-Cit. Plasma insulin levels were increased by heat exposure (p < .01) and oral L-Cit (p < .05). Heat stress caused a decline (p < .05) in plasma thyroxine. Plasma lactic acid (p < .05) and non-esterified fatty acids (p < .01) were increased in L-Cit-treated heat-exposed broilers. In conclusion, our results suggest that oral L-Cit can modulate plasma concentrations of major metabolic hormones and reduces food intake in broilers.

Effect of Stereotaxic Surgery of the Third Ventricle on Growth Performance in Neonatal Chicks.

Feeding behavior and energy metabolism are precisely regulated by humoral and/or neural factors in the central nervous system. In particular, nuclei, such as the arcuate nucleus, ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus, and lateral hypothalamic area located near the third ventricle of the hypothalamus are the centers of feeding and energy metabolism in various vertebrate species, including chickens. In this study, we evaluated the effects of cannulation of the third ventricle on chick growth and feeding behavior in the neonatal stage, to develop a method for local and chronic central nervous system-mediated energy metabolism. Referring to the chick brain atlas, a guide cannula was inserted into the third ventricle of the chick under anesthesia immediately after hatching using a stereotaxic instrument. The chicks that recovered from anesthesia were bred for 11 days under normal feeding management conditions, and then feed intake amount, body weight gain, and metabolic tissue weight were measured. The effects of direct stimulation of the third ventricle with 2-deoxy-D-glucose on the expression level of the immediate-early gene, cFOS, and feed intake in 5-day-old chicks were also evaluated. There were no differences in feed intake, body weight gain, and metabolic tissue weight between 11-day-old cannulated and control chicks. The expression of cFOS mRNA in the ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus was higher than that in the amygdala after the third ventricular administration of 2-deoxy-D-glucose. Additionally, direct third ventricular injection of 2-deoxy-D-glucose attenuated the feeding behavior of chicks for a while. Overall, we speculate that the technique is effective for local and/or chronic stimulation of the nucleus near the third ventricle of the chick hypothalamus, which is important for feed and energy metabolism regulation.

Glycyl-l-glutamine attenuates NPY-induced hyperphagia via the melanocortin system.

This study aimed to determine whether glycyl-l-glutamine (Gly-Gln; ß-endorphin (30-31)), a non-opioid peptide derived from ß-endorphin processing, modulates neuropeptide Y (NPY)-induced feeding and hypothalamic mRNA expression of peptide hormones in male broiler chicks. Intracerebroventricular injection of NPY (235 pmol) generated a hyperphagic response in ad libitum chicks within 30 min. Co-administration of Gly-Gln (100 nmol) attenuated this response, inducing a 30 % decrease. This was not attributable to Gly-Gln hydrolysis because co-administration of glycine (Gly) and glutamine (Gln) had no effect on NPY-induced hyperphagia. Gly-Gln injected alone also showed no effect. The hypothalamic pro-opiomelanocortin mRNA expression in the co-injection group was significantly higher than that in the NPY alone group. These data indicate that endogenous Gly-Gln may contribute to regulate feeding behavior via the central melanocortin system in chicks and acts as a counter regulator of the neural activity in energy metabolism.

Engrailed Homeobox 1 and Cytokeratin 19 Are Independent Diagnostic Markers of Eccrine Porocarcinoma and Distinguish It From Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

OBJECTIVES: The diagnostic utility of En1 in the histopathologic differentiation of eccrine porocarcinoma (EPC) from invasive squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) was investigated. METHODS: Expression of En1 and CK19 in 16 cases of EPC was immunohistochemically examined and compared with that in 32 cases of SCC. RESULTS: In all 16 EPCs, En1 was expressed in 3% to 100% of tumor cells. In 20 of the 32 SCCs, En1 was expressed in 3% to 90% of tumor cells. A total of 13 of the 16 EPCs and five of the 32 SCCs were judged as En1 positive, with a cutoff value of 25%. In addition, 11 of the 16 EPCs and four of the 32 SCCs were CK19 positive. The frequencies of En1- and CK19-positive cases were significantly higher in EPCs than in SCCs. In a logistic regression analysis for predicting EPC, En1 and CK19 were independent markers. When expression patterns of En1 and CK19 were combined, none of the 32 SCCs was both positive. In contrast, 15 of the 16 EPCs were positive for either En1 or CK19. CONCLUSIONS: A combination of En1 and CK19 expression can improve the accuracy of histologic diagnosis of EPC.

Effect of nociceptin/orphanin FQ on feeding behavior and hypothalamic neuropeptide expression in layer-type chicks.

Nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) was identified in 1995 as the endogenous ligand for the orphan G(i)/G(o)-coupled opioid receptor-like 1 receptor (NOP(1)). Exogenous N/OFQ increases food intake in mammals, but its effect and mode of action in chicks are not fully known. We report herein that N/OFQ (5.0 nmol) has a stimulatory effect on food intake in layer-type chicks over a 2-h period after intracerebroventricular (icv) injection. Thirty minutes after central injection of N/OFQ (5.0 nmol) the concentration of agouti-related protein (AGRP) mRNA in the diencephalon increased, while cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) mRNA decreased. However, concentrations of neuropeptide Y, proopiomelanocortin and glutamate decarboxylase mRNAs, and of catecholamines and excitatory amino acids were not affected. Simultaneous administration of alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH: 1.0 pmol), a competitor of AGRP, completely blocked the orexigenic effect of N/OFQ (5.0 nmol). These data suggest that N/OFQ functions in layer chicks as an orexigenic peptide in the central nervous system, and that the AGRP and the CART neurons may mediate this function, as in mammals.

Effects of In Ovo Vitamin D3 Injection on Subsequent Growth of Broilers.

This study was conducted to investigate the influence of in ovo vitamin D3 (Vit D3) administration on growth of broiler chickens when Vit D3 was dissolved in soybean oil. Sixty Ross broiler eggs were incubated at 37.8°C and >60% relative humidity. Distilled water, soybean oil, or Vit D3 (60 IU / 0.5 mL) dissolved in soybean oil, was administered in ovo on Day 18 of incubation. Seven days after hatching, chicks were sexed, and 12 birds (six female and six male) close to the average body weight (BW) of each treatment were selected and their BW continuously recorded until 28 days of age, then sacrificed. Liver and pectoral muscle were collected to determine the mRNA expression of IGF-1 and IGF-1 receptor, and the length of tibia was measured. There were no significant differences in BW, liver weight, or pectoral muscle weight between the groups. However, an interaction was observed between treatments and sexes in the tibia length. In comparison among only males, tibia length in the Vit D3 with oil group was longer than that of the control, but not different from that of the oil group. The same tendency was observed in the hepatic IGF-1 mRNA expression in chicks of either sex, with this effect only being observed after the treatments and not in the control. On the other hand, there was an interaction between treatments and sexes in the mRNA expression of IGF-1 receptor, which was highest in the Vit D3 with oil group in females, but not in males. These results indicated that the in ovo administration of Vit D3 affected IGF-1 receptor mRNA expression without growth.

High-grade trichoblastic carcinoma arising through malignant transformation of trichoblastoma: Immunohistochemical analysis and the expression of p53 and phosphorylated AKT.

Trichoblastoma (TB) is a benign cutaneous adnexal neoplasm. The lesion typically presents as a slow-growing, solitary, well-circumscribed nodule measuring up to 3 cm in diameter. On rare occasions, TB causes malignant transformation into an aggressive form described as high-grade trichoblastic carcinoma. Four such cases have been reported to date; all were described as high-grade trichoblastic carcinomas. Here, we describe the case of a 72-year-old Japanese male patient with a rapidly enlarging subcutaneous tumor on his lower back, which was diagnosed as high-grade trichoblastic carcinoma. Histopathologically, the tumor featured both benign and malignant components, and a transition zone between these states was clearly evident. In the immunohistochemical analysis, a malignant component was positive for p53 and showed stronger staining of phospho-RAC-α serine/threonine-protein kinase (AKT) Ser473 in comparison with a benign component. These results suggest that loss of p53 function and activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-AKT signaling pathways played important pathogenic roles in malignant transformation of the present case.