Effects of a gel culture system made of polysaccharides (xanthan gum and locust bean gum) on in vitro bovine oocyte development and gene expression of the granulosa cells.

Xanthan gum (XG) and locust bean gum (LBG) are nontoxic polysaccharides that produce culture substrates. The present study examined the effect of XG-LBG gel on in vitro bovine oocyte growth and gene expression in granulosa cells. Oocytes and granulosa cell complexes (OGCs) were cultured in vitro on plastic culture plate (Plate) or XG-LBG gel for 16 days. OGCs formed a dome-like cavity surrounding the oocytes on plate but formed a spherical follicle structure on XG-LBG gel. The total granulosa cell numbers of the OGCs and their survival rate was greater for OGCs cultured on XG-LBG gel than for those cultured on plate. Oocytes grown on XG-LBG gels had higher lipid and mitochondrial content, as well as a larger diameter, than their plate counterparts. When oocytes grown in vitro were subjected to in vitro maturation and fertilization, the normal fertilization rate was significantly higher for oocytes developed on XG-LBG gel than that of oocytes cultured on the plate counterpart. RNAseq of the granulosa cells revealed that genes associated with focal adhesion, phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase-Akt and Hippo signaling, and regulation of actin cytoskeleton were upregulated in granulosa cells of OGCs cultured on XG-LBG gel compared with those cultured on plate.

Successful Treatment with the Chin-down Maneuver of Dysphagia Secondary to Descending Necrotizing Mediastinitis: A Case Study.

BACKGROUND: Descending necrotizing mediastinitis is a potentially fatal polymicrobial infection that often leads to dysphagia after treatment. Such dysphagia is likely the result of fibrosis and scarring from inflammatory changes in the fascial space. A case is presented in which the mechanism of dysphagia was verified using two-dimensional analysis of the muscle lengths of the suprahyoid and infrahyoid muscles. CASE: A 57-year-old woman presented with a hyoid and laryngeal movement disorder with pharyngeal residue secondary to descending necrotizing mediastinitis. To treat this disorder, the chin-down maneuver was performed, and it immediately improved hyoid and laryngeal elevation and reduced pharyngeal residue at the epiglottic valleculae and pyriform sinus. Analysis of the mechanism of these improvements revealed that combined head and neck flexion, compared with neck flexion, decreased the distance between the origin and insertion (DOI) of the sternohyoid muscle (SM) and increased the muscle contraction rate and the maximum contraction duration of the geniohyoid muscle (GM) during swallowing. DISCUSSION: In the present case, the patient had restrictions in extension of the SM that applied resistance to GM contraction. Compensation of this condition was achieved by combined head and neck flexion, which decreased the DOI of the SM, thereby improving the contractile function of the GM.

Xanthan gum and Locust bean gum gel supports in vitro development of porcine oocytes derived from early antral follicles.

Early antral follicle (EAF)-derived porcine oocytes develop more readily on polyacrylamide-gel (PAG) than on plastic plates. Xanthan gum (XG) and locust bean gum (LBG) are edible polysaccharides. We investigated XG-LBG gel supports in the development of EAF-derived porcine oocytes. XG and LBG were mixed in a 1:1 ratio to form a substrate. We cultured oocyte granulosa cell complexes (OGCs) from the EAFs on XG-LBG gels of various concentrations. The oocyte diameters were comparable among the 0.3, 0.5, and 1.0% gels; granulosa cell proliferation was greater on the 1.0% gel. The proliferation and survival rates of the granulosa cells, and the histone H4 at lysine 12 acetylation levels were higher in OGCs cultured on 1.0% XG-LBG than those grown on 0.3% PAG. Development to the blastocyst stage was 13.8% for the XG-LBG gels and 9.4% for PAG. In conclusion, XG-LBG are safe and efficient substrates for in vitro culture of oocytes.

Efficacy of Tape Feedback Therapy on Synkinesis Following Severe Peripheral Facial Nerve Palsy.

BACKGROUND: Mirror feedback rehabilitation is effective in preventing the development of oro-ocular synkinesis following severe facial palsy. However, we do not have effective maneuvers to prevent the deterioration of oculo-oral synkinesis. We developed a new method of biofeedback rehabilitation using tape for the prevention of oculo-oral synkinesis. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to investigate the efficacy of taping feedback rehabilitation. METHODS: Twelve consecutive patients with peripheral facial nerve palsy who developed synkinesis were divided into 2 groups. Six patients were treated with the new training method, and the remaining 6 patients were treated with conventional therapy as controls. In the experiment group, tape was placed around the mouth, and the patient was instructed to close the eyes so that no movements of the mouth would be perceived from sensations of the taped skin. After 4 weeks of training, facial movements were recorded and movie images were graded for mouth synkinesis using the revised Sunnybrook facial grading system by examiners blinded to patient grouping. RESULTS: Mouth corner contraction during eye closure was significantly weaker in the experimental group than in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Our new feedback method could help prevent the deterioration of oculo-oral synkinesis.

Proposal for a Modified Jaw Opening Exercise for Dysphagia: A Randomized, Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To verify the feasibility and effectiveness of a newly developed modified jaw opening exercise (MJOE) in post-stroke patients with pharyngeal residue who completed a sixweek exercise regimen. DESIGN: Double-blind, randomized, controlled trial. PARTICIPANTS: 16 patients with stroke-related dysphagia. INTERVENTIONS: Participants were allocated to an intervention group (MJOE: one set of five repetitions at 80% maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) for 6 seconds) or a control group (isometric jaw closing exercise: one set of five repetitions at 20% MVC for 6 seconds). Each group performed four sets a day, five times a week, for a total of six weeks. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: A videofluorographic swallowing study was performed before and after exercise. The distance between the mental spine and the hyoid bone (DMH) and hyoid displacement (HD) were measured. RESULTS: Twelve participants completed the study. No pain in the temporomandibular joint and/or anterior region of the neck occurred during the exercise period. In the intervention group (N=6), a decrease in DMH where anterior HD ended and an increase in anterior HD were seen. In the control group (N=6), no changes were seen. CONCLUSIONS: MJOE is feasible without any adverse events in poststroke patients, and it promotes anterior HD during swallowing.