Application of bovine progesterone intravaginal controlled-release formulation for estrus synchronization treatment in goats.

Progesterone (P4)-impregnated controlled internal drug-releasing device for goats and sheep (CIDR-G) is used in the estrus synchronization protocol; however, it is not commercially available in Japan. In this study, we investigated whether a modification of CIDR-B, designed for cattle, could be used as a P4 release device for synchronizing estrus in goats. An in vitro analysis showed that the dissolution rate was not significantly different between CIDR-G and modified CIDR-B (CIDR-M).

Effect of Hydroxyapatite/β-Tricalcium Phosphate on Osseointegration after Implantation into Mouse Maxilla.

In our previous study we established an animal model for immediately placed implants using mice and clarified that there were no significant differences in the chronological healing process at the bone-implant interface between immediately and delayed placed implants blasted with hydroxyapatite (HA)/β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) (ratio 1:4). This study aimed to analyze the effects of HA/β-TCP on osseointegration at the bone-implant interface after immediately placed implants in the maxillae of 4-week-old mice. Right maxillary first molars were extracted and cavities were prepared with a drill and titanium implants, blasted with or without HA/β-TCP, were placed.

Role of osteopontin in the process of pulpal healing following tooth replantation in mice.

Introduction: The role of osteopontin (OPN) following severe injury remains to be elucidated, especially its relationship with type I collagen (encoded by the gene) secretion by newly-differentiated odontoblast-like cells (OBLCs). In this study, we examined the role of OPN in the process of reparative dentin formation with a focus on reinnervation and revascularization after tooth replantation in knockout (KO) and wild-type (WT) mice.

Methods: Maxillary first molars of 2- and 3-week-old- KO and WT mice ( KO 2W, KO 3W, WT 2W, and WT 3W groups) were replanted, followed by fixation 3-56 days after operation.

Exploration of the role of the subodontoblastic layer in odontoblast-like cell differentiation after tooth drilling using Nestin-enhanced green fluorescent protein transgenic mice.

Objectives: Original odontoblasts and regenerated odontoblast-like cells (OBLCs) may differently regulate Nestin expression. This study aimed to investigate the role of the subodontoblastic layer (SOBL) using green fluorescent protein (GFP) reactivity in the process of OBLC differentiation after tooth drilling in Nestin-enhanced GFP transgenic mice.

Methods: A groove-shaped cavity was prepared on the mesial surface of the maxillary first molars of 5- or 6-week-old mice under deep anesthesia.

Towards spatially resolved magnetic small-angle scattering studies by polarized and polarization-analyzed neutron dark-field contrast imaging.

In the past decade neutron dark-field contrast imaging has developed from a qualitative tool depicting microstructural inhomogeneities in bulk samples on a macroscopic scale of tens to hundreds of micrometers to a quantitative spatial resolved small-angle scattering instrument. While the direct macroscopic image resolution around tens of micrometers remains untouched microscopic structures have become assessable quantitatively from the nanometer to the micrometer range. Although it was found that magnetic structures provide remarkable contrast we could only recently introduce polarized neutron grating interferometric imaging.

Symmetry prediction and knowledge discovery from X-ray diffraction patterns using an interpretable machine learning approach.

Determination of crystal system and space group in the initial stages of crystal structure analysis forms a bottleneck in material science workflow that often requires manual tuning. Herein we propose a machine-learning (ML)-based approach for crystal system and space group classification based on powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns as a proof of concept using simulated patterns. Our tree-ensemble-based ML model works with nearly or over 90% accuracy for crystal system classification, except for triclinic cases, and with 88% accuracy for space group classification with five candidates.

Dentin Matrix Protein 1 Compensates for Lack of Osteopontin in Regulating Odontoblastlike Cell Differentiation after Tooth Injury in Mice.

Introduction: Although dentin matrix protein 1 (DMP1) and osteopontin (OPN) act as substrates and signaling molecules for odontoblastlike cell differentiation after tooth injury, the mutual interaction between these proteins in the mechanism of odontoblastlike cell differentiation remains to be clarified. This study aimed to elucidate the role of DMP1 and OPN in regulating odontoblastlike cell differentiation after tooth injury.

Methods: A groove-shaped cavity was prepared on the mesial surface of the upper first molars in wild-type and Opn knockout (KO) mice.

The putative role of insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-binding protein 5 independent of IGF in the maintenance of pulpal homeostasis in mice.

Although insulin-like growth factor binding protein 5 (IGFBP5) may play a crucial role in activating the functions of periodontal and bone marrow stem cells, the factors responsible for regulating the maintenance of dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) remain to be clarified. This study aimed to elucidate the role of IGFBP5 in maintaining pulpal homeostasis during tooth development and pulpal healing after tooth injury in doxycycline-inducible TetOP-histone 2B (H2B)-green fluorescent protein (GFP) transgenic mice (GFP expression was induced at E14.5 or E15.

Reduced enamel epithelium-derived cell niche in the junctional epithelium is maintained for a long time in mice.

Background: Although numerous reports have demonstrated that the junctional epithelium (JE) is derived from the reduced enamel epithelium (REE), the fate of the REE-derived JE remains controversial. The present study elucidated the fate of the REE-derived JE and the cell dynamics of stem/progenitor cells in the JE following tooth eruption.

Methods: Mandibular first molar germs (embryonic days 15 to postnatal 1-day-old) were transplanted into the socket of 2-week-old mice after extraction of the upper first molars of B6 wild-type (WT) and green fluorescent protein (GFP) transgenic mice.

Regulation of IGF-I by IGFBP3 and IGFBP5 during odontoblast differentiation in mice.

Objectives: Although intracellular signaling pathways of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) related to the proliferation of dental pulp cells have been investigated, the switching mechanism from cell proliferation to differentiation during odontogenesis remains elusive. This study aimed to elucidate the role of IGF binding protein (IGFBP) 3 and 5 in regulation of IGF-I during odontoblast differentiation in mouse incisors.

Methods: The detailed expression patterns of IGF-I, IGF-I receptor (IGF-IR), IGFBP3, and IGFBP5 together with that of an odontoblast differentiation marker, nestin, were examined by immunohistochemistry and/or in situ hybridization using paraffinized sections of TetOP-H2B-GFP mouse incisors at postnatal 4 weeks.

Accelerating small-angle scattering experiments on anisotropic samples using kernel density estimation.

We propose a method to accelerate small-angle scattering experiments by exploiting spatial correlation in two-dimensional data. We applied kernel density estimation to the average of a hundred short scans and evaluated noise reduction effects of kernel density estimation (smoothing). Although there is no advantage of using smoothing for isotropic data due to the powerful noise reduction effect of radial averaging, smoothing with a statistically and physically appropriate kernel can shorten measurement time by less than half to obtain sector averages with comparable statistical quality to that of sector averages without smoothing.

Atomic ordering, magnetic properties, and electronic structure of MnCoGa Heusler alloy.

The magnetic properties and atomic arrangement of MnCoGa Heusler alloy were investigated experimentally and by theoretical calculations. The magnetic moment derived from spontaneous magnetization at 5 K was 2.06 μ /f.

Fatigue-induced decline in low-frequency common input to bilateral and unilateral plantar flexors during quiet standing.

Plantar flexor muscles play a crucial role in maintaining balance during quiet standing. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of their fatigue on common input to these muscles, using a coherence analysis. Thirteen healthy young male adults stood quietly before and after a fatigue protocol consisting of a heel raise exercise.

Age-Related Declines in the Ability to Modulate Common Input to Bilateral and Unilateral Plantar Flexors During Forward Postural Lean.

Aging can impair an ability to lean the body forward to the edge of the base of support. Here, we investigated, using a coherence analysis, common inputs to bilateral and unilateral plantar flexor muscles to test a hypothesis that the age-related impairment would be related to strong synchronous bilateral activation and reduced cortical control of these muscles. Healthy young ( = 14) and elderly adults ( = 19), who were all right-foot dominant, performed quiet standing task and tasks that required the subjects to lean their body forward to 35 and 75% of the maximum lean distance.

Effect of auditory stimulus on executive function and execution time during cognitively demanding stepping task in patients with Parkinson's disease.

Start hesitation in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) occurs predominantly during distractive and conflictual situations. The aim of this study was to investigate how differently an auditory stimulus (AS) influences execution function and execution time during a cognitively demanding stepping task in PD patients as compared to healthy controls. PD patients and healthy controls stepped forward in response to a visual imperative stimulus of an arrow.

Modulation of EMG-EMG Coherence in a Choice Stepping Task.

The voluntary step execution task is a popular measure for identifying fall risks among elderly individuals in the community setting because most falls have been reported to occur during movement. However, the neurophysiological functions during this movement are not entirely understood. Here, we used electromyography (EMG) to explore the relationship between EMG-EMG coherence, which reflects common oscillatory drive to motoneurons, and motor performance associated with stepping tasks: simple reaction time (SRT) and choice reaction time (CRT) tasks.

Coordination of plantar flexor muscles during bipedal and unipedal stances in young and elderly adults.

To investigate the effects of aging on coordination of plantar flexor muscles during bipedal and unipedal stances, we examined a relationship between the center of pressure sway and electromyographic activity of these muscles, and also the common neural input, using a coherence analysis. Healthy young and elderly adults were asked to perform bipedal and unipedal standing. The electromyograms were recorded unilaterally from the medial and lateral gastrocnemius (MG and LG) and soleus (SL) muscles, and the common input was analyzed for MG-LG, MG-SL, and LG-SL pairs in two frequency bands: a delta band, that is associated with force variability, and a beta band, that could reflect the corticospinal drive.

Auditory stimulus has a larger effect on anticipatory postural adjustments in older than young adults during choice step reaction.

Purpose: The study aim was to compare the influence of an auditory stimulus (AS) on anticipatory postural adjustments (APAs) between young and older adults during a choice step reaction.

Methods: Sixteen young and 19 older adults stepped forward in response to a visual imperative stimulus of an arrow. We used a choice reaction time (CRT) task and a Simon task which consisted of congruent and incongruent conditions.

Osteopontin-deficiency disturbs direct osteogenesis in the process of achieving osseointegration following immediate placement of endosseous implants.

Background: The role of osteopontin (OPN) in the process of achieving osseointegration following implantation remains to be clarified.

Purpose: This study aimed to analyze the healing patterns of the bone-implant interface after immediate placement of implants in the maxillae of 4-week-old Opn-knockout (KO) and wild-type (WT) mice.

Materials And Methods: After maxillary first molars were extracted, cavities were prepared with a drill and titanium implants blasted with ceramic abrasives containing hydroxyapatite/β-tricalcium phosphate were placed.

Performance monitoring and response conflict resolution associated with choice stepping reaction tasks.

Choice reaction requires response conflict resolution, and the resolution processes that occur during a choice stepping reaction task undertaken in a standing position, which requires maintenance of balance, may be different to those processes occurring during a choice reaction task performed in a seated position. The study purpose was to investigate the resolution processes during a choice stepping reaction task at the cortical level using electroencephalography and compare the results with a control task involving ankle dorsiflexion responses. Twelve young adults either stepped forward or dorsiflexed the ankle in response to a visual imperative stimulus presented on a computer screen.

Multiple magnetic scattering in small-angle neutron scattering of Nd-Fe-B nanocrystalline magnet.

We have investigated the influence of multiple scattering on the magnetic small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) from a Nd-Fe-B nanocrystalline magnet. We performed sample-thickness- and neutron-wavelength-dependent SANS measurements, and observed the scattering vector dependence of the multiple magnetic scattering. It is revealed that significant multiple scattering exists in the magnetic scattering rather than the nuclear scattering of Nd-Fe-B nanocrystalline magnet.

Differences in Healing Patterns of the Bone-Implant Interface between Immediately and Delayed-Placed Titanium Implants in Mouse Maxillae.

Background: There are no available data on the healing process at the bone-implant interface after immediate implant placement.

Purpose: This study aimed to establish an animal experimental model of titanium implants placed in mouse maxillae and compare the healing pattern of the bone-implant interface after immediate implant placement with that after delayed implant placement.

Materials And Methods: Maxillary first molars (M1) from 4-week-old mice were extracted and replaced with the implant following drilling (immediate-placement group).

Allogenic tooth transplantation inhibits the maintenance of dental pulp stem/progenitor cells in mice.

Our recent study suggested that allogenic tooth transplantation may affect the maintenance of dental pulp stem/progenitor cells. This study aims to elucidate the influence of allograft on the maintenance of dental pulp stem/progenitor cells following tooth replantation and allo- or auto-genic tooth transplantation in mice using BrdU chasing, immunohistochemistry for BrdU, nestin and Ki67, in situ hybridization for Dspp, transmission electron microscopy and TUNEL assay. Following extraction of the maxillary first molar in BrdU-labeled animals, the tooth was immediately repositioned in the original socket, or the roots were resected and immediately allo- or auto-grafted into the sublingual region in non-labeled or the same animals.

Dynamics of bromodeoxyuridine label-retaining dental pulp cells during pulpal healing after cavity preparation in mice.

Introduction: This study aimed at clarifying the dynamics of bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) label-retaining cells (LRCs) and their relationship to cell proliferation and apoptosis during pulpal healing after cavity preparation in mice.

Methods: A groove-shaped cavity was prepared on the mesial cervical surface of the upper first molars, and the samples were collected at intervals of 12 hours-14 days. The demineralized paraffin sections were processed for immunohistochemistry for BrdU, nestin, and Ki-67 and apoptosis assay using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick-end labeling (TUNEL) and in situ hybridization for dentin sialophosphoprotein (Dspp).

Differentiation capacity of BrdU label-retaining dental pulp cells during pulpal healing following allogenic transplantation in mice.

Our recent study has demonstrated the localization of putative dental pulp stem cells in the developing molar by chasing 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU)-labeling. However, their differentiation capacity subsequent to the tooth transplantation remains to be elucidated. This study aims to clarify the differentiation capacity of BrdU label-retaining dental pulp cells and their relationship to cell proliferation and apoptosis during pulpal healing following allogenic transplantation in mice.