Impedance measurement for nondestructive venison pH estimation using touch-type electrodes.

The pH of venison is affected by deer capture methods, which affects its water-holding capacity (WHC) during heating. Therefore, cooking or processing venison requires careful consideration of WHC at different pH levels. While this requires nondestructively measuring the pH of venison during distribution, there are no established methods to nondestructively distinguish between normal- and high-pH meats.

Optogenetic control of cAMP oscillations reveals frequency-selective transcription factor dynamics in Dictyostelium.

Oscillatory dynamics and their modulation are crucial for cellular decision-making; however, analysing these dynamics remains challenging. Here, we present a tool that combines the light-activated adenylate cyclase mPAC with the cAMP biosensor Pink Flamindo, enabling precise manipulation and real-time monitoring of cAMP oscillation frequencies in Dictyostelium. High-frequency modulation of cAMP oscillations induced cell aggregation and multicellular formation, even at low cell densities, such as a few dozen cells.

Effect of bittern immersion on textural properties and water-holding capacity in beef.

Hard meat has low market value; hence, we used bittern as a novel meat tenderizer for bovine M. semitendinosus, one of a hard muscle. We investigated the effects of beef immersion in bittern, a basic solution primarily comprising MgCl, on textural properties and water-holding capacity.

Estimation of moisture content in dry-cured beef ham by measuring the impedance of the surface.

Dry-cured beef ham quality is determined by moisture content; however, it is hard to do non-destructive monitoring. We investigated whether the internal moisture content of dry-cured beef ham could be determined from the impedance of the surface, which is removed at the time of eating. Supraspinatus muscle samples from Japanese Shorthorn steers were dried for different periods.

Comparison of the treatment status of patients with acute heart failure before and during the COVID-19 pandemic - Observational cohort study using Japanese administrative data.

Background: There is a concern that the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to underutilization of non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) in patients with acute heart failure (HF). We investigated the alterations in clinical management of acute HF during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods And Results: This study was an observational study of patients treated in emergency care with acute HF, using a Japanese Administrative database for a period before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The relationship between pH of pH-model beef and impedance measured using touch-type electrodes.

Meat pH affects its color, texture, and water-holding capacity; however, a method for nondestructively distinguishing high-pH from normal-pH meat is unknown. We investigated the method of preparing an extensive pH-model of beef immersed in different pH buffers and the relationship between pH of the pH-model beef and impedance, measured using touch-type electrodes. The results showed that a model beef of pH 4.

Pancreas-sparing partial duodenectomy as an alternative to emergency pancreaticoduodenectomy for a major duodenal perforation: a case report.

A 71-year-old woman underwent endoscopic submucosal dissection for early duodenal cancer at the second portion of the duodenum and developed acute peritonitis due to delayed duodenal perforation. Emergency laparotomy was performed. A huge perforation formed at the descending duodenum without ampulla involvement.

Perigastric abscess caused by delayed perforation after gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection: successful conservative treatment without perforation closure: a case report.

Background: Perigastric abscess caused by delayed perforation after endoscopic submucosal dissection is a very rare complication. In principle, delayed perforation after endoscopic submucosal dissection is treated surgically. Herein, we report a case of perigastric abscess caused by delayed perforation after gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection that was treated conservatively, without perforation closure, and in which the patient was discharged from hospital in a short period.

Endoscopic submucosal dissection using an ultrathin endoscope for superficial pharyngeal cancer: a prospective feasibility study (with video).

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) of pharyngeal cancers with conventional endoscopes often is difficult, not only because of the narrow working space, but also because endoscope maneuverability in the pharynx is poor due to interference from the endotracheal tube and/or hyoid bone. However, we hypothesized that those problems could possibly be resolved by use of an ultrathin endoscope for ESD of superficial pharyngeal cancer. The aim of this prospective interventional study was to investigate the feasibility of ESD for superficial pharyngeal cancer using an ultrathin endoscope.

Gastric-type duodenal neoplasms with rapid growth: A report of two cases.

While duodenal neoplasms of the gastric phenotype are uncommon and their natural history is unknown, gastric neoplasms of gastric phenotype reportedly grow rapidly and can invade the submucosa. Several studies suggest that duodenal neoplasms of gastric phenotype might have a high risk of deep invasion and lymph node metastasis. Duodenal neoplasms of gastric phenotype might also have a high biological malignancy and likely require early treatment if detected.

Application of sarunashi (Actinidia arguta) juices extracted at different ripening stages for Japanese Shorthorn steer meat tenderization.

We investigated the effects of juices of sarunashi (Actinidia arguta) at varying ripening stages (unripe, force-ripe, ripe, and over-ripe) on textural properties and water holding capacity after application to the supraspinatus muscle meat from Japanese Shorthorn steers (n = 6). Following drip and cooking loss measurements, we analyzed the maximum load, gumminess load, cohesiveness, and adhesiveness of the muscle samples. Drip loss did not differ significantly among the groups; however, cooking loss in the over-ripe group was higher than that in the other groups.

Early gastric mixed neuroendocrine-non-neuroendocrine neoplasms with endoscopic findings of neuroendocrine cell carcinoma components exposed on the mucosal surface: a case report.

Background: Gastric mixed neuroendocrine-non-neuroendocrine neoplasms are rare malignant tumors. The lack of specific findings makes it difficult to diagnose endoscopically. We report the case of early gastric mixed neuroendocrine-non-neuroendocrine neoplasms treated by endoscopic submucosal dissection.

Effect of immersion in low-pH solution on physicochemical properties of high-pH venison.

The color of venison observed at a high-pH is not preferred by consumers. However, the physicochemical properties of venison soaked in a low-pH solution to lower its high-pH are unknown. We investigated the effect of immersion in a low-pH solution on the physicochemical properties of a high-pH venison.

CRISPR/Cas9-based genome-wide screening of Dictyostelium.

Genome-wide screening is powerful method used to identify genes and pathways associated with a phenotype of interest. The simple eukaryote Dictyostelium discoideum has a unique life cycle and is often used as a crucial research model for a wide range of biological processes and rare metabolites. To address the inadequacies of conventional genetic screening approaches, we developed a highly efficient CRISPR/Cas9-based genome-wide screening system for Dictyostelium.

Endoscopic submucosal dissection: the first reported experience from a New Zealand centre.

Aim: Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is internationally accepted as a minimally invasive procedure to treat early gastrointestinal cancers endoscopically. Uptake of this procedure in the West is limited. No published data are available in New Zealand.

Successful esophageal endoscopic submucosal dissection with intraoperative release of stenosis due to previous endoscopic submucosal dissection scarring.

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is the standard endoscopic treatment for early esophageal cancer. Esophageal stricture often occurs at the site of ESD for large lesions. When treating a metachronous lesion appearing at the severe stricture, it may be difficult to negotiate a conventional endoscope through the stricture.

Hemostasis using purse-string reefing with endoscopic clip and endoloop for a huge hematoma after cold snare polypectomy.

Watch a video of this article.

Reducing the channel diameter of polydimethylsiloxane fluidic chips made by a 3D-printed sacrificial template and their application for flow-injection analysis.

Fluidic chips have attracted considerable interest in recent years for their potential applications in analytical devices. Previously, we developed a method to fabricate polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) fluidic chips via templates made using a low-priced commercial Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) type 3D printer and polymer coatings. However, in general, methods using a template cannot form a flow channel thinner than the template thickness and the width.

Linking DNA repair and cell cycle progression through serine ADP-ribosylation of histones.

Although serine ADP-ribosylation (Ser-ADPr) by Poly(ADP-ribose)-polymerases is a cornerstone of the DNA damage response, how this regulates DNA repair and genome stability is unknown. Here, we exploit the ability to manipulate histone genes in Dictyostelium to identify that ADPr of the histone variant H3b at S10 and S28 maintains genome stability by integrating double strand break (DSB) repair with mitotic entry. Given the critical requirement for mitotic H3S10/28 phosphorylation, we develop separation of function mutations that maintain S10 phosphorylation whilst disrupting ADPr.

Successful endoscopic submucosal dissection for a tumor located completely within a colonic diverticulum after inversion of the diverticulum using a traction device.

Video 1Successful endoscopic submucosal dissection for a tumor completely located within a colonic diverticulum after inversion of the diverticulum using a traction device. After reconfirming that the diverticulum could be inverted into the lumen with forceps, the first endoclip grasping a ring-thread made of dental floss was fixed on the mucosa in the diverticulum. Immediately afterward, a second endoclip was used to grasp the ring-thread and fix it to the opposite colonic wall.