Novel cell spheroid culture method using Medaka dried fish powder.

Highly biocompatible microcarriers are culture materials designed to enhance the efficiency of cell spheroid culture. Typically, collagen or specially processed plastic materials serve as these microcarriers. In the context of cultured-cell-based food production, however, both collagen and plastic materials present challenges regarding their cost-effectiveness and edibility.

A new lymphedema treatment using pyro-drive jet injection.

Lymphedema, resulting from impaired lymphatic drainage, causes inflammation, fibrosis and tissue damage leading to symptoms such as limb swelling and restricted mobility. Despite various treatments under exploration, no standard effective therapy exists. Here a novel technique using the pyro-drive jet injection (PJI) was used to create artificial clefts between collagen fibers, which facilitated the removal of excess interstitial fluid.

Microenvironmental elements singularity synergistically regulate the behavior and chemosensitivity of endometrioid carcinoma.

The importance of the microenvironment is widely recognized as it regulates not only malignant cell behavior but also drug sensitivity. The cancer cell microenvironment is composed of biological, physical and chemical elements, and simultaneous reproduction of these three elements are important conditions investigated in cancer research. In the present study, we focused on the epidemiological and anatomical specificities of endometrioid carcinoma, obesity (biological), fluid flow (physical) and anticancer agents (chemical) to target the specific microenvironmental elements of endometrioid carcinoma.

Oral-specific microenvironments regulate cell behavior and anticancer drug sensitivity of tongue squamous cell carcinoma.

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the most major malignant tumor of the tongue. The tongue exists at the air-liquid interface and is covered with saliva. In addition, the tongue constituent cells and tongue cancer are present under fluid flow stimulation due to the abundant capillary network and contraction of muscle tissue.

Tissue-specific Physical and Biological Microenvironments Modulate the Behavior of Cervical Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

The mechanisms controlling the aggressiveness and survival of cervical SCC cells remain unclear. We investigated how the physical and biological microenvironments regulate the growth, apoptosis and invasiveness of cervical cancer cells. Dynamic flow and air exposure were evaluated as physical microenvironmental factors, and stromal fibroblasts were evaluated as a biological microenvironmental factor.

Author Correction: Iron acquisition system of Sphingobium sp. strain SYK-6, a degrader of lignin-derived aromatic compounds.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

Iron acquisition system of Sphingobium sp. strain SYK-6, a degrader of lignin-derived aromatic compounds.

Iron, an essential element for all organisms, acts as a cofactor of enzymes in bacterial degradation of recalcitrant aromatic compounds. The bacterial family, Sphingomonadaceae comprises various degraders of recalcitrant aromatic compounds; however, little is known about their iron acquisition system. Here, we investigated the iron acquisition system in a model bacterium capable of degrading lignin-derived aromatics, Sphingobium sp.

A Uterine Motion Classification in MRI Data for Female Infertility.

Aims: The purpose of this study was to classify complicated uterine movements obtained by MRI scanner and investigate the relationship between uterine peristalsis and female infertility.

Methods: Uterine movements are classified into six fundamental movements by their motility form and directions. Computer simulation of the uterine movements is performed.

Study of uterine kinetics in nonpregnant women using cine-mode magnetic resonance imaging.

Purpose: To evaluate the uterine kinetics in each phase of the menstrual cycle when observed in detail using cine-mode magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of sagittal and transverse plane images.

Methods: Seven volunteers with a history of multiple natural pregnancies and deliveries were enrolled from January 2017 to May 2017. The kinetic parameters (depth, frequency, and direction) of uterine muscle contractions were evaluated in cine-mode MRI.

Neonatal outcomes following different ovarian stimulation protocols in fresh single embryo transfer.

Previous studies suggested ovarian stimulation was associated with lower birth weight and higher risk of preterm delivery (PTD) from fresh embryo transfers (ETs). However, whether the increased risk differs between distinct ovarian stimulation protocols remains unknown. A retrospective cohort study of 38,220 singleton deliveries after fresh single ETs from 2007 to 2013 was conducted.

A high-density collagen xerogel thread prevents the progression of peritoneal fibrosis.

Peritoneal fibrosis is often provoked by peritoneal dialysis and is an essential precursor condition to the development of encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis. This study aimed to determine the efficacy of a high-density collagen xerogel thread (CXT) for the prevention of peritoneal fibrosis. Female ICR mice received intraperitoneal injections of chlorhexidine gluconate (CG) every other day to induce peritoneal fibrosis.

Extrauterine Choriocarcinoma in the Fallopian Tube Following Infertility Treatment: Implications for the Management of Early-Detected Ectopic Pregnancies.

Extrauterine choriocarcinoma in the fallopian tube is very rare and is often diagnosed and treated as an ectopic tubal pregnancy. A 34-year-old woman who initially became pregnant after infertility treatment using ovulation induction with clomiphene citrate and intrauterine insemination was later diagnosed with an extrauterine choriocarcinoma in the left fallopian tube. Because of suspected left ectopic tubal pregnancy based on ultrasonography findings and a high level of β-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG; 7054.

Impact of single embryo transfer policy on perinatal outcomes in fresh and frozen cycles-analysis of the Japanese Assisted Reproduction Technology registry between 2007 and 2012.

Objective: To investigate whether the introduction of single embryo transfer (SET) policy in Japan has improved perinatal outcomes.

Design: A retrospective cohort study.

Setting: Not applicable.

Validity for assisted hatching on pregnancy rate in assisted reproductive technology: analysis based on results of Japan Assisted Reproductive Technology Registry System 2010.

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of assisted hatching (AH) in assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatment.

Material And Methods: In this retrospective observational study, the data of patients who were registered in the National ART Registry System of Japan between January and December 2010 were analyzed. The descriptive statistics and validity of AH in fresh embryo transfer (ET) and frozen-thawed ET were assessed by using multiple logistic regression analyses.

The incidence of monozygotic twinning in assisted reproductive technology: analysis based on results from the 2010 Japanese ART national registry.

Purpose: To assess the incidence of monozygotic twinning (MZT) among cases undergoing assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatment.

Methods: We performed a retrospective observational study and analyzed the data of patients who were registered in the national ART registry system of Japan from January to December 2010; only the data of patients with single embryo transfer (ET) were included.

Results: Of 30,405 pregnancies, 425 resulted in MZT following fresh and frozenthawed ET.

Efficacy, safety, and trends in assisted reproductive technology in Japan-analysis of four-year data from the national registry system.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and trends in assisted reproductive technology (ART) in Japan.

Methods: Data pertaining to treatment cycles, pregnancy rate, live birth rate, age distribution, single embryo transfer rate, and multiple pregnancy rate were analyzed for patients registered in the national ART registry system of Japan from 2007 to 2010.

Results: The total number of treatment cycles was 161,164, 190,613, 213,800, and 242,161 in 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010, respectively.

Implications of assisted reproductive technologies on term singleton birth weight: an analysis of 25,777 children in the national assisted reproduction registry of Japan.

Objective: To evaluate the implications of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) on neonatal birth weight.

Design: A retrospective study using analysis of covariance and multiple logistic regression analysis of the Japanese ART registry.

Setting: Japanese institutions providing ART treatment.

Insulin resistance/hyperinsulinemia and reproductive disorders in infertile women.

Obesity, which disturbs lipid and glucose metabolism, is a recent medical concern. It threatens human health and also has adverse effects on reproductive functions by causing insulin resistance/hyperinsulinemia, especially in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). For PCOS patients to prevent these adverse effects, it is important to take into account improving their lifestyles by exercise and proper diets.

Relationship between endometrial histology, morphometry and ultrasound texture in the follicular phase of infertile women with natural menstrual cycles.

The relationship between endometrial histology and ultrasonographic texture in the follicular phase was investigated. The endometrial sonographic texture of 32 infertile women with normal menstrual cycles was classified into three patterns (L, H and I) and histological and morphometrical analyses were performed. Endometrial specimens from pattern L, which showed multi-layered endometrium characterized by three hyperechogenic lines with inner hypo-echogenic regions, had smaller, similar-sized endometrial glands and few stromal cells.

Treatment of infertility associated with endometriosis by selective tubal catheterization under hysteroscopy and laparoscopy.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of treatment for infertility associated with endometriosis by selective tubal catheterization under hysteroscopy and laparoscopy.

Study Design: Eighty-eight infertile women who underwent selective tubal catheterization with insufflation of oil-soluble radiopaque dye were reviewed. The efficacy of treatment was analyzed with regard to conception rate.

Hysteroscopic assessment of midsecretory-phase endometrium, with special reference to the luteal-phase defect.

To investigate the functional aspects of secretory-phase endometrium, hysteroscopy was performed in 61 patients for in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET), and 50 women for infertility evaluation. All women had normal ovulatory cycles. The hysteroscopic assessment of secretory-phase endometrium was made by characterizing the glandular openings (GO) and vasculature.

Effect of prolactin on the secretion of hypothalamic GnRH and pituitary gonadotropins.

In order to clarify the mechanism by which excess PRL inhibits gonadotropin release, in vivo and in vitro studies were performed with adult female rats. First, we examined the effect of hyperprolactinemia, produced by implantation of anterior pituitary glands under the kidney capsule, on catecholamine turnover in the medial basal hypothalamus (MBH) and on GnRH concentrations in MBH and hypophyseal portal blood. Rats bearing pituitary transplants exhibited increased turnovers of dopamine (DA) in the MBH, decreased concentrations of GnRH in the MBH and in plasma of hypophyseal portal blood and impaired gonadotropin release from the pituitary gland.

Monoamine oxidase in rat ovary during the estrous cycle. A histochemical study by a new coupled peroxidatic oxidation method.

A new coupled peroxidatic oxidation method for histochemical detection of monoamine oxidase (MAO) was applied to rat ovary. With this new method, fixed tissues could be used, and two forms of MAO could be identified by use of selective inhibitors. MAO activity was observed in the corpora lutea, interstitial gland cells, and blood vessels.

Histochemical studies on human placental and chorionic monoamine oxidase.

A new coupled peroxidation method for detection of monoamine oxidase was applied to human chorionic and placental tissues of various weeks of gestation. With this new method, the precise localization of monoamine oxidase activity could be determined and the two isotypes of the enzyme could be identified using selective inhibitors. Significant monoamine oxidase activity was observed in syncytiotrophoblasts of fine villi and budding villi.