Preparation of mechanically patterned hydrogels for controlling the self-condensation of cells.

Synthetic protocols providing mechanical patterns to culture substrate are essential to control the self-condensation of cells for organoid engineering. Here, we present a protocol for preparing hydrogels with mechanical patterns. We describe steps for hydrogel synthesis, mechanical evaluation of the substrate, and time-lapse imaging of cell self-organization.

Mechanical guidance of self-condensation patterns of differentiating progeny.

Spatially controlled self-organization represents a major challenge for organoid engineering. We have developed a mechanically patterned hydrogel for controlling self-condensation process to generate multi-cellular organoids. We first found that local stiffening with intrinsic mechanical gradient ( > 0.

Threshold dose of cow's milk in sensitization to casein higher than those of casein and β-lactoglobulin in children with cow's milk allergy.

Background: Recent treatment for food allergies involves the intake of allergy-causing foods at doses lower than the threshold dose determined by the oral food challenge (OFC). For a more successful treatment, it is necessary to identify a biomarker to establish safer doses of allergens in foods consumed at home.

Objective: In this study, we aim to investigate whether the pattern of sensitization to cow's milk (CM) is related to the threshold dose of CM.

Organizational effects of estrogen on male-type vulnerability to early weaning.

We previously reported that early-weaned (postnatal day 14) male ICR mice, compared to normally weaned animals, exhibited a persistent increase in anxiety-related behavior in the elevated plus maze test. In this study, we examined whether steroid hormone manipulations on postnatal day 0 and at the ages of 2 or 3 weeks affected male-type vulnerability to early weaning. Neither castration nor ovariectomy at the age of 3 weeks affected male-type vulnerability.

Effects of sex and rearing environment on imipramine response in mice.

Rationale: Antidepressant treatments are commonly prescribed, but few studies have been published, even in animal models, on differences in reactivity to antidepressants with respect to rearing environment and sex.

Objectives: Using a mouse model, we investigated the hypothesis that rearing environment (weaning time) and sex could impact responses to imipramine treatment.

Methods: ICR mice were assigned to four groups for each sex: early weaned saline or imipramine treated, normally weaned saline or imipramine treated.